When a patient fails to attend or cancels late, the question we often ask is who should be paid. But what if that is not the most useful question. Missed appointments are a form of non-verbal communication. If we listen more carefully to what patients are telling us through their behaviour, we may find better answers and fewer empty chairs.
Dentists recognise denial instantly in patients, yet the same pattern often plays out in practice ownership. Small warning signs are ignored, symptoms are treated in isolation, and deeper causes remain unexamined until crisis hits. This blog explores the powerful parallel between dental pain and practice problems, and invites principals to move from reactive firefighting to proactive, preventative practice care
If you are hoping 2026 will feel different, but nothing has really changed over the last two years, this may explain why. Lasting change does not come from trying harder. It comes from changing how you think.
Being a practice owner can feel isolating. The Practice Owners Club offers a confidential, supportive forum where principals can think clearly, share learning, and feel part of a trusted network of like-minded colleagues.