SMART Goal Setting for Productive Practices

June 30, 2016

“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.  A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.  A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” -Greg S. Reid

 

In 1979, a study was conducted at Harvard University among graduate students enrolled in the MBA program. The students were asked, “Have you set clear, written goals for your future? If so, how do you plan to accomplish them?” Only 3% had written goals with action plans, 13% had goals in mind but did not write them down, and the other 84% had no specific goals at all.

Ten years later, the same group of individuals was interviewed again. The 13% who had goals in mind, but did not write them down, were earning twice as much as the 84% who had no goals at all. More notably, the 3% who had written goals with action plans were earning an average of 10 times more than the other 97% combined.

SMART Goal Infographic

Many practices go only as far as comparing their numbers with last year, industry “standards,” or what they heard their colleagues have accomplished. This is called managing by hindsight, which leads to reactive decisions that do not ensure continued growth and progress. If a dentist and team are going to pro-actively monitor progress and design future success, a key ingredient in their game plan must be SMART goal setting.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

  1. Specific: First and foremost, for goal setting to be effective, any goals that are forecasted for the practice must be specific. That means generalities will never do when setting goals. Goals such as “we want to be more productive,” “collect more” or “we should attract more new patients” will get you nowhere.
  2. Measurable: What tools will you use to measure how successful or unsuccessful your goal is?  Can you track the progress of the outcome?
  3. Attainable: Be sure your goal is realistic, yet not below standard performance.
  4. Relevant: Will your goal meet your personal needs and/or the needs of your business? Is this goal relevant to your other goals?
  5. Timely: Establishing a time line to complete your goal will force you to address it.  Try to be as specific as possible.  By when should your goal be completed?

If you don’t have goals set, it’s not too late to start! Decide now how your practice will grow over the next five years.

 

HOW CAN VIPS HELP?

VIPS provides a tried and true, better alternative for increasing practice revenue. With our system, you get improved practice profits and increased personal freedom. Why refer out when your patients prefer to be referred in?  Increase your profitability and keep your patients happy!

The VIPS mobile dentistry model, together with our professional team, is designed to support your practice growth with proven methods and systems that come together to help you achieve great success. Growing a dental practice is always a challenge, but with the help and support of our team, you can accomplish your goals faster and more efficiently.  Our team has paved the way with more than 25 years of proven success.

 

 

For more information on becoming a VIPS Hosting Office, click here!

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Mobile Dentist to Offer Periodontal Services in Charleston, South Carolina

June 2, 2016

Charleston Periodontal Services

Welcome to VIPS Dental, Dr. Stephanie Trahan!  We are proud and excited to announce that Dr. Trahan will be opening her mobile periodontal and surgery practice in South Carolina this summer.  Dr. Trahan will be providing in-house periodontal, surgical, implant and IV sedation services to general dentists in the Charleston area. General dental practices in and around Charleston, SC will be able to expand the services offered in their practices by utilizing Dr. Trahan as an as-needed virtual associate.

About Dr. Stephanie Trahan

visiting periodontal dentist

Dr. Stephanie Trahan

Dr. Stephanie L. Trahan is a general dentist with 5 years of experience providing periodontal and oral surgical treatment utilizing intravenous conscious sedation.   She has a military clinical training background, extensive international volunteer experience, and presented numerous continuing education courses.

Dr. Trahan is originally from Vermont and graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science, and Boston University Medical School with a Masters in Medical Sciences.  She attended Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine with a full scholarship from the United States Air Force; she also served as class president all 4 years.  Upon graduation in 2011 she was accepted into a competitive surgical program at Lackland, AFB in conjunction with the University of Texas, Health Science Center San Antonio.  Dr. Trahan was then assigned to Robins AFB, GA where she performed periodontal and oral surgery, IV conscious sedation, and general dentistry for the active duty population.  Dr. Trahan has taught several continuing education courses on surgical techniques and has won several awards for her presentations.

Dr. Trahan spends much of her spare time coaching Special Olympics sailing and was named the GA state coach of the year in 2015.  Dr. Trahan is also an active member in the volunteer group Dentistry for All, Guatemala and volunteers yearly to perform dentistry in disadvantaged communities.  She has been recognized by the American Dental Association for her meritorious service to the people of Guatemala and is also a student mentor for Boston University’s international externship program.

Dr. Trahan recently completed her Air Force active duty service commitment as a Major, and settled in beautiful Charleston, SC to enjoy the sailing, history, gardening, and friendly people.

To learn more about keeping more treatment in-house and offering expanded services in your Charleston general dental practice, contact us.