Two Out of Five Dentists Using Dental Consultants
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dental consultants to our blog
read the dental consultant survey press release
In this poll, we asked dentists:
Is your dental practice currently using a dental management consultant?
Dentists are split on the issue of consultants. Forty-one percent of dentists responded, "Yes, my practice uses a consultant for our marketing and/or practice management." On the other hand, 59% replied, "No, my practice doesn't use a consultant."
This data showed some interesting trends. Dentists in more urban areas are less likely to use a consultant. Specialists are also less likely than general dentists to use a consultant in their practices.
Read the dentists' comments for more insight into their thoughts.
Rural dentists are distinctly more likely to use a consultant than suburban dentists, who in turn are more likely to use one than urban dentists.
Urban dentists may be able to rely on high-visibility locations to attract new patients, an option not often open to their rural counterparts. This may leave them more likely to seek the assistance of dental marketing consultants.
Male dentists are significantly more likely to use a dental consultant than their female counterparts. It's not clear if this represents merely an unusual skew in our respondent data, or if it suggests women really are less likely to hire a management consultant than men.
General dentists are more likely to employ a consultant in their practice than specialists. It may be that specialists are more able to rely on referrals, whereas general dentists have to work harder to find new patients. Dentists looking to actively market their practices often turn to consultants.
For detailed geographic results, just click on this interactive map. (Flash required)
For more insight into what our respondents are thinking, check out their comments!
No need for canned consultants
- "A: I need to be ready to work with a consultant. B: The consultant must design the program for me and coach me and my office, not just pull something out of a can and say 'Here it is, I hope it fits,' - or worse yet, 'I did my part, you just wouldn't make the recommended changes.' Each practice is different and to work with a practice or an athlete, both parties (doctor and consultant) must think outside of the box." (North Carolina dentist)
Sometimes it takes more than one to get the job done
- "I use a combination of resources, including 2 CPA firms, a continuing education group, and others." (Alaska dentist)
Sometimes no one gets the job done
- "I have tried using consultants, but none came through for me. Most do not understand pediatric dentistry, and it was a waste of money." (Florida pediatric dentist)
- "I have in the past used consultants, but not a one has ever been able to get me more patients." (Connecticut dentist)
- "I have tried but have not been satisfied as of yet." (Iowa dentist)
Some suspect our motives (In addition to sponsoring weekly surveys, The Wealthy Dentist offers dental marketing consultant services.)
- "Yawn. Isn't this a subversive marketing ploy disguised as a question/survey? Pah-leeeze!" (Michigan orthodontist)
