Orthotown January/February 2024 - 51

Want input about your practice?
Orthotown's " Practice Transitions " forum is the spot to ask for your
peers' feedback and advice about buying or selling an orthodontic
practice. Whether you've got hypothetical questions or specific
situations to ask about, scan the QR code to go straight to the
forum and start your post.
* Space etiquette. Allocate exclusive
usage on your scheduled days
to prevent confl icts, particularly
among team members. Determine
storage arrangements for your
instruments and equipment when
you aren't present.
* Exterior signage. Seek permission
for exterior signage when feasible-a
tool to attract new patients.
* Equipment usage. Clearly
outline equipment usage and
repair procedures to avoid
misunderstandings.
* Sublease renewal. Ensure
renewal options are in place for
seamless continuity.
* Practice and equipment conditions.
Defi ne expectations for
the practice and the equipment's
condition on your scheduled days
to ensure a smooth transition.
Based on our experiences, here
are a few common issues and their
solutions:
* Unsanitary or disorganized
space. Th is is probably the most
common issue we have faced.
Communicate your expectations
regarding space conditions with
the other doctor or practice manager.
Th is is especially signifi cant
when the other practice experiences
frequent staff turnover.
*
Intrusion by other practice's
staff . It's advisable to refrain from
allowing this, because it can disrupt
your team's focus on patient
care. We even had a manager
solicit our team members! Your
guess is right: We addressed it
with the other doctor immediately
and forbade her from being at the
practice when we were there.
* Equipment breakdown. If essential
equipment breaks down,
remind the other team about the
agreed-upon list of equipment
and conditions that must be
available to you on your days.
Th is is a signifi cant issue, too:
Th ere is a diff erence between a
broken autoclave and a broken
pano machine. An autoclave
is as crucial to them as it is to
you; rest assured, it will be fi xed
quickly. On the other hand, most
general dentists do not utilize
their pano as frequently as you
may, and their repair is costly.
Unless agreed upon in advance,
it may take a while for it to be
repaired. In our case, issues with
the pano machine were never
fully addressed. We had many
consultations rescheduled at the
fl agship offi ces to have access to
working X-rays.
Financial considerations
Now, you might be wondering what
constitutes a fair price for a day's sublet
at a practice. Th e answer depends on
the location of the practice. Arrangements
vary, from a fi xed amount like
$400-$500 per day for the entire offi ce
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | 51 | ORTHOTOWN.COM
or a specifi c number of chairs, to a
percentage of the current lease-for
instance, one-fi fth (given one sublet
day out of fi ve working days) of 120%
of the lease price for once-a-week use.
I suggest having a fi xed monetary
amount for the entire offi ce and equipment
free of any of their staff per day,
with options to increase if needed.
Satellite offi ces within other practices
are multifaceted ventures. It may
take time for staff to adjust to the
arrangement, and shared spaces and
equipment can present challenges.
Th ey enhance revenue and market
share while keeping expenses manageable.
Our satellite offi ce has increased
both our income and expenses. Income,
however, has risen at a faster rate,
which has been great for the overall
margins. So, is a satellite offi ce a wise
choice? It's not a simple decision. It's a
dynamic journey, with both challenges
and rewards, guided by the principles
you had originally agreed upon. OT
Dr. Kevin Baharvand is the founder of
White Glove Orthodontist (WGO) and
the owner and orthodontist at Elate
Orthodontics in Dallas-Fort Worth.
In collaboration with other dental groups,
Baharvand has successfully initiated
multiple orthodontic startups, overseeing
every detail. His diverse background-
including clinical acumen, a master's
degree in organizational leadership and
an active Texas real estate license-serves
as the foundation of WGO. Baharvand's
mission is to make startup consulting
more comprehensive, fostering the
independence of orthodontic practices
while ensuring aff ordability.
Website: whitegloveorthodontist.com
http://www.whitegloveorthodontist.com http://www.ORTHOTOWN.COM
Orthotown January/February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown January/February 2024
