Sponsors:  Do you need a new website or marketing agency, check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/   Welcome to this week's podcast, where we delve into the crucial question of "When is it time to switch my marketing company?" Join us as we uncover key insights to help you make informed decisions about your marketing strategies, and spot red flags with your current company. In this episode, we explore essential factors such as maintaining a consistent marketing message across all platforms, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ins with your marketing company, and ensuring you retain ownership over your domains. We also provide valuable tips on leveraging existing outstanding performance when selecting promotional campaigns. Beware of marketing companies attempting to entice you with fancy reports displaying generic data, as it might be the same points they send every potential client! Lastly, we share a few tips on enhancing your SEO ranking to optimize your digital presence.  Tune in and empower yourself to make informed decisions for your business's marketing success!

Marketing SOS: How to Recognize Red Flags and Transition to a New Marketing Partner

Sandy Pardue of Classic Practice Resources & Michael Arias of The Dental Marketer discuss issues facing the dental practice owner of today. This is the podcast where you will want a pen and paper to take notes on every single procedure, system, step by step process, and lessons Sandy shares that she has accumulated in 40 years. 

Enjoy the fun, laid-back vibe as things get real.


Sandy is an energetic lecturer and consultant in the area of dental practice management. She is Director of Consulting with Classic Practice Resources and has over 40 years of “hands-on” experience.

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Management

How can your front desk team transform every call into a positive patient experience? In this episode, Sandy draws from her recent speaking engagements at the Delivering WOW Summit to uncover key strategies for top-notch front office communication. She also previews her upcoming seminar, Front Desk Pro, set to take place in Boston on August 23rd, revealing the secrets to boosting front office performance. Michael and Sandy tackle real-world phone interactions, from handling insurance queries to managing cancellations, ensuring that your front desk makes a lasting impression. But it’s not just about what you say; it's also about how you say it. This episode underscores the critical role of tone, verbal skills, and intuitive call handling. Sandy shares practical advice on avoiding the pitfalls of sounding robotic and burdening patients with unnecessary tasks. With actionable tips and relatable scenarios, this episode is a must-listen for any practice aiming to elevate their front desk etiquette and foster a welcoming, efficient environment for every caller. What You'll Learn in This Episode:  How to handle common phone interactions effectively in your practice. Techniques for making a positive first impression over the phone. The do's and don'ts of discussing insurance with patients. Strategies for dealing with appointment cancellations smoothly. The importance of tone and verbal skills in patient communication. How to implement a call-handling system to avoid common pitfalls. Ways to promote your practice during phone calls.  Ready to transform your front desk team's phone skills and enhance your dental practice's first impressions? Tune in to today's episode! Sponsors:            Elevate Patient Care with Automation: Are you looking for dental software that puts your patients first? From online scheduling to online forms, patient communication, and office coordination – Yapi simplifies every step of the patient experience. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://yapiapp.com/  Mentions and Links:  Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce Delivering WOW Summit   Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group  Insurance Companies: Cigna  Brands: Baskin-Robbins

Pro Phone Skills: Avoiding Common Front Desk Pitfalls in Practices

Dental membership plans are only for low-income patients, right? Join Michael and Sandy in this episode of Dental Drill Bits as they sit down with Megan Lohman to debunk common myths surrounding dental membership plans. Megan dives into the core advantages of Plan Forward, a tool designed to streamline the creation and management of dental membership plans. She reveals how these plans are not just exclusive to low-income regions but can be effectively tailored to a wide range of demographics, including affluent areas and retirees without dental insurance.  Megan busts myths and shares eye-opening statistics about the significant portion of Americans lacking dental insurance, shedding light on how transparent pricing through membership plans can promote better dental care. Addressing concerns about potential revenue reduction, Megan explains how offering discounts can actually lead to increased patient visits and higher treatment acceptance rates, ultimately boosting overall revenue. She provides actionable strategies to add substantial value to your membership plans, such as including emergency visits and fluoride treatments, and emphasizes the role of Plan Forward in enhancing efficiency. By the end of the episode, you'll understand why simplifying and tracking membership plans is crucial for your practice's success.  What You'll Learn in This Episode:  Why dental membership plans are not just for low-income patients How to tailor membership plans for various demographics The significant number of Americans without dental insurance Strategies for making dental pricing transparent and manageable Debunking concerns about reduced revenue from membership plans How offering discounts can boost patient visits and treatment acceptance Value-added elements to include in membership plans Strategies for tracking performance and gaining team support   Don’t miss out on this game-changing conversation! Tune in now to uncover the full potential of dental membership plans for your practice.  Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/              Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group

Why Dental Membership Plans Are NOT Only for Low-Income Patients

Can you really find the perfect fit for your practice through better interviewing techniques? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy uncover effective hiring strategies that can transform how you build your team. They explore the essentials of preparation, from the types of questions that reveal a candidate’s true nature to the value of incorporating personality and intelligence tests. You'll learn how to uncover what candidates expect in terms of salary and work environment, and why having a comprehensive policy manual and organized systems are non-negotiable for running a smooth operation.  But it’s not just about the mechanics of interviewing. This episode also sheds light on the softer side of hiring—like creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that retains top talent and the benefit of involving your team in hiring decisions. With practical advice tailored for dental practices, Michael and Sandy offer a masterclass in aligning your hiring practices with your practice’s culture and long-term goals.  What You'll Learn in This Episode:  Key strategies for effective interview preparation. The types of interview questions that uncover a candidate's true nature. Importance of personality and intelligence tests in the hiring process. How to identify candidates' expectations about salary and work environment. The role of a policy manual and organized systems in hiring. Questions to ask (and avoid) to assess candidate fit. Creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment to retain staff. Integrating team opinions in the hiring process. Practical advice for improving your dental practice’s hiring process.  Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights—tune in to the full episode now!  Sponsors: Do you need a new website or marketing agency? Check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/              Mentions and Links: Communities/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Events: Boston 2024 Front Desk Pro Seminar Tools/Resources: DentalPost Indeed ZipRecruiter 2024 Salary Survey Hirewise Cedar HR Wonderlic Personality Test

Are You Asking the Right Questions While Interviewing?

How can cutting-edge technology streamline the entire patient journey in your practice? In this episode, Michael and Sandy sit down with Dr. Gina Dorfman, the visionary founder of Yapi, to explore how this comprehensive dental software solution is transforming the industry. Dr. Dorfman passionately discusses the latest Yapi updates, such as a sleek new interface, enhanced appointment reminders, and innovative tools like insurance verification, credit card processing by text, and two-way patient texting. Each feature is designed to streamline practice management, improve patient care, and boost the efficiency of your front office.  But that's not all—Dr. Dorfman shares her broader contributions to the dental community, including her active involvement in the Dental Gumbo Facebook group and a special offer for our listeners. Whether you're a dental professional eager to modernize your practice or someone intrigued by the latest advancements in healthcare technology, this episode is a goldmine.  What You'll Learn in This Episode:  What new features are included in the latest Yapi update and how they benefit dental practices How Yapi’s enhanced appointment reminders and internal communication tools work The advantages of Yapi’s insurance verification and text-based credit card processing How the two-way texting feature with patients can improve patient engagement   Ready to transform your dental practice with the latest technology? Listen in to discover how Yapi can elevate your practice to new heights!  Sponsors:            Elevate Patient Care with Automation: Are you looking for dental software that puts your patients first? From online scheduling to online forms, patient communication, and office coordination – Yapi simplifies every step of the patient experience. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://yapiapp.com/    Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Dentaltown   Terms: SAAS   Insurance Companies: TDIC (The Dentists Insurance Company)   Practice Management Software: Dentrix Open Dental  Eaglesoft   Products/Brands:  Invisalign Starbucks Amazon

Top Innovations in Dental Software? A Deep Dive into Powerful Yapi Tools

Are you tired of complex billing structures and challenging patient finances? In this episode, we connect with Dr. Abby Neville, who has transformed her dental practice by leveraging the remarkable Plan Forward membership plan. This innovative package simplifies processes, cuts costs, and uncoils the often tangled world of insurance and payments for both patients and practitioners alike.  Dr. Abby takes us on a journey of transformation—a success story wherein she harnessed the Plan Forward initiative for enhanced savings and preventive care. We delve into the nitty-gritty of how the plan works, how easy it is to implement, and the impressive time and cost savings it offers. Hear from Dr. Abby as she underscores the paramount importance of patient well-being and why centering your practice on their best interests is the key to successful utilization of the membership plan.  What You'll Learn in This Episode:  An in-depth understanding of Plan Forward membership plans The simplicity and cost-saving nature of Plan Forward The role of treating patients well and focusing on their well-being in successful plan implementation The benefits of preventive care under Plan Forward Steps to implement the Plan Forward in your practice   Tune in to learn how you could potentially revolutionize your practice with your own membership plan!  Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/              Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group   Organizations: ADA

Marketing SOS: How to Recognize Red Flags and Transition to a New Marketing Partner

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