Dentistry is a great vocation. It requires skill, helps people, and can be financially rewarding. But good dentists are not necessarily good business people. That changes today. We’ve helped a lot of dentists over the years here at Creative Coaching and we can help yours too. Keep reading for the five biggest business mistakes dental practices make.

Not Seeing Or Recognizing Potential Patient Problems

Recognizing problem patients before they have the chance to waste your time or sue your practice is essential to proper risk management. If you are paying attention, problem patients are usually not too difficult to recognize. They tend to have lengthy care histories from multiple providers, an above-average number of emergency room visits, numerous complaints about past care providers, an ongoing failure to pay for services, and a bad track recording of adhering to your medical advice.

These kinds of traits are common in plaintiffs and litigious patients. It’s best if you, or someone working in your office, is able to identify these early so you’re able to avoid even accepting them as a patient, to begin with. If, however, you’re already accepted them or for some reason choose to, then you should be extremely careful about documenting all of the care you provide them to protect yourself from potential future litigation.

Avoiding Technological Progress

Software, and technology in general, is eating the healthcare industry, and that includes dentistry. Cosmetic imaging systems, digital X-Rays, and argon-curing lights are becoming staples of a good, up-to-date dentist and you shouldn’t try and resist these changes. Technology can do a lot, aside from the obvious operational optimization, to improve your dentistry practice. It can make your life easier by minimizing administrative tasks and allowing you to focus on actually working with patients rather than endless amounts of paperwork.

A Bad Office Environment

Your practice’s brand (i.e. the particular image you want it to convey to patients) must shine through in your office’s design. You can’t expect people to come in wanting cosmetic dental procedures not to get turned off by old furniture or tacky decor. When patients step into your office they should feel comfortable, like they’re in the right place. Moreover, your office should exude a “successful” kind of feel, and that means professionalism. Both you and your staff must look the part.

Unfairly Or Rashly Sending Patients To Collections

A lot of malpractice claims come about as a result of dentists sending patients to collections. The problem is that once a malpractice claim is filed in response to a collection claim, a defense to the malpractice claim must be made. This is true regardless of how erroneous the claim is. You should therefore carefully consider any situation where you’re thinking about sending a former patient to collections. And if you do decide to do so be sure that practice provided the patient with top-notch, otherwise they’re more likely to fight collections and possibly file a malpractice claim.

If you need help or advice developing a successful business strategy for your dental office, give Creative Business Coaching a call now at 888-201-0567 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team can help you revamp your marketing, manage sustained business growth, and get high-quality new patients.