Order From Chaos
October 14, 2024
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” The story goes back to Genesis, where darkness and disorder reigned, and the first task was to bring light, to create order from the chaos. “It was good.”
The Golden Rule, “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself,” seems simple, yet it’s caused me some trouble. Straight out of my General Practice Residency, I joined a group practice, inheriting patients left behind by a departing associate. I had no manual on patient attraction—no roadmap. But I figured it out. I took every emergency, did extractions, cared for children, and networked with my medical friends. By the end of my first year, I’d nearly doubled my previous salary. In another year, I doubled it again.It worked.
Years later, with my own practice thriving, I thought it was time to add an associate. I expected them to find their own way, just as I had. But I went through three associates before I learned that not everyone is wired like me. I had to lower my expectations and realize that my path wasn’t a universal one.
Now, many of my clients are also at that point where they’re ready to bring in another provider. But adding a new doctor isn’t as simple as plugging in a USB stick. Chaos awaits if you’re not prepared. An unprepared doctor, an unready team, a system that isn’t solid—these are recipes for trouble. And so, like anything worth building, it requires order.
The Endgame of Preparation
First, be clear about why you need an associate. Are you expanding services, reducing your clinical hours, or boosting revenue? Each goal will define a different role. Financial readiness is key—without adequate patient volume and a solid marketing plan, you’re setting yourself up for strain. Open communication and a well-defined onboarding process are essential. Your associate needs to understand the culture, the processes, and the vision. The whole team should be onboard, trained, and supportive to create a positive environment.
In the end, it’s not about replicating yourself but fostering a system that brings order, where each player knows their role. It’s about accepting change and preparing your practice to thrive amid it.
So here’s the challenge:
Can you do more than just bring another provider into your practice? Can you create the space for them to bring light, to turn chaos into a new kind of order? Because if you can, you’ll find that it’s not only good—it’s transformational. Your practice will be more than just a business. It’ll be a place where growth and resilience flourish, where chaos becomes order, and everyone involved is better for it.
“A Goal without a Plan is just a Wish.” -Antione de Saint-Exupéry
To successful integration,
Michael
Practice Success Insights

Dr. Michael Goldberg is one of the leading educators on dental practice management in the United States.
Michael ran and sold a prestigious group practice in Manhattan and has been on Faculty at Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Medical Center for 30 years including Director of the GPR program and Director of the course on Practice Management.
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