Congratulations! Whether you just graduated medical school or you’re a current dentist who is looking to make it on their own, opening your own practice is a huge undertaking. Especially as an office that provides emergency services, in many cases, you’ll be the first and only dentist some people will ever see.
Now if you’ve opened a dental practice in the Arnold area offering emergency services, you probably set a goal to be one the best emergency dentist Arnold, MO has. We’re offering advice and tips to help you do just that. Our guide provides actionable tips gleaned from dental practices. Let’s start with how to attract customers.
Draw Customers In
You need residents to know there’s a new emergency dentist Arnold, MO can turn to for help. You’re the new kid on the block. The best way to do that is good ol’ fashioned marketing. Use neon signs as a part of your business signage. Consider a neon tooth shape for your front window. This neon sign wouldn’t be your only sign but would offer a hint of fun to your office.
While you want people to take you seriously, showing that you have a sense of humor doesn’t hurt and a neon sign does this subtly. Also, use large, clearly lettered signage that states the name of your practice, your name, and degrees, such as DDS, and your location. Hand out your business cards around town and paper windshields with fliers advertising your business. Advertise in the local newspaper and any county-wide publications. Having an online presence is just as important. This includes having a website, an address on Google, and social media pages.
Remodel the Exterior
Improve the exterior of your practice with window and door replacement. Your dedication to providing a safe and attractive business place sets you apart from others. To become an emergency dentist Arnold, MO residents know and trust, show that you care about the community and its appearance.
While you have a construction pro working on the exterior, power washes the outside of the office. Power washing gets rid of years of dirt and general grime. This offers a sparkling clean look for your business. Think of it as whitening your building instead of your teeth.
Hire a landscaper to trim any bushes and trees. If you purchased a new building, have the landscaper add grass, bushes, and trees. If a clean building represents a clean set of teeth, the landscaping around it is the gums. As dentists know, there is upkeep for the gums as well to keep the mouth healthy. The landscape architect can help you make it look as if your business has always been at that location.
Repave the Parking Lot
While you remake the exterior of the office building, pay attention to the parking lot. Many parking areas require repaving every few years. Hot Missouri summers crack pavement but local paving companies can help you present a professional appearance at your emergency dentist Arnold, MO practice. It’s not all just about appearance, however, as it’s a safety concern. You’ll want to remove cracks and any other imperfections that could injure someone or their vehicle. As an added bonus, should you ever sell your practice, a well-kept exterior increases your curb appeal and resale value.
Consider using a sealant on the pavement to help it better handle the weather. Your paving contractor can assist you in choosing the right paving materials and sealants. Have these hardscape professionals work with your landscape architect for the best results. This way, you’ll never run into issues with your clients parking in your lot.
Prevent Weather Damage
How you care for your business’ building says a lot about you. After every storm, check the roof of your building for damage. Contact a professional roofer for roofing repairs if you note any damage. Take into account how old the building is too, if it’s not new construction. Certain roofs have a lifespan of 25 to 50 years, and some roofs like metal roofing, last even longer. If you’re not sure, it’s still probably best to contact a roofer for a professional inspection.
You might not immediately see how this contributes to you earning a reputation as a terrific emergency dentist Arnold, MO residents want to call, but think of it this way – would you want to go to a dentist with a roof that leaked? What if you walked into someone’s office and saw part of the roof hanging in? Any type of medical practice needs to provide the utmost cleanliness and organization.
Get Rid of Pests
To build a reputation as an emergency dentist Arnold, MO can trust, contact a local pest control service to spray for bugs and mice. Keep your office spotless and pest free to make a fantastic impression. While your patients are waiting in your lobby, you don’t want to give them any reason for concern. Much like the roofing concern, controlling pests, including ants and flies contributes to building patient trust. In addition, being sure that pests are under control and won’t be a problem will grant you peace of mind.
What you should consider is establishing contact with a local pest control service. You’ll want a service that comes by regularly for inspections and spraying, but can also visit on the off-chance of a pest emergency. Who knows, maybe that exterminator will be your next client!
Keep Your Office Cool
Providing a comfortable environment for patients and staff helps you improve your reputation as an emergency dentist Arnold, MO can count on. That’ll also keep you from sweating while you’re cleaning someone’s mouth. Make sure that your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems work fine. If you notice that your air conditioner stopped blowing cold air, phone a local AC contractor.
Just like with your roofing, consider the age of the building and the office itself that you are renting or purchasing. HVAC systems tend to have a lifespan of around 25 years, though how it has been maintained can lengthen or shorten that lifespan. Not all HVAC systems will need to be fully replaced, of course. Maybe it just needs to be cleaned or requires more coolant. When speaking to your HVAC contractor, let them know that you would like to set up regular inspections with them.
Keep the Pipes Clear
Of course, your business processes will include sink cleaning and utensil sterilization, but go beyond that with plumbing work to clear your building’s pipes. Make sure the sinks and toilets all work perfectly. Have a plumbing professional also check the sewer lines. The absolute worst thing would be a plumbing emergency in the middle of your lobby while you’re helping a patient during a medical emergency. You definitely don’t need that stress!
As an emergency dentist Arnold, MO can trust, you will need to provide a sanitized office. This extends to far more than sterilizing the tools of your trade and handling your biohazards materials. Although most people don’t think of it, good plumbing offers a key to success for any dentist. It’s peace of mind knowing that it’s one less thing that can go wrong during your Monday morning.
Ventilate the Office
Keep your office feeling fresh and clean with good ventilation. Your HVAC specialist can help you determine if your building provides adequate ventilation. If they discover any issues with the vents and ducts, have them check for mold. If they spot mold, or its sibling, mildew, contact a mold removal service. That’s a definite reason to shut down for a few days and regroup, focusing on making your emergency space a safe one.
Every emergency dentist in Arnold, MO needs a spotless office with no mold or mildew. Either fungus causes problems with the respiratory system. The development of either can cause health issues for people with asthma or other chronic respiratory issues. Those issues spread like wildfire so definitely get that handled as soon as you can. If you find either mold or mildew, once it’s taken care of, make sure you schedule regular inspections with your HVAC contractor. If you’ve connected with a specific contractor, they’ll know exactly where the issue lies and where to check next time they’re around.
Shred Medical Documents
A dentist’s office, like other doctor’s offices, must adhere to patient privacy laws, such as HIPPA. As an emergency dentist Arnold, MO can trust, you will need to develop business procedures that protect patient privacy like using a document shredding service to destroy old paper records. You will also need to purchase software that protects patient privacy rights. These specialized software programs cater to the medical profession and HIPAA requirements.
This extends beyond just medical documents, of course, as you’ll want to shred financial documents, emails that have been printed, patient schedules, and any other paper documents. Purchasing a great shredder will make life for you, and your front-of-office staff, so much easier. You can even get a more discreet one that stands right behind the desk. Of course, we wouldn’t say no to a behemoth if you’ve got the space for it, as they shred efficiently and quickly. Plus, they’re just so cool to watch in action!
Celebrate Your Staff
In this quest to become an emergency dentist, Arnold, MO residents can trust and rely on, remember to honor and thank your staff. There is no “I” in “team” and especially if you’ve been part of another dentist’s office, you know that everyone has a hand in running the business effectively and efficiently. Whether it is the receptionist taking calls and booking appointments, dental assistants for working with patients, janitors who keep the area clean, or anyone else, the office needs everyone to be at their best so you can do your job. How can you be responsible for so many patients if your time is spent mopping floors and taking calls?
A great way to show appreciation is with positive language, thank yous, and an overall positive atmosphere. Be open to criticism and regularly ask your staff for feedback. Remember, you can’t expect to make withdrawals from someone unless you’ve made deposits in them as well. That includes your time, energy, mentorship, and assistance with tasks big or small.
However, if you’re looking to go all out, throwing an office party is a great way to do it! Call the caterers and throw a bash for your office. Decorate the space, or host it elsewhere, and let the staff dress in more comfortable clothing. It’ll be interesting to let your staff see you in sweats rather than scrubs and a coat! Letting them know that you appreciate their work ensures that they appreciate you. That goes a long way toward building loyalty and having them function as your frontline of marketers.
Become the Best Dentist You Can Be
Some things take time and building your dental practice tops that list. Remember that this business is just the beginning. It’s like having a baby or running a marathon, you can’t expect it to be fully-functional on its own after a week. It’ll take time, trial and error, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.
The easiest place to start is by ensuring your building offers a welcoming respite from the everyday and a place where your patients can relax while having their dental work addressed. That means cleanliness, comfort, aesthetics, and a great atmosphere. Pick your team to not just get the job done, but to reflect those values as well. The patients are the whole reason we’re here: let’s make sure they’re taken care of and feel safe in your office’s hands.
Build your practice through good marketing, a professional appearance, and hard work. Lean on your team and your wider community when you need it. Remember, you don’t exist in some isolated microcosm! You are part of a wider community, so make sure you’re active, and they’ll show up for you as well. Use these tips to become the top emergency dentist in Arnold, MO.
