Dental News - How to be a community dental leader

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 22 December 2014

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Dr. Ken Whelan graduated from dental school broke with $500,000 in student-loan debt. But within 10 months, the fee-for-service practice he started from scratch had generated more than $1 million. And during the next five years he surpassed $9 million — all on a part-time schedule. According to Whelan, any dentist can achieve the same by establishing a reputation as the go-to dental expert in his or her service area.

Whelan says two fundamentals of the era make that a realistic goal: The power of the Internet, and advancements in modern dentistry.

Whelan took full advantage of both fundamentals to answer this question: “How do you maintain your integrity and have a thriving practice where patients flock to you for ideal comprehensive care — not based on if you have the lowest price or take their insurance but because you’re perceived as the most respected dental leader in your community?”

Whelan tapped Internet-based resources to educate his community about oral health and advancements in dental care. Then he started helping other dentists accomplish the same, partnering with them to build many more thriving practices.

Whelan realized he had created a system any dentist could master. He labeled it the “Winning Practice Strategy,” and he packaged its eight core components into a video series. Then, of course, he built a website: www.NewLocalLeader.com.

“It’s a way to jumpstart and grow your practice by following a fresh, new direction,” Whelan said, encouraging dentists to visit regardless of their career stage. “I share everything I’ve learned about the big concepts that help you create a thriving ‘go-to’ practice as a local dental leader.”

(Source: Winning Practice Strategy)

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