How long is the lease of the building for the practice
The staff- do they have their ideas of running the place and need to beaware because they may be some people that you need to let go when you arrive.
How did you manage to recover the reputation of the clinic?
It was a pretty run down practice but I was very selective and careful in the area that I picked my clinic. I needed the opportunity to expand and improve the services overall.
Firstly, I was in an area where there was an insufficient number of dentists.
I then expanded the clinic by moving the equipment up a notch- I had a new sterilisation system and lastly but most importantly, I spent a lot of time talking to the patients and giving them that 1 on 1 care.
Initially, everything I made I put back into the clinic and it was only after 2 to 3 years before I started making profit.
I started with one surgery and continued to two within two years.
What did you do different from your competitors ?
Believe it or not, I started administering LA, the previous clinician wasnt giving Local Anaesthetic. I introduced new techniques for root fillings and more modern ways of doing things.
I would see them out in the morning and did everything to make it easier for them to get appointments. I was available at any time for that patient care.
Was your practice NHS or private?
I had 95% Nhs patients and never had the aim to do partial private.
How did you manage to survive the demands of NHS?
I was early to bed and I initially started with half an hour and sped it up to 15 minutes. You gradually know the patients after some time. You chat to them, be approachable and make sure you are prompt. I got to know them over the years and developed this trust between them. You get to know their problem areas so you can understand them better. As much as the clinic needs to be wary of their bottom line, patient care is important.
I also managed patient expectations first. You start by appreciating their problem and making them aware of their treatments
("Its a big filling, you may feel sensitive afterwards")
Would you recommend NHS/ private?
Initially, I would recommend NHS because you need the time and exposure. If you are in a private clinic with 16 patients, you only need to loose one or two and that could cause a huge dent in your performance.
What would you general advice be in relation to the business side of dentistry?
Even before you buy a practice- a practice would require a deposit for at least 10- 15%. How are you saving- you may want to get your own flat but acknowledge that if you make any investments earlier on, you may want have to move based on where you buy a practice.
Im curious, prior to your retirement, you worked in prison, how was that experience?
There was a problem completing lab work because prisoners were often moved between prisons unexpectedly (this also applied to oral surgery referrals) . One needs a certain belief in your abilities because you are professionally isolated--emergency referrals were done but the very nature of an emergency ref to hospital ties up prison officers. You also have to consider that things like extraction sockets in all cases are best sutured---in a cell overnight, officers are not always best placed to manage bleeding sockets.
We were also trained in self defence.Security of instruments was important---counted before and after treatment sessions.Notes were written up in immense detail---every prisoner has a solicitor and a dental claim is seen as getting back at the system !
All in all a great experience but not to be entered on lightly --you need your wits about you ! Also a few years clinical experience behind you. I also worked in community for a day and a half a week at the time--my feeling is that fulltime prison or secure unit would colour your attitude to life--also because of the limitations of the NHS/ environment could reduce Dental Skillset development.(important to a younger practitioner).