An Essential Guide to Understanding the Business of Dentistry

You probably understand the basics of a dentist’s job, even if you don’t know the details of what each tool is for or how each procedure is performed. You go to the dentist regularly, where the hygienist cleans your teeth (and probably tells you to floss more often), and then the dentist takes a more in-depth look at what’s going on in your gums. Maybe you get some x-rays taken and talk about whether to have your molars removed. Across the United States and, indeed, the world, this ritual is pretty much the same. 

What about the business of dentistry, though? After all, people have to be the business owners behind those dental clinics. Someone has to provide customer service when you come in to make an appointment, and someone else has to decide on the business model. Is it a franchise or an independent business? Going into the dental health game is a business opportunity like any other venture, but it also comes with unique new opportunities. Let’s take a look at a few of those.

The world of dentists has franchises, too.

Understanding the Business of Dentistry

You may think that you need to start a brand new business to become your own boss, but that’s not the case at all. There are plenty of profitable franchises out there, run by franchisees who adopt an existing business model without going through the endless red tape of getting incorporated. Starting a small business is a lot of work, and once you’ve launched that small business, you need to build brand recognition from the ground up.

On the other hand, franchise opportunities come with brand recognition baked right in. Of course, a franchisor won’t just give away their name recognition and business model for free—franchise owners have to pay a fee. That said, franchising is one of the best ways small business owners can get in the game. That’s why you might see chains of dental clinics, all with the same branding and name but with different dentists and hygienists on site.

There are always exciting innovations to know about.

Understanding the Business of Dentistry

The field of dentistry is always innovating new ways to treat patients and help work with various issues that patients may face. Beyond routine cleaning, the best dental care includes dental innovations like restorative dentistry, implants, veneers, and more. A dentist who has years of experience will also have a wealth of information about these treatments.

These innovations can be exciting to patients who need implants. In fact, studies show that having missing teeth can have a major impact on your self-esteem, so working with leaders who know everything about dental crowns and root canals can mean a whole lot to someone’s quality of life.

In other words, once you graduate dental school and decide whether you’re starting your own business or joining a franchise, you also need to stay approved of new treatments. If new patients know they can trust you to take care of their crowns and veneers but also to provide detailed information on new treatments, you’ll know that you’re serving your communities well. 

Graduating dental school is all about helping people achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. If you’ve become a dentist or hygienist in the past year, you can be doing that important work, too. Take a moment to consider whether you want to become your own LLC or enjoy the benefits of joining a franchise. Whether you’re in San Diego or New York (or anywhere in between), you can meet your professional and financial goals by providing dental care and continuing to stay apprised of innovations in your field.