It’s not enough to fix teeth and make money. The profession comes with many other responsibilities, for which you need to possess certain qualities.
Leadership is the first thing to consider, then good management. This becomes even more crucial if you have a clinic to run, a staff and a team.
It is important to be able take control when necessary, as many people do not go to the dentist or doctor.
Untreated dental problems can cause severe oral health issues that last for years, even decades. In worst-case scenarios they can last throughout the patient’s lifetime, causing discomfort, pain and disruption to their personal and social lives.
Your leadership abilities as a healer, or your ability to take the lead come into play. You must not panic or feel lost when a bad situation arises. Instead, you should be calm and composed. You can help patients who are hesitant to seek medical care by encouraging them to do so as soon as possible. Your team can also be guided to take the appropriate steps without your direct involvement.
Leadership skills are important for a dentist
Leading can benefit you in a variety of ways, including your own personal growth, interacting with patients and providing better care, as well as team management. You may also be able to earn a reputation within the medical profession or make the profits that you desire.
What you can do:
Clear vision is important
It is important to have a set of clear goals and a vision for your team.
This is the best way to determine your goals and work ethic.
Visualizing the practice in your head is not enough. You need to remember that there are many people who rely on your expertise and knowledge, and they should be on the exact same page with you to understand the goals of a practice.
What should you do in order to align your goals and vision with them?
Simple!
Display your vision in different places within the clinic to share it with your team.
– Set goals for your team.
– Establish deadlines for motivation and focus.
Arrange your workspace accordingly
It is important to maintain a positive work environment for your employees. It will first keep them calm and focused on their work, so they are willing to give it their all.
It can also be a powerful tool in helping patients overcome their fears and anxieties.
You can improve the atmosphere of your office in many ways:
By playing soft music
Avoid bright lights
With proper cooling
In the waiting area, there are books and magazines, as well as posters and pictures that provide information.
– by using a mild fragrance in your office.
It is important to create a positive working environment in your clinic. Your staff, including nurses, receptionists and hygienists, must maintain a professional behavior that is full of empathy for your patients.
Communication is key to building rapport, trust and control.
Communication is the key to teamwork. It also strengthens the relationship between dentists and their patients.
Communication in a dental environment should not be one-way or only instructional/directional. The communication must be two-way and open-ended.
You should listen patiently and without judgement to your employees’ input, as well as the stories of your patients.
It is important to take the time to learn about their situation in order to better understand how you can help.
You can build trust with your colleagues and develop a rapport over time. It will also allow you to demonstrate clinical and value leadership within the medical community.
Identify the problem and assess it
Communication with patients will give you more insight into the problem, its causes, and the diagnosis.
Understanding the issues and psyches of your patients will allow you to better offer them discounts and dental membership plans that they can afford based on their needs and financial situation.
Don’t be afraid to ask the patient the right questions. Use the standard questionnaire as well to identify and assess the problem and reasons for the patient’s visit.
Support your employees’ career development by offering them career advice
Your team members will have similar career goals and ambitions to you. You may think that talented and ambitious people will quit if you support them, but that is not true. Employers who provide moral and professional support to their employees tend to keep them around for a longer period of time than you might think.
You must therefore give them honest and selfless advice about how to proceed or approach their goals. You might want to also support them financially if you can. This will solidify your position as a successful and cooperative thought leader in your field.
