Making Sense of Dental Practice Management

Managing a dental practice has become increasingly complex in recent years, after changes within both the National Health Service and the private sector. Modern dental practice requires that dentists meet demanding business and management challenges as well as employing their clinical expertise. However, most dentists receive little or no formal training in practice management. In this book established management principles are applied specifically to dentistry. It shows how to best serve the interests of patients by effective management of staff, finances, premises and resources. It assumes no prior knowledge, is concise and offers clear, practical advice. It is the definitive guide for dentists, vocational trainees, dental students, practice managers and administrators, and a useful reference for those undertaking the DGDP and MGDS examinations.

Part One: Introduction 1. An introduction to practice management 2. Management systems 3. Practice goals and objectives 4. Stress in the workplace Part Two: Management Systems 5. Time management 6. Recall systems 7. Stock control 8. Financial management 9. Computers in general dental practice Part Three: Staff Management 10. Human resource management 11. Staff recruitment 12. Staff motivation 13. Staff training 14. Delegation of responsibility 15. Staff appraisal 16. The staff handbook 17. Managing staff absenteeism 18. Professional relationships Part Four: Practice Development 19. Practice design 20. Upgrading equipment 21. Marketing the practice 22. Expanding the practice Part Five: Patient Management 23. Communication skills 24. Medico-legal aspects of patient management 25. Patient perceptions 26. Clinical audit