It all depends on yourself.
Summer Lotus 8th Nov 2020
I run a solo dental practice for more than 35 years. Wow, that is a long time!
For many years, I have practiced dentistry with my heart, keep up with the changes and development especially in the field of digital dentistry. It’s been a wonderful journey as I am constantly amazed at how technology and techniques have evolved to make lives better for dentists and patients.
But being solo for so long starts to reach a limit of efficiency. As the patient base grows bigger, I am treating patients from four generations. Patients from my era, their parents, their children, and now grandchildren. Less you think I should hit the retirement bucket, I am planning to do so but certainly not entirely.
It is a blessing to be a dentist with all the excellent tools at my disposal. I enjoy my career. But I realized that I would not want to spread myself too thin, having too many patients on my schedule and no downtime in between for an occasional chat or a coffee break. The time has come to groom a new team so that these patients who had entrusted their dental care to me can have continuity as I eventually ride off into the sunset.
One year ago, I started recruiting much younger dentists and young people to be my dental assistants. It turned out to be a blessing to my long-time dental assistant and me. Every day is smooth sailing. If it is not so, we put it right. I make sure that there is no drama.
The success of a smooth practice hinges on the following conditions
1 People are teachable — They put their pride aside and know that there is always something they don’t know. How we teach them or show them the ropes must be tactfully done and not degrading for the lack of knowledge.
2 Manage Expectations — -General expectations should be made known like punctuality, honesty, and integrity. These qualities should not be assumed. Things to avoid — gossips, backstabbing, and procrastination. If all staff can put the customers’ interests first, it is a sure winner for the practice.
3 Open communication — -Anyone with doubts should be able to voice hers and arrive at some resolution. We believe in an open-door policy and not let disappointment fester to the point of anger. Sometimes, we need to have some small chat to get to know each other better but never gossips.
4 Good Attitude — A good attitude and willingness to learn on the job, understand the job scope, and do to one’s best ability is the most important ingredient, not just for the clinic success but for that staff’s personal growth. Not to mention, it will lead to a sterling resume. And remuneration to match the performance.
5 Patience — We never forget the humans on the other side of the equation. Dental patients are not exactly willing customers. They have painful problems to solve. On our end, we have practiced empathy, good communication skills, and deliver efficient clinical skills so that patients would step out of the clinic, acknowledging that dentistry is indeed a useful service, and the negative images associated with are things of the past.
6 Respect —This good old advice bandied around a basic human dignity never fails. Respect for oneself and others. Out go anger, envy, and greed. Every one is a gem. Indeed! My oldest dental assistant of thirty years (she is 65) with her attitude is an inspiration to the young ones in terms of work knowledge, ethics, and skills-upgrading.
With her inimitable ways, I think she is close to extinction. No one I know comes close to her tremendous hard work and attitude that I need to tell her to slow down and relax. Other employers would work her to her bones, I told her. I have delegated her to advise the younger staff and a good relationship has developed among them.
I always excavate talents from the younger people around me. In turn, I dispense my wisdom and experience if they care to imbibe them. There is no dispute that younger people are more tech-savvy. They can type on the keyboard faster than you can imagine and many of my IT hiccups are resolved in a jiffy.
One overarching assistance that is the balm to staff and patients in a dental clinic is the use of music that is so easily available with Spotify. From calming music to therapeutic ones to classical music, the options are there. I noticed the state of flow in myself, staff, and patients working in such ambiance. I use music every day now.
In conclusion, the conditions are nothing new. Teachability, managing expectations, open communication, good attitude, patience, and respect. And soothing music. I am glad to share these ideas with other enterprises for a predictably happy working environment.
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