Establishing a successful dental practice is a challenge. It comes down not only to your skills and dedication but also to making sound business decisions. When you’re only getting started, chances are you’ll have limited resources to use. But in time, you’ll have the opportunity to expand, renovate, relocate, or otherwise upgrade your practice.
Reaching this stage can be exciting, as you’ll be able to design your place the way you like it. At the same time, it can also be challenging to balance costs and business results. Here are the four primary considerations to help you get the right results.
Updated equipment
Many tools of the dental trade will last you for years. Upgrading your practice doesn’t have to involve replacing everything you currently have. But as you plan each area of improvement, it’s still worth careful consideration.
If you are moving to a different location, for instance, are there any new health and safety requirements you need to know? Is your dental sterilisation machine less energy-efficient compared to the latest models on the market? Identifying the advantages of each equipment upgrade lets you make a properly-weighted decision on where to allocate your resources.
Design concept
It’s your practice, so you’d want to have full control over the design. But there are advantages of working with a professional interior designer or design team. These include accounting for factors, such as the layout for movement, minimizing the contamination risk, and the improvement of occupants’ comfort.
Technical details, such as the water and air filtration or ergonomic material choices, are well within the interior designer’s scope of expertise. You can give your input on various aspects of the design concept. For example, you can suggest creating a warm, family-friendly environment. Doing this can reduce the intimidation factor for kids. Working with a designer makes it easier to realize your vision for your practice effectively.
Professionalism
First impressions matter in any business. New patients can judge by the presentation and initial reception of your place. They will form an opinion of your practice even before you’ve provided them with services. Knowing this, it’s an advantage to put some focus on the customer-facing areas. Good lighting, color selection, and choices of material for floors, walls, and upholstery, can be used to convey subtle and favorable signals to the customer. Don’t overlook the other aspects of professionalism, either. Customers are quick to notice well-trained and responsive personnel and small details. Examples of this are the digital billing system and queue timer.
Ensure balance
A balanced concept for your dental practice will manage to fulfill several objectives while sticking to your available budget. It achieves your business plan. This plan can be to expand your capabilities and serve more patients or provide better services to a specific demographic. Also, it allows you to operate with efficiency in energy consumption and material sustainability. It creates an environment that is comfortable for patients and employees alike.
Achieving each of these goals is difficult. But what’s essential is that you give each due consideration and not push one too far while neglecting the others. They are the keys to your successful practice.