Dental treatments in Kenya

Are you a dental intern or pre-intern in Kenya? Maybe, you are at the 41st KDA ASCE at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort. You could be trying to figure things out for yourself. Well I have an offer for you

A 9-month "Internship Launchpad program", the process involves multiple steps and decision points, including the consequences of choosing to wait before or during the internship. Check out this flowchart:

1. Intern/Pre-intern interest stage: Starting point where you express interest or get an introduction to the program.
2. Program introduction : Details on the 9-month Launchpad program, outlining soft, communication, and personal finance skills to be learned and practiced
3. Decision point: Whether you decide to join immediately or wait.
- If you decides to wait, potential outcomes like missed learning opportunities or unstructured career progress and the cost therof wi be highlighted .
4. Onboarding process: Steps for you who join immediately, including registration and orientation.
5. During the program: Skill-building modules.
6. Consequences during internship**: Outcomes of having completed the program, including career advantages vs. what happens to those who decide to wait.

Check out this flowchart. Whether you choose to join the launchpad or not I pan to be here on these Social media streets to say to you "I told you"

Like this post if this message resonates with you or a dental intern or pre-intern that you know

The sun is up in the afternoon sky. The heat, away from the shade, is up there. The dust flies in your face. We are impeaching our Deputy President. Meanwhile the Adani’s are poised to take over airports, SHIF, and KETRACO.

All this is the backdrop to the pain that dental interns and pre-interns must feel when they consider their future.So what are these pain-points, exactly

1.Internship - the Ministry of Health delayed the onboarding of interns who graduated from Universities last year and finally absorbed them on a lower payscale (adjusted for inflation) than ever before. A new lot of graduates have just been churned out (at least from the UoN). It will be a white before they can start their internship.

2.Their clinical skills will undergo disuse shrinkage. They will not be able to acquire clinical, administrative and finance skills that were not taught in University and they will not gain experience, that is a function of practice and time.

3.They will not have adequate finance for activities of daily living and upskilling. All this 5 - 6 years after entering University.

As the earth rotates around the sun, dental interns and pre-interns can pray until something happens, take short-cuts into the job market or they can invest some thought, energy and money to avoid the sense of stagnation, uncertainty and frustration.

My purpose is to empower nex-gen dentists to be financially stable. To this end I am offering a program titled "Dental Launchpad: A 9-month career accelerator for interns & pre-interns to plan and execute short and long term career, family and financial strategies to put life into your dreams. The value of the program is in its ability to give you a career headstart when you start or end your internship. For more information click https://wa.link/bw0ugd

Dr Kendi bites into her brandy snap just before sipping her tea from a flowery, bone china cup at the restaurant overlooking the golfing green. The atmosphere is calm as waiters glide by silently. This is the life to live, far from the hoi-poloi. Her husband Dr Hoffman hurries to join her. His last procedure has taken him into extra time so he and Kendi have found their own ways to the Golf club. There is no tournament today. They are here to plan the next few days, away from the clinic, which is steadily growing in business and revenues. Like most dentists with about KES 50,000 piece to spend, they will be attending the annual KDA conference.
All roads lead to Shanzu, just outside Mombasa. The KDA Conference starts and ends next week. Most dentists use it as a much-needed break from back breaking work. A few will attend short, two to three hour courses, the majority will visit the exhibition, shop for equipment and materials, attend plenary sessions and social events. They will all agree that it was the best conference, ever. Then back to the grind.
The best time to be young is now. Life is more sophisticated for the current vibrant generation. I wish them a fantastic time as they jet ski, snorkel and tantalize their taste buds with the best that the Indian Ocean has to offer. May they remain in the pink of health.
Good health is often taken for granted. Youthful vigor is assumed to last a lifetime. It is aways someone else’s funeral we are attending. However after a certain age we are all waking around with one or other symptom of one or more diseases that may become chronic or take us down eventually.
This week, I was in bed for a day with chills, fatigue and the runs. Enough time to ponder life, ill health and the inability to work and generate an income.
A chance encounter with somebody my age who complained that she needs more days off and holidays these days and simply lacks the psyche to manage patients for 18 – 24 months at a stretch got us thinking. Menopause and Andropause do not affect the opinion making process!! We tossed opinions this way and that, with wild abandon, all backed by highly unscientific personal experience and anecdotal evidence .
We discussed dentists in their 50s – 70s with dire diagnoses, that had caused them to become less efficient at work or even stop working all together. The change was gradual – there are problems with eyesight, motor coordination, muscle weakness, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and their ilk. The medical end -point had seriously negative consequences on their lifestyles.
The best laid plans often go awry. You have savings of KES 20M in various vehicles. Your wife has Money Market Funds aplenty and savings plans to boot. You have rental income of about KES 200, 000 and the odd loan that is manageable. Then life happens – ill heath throws a curved ball at you. The lives of those around you keep spinning. They need to go to school or university. They need pocket money for their upkeep. You have that retirement home you are finishing in exquisite style.
Suddenly it dawns on you. There is less money coming in than is going out. The Medical Insurance you had for 10M suddenly reminds you about pre-existing condition clauses and how you are now on your own.
Your employer retires you on medical rounds. Your pension scheme is hopelessly inadequate. Your friends, colleagues and students no longer call you that often.
You wish you could relax by a golf course or attend the KDA conference. That is a luxury you can ill afford between paroxysms of pain and discomfort.
You would advise Dr Kendi and Hoffman, if they would spare the time to listen to a grey-haired muse. You might tell them why an exit strategy and retirement plan make good sense when you are young(er).
You might consider five key pieces of advice for Drs. Kendi and Hoffman regarding the importance of having an exit strategy and retirement plan for their private practice:
1. Prepare for Health-Related Work Limitations: Dentistry is physically demanding. As you age, conditions like arthritis, vision problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome can make work difficult or impossible. An exit strategy ensures you're not caught off guard when health limitations arise, allowing you to transition smoothly from active practice to retirement without financial strain.

2. Safeguard Against Income Limitation: Relying solely on active income from dentistry is risky, especially when unexpected life events such as illness or injury occur. Having a retirement plan with diverse income streams (investments, savings, rental income, etc.) provides a cushion, helping maintain your lifestyle even if you can't work.

3. Plan for Medical Expenses: As medical costs can escalate with age, comprehensive health insurance may have exclusions like pre-existing conditions. An exit strategy should factor in potential gaps in coverage and account for a dedicated medical savings fund to protect you from overwhelming expenses later in life.

4. Exit Gracefully While Maintaining Lifestyle: Without a proper retirement plan, you risk financial shortfalls that could force you to continue working or downgrade your lifestyle. Planning early allows you to step away from dentistry at a time of your choosing while maintaining your desired quality of life, such as golfing, traveling, and attending conferences.

5. Reduce Business Dependency: Dental practices can be high-earning, but business revenue can decline due to personal capacity issues or market changes. Having an exit plan that includes selling or transitioning the practice allows you to monetize the business at its peak, ensuring continued income even when you're no longer actively managing the clinic.

By planning early, Kendi and Hoffman can protect themselves from financial insecurity and enjoy a smooth, comfortable retirement. Life happens. It is better to be prepared. If you are old(er) and not going to the conference have a conference with yourself and rue the halcyon days of your youth when you lived for today. The wisdom of hindsight and other stories.

Whether you realize it or not, Kenyan dentists are using some Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their practices. These include 1. Digital scans and 2. Augmented reality to visualize and plan treatments in 3D.

Very soon AI will be used in the following dental applications:

1.AI algorithms will provide more accurate diagnoses

2.AI provide predictive analytics using records, images and other data to predict dental diseases so that prevention and treatment can be planned in advance

3.AI algorithms will provide personalized treatment plans

4.AI will b will make pe used for image analysis and interpretation

5.AI powered robots will be used for some procedures including scaling and crown preparation.

6.Automated patient communication using AI will make the customer experience more informative and pleasurable

7 Virtual reality will make patient education and treatment planning much easier

As dentists go deeper into AI in dental practice they will gather more and more data and will experience more oversight by watch dogs empowered by the Data Protection Act 2019. This is because there is a dark side to AI in dentistry.

From what you have read thus far, if you feel you need a better idea about AI as a diagnostic, treatment planning, patient management and practice optimization tool, then like this post with Dr. Lawrence Nderu Keith Ayodo

T'is that time of year. The ongoing FDI conference in Istanbul has a large contingent of Kenyan participants. They will attend free plenary sessions, paid for hands on workshops and focused group discussions. Some of the participants do not practice dentistry. Bringing along a spouse or a child is very much encouraged.

Those who are registered dentists will learn new tricks of the dental trade in Istanbul. They will shop for dental materials, equipment and clothes till they drop.Maybe do some sightseeing as well.

How much of what they learn will be practised? Undergraduate and Postgraduate dentists in Kenya are taught how to use Rubber dam, especially for endodontics. How many dentists use this barrier between tooth and the oral environment? There is a gap between knowledge and implementation. That gap is filled by accountability. Without adherence to clinic based or national, written down, standard operating procedures and an accountability mechanism it is very possible for dentists and dental assistants to take shortcuts. Shortcuts which could, compromise ideal outcomes.

Next month we have the KDA Scientific conference and exhibition which is a smaer version of the Istanbul conference. There is always something to learn, ssomething to buy but please practice what they will teach you and use the toys you buy, properly. Why not take your dental assistant or your receptionist? It will open their mind.

Some dental clinics are expanding. They are taking on more dentists because the current complement of dentists are stretching themselves too far, in order to meet patient expectations.

Two dentists I know, complain that though their top line revenues increased after hiring associate dentists, so did their expenses. Some months they cannot pay themselves, some months they need to pay the clinic's bills from savings or from other sources of income. It is time for a reset.

Before remodeling your clinic it is necessary to have a baseline understanding of the status quo regarding your people, processes and profitability.

One dentist, who consulted me employs 5 dentists, Their presenting complaint was scheduling and coping with large numbers of walk in patients in the waiting room.I suggested an audit which would involve 3 experts and result in 3 reports all sewn together.

The scope of work is as follows:

1.Performance appraisal of Dental Assistants (DSAs) in Infection Control, Sterilization protocols, Waste segregation and disposal, inventory management, handling dental materials + 1 day training of DSAs.

2.Customer experience and employee experience audit, Review of onboarding experience, Administrative SOP's review + top level performance improvement plan

3. Financial audit -Top level - Review of (if available) strategic plan, business plan, revenue generation plan, budget, review of management accounts , review of cost centres and revenues in the last 3 months, P&L accounts for the last 3 months, Confirmation of # of clinic bank accounts, audit of the asset register and depreciation rates, Appraisal of business and professional risks, risks and risk management,, Review of payroll and locum fees.

For the record, I am big on Profitability and Governance of dental cinics. However, I do not ignore teamwork, process and performance improvement in in trying to generate profit. Do you have any pain point/s in your dental clinic whether or not you are a globe trotter? If you do book a free discovery call with me here https://wa.link/g5483u

My one on one clients are not just dentists. One of my clients is a pharmacist. Her definition of success is to constantly evolve, from one level to the next in her career and/or the health care space.

She has been in retail pharmacy, on her own, for 10 years and has plateaued in terms of revenue generation. It is time to move on. She owns shares in a Level 2, going on Level 3 private hospital.

Her lament is that the other Doctor share-holders, have very little operational, finance and administration know-how and leave day to day management to her. The hospital bills are mounting, Loans have to be repaid. Sounds a bit like the national debt repayment crisis in Kenya but that is beyond the scope of this post.

Besides her retail pharmacy and hospital businesses, she is an occasional real estate agent and has partnered with a Doctor in a dormant pharmaceutical importation company. The other share-holder in this company is not willing to put any more money into importing a new consignment of pharmaceuticals and everything that goes with it. Remember to make money you have to spend money.

My introverted, perfectionist pharmacist client asked me to list the pitfalls that she has encountered in her 10 year journey, in the health care business space.

I had to be frank:

1.She has spent too much time in retail pharmacy after noticing that nett revenues had plateaued.

2.She remains unequally yoked to poor businessmen Doctors.

3.She has shunned the political wing of the pharmacy and medical profession and has therefore lagged behind in networking with the right crowd who coud have directed her to a place where she could benefit from emerging market trends.

All is not lost. She is in my high ticket program for high achievers who find themselves sucked into the miasma of professional and business mediocrity and really want to escape. Each of us was created to shine. To do so it is necessary to leave the people, places and thought patterns that colored our lower energy level. To be enthused you need external motivation , direction and accountability. In coaching she has found this sweet spot.

Did I mention that this pharmacist is only 30 years old and I have been shepherding her trajectory in life, through her on and off participation, in my low ticket coaching programs for the last 10 years. She has now graduated to her next level of engagement with me. She is ready to pay the price and expend her talent and treasure in the right direction. Givers gain!

What about you? Do you want out of low level results because you are expecting too much from doing the same thing?

Book a free discovery call with me here https://wa.link/g5483u

We had only 2 applicants for a dental practice management course at the Dental Aptitude College, Nairobi where I am privileged to teach this very course. Part of what is taught in this course is business and personal financial management.

I posit that the the rush to gain clinical skills should be matched with a fervour to gain soft and accounting skills.

Too often, I come across dentists who leave all their accounts in the hands of an "Accountant". Many times this may be an accounts clerk or a CPA student who balances the books and whose services may include cooking them to reduce the tax burden but making sure that taxes are paid on time. Many times they drop the ball with dire consequences for the clinic.

Wrong move like so many other moves in the business of dentistry. Prudent financial management starts with a strategic plan which fits in to a business plan which feeds into a budget. Management accounts must be reviewed every month to check that expenses are within budgetary allocations and and that revenues are as expected from cash flow projections. Ultimately the owner must be upto speed on profits and losses and do all within their power to keep profitable so that they are in business month after month, year after year.

Disclaimer - I am not an Accountant but I do know excellent Accountants who have the right qualifications and experience to guide dentists through their accounting systems. The old adage, garbage in - garbage out holds true in accountancy. My proposal to you is not garbage.

Do you have a profit related goal in your dental clinic that seems to be elusive? Join my whats app group https://bit.ly/3ZdB3Xg to get a free assessment to uncover your profit success saboteurs and receive updates on a 3 day online challenge I am running titled " Profitable dentistry". The clock is ticking - don't be left o

Profitable dentistry WhatsApp Group Invite

August is traditionally a month where everything is topsy turvy, in Kenya.

In 1978, we lost our President.

In 1981, we had a coup attempt.

In 2024, we introduced a new funding model for University education which is going to definitely, limit access to University education. The most vulnerable in society, will suffer the most.

In August 2024 A call was made for a course in dental practice management at the Dental Aptitude College, Nairobi - only two dentists enrolled. Yet, the following are some of the problems that dentists in private practice, face in their finances:

1.Some are in debt, to the tune of KES 500K - 1M and counting. They do not know how to get out of it.

2.Some are having their property auctioned

3.Some are battling the KRA, with in depth analyses of their audited accounts and non payment of rental income tax. (Yes some wise dentists are landlords and engage in side-hustles).

4..In a buyers market, those with established clinics, are finding it difficult to sell their clinics. Those who show interest in buying, do not have more than KES 1M or max 2M, yet to set up a reasonable clinic will cost KES 5M.

5.With rising costs, falling new patient numbers, take home payments to owners of dental clinics, have taken a hit.

6.NHIF has all but collapsed and the dental allocation from SHIF is KES 2000 or USD15!! This dental benefit is expected to kick in after two years.

7.Dentists, like the rest of the population, are beginning to wonder about all the policies in education, agriculture and health care which all appear to be made in hell (read, in the board rooms of global corporations) that are being fronted by politicians and higher levels of our leadership.

Every dentist should have other direct and passive sources of income. Recognizing this, Dr. George Mwai, MDS, Consultant Periodontist and self are conducting a survey of dentists and their side hustles. You name and other identifiers are not required. To participate click here https://lnkd.in/dxUdVgbp

Maybe, you are a locum or an associate dentist. Then I have a free offer for you. A check-list titled "10 steps to getting paid better as a locum dentist". To access this check list simply do ALL of the following:

1. Like this post

2. Share this post

Make sure you follow me so that I can inbox you the check list.

Do you want to break the $2000 - $3000 dollar ceiling for dental locums and associates? Maybe you employ locums and want to increase productivity and reduce churn. Read on if you really want to boost your income

I am giving away for FREE "10 essential steps" for dental locums to get paid better!

Whether you're just starting out or looking to increase your earnings, these tips are a must-read.

What must you do to get these 10 essential steps

Simply

1. React to this post by liking, loving or putting your favorite emoji

2. Share this post

Make sure you are following me so that I can inbox you.



Dentist

This week the new Cabinet Secretary in Treasury of the Kenya Government, John Mbadi met the head honcho of the IMF in Kenya, Selim Cakir. We are not breathing heavily!

Despite the respite in anti-Finance bill and by extension, anti-Government protests, the negative effects on foot and finger traffic to businesses and dental clinics, persist in August.

Austerity measures are just that. It trickles down to household level. There is less discretionary income to expend on all but the bare essentials. Orthodontic, Cosmetic dentistry and, restorative dentistry moves down the priority list of family budgets

I have talked to Kenyan dentists, orthodentists and OMF Surgeons, this week. Their lament is that patient flow, in private practice, has slowed down even though August is better than July, especially with the Schools closed and children seeking treatment for dental and orthodontic issues.

In an economic crunch like the one currently faced in Kenya, dentists can take several steps to ensure profitability:

1. Optimize Revenue Generation:
- Improve Treatment Acceptance: Improve patient education and communication to increase treatment acceptance rates. Clearly explain the benefits of recommended treatments and offer flexible payment plans.
- Expand Service Offerings: Identify opportunities to incorporate new treatments or specialized procedures that are in demand (Invisalign and Esthetic dentistry pop easily to mind). This can attract new patients and provide additional revenue streams.

2. Control Costs and Improve Efficiency:
- Streamline purchasing of supplies: Evaluate and negotiate supplier contracts (does any local supplier have contracts with dentists?) to ensure competitive pricing. Implement inventory management systems to avoid stockouts and minimize waste¹.
- Improve Appointment Scheduling: Efficiently schedule appointments to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Implement a reminder system to reduce no-shows and late cancellations. (Consider hiring a virtual assistant).

3. Enhance Practice Productivity:
- Delegate Non-Clinical Tasks: Delegate administrative and non-clinical tasks to qualified team members, allowing dentists to focus on revenue-generating activities.
- Invest in Technology: Embrace digital tools and technologies to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and enhance efficiency. Dental practice management sotware with electronic medical records, online appointment booking systems, and digital imaging solutions can save time and improve the patient experience.

By focusing on these strategies, dentists can navigate economic challenges and maintain profitability.

How do you currently manage these aspects in your practice? If you learned anything from this post give me a like below. It is always best to be well anchored as the shifting times toss our boats this and that way. Tough times don't last, tough people do ecause they are constantly learning to ride the peaks and troughs.