CONSIDER A PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR

Whether developed from among current experienced staff members or newly hired to manage the practice, a Practice Administrator can be an invaluable asset in the process of strategizing, growing, and managing a busy dental office.  Besides helping with business operations of the office and the “thousand and one” details that must be handled on a daily basis, the addition of a Practice Administrator can be a tremendous stress reliever for the Dentist.  Imagine doing what you, the Dentist, trained for and enjoy while leaving the nitty-gritty details of every day practice management to your Administrator.

A Practice Administrator may be compared to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a corporation.  He/she helps the Dentist who is actually the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) strategize and set goals for the practice, including establishing production and collection goals; deciding marketing/branding efforts; and overseeing compliance issues for HIPAA, OSHA, and other government-imposed standards.  In addition, the Administrator can serve as the Dentist’s right hand in matters of overall operation of the office, its physical facility, its business protocols, and its personnel issues.  The Administrator can also act as liaison with the practice CPA, Attorney, and IT experts who service the computer and other electronic devices.  He or she can oversee financial activities such as writing an annual budget including realistic goals for income (collections) and expenses (overhead).  She or he can serve as the HR (Human Resource) director to coordinate interviewing, hiring, and performance appraisals for the team.  An astute Administrator will refine the practice ambiance by building teamwork, improving communication between team members, and encouraging/empowering staff to become the best they can be.

Dentists who employ a Practice Administrator attest to more enjoyment along with significantly reduced stress in their practice.  If you decide to develop such a role in your practice, remember you, as owner, retain the right of refusal/veto power over every aspect of the practice.  While a carefully chosen and well trained Practice Administrator can be a valuable addition, the Dentist must be the ultimate authority in the operation of the office.  Those offices in which I have seen a Practice Administrator function effectively are those in which the Dentist welcomes and seriously considers suggestions and initiatives from the Administrator.  The two confer frequently, thoroughly analyzing and considering ideas to improve the practice in any way.  They usually come to consensus, but if not, both understand that the dentist is the final word.