It’s an interesting time to be in dentistry.
There are many opportunities for us at every stage of our careers. New dentists have opportunities to create the career they want and have some luxury of time to redirect should they choose. Mid-career dentists generally have enough confidence and experience to grow a single practice, acquire additional locations, or pursue additional interests. Dentists late in their careers also have many opportunities, and hopefully are on-track to retire on their terms.
I consider myself a mid-career dentist. I graduated from dental school 20 years ago and just recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of purchasing my practice. For me, this time of year is inevitably a time of reflection. The practice I acquired is unrecognizable, in terms of my current practice. Prior to 10 years ago, if a patient needed a crown, it would require five to seven two-hour appointments: prep and provisionalize, reprepare (if needed), copper band impression, coping try-in, bisque try-in, delivery with provisional cement, then final delivery. A single crown would take several months (or sometimes longer) to complete. When treatment-planning a crown, patients would wince at my recommendation, as they did not want to come back-and-forth to the practice at regular intervals for nearly a year. They were unphased by the cost, but concerned about the time commitment. I wasn’t trained to require this many appointments to complete an indirect restoration, so I knew there was going to be inherent time within the existing schedule to grow without adding additional hours or days.
Technology acquisitions (digital radiographs, intraoral scanning, improved bonding, and cementation protocols) have further improved my efficiency. There comes a point, though, that growth may be hindered by factors in the practice, including the number of days worked, number or operatories, or dental team availability. When this occurs, there are decisions to consider—should you maintain the status quo, move the practice to a larger location, or perhaps add one or multiple locations? This is one circumstance that could prompt acquiring multiple locations, but there are many reasons that a dentist might do so … it’s a decision every dentist must make for themselves. This month, we are investigating this topic.
Whether you are a one-practice type of dentist or building a multi-location empire, this month’s Dental Economics is for you! I see so many online discussion boards trying to provide solutions for challenges dentists have on a routine basis. Dental Economics covers the gamut of practice management topics, both in print and online; send your friends over to subscribe to the magazine and join in on the discussion on social. We have a tremendous community of dentists who share sound knowledge, and it’s pivotal that young dentists learn from some of the best!
Wishing you the best as we roll into a new season,
Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD
Editor's note: This article appeared in the September 2024 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
