Dental practice management

Before you start a dental clinic, one should come down to read the basics. Here is a presentation of the same.

1. ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING A DENTAL
OFFICE
DEPT. OF PUBLIC HEALTH
DENTISTRY

2. – Anton Chekhov
“Knowledge is of no value unless you
put it into practice.”

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
•Employment options
•Define practice management
•Factors to establish practice
•Designing of dental office
•Types of practice
•Patient management
•Record management
•Ergonomics

4. DENTIST- EMPLOYMENT
Academics (teaching/Research)
Hospitals
General Dental Practice
Specialized Dental Practice
Writing (journalism)
Organizations and Management
Public Relation
Armed Services

5. DEFINITION
Practice management can
be defined as the
organization,
administration, and
direction of a professional
practice in a style that
facilitates quality client
care, efficient use of time
and personnel, reduced
stress to staff, and
financial profitability.
DEVELOP BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT SKILLS

6. Factors to be considered before
establishing dental practice:
• Selection of place

• Selection of location

• Selection of building
• Financial assistance

• Selection of equipments and instruments
• Designing of dental office.

7. Number of dentists practicing in that place.
Town/country - surrounded by many villages, location with
good public transport facilities - more advantage.
In cities : shopping complex areas.
The heart of the city - attracts people
Location close to govt. commercial offices, corporate and
business houses - advantage that employees can avail facilities in
the duration of their short breaks.
Residential area - easy for office goers, mothers and children.
Keep safety in mind (where ladies can come without fear)
SELECTION OF PLACE

8. •Building should be well ventilated, have proper water and
drainage system as well as power connection 

•Building should preferably be on ground floor and have parking
facility for both dentist and patients 

•Select place where more area is available than present
requirement so that it can be expanded if required 

•It is also possible to practice at home by making some alterations 

•It is better to own dental office rather than taking it on rent. 

SELECTION OF BUILDING

9. Many nationalized banks, private sector banks and
state financial corporations give help to establish
professional career for a new graduate. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

10. DESIGNING OF DENTAL OFFICE
•consider functional, esthetic and utility value of the
space available.
•incorporate spacious waiting area, work area with
dental chair and unit, x ray room, lab, restroom etc.
•Furniture - durable, esthetic and comfortable
•Sound proofing - a consideration in pediatric dental
office. Bu!ering the noise from reception area.
•Placement of each electrical equipment should be
considered while designing electrical connections.
•Exact positions of dental chair, washbasin, inlet and
outlet of water, drainage.

11. DESIGNING OF DENTAL OFFICE
•Floors and walls should be designed considering
esthetics and avoidance of dust accumulation.
•Designing work area with sufficient space for
dental chair in supine position
•Separate x ray room with lead barriers
•Separate chamber for autoclave and sterilization
•Compressor and generator to be kept as far away
from dental office as possible
•Have insurance coverage for fire, burglary.

12. DENTAL CHAIRS
Most patients will not like chairs :
with one arm rest
flat head rest
noisy mechanisms
Recent chairs are computerized with non touchable
light, suction, intra oral camera, x ray viewer etc.

13. DENTAL STOOLS
Comfort at all positions
Support for the back
Easy adjustable height
Should be stable
Should be movable when required

14. DESIGNING OF DENTAL OFFICE
SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS
•should have basic instruments to run the clinic
•selection based on finance a
•importance should be given to reputation of the
company and after sale services
•keep autoclavable instruments

15. SOLO PRACTICE : the dentist manages all
types of cases according to his capacity.
GROUP PRACTICE : dentists trained in
different specialities form a group and
practice in same office.
SOLO PRACTICE WITH VISITING SPECIALITIES
: single dentist manages cases in his office,
but calls specialists whenever reqd.
TYPES OF PRACTICE

16. •Daily communication and regular staff meetings
encourage participation of all personnel.
•Full time receptionist, dental assistant
•Desirable traits of dental team - warm, empathetic
personality
•Business association with a good dental lab. which
delivers work in time.
•Fair salaries and good benefits are necessary for job
satisfaction.
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

17. PATIENT SOURCES
Family
friends
referral of
emergencies
referral by doctors
and dentists
recommendations by
patients already
seen

18. •Dentists should have good communication skills with
patients to ensure quality oral heath services and
patient motivation.
•Maintain appointment diary - for time management.
•Clinic should open much before scheduled appointments to
allow for autoclave and sterilization.
•Explain about diagnosis, investigation, treatment plans,
cost of treatment and payment mode.
•Instructions regarding care after extraction,
maintenance of dentures, oral health education might be
given in written.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT

19. •Record should be systematically
maintained.
•Written records - case history, dental and
periodontal charts, informed consent etc.
•Non-written records - dental
photographs, radiographs, cephalometric
records.
•Receptionist should maintain a book of
accounts- bills, purchase records of
instruments and equipment.
•Many dental software programs are
available for patient record and data
management.
RECORD MANAGEMENT

20. ACCOUNTING AND OTHER
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
Maintain patient record along with fees charged.
Approach C.A. in initial stages.
Tax planning and investments.
Start filing tax returns from first year of
practice.

21. LEGAL : each dentist must respect and be well aware of
the laws. Frequent review of acts and laws to keep up to
date.
ETHICAL : dentists are ethically and morally responsible for
providing oral care to all patients.
PERSONAL : factors such as general physical health and
mental health should be considered. Dentist should go for
routine physical examinations.

Adequate health, vacation from work, recreation and
involvement in social activities ensures good mental health.
FACTORS INFLUENCING DENTAL PRACTICE

22. ERGONOMICS
The study that concerns the relation between
workers and their energy and environment.
In dentistry, it concerns with
unnecessary movements and wasted energy,
saving time and lessening fatigue.
Dentistry is a physically demanding profession,
with long hours spent in one position.

23. •Standing for long periods will cause
varicose, strain in musculoskeletal system.
•Consideration should start with positioning
of dental chair in relation to door and
patient path.
•Another parameter is entrance of light
position.
•Base cabinet should have tops at
comfortable height for dentists to work.

24. •Mercury
•Posture problem
•Electrical
•Injuries from instruments
•X rays
•Infection - hepatitis B
•Anaesthetic gases
•Allergies - skin reactions
•Inhalation of aerosols
HAZARDS TO DENTAL TEAM