The Practicon Viewpoint by Ann Page Griffin

IS YOUR PRACTICE STUCK IN A RUT?

ASK YOUR TEAM TO HELP BREAK FREE

During my years as a practice management consultant, I often heard dentists who had been in practice 12 to 15 years admit that the shine was fading, or even gone, from their enjoyment of practicing dentistry. The daily routine had grown stale and enthusiasm had waned. And, if this was the case for the dentist, it's a sure bet the staff were feeling the same.

If you, Doctor, are feeling the weight of same-ol', same-ol', day-in, day-out in your office, consider using the exercise below to get input from your team to help recapture the excitement and enjoyment you felt when you first began practice.

Introduce the effort by assuring staff that this is an opportunity for them to suggest changes in many aspects of the practice, new ways that they think would benefit everyone—the team, the patients, and the dentist(s).

Encourage them to use their imagination and to think outside the box in this What If... exercise:

What if we could start a new dental practice?

Only with your thoughtful input can we plan for practice enhancements. Please be candid in your replies. Only Dr. _____________ and our practice administrator will know who submitted which suggestions. All information will be shared anonymously. Please write your responses on a separate sheet of paper attached to this form.

Please submit your responses to our practice administrator by _____________ (date).

Thank you!

Imagine:

Let’s pretend: you have worked in this practice for years, but Dr. Good will retire within a year. An associate will move to the senior dentist's role, and you've agreed to work with him in the same role you've held with Dr. Good.

Unclutter your mind. Discard all thoughts of: We must do it that way...We've never done that before...He won't let me...It won't work...I can't...We've always...He's always...Our team is not allowed...Etc.

Remember, we are thinking about this as a new practice with a new dentist as leader. You will be part of a new team, transforming the practice to exceed the expectations of today's patients.

• List changes necessary to the building including parking, landscaping, and signage, dental equipment, front desk area or function, computer system and use, X-ray equipment, laboratory, sterilization, cabinetry or counter space, instruments, printed or digital paperwork, etc., that would improve the office flow and service to patients.
• Describe your area of responsibility (your job) as you would choose it to be in the new practice. Write an ideal job description/task list for yourself as you begin work in this new practice. What do you want your job to include? List your skills/strengths and how you think they can contribute to the new setting. List skills you would like to strengthen or upgrade or cross-training that would benefit you professionally.
• What has been the most critical communication problem or lack in Dr. Good's practice? How are you going to help fix that problem before it affects the new practice?
• How do you think the new practice should function? Include your ideas about the dentist's interaction with staff and with patients, team meetings, teamwork including fun activities and charity dentistry, morale or the lack thereof, staff continuing education and advanced training, scheduling and patient flow, patient education about oral health, practice marketing, and so on.

Caution: Before undertaking such a challenging activity, make certain you, Doctor, can accept team input non-defensively. Can you hear critique of the practice and value the positive effects changes could have? Are you willing to spend the money necessary to make upgrades to the building, equipment, furnishings, and supplies that will make a positive difference in the office?
If your answer is yes, then go for it; if no, then accept the same-ol', same-ol' as the norm.