When running a dental practice, it is important to understand the differences between training and consulting so you can make sure you are investing your time and resources appropriately. Training and consulting both have important roles to play in dental practice operations and management — but what are their individual benefits, costs, and impacts?

Training is a form of knowledge transfer, where dental practice staff are taught new skills and techniques. This can include learning how to use dental software, mastering particular dental procedures, or understanding customer service best practices. Training helps dental practices ensure staff has the necessary competency levels to help deliver quality patient care.

Consulting focuses on dental practice management and improving operations. Consulting can provide dental practices with the advice and resources needed to create a sustainable, successful dental practice. This can include creating strategies for marketing, branding, budgeting, or implementing organizational changes.

While both training and consulting are important for dental practices, there are some key differences between them. Training is a one-time event that helps dental staff learn a set of skills or techniques while consulting is an ongoing process providing dental practices with the resources and advice, they need to make positive changes. Training often requires more upfront costs, while consulting can be more cost-effective in the long run due to increased efficiency.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between training and consulting can be beneficial for dental practices looking to develop and grow. With the right combination of training and consulting, dental practices can ensure their staff have the necessary skills to deliver quality care while also investing in resources that will help them become more successful.