Regional Support Manager, Sarah Barnard, offers some suggestions for dealing with a subject raised often by practices – what is the best way to pay associates for plan membership income? I have worked for Practice Plan for more than 20 years, and in that time, one of the most frequently asked questions has been about how to pay associates for the membership plan income they generate. If you are wrestling with this question, then it’s important to keep in mind your ultimate goal. What are you hoping to achieve? Being fair to everyone Most practices I speak to about this want to make sure that ..read more

In this guest blog, Dental Business Consultant, Lucie Simic, suggests ways to increase your patients’ loyalty to your practice. As we approach 2024, I believe a crucial strategy for success next year will be cultivating patient loyalty. While acquiring new patients is undoubtedly important, focusing on retaining and strengthening the bond with existing patients is a game-changer. This is not just about providing quality dental care; it’s about building relationships and creating an experience that keeps patients coming back with a smile. The Power of Patient Loyalty Patient loyalty is not jus ..read more

As the nights get longer and the days shorter, Area Manager, Gary Nelson, suggests a way of bringing some warmth into people’s lives. The world we live in is a difficult place at present. Stating the obvious there, sorry! I don’t think I need to elaborate on that statement, as the never-ending cycle of negative news tells us this often enough. We cannot control much about the greater world around us, but we can control our reactions. We’re about to enter a tricky phase for many people – the winter months. By ‘people’ I mean, you, me, your teams, your patients, your community. Everyone will ha ..read more

Not only is it November but it’s also Movember, the month when strange growths start appearing below the noses of usually clean-shaven men! This year, Practice Plan graphic designer, Daniel Roberts, along with his football teammates at Rhos Aelwyd FC, will be putting aside his razor and growing a mo (moustache) in support of Movember. They’ll be taking regular progress photos to update their family and friends on their growth! Although the team had discussed the idea of taking part in Movember it was some gentle encouragement from Dan that spurred them on to sign up. “I’d thought about gettin ..read more

Dental business consultant, Lucie Simic offers some suggestions on managing a busy diary. For a while now, dental practices have been grappling with the challenge of managing an influx of both new and existing patients. Yet, within this whirlwind of activity, it is crucial to acknowledge that experiencing gaps in your dental appointment schedule is not an unfamiliar scenario. As we start to face this kind of challenge, going back to basics can be a wise strategy to weather the storm. In this blog, I discuss three key principles to help you navigate this situation effectively. We’ve Been Here ..read more

Practice Plan’s Creative Director Les Jones, spoke to Hayley Irons Director at HI Marketing Ltd about marketing for dental practices. Les: You’ve been involved in marketing for a number of years now Hayley, what for you is marketing. Is it advertising? Is it just selling? What defines marketing? Hayley: The two words that define marketing are selling and promotion. Yes, you are selling your services or a product but to me it’s more about promotion and building brand loyalty. Customer service and experience is so important to building a brand and the loyalty. That’s not just about saying, ‘we ..read more

Since the backlog caused by the COVID restrictions and the subsequent access problems for many patients, squat practices have risen in popularity. How easy is it to set up a squat and what are the main points dentists wanting to establish one should consider? Andy Acton of Frank Taylor and Associates, shares his thoughts. What is a squat? If you buy an existing practice, the price includes an element to cover the goodwill of that practice. In effect, you are paying for the hard work that somebody’s already put into that site. They’ve found the location, they’ve created the brand, they’ve done ..read more

In a few weeks’ time, one of Practice Plan’s longest standing customers will be ditching his scrubs in favour of a life away from clinical dentistry. The sale earlier this year of Principal Dentist, Jason Greenwood’s The Stafford Dental Practice heralds the end a 36-year dental career and a relationship with Practice Plan of more than 25 years’ standing. He attributes the longevity of his association with Practice Plan to two things: “No reason whatsoever to leave. And loyalty. I’m very loyal.” However, he admits to that being an oversimplification! “There are lots of reason why I have remain ..read more

To mark World Menopause Day on the 18th of October and Menopause Awareness Month, Sarah Buxton, HR and employment solicitor and director of Buxton Coates Solicitors, makes some suggestions as to how employers can support employees struggling with the symptoms. My main role is to offer advice to practice owners and managers with the drafting of bespoke associate, hygienist and therapist agreements. However, I am also able to help with the day-to-day management of the team. Having a well-managed team is crucial as it not only prevents problems from escalating, but also ensures the team is happy ..read more

As more dentists transition from NHS to private dentistry, to stay ahead of the pack, Area Manager, Gary Nelson urges practices to concentrate on providing an outstanding experience for their patients, not just good service. In my career within the business of Dentistry, I cannot remember a time when demand for all aspects of Dentistry has been so high. I am also currently witnessing growth in dentistry delivered outside of the NHS at levels I didn’t think I’d ever see. Which means there are now more independent dental practices than ever before. ‘Boom Time’, I suppose you could call it. Or t ..read more