Sometimes, patients come in with concerns that go deeper than a stubborn bit of popcorn. They might grumble about a specific treatment, express hesitation about a procedure, or simply seem withdrawn. But before you jump to conclusions about what’s bothering them, consider that the problem might lie deeper.
As I write, our entire ACT team is traveling here to Milwaukee for our quarterly planning meeting. Our strategic rhythm parallels the process we coach our clients through and there is a very specific reason for this rhythm. What is the 90 Day Pause? Neuroscience has indicated that businesses, and the humans that run them, get sidetracked and need to pause about every 90 days. This is intentional and very important. Without the pause, evidence shows we move farther and farther from our intended business goals. Why? Because life happens and over time it becomes more challenging to see the bigger picture while one is working day to day in the business.
There are times when running a dental practice can feel like navigating a minefield of feedback. A patient mentions a long wait time. A colleague suggests a new approach to a procedure. Sometimes it feels like everyone's a critic! Before you put up your defenses, take a deep breath and remember to quit taking it personally (QTIP).
Building a great practice requires the use of systems in order to create efficiency in your day-to-day operations, but many leaders struggle with their implementation. However, it doesn’t have to be a complicated process, because there’s one simple system you can start using immediately: the
Working toward being 100% Out of Network? There are some habits you should adopt now. All too often we see dentists work toward going OON using the same habits and behaviors they developed while practicing as a contracted PPO provider. This doesn’t normally work very well. Why? Fee for service dental patients have no financial incentive to be your patient. They represent a true consumer and will demand a higher level of service and attention. If you are on the path to insurance independence or wanting to start this journey, work to develop the following habits before dropping your PPOs.
Let’s face it: a trip to the dentist isn’t high on the list of things most people get excited for. But have you ever stopped to wonder why some patients are especially hesitant when it comes to scheduling something as simple as an annual check-up? There's often a tangled web of reasons behind their hesitation. Fear of the dentist, time constraints, budget woes, and even trust issues can all play a role.
There’s a secret to drastically improving your patient experience, and it might surprise you: better chairside chemistry with the person working next to you! When you and your assistants are aligned, you’ll flow like a well-oiled machine, and your patients will feel it. Your workflow will become more
You’ve built a beautiful dental practice: a place where smiles happen every day. But lately, you've been eyeing the bakery down the street, wondering if a bigger pie — more patients, more procedures — is the recipe for ultimate success. Hold on, Doc! Before you get swept up in the hustle, let’s consider what you’re carving out.
The path to a thriving dental practice demands strong leadership. But what separates good leaders from elite ones? Here are three key mindsets that elevate your leadership—and your practice’s culture:
In our last installment of the Leadership Corner Blog, “The Worst Advice I got in Dental School,” I introduced the three leaders in your practice: the Entrepreneur, the Boss, and the Clinician. If you are the practice owner and wondering who these three are in your practice, the answer is you. All three are you!
