Client interview, May 2016 - Interview with Dr Hamid Al-Hassiny - Principal Dentist at Naenae Dental

How and when were you introduced to Prime Practice?

I came to New Zealand with my young family and not long after started my practice in 2000.

I had a practice manager in 2004 who came on board and to be honest we were struggling. We needed help and after some research she came to me with the idea of getting help from Prime Practice. It took me a year or two to decide what to do… Dentistry is a really stressful job and without the support of Prime Practice I don't believe I would be where I am today.

Looking back at  the systems and procedures I used before I worked with Prime Practice scares me! Fast forward nearly 11 years and I am so glad I made the decision to work with Prime.

How does the number tracking in the Prime engine help you?

I find the number tracking keeps us on track as a team. Each of the clinicians are responsible for entering their own numbers daily so they know exactly where they are at and can take responsibility for their work. The data that is stored is great and seeing each clinician’s productivity really helps them to see the goal.

How do you find having a coach?

I’ve been working with my current coach for about 5 years now and he is great at keeping me and the team on track. We have one coaching call a month scheduled but he is always available for us to call if a problem arises. In fact, sometimes I feel like I need more time with him because he can often see things I don’t. It’s a fresh approach to running the business. It is also really good for my team to have a coach to rely on. I encourage my team to contact our coach if they have any issues or ideas- it helps with development of each of the team members. I don’t want my team to think that just because I am the boss, they have to do things exactly the way I do- I want them to have the freedom to make their own decisions and make things work for them. That’s where my coach helps.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining Prime Practice?

Start today. The earlier you start, the more you will enjoy coming to work and doing the dentistry. Without systems in your dental practice, things will drag you down. I think it’s worth starting with Prime Practice from the beginning of your career to cement good business habits early. This has been the most beneficial part for me.

I actually met another dentist recently in Sydney at a conference and we started talking. I could tell from how he was talking that he was struggling and he was interested in how I was running my practice. I told him about Prime Practice and how they had helped me build the successful practice I have today. I referred him because I know it works; he asked me ‘does it work?’ and I said ‘Look at my practice, yes it works’.

You’ve attended several workshops; which ones do you like best?

I think I have attended Primespeak 4 or 5 times. Again, it’s about the habits. Although they definitely should, dental schools don’t teach us these things. Patient communication is not something that we graduate knowing. I think dental students should be attending workshops like Primespeak Seminar so they can understand aspects of the non-clinical side of dentistry early on. You might have to attend a couple of times, it doesn’t just happen after one visit, but each time you will learn more and because of the different people in the seminar each time, you always take back a different way of doing things.

I also like the team building workshops. I find they are a really great way to recharge and get out of the practice as a team. We get to know each other better and ensure we are all on the same page. I want my staff to know that I am open to their ideas and encourage them to help me continue to build the practice rather than just come to work.

When I started the business it was just me and now I have both my sons working as dentists at the practice. It’s working because we all work together. Now my grandson comes to visit the clinic and he loves it, maybe there’s a third generation of dentists in the family.

Find out how Prime Practice can help grow your practice at our upcoming Practice Owner's Workshop.