Dental practices can improve their atmosphere, operations, and patient care by taking advantage of hiring a dental consultant. The opinions and insights of a trusted consultant can identify areas of business operations the dental team may overlook. Dental practices should only hire a consultant if they are willing to make the suggested changes. The consultant works closely with everyone in the dental practice, identifies areas to improve, offers advice, and assists in implementing the changes.
What is a dental consultant?
A dental consultant goes to dental practices and works closely with the entire team in order to provide information about dental insurance, claims policies, network management, utilization, patient care programs, business optimization, and many other business operations. They offer advice and insight on changes that improve business operations in a way that ensures the entire dental team is on the same page. They observe the practice, meet with employees, and offer solutions to streamline business operations for a better experience for patients.
What can dental practices expect?
Dental consultants work with practices anywhere from a few months to a year, and the dental team can expect modifications to everyday activities. The consultant may suggest changes to how cases are presented and how appointments are completed. Consultants might coach dental hygienists on ways and changes to make them even more successful. Ultimately, a dental consultant’s main goal is to ensure the systems they implement are used by the entire dental team. A great consultant becomes part of the dental team, not a team leader and follows the practice’s values and goals, not their own.
What are the benefits for dental practices?
The biggest benefit a dental practice can gain from a consultation is improved patient care. This is a direct result of the work a dental consultant does when they develop new practice-management systems which are utilizing business principles in the formation, operations, and management of a dental practice. These systems improve efficiency and profitability because consultants help implement a comprehensive dental business plan. The consultant makes sure the dental practice understand finances, workflow, patient care, and treatment acceptance. This fosters a positive work environment where team members hold each other accountable.
Clinical skills alone are not enough to have a successful dental practice; however, combined with a positive culture, technical skills, and an effective management system, any dental practice can improve their revenue. Most dental hygienists do not learn about the business details of operating an office, and taking advantage of a dental consultant improves areas of their business which are preventing the dental practice from reaching their goals. Building team working skills also improve how a dental practice operates because the entire dental team is consistent in their quality of work.
