A new associate should be viewed as an asset to the dental team and the office. Make it clear from the beginning that the associate dentist is to be treated with respect. Give everything your new team member needs to succeed and your practice will succeed as well.
Schedule monthly meetings with your associate. Meet regularly to ensure your associate gets up to speed quickly and that both of you are satisfied with the way the arrangement is working out. Review progress toward goals, discuss problems, and brainstorm ways to make improvements for the practice and for each of you as individuals.
Don't expect a new associate to present as well as you. A new doctor will lack your years of experience and may, therefore, either undersell or oversell patients. Update your case presentation system and help your associate master it. Your reward will be higher case acceptance.
Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the founder and CEO of Levin Group, the leading dental practice consulting firm in North America. For the complete list of dates and locations where you can attend his latest seminar, visit www.levingroup.com/gpseminars.
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