By Dianne Glasscoe Watterson, MBA
Dear Readers,
In a world where most of the news is not positive, it is easy for us to allow negativity to creep into our lives. We can lose our focus. Negative thinking can affect how we interact with patients, staff members, and our families. And while it is true that some dental practices are struggling to stay profitable, the good news is that the profession is still strong and doing well.
Dental practices that have focused on excellent patient care day after day have built loyal patient bases that appreciate the high-quality care they receive. Dentists who have learned to be good leaders build loyal, dedicated staff groups who care about patients and each other. Dental practices that have been built on sound management principles will not only survive the economic storm but will even prosper. I’m not asking you to ignore the world around you. What I’m asking is that you retrain your focus and look deeper to see the positives that are ever-present, if you will only look, and be thankful for each new day.
Be thankful:
- For the patient who complains, although the complaint may sting, because it gives you an opportunity to make corrections
- For the patient who is late because it means he’s here and the appointment is not totally lost
- For the patient who cries, because it helps you be more compassionate
- For the patient who calls after hours with a toothache, because you have the privilege of helping relieve pain and suffering
- For the patient who doesn’t like to smile and show her unsightly teeth, because you can work your magic and watch her smile again
- For the staff members who keep you going in the right direction when the schedule is crazy
- For the staff members who love your patients and make you look good when you’re not your best you
- For the staff members who put up with your impatience, bad moods, unreasonable expectations, and stick with you through the good and bad days
- For the staff members who flex when an emergency patient interrupts your already-hectic schedule
- For the staff member who stays home when she’s sick so the rest of you are not exposed to viruses
- For the staff members who clean up your messes, answer your phones, pay your bills, coordinate your schedule, anticipate your needs, and remember your birthday
- For the hygienists who make your job easy by educating your patients about needed dentistry
- For the hygienist who informs you that she needs additional instruments or equipment that enables her to take better care of your patients
- For the compressor that dies, a computer that crashes, and a roof that leaks, because it means you are a business owner
- For the tiredness you feel in your bones at the end of a workday, because it means you are capable of working
- For a profession that allows you to do a lot of good in this world and make a good living at the same time
- For the alarm clock that goes off in the early morning, because it means you are alive
Author bio
Dianne Glasscoe Watterson, MBA, is a professional speaker, writer, and consultant to dental practices across the United States. She is CEO of Professional Dental Management, based in Frederick, Md. To contact Glasscoe Watterson for speaking or consulting, call (301) 874-5240 or email [email protected]. Visit her website at www.professionaldentalmgmt.com.
