According to recent survey data, more dentists are seeing rainbows and sunshine. Dr. Levin explains why.
As I travel around the country presenting seminars and meeting with many dentists and specialists, I’m seeing improved attitudes among these colleagues. Initially distressed by the tightening of the dental market several years ago, they now seem to have accepted the “new normal” and regained their optimism about the future.
Although I can’t prove there’s a connection, I firmly believe that this welcome change accounts for, in part, reduced stress levels in the dental profession. According to this year’s Dental Economics-Levin Group Annual Practice Survey, 27% of respondents said they were experiencing high or extremely high stress.
Looked at by itself, that number would be disturbing. It tells dental management consultants like those of us at Levin Group that there’s still a great need for stress-reducing systems and other improvements we can bring about for our clients.
But the trend is actually very encouraging. As recently as 2014, a much larger percentage of dentists—38%—reported high levels of stress. The reduction we’re seeing tells me that dentists have absorbed the impact of macroeconomic forces that are beyond their control, like increased competition and more cautious buying behavior. Now, as practice owners shift their attention to things they can control, they’ll move quickly toward achieving their full growth potential.
Author's note:
Do you know where your practice stands? Find out with Levin Group’s new 30-Minute Practice Assessment! Spend 30 minutes on the phone with a dental management expert—for free. It’s your opportunity to see how your practice compares, discover your revenue potential, and discuss any business challenge you’re facing at no charge. To schedule your assessment, call (888) 973-0000 or e-mail [email protected].
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Data Bites is a monthly column in the Apex360 e-newsletter. It presents information from the Levin Data Center and analysis by Levin Group, a leading dental consulting firm.
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Editor's note: This article first appeared in the Apex360 e-newsletter. Apex360 is a DentistryIQ partner publication for dental practitioners and members of the dental industry. Its goal is to provide timely dental information and present it in meaningful context, empowering those in the dental space to make better business decisions. Subscribe to the Apex360 e-newsletter here.
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