Things You Should Know Before Setting Up Private Dental Practice

 

Things You Should Know Before Setting Up Private Dental Practice

Many of us are surrounded by people who have negative approach towards the Dental Profession. Staying arround such people... we also start to think negatively.

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I know dental profession is getting tough day by day. I agree salary of a BDS graduate is less than a labourer’s salary under MNREGA. I know PG seats are limited. Not only this but even after doing Postgraduation (MDS), the salaries in academics are shrinking these days. Dental Clinic is no more a cakewalk as everyone wants to start dental practice in a city which is already overcrowded with too many clinics. Many of you are leaving the profession to study MPH/MHA or to work at Pharmacovigilance data centers.

But still I believe that we are in one of the best professions in India. We are the Kings/Queens at our places of work. Do not loose your heart... Follow the 7 golden tips for successful Dental Practice.

 

 

1. Clinical Skills:

 

Master minimally in basic dental procedures before setting up your own practice such as Extractions, RCT, Esthetic Cosmetic Work, FPD, CD.

 

 

2. Invest Sensibly:

 

Whenever you open up your practice, do not waste your money much on interiors & show business initially. Instead invest in dental materials and equipments. Trust me nobody bothers it if you are good at your work. I have seen people investing 70% in showbiz & 30% on Dental materials/equipments.

Result: You know they cry after 6 months.

 

 

3. Have Patience: 

 

It will be fruitful only if you remain calm. Dentistry is like every other business. In the 1st year of your practice you pay from your pocket. In 2nd year you reach a break even point i.e there is NO PROFIT NO LOSS. Its only from the 3rd year that you start to earn. 

 

Suppose you are relocating after practicing for 4-5 years at some place; then regardless of your experience you will still have to have patience because your practice takes average 3 years to show profitability.

 

 

4. Keep Control on Yourself: 

 

Do not do Superman stuff in the initial years of your practice. Its very difficult to earn a name but very easy to spoil your name. Do case selection very effectively. If you don't have confidence about the case then either call a specialist or refer it to some experienced doctor. This way you might loose some money but you will make sure that it won't spoil your name.

 

 

5. Continue Learning: 

 

Attend CDE's & Conferences regularly. It will help you to remain confident of your profession and will also keep you up to the date with the new advances in the field.

6. Money Factor: 

 

Never underestimate youself. Charging less is not going to help you in long term. (Read The Price War In Dentistry By Dr.Pranav Agale). Never let the patient bargain; better let him/her go if he/she tries to bargains. Most of them will come back to you for the treatment at your described costs within a week after visiting 2-3 clinics in their vicinity. Always remember good things never come cheap.

 

TELL ME IF ANY PATIENT BARGAINS WITH AN EYE SURGEON OR  A HEART SURGEON? THEN WHY US???

 

 

7. Marketing: 

 

Do regular marketing for your clinic. Because your clinic is just like a CORPORATE firm and you are the boss (MD).  So you have to do all sorts of advertisements (ofcourse ethically) to let patient's know that YOU EXIST.

 

MORE INPUTS FROM SENIORS AND FRIENDS ARE WELCOME.

Source : DentistFriend

How To Build A Successful Private Dental Practice?

 

How To Build A Successful Private Dental Practice?

Years back dentistry used to be a profession of a few but it has become one of the most prolific career option now a days. Today's dental graduates are under far more stress compared to their seniors few years back.

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I have tried to outline some basic causes that lead to stress and their remedies. Take care of these facts of life and you will notice your dental life getting on track.

 

1. Get rid of the POW

 

     P = PRESUMING

    O = OVER IMAGINATION

    W = WORRY

 

If you are a new graduate, you will agree that dentistry has become a crowded place but that doesn't at all mean that you can't make name & fame. Of course it might take a bit longer than it used to..

 

So when you enter into private practice don't over imagine that things will fall in to place and you will be in immediate demand; instead be ready to take it day by day!

 

Remember it’s a game of patience; worrying is not the solution. Rather it is better to set goals and try to achieve them.

 

I'm sure that sooner or later you will agree with my point. 

 

 

2. Count your chickens before they hatch

 

Dental profession requires investment of both your time & money. Not only you have to invest in studies but also in establishment of clinic & this financial investment never end.

 

You should have a target on where you want to be in specific period of time i.e. Time: Money balance.

 

Spending beyond what you have can be a very risky proposition. Financial debt is one of the biggest reasons of stress for many. Remember it’s your or your parent’s hard earned money, so plan precisely and manage your funds properly and never spend on anything just because some of your colleague did it.

 

 

3. Work Life Balance

 

Family is the fulcrum between your personal & professional life. In the pursuit of professional success, never let go of the family. Because- "Success in dental practice" is directly proportional to time you spend with your family whereas "Stress" is inversely proportional to time you spend with family.

 

The less time you give to your family the more stressful dentistry will feel to you. You need motivation to succeed & there can’t be stronger motivation than to work and improve the life of your family members both professionally and personally.

 

 

4. Don’t Just Live- Be Alive!

 

It is good to chase your dreams but do not forget that "A healthy mind resides in a healthy body". Dentistry is tough on body; with age there are chances of back pain & fatigue creeping in. Take some time out of your busy schedule for yourself. Divert yourself from dentistry; spend some time for your hobbies. Hobbies are the great stress busters; it can be anything singing, photography, travelling, dancing, cooking or anything… but spend some time with yourself  

 

These activities reduces your stress & helps you in reaching the professional excellence

 

 

5. Take It Easy

 

There will be a lot of people around you who won't stop criticizing dental profession but take it easy! Don't overreact to such cynic personalities! That will save you from a lot of stress.

 

There is nothing wrong is discussing negative aspects of field. That in a way keeps you informed about the possible problems in your profession and eventually you might come out with some solution..

 

 

6. Follow "No Comparison" Policy

 

A lot of dentists have the habit of comparing themselves with graduates of other streams. This comparison is of no use; it won’t do anything than adding further stress to your life.

 

So get out of it; stop comparing & if you can’t stop comparing yourself with other professionals; it is better to get out of dentistry. Also learn to be grateful in life, be thankful for what all you have and then work hard for more.

 

You must have heard the saying

 

"Work with an aim on the target but not worrying about the target"

 

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Well then my dentist friends! These are some of the mantras I learned about dental life from my seniors and staffs and they learned it after years of struggle. These positive habits can't be acquired overnight but are as practical as sun rising in the east everyday!

 

Remember! to be successful in dental career, you need to have the power to tackle the stress and now you know how to!

 

Feel Good, Live Good, Do Good: Happy Dentistry! All the best for a successful dental career. 

Source : DentistFriend

How To Deal, When You Are Asked For Guarantee On Dental Implants?

 

How To Deal, When You Are Asked For Guarantee On Dental Implants?

In initial days of my practice, one of the patients asked me “Doc, this implant would last lifetime, right?”  I was surprised with that sudden question.. I was really not used to all such bouncers but somehow I managed the situation of that time. The whole incidence had left me with the fear of facing such questions in future and that's when I decided to get answers to all such questions..

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The first thing that I tried to figure out was "Why do patients ask for guarantee of implant?" & I found the answer when I looked at the treatment option with patient’s perception. It is not that patients always ask for guarantee due the high treatment costs but sometimes it's due to the fear of surgery.

What patients ask is not wrong but as a clinician one should never forget that even after having best of knowledge, skills and vast experience, many things can go wrong and implants can fail. 

 

What best a clinician can do is; assure patient that things are done to the best of his knowledge, skills and experience; treatment results may last longer, subject to patient’s awareness, motivation and desire to follow clinician’s instructions and regular recall visits.

 

The word Guarantee is really dangerous.. 

 

As it literally means “promise” or “pledge”. How a doctor who is treating human body part (that is regulated by so many factors) can give LIFETIME GUARANTEE on a specific treatment.

 

"Guarantee" is fine with non-living objects but doesn't it sound weird with respect to living things?

Have you ever heard any experienced Cardiac Surgeon saying, “I have done a fantastic bypass surgery, now I guarantee you 10 years or 20 years of life”, probably you will never ever hear this. Forget about the cardiac surgeon even the Almighty has not given a guarantee of life. In my humble opinion “Guarantee” is not a word that should exist in the dictionary of a doctor. Being clinicians we all know that human body has complex mechanisms where many things are in simultaneous process. Above all every person reacts differently (Including both doctor and patient) in different situation so nobody can predict the longevity of treatment. 

 

In my practice there is absolutely no word called GUARANTEE, for your surprise some patients have even challenged me by saying, “Doctor if you can't give guarantee means you don’t trust your skills”, My polite reply to that was, "Sir I do trust my skills more than anything but what I don’t trust is YOU”. 

Overall studies have quoted success rate of single implants for more than 97% up to 10 years (less for implant supported full arch prosthesis), So that is what we can call life of an implant. After good surgical placement & implant prosthesis, If implant survives more than 10 years it would be all because of good maintenance and periodic recall visits kept by patient. 

 

Patients expect implant to survive till they die, which is not possible anyway. We need to make it very clear at consultation phase only that life of an implant would be up to 10 years sometimes it may be less than that (depending upon patient’s local & systemic conditions also).  I always tell my patients, “Huge amount that you are going to spend for an implant and using that implant all day for another 8 to 10 years, is a very long span, so spending on implant is completely worth; rather looking at the cost, look at the benefits like quality of oral functions you are going to get after dental implant treatment.

 

I never forget to mention that implant structure includes screw and crown, so there are equal chances of screw loosening and some damage or fracture to prosthetic structure due to wear and tear which can be managed subsequently with an additional cost. In case of an Implant failure, most suitable option at time would be suggested like an implant placement again or some alternative option with a reasonable cost. Never ever convince patients on the basis of promises that are beyond your control, be realistic and straightforward as it will give you long standing trustful relation with your patient and above all complete peace of mind. 

And last but not the least; don’t forget to tell your implant patients…

 

“Implants are lifeline but not for lifetime”. 

 

I wish you all a very Happy Implant Dentistry.

Source : DentistFriend

5 Things To Consider Before Joining Courses At Any Dental Academy

 

5 Things To Consider Before Joining Courses At Any Dental Academy

Now a days as the level of Dental Education in some Indian Dental Schools is all time low.  There are some responsible experienced dental professionals who have come forward to guide young dental graduates. But unfortunately not many are able to stick to the original motive of imparting dental education and it is becoming more of a kind of business.

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Irony is that these days one has to take coaching for cracking premedical entrance exams to become a doctor and later they have to again take coaching even after graduating as Dental Surgeons.

 

If you go to any dental event or dental conferences and you will find some people standing at the entrance of venue distributing leaflets of various Dental Academies. The most funny/sad part is that some of these academies are being run by freshly pass outs and they are teaching subjects which need vast experience of over the years to master. PLEASE BEWARE OF THEM.

 

For example, How come you expect to learn Oral Implantology from someone who himself has not placed even 100 implants? Does he know the failures? As they say, Master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried. 

 

My point of writing this blog is to share my personal experience that may help you in deciding from which right place to learn. Definitely we all need to learn and upgrade ourselves from time to time. So, here are the top 5 points to consider before joining any academy:

 

1.  Get reviews from your friends, college teachers, internet and check yourself which one is most liked and reasons behind it and then only make a decision. Never make a decision to join any academy considering your convenience rather give priority to best learning experience. Learning will never come easy, be always ready to leave your comfort zone, no matter even if you have to travel PAN India.

 

2.  Don't join academies mentored by any Novice. A novice can teach in right fashion and may know the Ideal work but he won’t be able to teach you the failures for sure as he himself is not aware as have not encountered many in his short tryst with the subject.

 

For example: Learn Oral implantology from a mentor who has done more than 1000-1500 implants over 10-15 years. i.e. now he/she is a speaker of International repute. He/She has seen the failures and will be able to teach you how to overcome them.

 

3.  It hardly matters whether your mentor is a BDS or MDS. This should not be your criterion of selection. Count the number of years of their practice and not degrees. Degrees do have a value but they don't matter much in this aspect. Many big names in this field are old time plain graduates who have done unofficial masters in clinical procedures at their own clinics.

 

For instance, one of my good friends is a pioneer in teaching micro-endodontics in a North Indian city near National Capital. He himself is a BDS graduate but has many endodontists in his fan list.

 

4.  Don't go for fancy courses, particularly Orthodontics courses. No doubt a BDS can practice orthodontics but that is possible after proper orthodontic training. Ortho is a very vast science in which prognosis is majorly based on treatment planning & how can you even expect to learn treatment planning in 5-10 days? Which otherwise needs 3 years.

 

I recently met someone who was repenting of wasting his energy and resources for doing a 7 day short ortho course and finally he has to call an Orthodontist for consultation.

 

5.  Lastly and most importantly. Choose the courses in which you have more number of patients to do than just the theory part. You always have Google option for theory and demo Videos.

 

I hope these points will help you in your selection of right course and academy.

 

Please Note: Further inputs from seniors in profession and friends are most welcome.

Source : DentistFriend