What a Reliable Dental Clinic Consultant Can Deliver

Managing a dental clinic these days is quite challenging. The costs rise constantly. Almost every few months, new technologies are introduced. Patients seek better service. The rules and regulations are constantly changing. Many practitioners feel pressure to treat patients and run the business side of things simultaneously. This is where a dental clinic consultant comes into play. In this post, we will highlight the tangible advantages a skilled advisor can bring to your practice. 

We are talking here about the regular operations being more seamless, income being more stable, and your shoulders carrying less load.

Immediate Clinic Health Check

Before making any recommendations, the consultant needs to have a good grasp of the clinic's operations. It is similar to a doctor checking the vital signs before administering treatment. They give priority to three areas of the clinic.

Clinical Workflows & Patient Flow

The consultant observes the scheduling of appointments. They monitor the turnover rate in the treatment chairs between patients. They evaluate the way your staff manages emergencies and directs patients to specialists. Occasionally, a slight change in this area can increase the number of appointment slots. This means that more patients can be accommodated without extending working hours or recruiting new staff.

Financial & Revenue Snapshot

Afterwards, the financial aspect is taken care of. The consultant reviews your pricing list and checks whether it complies with local standards. They scrutinize insurance billing to detect potential delays or errors. They review accounts receivable to estimate how quickly patients pay their bills. They analyze revenue per operatory to determine which rooms and/or procedures are most profitable. The numbers contain information about improvements that can be made quickly and thus directly raise income.

Roles of the Staff & Training Needs

The consultant will first consult with your staff. Who is responsible for what? Is there a good division of labour? Are the hygienists and assistants adequately trained for the services you provide? There may be times when one person is extremely busy, and another has nothing to do. Along with balancing workloads, the staff will learn from one another as skill gaps are filled.

Cost Control & Smart Purchasing

The decision regarding the big equipment can either ruin your budget or save it. A consultant is there to guide you through the process of spending, thus ensuring that there is no compromise on quality. Below is the method that this consultant would adopt.

They will bring together various suppliers so that you do not have to deal with ten different ones. The vendors will be fewer, which means better discounts and easier maintenance contracts. By examining the whole picture, they will direct you to the economical dental equipment solutions. 

This implies looking at the reliability, maintenance costs, and the equipment's lifespan, not just the initial cost. They help you choose cost-effective dental equipment solutions by looking at the whole picture.  These actions will make cash available to spend on things patients notice, e.g., more comfortable waiting rooms or faster appointment scheduling.

Strategic Growth, Service Mix, and Exit Readiness

Once the basics are solid, a consultant helps you plan for the future.

Expanding or Refining Services

Are you going to install implants? Give up a service that barely brings in money? An expert evaluates the needs of your neighbourhood and analyzes the sources of the referrals. They calculate the profits to find out which services are actually making money. Doing less of one thing and more of another can bring in the same revenue without additional work.

Marketing & Patient Acquisition

Acquiring new patients doesn't have to be a challenging task. A consultant reveals to you some very simple yet effective tactics. Improving your Google listing could be one of them. Another way could be establishing referral connections with local family practitioners. Another method could be following up more effectively with current patients to ensure their regular return. These simple measures can lead to a higher monthly patient influx.

Preparing for Sale or Acquisition

Retirement might seem distant, but it's always good to have a plan. A consultant supports you in the cleaning of your financial records and the documentation of standard operating procedures. They not only clean your practice but also make it appealing to buyers. This preparation allows you to have a smooth transition once you decide to sell or when you consider acquiring another clinic. Getting a dental practice buy-and-sell consultation early means fewer headaches later.

Implementation, Measurement & Accountability 

Great recommendations are of no use if they are left undone. The consultant transfigures the advice into action steps with a strict time limit.  You will experience the benefits that come quickly in the first 30 to 60 days. Next, quarterly evaluations will ensure that enhancements continue to move forward. Continuous guidance will ensure the transformation is permanent.

How to Pick the Right Advisor & Next Steps 

The collaboration with a proficient consultant will result in orderly operations, increased profitability, satisfied patients, and a lot fewer worries for you. Dr. Saleh Al-Daghreer has established six clinics from the ground up, and now he helps fellow dentists to do the same. His guidance is based on real experiences, not books. If you are considering consulting as a way to help your practice, why not have a short conversation for a clinical assessment? A brief discussion can uncover the areas with the most significant potential.