The document discusses the essential aspects of practice management in dentistry, emphasizing efficient office management, financial strategies, and the importance of communication between staff and patients. Key topics include the selection of office location, design considerations, management systems, and financial record-keeping to ensure a successful dental practice. The conclusion highlights that a cohesive dental team is vital for achieving success while fulfilling both personal and professional needs.

1. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
DENTISTRY G.D.C SRINAGAR
Under The Guidance Of
Dr Asim Shah
Dr Romshi Raina
Submitted By
Sheikh Mohammad Hyder

3. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Goal of practice management
• The dental office setting
• Management of dental office
• Financial aspect of a dental practice
• Conclusion

4. Introduction
• Dentistry is one of the Nobel professions
which is service oriented .
• Practice management in addition to being a
method to increase income ,also includes
creating an efficient practice that has low
stress level and where there is open
communication between the dental staff and
the patient.

5. Goal of practice management
Goal of practice management is to develop a
business management skill that enables the
dentist to enjoy good dentistry with a
harmonious staff resulting in satisfied patient
and good income.

6. The dental office setting
SELECTION OF THE LOCATION
The selection of the location is a very critical step in
ones decision of private practice.
The place for private practice is selected depending
upon the no of dentists practicing in that place.
It is preferable to move to a place where their are
fewer dentists.

7. • In a town, surrounded by many villages ,the location
near the bus stops has greater advantages as
people from near by villages can come easily for
treatments.
• In a city where railways are the biggest mode of
commuting , naturally a location close by has an
advantage.
• In cities the shopping complex areas have
advantages of good public transport facilities.
• Heart of the city attracts people from all walks of
life for dental treatment

8. • The locations close to the govt ,commercial offices
,corporate and business houses also has an
advantage in that the employees can avail facilities
by taking permissible short breaks form their
offices.
• On the other hand the residential area also has
potentiality if proper timing is fixed. Morning and
evening for office goers and house wife's , retired
and elderly can visit at their convenience.
• Location should also be safe from where ladies can
commute easily without fear.

9. SELECTION OF BUILDING
• It is better to select a new building. Old
buildings may have:
Danger of leakage ,improper electric
insulation , grounding , etc
The owners may decide to demolish the building
and construct a new one or sell it where the
dentist has established ,say about 20-25 years
of practice.

10. • If a rented place is taken their is every chance that
the landlord might hike the rent at regular intervals
• Proper ventilation ,electric supply ,water supply and
drainage system is required
• The building should have parking facility .
• It is possible to practice at home if some alterations
are made ,some of the ways are:
1. Renovate the existing building to suit the
requirement .
2. Planning the dental clinic during the construction
of the house itself
3. If the house has got 2 garages ,one can be
aesthetically modified into a clinic.

11. DESIGN OF DENTAL OFFICE
• Primarily, the dental office projects how the dentist
feels about the office.
• A spacious waiting area, work area with dental chair
and unit, x-ray room , laboratory, resting place,
toilet, etc. Should be incorporated in the design.
• Furniture should be durable ,esthetic and
comfortable
• Sound proofing in paediatric office is important
• Carefully decorated waiting rooms which require
little or no supervision.

12. • Designing of electrical connections for gadgets
should be done . Better to keep it concealed
keeping in mind the lighting , fan, exhaust,
compressor, x-ray unit, computer, dental chair and
music system.
• It is important to know the exact position of dental
chair and unit, washbasin to design inlets and
outlets for water and drainage , with proper slopes
to avoid future inconvenience.
• Avoid designs where dust accumulation is possible.
• Consider availability of space for dental chair supine
position and movement of assistant and the
operating stool.

13. • A separate X-ray room with lead barrier will
minimize X-ray hazards
• Autoclaving and sterilization can be done in
separate chambers near by for ease to carry
instruments.
• Neatly arranged cabinets for avoiding unnecessary
exposure.
• The compressor and generator should be kept as far
away as possible for reducing noise.

14. It is better to discuss and visit other establishments
before designing to avoid unnecessary
inconveniences, expenses and disruptions.
Before starting a clinic all required statutory licenses
should be attained .
It is always better to have insurance coverage as well.

15. Management of dental office
• Private practice can be carried out in 3 ways:
1. Solo practice: manages according to own
capacity
2. Group practice : different specialities make a
group
3. Solo practice with visiting specialties.

16. A dentist should manage his office keeping in
mind certain points
• Personnel system : (assistant , receptionist ,
house keeping )
• The front office staff plays an important role in the
success of the practice. After all they are the first
point of contact that the patient establishes with
the practice.
• The receptionist should be able to deal with all
kinds of patients.

17. • Team should be professional ,personable ,
warm.
• Dentist and team should continue educational
courses for continuous training.
• Fair salaries and benefits are necessary to
avoid job dissatisfaction.

18. Patient system
• The dentist should have good communication with
his patients.
• Timings , holidays , unavoidable circumstances
where the clinics have to be closed ,information
should be given to the patient.
• Appointment books should be maintained.
• It is a good practice to open the clinic at least 30
mins before the first appointment.
• In case of children it is better not to have any hard
and fast rule and parents must be informed before
any procedure to avoid misunderstanding.

19. • During consultation the dentist should explain
about the Diagnosis ,Investigation if required ,
different treatment plans available ,
approximate cost of treatment and modes of
payment.
After treatment, written instructions should be
given to save time.
• The dental staff should know how to make
economical use of materials used and should
maintain the book of accounts keeping all the
bills of purchases.

20. • Dentist should have good association with a good
dental lab. Which promptly delivers work on time.
• Clear written required instructions should be given .
• Proper arrangements for disposal of waste should
be done .
• To keep in touch with the recent advances and
sharpen the skills one should subscribe for journals
,attending workshops , continuing dental education
program , conferences, seminars , etc.
• A dental practitioner must take one day off every
week , should have at least two vacations every
year to spend time with family.

21. Financial aspect of a dental practice.
• Maintenance of records along with fee
charges on a day to day basis , preferably in a
computer.
• Maintenance of all records .
• Approach a chartered accountant at the initial
stage of setting up itself.
• Start filing tax return from the first year of
practice ,this would help in being law
compliant.

22. Production and collection
• For profitable and high quality dental treatment
,treatment must be provided in an efficient manner.
• A production goal is important for any successful
enterprise . It determined the amount of money
that must be charged to reach the Break-Even Point
[BEP] and enjoy certain amount of profit.
• The BEP is the amount of money needed each year
to pay all office expenses, both fixed and variable .

23. • Fixed include staff salaries and benifits ,
occupancy costs , administrative costs ,
continuing education, taxes ,insurance ,
repayment of finance.
• Variable costs include lab fees and dental
supplies.

24. The following factors must be
considered while setting fees.
• The dentist and assistant time required to do
the procedure.
• Cost of operations per hour , including fixed as
well as variable costs.
• Prevailing professional fees in the area.

25. Fees must be reviewed annually and if necessary ,
raised more than the inflation rates to continue to
generate adequate margin of profit.
Problems may arise ,if a dentist does not increase fees
for years, implements an increase 20% or higher
Staff members should be informed about the
expenses .

26. Conclusion
• Success in dental practice is a subjective
measure and it can be achieved when one’s
personal or professional needs are met.
• The key to a successful practice is a cohesive
dental team .
• Such a team will create a co-operative
atmosphere , while providing the highest
calibre of dentistry , resulting in high
production and income with minimal stress.