Succeeding in GP Orthodontics
Adding orthodontics to your practice is not an overnight process. It takes a ton of education, preparation, and passion to gain success in gp orthodontics added to your practice. The best advice from previous gp orthodontic dentists is to always invest in your education so you have the skills and knowledge to confidently treat your patients. Aside from education, there are many aspects to consider before implementing a new speciality in your office. Here are 6 key tips to help you feel comfortable adding orthodontics to your practice.
1. Be passionate about your practice.
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor,” said Vince Lombardi. When you show commitment to your practice, your patients will show up for appointments and refer family and friends. Ultimately, dedication to your practice and patients is your No. 1 practice builder because all it takes is your genuine interest in dentistry to market yourself.
Offering services that benefit patients’ oral health and aesthetics like orthodontics is a top way to professionally grow revenue and a positive reputation. Why? Because orthodontics is one of the best ways to help patients achieve the smiles of their dreams and prevent long-term dental issues like gum disease, decay, and shifting.
When you show your patients how orthodontics can transform their oral health, it’ll be simple to build your orthodontic practice.
2. Always pursue continuing education.
Education does not stop with the completion of dental school. In fact, dentists are forever students because of the constant evolution of new dental techniques, products, and materials. Andreas Schleicher said, “You can spend a lot of money on education, but if you don’t spend it wisely, on improving the quality of instruction, you won’t get higher student outcomes.”
Continuing education is the first step to successfully implementing orthodontics in your practice. When you sign up for an ortho course for general dentists with Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars, everyone involved forms your support system and prepares you not only for the clinical aspect but also the practice management part of your business.
Adding orthodontics to your office requires both the knowledge and clinical skills for treatment, but it also requires administrative knowledge regarding insurance, contracts, and legalities. Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars has all the resources to help you begin your journey into becoming a highly successful gp orthodontics practice.
3. Be open with your team members.
Your dental team is one of your most valuable assets. Without your team on board, it is nearly impossible to have a successful gp orthodontics practice. The first step is being honest with your employees about any new services that you’ll be offering. It takes a lot of planning and preparation for your team to establish a good flow with orthodontic patients.
The best way to add orthodontics is to have team meetings to discuss all aspects of it, including administrative paperwork, clinical diagnostic records, and treatment. When you show your team how to present diagnostic measures like impressions and radiographs, your patients will feel confident in your recommendations.
Add team training into your schedule by having others shadow you, read about orthodontic treatment as auxiliary team members, and openly communicate. You may want to consider a bonus or pay raise for your team members as they’ll require additional training and spend extra time learning a new technique.
4. Have a well-designed plan.
Success in gp orthodontics doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and planning to successfully develop an orthodontic practice. Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars will make sure you understand everything you need to know so that you’re confident to begin taking on orthodontic patients. Then, you just need to map out the best way to start your orthodontic journey. Here are a few key tips:
- Make sure you are credentialed ahead of time with any insurances you want to take. It can take up to 90 days to become an in-network provider for orthodontic services.
- Market yourself before you take your CE course with Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars so that when you are ready to see patients, they have you in mind.
- Use social media to remind patients you are now offering orthodontics.
- Consider giving a discount during a promotional period to get patients in the door.
- Order your instruments and supplies ahead of time.
- Train your team so they can discuss orthodontics with your patients and have the orthodontic lingo down.
- Network with your colleagues during your CE courses so you can discuss real-life case studies.
5. Don’t be afraid to take risks.
It may seem like a big risk to offer a completely new treatment. After all, it is unknown territory, and you want to be skilled and ready to confidently treat your patients. In the words of Henry Ford, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” By “risking” it on an ortho course for general dentists, you open yourself to new challenges, but you also have the chance to grow your practice to unimaginable limits.
Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars isn’t much of a risk, though, because they have years of experience teaching general and pediatric dentists about orthodontic treatment. When you invest in a course that is reputable and credible, you’ll feel less nervous about taking new leaps in your career.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Orthodontics can be challenging because each patient requires completely different treatment depending on their diagnostic records and clinical needs. It is not like prepping for a crown, which can feel redundant once it becomes routine. Orthodontics is completely personalized, and you need to feel ready to tackle any type of case.
Dr. Williams helps prepare you for these challenges by introducing you to all types of malocclusions. If you feel confident to treat only mild to moderate cases, it may be best to start with these until you take more advanced CE courses. The best thing you can do is take a step back and ask questions when you need help. Network with your colleagues and instructors—even after your course ends—so you can treat your patients confidently.
Your success in implementing orthodontics will be directly related to the amount of effort you put in. When you take credible courses like those from Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars and are passionate about your services, you’ll have no trouble succeeding in general practice orthodontics!