Starting a new business is an exciting time, especially when you’re looking to grow a business by doing something you have a real passion for. The dental industry gives new practice owners and managers the chance to make a real difference in their local community, while at the same time creating multiple revenue streams in a relatively short space of time. To make sure you get off to the right start, we’re going to talk you through the basics and fundamentals so that you know exactly what you need to do.
Build a business plan
If you don’t have a plan, you don’t have any direction or a point of focus. Being as detailed and far-reaching as possible is the key here, especially if you want to be able to use your plan to help you secure funding from banks and other outside investors. Think about your target audience, the local market, the startup costs, and your financial projections for the first 12 months. By diving in and not being afraid of the details, you give yourself the best possible chance of success because you’ll be able to very quickly identify gaps in your understanding.
Focus on the right location
No matter how skilled the team or how attractively priced the services, if they’re in the wrong location, then no one is going to walk through the door. The key here is to step back and slow things down so that you can go back to basics and focus on choosing a location that makes sense. Think about the footfall, the transport links, and the other types of businesses that are nearby. You will soon see whether your new dental practice is a natural fit or not.
Create lots of digital awareness
Whether you’re still putting your team together or you’ve been open for a few months, digital marketing is going to be one of the keys that unlock the lucrative future you want. By creating social media accounts that showcase the results you can achieve and show off your pristine practice, you can start building awareness with the click of a button. You could then expand by adding location-specific SEO pages to your main website, making it easier for prospective patients to find you online.
Make your offers clear and transparent
Having family plans, plans for seniors, and flexible plans with convenient hours for busy professionals will all help you attract more patients. Give your plans and treatments simple names that everyone understands at a glance, and you will be able to stand out online for all the right reasons. Simple explanations and visual guides will also help, especially if you want to be able to use your online presence to field most of the questions new patients would otherwise be asking your reception team.
Offer a wide range of new treatments
Dental practice managers who source their dental products from a trusted national supplier with an established network will be able to offer the very latest treatments without having to contend with shortages. By regularly communicating with your point of contact, you can find out when new products are about to enter the market and then figure out how you want to introduce them to your patients. Reinvesting in new products and the latest technology in this way will allow you to maximise positive patient outcomes in a way that will always enhance your reputation.
Hire people who care as much as you do
A friendly receptionist, a cleaner who understands the fine details, and a hygienist who takes the time to put an anxious patient at ease can each make a difference in their own way. By having a team that cares about what they do, you will be able to quickly build a reputation for kind, caring, and compassionate service right across your local community. Exactly what you need when you want to be able to generate a significant number of patient referrals.
Chase consistency, not perfection
This last point may sound more like it has come straight out of a self-improvement book, but it’s one that really does apply to new dentists looking to make their mark. It’s easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, but it’s crucial to note that perfectionism is just another form of procrastination. Yes, you want to be able to do everything to the best of your ability and get it right, but there will always be bumps in the road when you’re running a business.
Learn from every little setback, embrace them as learning opportunities, and find new ways that you can continue to grow your business and improve your skills. Do this every single day, and you will be amazed at where you can get to 12 months from now.
