Features

The SLSA program is based on current, referenced literature and consists of 40 questions, answers, rationales and references. Answers appear at the end of each quiz. Dentists who complete the 15 question quiz in the November, 2003 issue of Oral Health may be eligible to receive continuing education points. The names and license numbers of … Read more

A recent issue of Time magazine was devoted to understanding anxiety, citing the 9/11 disaster as an exacerbating factor in correctly labeling us as a nation of anxious worriers. “We live in a particularly anxious age,” Time says, noting that all animals appear to feel anxious, that being Nature’s way of preventing us from feeling … Read more

Dentists wishing to sell their practices will face significant, if not insurmountable, legal obstacles starting January 1, 2004. For almost all dentists, the federal privacy act comes into force on that date. Most dentists will need to change their policies and procedures for collecting, using and disclosing personal information. The sleeper issue for many dentists … Read more

From blacksmith to barber to cosmetic imaging specialists, dentists have admirably held to the goal of pursuing excellence in their profession. Early on, many general practitioners, realizing that there was just too much to know about human dentition and the medical ramifications thereof, wisely restricted their practices to specialized areas. This allowed them to know … Read more

It has been difficult to make money in stocks over the past three years. In fact, the bear market of 2000-2003 ranked as the second most severe of the past 100 years, only the depression of 1929-1933 caused more pain for shareholders.

Providing quality dentistry is important. It keeps your patients happy and increases referrals. But, as a business owner, being profitable is as important, because it allows you to pay your team well and invest in your facilities, equipment and future. Believe me, you can make a profit without feeling guilty…and, it’s easier than you think. … Read more

Running a business is like driving a go-cart. You have a gas pedal and a brake pedal. If you start to have a line forming outside your front door, you will have patients waiting longer than three weeks to get an appointment. This is known as excess demand. There are two methods to deal with this patient excess. One is to hit the gas pedal and produce more dentistry in less time. The other is to hit the brake pedal and raise your fees.

Happily, there are only two things that can go wrong with the data stored in your computer systems: Either 1) something unfortunate happens and the right people can’t access it properly, or 2) something even more unfortunate happens and the wrong people CAN access it. Unfortunately the majority of dental offices are not doing enough … Read more

When a dentist calls me and indicates he or she wants to transition out of their practice it never ceases to excite and captivate me. Apart from obtaining a dental degree in the first instance, a transition is probably one of the most critical decisions in the dentist’s career and one in which I always … Read more

How many times have you observed other practices, wishing your team was as effective and professional? Or, how often have you wished you could be only a dentist and not be involved in personnel? Putting together a professional dental team is important for your practice success and peace of mind. It requires effort. People are … Read more