Setting up your first dental practice

The starting point

Prior to everything else, you should think about what you want your business to be. Create a reasonable business plan detailing how you will achieve this and work out the various costs. Doing so provides a clear direction for your future business, and it will also be useful when demonstrating your viability to lenders. Once you have set up a watertight business plan, start thinking about where your business will be. There will be much to consider when choosing a suitable location. For example, research the area’s demographics – will your business attract enough patients? Is there a gap in the market for a new dental practice? Consider an area where you are more likely to be exposed to footfall. Plus, will it be easy to get to, not only for your patients but also yourself and your staff? Are there parking facilities? Be mindful of any competition in the area and consider how this could affect your business – if there is competition, how could you distinguish yourself?

What are you going to offer?

What services do you want to offer to your patients? Specialist treatments like orthodontics, endodontics and restorative dentistry are huge markets, in addition to increasingly popular fields like cosmetic and implant dentistry. You may not be able to offer all straight off the bat, but if you included these services in your business plan, then you will know what you need to do in order to make them possible for the future. For the services you offer, make sure you research and use well-trusted products. Leading product providers will ensure that you are using high quality systems in your practice, thereby enhancing the care you deliver to patients.

The face of your legacy

Creating a dental practice, especially from a squat, is definitely a labour of love. You are creating a legacy from the ground up and so it is vital to establish a brand image, one that patients will grow familiar with and always associate with quality and an exceptional service. Every aspect of your business should be designed exactly how you want it – and with purpose. Everything from the colour scheme, aesthetics and lighting should be taken into consideration – do you want the interior design to be luxurious, or perhaps minimalist? Each design choice will say something different about your brand – what do you want yours to say?

Remember that your practice’s branding will influence the patient experience, so focus on how you can make your reception/waiting area as welcoming as possible. Your surgery room, arguably the heart of the building, should be comfortable for your patients, your staff and yourself. Invest in a quality dental chair and also cabinetry that complements the space.

Get your name out there

Marketing your business is key to getting your name out there. You can choose to invest in your marketing efforts, but it does not have to cut unnecessarily deep into your budget. Start with a website, ensure it is search engine optimised (SEO) and in keeping with the rest of your branding. In order to signpost potential patients to your website, create social media pages and ensure they are regularly updated. Not only will this bring traffic to your website, but it will also help you stay connected to the online dental community. As a new practice owner, this is a great way to gain insight into the particulars of running a business, especially when you join groups specifically tailored for principals. When you are finally able to throw open the doors of your new dental practice, be sure this is marketed both online and through physical means, such as handing out leaflets or even organising an open day beforehand. Be sure to market the things that make your business stand out, like a particular piece of equipment that will help you to streamline treatment.

First-class help

If you are setting up your first dental practice, enlist Clark Dental to help you design your ideal space. The team provide a surgery design service, utilising sophisticated computer aided design (CAD) software to create 2D and 3D plans of your surgery. Clark Dental has a comprehensive portfolio of state-of-the-art systems, from intraoral scanners to 3D printers, dental chairs and cabinetry. You are supported by the team throughout the entire process, from the initial design, equipment installation and long after the sale has completed.

There is much that goes into buying and creating your first dental practice. It is a huge milestone – perhaps one of the most significant that you will make in your career. With careful planning, patience and the right expert help, you can secure a profitable and successful future for your business.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

STUART CLARK

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Having grown up within dentistry, Stuart has developed an unparalleled understanding of the industry. He is a technical specialist in digital imaging, pulling on his extensive experience as a Technical Director for Schick Technologies. Stuart is also an expert auto-CAD surgery designer and dental equipment engineer.