Client interview, April 2016 - Interview with Dr Daniel Raditaolana - Principal Dentist at Oasis Smiles Dental

How were you introduced to Prime Practice?

We came out to Australia in 2008 as sponsored dentists with DJS and were invited to attend any Prime Practice workshop as part of our training. I did Primespeak and already knew of Prime Practice when it came time to set up my dental practice 4 years ago.

How has it been since opening your dental practice?

When I bought my practice from a retired dentist, it was a fairly simple transaction. We walked in and they walked out. In every other respect, it was a very challenging time, as my wife and I had no experience of running a dental practice. Luckily for us, I had already made contact with Prime Practice and had sought their support in the transition.

How did Prime Practice help you?

Looking back, it helped me a lot. There were so many times that I felt overwhelmed and didn’t know which direction to take. My coach was always available to point me in the right direction and implement the right systems so that my team could help me along the way.

Where do you think you would have ended up without the support?

I have no doubt I would have sold the practice and become an employee dentist again. It was just so overwhelming, but having an awesome coach who knew I could do it and supported me to hang in there was just what I needed. Working with Prime Practice was the best investment I ever made. And I was so sceptical when I first joined. In my mind, I thought I would be able to do it myself. But having never learned these skills, I wonder how I thought I could do it all alone! I am now in a much more comfortable position, but I know I still need Prime to help me continue to build my practice.

What is the most beneficial thing about working with Prime Practice?

It’s really hard to pick one. Everything about Prime Practice is great. Coaching has been really fantastic for me. I have been blessed with a great coach who has a great understanding and is incredibly patient with me. Whenever I have a problem, she will talk me through it. Challenges around patients, putting systems in place so the team can manage the practice, challenges around the team- she supports me with all the situations that arise from the day to day running of the practice.

3 months ago, we moved our practice location as it was no longer meeting our needs. The decision to move was a huge, scary step and we had to carefully weigh up the pros and cons and manage the process carefully. The previous location was very old- apparently it had been used as a dental practice for 75 years and as a result wasn’t able to reflect the level of service we were providing. There were also a number of stairs to get to it and there was no parking nearby as it was on the main street. We wanted to serve our patients better and needed a better location to do it.

With the support of Prime Practice, the move has been a really easy transition and in hindsight, an excellent idea. I knew that I could rely on the systems I already had in place and I had the support that I needed to do it successfully. We are getting so many compliments on our new space and gratitude for making our patients’ lives easier. It was also a great reactivation message to our patients we hadn’t seen in a while and we have had lots of patients returning. We are even hoping to get a new dentist really soon.

How are you finding the Prime Practice Engine and numbers tracking?

Initially, I didn’t know about the numbers tracking or why I was doing it. Now I understand how helpful it is… I can track my progress over the last 3 years and compare how I did every year. If there is a time when my numbers go down I can identify what is happening and make the necessary changes.

How has Primespeak helped you?

Primespeak has really helped. As any dentist will tell you, they never learnt how to communicate with patients at school. We know how to do the clinical work, but it has nothing to do with communication. Primespeak helped to remove the burden of stress when communicating with patients. I never feel rejected, because patients understand and feel empowered by the way I communicate and they are able to make their own decisions. They know that I am there to support them and make sure they are well-looked after. And that’s a great position to be in as a dentist.

Any last messages about Prime?

It has been a truly awesome experience to have the support of Prime. Having worked with them for 3 years and getting to know my coach and everyone that works there, I know I have the whole Prime Practice team supporting me and interested in what I am doing.

When I go to the workshops, I chat to other Prime team members and they all care and support me in the same way. The interest and ideas they have to support me is just awesome. I am very thankful.

Prime Practice have been helping dentists and their teams to run successful practices for the last 20 years. 

Learn how we can help you at our next Practice Owner’s Workshop, where you can learn the fundamentals of owning a dental practice business. Learn more about Practice Owner's Workshop.