An orthodontic practice comes with a multitude of necessary skills. These skills build on a foundation of diagnostic and therapeutic principles from dental school. Of course, we learn the clinical aspect of orthodontics in residency. Once we open up or buy a practice, the business and leadership skills become critical for success. Financial management, sales, marketing, clinical, scheduling, time management, HR, psychology, and many more skills tend to become more relevant with time. Can one orthodontist master all these well? I would tell you no one is a peak performer in all of these aspects.
Amazing teams reinforce one’s blind spot
The difference in practices that succeed in all or most of these aspects is that they build a fantastic team. The team builds upon the orthodontist’s skills and checks their blind spots. Those blind spots are areas where the doctor lacks the bandwidth or skills that are not the doctor’s core competence.
Just like a good defense can protect a quarterback’s blind spots during a football game, a great orthodontic team can cover the doctor’s back. Your protection from the many issues that can arise in practice is having a team covering your blind spot. Examples of this are areas of the schedule you have not noticed. A clinical lead could guide you in between operatories to make sure patient flow stays at its best. A TC could cover your blindspots in patient concerns, so they make sure the case accepts your treatment plan.
Diversity in your team helps to increase the effectiveness of your practice and reduces blind spots. Different life experiences and perspectives can provide great input to solve issues around the office or offer better growth opportunities. A range of expertise amongst your team makes everyone stronger and pushes the practice forward. When members bring their unique abilities to the team, you can reduce blind spots in skill and perspective.
