So many dentists have been asking us, “How are the teams you’ve been working with managing this crisis? It seems as though they have persevered in the face of so many challenges. What’s the secret?”

I spent a few minutes sitting down with Kirk this week, asking him some questions about what has made so many dentists and teams successful in this crazy year! Short answer, they made the decision to opt out of the pandemic mindset and stayed focused on progress.  

Jenni: Thanks for spending this time with me, Kirk. So let’s jump right in. While some offices have been slowing down, others have consistently stayed busy and are even growing. What do you attribute that to?

Kirk: In coaching dental practices throughout the country, it seems like even now, in pandemic times, people are subscribing to one of two mindsets; one is a mindset where they're fearful, and the other is the growth mindset. We teach about the importance of this growth mindset in...

I don't need to tell you that 2020 has been a crazy year none of us could have predicted. This year has challenged us in every way, including our relationships with families, teams, patients, friends, and even ourselves. As I communicate with dentists all over the country, I see two trends emerging; an upward spiral and a downward spiral. While no practice is perfect, no life without struggle, there are specific trends and different mindsets that separate these two paths. Let’s take a look.

A common theme emerging amongst individuals on the upward spiral is choosing to embrace a growth mindset. As described by author Dr. Carol Dweck, “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” Those on the upward spiral, embracing this...

JOIN US AT THE SEATTLE STUDY CLUB SYMPOSIUM - CLICK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

Our guest on this episode of the Best Practices Show podcast is Dr. Scott MacLean. Scott lives in Nova Scotia and he has harnessed digital platforms to position himself as a thought leader in the dental industry, traveling all over the world to speak on guided surgery. A lifelong learner, he is always eager to pass along new knowledge that will help fellow dentists, and one of the main outlets for this knowledge exchange is the Seattle Study Club, which hosts an annual symposium that is a must for any clinician looking to advance their practice.

Scott talks with Kirk about the different methods of guided surgery (dynamic and template-guided) and the various ways that technology is integrated into the process to ensure the proper placement of implants. He also discusses the responsibility that dentists should feel to care for their patients holistically, taking a thorough look...

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

On this episode of The Best Practices Show, host Kirk and co-host Kevin spend time with Dr. John Cranham, a full-time dentist and also a lecturer, to discuss the digital dilemma, the transition and cost of going digital in dentistry. John begins by addressing the reason for going digital. The hope in going digital is that your quality and your efficiency will improve once you make the transition. He emphasizes that all of the technological advancements make this is an exciting time to be in the field of dentistry.

One important point John makes in regard to the digital transition and advancements, is how important analog experience is. The ultimate work that is done in dentistry is analog work and the former way of taking molds and doing models gave you practice that prepared you for the work to be done in the dental procedures but doing scans and models digitally, takes away that opportunity. 

John goes on to share that there...

JOIN US AT THE SEATTLE STUDY CLUB SYMPOSIUM - CLICK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

In this episode of The Best Practices Show, host Kirk and co-host Kevin sit down with Dr. Drew Ferris. Drew is an orthodontist who specializes in Invisalign. Initially, Drew, who will be a keynote speaker, describes the Seattle Study Club Symposium. The Seattle Study Club is one of the best resources for learning about dentistry. Drew has a chapter in Santa Barbra where they meet about nine times a year and bring in speakers to educate the providers, and therefore better the dental care their community receives.  

Drew goes on to talk about the importance of transitioning from analog to digital, given the digital culture we live in today. He compares braces to an analog experience and Invisalign to a digital experience. He shares ways that he has gone digital in his practice, including online exams and consultations. Drew also shares that going digital enables his...

Speaking in certainties has become difficult lately. One of the few things I can say with confidence is I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. While this has always been true, the past months have amplified this reality. Coming face to face with this begs the question, how does a true leader grapple with the unknown while simultaneously stepping up and providing the clarity and safety a team needs to stay aligned and engaged? 

Here at ACT, we have always helped leaders build cultures filled with committed and engaged team members. We know the real advantage this provides. Recently, we have seen some individuals forget about the importance of fostering high employee engagement, and with good reason; the challenges and decisions we all face seem never to end. Yet as I sat back, listening during our weekly team meeting to the questions, ideas, and struggles that our team has been working through, I was reminded of something.  An engaged team brings a commitment to each...

JOIN US AT THE SEATTLE STUDY CLUB SYMPOSIUM - CLICK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

On this episode of The Best Practices Show, Kirk and Kevin spend time talking with Dr. Joshua Austin. Initially, Josh points out that he strives to always be authentic because he doesn’t want others to think that he’s anything other than a normal comprehensive dentist. It’s easy to look at social media and assume that because you aren’t doing big complex cases, that you aren’t a good dentist and Josh encourages listeners that this isn’t true.

Josh goes on to explain that comprehensive dentistry should be a goal for everyone. For the sake of your patients, you want to be able to offer those services to them. Both Josh and Kevin recommend educational courses as a way to work towards comprehensive dentistry. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of having a mentor. In regard to the cost of continuing education, such as Seattle Study...

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

In this episode of The Best Practices Show, Kirk talks with Jenni Poulos, a lead practice coach at ACT Dental. Kirk and Jenni discuss three important frameworks, the first being "E-R=C" (Expectation minus Reality equals Conflict). It’s important to make sure what the patients expect to happen and what actually happens when they come, are consistent. This framework is one that is helpful to constantly refer back to.

The second framework is Ask, Listen, and Repeat. Building trust and great relationships is accomplished by seeking to understand the patient, and this is easily accomplished when following the three-step process. The third framework is Language Creates Value. How well you communicate your services and how qualified your team is, will determine how much your patients value your practice.

The 5 steps for reducing dependency on dental PPO includes considering your readiness. You are able to determine your readiness by...

JOIN US AT THE SEATTLE STUDY CLUB SYMPOSIUM - CLICK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW PODCAST HERE

In this episode of The Best Practices Show, Kirk speaks with Dr. Kevin Groth and Dr. Bob Margeas. Bob specializes in restorative dentistry. Based in Des Moines, Bob enjoys the puzzles involved with teaching dentistry and collaborating with other thought leaders in the field.

Bob describes some of the core values that inform his practice, including looking for cost-effective solutions while prioritizing the patient’s health. He does everything he can to help the patient without making them feel like they absolutely have to shell out big bucks.

After talking a bit about lessons learned and best practices regarding esthetic dentistry, Bob and Kevin move to what may be the most important lesson of the episode. That gaining the trust of your patients is paramount. Greater than the temptation, or even the need, to leverage your patients financially, you will always come out on...