Client interview, March 2015 - Interview with Dr Kurtis Kemppainen - Principal Dentist at Care Dental Centre

How were you introduced to Prime Practice?
Ever since I graduated, I have worked in a practice that was working with Prime Practice. And when I spoke to my uni colleagues, I realised that in the practices they were working in there were all sorts of issues that I hadn’t seen: including scheduling, staffing and upset with the dental industry.
When I bought my practice, I felt I needed to know the fundamentals of running a successful practice, so went along to the Practice Owner’s Workshop

What has changed?
My leadership skills are different and better. My team is a lot more independent and self-directed. To the point where they know when they need to include me in decisions and when they don’t. This has certainly helped me to maintain a good work life balance. So when I walk out the door, I don’t need to be working out of hours. I can truly be away from the office.

What is your most important leadership tool?
Having the trust in the team I employ that they can accomplish the tasks they are set and I don’t have to be responsible for everything.

Has your team changed?
Thankfully, my team has largely stayed the same. We have expanded slightly and have had a few pregnancies along the way, but otherwise all the same people I started Prime with. Individually, they have all gained confidence with their skills and added new dimensions to their roles. I think they enjoy having a greater role in the operations of a practice.

What has been your biggest achievement since starting your own practice?
My biggest achievement is not letting my work consume everything. That is really important when you own a dental practice and many of my uni colleagues have spoken about this. I am able to spend time with my family and know things will be moving forward in the business.
Having a good team is a priority and if they understand their roles and jobs, with systems in place, they can work independently. This has also been a great achievement- to have a consistent team.

How have you found the coaching experience?
It is good to have that person to report in to to have that sense of responsibility. I have found it really motivating to have someone else to answer to. My coach has done a terrific job of moving me in directions I needed to go. Take marketing for example, I was initially very reluctant, but in the last few months, I have found myself doing things I wouldn’t have even touched in the past because I wasn’t comfortable and didn’t know how. She has coached me up to it to explore those opportunities with good results so far.