Dental Office Management Principles

Some principles of management are universal, however, with dental office management, there are some additional considerations...

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Dental Office Management: Theory and Practice

Dental office management is all about adaptability.  Some dental offices are run very strictly.  Customers pay onsite and when services are done, no exceptions.  However, there is a unique challenge where dentists are concerned.  For one thing, dental insurance only covers so much of a procedure and as such, it leaves a lot on the customer.  Look at dental implants for example.  They can run, in some cases, as much as $10,000 a tooth.  As a rule, most people don't have that kind of money lying around. The clinics that take a harder line with financial matters often have a small patient base. This is both a plus and a minus


Without adding new patients, a dental practice inevitably loses patients.  Pretty soon, the dental clinic may find itself in financial difficulties or may even close it's doors.  So, where payments are concerned and where patients are involved, the practice must balance getting new patients while keeping the old ones happy and return customers. And a dental practice must also know when to arrange a payment plan and when to avoid it.  

Dental Office Management:  Your Patients are Your Customers

It may seem odd to a dentist, but patients should be considered more than patients. They should be considered customers as well.  As a result, they have to be treated well, or they will shop for another dental practice all too soon.



So remember, there is a lot at stake with your practice.  It is your livelihood and the livelihood of those who work for you.  As such, learn best practices as well as principles of how to manage a dental office, and your practice will prosper.  


DentiMax, LLC

4115 E. Valley Auto Dr.

Suite 101

Mesa, AZ 85206

(800) 704-8494

http://www.dentimax.com

Skills for a Dental Assistant

Part three of our article series on how to run a dental office explores the skills for a dental assistant.  

A dental hygienist needs a different skill set
than a dental office manager

What Skills Does a Dental Assistant Need?

What skills does a dental assistant need? Well, according to the site WISEGEEK.COM:
"Working as a dental assistant requires that a person enjoys working with the public. Dental assistants help the dentist with patients on a daily basis, so they must possess excellent customer service skills. These jobs are ideal for those who enjoy using their hands and minds to accomplish a varied set of tasks. It's also important for the assistant to possess good communication skills, as he or she will constantly be required to speak with the dentist, other dental professionals, and patients.
In most dentist offices, a dental assistant is expected to assist the dentist with a variety of complex dental procedures. He or she will take dental X-rays, ask patients about their medical history, and take patients' blood pressure. This person will help patients to feel comfortable before, during, and after dental procedures. Dental assistant jobs also require that the assistant be knowledgeable about sterilizing dental equipment in order to prevent infections.


The assistant will often be required to use a variety of office equipment in addition to his or her regular dental duties. For example, most will need to use a computer in the dentist's office. They must also have the ability to speak with patients over the phone if necessary. Some assistants may be responsible for scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, discussing billing with patients, and other general office tasks. [READ SOURCE ARTICLE]

What is a Dental Assistant Similar To?

A dental assistant is very much equivalent to a nurse or physician assistant.  As a result, they have to have dental skills as well as people skills.  They need to know how to fill out paperwork and work a wide range of people.

Essentially, a dental assistant needs to be sharp, know their stuff, and work well with the other staff members, dental office manager, and the dentist as part of how to run a dental practice.

For more information on how to run a dental practice, make sure that you read part one and part two as well.   

DentiMax, LLC

4115 E. Valley Auto Dr.

Suite 101

Mesa, AZ 85206

(800) 704-8494

http://www.dentimax.com

What Skills Does a Dental Office Manager Need to Have?

What skills does a dental office manager need to have?  He or she needs to have all of the skills necessary to free up the dentist for doing what's in their primary skill set. 

A dental office manager frees up the dentist to do their job 

What Skills Does a Dental Office Manager Need to Have?

Let's face it.  A dentist's job isn't easy. A dentist must focus their efforts on braces, teeth cleaning, and cavities.  With some dental practices being extremely busy, it doesn't leave a lot of time for administrative work.  With that said, who does the dentist turn to? Why, the dental office manager of course. 

A dental office manager must make sure that the practice runs smoothly.  That includes coordinating all the support personnel from the dental billing assistant to the dental hygienist.   A dental office manager also has to determine what equipment and software to buy, as well as mundane tasks such as stocking the office supply cabinet, working with suppliers and vendors, and also scheduling.   

What Sort of Education and Experience Does a Dental Office Manager Need?

The most important thing for a dental office manager to have above education is experience or related experience.  As far as education, it depends on the practice.  Some places want a GED or a high school diploma.  Other places want that plus a couple of years of college. 

In addition to some basic familiarity with dental procedures, a dental office manager needs management skills, customer service, billing, and of course how to run office machinery such as the computer and the software in it.  A dental office manager needs to be able to communicate effectively, both in written form as well as verbally.  Managers of dental offices also need some understanding of basic health and safety rules, particularly in light of the business being medical in nature. 

Above all else, a manager will need to figure out a balance between how to run the dental office efficiently and the needs of the dentist, the patients and the staff.  That's how to run a dental practice. 

For more information on how to run a successful dental practice, be sure to read part one and part three as well.  

DentiMax, LLC
4115 E. Valley Auto Dr.
Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85206
(800) 704-8494
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Dental Practices 101

When you take away the medical component, a dental practice is at heart a business.  And like a lot of businesses, there are several components that work in conjunction with each other.

Knowing how to run a dental practice is all about the details|
For more information, give us a call
(800) 704-8494

Don't Forget Your Dental Hygienists

Do you know what helps to drive your dental business?  Well, in addition to your patients, obviously, a big source of revenue for your business is your dental hygienists.  A hygienist does a lot of stuff that the dentist doesn't do, such as cleaning and initial assessments. 

In addition, a dental hygienist handles periodontal administrative work such as charting and updating patients records. 
It is crucial that hygienists provide a face to the business in case the patient is not there to see the dentist.  One skill a hygienist must have is soft skills such as care and empathy towards the patients. They also have to work well with the next component of the practice: the dental front office.   

How to Run a Dental Front Office

There are several components that have to be in place in any business.  If you want to know how to run a dental front office, you have to make sure that you have three key components.  These components are: equipment, personnel, and customers.  The customers are easy, they are your patients.  The equipment is everything from the brand new digital X-ray machine you've just put in, your chairs and dental tools, as well as everyday things such as telephones and computers.  As for the personnel, that's easy.  You obviously need a dentist who is the center of the practice.  You need dental hygienists, as we covered above, and tying all of it together, you need someone who knows how to run a dental front office, namely a dental office manager.  

A dental office manager may or may not have dental experience.  Their key strengths lie in the administrative area.  They are the link in the chain that you can never pinch pennies on.  In part two of this article series, we will cover skills of a dental office manager as well as those of a medical billing clerk.

For now, know that a dental practice is a chain.  You need all of the links working together to increase your profitability.  You also need all the right equipment.  And above all else, you need good people.  Then you are on the way to running a successful dental practice.  

For more information on how to run a dental office, please read part two and part three of this series as well.  

DentiMax, LLC

4115 E. Valley Auto Dr.

Suite 101

Mesa, AZ 85206

(800) 704-8494

http://www.dentimax.com