There’s a huge difference between delegation and what I call real leverage, and if you don’t get this right, it’ll cost you. Traditional delegation? It’s a trap—flawed, weak, and it leaves you cleaning up messes you never should’ve had to deal with in the first place. Let’s dive into why delegation is failing you and … Read more
I work as a university business professor and executive educator. Part of my job is to help others view organizational life from a broad range of perspectives. My classes focus on how an analysis of an organizational issue must be broad, insightful, and focused on helping. My participants and students work on developing the skills to … Read more
The office manual (or HR manual) is an extremely important practice management tool for you as a practice owner. These manuals should include all the policies and procedures in place at your office and be accessible to the entire team. During our survey, 71 percent of dentists said they had an office manual, but what … Read more
Would you rather: 1) do your taxes, 2) use a restroom with broken locks, or 3) listen to a young child learn how to play the violin, rather than approach your employer for a raise? In the field of dental hygiene, many of us find it challenging to assert ourselves and discuss money. It makes … Read more
Human resources (HR) can encompass a myriad of elements that build, support and drive the employment experience within an organization. From employee engagement to training and performance management, HR can be a creative and strategic partner in making your business thrive. However, and while not seemingly as exciting or sexy, one of the key elements … Read more
What are human resources? The first thing you may think of is a corporate department who hires, fires, pushes paperwork and manages payroll. Perhaps you associate this role as the “rule maker” or a department that only has a place within a larger, corporate environment. However, human resources is so much more. And yes, it … Read more
It has long been suggested that engaged team members are more productive within—and loyal to—their organizations. Team engagement is a critical driver for practice success. Engaged team members are not just satisfied with their jobs, they are energized by them. Despite these benefits, many of us fall short on engaging our employees or find ourselves … Read more
A recent study from the Oral Health Foundation caught my attention. According to the study, evidence suggests that office workers are the most likely to eat sugary food and drinks as a result of stress – rather than those out of work. As a result, the Oral Health Foundation is calling for ‘stress-free working environments’ … Read more
You probably know what happens if you don’t practice good oral hygiene: tooth decay, gingivitis, and even worse. But what about preventative maintenance when it comes to employment law? The simple reality is that most dentists, whether they are the employer or the employee, don’t take the time to understand their legal rights and obligations. … Read more
Picture working in this environment: Your entire team, led by the office manager, has conspired against you. At lunch time, there is never a chair at the table for you. Sometimes, the lunch you have prepared has been thrown out and you are left hungry for the rest of the day! When team social events … Read more
Maybe you don’t pay overtime because you let your staff take a day off when they need it, or maybe your staff doesn’t get a proper lunch break most days, but once in a while they can take an extra long lunch or leave early. It’s nice to think that this kind of flexibility is … Read more
Now that one month of the year is behind us, I hope you are on your way to making any of the necessary changes to your practice that you feel will help improve your patient care and financial performance in 2019. One of the obstacles you may be facing in making these changes is that … Read more
The most important task your office will ever undertake is the hiring of great team members to join you in growing your practice and serving your patients. Hiring new team members is an exciting opportunity but it also often comes with big challenges; especially if you are wanting to attract the A-Players everyone wants. Finding … Read more
Oral Health Office focuses on the practice management side of dentistry and each time I sit down to write my editorial, I aim to shed light on the positive benefits of working as a team. Leadership and coaching, strategizing and collaboration, and the overall benefits of working collectively to ensure that happiness, and the dedication … Read more
Do you manage someone who has “bullish” behaviors or is abrasive? Work with someone who is abrasive? Work for someone who is abrasive? You are not alone. Just say the word “bully,” and most people imagine a childhood playground and stolen lunch money. As traumatic as childhood bullying can be, workplace bullying can have an even more significant impact … Read more
Dr. Sylvia Ha purchased a practice, and, like many dentists in that situation, she inherited the staff. As is also, unfortunately, still quite common in the dental industry, none of the staff had written contracts. Dr. Ha maintained that status quo initially, but on the advice of her accountant and peers, she sought out specialized … Read more
You want the best for yourself and your practice, but the first step toward getting there is developing the right mindset. Have you ever wondered what it takes to make it to the very top in dentistry? I’m not talking about being a great clinician and having a good practice, but really having it all: … Read more
Congratulations on finishing dental school and waiting for your license to become active! Do you have a career plan set in motion or are you just beginning to test the waters and see what the booming market has to offer? If you are already assisting in private practice, you have some advantages in comparison to … Read more
ANSWERING TOUGH PATIENT QUESTIONS WITH GREAT ANSWERS Why do I have to pay for an examination? In a clinical exam, the doctor diagnoses not just tooth decay and gum disease, but she looks for signs of potentially serious health conditions, including bone infections and oral cancer. It’s the most important part of preventive dentistry, which … Read more
I sincerely hope that the reason for sharing this YOU TUBE video with dentists is understood. We are so incredibly fortunate to do what we do. We are autonomous, even the insanity of the “ya can’t treat your spouse” law that will probably be on the books ten years from now or about the time … Read more