Times are tough for many right now, so we need to be proactive in our thinking and planning. What are you doing to make sure you stay on top of the uncertain economy? First, don't get into doomsday thinking and don't let your staff bemoan the economy to your patients, either. It's fine to sympathize, but try to be upbeat and hopeful in your responses. Let your patients know that we're all in the same boat and you'll help them get what they need, until they can afford what they want. I really think we need to combat the media negativity so that we don't all become so afraid to spend anything that their dire predictions come true.
Spend wisely, save what you can and use what you already have. Take advantage of bulk savings if you know you'll need to buy it anyway. Don't, however, stock up on things that it will take you years to use. Research what you need and find the best quality at the best price. Ask for discounts. If you use a lot of distilled water, consider buying a distiller. It can save room in the office and time buying and transporting gallon jugs of water from the store. Over time it will pay for itself.
Find freebies. You can order free brochures from the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research here. Laclede supplies great looking samples of Biotene here. You'll have to create an account, but it only takes minutes and it's free! Need free Fixodent samples, click right here.
If you have a fax machine and find yourself getting a lot of unwanted faxes advertising someone else's business, call and ask them to stop sending faxes. Save used paper and turn it over to use in your fax machine or cut it up for notepaper. Buy good quality, unprinted business card paper and get Print Shop or some other software and make your own business cards, or at least make some individualized business cards for your staff. Then, when people ask them where they work, they can hand them their business card with your name on it. If you buy personalized lip balm anyway, have them keep a few in their purse to hand out instead of a business card. Those things will draw people to your practice. Cut autoclave wrap down to size. Don't use twice as much as you need for small cassettes. Cut the sheet in half and you'll have twice as much, and it will be easier to handle, too. Waste not, want not. Make sure the tube of Impregum is empty before discarding. With the dispensing machines they often seem empty when you can actually get one more impression out. If you have two machines and are close to the end on one, have the other machine ready to go in case you're short so you can finish filling the tray on the second one. Keep cement tightly capped and wipe the end with a slightly damp alcohol gauze to keep it fresh. Store supplies properly and have good inventory control. Don't order more than you can use by it's shelf-life, and store it so it's used in order of expiration date.
Take a look around. Are you a pack rat? Sell what you won't use anymore. I have sold more unwanted equipment on DentalTown that my boss was ready to get rid of than he could have ever imagined. Try Craigslist or Ebay, too. Use Craigslist to advertise job openings, too. I found some great new staff members that way and didn't pay a penny.
Whatever you do, don't give up, just think differently and respond to the present needs of your patients. Take the time to listen and understand what they're dealing with. Show them that you want to help them where they are right now. It's a great relationship and trust building opportunity. Then, in the future, when things are looking brighter for everyone, they'll remember that you cared and they'll trust you.
If you have any great ideas, or want to let people know about free samples, just click comment and let me know.
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