First I should say, sorry if you were following this site and haven't been updated since September! I have two blog sites. I think I mentioned this earlier, but I haven't mentioned it lately. I have been updating the other blog, but not this site. Some people have easier access to this blog while others have easier access to my Wordpress blog. I intended to update both, but just realized I haven't updated this one for a long time. So, below is my latest post. If you want to see the few posts between this newest one and the last one from September that I posted here, go to http://amyluedemann.wordpress.com/ In the future I will cut and paste and update both. Eventually, pretty soon really, I should have them connected and feeding into "Kidstown Dental" website!
Groundbreaking has happened!! Officially groundbreaking was supposed to be this past Monday, but as you may remember, Monday brought torrential rains. I hear if you need rain really badly, schedule a groundbreaking!
Lots happening aside from the groundbreaking. Time line wise, we have to start plumbing Jan 30, lay foundation early February, then hopefully, March 1st my contractors will begin interior build-out and doors will be open by June 1st...could be sooner. There has been some issues with my contractor. I do plan on writing in this blog, in the forum of a dental magazine like "Dental Economics" and possibly even something more substantial to help others in my position. This entire process has been a huge learning experience. In this process so far I have had to pick a Realtor, a site, a banker, a lawyer, an architect, a general contractor, an interior designer, and that is only some of the people who have been involved thus far. I have learned that dentists get taken advantage of often and are sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally mislead in this process. From the very begining I have sought out articles, books and advice so I wouldn't be one to fall into common traps. Even still, I have found myself in some difficult situations for which my reading and seeking advice did not prepare me. These are the things I hope to help others with as I am finishing with this project and it is all still fresh on my mind. For now though, it is best if I not share the details. Stepping back a little from the details, my prayer is that I can honor God in my words, my relationships and all of my business dealings no matter what the challenges are. I find the balance between being a trusting, open, relaxed person and a smart, informed, assertive business person is a delicate balance indeed!
As the construction progresses the things I will be investigating and deciding on are:
1. What insurances will I accept? (This is the most common question friends, family and parents of patients ask me lately.) Will I be "in-network"? Will we accept Medicaid and Chip?
2. What practice management software system will I choose? Exactly how paperless will my office be? What hardware will I go with for the office (Mac or PC)?
3. When will I be hiring staff for training and how many persons will I hire initially? How will I go through the process of finding and hiring people who will enrich the practice?
4. How many days and which days will the office be open to start? How many days per week will I practice ultimately? How much vacation will the office take? How will I set a schedule that will allow myself and staff to have quality time with our families, a balanced life, and meet the needs of a pediatric population whose parents don't want their children to miss school too often?
5. When will I have the website up and running (including for scheduling patients) and will I choose a website management company? If so, who? Will "Kidstown Dental" have a Facebook page? (I have one reserved.) What types of social media will we use? What are the reasons and benefits to the office and our patients for using social media? What are the ethics involved in using social media as a pediatric dental office?
These are just a few of the things that occupy my mind these days. I hope to "blog" and receive your input on these issues. That is all I have for now. Again, thank you for reading my blog and continuing to support me in this process! I am so grateful to each and everyone of you!!
