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MANAGEMENT

BUSINESS AND CLINICAL DENTISTRY –

A BALANCING ACT

Akshay Kumarswamy

The healthcare industry operates at the intersection of business KEY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE BUSINESS SIDE OF
and ethics, presenting a complex challenge in balancing financial DENTISTRY
sustainability with quality patient care. In an era of rising medical costs, 1. Financial sustainability: Clinics must generate sufficient revenue
evolving technology, and increasing patient expectations, healthcare to cover operational costs, salaries, and investments in medical
providers must navigate the competing demands of profitability equipment.
and ethical medical practices. Striking a balance between these two,
often conflicting priorities, requires a comprehensive approach that 2. Technological advancements: Investing in cutting-edge technology
integrates financial efficiency with a patient-centric philosophy. improves patient outcomes but also incurs high costs, thus, requiring
The business aspect of dentistry requires financial stability to careful financial management.
operate efficiently. Revenue generation is essential to fund the daily
running of the dental clinic in terms of rentals, pay associate doctors 3. Regulatory compliance: Clinics must often adhere to government
and assistants, maintain infrastructure, and invest in new technologies. regulations, for eg; ensuring the dental x-ray unit meets all the AERB
Clinics should ideally function as businesses, necessitating efficient regulatory compliances, having a license to operate a clinic and other
operations, competitive pricing, and cost management strategies. legal obligations which indirectly affect profitability.

30 Dental Practice I March-April 2025 I Vol 21 No 2