6 tips on opening your dental office

Are you about to finish dental school soon? Would you like to set up your own business once you’ve graduated as a dental surgeon? If this is the case, it is crucial to know that opening your dental office is not a mere act of improvisation. In this article you will discover the most useful tipsto opening your dental office.

1 – Choosing the right dental practice location through market research

First and foremost, it is essential to determine where you will be practicing dentistry. Conducting market research will allow you to select a high-demand location. Ideally, this study should answer the following questions: How is the demand for dental care evolving in the concerned area?

The data studied can be in the form of: rates, types of services most in demand, the typical consumer avatar, etc… If the offer exists, is it sufficient?

In order to perform this, study the number of dentists present in the area, their gains, their age. You can also go out and ask them if they have too many or too few patients.

2 – Following the adequate steps

Since the profession of a dentist is regulated, you will have obligations such as the following: You must register for your departmental council in the College of Dental Surgeons. This is will allow you to acquire your number and health professional card. You must also declare and apply for Health Insurance to register your activity. It is also mandatory to join the pension fund that corresponds to your profession. Finally, you must take out professional liability insurance.

3 – Anticipating the costs before opening a dental office

Opening a dental office involves substantial financial resources. You will have to pay for your business premises and equipment. Registration fees may also prove to be costly. For instance, the cost of dental equipment can be around 60,000 Dollars. You can also opt for buying an already existing dental clinic : lease rights, equipment and clients.

In order to reduce costs, you can choose to have associates. This will allow you to share costs (equipment, premises, operation), but also facilitate the hiring processof employees necessary to dental activity : secretary, assistant, etc.

4 – Obtaining the required equipment

Upon setting up your dental clinic, you will need to document about the adequate tools and materials required for your practice. Here is a list of essential equipment:

Gloves, masks, disinfectants, protective glasses, lab coat, adjustable chair, practitioner tablet, spittoon, operating room lights, X-ray equipment.

It is equally recommended to consider getting the necessary furniture for the creation of a calm and comfortable waiting room.

Be sure to order your equipment from reputable approved suppliers. You can call your colleagues or consult forums to find out which brands you can trust.

5 – Surrounding yourself with the right partners

Being around highly qualified professionals can make the difference between a successful project and a big success. Evaluate your potential partners (banker, lawyer, architect, accountant, dental technician, supplier and potential organizational consultant) and keep the best.

6 – Reflecting on patient acquisition prior to launch

You can always have a website, share non-promotional information (dental maintenance advice), register in directories.

Finally, it is be noted that this article does not deal with all aspects regarding for instance equipment installation, we invite you to continue your research.