Dental and Oral Health

Biography

Biography: Mr. Geoff Parkes

Abstract

Dental graduates are typically underprepared for the business of dental practice. Increased supply of dentists and relative lack of opportunity in the private sector mean that traditional mentorship pathways are no longer as frequently available to young dentists and, even so, may not be as appropriate or effective for today’s competitive environment. Young dentists, faced with the challenge of developing their clinical skills “on the job”, in many cases do not learn that successful dentistry can often be as much what happens outside the mouth as inside. Engaging with prospective patients, effective communication, providing a high quality patient or “customer” experience are as important to many of todays’ consumers of dental services as is the clinical outcome. This presentation highlights the need for dentists in the private sector, whether they be new practice owners, prospective owners or employed dentists, to fully understand the business environment in which they and their patients operate, to prepare themselves fully for this, and to implement effective strategies. Using real-life examples, and encompassing areas such as dental practice operation, marketing, human resources management, accounting, health economics and entrepreneurship, this presentation details the specific benefits for dentists of undertaking formal business study following completion of their undergraduate degrees.