What Do Pediatric Dentists and Astronauts Have in Common?
What do pediatric dentists and astronauts have in common? Surprisingly, a lot. You see, it occurred to me while watching one of my favorite films, Apollo 13, that astronauts and pediatric dentists are quite similar.
In the movie, there are three strategies Tom Hanks uses to prepare his team for launch:
1) He and his team consistently practiced the procedures that would ensure a successful launch
2) He had his most valuable tools right at his fingertips
3) He stayed in constant communication with his team
The outcome? The astronauts were cleared for launch because they executed these vital methods each day, consistently.
The same goes for dentistry. Just like astronauts, you as a pediatric dentist must implement procedures and strategies to ensure your practice’s successful growth. I call this process “frontloading”—the consistent execution of methods and strategies that position your practice for success.
Some of the 15-20 ways to frontload your practice are to:
- Institute a patient referral program
- Contact inactive patients and reschedule them
- Promote comprehensive dentistry to every parent and patient
- Establish flexible payment options
- Ensure that 98% of your patients are scheduled at all times
- Call parents and patients when they are overdue for a visit
- Effectively communicate with your entire team about practice goals
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