Demographic would you rather?
Which demographic would you rather own a practice in? I’m weighing options.
High treatment per exam ratio. Rural low income low dental IQ. Has lots of dental needs and complex cases but rarely have the money to pay for it, and complex medical history. Things often fall apart before you can complete the tx plan. Often doing large fillings instead of crowns and extractions instead of RCT/implants. You get tired from explaining complex plans that never pan out due to patient lack of interest or financials, but you’re always busy. Lots of new patients coming in the door with mountain dew mouth.
Low treatment per exam ratio. Urban/Rural high income high dental IQ. Has lesser dental needs due to patient compliance and high dental IQ. Cases are often straight forward, little unpredictability and ability to do more optimal work. You have to do 3+ hygiene checks an hour to keep your schedule full due to most patients being healthy and this starts to wear you out through the course of your career. You’re busy.. but never completely booked like you want to be. Your hygiene schedule is packed though and booking out 8 months.