What’s more challenging: Finding qualified Level II Assistants, or keeping up with patient expectations? It’s a trick question because they’re both vital to the success of your practice. However, based on our recent survey*, we probably could have predicted your response based on your practice’s revenue. We found Canadian dentists who earned less than $500,000 … Read more
My last blog on the legalization of cannabis did alter my recent focus on how technologies, not yet widely used in dentistry, are making their way into our industry. For some, “new” technology is a source of stress. It “de-personalizes” service at a time when offices are trying to emphasize their unique and personal, patient … Read more
Know your patients’ name before you walk into the room! Be sure to say it when you are greeting your patients and when you or your team members are saying their “Goodbye”. Learn something new about your patients and follow up follow up on that nugget of gold during their next visit. Let’s not say, … Read more
Every dental practice has key engines that drive and determine practice health, stability and longevity. These engines include building and maintaining a strong and thriving patient base, generating consistent and predictable revenue, efficiently managing expenses, and fostering effective communication. Ultimately, the goal of every successful dental practice is to provide patients with an exceptional experience … Read more
Think about a time when you had a great dining experience. Chances are it’s not just the food that made it a memorable experience. From the minute you walked in the door and was greeted by the smiling hostess, to when you paid your bill, you were treated as a valued guest. Picture the same … Read more
Running a dental practice can be stressful, and at times it can be difficult to remember the reasons you went into medicine. Good dental practice management keeps your patients smiling, which is good for both your wallet and mind. Happy patients will keep coming back, recommending you to family and friends. Cheerful patients can make … Read more
Tracking expert predictions on future trends in dentistry is one of the things a geek like me enjoys. Planning for the future requires us to anticipate the future. We may not be right in our predictions…but it never hurts to be prepared. Admittedly, some predictions are far easier to make than others. For instance, we … Read more
STANDARD Traditional marketing for your practice has stood the test of time and proven itself beneficial. It is an easy and free marketing service for your practice, which is solely based on the experience of your patients. These forms of standard marketing require little to no effort, however, it does hold you accountable for how … Read more
Lessons in leadership show up in unlikely places. As the mother of two rough and tumble boys, one of life’s greatest gifts was unexpectedly having to raise my niece, Carrie, from the age of five. While I’ve cheered at baseball games, marveled at snowboarding feats, and watched with one eye open at the motocross competitions … Read more
“I’m sorry… we have not received your claim.” “Why did I get a statement? I have already paid your office my co-payment!” Ah, the wonderful effects of non-communication. Nothing is more frustrating for a dental office than a patient or insurance company who misunderstands what we are trying to communicate to them. The most important … Read more
Patient education is fundamental in raising treatment acceptance rates and improving your marketing, but many dentists don’t take full advantage of the patient education resources they already have. Here’s how you can create a culture of education at your practice: Engage your patients before they come in. Educational materials in marketing can help raise awareness … Read more
As leaders, we can be too busy sometimes to see the warning signs that our team members are showing that they are falling out of engagement with us. We often don’t notice this until it’s too late and our team members are disgruntled, unmotivated, and their work is slipping in quality and accountability. If you … Read more
Patients at a Guelph dental practice are being urged to get tested for HIV and other serious infections over concerns some dental instruments at the clinic were not being sterilized properly. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health announced Friday that they were sending letters to those who were patients of Guelph Dental Associates between Jan. 21, 2015 and June … Read more
Although most dental professionals use a scavenging system to prevent nitrous oxide gas from escaping during a dental procedure, adherence to other recommended practices – such as checking equipment for leaks – is lacking, according to a new study from NIOSH. The agency surveyed 284 dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants in private practice who … Read more
Twenty-eight percent of private dental practices have not fulfilled OSHA’s requirement for a written, site-specific bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by NIOSH and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention, an oral health care advocacy group. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is intended to protect health care workers from diseases such … Read more
On March 29, the Oral Wellness Learning Institute for Dentistry (OWL) where I serve as the educational director, had the privilege to assemble an amazing group of dental and medical practitioners and advocates. Our guests included representatives from Diabetes Canada, the CDHA, Sleep Disorders Dentistry, as well as naturopathic doctors, researchers, dentists, and dental hygienists. … Read more
Hu-Friedy, a global leader in dental manufacturing, today announced its plans to promote earth-friendly initiatives in support of Earth Day, April 22nd,, with a focus on its dental instrument recycling program, Environdent. The Hu-Friedy Environdent program, facilitates the ecologically responsible disposal of old dental instruments, regardless of brand, and rewards dental professionals with new Hu-Friedy … Read more
Account Manager, Eugene Chu, talking about buying a dental practice in this week’s Best Practices video. Eugene gives the 3 factors you MUST think about if you’re buying a dental practice. He’ll go into great detail about WHY Billing, Chart Lists and Recommendations are crucial elements to keep in mind while looking around. Watch last … Read more
If you’re one of B.C.’s 3,400-odd dentists, chances are you run your own business. But several trends, from crushing student debt to the rising price of setting up shop, are paving the way for large corporate dental groups to push into the local market. A generation ago, dentists could open a practice right out of … Read more
