A model for increasing senior dental student production using private practice principles

Previous dental graduates have reported a lack of confidence in their ability to implement business practices upon graduation. The purpose of the new model was to enable senior students to gain experience using sound business principles in their senior year. This model involves setting and meeting production goals, teamwork, personnel evaluation, and performance incentives. This article reports the findings after implementing this model in the academic year 2003-04. Each student averaged 226 more charged visits than in 2002-03. Total dollars produced increased $7,526 per student, which represented a 63 percent increase in production over the previous year. Total dollars produced by the senior class increased from $713,740 to $1,066,139 over the previous year. A survey of the students' attitudes toward the model showed an increase in acceptance from the beginning of the senior year to the end of the year. The model was successful in achieving most of the desired outcomes but failed to increase seniors' chairtime utilization.