Business systems: the key to dental practice success.

The future of dentistry will be similar to that of many other businesses. It will be faced radical changes, new ways of thinking, new services, and greater competition. As these factors occur in all businesses, it will be those with systems and outstanding customer service that are able to not only survive, but also to thrive. Achieving practice success will be tied to having effective and efficient business systems, including customer service. While the world is changing rapidly, basic business principles and human nature have not changed. While businesses continue to work toward maximum productivity and profitability, patients will want to continue being treated with the greatest service and respect. The future may bring a gradual shift in dental practices. The top 20 percent of practices in five to seven years will have higher profitability than the top 5 percent of practices do today. On the other hand, the other 80 percent of dental practices will actually have decreased profitability. The difference will be that the top 20 percent of practices will implement outstanding business systems that allow them to be more efficient and effective than ever before. They will implement many new services of both traditional needs-based dentistry and of an elective nature. These practices are preparing today for the future regardless of the effects of the economy or changes in dental insurance or health care regulations.