Tracking for Success

Scoring is all part of our everyday life.  We use scores and rankings to make our decisions, for example about where we shop,  who we vote for, and what we aim for to improve, based on where we are in this moment in time (the GAP). Running a dental practice is no different and there are … Read more

I have to admit something – I prefer cats to dogs

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For my first editorial with the Oral Health Group, my blatant opinion to start this piece off might not be the smartest idea. But I feel that I owe it to our dedicated readers, and to my two feline children at home, Eleanor and Lou, to be honest and open. With that being said, I … Read more

How Efficient Is Your Scheduling?

Once your patient has accepted their recommended treatment plan and has signed a financial agreement, the scheduling of their treatment may begin. One of the biggest challenges that we see practices dealing with on a daily basis is how to effectively schedule to maximize the time and efficiency of the procedures while decreasing operator fatigue and enhancing … Read more

Top 10 Ways to Ensure Your Practice Thrives

As summer is nearing an end, now is the time of year to ask the following question about your year over year status.  Are you on a decline that won’t seem to stop?  Is the practice surviving with a flat-line plateau or did you have at least 10-15% growth over last year? Decline means DO SOMETHING. … Read more

People Buy From People They Trust

Are you using referrals as one of your most successful practice building strategies? One of your patients has just said great things about you, your office and your team. This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of one of the most successful dental marketing strategies; asking for a referral. Your patient won’t think to give … Read more

Focus on Building Patient Loyalty at your Dental Practice

While many aggressive dental marketers have a single minded goal to gain new patients for a dental practice, only a few realize that retaining patients and winning loyalty matters more in the long run. Marketers should focus the better part of their efforts on consolidating the existing patient base and building loyalty. A loyal patient … Read more

The Building Blocks For a Well-Run Dental Practice

One of the most common downfalls of many dental practices is the lack of clear roles and responsibilities.  Often, team members know what needs to be done but there is quite a bit of confusion as to who is accountable for systems within the practice. What ends up happening is that the workloads among team … Read more

How Relevant Are You in Changing Times?

Change is everywhere and especially in dentistry.  How are you adapting to the changes and using them to be more relevant to your patients? Technology, as we all know, is revolutionizing what the dentist is able to accomplish in the clinical arena.  We now have a multitude of diagnostic tools that only a handful of … Read more

Patients Need A Reason to Return…

What is the number one reason why patients do not return for their hygiene visits?  Doctors and team members: if you don’t know, you need to find out! We’ve all heard the excuses; illness, my boss called a meeting, my kids have sports practice after school, I’m stuck in traffic, I can’t pay for it…..the list goes … Read more

3 Key Components of Successful Practice Operations

How does your practice fare when it comes to hygiene retention, filling your schedule and setting production goals?  There are 3 key components that require consistent monitoring, with an awareness of what to look for and how to find the correct information.  The 3 key components of your operations that have an impact on your practice operating … Read more

Two Vital Points to Remember for Online Dental Marketing

The primary goal of your online dental marketing campaign should be to disseminate information, educate the readers and deliver real value. When the focus is on helping the patients through your dental website, blog, social media and other online efforts, it will eventually help build a robust online reputation, build relationships, and translate into growing … Read more

The Patient Magic Ratio.. Part One

The key to improving patient satisfaction…… People are porous. They tend to absorb and reflect the atmosphere and motions around them. According to Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately 20,000 individual moments in a waking day. Each moment may only last a few seconds, but each is important. Dr. John Gottman’s pioneer research … Read more

Using Visual Impact to Captivate Your Target Audience

The visual aspects of your dental website potentially holds a greater influence on a new visitor to your site. It is not just about grabbing the attention or arousing the curiosity of a visitor. It is more about impacting their thought processes favorably and getting them to take desirable action. Directing Attention The average online … Read more

Exceeding Patient Expectations

Surpassing the “been there, done that” dental visit … Numerous studies have shown that the way patients rate their level of satisfaction with services provided is largely based on the depth of emotional connection they have received.  Patients rate connection and care as “very important” on the scale of what they expect. Visiting the dentist … Read more

Tips on How to Interact with Patients Who Have Mental Health, Intellectual, Learning Disabilities or Language/Speech Impairments

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ( AODA) is a law in Ontario that allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility and to enforce them. Recognizing the history of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Ontario, the purpose of this act is to benefit all Ontarians by: 1. Developing, implementing and enforcing … Read more