By Alex Hamilton
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking to start up a new dental practice?
Not only do you need to check with local licensing, laws and insurance requirements, you also need to organize dental supplies and stationery. Keeping on top of the lengthy list of requirements can often become overly complicated and extremely stressful. That’s why proper planning and organization is crucial.
Here is a checklist to follow when setting up your new dental practice. This will ensure your new business starts off on the right foot and has the best chance of success.
◊ Dental Licensing
When starting up a new dental practice, you’ll be required to apply for and obtain a range of licenses. The types of licensing required will depend on where your new practice will be located and what services you will offer. For example, if you were to offer anaesthesia and analgesia, you may be required to apply for a permit to be able to administer it. The licensing requirements may depend on the state you will be practicing in, so it’s important to get in contact with the relevant local authorities.
◊ Local Requirements
If you’re planning to start your own business, there are a range of local requirements, laws and licences that you may be required to follow or obtain. This includes but is not limited to tax registration, zoning permits and state business licenses. Speak to local authorities in your state about what is required to open a dental practice in the area.
◊ Dental Insurance
It’s vital that you have the necessary insurance in place before you open the doors at your new dental practice. Dental insurance policies keep you financially covered for any compensation or legal costs you are required to pay in the event of a claim being taken out against your business. You may also be required to take out unemployment insurance depending on which state you will be operating in. Without insurance, you could be required to pay a substantial financial compensation to the person(s) making the claim which could cripple your business, causing you to close the doors to your business.
◊ Infection Control
Infection control is vital to prevent the spread of disease and illness. This at a basic level involves making sure the dental room is completely sterilized and the dental staff wear gloves, gowns, masks and eyewear. The practice should also be:
· Following the best infection prevention and control principles
· Protecting the health of staff and clients
· Hygiene control and managing the physical environment of your practice
· Understand the process of cleaning and sterilization of reusable equipment
· Monitoring and reducing the risk of spreading diseases
◊ Occupational Safety & Health
There are occupational safety and health responsibilities which all employers must follow when running their business. It’s important that you take your time reading through the details of what is required of you as an employer to ensure you’re following all necessary processes.
◊ Dental Stationery
The amount of stationery required for dental clinics is often underestimated. If you want your dental practice to run smoothly, efficiently and professionally, it’s important that you stock up on important stationery essentials. It’s a great idea to consider purchasing branded stationery to help increase the brand awareness of your new practice to attract new customers. Consider purchasing branded stickers, appointment cards and business cards to get your new practices’ name out there.
◊ Dental Supplies
On top of stationery, you will also require a lengthy list of dental supplies ranging from root picks to bookkeeping equipment. Follow a comprehensive checklist of dental supplies, but add to it with supplies relevant to your own practice. While generic checklists may contain all the stock standard necessities, you may require items that are unique to how you work on patients’ teeth or conduct business.
About the Author
This article is written by Alex Hamilton. Alex writes about advancements in dental products, procedures and how the use of technology can assist with dental tasks. You can catch him on Google+.