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Data Bite: Autonomy is #1 again

June 14, 2016
Here are the best reasons to be a dentist, according to dentists.
Roger P. Levin, DDS, CEO and Founder, Levin Group

Dentists like being their own boss. Four out of 10 said that’s what they liked best about their profession besides providing great patient care, according to the 2016 Dental Economics / Levin Group Annual Practice Survey. Here are the top results:

You hear a lot about the challenges facing practice owners in this post-recession economy, but you can’t overlook the ability to chart your own course­ as one of the many benefits. In addition, more than a third of respondents chose “working with my team” as what they enjoyed most about dentistry. This speaks to the collaborative nature of dental care and how each staff member plays a critical role in the overall patient experience.

“Making a good living” came in a distant third. This is somewhat surprising because the feedback I receive from dentists at my seminars and speaking engagements is that they need more patients and increased production.

2016 vs. 2015

This year’s results mirror closely 2015’s responses, with only minor variations:

Being my own boss: 40% vs. 44% in 2015

Working with my team: 34% vs. 30% in 2015

Making a good living: 22% vs. 19% in 2015

Managing the business: 4% vs. 7% in 2015

The big takeaway… even in today’s tougher economy, dentistry still has much to offer in the way of professional and personal satisfaction for practice owners.

Look for the full analysis of this year’s Dental Economics / Levin Group Annual Practice Survey in the September issue of Dental Economics.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is chairman and CEO of Levin Group, a leading dental management consulting firm that is dedicated to improving the lives of dentists through a diverse portfolio of lifetime services and solutions.

Systems Training: Save $50 on doctor tuition for Dr. Levin’s seminar “Ignite Your Production” seminar in Minneapolis on July 22. Register with code APEX50 to receive your discount. For details and to sign up, click here.

Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the DentistryIQ–Apex360 weekly newsletter. You can subscribe here.

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About the Author

Roger P. Levin, DDS | CEO and Founder, Levin Group

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the CEO of Levin Group, a leading dental management consulting firm. Founded in 1985, Levin Group has worked with over 30,000 dental practices. Dr. Levin is a sought-after speakers in dentistry and is a leading authority on dental practice success and sustainable growth. Through extensive research and cutting-edge innovation, Dr. Levin is a recognized expert on propelling practices into the top 10%. He has authored 65 books and over 4,000 articles on dental practice management and marketing.

Dr. Levin sits on the editorial board of five dental publications and has been named as one of the Leaders in Dentistry by Dentistry Today magazine for the last 15 years. He was recently named one of the 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry by Incisal Edge magazine and voted Best Dental Consultant by the readers of Drbicuspid.com. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Time magazine, and is the creator of the Levin Group Tip of the Day,which has over 30,000 subscribers.

To contact Dr. Levin, visit levingroup.com or email [email protected].

Updated March 7, 2019