12.  Attitude.  I would hire attitude over any other characteristic.  Give me a person that has a willing spirit and a positive attitude and we can provide instruction for the skills required.  (in most cases)  A person with a great attitude brings harmony and joy into the day to day activities of the workplace while a person with a negative at

11.  Team. There is no question that no other critical factor, system, or protocol in your practice can work effectively if you don't have a great team working together to accomplish the goals that have been established for your practice. 

9.   Hygiene. The hygiene department is the lifeblood of your practice.

8.    Case Acceptance. I encourage you to do comprehensive treatment planning on all patients.

7.  Broken Appointments and No Shows. Along with scheduling comes this challenging "critical factor": broken appointments and no shows.  Are you tracking these difficult challenges?  If not, I encourage you to do so.  Track how many appointments are being broken or cancelled--and, if they are being rescheduled and if the voids are being filled.  Do the

6.    Scheduling.  Scheduling is a complex and multi-faceted "critical factor" and system within your practice.  I don't really think that any system is (or can be) more challenging.

5.  Overhead. Overhead control is an ongoing “critical factor” for any business.  Obviously, when

4.   Patient Financing Programs.  I am an enthusiastic advocate of patient financing programs.  My dentist husband, Dr. John Jameson, has been involved with patient financing programs since early in their existence. I strongly encourage you to get involved with patient financing and use the program extensively in your practice.

The 3rd Day of Critical Factors:  Accounts Receivable

The 2nd Day of Critical Factors:  Collections