It's true that a dental practice is a complex machine, and there are a lot of moving parts that go into making a smooth-running successful operation.

But the fundamentals really boil down to just a few essentials. In fact, you can get a good sense of where you stand and where your greatest opportunities lie by doing this quick five-question self-diagnostic quiz:

  1. Do you comprehensively diagnose each patient based on the type of care you would want your own loved ones to receive?
  2. Imagine that a clinician you highly respect is standing beside you in the operatory as you diagnose. Are you confident that you would identify the same treatment opportunities he or she would?
  3. Does your facility (decor, equipment, technology, etc.) reflect the value of the treatment you provide?
  4. Do your patients leave your practice fully understanding the treatment they need, why they need it, and how they are going to pay for it?
  5. Are you confident that your team talks to patients about their treatment possibilities in the same way you do?

When you can answer yes to all five questions you know that your practice is at the forefront of the profession; you know that you're providing the best value for yourself, your team, and your patients. If the honest answer to any of these is no, you have some work to do. And chances are you already know what it would take to change each no to a yes – the right education, commitment and application of resources.

So now that you have done this quick diagnosis, only one question remains: What is your treatment plan?


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