Practice Management Toolkit

Practice Advice from Dr. Gordon Christensen

P&G asked Dr. Gordon J. Christensen what advice he would give to dentists who are starting practices or who want to maintain their already successful practices. Dr. Christensen offered this advice:

• New Dentists Should Find a Mentor. Probably the best way for a dentist to gain skills rapidly is to associate with an older dentist for a period of a year or more. I do not consider a young dentist really up to speed until he or she has been out of school at least five years. By then, much of the information they learned is obsolete, and they should have had several continuing education courses in that period of time. I would also suggest that young dentists attend practice administration courses as soon as possible out of school to provide real world experience in their lives.
• Stay Current. Dental continuing education courses are still probably one of the best ways to keep up with changes in the profession. Dentists should select a continuing education teacher in whom they have trust and respect and listen to that teacher every year or two. Additionally, there are numerous newsletters including our own, the Clinical Research Associates Newsletter, which provide excellent up-to-date information. Our own Newsletter services 100,000 dentists per month in many languages, and I do not see how I could practice without the information that is contained therein. These newsletters provide valuable information to practicing dentists regarding basic science and clinical findings conducted by hundreds of dentists.
• Focus on Emerging Markets Driven by Demographics. Today, major issues in dentistry that were not present 40-50 years ago are ones involving the aging population and the retention of teeth. A person 65 years of age in 1996 has three times the teeth remaining in his or her mouth than the same age person in 1960. Many of the new products are related to the mature person, including cariostatic dental materials, veneers, tooth colored restorations, bleaching, all-ceramic crowns, and other materials. The upcoming 10 years will be a growth experience in dentistry, involving many new materials, concepts, and devices for those in mid-adulthood to the more mature person. Dentistry is rapidly changing from a profession oriented primarily toward children and adolescents to one dealing with all ages who desire to improve their appearance, and who have the financial means to receive those services.
  
  In summary, longer lifespans are providing more opportunities for dentists in the areas of fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, removable partial prosthodontics, implants, and all areas of esthetic dentistry. I continue to see a decrease in pediatric restorative dentistry, complete dentures, and removal of teeth. The growth areas are readily identifiable and statistically supportable, both from a financial and demand basis.
• Utilize the Talents of the Entire Dental Team to the Fullest. Dental hygiene is growing and will continue to grow in the coming years as the scope broadens. I see the need for continuing care of patients as a major aspect of dentistry. Dental assistants are accomplishing more tasks in many states at this particular point, and I see an expanded role for dental assisting as well. I personally use many assistants when I practice, and I estimate that approximately one-half of the dentistry accomplished in my office is accomplished by educated, qualified, stimulated, motivated dental team members. This is the key to keeping the cost of dentistry affordable.
• Continue to Integrate Implants into Your Practice. In my opinion, dental implants are now a major part of dentistry. Our own research shows that approximately 65% of American general dentists are accomplishing implant prosthodontics, and approximately 4% are accomplishing implant surgery. I see the continued growth of implant surgery among general dentists and prosthodontists as well as continued slow growth of implant prosthodontics within general dentistry. It has been my observation over the past several years that the topic of implants has decreased in interest from its initial introduction some 12 to 13 years ago. However, that does not indicate a decreased interest in the subject as a whole. It only suggests the marketplace has been somewhat saturated with continued emphasis on this subject. Implants are now a relatively mature part of a practice, and their use will continue to grow slowly for many years.
• Get Ready for a Shortage of Dentists. There is no question in my mind that we will see a shortage of dentists in the next few years. Unfortunately, the federal government and other various administrators seem unable to prognosticate the dental needs of our society. During my own career, gross mistakes in prognostications have occured. What we don't meed is to saturate the market as seen in the 70's and 80's, but we do need to be aware of the increasing demand for dentistry stimulated by an aging population.
• Remain Optimistic. The future of dentistry has never been brighter in its entire existence. However, the dentists of today and for the future must be entrepreneurs who are willing to work hard and to be creative. It is my strong feeling, and has been all of my career, that dentistry should provide a fast, easy, high-quality, moderate-fee professional service that continually provides stimulation and enjoyment to the practitioner and the dental staff. In such practices, the patient wins, the dentist wins, and the dental team wins.

Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading dental continuing education seminar speakers.