Whether you’re just starting out in your career as a dentist or are an experienced professional, you know how important it is to have a well-equipped office. From the reception to the dentist’s chair, a welcoming, patient-friendly office can greatly improve your patients’ experience.
If you’re about to open a new dentist’s office, you’ll have to plan well in advance to make it a place where you can work efficiently and ensure that your patients can have the best experience possible. Choosing the right staff is critical to the success of your practice, and it’s also essential to invest in high-quality equipment. Here are some tips for setting up a successful dentist’s office.
1. Hire a great team
All dental practices need an efficient team of professionals to run the office, take care of patients, and assist the dentist. In a large practice, there may be multiple dentists, hygienists, and receptionists. But if you’re opening a small practice, you’ll need at least one hygienist, one dental assistant, and a receptionist. More employees mean you’ll be paying more salaries, so starting with a small team and hiring more staff as you gain more patients is an excellent option.
Choose dental hygienists and assistants that are friendly and caring. This will put your patients at ease since many people don’t enjoy trips to the dentist. When hiring a receptionist, you’ll need someone who is organized and can handle answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, welcoming patients into the office, and dealing with insurance and billing. Since there is a lot of work to do in running the administrative side of your practice, you may have to hire more staff for the office or outsource some tasks by hiring an appointment setting answering service or another service.
2. Invest in quality equipment
Before you can open a dental practice, you have to buy the necessary equipment. Buying equipment can be expensive, but investing in quality equipment that will last is vital. Here are some things you will need to start your practice:
- Patient chairs. Some of the most important equipment for your dental office is your dental patient chairs. You need to choose ergonomic chairs that are comfortable for your patients and make it easy for you to work. If you choose quality chairs, you will be able to use them for many years. How many chairs you need depends on how many patients you’ll be helping at any given time.
- Lighting. Every office needs lighting, but it’s especially important for a dental office. Besides your ambient lighting, you’ll need to buy special bright dental lights to be able to work inside a patient’s mouth. Most dentists use LED or halogen lights.
- Operatory cabinetry. Choosing the right cabinetry for your office will help you to maintain an orderly appearance and keep everything organized. You should choose something durable and attractive, and make sure you buy enough to store all of your equipment, supplies, and files.
- X-ray equipment. Dentists use x-rays to detect problems early, and every dentist must invest in x-ray equipment. Digital x-ray equipment is an excellent choice since it makes sharing images easy.
- Sterilization and utility equipment. Sterilization is extremely important in dentistry to avoid cross-contamination and avoid exposing your patients to health problems. This equipment usually uses steam or heat to efficiently sterilize your tools and instruments. Utility equipment is also essential, as this is used to power your tools. Vacuums, compressors, and separation tanks are some examples of utility equipment you’ll need for your practice.
- Handpieces. Depending on the treatments you offer, you’ll need a variety of handpieces to be able to properly assist your patients. Choose ones that are comfortable to work with and that will be useful for your practice.
- Computers. A computer will be vital for your receptionist to be able to schedule patient appointments and enter data. You may need to invest in multiple computers for your practice, so make sure to decide where and how many computers will be necessary.
3. Create an inviting office
Most dentists lease space for their offices. You should search for a suitable location and an office that will suit the needs of your practice. Once you have an office, you can begin to outfit your new dental practice. Of course, you’ll have to install all of your equipment and create a waiting room space. But don’t limit yourself to the basics. Make the space your own and create a brand that’s inviting for your patients. Decorate your office with artwork or add commodities that will make your patients more comfortable. If you have a pediatric practice, get some toys or games for the kids so that they will have a positive experience.
Opening a new dental practice takes a lot of work and preparation. But if you take the time to prepare well, you’ll be on your way to success. You need to hire an awesome team to get your practice up and running. It’s also vital to invest in good equipment and a beautiful office. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to open your practice before you know it.