How To Have A Competition Proof Practice?

 

How To Have A Competition Proof Practice?

These days it is very common see too many dentists practicing in the same location, obviously due to artificial saturation but don't worry! Fortunately there is a solution. The answer to above question is “Differentiation!”, you need to differentiate your practice in order to Grow and Prosper!

Visit the DentistFriend.com dental portal to search best jobs in dentistry, ot to hire dentist for clinic.

 

What is differentiation?

 

Differentiation is all about creating a distinct identity for your dental practice. It is about separating your practice from your competitors and creating your own niche market. If you observe the business economy; you will see that there have been drastic changes in the business dynamics over the last few years and it is not that only dentists are suffering. 

 

For Ex: 15 years back when there were only 4-5 options to choose a car; today we have more than hundred options and this has created a cut throat competition among automakers and likely in many other businesses. Friends; we all know that change is Inevitable. Getting frustrated about the situation is never a solution and the only thing one can do is adopt and evolve. 

 

 

So let’s understand how differentiation can come up as a solution? 

 

I’ll again take an example from automobile industry. There are many automakers in India but when it comes to fuel efficiency, only one name clicks & that is “Maruti”. It happens coz Maruti has differentiated their cars as fuel efficient. And this differentiation has helped them in two ways. Firstly they have separated themselves from rest of the competitors and secondly they have created their own niche. There are other manufacturers who have differentiated like Maruti for example: Mercedes for Luxury, Volvo for Safety, Tesla for Green Cars and so on..

Just like these automakers, even you can also differentiate your dental practice. You can also make your practice competition proof and create a niche.

 

Let’s see how you can differentiate your dental practice?

 

A dental clinic can be differentiated as a specialty practice like Endo, Ortho, Implant, Pedo, Esthetic Dentistry, Implant Dentistry etc. You can even build an image in your patients mind as an affordable dental clinic or premium dental clinic or whatever you think suits your practice and separate it from other dentists practicing in the same location as you. The best thing is that you don't have to change your practice completely upside down in order to differentiate. 

You just have to find out answers to some simple questions like..

 

What is your forte? 

How is your practice different from others in your area? 

Why should people come to you for dental treatment?

What resources or skill sets you have that others don’t?

 

Once you figure out answers to above questions, you can start working on it. Now for instance, if I you have decided to differentiate your practice as "premium"; then make sure that your clinic is in prime location, with big space, fine interiors, high end equipment and well trained staff. 

 

The factors that I have mentioned above will vary based on kind of differentiation that you want to do for your practice and so as the cost. Once you are clear with differentiation, you can start working to give that “Extra Value” to your patients at your clinic which should be followed by branding & marketing exercise to attract the elite class who are able to bear the treatment charges.

Source : DentistFriend

How To Deal With Patients Coming For Second Opinion

 

How To Deal With Patients Coming For Second Opinion

Being a management consultant puts me in a position to interact with many dentists. It is my personal observation that most of the dentists practicing in the same location have negligent interaction with each other; in fact, some of them even go as far as criticizing the other in front of patients. Unfortunately not many understand that this attitude & communication gap not only damages their practice but also curtails their own respectability.

To find the best jobs in dentistry visit our dental portal DentistFriend.com 

 

 

WONDERING HOW DOES THIS DAMAGE PRACTICE?

 

When you consider a dentist practicing in your locality as your rival and don’t have a healthy and cordial professional relationship; your patient takes advantage of this situation. In fact, you might have experienced such situation - a patient comes to you & claims that Dr. A is charging X amount for a procedure, which is of course substantially less than what you are charging. The possibility is that Dr. A might have quoted more than what the patient tells you, but due to fear of losing the patient, you may reconsider the treatment charges.  

 

 

HOW TO MANAGE SUCH PATIENTS?

 

When a patient comes to you after visiting another dentist, do not look down upon him. It is a patient’s right to have a second opinion. Here's how you should deal with the patients who say, "Wo dusre doctor sahab ki fees to kam hai!"

 

1. Recognize that the treatment plan may differ from dentist to dentist, like judgment may differ from court to court.

 

2. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that the other dentist is a novice, explain that the difference may be due to the difference in the treatment plan.

 

3. Do not indulge in criticizing the other dentist, but recheck your own diagnosis.  

 

4. You should only state that it was the other doctor’s opinion and this is your own opinion. 

 

This attitude makes you stand out and seem more respectable and professional. If you respect your fellow dentists and have a healthy professional relationship; you have equal chances of treating patients without compromising treatment charges.  

 

Things can be totally different; all it needs is the right approach and a proper management.

 

Be The Change You Want To See: Happy Dentistry!

 

If you have any "!deas" on how to deal with such situations then please feel free to comment below.

 

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.

Visit the DentistFriend.com dental portal to know dental courses all over India, to write blogs and participate in discussion forums. 

 
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.

DentistFriend.com is an exclusive dental portal to search dental jobs, or to hire dentist.

 

 

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.com is an exclusive dental portal for budding dentists and dental professionals.

 

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