--- title: Why Company Culture Matters When Growing Your Dental Support Organization description: Jake Puhl, CEO of the Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO), describes how you build a healthy culture for your growing dental practice or DSO. image: https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/Blog/Featured%20Images/TheDEO-HelpingEmergingDSOs.png --- - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient PrismLOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) [![Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software](https://blog.patientprism.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png?width=800&height=247&name=2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png "Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software")](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/PP-Logo-2024.png) - Product - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Product-Overview-@2x.png) ### [Product Overview Learn more about Patient Prism's key features and benefits](https://patientprism.com/product-overview/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Patient-Prism-Case-Studies@2x.png) ### [Case Studies Learn how Patient Prism transforms dental practices](https://patientprism.com/case-studies/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Dental-Practice-Customers@2x.png) ### [Customers Discover the amazing dental practices that utilize Patient Prism](https://patientprism.com/customer/) - Solutions - ### [Private Dental Practice Our software is perfect for single dental practices. 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Visit our help center for quick answers and tutorials.](https://support.patientprism.com/hc/en-us) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Affiliate-Program@2x.png) ### [Affiliate Program Be a part of Patient Prism's growing network of affiliates.](https://patientprism.com/affiliates-program/) - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient Prism LOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) - [Schedule Demo](https://patientprism.com/schedule-demo/) Patient Prism's Dental Industry Blog Here you'll find hundreds of articles and video interviews with dental industry experts on the topics of DSO and practice growth, dental software, call-tracking technology, patient experience and artificial intelligence fueling the dental industries ability to treat more patients and change lives. - by: Jacob Puhl - 8 min read # [Why Company Culture Matters When Growing Your Dental Support Organization](https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture) - [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [Multi-Practice Growth](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/multi-practice-growth) - [AI Call Intelligence (1)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/ai-call-intelligence) - [Dental Call Tracking (23)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-call-tracking) - [Dental Marketing (33)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-marketing) - [Dental Practice Leadership (192)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [Dental Technology (71)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-technology) - [DSO (42)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dso) - [Multi-Practice Growth (95)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/multi-practice-growth) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Festablishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Festablishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture) June 2018--Jake Puhl, CEO of the Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO) discusses the importance of developing the culture of your DSO for successful business growth. If you talk to a dental group owner with 20 to 25 employees and talk to an owner with 100 employees, they both will say culture is the most important thing. It guides operations, aligns the team and patient experiences with your goals and values, and with intentional effort, you can create a culture where people want to work and patients want to come for their dental care. ## [![Effective call-coaching with Patient Prism. Schedule a demo ›](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/761c93fb-fc64-40bc-97f9-6442aedd67c8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/761c93fb-fc64-40bc-97f9-6442aedd67c8) ## What is your company’s culture? Some people say culture is the feeling you get when you walk into a room.  Some people say culture is reflected in the words that are communicate and how people speak to each other. Others say culture is made up of how people in the organization behave. Some would say it’s how you go about doing things in a standardized way. I would say culture is the sum of an organization's attitudes, ideals, and attributes, which may not be expressly written but are communicated in words and observed in the operations of the business and behaviors of its employees. If you don't know what your culture is, the first thing is to ask your team? Depending on your size, have meeting in which you share thoughts, interview employees at various levels, survey your employees, or a combination of these. You can bring in a consultant to facilitate this. In our Dental Entrepreneur Organization (DEO), the Member Mastermind Groups talk about this at length, and our group facilitators help our members learn the principles of defining their culture and then building it. There are known methods and tools for formally discovering your culture. Our members learn about surveying and skip level interviews, which is where you might go as a CEO and interview somebody that's two levels below you. You can mine information also from 360 degree reviews and other types of assessments. When you are in the process of finding out the status of your current culture, you must encourage open honesty. You want to know your employee’s thoughts and even anecdotal experiences about: - What is it like to work here? - What do you think we're all about? - What do you perceive are the values of our company? - What do we do here that is distinctive? - What is it like to be a patient here? With honest feedback, you can intentionally affirm and communicate the attitudes, values, and related behaviors that are most important as you align your team and systems with your visionfor what you want your company to represent and how you want its members to behave in relationship with each other and with patients. You will discover gaps between what you envision for the company and what exists now. Knowing these shortcomings, you can go about intentionally improving the culture. ## It begins with leadership. The culture starts with leadership. So, if there's a culture problem in the business, nine times out of ten, it's because there's a leadership problem. Part of leadership is facing the truth. The first step is to commit to creating a great culture that attracts and retains employees and at the same time provides a remarkable experience for patients. Once a great culture is established, it needs to be continuously reinforced through communication (written and verbal), feedback systems, observation by management, and problem resolution. Then the culture becomes easily replicated as you add locations. ## Cultural clarity helps grow the business. The clearer that you can get on what your culture is… what you want it to be… the clearer you can get on who fits that culture and what the behavioral norms are. You’ll improve hiring and retention. You’ll standardize your systems, so your employees know this is how we behave… this is what we represent… this is what we care most about... this is what we expect of you… this is what our patients expect of us… This standardized platform can then be profitably scaled. To get there, you need to clearly outline and communicate your culture. As the dental owner or manager, you need to beat the drum every day, every week, every month, every quarter, every year. This is who we are. This is how we behave. When employees don’t align with this and you’ve given them adequate opportunity to do so, let them move on to their greener pastures. They aren’t a good fit for achieving your goals. ## Look at your calendar and your company checkbook. If I want to know your priorities, look at your calendar and your checkbook. Those two things will tell you what you value. Steve Bilt has spoken about this concept, and I agree with him. If your calendar does not contain time scheduled for culture building or team brainstorming, then you aren’t valuing the impact of culture on your business. ## Culture matters for: - Employee hiring, performance, and retention. - Patient engagement, experience, case acceptance, and loyalty. - Building a profitable, scalable foundation. Dental group owners are ultimately accountable for this. You want to build the foundation of your business on people who fit your culture and are motivated to help you achieve your goals. So, clarity and commitment come first, then intentional effort and time dedicated to communicating the culture and resolving shortcomings in the culture’s defined preferred behavior. The effort you put into creating a great culture is going to result in a happier, higher performing team; better patient experience; higher revenue across all locations; and replicable, predictable behavior that enables you to scale. ## [![Schedule a Patient Prism Demo with Brenton Paul](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63) The [Patient Prism blog](https://blog.patientprism.com/) and the [Patient Prism Academy](https://academy.patientprism.com) video library feature hundreds of dental industry experts presenting recommendations and examples for leading and growing your dental practice, multi-practice group, or DSO. We have many videos providing advice for entrepreneurial dentists. We invite you to [schedule a Patient Prism demo](https://www.patientprism.com/schedule-demo/) at a date and time that is convenient for you.  ### Share Post: - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Festablishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Festablishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture) ##### [Previous Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/hiring-executive-team-for-dso) ### [When to Hire an Executive for Your Dental Support Organization](https://blog.patientprism.com/hiring-executive-team-for-dso) ##### [Next Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/increasing-dental-marketing-roi) ### [Take Advantage of Dental Software to Increase Your Marketing ROI](https://blog.patientprism.com/increasing-dental-marketing-roi) ![shape](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/shape.svg "shape") #### Subscribe to our blog for the latest updates ![Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/images/icons/Sign%20Up%20For%20Patient%20Prism%20Dental%20Newsletter.png "Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter") By submitting this form you will be receiving our latest updates on post. We're committed to your privacy. Patient Prism uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services.  You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.  - Recent - Popular [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Patient Prism Equips Private Dentists to Compete with DSOs](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-patient-prism-equips-private-dentists-to-compete-with-dsos) [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Did a New Patient Call and Then Fail to Schedule? 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[![Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/c4da101c-9fa1-4943-aa0e-205721d69f7f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/c4da101c-9fa1-4943-aa0e-205721d69f7f) #### Ready for a quick demo? ### Patient Prism is A.I.-driven software that helps dental practices grow new patient revenue by booking more first-time callers. Instantly increase new patient revenue by 30% on average. Patient Prism provides your front desk team or call center with the tools and coaching they need to book more new patients on the first phone call.  [![Schedule Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/0b902015-8fd3-4970-b9f9-fd203c36af1c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/0b902015-8fd3-4970-b9f9-fd203c36af1c) ### Related Posts - [by Deborah Bush](https://blog.patientprism.com/author/deborah-bush) - 6 min read #### [Bulletproof: Patient Prism Equips Private Dentists to Compete with DSOs](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-patient-prism-equips-private-dentists-to-compete-with-dsos) August 2023 In Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast Episode 302, hosts Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak ask Patient... - ##### [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [by Deborah Bush](https://blog.patientprism.com/author/deborah-bush) - 4 min read #### [Bulletproof: Did a New Patient Call and Then Fail to Schedule? Reach Out!](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-new-dental-patient-fail-to-schedule-reach-out) August 2023 "If there is anything resounding that we have learned at Patient Prism, it is that reaching back out to offe... - ##### [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [by Deborah Bush](https://blog.patientprism.com/author/deborah-bush) - 6 min read #### [Bulletproof: There Is Actionable Intelligence in Your Calls](https://blog.patientprism.com/there-is-actionable-intelligence-in-your-calls) August 2023 In Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast Episode 302, hosted by Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak, Patien... - ##### [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) [![Patient Prism Logo](https://blog.patientprism.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logos/PPLogo_eHed.png?width=274&height=79&name=PPLogo_eHed.png "Patient Prism Logo")](https://www.patientprism.com/) 2803 W Busch Blvd, Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33618 1-800-381-3638 PRODUCT - [Product](https://www.patientprism.com/product-overview/) - [Pricing](https://www.patientprism.com/pricing/) - [Affiliate Program](https://www.patientprism.com/affiliates-program/) TEAM - [About Us](https://www.patientprism.com/about/) - [Contact Us](https://www.patientprism.com/contact-us/) - [Support](https://support.patientprism.com/hc/en-us) - [In the News](https://www.patientprism.com/in-the-news/) SOLUTIONS - [DSO](https://www.patientprism.com/multi-group-solutions/) - [Private Dental Practice](https://www.patientprism.com/private-dental-practice-solutions/) - [Office Manager](https://www.patientprism.com/front-desk-solutions/) - [Marketing Manager](https://www.patientprism.com/marketing-manager-solutions/) RESOURCES - [Help Center](https://support.patientprism.com/hc/en-us) - [eBooks, guides, and charts](https://www.patientprism.com/guides-ebooks-and-charts/) - [Case Studies](https://www.patientprism.com/case-studies/) - [Blog](https://blog.patientprism.com/) - [Academy](https://academy.patientprism.com/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/84700694) - [Accessibility](https://patientprism.com/accessibility/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://patientprism.com/terms/) Third-party trademarks, logos, and trade names appearing on the site are the property of their respective owners. Copyright Patient Prism®. 2020 All rights reserved. ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/834660133/?guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=150810&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jacob Puhl", "url" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/author/jacob-puhl" }, "dateModified" : "2023-07-15T16:23:17.325Z", "datePublished" : "2018-06-01T17:26:18.000Z", "headline" : "Why Company Culture Matters When Growing Your Dental Support Organization", "image" : [ "https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/Blog/Featured%20Images/TheDEO-HelpingEmergingDSOs.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/establishing-culture", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png" }, "name" : "Patient Prism" } } ```