Introduction

The incorporation of the use of computers into the dental practice has enabled the dentist and staff to quickly access information vital to monitoring practice growth and vitality.  Despite the fact this information is available at the click of a mouse, the information available to the dentist and staff is often ignored.  Even if an effort is made to assess the data, some dental teams are clueless on how to use it to control changing economics in the practice.

Just as former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch would greet his constituents by asking them "How am I doing?", in dentistry, the same is accomplished by asking for opinions from patients by using customer satisfaction surveys.  However, surveys alone do not provide a true picture of how a practice is doing.  They only provide subjective information that is based on personal perspectives of patients.  The dentist and staff may be popular with patients, but the health and vitality of the practice is not revealed.  Objective information is needed to monitor practice growth.

This is accomplished through the collection and charting of statistical data about the practice.  Compilation of these data enables the dentist and staff to recognize trends that will affect growth and profitability.  They are also used to develop strategies that reinforce positive trends and reverse negative trends.

While the numbers of statistical areas that can be studied might seem limitless, the evaluation and control of the practice can be accomplished by studying just a few statistics to determine how they relate to each other.

Click Here To Navigate Within Article >> Abstract Introduction Income Vs Expense Data Tracking the Data Data Analysis Responding to the Data Steep Decreasing Trends Moderate Decreasing Trends Moderate Increasing Trends Steep Increasing Trends Positive Plateau Trends Conclusion References About the Author
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Citation Number: Vol. 3, No. 1, Page 056