The Gabbar Way Of Dental Practice Management!

 

The Gabbar Way Of Dental Practice Management!

Gabbar Singh was a TRUE MANAGEMENT GURU as is reflected in some of the timeless management lessons he delivered through the movie Sholay. Friends these lessons can be used effectively in order to build and maintain a successful dental practice. Read On...They are awesome..!

If you are looking for best second hand dental clinic equipment then visit our dental portal DentistFriend.com

 

1. Jo Darr Gaya - Samjho Mar Gaya!

Courage and enterprise are important factors for laying the successful foundation of a growth oriented dental practice. If you continue worrying about scenario of private dental practices then there are more chances that you will end up with problems. So it’s better that you buckle up and get ready for some calculated risks, take things positively and look forward for opportunities.

 

2. Kitne Admi The.??

It's important to know the competition and its size. He understood that even a small team can make a difference. When it comes to your dental practice make sure that you don’t under-estimate other practitioners. When I'm saying this, it doesn't at all mean that you should pull others down, like most typical Indian’s do but take the measures accordingly.

 

3. Arey O Sambha, Kitna Inaam Rakhe Hai Sarkar Hum Par ?

Know your market value. If you don’t know your own value then there more chances that people will under value your capabilities. At the same time this can also help you in understanding how much investment you should do for promoting one's own brand.

 

4. Le Ab Goli Kha

Sometimes in the interest of your dental practice you may have to take hard and unpopular decisions. For example if you let your patients negotiate; you will find that bargaining has become a trend in your practice. So if someone tries to bargain unreasonably it’s better to let that patient go to another dentist. It can be painful for you at that moment but it’s better for your future.

 

5. Yeh Ramgarh Waale Apni Betiyon Ko Kaunsi Chakki Ka Aata Khilate Hai Re..

Market research is important to understand value propositions!! Spend some time on what is trending in and around your dental practice. For example if your neighbouring dentists have started using an RVG from 5 years and you are still stuck with the conventional development films or people have started using Practice Management Software and you still using the pen and paper then it’s not a good sign for your practice.

 

6. Yeh Haath Mujhey Dedey Thakur.

Identify elements of threats in the market and take measures to minimize them. For example if you get to know about quacks doing unethical practice or even dentists who are misleading patients by putting abbreviations such as MIDA, MADA which are not any degrees and deteriorating the standard of dental profession then don’t wait for somebody else to complaint.

 

7. Holi Kab Hai, Kab Hai Holi ?

Conduct advance mapping of key events within the industry and devise penetration strategy to have a competitive edge over your rivals. Always and always continue learning, look for all the dental events happening around you such as dental conferences, courses, workshops and try to attend them as per your needs and suitability.

 

Friends, I don’t know if you are aware about the term YOLO i.e. “You Only Live Once”.. We all have got one life so let us learn and adopt these principles and practice like a Gabber!

source : DentistFriend

Advertisement Guidelines For Private Dental Practitioners By Dental Council Of India

 

Advertisement Guidelines For Private Dental Practitioners By Dental Council Of India

Dental Council of India (DCI) has circulated the gazette with Revised Code of Ethics. The amendments have been made with respect to changing scenario of dentistry in India. I’m sure that this can definitely uplift the status of dental profession in the country if followed by every (licensed) practicing dentist. There are modifications in various sections of the Revised Code of Ethics; however we will discusse only about the advertisement and soliciting sections in this blog post. This blog will be very useful for dentists to know the norms and abide by law.

DentistFriend is a dental portal for dental students and dentists to share information and knowledge

 
 
Let’s see what the authority says on Advertisement by Dentists
 

 
A. Advertisement

A Dentist or a group of Dentists may advertise provided that they maintain decorum, keeping in mind the high moral obligations and the value that society places on the important nature of their work and the moral character and integrity expected of them.

 

The following is considered as Unethical:
 

1. To indulge in demeaning solicitation and false promises through advertisements or direct marketing of individuals, clinics or hospitals.
 

2. To advertise directly or indirectly or being associated or employed with any organizations or company including corporate bodies that indulges in such activities in a manner which gives unfair professional advantage by cold targeting vulnerable groups and conducting camps and other promotional activity in schools, colleges, old age homes and distributing hand bills, claim vouchers and other business promotional activities. Registered charitable organizations or medical bodies which provide fully free dental care & treatment are exempted.
 

3. Misleading advertisement or publication through press reports that promise inducements, rebates & false benefits.
 

4. Appointing or paying agent or canvassers for bringing in patients.

 
5. Use of sign boards at places other than actual location of the clinic.

 
6. Publicizing name in the commercial articles like toothbrush & tooth paste except for the ones fabricated in the clinic itself.
 

7. Publicizing articles or opinions on any procedures in lay papers or journals without any evidence.

 
8. TV interview, magazines, periodicals or public awareness program in magazines or periodicals with name, telephone numbers or email addresses.
 

9. Advertisement in the electronic media, such as television programs, that display names, address, phone number of dentists as on screen “scrollers”
 

 

B. Soliciting

Soliciting of patients directly or indirectly by a dental surgeon, by group of dental surgeons or by institutions or organizations is unethical. A dental surgeon is however permitted as an ethically acceptable practice to make a formal announcement in press regarding the following:
 

1. On starting practice.
2. On change of type of practice.
3. On changing address.
4. On temporary absence from duty for a prolonged period of time.
5. On resumption of practice after a break a prolonged period.
6. On succeeding to another practice.
7. About the availability of new equipment or services without boastful claims of being the “first” or “best” specially if such services are already available in other facilities.
8. Inserts in Telephone directories, yellow pages or on the internet is permissible.

9. Maintaining Websites where all information is factual will not be construed as unethical practice.

 
 

Please Note: Above article is only for information and it should not be used as reference for any legal purpose. We at DentistFriend.com request you to read the full gazette before arriving to any conclusion. Click Here to download the Revised Dental Code of Ethics.
 

Read More
How To Effectively Spread "Word of Mouth" About Your Practice?

Source : DentistFriend

How To Have A Bargaining Free Dental Practice?

 

How To Have A Bargaining Free Dental Practice?

In my last blog you saw how differentiation can help to have a competition free practice. I had also mentioned about adding "Extra Value", in this blogpost let’s see why & how to add that extra value in your practice.

Choose the easiest way to sell your used dental equipments; publish your FREE Ad on DentistFriend.com dental portal

 

 

What does "Extra Value" mean? 

 

In lay man language, it means giving something extra than what is expected by the patient (not that you pull out an extra tooth. :p) It is about making the patient feel important. It is about "Branding" your practice.

 

Why do you need to do it ?

 

Giving that "Extra Value" can help you to retain your patients and there are many other things that it can do!  Again let's start with examples; Did you ever try bargaining at KFC, Dominos or Mac'D? I'm sure never. On the other hand, when it comes to a local restaurant we never hesitate to ask for discount.

 

Why do people pay happily at THE TALVALKARS GYM but groan, moan and complaint when it comes to paying a personal gym instructor? Why do they happily pay 1000 bucks for a 15 min job at TONY AND GUY and they bargain with their friendly neighborhood barber even for 100 rupees?

We try to bargain at places which are considered as local and the synonym for LOCAL is NON-BRANDED! So now you got to my point! You need to change your practice from Local To Branded, because a BRAND belittles the consumer. We find it inadequate to argue, but want to be a part of it, at all costs. In our mind we feel that the brand somehow glorifies us and that's actually true! That's Human Nature!This is why luxury hotels like Taj, Hyatt invest on creating their brand value? This is why they are they behind improving the user experience & building their image in people's mind.

 

I am sure you would have arrived to the conclusion yourself! This is the magic of Branding!

 

Just imagine what can happen if somehow you could convince the patient that he is getting value for his money. Probably the patient will hesitate to bargain, he might appreciate the services he got at your clinic and it is possible that he will never ever think of visiting any other dentist in future.

 

Just like differentiation helps to build a competition proof practice; branding helps you in bulding a "Bargaining Free" practice. Apart from this it has following advantages:

 

1. It gives a hidden message describing certain feature or attributes of the practice.

 

2. It helps to filter patients and you will spend less time on convincing the treatment options.

 

3. It conveys a message about your services to patients thus creating the image of your practice.

 

4. Once you successfully establish a brand, people always associate your business with some quality/ value.

 

5. It also helps you in retaining patients.

 

 

Want to know about how to do brand your dental practice? Will share everything in detail in my next blogpost.

Source : DentistFriend

Dental Practice Marketing: Why You Need Good Online Presence?

 

Dental Practice Marketing: Why You Need Good Online Presence?

The world is evolving

 

I'm sure that many of you must have experienced patients in your practice who are already well versed with their treatment even before you explain it to them. It is happening because; nowadays information is available at the fingertips. The world is evolving; India is getting digital, we are the third largest country with respect to the number of internet users and with every passing day internet services are getting cheaper and better.

DentistFriend is a dental portal for dental students and dentists to share information and knowledge.

 

Past Vs Future

 

10 years back, did you even think that you will buy any product online? But it is very common these days;  Pyazz se le ke Payjame tak everything is now available online. The modern “Online shopping” trend is ruling us all to such an extent that even before buying the smallest and simplest thing we do a Google search. Dentistry is not an exception to this; not only that you compare prices of dental materials but also the patients do their part of Dr.Google and then make a decision. I don't say that every patient will Google before visiting your practice, but the once who are looking for cosmetic makeover or some high end dental treatments would definitely do the internet exercise.

 

The Power of Choice!

 

Everyone has some criteria to buy a product or service and same applies while choosing a dentist. Some patients look for affordable dental treatment some want best hygiene, some want convenience of timing and there are a lot of other such factors... And guess where do they get the information?

 

from Obviously internet.

10-15years ago just a reference used to be enough for patients to enter someone’s practice, but it is not the same old way today. Even after getting a reference, the person will Google about dentist, visit his website, read testimonials, check reviews on Google plus, ratings on Just Dial and then decide whether to visit his practice or not.

 

Are You Ready For Future?

 

If your dental practice does not have presence over the internet then don’t you think you are losing out some patients? So now it’s your turn to decide whether your practice needs a strong online presence or not? If you need any help or opinion on how to build a strong online presence for your practice then feel free to get in touch.

 

Here's a list of few basic things that you can follow to improve online presence of your practice..

 

1. Create Facebook page for your practice

2. Register your practice on Google+ and request your patients to write a review

3. Get website for your practice

4. Register on leading social media platforms and connect with people who matter to you

5. If possible you may also think of SEO

Source : DentistFriend

Being Dentist: 7 Reasons Why Dental Profession Is Losing Its Charm In India?

 

Being Dentist: 7 Reasons Why Dental Profession Is Losing Its Charm In India?

1. Deteriorating Education Standard

 

In India, oral health care awareness amongst the population is low resulting in fewer patients. On the other hand, the number of dental schools & their intake capacity is ever increasing. Earlier the PG seats were limited so interns were getting the opportunity to perform most of the procedures but since PG seats have increased now; a lot of procedures are allowed only to PG students in many private dental colleges. In some private dental schools, the situation is such that students have to pay patients to visit the college and get treated.

DentistFriend is a dental portal for dental students and dentists to share information and knowledge.

 

The lack of clinical exposure obviously reflects; these young dentists hold the degree yet very few are confident about dental practice.  

 

 

2. Lack of Opportunities 

 

Job opportunities are relatively low for dental graduates. Practically speaking there are (no) very few government jobs and even in private jobs dentists doesn’t get paid well.  

Stipend LOL!!!!!!! 

Stipend ke naam pe to chavvanni atthanni milti hai... 

Hope you pay some respectable salary to the dental professional at your clinic.

3. Quackery

It's 2016 still some patients are getting roadside dental treatment and no strict action is taken against quacks.

The situation is getting even worse due to some educated quacks. There are many postgraduate dentists are working as visiting consultant under quacks just for money. Not only this but qualified dental surgeons are also not on back foot in misleading patients by writing invalid abbreviations after their BDS degree. For example "BDS MIDA" where MIDA stands for “Member of Indian Dental Association” and is not any degree but used to brag about qualification. 

 

Here is the list of some more unacceptable abbreviations by dentists

R.D.P for Registered Dental Practitioner

F.I.C.D for Fellow of International College of Dentists

M.I.C.D for Master of International College of Dentists

F.A.C.D for Fellow of American College of Dentists

M.R.S.H for Member of Royal Society of Hygiene

F.A.G.E. Fellow of Academy of General Education

 

 

4. The Attitude Problem

Unlike medical practitioners, many dentists are reluctant to share knowledge as they believe this will increase their own competition but in reality, they are actually restricting themselves from self improvement.

 

Everyone is willing to practice in urban areas resulting in overcrowding & artificial saturation. This cut throat competition is resulting in price war and hampering our own future.

 

 

5. Lack of Unity

 

It is my personal observation that dentists don't have unity amongst them. Dentists practicing in the same locality consider each other as rivals & the one who takes advantage of this situation is patient.  You can read my blog "Be the change you want to see" on www.DentistFriend.com

 

 

6. Lack of Insurance Coverage

 

In our country, most of the medical treatments are covered under insurance but no dental treatments are covered under insurance which is somewhere restricting the industry growth. 

7. Under-Performing Authorities

 

The authorities are getting commercial. Someone, please make them realize that they are here to create new opportunities & raise the standard of dentistry. They are not just to collect sponsorships from Tooth Paste Companies.

 

 

How can we uplift the status of Dental Profession?

 

I believe that it's not just the fault of authorities but somewhere you & I are directly or indirectly responsible for whatever dentistry is facing today. All of us want a better future but in reality, nobody wants to take the responsibility. Let's stop this blame game because circumstances won't change until and unless we consider ourselves responsible and take initiative.

 

Let's take a stand...

 

Let's play our role to uplift the status of dentistry...

Source : DentistFriend