Questions and Answers about
Gentle Dental Vision Statement To develop a better system of delivering dental services to the public Gentle Dental of New England believes that a better way to deliver dental services to the public can be achieved by removing obstacles for patients and providing better access to these services. Non-clinical services that burden many stand-alone dental practices can be better provided by people trained and experienced in these non-clinical areas which allows dentists to focus on delivering the best care for their patients. The public will also benefit from enhanced communication amongst primary providers and specialists in the same facility. Gentle Dental believes that professionalism and the doctor s quest to do what is most beneficial to their patients must be foremost and prevail over the business model of profit at the expense of the patient. Higher overhead and debt for dentists has increased dramatically in recent years. This has resulted in undo pressure on those doctors to think about finances before patient welfare. Therefore it is predictable that the public will ultimately sense this and realize the intrinsic advantage, savings, and quality control in group dental practice.
What is Your Practice Model? Our offices are private multispecialty group dental practices. The doctor is free to practice the type of dentistry they feel is best for their patient. The doctor schedules the amount of time they feel they need to provide excellent care. The doctor chooses the laboratory and is encouraged to develop working relations with the technicians.
103 Pearl Street, Braintree, MA 274 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
How do you Acquire Patients? Our 35 year reputation and our marketing program brought in 33,000 new patients in 2012. New patients are referred to the dentist for comprehensive treatment planning and care. The Director of the practice works to refer the optimal number of new patients allowing excellent care and keep the associate busy and productive.
Building Good Will The average solo practitioner gets 20 to 30 new patients per month from word of mouth referrals. Our directors will work with you to determine how many new patients you can properly care for. The practice will refer those patients to you and you will provide comprehensive care.
What is Success? We highly value patient retention and word of mouth referrals. That is our focus. Over half of our new patients are word of mouth referrals. All dentists know that high quality dental work and financial production is important, but as an associate with no overhead or debt service, there is no pressure to meet an overhead. A doctor may produce as little or as much as they are comfortable with, as long as the work is good and the patient is happy.
What is Your Structure? Each practice is run by a practicing dentist. This partner/director owns equity in the company and profits from all of the practices together. Partner/directors have autonomy in running their practice and create a unique culture in their office. New partners generally come from successful associates that have the skills, drive and desire to direct their own group practice.
Is There a Career with? Yes! Successful associates may be considered for directorship. Directors are given an equity partnership opportunity. The average practice director earned over $350,000 in 2012. Practice directors set their own hours. Most directors work four days per week.
How Does the Company add Value? Our headquarters in Waltham provides the non-clinical services that are necessary to run a dental practice. Clinical issues and policies are left to the doctors in the individual practices. Gentle Dental Management Team
Gentle Dental Home Office. Waltham, MA
What are these non-clinical services? Human Resources Marketing/Advertising Technology Service Bookkeeping Physical Plant Maintenance Compliance to government regulation (OSHA) (HIPAA) (EEOC) (ADA) etc. Training Session at Waltham Home Office
What are some of the benefits of joining Gentle Dental? Continuing Education: Gentle Dental is an approved AGD sponsor for CE credits that offers 4-6 free courses per year for our doctors. Malpractice insurance premium reimbursement for doctors that reach a specified threshold. Health insurance reimbursement for doctors that reach a specified threshold.
Evening Continuing Education class
How am I paid? Associates are paid on a percentage of collections. During the first three months of employment, supplemental compensation is available to allow for a smooth transition. Compensation varies between 32-35% based on employment status. In 2012 the annual income for a Gentle Dental general dentist was $259,000.
What is Your Culture? believes in participation and philanthropy within community and professional organizations. We support and participate in the Massachusetts Dental Society, Yankee Dental, MDS Foundation, and the Boston dental schools. We raise funds and donate to many charities such as the Red Cross and Dana Farber.
Drs. Shames & Weissman at Yankee Dental Presenting Donation to American Red Cross Professional Relations Team Gretchen & Cherri at Yankee Dental Congress
How Have You Been so Successful? The demand for multi-specialty group practice is growing. Group practice works because patients like having their primary provider and specialists work together in their best interest. Patients appreciate the convenience of expanded hours and better emergency coverage. Our Home Office takes care of most administrative tasks allowing doctors to focus on delivering the best care for their patients.
Annual Doctors Brunch & Awards Presentation
What is the true story? is the oldest, largest, and most successful group practice in New England. A Gentle Dental Partner earns more than the average solo practitioner. A Gentle Dental Partner works fewer hours than the average solo practitioner. There is less financial risk in our partnership than going into debt by buying a solo practice.
Group Practice is the Future If you have any other questions or want further information please call: (781) 647-0772 or email: gdc@gentledental.com Professional Recruitment Team Sam Shames DMD,MAGD Managing Partner Gretchen Bufo, RDH Professional Relations Barry Bornfriend MBA Chief of Operations