Associate to owner transition: When should a dental practice be valued?

One of the key issues toward a smooth transition of an associate to a practice owner is when a general dental practice is valued. This editorial explores three basic options for the timing of practice valuations and their relative favorability to the owner and associate during the transition from associate to owner

Etiquette in making the transition into private practice

In this article, the author offers several tips for students who are making transition into private dental practice. It suggests not disclosing the agreed terms and information related with negotiating practice or dentist or organization. It states that the initial focus should not be concentrated on salary or compensation or practice performance indicators. It mentions that before getting into details of each opportunity, students needs to decide their priorities

Introduction to the special issue on practice management

This special issue on practice management represents a labor of love from some of the key thinkers/leaders in the field of dental practice management in the United States. The topics covered in the articles are current and, in some cases, somewhat controversial. I hope the readers find the articles both stimulating and insightful

Dental student debt in the U.S.: A mountain to be scaled

Dental student educational debt in the United States continues to grow as a concern for both dental educators and dental students. While certainly warranted, this concern needs to be understood from the perspective of return on investment. The student debt issue remains a critical one. However, this debt is essentially “good” debt when viewed as an investment made by associates/ employees of general dental practices and general dental practice owners

Communication tendencies of senior dental students.

Although the importance of dentist-patient communication is generally recognized, the dental literature does not specify what interpersonal behaviors can be used as a basis for evaluating dental students\u27 communication skills. A set of behaviors based on clinical observations is described, and an evaluation of 25 senior students\u27 behavioral skills is presented. Students often did not: (1) spend much time orienting patients before beginning treatment; (2) update medical histories; (3) ask patients if they had any questions before beginning treatment; (4) explain the operation and use of equipment; (5) forewarn patients about uncomfortable procedures; (6) attend to signs of patient discomfort; (7) reinforce praiseworthy patient behavior; (8) caution patients about numbness, chewing, and sensitivity; (9) thank patients for their time; and (10) use leading/motivating questions. There is a need to provide students with systematic feedback on their interpersonal behaviors

Satisfaction among early and mid-career dentists in a metropolitan dental hospital in China

A growing body of research has examined career satisfaction among dentists using a standardized instrument, dentist satisfaction survey (DSS). This project examined career satisfaction of early to mid-career dentists in China, a population whose career satisfaction, heretofore, has not been studied. This is an especially critical time to examine career satisfaction because of health care reform measures being implemented in China. A culturally sensitive Chinese-language version of the DSS (CDSS) was developed and electronically administered to 367 early and mid-career dentists in a tertiary dental hospital in Beijing, China. One hundred and seventy respondents completed the survey. The average total career score was 123, with a range of 82–157. Data analysis showed some significant differences in total career score and several subscales based on gender, working hours per week, and years in practice. A stepwise regression model revealed that two variables predicted total career score: working hours per week and gender. Stepwise regression also demonstrated that four subscales significantly predicted the overall professional satisfaction subscale score: respect, delivery of care, income and patient relations. Implications of these results are discussed in light of the health care delivery system and dentist career paths in China

Satisfaction among early and mid-career dentists in a metropolitan dental hospital in China

A growing body of research has examined career satisfaction among dentists using a standardized instrument, dentist satisfaction survey (DSS). This project examined career satisfaction of early to mid-career dentists in China, a population whose career satisfaction, heretofore, has not been studied. This is an especially critical time to examine career satisfaction because of health care reform measures being implemented in China. A culturally sensitive Chinese-language version of the DSS (CDSS) was developed and electronically administered to 367 early and mid-career dentists in a tertiary dental hospital in Beijing, China. One hundred and seventy respondents completed the survey. The average total career score was 123, with a range of 82–157. Data analysis showed some significant differences in total career score and several subscales based on gender, working hours per week, and years in practice. A stepwise regression model revealed that two variables predicted total career score: working hours per week and gender. Stepwise regression also demonstrated that four subscales significantly predicted the overall professional satisfaction subscale score: respect, delivery of care, income and patient relations. Implications of these results are discussed in light of the health care delivery system and dentist career paths in China