It always seems that when we get a question about some particular topic of practice management, we get hundreds. My email and phone calls are all asking about one thing: Should I raise my fees this year? The short answer is yes, but it isn’t as easy as yes or no. Let’s talk about how much, when, how to do it, and when not ...
Read MoreOne night at sea, the ship’s captain saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading toward him. He had his signal man blink to the other ship: “Change your course 10 degrees south.” The reply came back: “Change your course 10 degrees north.” The ship’s captain answered: “I am a captain. Change your course ...
Read MoreIt is important for the practice to have a procedure for evaluating job performance on a regular basis. Again, a major deficiency in most practices is lack of effective communication between doctor (owner) and staff (employees). The staff wants to know what the job requirements and expectations are and how they measure up against ...
Read MoreHello Mike, I have compiled a list of inexpensive equipment that might be helpful to other dentists looking for ways not to be robbed by Henry Schein or Patterson. All of the below Items I have purchased and use on a daily basis. My general philosophy is that when choosing equipment/instruments/consumables/dental lab/restorative materials, you ...
Read MoreLETTER 1 Dear ____________________, Did you know that each year insurance companies make millions of dollars off patients who forego necessary and preventive dental care? Many individuals who are paying for dental insurance do not realize that their plans provide up to a certain dollar amount annually. Consequently, some patients are ...
Read MoreRe: Patient: Policy: Insured: Treatment Dates —– Prep:___________ Seat:____________ Amount: Dear Director of Claims: It is our understanding that this claim was denied pursuant to your decision that the care given was not dentally necessary. The explanation of benefits did not give adequate information to establish the accuracy of ...
Read MoreI seem to run into more and more dentists who will hire an associate doctor or other employee as an “independent contractor”. My advice has always been: “There is no way you are going to be able to meet the standard of independent contractor with the IRS”. I was recently challenged on this point again at a seminar I was giving ...
Read MoreThe Feel, Felt, Found Method The feel, felt, found method is an excellent way to deal with patient objections. It works equally well with concerns about fees, excessive fears, or concerns about being able to schedule appointments. The good part about this method is that it acknowledges your patients’ concerns and then handles ...
Read MoreThe simple answer is: pay them on commission. But of course this “simple answer” leads immediately to more questions. What is the percentage number? Is this a percentage of production or collection? Gross or net? What do you include? What do you exclude? If the office has a bonus plan, does the hygienist participate in addition ...
Read MoreAllow me to distill the benefits of a Purpose Driven Practice into four short thoughts. When I was young, I loved to play with a magnifying glass. On a sunny day you could focus the lens on a piece of tissue paper and it would magicallyerupt in flames. However, it would only work if you would move the magnifying glass the proper distance ...
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