As a dentist trying to start your own practice, saving on overhead is at the top of your priority list. Fortunately, there are a lot of strategies you can implement to cut costs. The following are a few tips to help you provide optimum care without going broke.

Tip #1: Combine offices

You can often get a deal on your lease by leasing out an entire building as opposed to just a single office in the building. For this reason, sharing a lease with complementary professionals can cut down all of your building costs. These could be others in the dental field, such as orthodontists or cosmetic dentists, or it could be other health professionals, such as an optometrist. You can even further lower costs by using a shared waiting room and sharing the services of a receptionist, or even using a shared software system.

Tip #2: Don't run your own lab

Any type of lab work, from running basic tests to having crowns made, costs more when you are doing it yourself in a small practice. Not only do you need to pay for the space and equipment, but you also must cover the payroll for the technicians that complete the lab work. You can usually get a much better deal by contracting with a lab to do all of your necessary lab work.

Tip #3: Cut down on cancellations

Cancellations can cost big money, since an empty exam room is earning no money. You can cut down on cancellations by making scheduling easier while also improving your reminder methods. Automatic scheduling software that allows the customer to schedule an appointment themselves online or through a mobile app makes it more likely that they will select a day and time that is convenient for them. Also, make sure you have several reminders in place, which can include phone calls, emails, or text alerts. Use soft reminder, such as a text or email, a week before the appointment. If the appointment isn't confirmed via this reminder, then send a hard reminder (which cancels the appointment if not confirmed) or call in a reminder 24 to 48 hours before the appointment.

Tip #4: Save on your supplies

Discount dental supplies are one of the simplest ways to save majorly on your overhead. A good sales rep will keep you well equipped with customer freebies, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste samples. They will also be willing to sit with you and work out the most cost effective option for everything from basic gauze to replacement polishing pads. Making time to review your supply order every few months will further ensure you catch any price changes or find replacement products for some of the more expensive things you need to stock the practice. Talk with a dental supply company, like GPS Dental Products, for more information.

With foresight and planning, you can cut costs without cutting the quality of your practice.

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