money matters
BUILDING A GREAT
PRACTICE
MEANS BUILDING A
GREAT TEAM
By Scott Beard and Derek Rawnsley
O
ne of the key characteristics of a good dentist is fierce
independence – having a solid sense of how you are
going to practice your craft, your way.
And while such a trait is key to becoming a successful practitioner, understanding the critical benefit of teamwork is just as
important. After all, running a successful practice is a lot like
running a successful sports franchise – you have to assemble
the right team.
For a dentist to be successful, one must quickly understand that
no one can do it alone, and a key part of the profession is to
develop partnerships with the right teammates. Just as a quarterback concentrates on his skill set (running an offense and
passing) he needs the blocking and running and receiving of
quality teammates.
For many new dentists however, the thought of building a solid
team might take a backseat to getting the practice up and running and building a patient base.
But try to imagine if a quarterback took the field without competent teammates. He could call the ideal play against the
18 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
defense, line up the players in the correct position, take the snap
and throw a beautiful spiral downfield – and get sacked if his
line doesn’t block, or have his pass intercepted because a
receiver ran the wrong route.
What follows is a list of teammates a dentist might consider
when assembling a winning team:
Teammate - Certified Public Accountant
CPAs can assist with a lot more than tax preparation. A CPA
who is proficient in working with dental clients can help with
expense efficiencies and identify areas in which you can
improve cash flow. They have access to dental financial statistics
that allow you to compare your practice with its peers. A wellskilled dental CPA understands the nuances of the various specialties, whether you are a general dentist or an endondontist.
Teammate - Attorney
Using an attorney is wise for matters such as lease negotiations,
employment contracts and buy/sell agreements. Finding an
attorney who works with dentists can speed up the process and
also identify potential problems or concerns that are specific to