Building a pyramid to practice success

Although decisions about the goals of the practice originate with the dentist and drive every other system, a successful dental practice looks like a pyramid. The bottom level includes the effective management of time and resources through efficient scheduling and patient communication. The second level ensures the ability of the practice to reach its goals through results-oriented case acceptance scripting, patient finance options and advanced customer service. The third level focuses on creating long-term relationships with patients and turning the hygiene department into a "WOW" experience profit-center. Dentists must set practice management and production/profitability goals before all others.