In this blog, I've mentioned some points that need to be kept in mind while opening your own dental clinic.
1. Have Courage:
First and foremost, have the faith that you can make this work. Years of knowledge and smart work can create wonders.
2. Avoid Clinic Euphoria:
You do not need a shiny, glossy and glittery kind of a clinic. Remember, this is no Disneyland. People usually invest all their money buying stuff they don't need for their clinic and regret later.
Once your clinic is established after a few years, you can add or accessorize it slowly.
There are things like rent, salary to staff, bills, etc. that would require that money.
Clinic is a Business. It needs to be in a working condition first, all things come later.
3. Be Prepared:
Take a step back and ask yourself certain questions:
Do I know how to measure BP?
Do I know how to take X-rays?
Can I diagnose, plan and treat cases by myself?
Can I handle most common medical emergencies?
Do I know how to manage a "jaw lock"?
Do I know how to do "costing"?
If any of the answers are 'no', then work onto a clinic first. Try to learn the hows and whys of things, be prepared and then start your own practice.
4. Patient flow:
A frequent problem that dentists have faced regarding opening a clinic is that patient flow is lowest in initial 1-2 years.
You can avoid this by maintaining your own patient record while working on someone else's clinic. So when you open your own clinic, you'll atleast have a subtle amount of patients beforehand.
5. Location:
Most important factor is the location. Ex: Public place, commercial area, industrial area. It helps in self-marketing. You just need that one person who comes to your clinic - that one satisfied patient brings all the other patients.
6. Enough space:
Your clinic should possess of-
• Sterilization room
• Waiting room
• Compressor room
• Bathroom
• Surgery room
7. Clinic Board:
Easy to read and big enough that every passer-by have knowledge that it's a 'dental clinic'.
Simple and minimum things should be written on it.
Only mention your degree along with your name and number. 'Member of DCI', 'certificate holder of xyz' - these are not degrees and is not professional to mention against your name.
8. Quality:
Buy products from the companies who have an established and reputable image in the market. Make sure they provide good services and analyse according to your clinic requirements.
• B-class autoclave (~1-2lacs, chinese/korean)
• Xray machine (~175k-250k, portable/wall mount) OR Digital Imaging (xray machine and sensor - wired/wireless)
• Dental chair (~1lac-30lacs)
Basic chair - 1.5-2 lacs
Decent chair - 4-5 lacs
Very good chair - above 5lacs
• Suction machine (~40k-50k)
• Basic anti-rust instruments
• Consumables (disposables and other materials)
• Emergency drugs (Fully stacked and non-expired medicines should be kept in a closet at all points of time)
9. Competent Assistent:
You can be only efficient in doing your work as much as your assistent is good at handling the other stuff for you. For ex: patient record keeping, material handling, keeping inventory, cleanliness, Sterilization, etc.
He/she should understand your words without you needing to speak them. A trained and efficient assistant with knowledge of medical emergencies is a must.
10. Hire specialists/consultants:
For the procedures you don't know how to do or are not confident at, hire consultants who will come to your clinic and manage the patient for that case. Pros: you pay the consultant doctor and get to keep some amount for your clinic as well.
Bonus Tip:
Every year, local and international conferences are held where trade shows are exhibited. You can get materials at a very cheap rate from such conferences on a discounted price.
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