Creating a Healthy Work Environment – The Foundation: Mission, Vision, Goals
“To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all: but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.” – Abraham Lincoln
Mission statement
A mission statement clearly communicates the purpose of your dental practice. Who are you? What do you do? Why? The mission statement rests on a foundation of the values that are of most importance to you, and it becomes the benchmark for every decision you make. Ask yourself, “If I do this will it help me to fulfill my ultimate mission?” If the answer is “yes,” you are probably making a good decision. If the answer is “no” or “I’m not sure,” then go back to the drawing board. The decision is not aligned with your mission. The answer must be “yes.”
The following are examples of mission statements. These dentists have had their mission statements printed, matted, and framed. Then, they are placed in a location within the office where it can be seen by the team and/or patients. Every action of the dental practice and each member of the team must support this statement of purpose.
Dr. John Jameson’s mission statement: “Our philosophy is to provide optimum dentistry for our patients in a loving and caring way with emphasis on function, aesthetics and prevention.”
Dr. Charles Puntillo’s mission statement: “Dentistry – my chosen life’s work, has but one aim: to help my patients keep all of their teeth for all of their lives. We can achieve this working together, while maintaining maximum comfort, function, health and beautifully natural aesthetics. We are always striving to accomplish this appropriately.”
Dr. Mark Hyman’s mission statement: “Our mission: We are a team of compassionate, dedicated professionals who provide optimal dental care using state of the art technology. We are enthusiastic in our commitment to you, our patients, to excellence and to building relationships within our community.”
Your mission statement does not have a beginning or an end. It is the benchmark against which everything you do, all decisions you make, and all the activities and actions you perform are measured. The statement of mission is like the spine that runs down the backbone of your practice. It is the integrity, the strength, the character of you and of your dental practice.
Rick Warren (2002) said that “Living on purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing.”
