Spring is on the way, and it’s a time for growth. If you’re considering expanding your services in 2008, the article "Grow your bottom line by expanding the right services" in January’s Dental Economics would be a wise read. Dr. Mark Murphy writes that miniature dental implants are a great addition to a restorative practice because of the high profit margins. With cosmetic dentistry still growing in popularity, increasing your esthetic services may also be a good idea. Neuromuscular/TMD therapy, Invisalign, and CEREC are yet other areas you could expand into.
Whatever your new service, be sure that you and your team have adequate training and tools to provide the best dentistry you possibly can. Also, train your team to market yoru new services to patients. If someone books a crown on the phone, do they want a CEREC? Your receptionist should know all about your new services and technology so that she can inform your patients. Another great way to promote a new service is to feature it on your website as "NEW!" along with professionally written copy explaining its benefits and maybe a before and after case.
If you’re concerned about expanding into the right area for your practice, you might want to hire a dental consultant. A consultant can help you decide which services to offer and how much to charge, find training for your team, set up any new equipment, and coach your team on internal and external marketing. While paying someone to help you grow your practice may feel iffy at first, in the long run making the best decisions will yield the best results.