Are You Taking Priority Action Steps? 

– By Dr Nav Ropra. 

It is fundamental to have an inspired mission of the business that comes from the core beliefs and values of the principal dentist, clearly articulated, regularly read and updated.

In relation to this, it is wise to have the individual functions of the dental practice all mapped out within a hierarchy of the practice profile.

Intelligently hire staff.  Give responsibilities and accountabilities to the team, with clear and accurate job descriptions explained from the start of employment.  Review and updated them regularly according to the functions of the practice.  Also, as staff want to know how well they are doing at work, regular appraisals done fairly and honestly will help manage any inefficiencies or grievances.

This can give you the greatest chance as a dentist on focusing on serving patients and providing inspirational dentistry instead of getting side tracked on management repetition. It can help to attract patients who are in turn grateful for your service, can’t wait to pay for services rendered, give testimonials and refer friends and family members to you

‘It is fundamental to have an inspired mission of the business that comes from the core beliefs and values of the principal dentist, clearly articulated, regularly read and updated.’

With your clearly defined mission set out daily action steps and goals towards it and be flexible.  Ensuring that your mission far exceeds your life will help create the legacy which you would love to leave behind.  Update your goals so that they are realistic and practical.  If the team all get involved and are inspired to contribute you may find that you attract the resources needed to complete them. Link these goals to your team’s individual missions in life so that they see what’s in it for them. Chunk down these goals into realistic time frames and keep refining them down into ever finer details.

‘Have a clearly defined mission and set out daily action steps and goals towards your mission and be flexible.’

At the end of the day before you go home have a checks and accountability list completed so that you are aware of what is still outstanding for the next day.  Remember to have a work- life balance and not to do things in extremes.

Who did you not get to serve?

Who was grateful for your services?

Who did you not get to call?

How can you do things differently next time?

What are the benefits / drawbacks to your day?

Who did you not thank today?

Am I leaving the practice with peace of mind?

It is a practical idea to document things and research your own skill set so that you know what works or does not work for you in practice and review this weekly. Make sure that you are up to date with current practising legislations and guidelines.

‘Remember to have a work- life balance and not to do things in extremes.’

Keep up with basic things like; consent, detailed contemporaneous record keeping, health and safety checks, CPD, registrations, marketing, equipment servicing etc and have these streamlined.  Delegate more so that you can focus on high priority things and inspired patient care.

‘Make sure that you are up to date with current practicing legislations and guidelines.’

Remind yourself of current GDC practising guidelines and best practice so that you work within professional conduct regulations and seek assistance from colleagues when you are not sure about something.