Developing your dental team to the fullest through coaching

The dental practice of today requires more than just clinical capabilities to succeed in today’s competitive healthcare environment; it needs an effective team culture and leadership as well as sustained operational expansion. This is what makes dental practice coaching the difference maker. A significant amount of development investment in dental staff development is needed to see such results.

The most underappreciated resource in a dental practice is the staff. The front-desk coordinators, dental hygienists, assistants, and practice managers bring a unique piece of the puzzle that ends up shaping a very good care experience for the patient. A talented team can only take you so far, however, without organized leadership and clear objectives. The right dental office training plan will bring the staff together, create accountability and get everyone heading in the same direction.

In addition to team building, coaching also educates dentists in essential business practices typically absent from dental school curricula. Most dentists make great clinicians, but are unprepared to run a business. Under the direction of seasoned coaches, practice owners discover how to read reports, simplify how their practice runs, maximize scheduling, and increase the effectiveness of marketing initiatives. It’s this knowledge that enables them to make smart choices that perpetuate themselves.

The other major benefit to dental practice training is the role it plays in patient restitution and satisfaction. Coaches help practices pinpoint communication shortfalls, hone patient engagement tactics and deploy programs to facilitate individualized care. When the people gelled and were comfortable in their positions, the patients noticed the difference. The result? Better patient retention, increased word-of-mouth referrals, and better online reviews, each resulting in more growth and a better reputation for the practice.

It's natural to be resistant to change, especially for busy practices that have their plates full of multiple to-dos. But dental practice coaching is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It’s really about tailoring strategies that are appropriate for the culture and the goals of the practice. Whether it’s about making more money, having more freedom, or getting ready to grow, a coach has the clarity and the action plan.

And thankfully, the benefits of coaching don’t end at short-term wins. Pipedreams of ongoing coaching, instead, can spark long-term changes in leadership, staff engagement, and performance. Dentists can transition from reacting to issues to being proactive in planning for growth with the proper support.

At the end of the day, committing to dental practice coaching is a commitment to more than just better business—it’s a commitment to delivering a higher level of care to your patients, grooming your team, and finding professional satisfaction. It gives dental leaders the power to make an environment where everyone, patients and team, feels that they matter and are supported.

Daryl Haynes is the author of this article. For more details about Dental Digital Marketing, please visit our website: theelitepractice.com.