Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

21Practice ManagementDecember 12-18, 2011United Kingdom Edition Before After Vision • You have no clear idea of where you want to be in the next five years, three years or even tomorrow • You look at the next day’s list and complain because: 1. It’s not fully booked or 2. It’s double booked • You worry about the knock-on effect of taking a long weekend • This way you can check you are going in the right direction • You have a clear idea of where your personal and professional life will be in five years and beyond • You can plan the steps you need to take • Time management means that you decide how the day list looks and how much profit you will generate Financial Controls • The bank might or might not be on your back • You can’t think about the Inland Revenue without coming out in hives • Your accounts reflect ancient history • You hope that the money outlasts the month • Everything’s fine (really?) • You know where your money is both coming from and going • Your spreadsheets mean that your pressure budgets can be done without pressure • You no longer fear the bank taking its umbrella away when the rainy day arrives Sales • A dirty word • Unethical • Unprofessional • You already know who can and can’t afford treatment and what’s best for them • Your patients make informed descisions for the benefit of their long term dental and gen- eral health and wellbeing • You and your team know how to present treatment options - including doing nothing • You check routinely that patients’wants and ‘‘not wants’’haven’t changed • Patients request treatments Marketing • You’re in the Yellow Pages betweem Demoli- tion & Design but it’s getting so expensive • You have a website but it hasn’t been updated for a year or more • Twitter is for Twits and Facebook is for kids and has nothing to do with dentistry • Asking for business is tacky and unprofessional • You have a marketing policy which produces measurable results • Your patients remember you, appreciate what you do and refer people • Social media is no longer a cause for puzzlement but a valid part of your marketing People • Sometime servers who just turn up and do it • Not sure if they’re an asset or a liability • You think you have some potentially great people that you just haven’t the time or re- sources to develop • They work as a team - your team • By fulfilling potential, their growth reflects the development and improvement of the practice • Recruitment and team building is done sci- entifically using proven methods • You always knew the need to invest in new equipment - now you invest in your greatest asset Environment • Surgery from the Space Shuttle • Reception from Ikea • The last time it was decorated you did it over Easter • Suction and handpieces can be heard over the telephone • Patients comment about the‘‘dental’’smell • Everyone appreciates that first impressions count and they’re excellent • Regular examination of all stimulants of the five senses • Patients comment about the sight of fresh flowers Systems •You‘‘passed’’the CQC registration but dread the inspection •‘‘All these systems are‘‘killing’’dentistry • Thankfully the ever reliable Suzie has eve- rything under control - what would you do without her? • Suzie is planning to join your associate in a cold squat three miles down the road You have a practice manual that: • Reflects your ideals and values • Is a complete guide to anyone joining or visiting your practice‘‘how it’s done here’’ • Is three steps ahead of current legislation