In this episode of Weekly Wisdom, Karen Ergus explains how your practice can stay competitive in the current saturated dental market. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!
Business lawyer and dental professional Karen Ergus unveiled a new app designed to deliver a dental practice team that’s productive and devoted to a standard of care that meets their codes of ethics. “My goal with the app is to help dental practices achieve revenue performance goals and the highest standards of care,” said Ms. … Read more
Dr. Mike Finn Compass Dental, Campbell River, BC How would you define or summarize your practice philosophy? Our philosophy has always been to treat everyone like they are family. We believe in forming long-term relationships with our patients and delivering a level of quality care that makes us proud. What is one thing you know … Read more
In North America, there’s a trend toward consolidation of individual orthodontic practices as the specialty evolves – from people and operations to technology and the business model itself. Some have predicted this change, seeing other medical professions consolidating in recent years, including dental, fertility, endocrinology, and even veterinarian clinics. But since most orthodontists are already … Read more
People often ask me how I “do it all” and if I have any balance in my life. Being a working mom with a busy practice isn’t easy. But I’ve discovered that the key to finding work/life balance is to not do it all. I’m a partner at Forest Hill Orthodontics – the same practice … Read more
Marketing is not what it appears. Dental practice owners and managers (and, to be fair, most other business people as well) tend to view marketing as synonymous with promotion. In reality, it is much more than that. In fact, some of the most powerful aspects of marketing are much more subtle and strategy-based. Here are … Read more
It is always interesting to observe how perspectives change from one generation to the next. While consulting with a dentist in Ottawa approximately 10 years ago, a 4th-year dental student dropped by. An ambitious person, she was already exploring the path for potential associate opportunities when she graduated the following year. We chatted and she … Read more
The biggest issue facing our industry is hiring (ADA, 2021). If there has been one big takeaway from the pandemic, it has been that we are all looking for a better balance in our lives. We are all reflecting on our careers and homelife, and identifying what is important to us. In a recent survey, … Read more
Dentists are facing what many perceive to be unprecedented times. Raging inflation, 8.1%, as of June 2022, vs. 1.1% in February 2021 and 11.91% in May 1982, staffing shortages, corporate dentistry, rising interest rates, prime rate 4.7% as of August 5, 2022, vs. 2.45% in February 2022 and 21.25% in September 1981. Government funded dentistry … Read more
We’re ashamed to say it. We’ve had some bad conversations with our patients. We meant well; we were trying to get our patients to improve their oral health, but, instead, we ended up making our patients feel pretty bad about themselves. Instead of empowering them, we embarrassed them. Instead of trusting us, they disliked us. … Read more
Surveys have shown that around 16 percent of children have a fear of going to the dentist. When you work in the industry, that statistic probably doesn’t surprise you. You’ve likely had your fair share of fearful kids walking into your practice. Hopefully, by the time they leave, you’ve been able to calm their fears … Read more
You may have a niche market, but there is an equal chance that a half dozen other offices in the neighbourhood offer the same dental services. Either way, your practice is unique. That is because your services do not define your brand. It is comprised of many things, from the aesthetic design of your website … Read more
The concept of mise en place (everything in its place), a modus operandi conceived and perfected in gourmet restaurants, could significantly improve the quality and consistency of the treatment and patient experience provided in dental offices. Those who recognize mise en place as a process and method of preparing high-quality meals in restaurant kitchens might … Read more
THE WHY: Owner’s story Dr. Luc Ducharme’s professional journey began at an early age. He vividly recalls being interested in becoming a dentist at the tender age of 7. On his path to professional excellence, he is proud to have had the exceptional guidance and experienced mentorship of Dr. Walker – a wonderful dentist, successful … Read more
Doesn’t it feel great when patients come in with pain and, like a magician, we use our trained hands to get them smiling again? How about when we cannot get the patient out of pain? What if the condition is outside of the scope of dentistry? Is it out of our hands? Sadly, this is … Read more
Having an online presence boosts popularity and helps build the face of a business. To keep up with the competitors and promote your services in the market, it is pivotal to promote your business to a broad audience with online blogs and build trusting relationships with your potential customers. The style and type of blog … Read more
In this episode of Weekly Wisdom, Karen Ergus discusses why codes and ethics are important in dentistry and law. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week! Sponsored by The Institute for Dental Excellence (T.I.D.E.) is committed to providing its members … Read more
Interested in contributing to Oral Health Group’s blog? Email marley@newcom.ca for more information!
Dr. Neil Vora Vivo Dental, Calgary, Alberta What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known at the start of your career? Dental treatment is for the patient, not for me. There have been, and still are, many times that I want to insist or convince someone of an ideal treatment, … Read more
The transition of using more digital platforms to communicate has been happening for years and the pandemic only increased the need for it. Nearly half of surveyed dentists agreed that they have changed the way they’ve been communicating with patients in the last couple of years. Of those dentists, half of them are using text … Read more