Ann answers your questions - Which practice system to put in place?

Hello Ann, I just started up my practice in February this year. I hear a lot about putting different systems in place to make the office run smoothly and efficiently. I have been trying to do that but it still is not a well oiled system and is often very stressful. I want to be able to focus on doing dentistry, but instead most of my time goes in trying to figure out how to put which systems in place. Is there any resource that I can refer to, to help me with this? I did research a little on it, but the companies that help put these systems in place quote thousands of dollars which I cannot afford at this time. What should I do? Thank you. Dr. M Toronto, Ontario ________________________________________________________________________ Hello, Dr. M. in Toronto, Ontario, Your question about “how to put which systems in place” in your start-up practice is one asked by many young dentists.  My suggestions and thoughts follow, but first, a word of CONGRATULATIONS on starting your practice earlier this year.  As you are aware, dentists who choose to build their practice from the ground, up, are now in the minority.  Your determination and hard work are commendable.  I believe you will reap many benefits, mentally, emotionally, and financially, in years to come.  As you are finding, this first year of “birthing” your own practice is one of the most exciting yet stressful times you will have in your career. Organized, well-oiled systems in any dental practice begin with competent, well trained staff members.  You should articulate your management system choices, alert staff members to the way you want things done and monitored, and reward staff performance accordingly.  But it is the trained, experienced staff members who should make the systems go while, as you expressed it, you are focused on doing dentistry.  Ideally, you have hired or will hire an experienced business staff person who has worked for several years in a busy dental office and comes well recommended by her/his former employer.  This person will go a long way toward helping you implement proper business systems and monitors for the business area of your practice. The same is true of the clinical area.  Hire experience and provide training to meet your standards of practice management. If you do not hire experienced staff members, I suggest it is a good investment to find a local practice management consultant and hire her/him for several training sessions for your dental team.  This person should be knowledgeable in both business and clinical management systems and come well recommended by other dentists in the area.  I stress “local” so that you do not have the added expense of travel and living expenses while the consultant is in your office.  And, once a local consultant is familiar with your office and the staff, she/he can spend a day with your team on an as-needed basis. Now---some FREE RESOURCES that I think will help you implement effective management systems.  Please go to the Practicon website and choose FREE Resources for Your Practice. You will find seven sections of valuable material dealing with practice management that I developed over my 35 years of practice management consulting plus a section dedicated to answering a variety of questions sent in by Practicon cusomers.  The topics include: Associateships, Partnerships, and Start Ups Interviewing, Hiring, and Training Personnel Administration Scheduling and Recare System Practice Management: Knowing the Numbers Marketing Please feel free to reproduce any of the forms, monitors, or letters for use in your practice. Incidentally, the form titled Business Monitor by Departments in the Practice Management section may be especially helpful as you begin organizing the business systems.  I have several additional lists of both business and clinical systems that will be sent to you as separate documents via email.  We appreciate your questions and your interest in Practicon.  Please let us know how we may be of service to your practice in the future. Sincerely, Ann