In a general practice, a hygienist can see 8 to 10 patients per day, with operative also seeing 8 to 10 patients plus consultations, impressions, etc. Variables can include the type of dentistry being done (including SRPs), number of chairs, and whether there is some form of assisted hygiene in use. A well-trained front desk person can handle 18 - 20 patients per day. Kevin Tighe, Cambridge Dental Consultants, Senior Consultant, got bitten hard by the business and marketing bug during long summer days working at his dad's Madison Avenue ad agency. After joining Cambridge as a speaker in the mid-1990s, Kevin...

1. Hire for attitude. Train for the rest. Attitude = proud of and likes to work.  2. For the front desk, make sure to test for basic math skills. It's amazing how many prospective employees can't do arithmetic on their own.  2. Do background checks if someone will be handling money.  3. Group interviews help show how candidates interact in a group situation.  4. Some practice owners like to have their staff take the best candidate out to lunch and then have the staff give a thumbs up or down. There is a lot to be said for this method as the staff will take...

At any given time one or more of your staff are likely doing something that you would not be too happy about if discovered.

30% of adjusted production seems to be the sweet spot these days. Lab bill (not CEREC) is negotiable, but more often than not the practice covers the lab bill. When interviewing, review the person's treatment philosophy (not for new grads) and have him or her present treatment to you.   Kevin Tighe, Cambridge Dental Consultants, Senior Consultant, got bitten hard by the business and marketing bug during long summer days working at his dad's Madison Avenue ad agency. After joining Cambridge as a speaker in the mid-1990s, Kevin went on to become Cambridge’s senior consultant and eventually CEO. Cambridge Dental Consultants is...