Sustainable Dentistry A Two-fold Strategy to Recession Proofing your Dental Practice Ashli Klingaman
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ong-term success for a dental practice is centered around the ability to be adaptable, innovative and apply tools that can weather the storm. In a rocky economy, it becomes even more necessary for practice owners to be adaptable, not just for survival but to ensure growth and stability during those times.
Let’s look at a practical plan to build a solid foundation for your practice that can weather economic turbulence. These are functional tools and tips you can use both inside and outside your dental office that will help you run things better, keep your money in good shape and build strong connections with your patients that last. Internal Tools for Dental Practice Resilience Practice Management Systems and Supporting Practice Automation Using a robust practice management system, combined with a supporting practice automation solution, can assist in the efficiency of a dental practice and its sustainability during economic downturns. Having a state-of-the-art practice management system that integrates electronic health records and a supporting HIPAA-compliant portal with online patient forms can streamline administrative processes that significantly enhance the operational efficiency of a dental practice. According to a study by the American Dental Association, practices with integrated PMS reported a 20% increase in operational efficiency, allowing staff to focus more on patient care. Automated features practices reported being the most impactful include: •
Automated appointment scheduling
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Online bill pay
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Automated billing requests and record-keeping
These features not only reduce the administrative burden, they also contribute to a more seamless patient experience. By optimizing workflow and improving team collaboration, a well-implemented PMS, combined with automation solutions, contributes to cost-effectiveness and better use of resources, key factors in maintaining the financial growth of a dental practice during a recession. Additionally, the integration of EHR systems can improve communication and collaboration among dental team members. Real-time access to patient records allows for more informed deci-
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