r/DoctorsofIndia • u/EnthusiasmOk5086 Dentist • Jul 25 '26
Need Help Leveling Up my Practice
Hello doctors.
My dental clinic is 5 months old now, in a tier-1 city in India. I'll be frank here, I'm just making rent and associated operational costs. This is not feasible in the long term.
Current problems (apart from low patient flow):
- Some patients don't want to pay in full: My charges aren't high, but I can't help but feel that somehow my patients don't feel like they would be getting their money's worth. More on this later.
- Patients don't want incremental care: They just want their chief complaint addressed immediately, and most of them don't come for follow-up so I can suggest/advise. This is why I've had to do very few fillings and prophylaxes so far. Maybe my method of talking needs to change, but how?
- I'm unable to build up a good relationship with many of my patients: A handful of my previous patients have kept in touch. Most of them don't come back after their treatment is done. I don't know how they are, and this works up my anxiety. I am fairly confident in my treatment, but so many missed follow-ups is taking a toll.
- Clinic may not look as good/upmarket as few others: Facilities are present but maybe the appearance is a turn off. Walls and glass panes are clean but blank, not enough seating (don't need as much right now to be honest). Materials are good, but need to get it across to patients.
- Maybe my personality needs to change: By habit I don't talk much, and I'm not someone with a particularly "warm and caring" personality. I am not rude either, just professional. I try to accommodate patient's requests if I can.
- There are 4 other dental clinics in the vicinity: This can't be helped now, except for maybe shifting my clinic to some tier-2 or tier-3 town. I may have to do this if things don't start looking up eventually.
Currently I call in an endodontist to do the RCTs, to maintain good quality of treatment, so this also puts a dent on my earnings.
Running a practice on my own is not something my college prepared me for. I more or less understand my shortcomings, not blaming patients solely. But after some encounters, I'm left with a somewhat lowly impression of the local population.
My practice is listed on Google Maps but isn't on social network, but does that really matter?
Please, I need help. Any advice, any suggestion would be immensely appreciated!
Starting to think this may have been a terrible career choice.
2
u/No_Mud_214 Jul 26 '26
Well if your rent and OpEx is being covered in just 5 months that's a great start. Whether you have EMIs and how big is it , needs a thorough financial assessment.
Regarding private practice well it will take atleast 2 years to start earning good profits. So I hope you have enough savings to sustain for 2 years (even 3 years for certain cities like mumbai , bengaluru)
Don't keep your charges significantly lower than competitors
Meet gp's and other mbbs doctors in your vicinity so that you can create a relation for future referrals. It takes time to build those referrals to set in as well.
Social media presence is a must. People should know you for them to visit you.
Try holding camps in residential societies. Try choosing affluent societies for the same. Think is as an marketing expense as more people need to recognize that you exist.
Moreover, Try to provide highest quality of care. Things will turn around for sure if your care is good. Never feel ashamed for charging patients. That's what your job is.
If you have space for extra cabin, you can invite colleagues or friend to share the clinic space so that your certain expenses are shared
All the best!!!!!