In previous articles, we have talked about trends and opportunities in dentistry in Australia today. The driving factors behind this are threefold:
- There is a chronic shortage of manpower; another 1500 dentists are required by 2010 just to maintain the status quo;
- new materials and equipment have heralded a ‘second golden age of dentistry’; and
- baby boomers are starting to go into retirement prepared to spend money protecting their teeth.
This all augurs well, but often when the factors are global, the benefits still have to be local. By that we mean the location of your practice is as important as the factors driving the general public to seek treatment.
The vast bulk of dentists in Australia are sole practitioners. Their requirements are simple; their ambitions and incomes correspondingly modest. As a profession we are protected from competition and can do well with little effort or innovation.
The dentists who come to us are those who find themselves in a situation where either due to the above lack of competition, personal skills or patient requests, they find themselves just far too busy. The choice is to either close the appointment book or look at ways to maximise the potential.
Moving to a better location, expanding to larger premises, putting on another dentist, hygienist or partner are all financial, management and lifestyle choices dentists need to make when deciding which path suits them.
The dentists we talk to are rarely are delighted to be making major moves involving hideous amounts of money.
On the contrary; they are pragmatic and cautious, knowing that expansion will tax their expertise, resources and energy. They know they may be going through this process only once or twice in their lives and it could be a make- or- break move.
