Did you know that the first dental college, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, opened in 1840? Today, dentistry has advanced, and the need for dental practice consulting is high. The function of a dental consultant is to provide accountability for implementation, solve problems, teach, and introduce new material.
It is especially important that older and experienced dentists engage in dental practice consulting, for it is easy to rely on old methods and fall into the habit of not updating on skills. In order to stay competitive as a dental practice, knowing the latest tricks and information will be essential for business growth.
Dental consultants are also important from a business perspective. Some dental practice consulting specialists, in fact, do not specialize in examining teeth and might have little experience in doing so. Instead, they understand the practice of dentistry at an expert level, and know about good dental management, if not the nut and bolt knowledge required for removing teeth or putting on braces.
A lot of dentists do not understand so well the bottom line aspect of their business, and need dental office consulting help for staff recruitment and staff training, collection protocols, the implementation of marketing strategies, et cetera. The dental consulting specialists in these cases overall act the role of a business manager. They are equipped to assist with enabling dental practice growth.
Dental practice consulting can also be useful for acting as a go between for the HR department and the insurance plan provider. They will also work to solve network issues, review the history and education of the clinic dentists, and assess how well each dentist provides a quality standard of care in keeping with dental practice guidelines.
Some dental consultants work with a company or consulting group, while others operate independently. The AADA in the US offers certification programs for consultants who want to specialize on dental insurance plans. Continue reading here.