Background: In the realm of practice planning, a practice strategy is a combination of two things: a vision of a desired future and an action plan to make that vision a reality. This article presents a process called "Appreciative Inquiry," which dentists can use to create a vision of their future practices.
Techniques: In creating a vision of his or her future practice through Appreciative Inquiry, the dentist builds on the best of what currently is (in other words, the strengths of the practice), visualizes the various possibilities of what the practice could become and, finally, designs the specific elements of what the practice actually will be at its ideal in the future.
Conclusions: Appreciative Inquiry offers a dynamic perspective in helping dental teams create a vibrant new vision for their ideal practices of the future--the first step in building an effective strategy.
Practice implications: A clear vision helps a practice set its desired course for the future, helps the practice to change in ways the dental team desires and provides a framework for responding to changes in the world in which the practice exists.