Whether you're an associate ready to strike out on your own or a new graduate setting out to start a new dental practice, opening a new office is a daunting task. While it's exciting, you face a lot of information, decisions, and unknowns as you approach this new challenge. We've come up with a few things that you should know as you get started on the next chapter of your life.
1.Dental school didn't prepare you to be a business owner. Dental school prepared you to be a dentist! And while many schools offer a few business classes, it's common for dental school graduates to feel unready for business ownership. So you're not the only dentist in this boat—many feel just like you do. And it's okay to feel overwhelmed and confused as you get started (and even after you've been in practice for a while).
2. It's okay to ask for, get, and pay for good help. Based on our first point, it's going to be key for you to find a reliable team. And this isn't your office staff, though that's part of the equation too. No, this help is the people around you helping open and get your business off the ground. Typically, you'll start with a team of professionals: attorney, CPA, banker, business consultant, plus anyone else you may need. For example, you may want to find a good commercial realtor to help you find the perfect place for your office. These are the people you'll have to pay, but you can also find "free" help out there: mentors and other dentists. These folks can be invaluable when it comes to
3. You only get one chance, so do it right. Of course, you may get more than one chance, but do you want to open a new practice more than once? Probably not! This is where we tell you to take your time, make good decisions, and don't cut corners. That's where the previous point comes in: you want to find the right people, the right location, the right loan. Don't overthink, but don't underthink either. Gather information and do your homework, don't feel pressured to make quick decisions. The choices you make now will likely affect your practice years down the road. (No pressure!)
4. Pick the right software. Sure, this seems pretty low on the list, but in the day-to-day operation of your dental practice, the software will make a huge difference. You want to be productive and effective. And if you and your staff spend all day fighting with your software, that's not going to happen. Whether you choose tab32 or another option, you want to find the right fit for your needs. Check out our recent posts on questions you should ask yourself and questions to ask the provider to help you in the decision-making process. Our cloud-based dental software is a great fit for new practices getting started.
That's it for now! Hopefully, this helps you as you start your journey. We also put together a FREE ebook for jumpstarting your new practice. Sign up now using the button below and get it to your inbox so you can get started. Good luck!
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