The odyssey of becoming a proper dentist never truly ends. The road that all dentists march on is constantly extending itself, with new milestones being discovered after the previous ones have been encountered and attained.
Moving forth to open one’s clinic is an overwhelming thought, one that doesn’t pass through the minds of most dentists who have licenses to practice. However, many sought this milestone in Palo Alto or other areas, regardless of whether their specialty is orthodontics or general dentistry.
If you find yourself in the same predicament, there’s a possibility that you long for the independence that owning a clinic offers. However, as the principle dictates, with great power comes great responsibility. Here are a few things you have to do when you choose to start your own practice.
Preparing the Funding
Money plays a critical role in your endeavor to open a clinic, considering it’s akin to starting your own business. That is why, like home purchases, dental professionals wait until their 30s or 40s to venture out on their own because it gives them plenty of time to build up their financial capability to accommodate the needs of their clinic.
It’s important to consider doing the same, given that your financial standing can easily influence some decisions you make throughout the process. Location, supplies, even the people you’ll work with — all of these require a hefty sum if you wish to have the best of the best.
Finding a Location
The area that you choose to situate your clinic is vital for several reasons. Mainly, it is because the location itself has the power to affect the performance of your practice. So, while scouring your options, it’s best to keep in mind the following to help you with your decision:
Proximity to Roads – Practices that are near the street and busy roads tend to attract potential clients better than those that are nestled in commercial buildings or medical communities.
Competition in the Area – Check out the dental clinics nearby, if there is any, and what their specializations are. If they directly compete with yours, maybe consider someplace else since patients that have histories with their dentists are more challenging to attract, making it more complicated to do business in the area.
Hiring Staff
Venturing out on your own doesn’t mean that you need to handle every aspect of your business. Deciding to do so will only affect your performance as a dentist, which is why it’s recommended for you to trust accomplished individuals from the fields of accounting and hospitality.
Working with a receptionist lightens the load when it comes to greeting patients, maintaining the clinic, and scheduling appointments. Meanwhile, accountants allow you to focus on your passion as they handle the financial statements of your clinic and file your taxes on time. If need be, you can also take on dental assistants that can help prevent complications during every procedure.
Should you find the obligations mentioned above daunting, try to consider reevaluating your plans soon. While not as fulfilling in terms of independence, freelancing or being employed by other dentists offer benefits that starting a practice does not immediately give, like support and an established client base.