Honest conversations with the people shaping the future of dentistry. From practice owners to industry disruptors, we dive into real stories, smart strategies, and behind-the-scenes insights you won’t hear anywhere else. No fluff—just the ideas and experiences that move dental practices forward.
How to Avoid Dental Startup Pitfalls: 6 Years, 200 Startups, Countless Lessons!
Michelle Affanato started her career in dentistry at the age of 15 and worked her way up to become a dental consultant. She has a unique perspective on the industry, having worked in various roles and even helped a bank with startup practice financing. Michelle believes that the key to success in dentistry is being willing to put in the work and not just focusing on clinical responsibilities. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of dentistry and being involved in all aspects of the practice. Michelle’s consulting focus is on system implementation and training, particularly in effective scheduling, financial management, and communication between the clinical and administrative teams.
In this conversation, Michelle Affanato discusses the importance of having clear communication and systems in a dental practice. She emphasizes the need for a visual reminder of important information, such as X-rays or photos, to ensure that the team is consistently reminded of necessary procedures. Michelle also highlights the benefits of morning huddles in getting the entire team on the same page and maximizing productivity. She advises offices to focus on the highlights and important information during huddles, rather than going through every patient on the schedule. Michelle also touches on the use of sports analogies in business and the importance of defining success based on individual goals. She encourages private practices to focus on the patient experience and their own definition of success, rather than considering selling to a DSO as a solution to challenges. Michelle also discusses the difficulties in finding and retaining staff in the current job market and suggests considering training and onboarding individuals from outside of dentistry. Lastly, she emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in a startup practice, as systems and layouts may need to be adjusted as the practice grows and changes.
28:06 Focus of Michelle’s Consulting and Implementing Systems
39:04 Challenges and Strategies for Finding and Retaining Staff
50:29 Defining Success and Setting Clear Goals
58:02 Improving Efficiency and Patient Experience
Takeaways
Success in dentistry requires putting in the work and not just focusing on clinical responsibilities.
Understanding the business side of dentistry and being involved in all aspects of the practice is crucial.
System implementation and training are key to effective scheduling, financial management, and communication within the practice.
Open-mindedness and a willingness to overcome challenges are important traits for success in dentistry. Clear communication and visual reminders are essential in a dental practice to ensure that the team consistently follows necessary procedures.
Morning huddles are a valuable opportunity to get the entire team on the same page and maximize productivity by focusing on the highlights and important information.
Defining success based on individual goals is crucial for private practices, and selling to a DSO should not be seen as the only solution to challenges.
Finding and retaining staff can be challenging in the current job market, and considering training and onboarding individuals from outside of dentistry may be a viable option.
Flexibility and adaptability are key in a startup practice, as systems and layouts may need to be adjusted as the practice grows and changes.
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