The Business of Dentistry

The Business of Dentistry

How Will You Build a Practice?

As you begin to consider an expansion for an existing practice, opening a start-up, or even adding a second location the business of dentistry is actually very predictable. There are tried and true formulas and plans that reliably deliver the outcome you seek. In fact, the biggest variable that influences the experience and the success of the final result is probably the advisors and company you choose to coordinate the project for you. I can customize a team of professionals for you including contractors, designers, commercial real estate experts, lawyers and lenders that take unnecessary worry, and expensive trial and error out of the equation.

Bill Pellicano and Patterson Advantages

  • Doctors I work with can expect the project to be completed on time and on budget.
  • New patient numbers will meet or exceed your growth goals because of careful pre-planning and analysis done to determine an ideal high traffic, high volume location.
  • Breakeven point in the 8th month is the average for my projects. Many doctors are concerned it will take three years to begin to see ROI.
  • Growing your infrastructure in the office lets you accommodate more dentistry even with existing patients. It’s basic math: with 5 ops you can accommodate 1200-1300 patients at an average of about $1000/per year that is $1.2 million. Expand the numbers in proportionally from there according to the number of operatories you will build.
  • Your new practice will accurately reflect the work you do including the state of the art technology and equipment that take you to the next level in the eyes of your patients.
  • The very least growth we’ve even seen is 15%, but by doubling your number of operatories you are doubling your collections.

Testimonials From My Clients

“Everything went smoothly. The professionals Bill recommended were all amazing, talented and on time. From the decorator to the contractor the project was not only seamless, but actually fun. Six months of planning, tweaking, and executing resulted in our relocation from a 1800 square foot, four operatory office to our current 5200 square foot, twelve operatory masterpiece.” Dr. Stephen Hamelburg and Dr. Helyne Hamelburg

“We used Bill and his team to design and build three practice locations. I cannot imagine trying to complete one of these locations without his expertise and guidance.”  John Collins, Practice Business Manager

“Bill has proven reproducible results whether it’s with a novice starting my first practice during a Pedo residency, or moving to expand my practice. I wouldn’t hesitate to call on Bill again and again…..” Dr. Lee Thach

Whether you are looking to start, looking to grow, or have reached a plateau in your business I can meet you wherever you are at in the process and work with you to plan for your goals. Talking about what’s possible is always the first step. Take a look at some of my featured projects and read testimonials from doctors about their success stories. You can also fill out Getting Started forms on my website. Let’s meet to discuss ways we can work together to plan and build the successful modern dental practice of your dreams.

 

 

3D Imaging Training and Education

3D Live at Mohegan Sun March 29-30

With a cone beam scanner you have the opportunity to get a full and complete picture of what is going on pathologically with your patients. It is impossible to treat what you do not see. Digital 3D images are comprehensive and include much more detailed information than you can see with a traditional x-ray including bone, roots, soft tissue, sinus, and nerves. This information enhances your diagnostic capabilities and broadens the treatment applications you could be providing including: airway and sleep apnea, dental implant, orthodontics, and endodontics. The CBCT allows you to easily communicate and case plan with specialists and labs. With the comprehensive information you get in the cone beam x-rays you can virtually plan, with accuracy and confidence in the software, and troubleshoot before you actually deliver treatment to your patients.

 

Every week I hear from doctors about using cone beam images to present treatment to patients and what a game changer it is. A picture is worth 1,000 words and showing the detailed, 3D images in your patient treatment consultations allows the patient to understand and accept what you are recommending much more easily. There is no better presentation and education tool.

Patterson and Dentsply Sirona are collaborating to bring you a comprehensive program called 3D Live on March 29-30th at Mohegan Sun and I encourage you to enroll online today. Learn everything you need to know about the practical implementation of 3D imaging into your practice, including 3D-enhanced diagnostics and profitable new procedures such as implantology, endodontics, and sleep apnea treatment. The program includes a live demonstration implant case. We’ll also show you how to make the most of the business and financial aspects of 3D imaging, including medical billing, insurance reimbursements, tax incentives, and planning for your future.

Dental Practice 6 Photo Challenge

Dental Practice 6 Photo Challenge

2019 Yankee Dental 6 Photo Challenge

Happy New Year! I hope your list of resolutions included developing a strategy to grow your practice in 2019. NOW is the optimal time to evaluate your practice with a fresh set of eyes. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, here’s my Dental Practice 6 Photo Challenge. It requires taking the following 6 photos of your office:

1. Operatory
2. Sterilization area
3. Technology
4. Reception Area
5. Whatever bothers you most
6. Front of your building

These pictures tell the story of your practice. They reveal areas of improvement, lost production opportunities, and the messages you are sending to your patients.  It is easy, in the rush of day to day operations to lose sight, of the bigger picture. Let’s begin your path to practice growth with a review of your 6 photos.  Email or text them to me. We can set up a consult during Yankee Dental Congress Patterson Dental booth #431, or arrange a private consultation in your office.

To be even more prepared for our consultation, take a few moments to fill out the practice growth survey on my website. You can email it or bring it along. The survey can help you get focused and is a great starting point for goal setting and planning.

My experience helping doctors launch and expand dental practices can save you time, help you avoid common pitfalls, and ensure that you have the guidance and support you need to make a practice growth strategy that is right for you. There is no better time to take charge of your future, achieve the productivity and success you’ve always dreamed of, practice state of the art dentistry, and love what you’re doing more than you ever thought was possible!

Storage in Your Dental Office

Storage in Your Dental Office

What is Your Storage Strategy?

Storage strategies have changed dramatically over the years in the dental practice. I have seen many extremes including putting full storage of every item in each operatory. This makes it nearly impossible to manage inventory, and can become unnecessarily expensive. You’ll be ordering more of a product, but you already own 3 boxes x 5 operatories which could potentially expire before the inventory in each op is fully utilized. Another extreme is to have almost nothing in the operatories and the assistants running back and forth for additional items you’ll need for each procedure from the one centralized storage location. Time motion studies show that when an assistant leaves the operatory to get something she is gone for 4-5 minutes and that is lost production time for you. If you multiple that 4 minutes out by 8 times in a day that 32 minutes is time for another entire procedure to be performed.

The way products are stored impacts your efficiency and the bottom line. The best way to stock the office is to have 3-4 days of supplies in the operatory organized by procedure in tubs. Think of the storage tub as a removable drawer for a specific procedure like a composite restoration. Every supply needed to perform that procedure, right down to the articulating paper, is always in the that tub. When setting up the op for a given procedure simply place the appropriate tub on the assistant’s work surface and remove the materials needed. Keep the tub on the work surface covered so you can retrieve additional materials if needed during the procedure without de-gloving, going into a drawer, or leaving the room to find an item that might have been forgotten.

By keeping one of each of the procedure tubs in the room you can easily pull down another tub if your procedure changes during the appointment. Digging through drawers to set up rooms and being ill prepared for what might arise with a patient in the operatory is not an ideal time and materials management system. Because the procedures are repetitive, and very similar case to case, the tub system will enable you to do the same thing each time, professionally and proficiently, to optimize the care you deliver to your patients.

Procedure tubs are replenished in a central stocking area-separate from sterilization. Materials are removed from boxes and placed in ten restocking bins. Acrylic doors make the area more attractive and conceal from view all the stock items you’d have on hand at any given time.

Instruments can be stocked the same way so you can quickly access the appropriate kit and perform procedures with the assurance that all you might need is in that tub. Be sure to monitor the quantity of items you place in the tubs. You don’t need 50 of anything in the tub just a 3-4 day supply. Your Patterson TR can work with you to place a re-order barcodes on each bin to further maximize convenience and efficiency. Let’s work together to evaluate your space and plan a makeover for your office that will allow you to implement a cost saving and convenient storage management system in your practice!