Dentistry has faced more challenges in the last six months than in any similar span of time in history. A torrent of information about COVID-19 has overwhelmed not only practice teams, but all of society. Patients and dental team members alike have concerns about the safety of providing and receiving oral health care. Variations in … Read more
Congratulations! You are a recent dental graduate who just got hired as the new associate to work with Dr. Wonderful and her team! It’s your first glorious day! You are ready to take on the world and deliver exceptional service and care. Oh, but wait a minute. There are these people you now must rely … Read more
This is undoubtedly a weird time to be finishing your final years of dental school. Uncertainty is everywhere around you. When will class return to normal? Will there be associate roles available upon graduation? Will you be able to pay off your student loans as quickly as your originally thought? While your primary focus upon … Read more
The demands of student life are intense. Professionals programs like law, medicine, dentistry and dental hygiene require the devotion of a Tibetan monk, the physical endurance of NFL gladiator Tom Brady, the toughness of Serena Williams and the mental acuity of business titan Jeff Bezos. Deadlines, projects and requirements dig deep into the reserves of … Read more
As founder and CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry’s leading incubator and accelerator, I am exposed to new technologies and brilliant entrepreneurs on a routine basis. As founder of the annual Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards – now in its 12th year – my team and I spend an entire year searching to find dentistry’s … Read more
As the CEO of your practice, you will have a multitude of clinical and business decisions to make daily; one of those is marketing. As your own Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), you need to understand the “nuts and bolts” of marketing and how they interrelate to attract a customer. You will likely outsource the technical … Read more
ABSOLUTELY!!! And here is why. If your ultimate goal is to own your own practice, then do not pass on a good office because of the times we are currently in. An economic crisis can be the best possible time to invest in yourself! As an associate, this could be the moment you buy yourself … Read more
Congratulations on choosing one of the most transformative career paths. Indeed, you must have sacrificed a lot to complete a training program in dentistry. So, you’re here now and have chosen to take the private practice route. Another great move deserving of praise! The independence and flexibility that comes with private dental practice are commendable. … Read more
Ivividly remember my interview, first job and very first day. I thought outside of the box to secure my first job. Writing my resume was a challenge being a new graduate without any dental experience. Unlike some of my 2007 graduates, I wasn’t a dental assistant first, and aside from having a dentist of my … Read more
Perhaps you’re fresh out of school, looking for your first position as a hygienist. Or maybe you have been working as a hygienist for many years and are looking to move to a new practice (or multiple practices). Or, perhaps the dentist you have been working with has just asked you to sign a very … Read more
In the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones had to figure out which stones in a pathway to step on to reach his goal and to avoid falling to his death. Succeeding as a dentist financially involves making similar judgment calls over a career of 30 years. From my vantage point as a Chartered … Read more
I clearly remember sitting in the aisle seat of my undergraduate lecture hall, anxiously waiting for my phone to light up with a call. When it did, I’m not sure I caught a single word Dr. Paul Allison (McGill’s former Dean of Dentistry) said beyond ‘we are pleased to inform you’. As the daughter of … Read more
Dental students and associates are a busy bunch. With long hours and a hectic schedule, figuring out your tax filings can slip down your priority list. This group typically asks about five topics: deductions against your income, moving expenses, impact of extra income, reducing taxes on salary and the benefits on incorporation. Let’s look at … Read more
Dental students who have recently completed their education may find themselves pondering many questions. For example, they may be considering their need to find a stable job. Geographic location may be a particular focus – what setting would encourage a busy career yet also a lifestyle that permits balance? Another possible question may focus on … Read more
The new dental hygiene graduate is filled with enthusiasm and the promise of the future but their path can be full of landmines if they do not have life balance. This article was designed to provide support for a busy new professional and equally exciting personal life. The new graduate may be saddled with heavy … Read more
Graduating from dental school can be bittersweet. You’ve climbed the mountain that is dental school and at the summit you find a taller mountain of debt and an avalanche of interest and bills to come. That’s the harsh reality for many dental school graduates. Overcoming this challenge isn’t impossible and can be made easier with … Read more
Imagine you or a family member received a letter from your dentist indicating that, due to an oversight on the practice’s part, you should be tested for bloodborne diseases, such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Now, imagine if the letter was from a practice you owned or worked in. In July 2017, Public Health Ontario … Read more
Instagram is the place to go to find beautifully curated feeds, thoughtfully created captions and systematically planned hashtags. It’s the place we lose hours to, deep diving into people’s accounts and getting to the abyss of their pages. Creeping, exploring and sometimes wishing real life looked a fraction of how it does on our mobile … Read more
Now more than ever, dentists, like all new professionals, are prioritizing work-life balance and overall well-being. This is having a profound impact on their ambitions and career choices. Unfortunately, with unprecedented debt loads burdening most dental grads, there is overwhelming pressure to start working (and earning income) as soon as they become licensed. The desire … Read more
We probably all remember listening to the music of our parents when we were kids. Some of it we liked…others, not so much. My parents grew up in the juke box/malt shop era, so 50’s rock and roll was part of my childhood. One of the songs I recall opened with the line “Let me … Read more