Editor's Note from Kevin Henry, editor of Proofs and managing editor of Dental Economics: Rick Willeford of The Willeford Group, a dental practice advisor, recently released his “Willeford Watch,” detailing a dental production index for some of his clients in July. These numbers not only show how July fared against previous months in 2009, but also against the same month the past two years. After looking at the numbers, I asked Willeford some questions. You can see the report by clicking on downloads.pennnet.com/web_dl/2002.pdf.
Kevin Henry: I see the numbers and I see the chart, but what are you hearing specifically from your clients about their businesses?
Rick Willeford: Many of the clients who are keeping their numbers up do report that it takes more work to keep the schedule full. There is a lot of work being postponed. The specialists are hurting more as, either the GP is doing more of what he or she referred out; or a patient just gets an extraction rather than a root canal and crown.
KH: You said that some of the practices had reported their best months ever in the spring. What was the reason behind these booms?
RW: No obvious reason for some great months. A lot of Atlanta patients are not blue collar and subject to mass layoffs. A lot of clients are fee-for-service too.
KH: What do you see in your crystal ball for the rest of the year?
RW: Perhaps Atlanta's pain is lagging the others but may still come. As second- or third-tier businesses, they may have other businesses for customer. As those businesses finally capitulate, then the next tier starts to feel it or the non-blue collar folks finally feel it. If lucky though, perhaps economy will turn around before third-tier gets affected too badly.
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