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Advanced Dental Care 2018
Dentistry and Craniofacial Research
ISSN: 2576-392X
Page 42
October 08-09, 2018
Moscow, Russia
26
th
International Conference on
Advanced Dental Care
D
entists undergo six years of training in dentistry; however
there is not one module in dental practice about financial
management. A gap has been identified in the area of financial
management in dental practices and how it is affecting practices
in South Africa. Small dental surgeries are regarded as Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, which have
developed strongly and contributed to creating employment.
However, SMEs have encountered difficulties on the way to
development due to a lack of management experience and
financial resources (BANKSETA, 2012). As a result, SMEs,
including dental practices, often face financial obstacles during
their operations. The objectives are to explore and describe the
phenomenon ‘financial management’ in the context of small
dental practices, by identifying whether dentists and receptionists
are adequately trained in financial management. Also examines
the extent to which dentists are managing their practices or
SMEs and their full understanding of financial management and
practice management. It also explores the dentists’ perceptions
and views on financial management. The findings provide an
understanding of the current financial management practices
by receptionists’ and dentists. It was found that most dentists
did not receive financial management training in undergraduate
dental school and had not sought further learning in this field. The
dental receptionists were qualified with certain certificates and
they also had no relative training and experience. The results of
the research can be further used as guidance for future actions to
improve financial management in small dental surgeries in South
Africa.
t_buleni@yahoo.co.ukFinancial management in dental practices in
South Africa
Thembeka Buleni
South African Aesthetic Association dentistry, South Africa
Dent Craniofac Res 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2576-392X-C4-012