The Ultimate Guide to Opening a Satellite Dental or Specialty Office

Expanding your dental practice by opening a satellite office can be an exciting opportunity to grow your business, reach new patients, and increase your offerings.

As leaders in the certified pre-owned imaging space, we've helped thousands of dental and specialty practice save money on their imaging equipment. Many of which were looking to open their satellite office, and we helped on one of the most costly pieces of equipment - their pan, pan/ceph or CBCT. 

But, as you probably already know, there's a lot of additional considerations that go into building out or adding a satellite dental office. 

So, to help you from start to finish, we wrote this comprehensive guide to provide you with the practical steps and insights for expanding to a satellite office - based on conversations we've had with our customers.

Step 1: Assess the Need and Feasibility

Market Research

Before deciding to open a satellite office, conduct thorough market research to identify potential locations. Analyze demographics, local competition, and community dental needs to ensure there is sufficient demand for your services. Tools like geographic information system (GIS) software can be invaluable in analyzing these factors.

Financial Analysis

Evaluate the financial implications of opening a new office. Consider the costs of leasing or buying property, renovations, staffing, marketing, and equipment. Prepare a detailed business plan with projected revenue and expenses to assess the financial viability of the expansion.

Step 2: Choose the Right Location

Accessibility and Visibility

Select a location that is easily accessible to patients and visible from main roads, if possible. Consider factors like parking availability, public transportation access, and the general convenience for your target patient base.

This also considers whether your new office will be a complete build-out or a re-use of existing office space for lease.

Regulatory Considerations

Ensure that the chosen location complies with all local zoning laws, health regulations, and business licensing requirements. This can include specific regulations regarding the disposal of medical waste, ADA compliance, and more.

Step 3: Choosing the 5 B's

Months ago, we wrote an article about the 5 B's required for a dental start-up practice. What are the 5 B's? Essentially, every professional you'll require in order to open your office. They are the:

1. Bankers
2. Brokers
3. Broadcasters
4. Bean Counters
5. Builders

In each area, you want to find someone you trust or is a solid reference so you can move onto each step in your future dental enterprise successfully and on-time.

For continued reading on this topic, check out our article: The 5 B's of A Dental Start-Up.

While you're here, we’ll tell you a little bit about ourselves too. When you're starting to flesh out the equipment you'll need in your operatories, we can be a huge help on one of your most significant investments - your imaging.

With over 10 years in this business, we’ve helped thousands of dental and specialty practices find affordable 3D imaging as well as 2D panoramic and pan/ceph, and now intraoral scanners.

We have a wide inventory of imaging equipment, curated to the brands doctors trust most. We also help our customers with installation, warranties and 5-star customer service, all included with your purchase price - so you have peace of mind you’ll be up and running for the long-term. 

You have a lot on your plate, and we're here to help. Let us be of help to you by providing a 5-star experience from start to finish, starting with our experienced Regional Sales Representatives through installation and your warranty period. There’s a reason over 300 customers have left us 5-star reviews on Google.

Step 4: Staffing and Operations

Hiring Staff

Recruit skilled professionals who align with your practice’s culture and standards. Consider the specific needs of the satellite office, which may include dental hygienists, receptionists, and dental assistants.

Operational Policies

Develop clear operational policies and procedures to ensure consistency between your main office and the satellite location. This includes standardizing patient care protocols, administrative procedures, and quality standards.

Step 5: Marketing Your New Location

Local Marketing Strategies

Implement targeted marketing strategies to build awareness in the new location. This can include local SEO, direct mail campaigns, community event sponsorships, and partnerships with other local businesses.

Grand Opening Event

Organize a grand opening event to introduce the community to your services. Offer special promotions or free dental check-ups to attract initial patients and generate positive word-of-mouth.

Need Help or Have Questions?

We're happy to walk you through ways we can help. Give us a call, we’ll connect you to your dedicated sales rep at (888) 246-5611, or complete an online form by clicking the button below.