Dental practice management

  • G. Bridges
Stephen Hancocks Ltd price £27.50; pp 146 ISBN 9780956566812 | ISBN: 978-0-9565-6681-2

Dentists receive little or no formal training in business management, yet primary dental care is becoming increasingly dominated by key performance indicators, service user feedback and a necessity to provide evidence that standards of quality are being met.

The Care Quality Commission now requires the practice team to include a registered manager. This book will help principals and dentists understand the necessary skills to develop a successful practice, whether performing management skills themselves or delegating to a formally qualified or appointed practice manager.

The author has 20 years experience working with GDPs and their teams and has developed dental-based BTEC accredited qualifications. The book is divided into seven chapters covering a range of topics, including established theories and application of management techniques, marketing strategies and team development. Chapters vary from 15 to 20 pages in length, making it more of a lunch-time read, rather than a book to dip into between appointments.

The book uses a series of case studies to illustrate common problems arising in dental practice and how to overcome them. Even with my own limited experience in general practice, these examples seemed all too familiar, indicating that the author does indeed have a well rounded knowledge and experience of the sector.

There is a useful section covering suggested sources for further reading, a comprehensive glossary and a short bibliography, which to the clinician who is used to heavily referenced and evidenced-based material, appears concise.

The book appreciates that the reader may have tried formal management techniques before and failed. It goes on to advise how to choose the management model that will work best for you and your team.

Since the onset of the financial downturn, it has never been more important to have a structured business plan. This book will help you formulate a focused business strategy and even go on to develop your business through market research and implementation of marketing campaigns.

The 16 outcomes introduced by the Care Quality Commission in 2009 are based on established quality management principles first developed in the 1930s. This book will help develop background knowledge, but also contains specific advice relating to how to fulfill those outcomes less familiar to clinicians, such as designing a staff development policy.

This book is one of the most up-to-date on its subject and would be a valuable reference to have at hand in any modern practice.