When I first met Mette, a clinic owner for 12 years, she was burned out. Her clinic was busy, the waiting lists were long, but she felt like she was losing control of everything. Her days were filled with firefighting at the clinic, and this didn’t just affect her work; it spilled over into her personal life as well. She had started drifting away from her family and friends. It had been a long time since she had the energy to spend quality time with her children, and she couldn’t even remember the last time she engaged in the hobbies she used to love. A feeling of guilt and stress filled her thoughts—her clinic demanded all of her time and energy, and she had nothing left to give. (The clinic owner's name in this post has been changed to "Mette" for confidentiality purposes.)
We began working together on a plan to not only restore the health of her clinic but also Mette’s own energy and well-being. Over the next year, we implemented a series of strategic changes that transformed her clinic from a stressful environment into a thriving business where both staff and patients flourished, and Mette regained the time and energy to be present in her life outside of the clinic.
Let me take you through some of the winning strategies that helped Mette achieve success—strategies that can also help your clinic grow and thrive.
1. Laying the Foundation: Strong Leadership and Culture
Mette had always been driven by her passion for dentistry, but the pressure of running the clinic had clouded her leadership. She felt trapped in daily tasks, and the team started to lose direction. We began by reestablishing a strong culture with clear goals and open communication. This helped Mette rediscover her role as a leader and created a new dynamic within the team, where everyone felt heard and valued.
This had not only a positive impact on the clinic but also on Mette’s personal life. Once she felt back in control of her work life, she was able to disconnect when she got home. She had more time for her family and resumed her hobbies, which she had abandoned for years.
2. Optimizing Clinic Operations
Mette spent a significant portion of her time on administrative tasks, which took her away from her patients and the work she was truly passionate about. By implementing digital tools and delegating more responsibilities to her team, we freed up time in her schedule. Suddenly, she had the bandwidth to focus on her patients while also being more present at home.
This shift also allowed the team to take on more responsibility, which reduced the pressure on Mette. She no longer felt alone in running the clinic, and this brought her a newfound sense of freedom.
3. Financial Management for Success
One of the biggest challenges Mette faced was financial uncertainty. Even though the clinic was busy, it became clear that many treatments were underpriced, and there was potential for greater profitability. We began reviewing pricing structures to ensure they reflected the true costs and the value provided to patients.
With this financial management in place, Mette had the surplus to invest in her clinic and her staff. It also gave her the freedom to prioritize her time better, both at work and in her personal life. She no longer had to worry about finances, which gave her the peace of mind to be more present with her children and friends.
4. Putting Patient Experience at the Center
Mette had always valued her patients, but the stress in the clinic meant that she often felt distanced from them. The waiting times were long, and communication felt rushed. We began focusing on improving the patient experience, which quickly resulted in patients feeling more heard, seen, and appreciated.
With the new time and attention she could give her patients, Mette began seeing a different side of her practice. Patients were more likely to accept comprehensive treatments rather than focusing only on short-term fixes. This wasn’t just more profitable for the clinic; it also gave Mette greater professional satisfaction. She could focus on delivering treatments that truly made a difference in her patients' long-term health and well-being.
5. Leveraging Technology and Innovation
Another significant change in Mette’s clinic was the implementation of new technology. By introducing digital scanners and AI-driven diagnostics, she could offer faster, more precise treatments, which her patients greatly appreciated. Technology helped improve the efficiency of the clinic and gave Mette and her team more time to focus on patient care.
This technology also made it easier for Mette to adjust her schedule and plan her time, allowing her to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The staff embraced the new systems, and Mette was able to reduce her working hours without compromising on quality.
6. Marketing and Patient Recruitment
Even with a busy clinic, Mette understood the importance of attracting the right patients. We worked on strengthening the clinic's marketing, both through social media and optimizing her Google My Business profile. This made the clinic more visible and attracted a new target audience interested in the specialized treatments the clinic could offer.
Mette began to see how her focus on the patient experience and more comprehensive treatment plans created a positive feedback loop. Patients returned, they recommended the clinic to others, and this provided healthy growth that allowed her to adjust her working hours and create more freedom for herself.
7. The Future: What Lies Ahead for the Successful Dental Clinic?
After a year of strategic development, Mette was once again in control of her clinic. She had not only rebuilt the clinic’s finances and efficiency but also restored her own energy. Now, she had more time for her family, was back to enjoying her hobbies, and most importantly—she once again felt like an engaged, present dentist and clinic owner.
Mette learned that a successful clinic isn’t just about profits and patient numbers; it’s about balance. Finding that balance requires strategic choices, investment in both people and technology, and a continued focus on improving the patient experience. By focusing on comprehensive solutions and creating a succesful dental clinic where both staff and patients thrive, any clinic owner can achieve the same success as Mette.
Conclusion
Mette’s story shows that building a successful clinic isn’t just about working harder. It’s about working smarter, taking control of your time and priorities, and creating a healthy balance between clinic management, patient care, and personal life. By focusing on these strategies, you too can take the steps toward a more successful and fulfilling clinic operation.
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Thank you for reading my post
Many kind regards
Dentist, consultant, author & coach
Jesper Hatt
P: +41 78 268 0078
‘At Hatt Consulting, we understand that dentists and practice owners have big dreams and goals for their practice. We are dedicated to helping you turn your ambitions into reality through personalised consulting, tailored online and in-house clinic training.
Whether you want to improve management skills, optimise dental practice operations or build an exceptional patient experience, we are here to guide and support you on your journey. We offer customised solutions to fit your unique needs and goals.
Contact us today and let's create a strategy and action plan together to help you achieve your dreams and create a successful and sustainable dental practice. Let's work together towards a future where you thrive as a dentist and practice owner.’
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