The Best of All Possible Worlds
“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true.” James Branch Cabell Which outlook do you prefer, that of the optimist… Continue On +
Why Can’t You Charge Your Full Fee?
If you are a PPO provider and place porcelain crowns for cosmetic reasons—meaning the insurance company will not provide a benefit for the service—can you charge your non-PPO fees for the crowns? … Continue On +
Employee Manuals – Don’t Put a Target on Your Back
Dental staff management starts with an effective employee manual. Unfortunately, a number of doctors place a target on their back when they hand out employee manuals that are poorly written and outdated. … Continue On +
Leaders Are Not Critics
When doctors work on becoming stronger leaders, they inevitably revisit two important lessons of dental practice management. First, critics do not motivate teams. Regular criticism makes your team believe you are against… Continue On +
Dental Marketing – The First Question
Wouldn’t it be nice if by simply opening your door wider you attracted more new patients? Unfortunately, people are not gathering outside your door like they do a donut shop, eager for… Continue On +
When Your Hygiene Team Fears Being Wrong
Through my years of dental practice consulting, I have helped a lot of hygiene teams overcome barriers related to discussing treatment with patients. In almost every situation, the doctor felt the hygienists… Continue On +
Bet on your Staff
After you expend the time and resources to hire someone, how do you develop your new team member to ensure she/he meets your expectations? Just because a new hire has experience doesn’t… Continue On +
Utilizing Effective Patient Surveys
Patient surveys can provide valuable feedback regarding how to take your practice to the next level assuming you ask the right questions. Consider this quote from Francois de La Rochefoucauld: “Few people… Continue On +
Get the Word out about Your Services
I remember meeting with a doctor several years ago who had learned to place her own implants, and she was upset. “I spent all of this money to learn how to place… Continue On +
Ellie Days
My five-year-old niece, Ellie, announced to her parents one Sunday morning that this was Ellie Day and she asked for extra attention and toys. My sister and brother-in-law, who both have a… Continue On +
Why is there a Refund?
Before you sign your name to a refund check, either to a patient or an insurance company, make sure the situation really calls for a refund. Even experienced team members incorrectly post… Continue On +
Teaching Us about More Than Just Planets
Imagine you had worked years on a discovery, putting in countless hours, and then just before you were going to make your announcement to the world somebody beat you to it. How… Continue On +