Dental Curb Appeal

by Curtis F. Johnson

Licensed Agent

Doctor’s Choice Companies, Inc.

Why hasn’t my practice sold? Why didn’t that last new patient re-appoint? These questions and many other similar thoughts are often asked by some very well intentioned dentists. The decision to sell your practice along with the time that it will take to prepare your practice for sale doesn’t happen over night. You will need to give proper time and consideration to this effort. The answer to these questions just might well be found here.

Recently, a friend of mine who had just returned from an initial appointment with a dentist and thought that I might be interested in their view of their visit to this new practice. It wasn’t easy for me to take in this lengthy sermon of all that was wrong with the office. Having spent close to forty years in this wonderful profession, I still find myself a great and thankful supporter of this art and profession. Their comments were hard to take, but painfully, so many of their observations were true. Ouch! With that in mind, please read on.

When did you last take the time to visit the front of your office, walk through the front door and sit in your reception area? As you know your reception room, along with your receptionist, are your areas of first impressions. The importance of this cannot be over stated. Going further, look at the balance of your office as if through the eyes of that new patient. Go ahead, sit in the hygiene chair and the treatment room chairs. What are your thoughts and impressions? How do you feel about this exercise? This might be very revealing and something that you would want to do on a regular basis.

All of this brings me to the “Curb Appeal” thought. View your office as though you were the buyer. If you like what you see and if you feel that a potential buyer would feel the same, then great. If this is not the case, it is time to make some updating changes. Doing so will assist you greatly in selling your practice or retaining new and existing patients. So many dentists are simply not aware of the appearance of both their reception area and office. They get into a comfort zone and lose track of this important aspect of their practice. Ask yourself these questions. How would I feel about this facility if I were the buyer? Do I feel that it is worth the appraised price? How much money will the buyer have to spend to bring the office up to a condition and appearance that they would like? Sit on both sides of the “table” as you make these decisions, think as the buyer would think. Typically, the items for consideration are the replacement or addition of some new dental and business office equipment (don’t forget the tax deduction benefits), and the updating of the office color scheme with some fresh paint . Additionally, basic things like flooring and furniture should be considered in this process of creating better “curb appeal”. After having made these changes, you and your staff will benefit by working in an improved work environment. These changes will also have a very positive effect on you, as well as patients, along with your productivity and practice profits. Suffice it to say, these changes will go a long way in creating a positive “curb appeal” and increasing the chances of the prompt sale of your practice. Given the number of dental practices that are presently for sale, which practice would you most likely choose to purchase?