In this episode, Dr. Ben Burkitt, from We Care Dental Care, shares his experience in dropping PPOs and when to do it! Like many of us, Dr. Burkitt started off with what he calls "too many" PPOs. While being in network with insurances can be a great place to start, gradually switching to other forms of marketing can offer a large boost in profitability for your practice! Ben shows us that high volume does not mean high profitability, and even though you may lose some patients dropping PPOs, it may be worth it. He states when dropping PPOs, being transparent with patients is especially important, communicating that you are dropping their insurance in able to maintain high quality care. It is also important to keep track of your highest production procedures and whether or not the insurance is direct, leased, or under an umbrella plan. These all contribute to making the right choice for your practice.

Learn more about when and how to best drop PPOs to maximize your profitability in this week's episode!‍You can reach out to Ben Burkitt here:
Raising Dental Income WebsiteEmail: ben@raisingdentalincome.com‍Mentions and Links:

HumanaDelta DentalCignaGEHAUnited ConcordiaYellow PagesEaglesoftDentrixOpen Dental
‍‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Marketing, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Our Sponsors & Their Exclusive Deals:CARESTACK | Cloud-Based Dental SoftwareSCHEDULE A FREE DEMO TODAY!Click the link below and get 1 MONTH FOR FREE + 10% OFF your Annual Subscription + 50% OFF Your Set-up Fee!Check out CARESTACK now: https://lp.carestack.org/thedentalmarketer‍‍‍Dandy | The Fully Digital, US-based Dental Lab
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MMM [Insurance] Behind the Scenes of Dropping PPOs and Doubling Your Practice's Profitability

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Are you looking to scale your practice from one location to multiple thriving offices? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Andrew Vallo to explore his incredible journey of expanding his practice to four busy locations, with plans for even more on the horizon. Andrew shares his secrets to success, including an innovative business model that combines different dental specialties and a clever strategy for cutting costs by sharing office spaces. You'll learn about his dynamic marketing approach, particularly how he managed to skyrocket his Invisalign services by making treatment more accessible and offering flexible payment options.Andrew opens up about the hurdles he faced, like dealing with substantial construction delays and how he maintained team morale in challenging times. He provides unique insights on fast-tracking the growth of a dental practice, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments in marketing and staffing right from the start. Andrew also delves into effective team management, stressing the pivotal role of the right personnel in the right positions and not shying away from turnover when necessary. By the end of our conversation, you'll understand why adopting an abundance mindset and being willing to take calculated risks are key to achieving rapid growth in the dental industry.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Andrew Vallo scaled his practice to four locations with more on the wayThe benefits and challenges of combining different dental specialties within a single practiceEffective cost-cutting measures, including shared office spacesProven marketing strategies for scaling Invisalign services rapidlyTailoring marketing efforts to different platforms and patient demographicsCoping with significant construction delays and maintaining team moraleAndrew’s unconventional advice for rapid growth in dental practicesThe importance of strategic investments in marketing and staffingBest practices for team management and handling staff turnoverAdopting an abundance mindset and taking calculated risks for growthReady to unlock the secrets to fast-tracking your practice growth? Let's get right into it with, Dr. Andrew Vallo!‍‍
Sponsors:
‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍Guest: Dr. Andrew ValloPractice Name: The Dental Boutique WestchaseCheck out Andrew's Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.andrewvalloPodcast: https://www.dentalunfilteredpodcast.com/Facebook Pages:‍https://www.facebook.com/TheDentalBoutiqueWestchase‍‍https://www.facebook.com/BestValueDenturesPractice Websites:‍https://www.westchasedentalboutique.com/‍‍https://www.bestvaluedentures.com/Email: docvallodds@gmail.com
‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Andrew's Past Episodes:MMM [STARTUPS] CUTTING FRICTION FOR SEAMLESS NEW PATIENT ONBOARDING IN YOUR PRACTICE – THE DENTAL MARKETER PODCAST406: DR. ANDREW VALLO | THE DENTAL BOUTIQUE WESTCHASE & BEST VALUE DENTURES – THE DENTAL MARKETER PODCAST ‍Software/Services:Google AdsFacebook AdsClinCheck‍People:Dr. David Galler‍Brands/Products:Invisalign‍Organizations:AACA‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

The Real Fast-Track to Growth: Abundance Mindset and Where to Put Your Dollars  | Dr. Andrew Vallo | 507


Are your to-do lists leading to more stress than productivity? In this episode, I've invited Robert Kim to discuss why it's time to throw out the traditional to-do list and focus on what truly matters. Robert shares his revolutionary approach to managing tasks, emphasizing the importance of aligning daily actions with overarching goals. Dive deep into the intricacies of prioritizing tasks in high-pressure environments like startups, and discover how Robert’s experiences at Zuub, an innovative company in the dental insurance verification space, have shaped his unique perspective.

Robert takes us through the journey of Zuub, explaining how the company addresses inefficiencies in practices to improve case acceptance rates and streamline patient engagement. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable insights into the art of prioritizing tasks based on their impact on clients and the overall mission. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone struggling to manage their workload effectively or those looking to elevate their productivity strategy.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why traditional to-do lists might be holding you back.How to focus on critical tasks that align with your main objectives.The challenges of managing priorities in a startup environment.Insights into operational inefficiencies in practices.How Zuub improves case acceptance rates and patient engagement.The importance of prioritizing based on impact rather than volume.
Ready to redefine your approach to productivity? Click play and transform your to-do lists with, Robert Kim!‍‍You can reach out to Robert Kim here:Website: https://zuub.com/‍Mentions and Links: 

Businesses/Services:Amazon‍Terms:PMS - Practice Management Software‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael: Hey, Robert. So talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning? Robert: I'd say throw out your to do list. Michael: Why is that? Robert: So I think that too many of us have the best of intentions, and oftentimes we create a lot of these punch lists of things that, we think that we need to get done, we'd like to get done, whether they're aspirational or tactical, or whatever the case might be, and oftentimes we lose sight of what we really need to get done and those to do lists, While they can be great in terms of getting your thoughts down, I think that oftentimes we use them a bit as a crutch of well, these are the only things I need to do, or it can be the flip side to become this overwhelming terror filled list of things that you don't think you can ever get done.What I mean by getting rid of the to do list is remember what are the things that you really need to get done. Why are you getting those things done? And write those things down and focus on that. Michael: Now, with the to do list. could this be the way of remembering things though? Like for example, if we were going through so many things throughout the motions, I feel like sometimes I'm like, I got to write this down or else I'm going to forget it. Robert: you're absolutely right. I would say that. if your mind is as porous as mine, and mine is a complete sieve, if I don't write something down, it doesn't exist.It's gone. It's in the ether, right? So I'm not saying don't take notes. Don't write things down. because without it, we wouldn't be able to, function on a day to day basis. What I'm advocating though, is all of those to dos they should all bubble up and align to something that.Is at a higher order of things that need to get done for a particular purpose. So what I like to do for myself and what I recommend to my teams on a daily basis, you know, we're a startup company. There are a million different competing priorities. And if I were to look at my punch list, I'm looking at it right now over here on the side.It's overwhelming. And to the point of potentially causing paralysis if you were to just try to operate off of that punch list, what I'm recommending is let's remember what's the focus. Why are all of these things on that list? What is it that you're trying to accomplish? And if you look at it from that lens, that helps to prioritize the things that you absolutely need to get done.Some things are deadline based, and if there is a hard backstop that you can't go beyond, of course, that's going to be prioritized, but all of those other things, the things that you really feel like you need to get done, you just don't know how to get started. Or you find the lack of motivation to get started.It's because you're losing sight of what that larger vision, that larger goal is. Michael: Gotcha. Okay. So you mentioned it to, like you're a startup company, right? What happens when there's stuff that needs to get done deadline based, is there a way to gauge it to where it's like, it's not that important.It is important. Maybe this could wait another, did I put a deadline when I didn't even need to put a deadline kind of thing? You know what I mean? But that all also takes time to sit down and look through. Robert: So let me give you a little bit of color and context of what it is that we do here.I'll make it a little bit more personal, but how I, go about my day. So at Zoob, our number one selling product is automated insurance verification. You know, Offices come to us with the need because they're overwhelmed in their daily task of. verifying insurances withthe various portals or calling these insurance companies, wasting 20 to 40 hours a week just in that activity, right?It's a never ending list of things that need to get done on a daily basis. So we take that on for them. The way that we prioritize things here and for myself is anything that's client facing, because this is such a mission critical operation within their business. If it's impacting the client, that always goes up to the top.Now, there are things that we have to do to prioritize that punch list. So the overarching theme is impact a client and how severe it is. If it's severity level one, then that's something we get on right away. If it's something that is impacts the client, but the client can actually get the work done, it might not be optimal.They might be a little bit slower than they would like. That's something that we're still going to give immediate attention to, but it's not as severe as that level one, right? It all comes down to immediate impact a client, but then there's a secondary overarching goal and that is to improve the life of our client.they might sound like they're one in the same, but it really isn't. The second one is what can we do? What are things that we haven't done yet that will impact our clients in the way that in the future it will make their lives better. It will give them back more time. It will help them to focus more on patient care things like that.those are the activities that we would prioritize next. And it's a matter of filling up that queue on a daily basis of which of them fall under the following buckets and then knocking them off one at a time. Michael: Gotcha, okay. Is that how Zoob kind of came out to be? Where you were like, you're in a practice and you're thinking, Hey, how can we kind of like eliminate some of these high priorities, but like, you know what I mean, checklist items?Don't take up much time or Robert: where Zube came in the whole team were all veterans dental space. And what we saw were that a lot of practices were because of the inefficiencies, either whether it's operationally related or PMS related, they were leaving an awful lot of money on the table with their patients.Yeah. and it wasn't necessarily a fault of their own. It was fault of the available resources and the tools. So we started down the road of increasing case acceptance. And we looked at the way that most practices, your average practice, I'm not talking about 1 percent that has an amazing treatment coordinator.They have amazing collateral and material and all of those things combined. That process runs effectively and efficiently 100 percent of the time those aren't the practices I'm talking about. I'm talking about your All average practice the practices that are starting out and they don't necessarily have everything figured out.How can we help them maximize every potential of every patient? We started out with case acceptance and we created this beautiful platform where we make it as easy to understand what a patient's obligation is, what the patients are signing up for, as it would be if they were to go look at product on Amazon or look at their checkout on any other website that they're familiar with the realization from going down that road was the insurance verification process was broken and it was a crucial process for them to be able to deliver these treatment plans.You can't tell a patient how much their potential out of pocket expense would be if you don't have that. insurance properly verified and you have a limited amount of time. It's from when the case is being displayed and discussed with patient to when they walk out that door, that's your highest conversion of moment, right?the other side of that coin wasif that's when we need to convert the most, what do we do when they leave? And that's where the other side of Zoob was created. And that's, we would help practices with that cadence, with that reminders, with the ability to reach out to the patients, give them that same patient friendly format that they walk them through in the office.And give that to them on their phone when they're at home so they can peruse it at their own leisure, they can think about financing options and sign their consent forms, schedule for that appointment for that treatment and move on from there. So that was the Genesis of where we started as a company.the automated insurance verification portion has been a game changer in the life of most of our practices. Yeah. Michael: No. Yeah. I see that. It takes up a lot of time. And so it's so interesting that you mentioned throughout your checklist. Cause it's part of the thing that every front office comes in and it's are you doing it?Are you doing it? You know what I mean? The practice owner asked the front office that. So it's something super important that we should do. Now, when it comes back to the checklist and ZOOP, can both kind of work together in the sense of how do you guys work together with the front office Robert: Yeah. On the average day a ZOOP, practice would do the following. You would log into your PMS or into the ZOOP portal and you would see your schedule of patients that are scheduled to come in either that day or a number of days in advance. Okay. Every office is a little bit different in their workflow.If you happen to be a Medicaid, Medicare heavy office, those need to be verified day of typically. And, if you have 30, 40, some of our practices have hundreds of patients that are scheduled to be seen on, that day to go through each and every one of those patients on the same day to verify their, insurance status.You need an army individuals. So what they do today is they log into zoom and they'll see immediately on the dashboard, the status of all of those different patients that were verified that day. And they only now need to deal with the exceptions. Patients that happen to have their insurance lapsed or the patients that their insurance information was incorrect or their date of birth was incorrect and so they weren't able to be verified.Those are the 2 percent of the exceptions as opposed to having to deal with the 30, 40, 100 patients on a daily basis. And then they go about the rest of the day. The amount of time and all of those to do's and check boxes that they need to do is now shrunk. That's essentially how they operate with Zoo on a daily basis.Michael: Nice, man. I appreciate it. Robert, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it. And if anyone wanted to reach out to you, where can they find you? Robert: They can find us on www. zoob. com. That's Z U UB as in boy. com. And take a look around. If you have any questions, fill out a request for a demo and we'd be happy to help them.Michael: Awesome. So that's going to be the show notes below. And at the same time, Rob, thank you so much for being with me on this Monday morning episode. Robert: My pleasure, Michael.‍

Ditch Your To-Do List: How to Harness Big Picture Productivity | Robert Kim | MME

‍Overwhelmed by the thought of buying or selling a practice? With the right help, finding the right listing price, prequalify prospective buyers, negotiations and financing options can all be a breeze! In this episode, I sit down with Greg Auerbach, a true veteran in the world of dental practice transitions, to uncover the ins and outs of buying or selling a dental practice. Drawing on his wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Greg reveals the critical steps to establishing value and expertly guiding both buyers and sellers through this once-in-a-career process. From the initial evaluation to the final handshake, you'll learn how he holds the hands of dentists, ensuring they are confident and well-prepared for each phase of the transition journey.

We jump into the heated debate: starting a new practice versus acquiring an existing one. Greg discusses the unique challenges faced by newcomers, from building a patient base from scratch to financial burdens and staff hiring. On the flip side, he dismantles common fears around acquisitions and highlights their surprising advantages—like immediate cash flow and a quicker path to profitability. Our conversation also touches on why some practitioners still opt for startups, influenced by factors like the limited availability of practices for sale and the lure of creating a custom space. Plus, Greg shares strategic tips for increasing a practice's market value and ensuring a harmonious post-transition phase, debunking myths around staff and patient retention.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to establish the true value of a practice.The comparative advantages and challenges of starting up versus acquiring a practice.Key strategies to manage financial burdens and staff hiring in new practices.The benefits of acquisitions, including faster profitability and immediate cash flow.Common fears and misconceptions about practice acquisitions.Post-transition tips for maintaining harmony and continuity.The importance of gradual changes to ensure a smooth transition.How early engagement can significantly improve market value and streamline the process.Join us as we explore the inner workings of successful practice transitions with, Greg Auerbach!‍‍Guest: Greg AuerbachBusiness Name: Henry ScheinCheck out Greg's Media:Website: http://www.henryscheindpt.com/Email: greg.auerbach@henryschein.com2024 Guide to Dental Practice Valuation: How Much is Your Practice Worth? https://bit.ly/4braykp‍
Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Tools:Dentrix Indeed‍Equipment:iTero‍TV:HGTV‍Organizations:FTCFDA‍Terms/Concepts:EBITDACapitalization of Earnings Methodology ‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

Headache-Free Transitions: Expert Advice on Buying, Selling, and Practice Value | Greg Auerbach | 506


Are you investing enough into cybersecurity? In this eye-opening episode, I'm sitting down with Amy Wood, a renowned cybersecurity and data breach prevention specialist, to uncover the critical importance of spending wisely to protect patient information. Amy reveals why dental practices are prime targets for cybercriminals and lays out essential security measures that can provide robust protection. From business-grade antivirus systems to the significance of encrypted emails, she leaves no stone unturned in exploring the landscape of cybersecurity for dental practices.

Amy dives deep into the cost structure of effective cybersecurity, offering a detailed breakdown of what practices should expect to spend. We explore common pitfalls that can compromise a practice's security and provide practical advice on vetting IT providers to ensure they meet HIPAA compliance and other security standards. With insights into managing costs without sacrificing security, Amy's expert guidance is crucial for any dental practice looking to fortify its defenses against cyber threats.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why dental practices are prime targets for cybercriminalsEssential cybersecurity measures every dental practice should implementCommon shortcuts that compromise your practice's securityThe cost structure of maintaining robust cybersecurityHow to vet IT providers to ensure HIPAA compliancePractical advice for managing cybersecurity costs effectivelyThe real consequences of neglecting cybersecurity in dental practices
Tune in to fortify your dental practice against cyber threats and safeguard your patient information with, Amy Wood!‍‍Sponsors:For DSO integrations, startup solutions, and all your dental IT needs, let our sponsors, Darkhorse Tech, help out so you can focus on providing the amazing care that you do. For 1 month of FREE service, visit their link today! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/‍You can reach out to Amy Wood here:Website: http://copperpennyconsulting.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/copperpennyconsulting‍Mentions and Links: 

Businesses/Services:Henry ScheinOrganizations:HIPAAFBIChange HealthcareMGM‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael: Hey, Amy. So talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning? Amy: So it's actually a very unpopular opinion and piece of advice. It's that you need to spend an appropriate amount of money in order to protect patient information. Michael: Interesting. So we need to spend or we don't have to.Amy: talk to us about that then. so what I do is cybersecurity and data breach prevention. I used to be an IT provider mostly in the dental space for almost 20 years, so I know what it's like to have to. Be set up in a way to try to prevent things like ransomware, computer downtime, not planning ahead for your failures, things like that.what I've realized is that mainstream medical has a lot more resources, both financially and just time and people to actually address all things for HIPAA or cyber security, things like that. But dental generally doesn't. It's a much smaller market. The bad news is that a lot of cyber criminals are targeting dental practices because they also know that dental offices don't have the resources.Interesting. Okay. So then when it comes to that ransomware, and I guess spending the right amount of money, how do we know what is the right amount of money and what are we spending it on specifically? on average, I would say if you're spending roughly 150 a month per computer in your You're about on trackand that's just for basic security prevention.That's going to overlap with some cybersecurity. It's going to overlap with HIPAA regulations and just basic business best practices. For having computers in a business. So that's the rough price range on that. Some places are more expensive. So if you're in a major metropolitan area, you might be paying more.You might be paying less if you're more rural or if you try to cut some corners. Which I do not recommend. As far as what things you need to have uh, let's start with the big four. You've got business grade antivirus patches and updates. So running your Windows updates, making sure all your apps are up to date, kind of like we do on our phones, where we run all the Mac updates and then the app updates.It's the same thing for computers. Then we have business grade firewall. I'm not talking about what the internet provider gives to you. And, or Windows Firewall, that's not appropriate either, business grade firewall. And then the last one is probably the most important, it's backups. Right now the FBI is recommending a 3 2 1 approach, three kinds of backups in two different formats, with one of them being completely off site and or offline.know that's a lot. No, Michael: no, no. But it's interesting. So you did mention cutting corners. Do you see this a lot? And where specifically are the most common corners that are cut in a dental practice? Amy: So I see people not having a business grade firewall, not having encrypted email. And I'm also seeing a lot of computers right now that people did a whole bunch of upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 10, but they didn't actually replace the computer.They just put a new operating system on an old computer. And now we're a few years into that, and these practices want to do things like, Add Conebeam or add 3D Invisalign or anything like that. And they can't do it because these computers, while they might have a current operating system on them, they're really, really old and they just can't handle it.So that's a very common corner that I see cut. Michael: Okay. So do we have to. Always upgrade our computers. Like all right, we all have to buy new computers every five years. Kind of thing. Whenever you're gonna do an upgrade like this. Amy: Yeah, I think it really depends on I'm gonna put my former IT provider hat on for a minute.Uh, I think it really depends on how you purchased it. Did you overbuild it when you purchased it or did you buy the cheapest thing you could at the time? So if you bought the cheapest thing you're looking at maybe three years before it really starts giving you problems. And if you overbuilt it to start with, you're still looking at five years.You might be able to stretch it just a little bit longer than that, but three to five years is the current standard of care. Kind of That expectation for end of life. Michael: Now, what are the really big problems it could get? Let's just say the three or one and you're like, Maybe some people are listening like, Amy, it's been five years and mine's just doing pretty well.It's slow, but what are the really big problems we need to look out for? Amy: So it's things that won't work with older computers, let's say your printer fails. hopefully you have more than one printer in your office, but you have a printer fail and you get a new one. It might not work on that older computer.Or if you have an older operating system on it, you might find that if you're doing anything electronically with your bank, they might not work with that. It's not compatible. So there's this whole interoperability engineering process that has to happen with computers. And it's a lot less important than it was.10, 15 years ago, but dental is about 10, 15 years behind technology wise. So It's a little more complicated than the rest of general business and even mainstream medical. So depend on your IT guys to actually know how to engineer a solution, not just a product. Kind of Like dentists do. It's not what kind of implant you use.Yes, everyone has a preference, but it's more about how you the professional are actually implementing this as a solution for your patient. Yeah. Michael: Interesting. And now one 50 a month, roughly to be on track per computer. Amy: I'll be honest. I charged a lot more. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area.we had much higher cost of living. Michael: Interesting. Okay. So then depending on where you live and you're at one 50 a month per computer, this is how much we're looking at to when it comes to just protect our data from like any ransomware attacks. Okay. Disasters or anything like that. That's the basic.Okay. Because I see a lot in specific groups and specific places, Facebook groups, right? Where they're like, I need a lower quote. I need something different. And so if people are finding a lower quote. Amy: Refurbished computers, which basically means they're new to you, but they're not new computers. I have seen where the I.T. provider is not installing all the programs on the computer. They push that back onto you as the practice to do that work. I kind of look at it as, It costs a certain amount to do a certain job for any specialist any, contractor, you contact a plumber and electrician. It costs a certain amount to do the job if they're charging you less.Something isn't happening. And it's the same way with computers and with security. Something isn't being done because there, there are metrics out there. We know what it costs. Michael: Commonly, what's not being done that you've seen by like agencies, like it. Amy: I have seen not the right kinds of backups. I have seen not having a properly encrypted email.I have seen the wrong kind of patches and updates being done where people think it's being done, but it's not. I've also seen a lot of IT providers use the this will make you HIPAA compliant. Um, I've also seen a buzzwords of, uh, this will make you HIPAA compliant.And the reality is HIPAA compliance is thousands and thousands of pages of regulation and recommendations and tech information. And in terms of HIPAA, the technology portion of it really only represents about 20 percent of HIPAA as a whole. So it's the most expensive and the most fast paced and changing aspect of HIPAA.But it's also the smallest portion of that regulation. So if an IT provider is saying, Hey, we're doing your HIPAA for you. They're doing 20 percent of So I'm seeing a lot of things like that. Michael: Yeah. So can they ever do 100 percent of it or no? Or it's just like, no, it's not in their wheelhouse. Interesting. So they're just doing the 20 percent of it. Now, what questions should we ask them when it comes to like, Hey, are you doing a proper backup? And they're like, yeah, you know, how would you even know? thank you. I can tell you're doing it. So what questions should we ask when it comes to these type of scenarios?Amy: Obviously that so one of the cool things about HIPAA and know I'm the weirdo, I like. regulation. I like being a rule follower. I am the weirdo that loves HIPAA. Part of HIPAA actually requires that you as a healthcare provider and professional do something called due diligence review on any of your subcontractors and business associates, which basically means all your vendors that touch practice management data and patient information.And. Part of that is asking really intrusive questions. So things like, how do you log into our, computer systems? Do you yourself do HIPAA training for your team members? Do you have cyber insurance? So if you screw up we don't have to foot the bill as a practice. And I think the most important one is, do you offshore any of your services?So HIPAA is a U. S. law and doesn't always follow companies out of our borders. And so that's when contracts become really important. That's when having, black and white in writing evidence from them that can hold up in court. Companies like Change Healthcare right now is dealing with a massive data breach for a second time in the last month.And they're having some issues because some of it is due to their lack of security internally. so these are a lot of questions that you can ask, not just IT providers, but all vendors. Michael: Yeah, I know. I feel like with those data breaches Like United Healthcare right, and all them, when it happens, you're kind of thinking like, well, if it got them, we're a small practice, right?Or maybe a multiple practice location, but you're kind of wondering how well is our IT company doing? Or, on the flip side, Amy, let me ask you, how often is this overlooked? How often do you see people kind of just say, it's just IT? Amy: They think it's a commodity in general. Those dental practices look at IT as it's interchangeable.And I adore my father in law dearly, but he comes from a generation where he thinks that all things are equal. The only difference is price. And I see a lot of that in the dental industry. And unfortunately, when it comes to this, that's not true at all. Michael: So is there anything we can do to, I guess, I guess, lack of a better word, like negotiate or if we're like really counting our pennies here and we're saying, Hey, I just can't foot that bill.150 per computer. Is there anything we can do or you got to swallow it? Amy: I think it really depends. That, that pricing is really for kind of a full service. Dental is fraught with all kinds of technology problems. Things just don't always work well. It's antiquated software. Even if you're on cloud, there's still problems.It's just, Finicky and persnickety in general, just dental software is fraught with problems. So if you need someone to just take care of all the problems for you, that would be more of that price point. I know there are a lot of it providers. my own former business was the same way we would do just the security suite.So just the security products. And if you needed. Traditional IT support, as in my printer isn't printing, I put an x ray in the wrong patient's chart, my email isn't sending, I don't know what's going on, the sensor won't fire, things like that. That's what we would consider traditional IT support. a lot of IT companies can bill those hours separately.So that's one way without cutting corners on at least the basics of security. I will tell you that from an IT perspective, if you have those basic business best practices in place and there's some situational awareness on part of the IT provider, then when something happens, it's going to generally be a five to 15 minute problem.Instead of hours of billable time. So we did the calculations for years and we found that most people came out ahead financially by going on the all you can eat option, and they would call us more frequently, but we both had the financial incentive of getting them back up and running as quickly as possible.So we were both losing money if they were down. Whereas in that break fix model, if you're down, the it guy makes a lot of money. So every contractor is believed to just be milking it for the hours flip that model on its head. It's entirely different. And then guess what? best part is now you're not low hanging fruit for cyber criminals.Because you've got at least baseline of security in place. And the reality is most of these hackers, you've got two different categories. You've got people that are going after MGM Shine and Change Healthcare. And you're not stopping someone who's a determined threat actor that's going to get into one of those organizations.They'll find a way into those big companies. But for the most part Small dental practices, the ones that are getting hacked, they're easy targets because they don't have even the basics in place. Michael: Okay. Interesting. Awesome. Amy, I appreciate your time. And if anyone has further questions or concerns, where can they find you?Amy: Copperpennyconsulting. com. I'm all over social media too. I do lots of fun videos, even though HIPAA and cybersecurity isn't always known to be fun or happy. Michael: That's awesome, Amy. I appreciate that. We all appreciate it. And that's going to be found in the show notes below too, if you want to reach out to Amy.So thank you, Amy, for being with us on this Monday morning episode. Amy: Thank you.‍‍

Why Dental Practices are Prime Targets for Cyber Attacks: How to Stay Vigilant | Amy Wood | MME

‍How can a dentist like you navigate a career spanning over three decades AND keep their practice fresh and innovative? In this engaging replay episode, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Valcarenghi, a seasoned dentist from Elmhurst, Illinois, to uncover the secrets behind his 36-year-long journey in the dental industry. Dr. Ivan reveals how the charm of Illinois seasons influenced his choice to stay rooted amidst an exodus to warmer climates. More importantly, Dr. Ivan shares his strategies for combating professional burnout by continuously reinventing his practice. From transitioning from public health service to establishing his own practice, and always opting for quality treatments like tooth-colored fillings, Dr. Ivan emphasizes the importance of standing out in the dental field.

Dr. Ivan also shows us the business side of dentistry, which is often overlooked in traditional dental education. He recounts how learning business and marketing skills through consulting and attending business school played a pivotal role in growing his practice from a modest two-operatory office to a bustling, successful enterprise. Building strong patient relations through excellent communication, using digital technology to educate patients, and viewing dental care as a valuable investment are some of the key approaches discussed. Furthermore, Dr. Ivan’s innovative move to combine dental care with facial aesthetics under one practice showcases his forward-thinking mindset, which has greatly attracted patients and added value to his services.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Ivan has avoided professional burnout over a 36-year careerThe significance of distinguishing oneself in the dental professionThe impact of quality treatments on building a solid practice reputationDr. Ivan’s journey from public health service to his own dental practiceEssential business and marketing skills for growing a dental practiceThe importance of effective patient communication and educationIntegrating digital technology for better patient understanding and treatment acceptanceViewing and positioning dental care as a life-enhancing investmentAdding facial aesthetics to a dental practice and its benefitsNavigating economic downturns while maintaining practice growth and success
Tune in to hear Dr. Ivan's insightful journey and transformative tips for any dental professional seeking inspiration and practical advice!‍(This episode originally aired on 9/8/2022)‍‍Guest: Dr. Ivan Valcarenghi
Practice Name: Radiante Facial & DentalCheck out Ivan's Media:Website: https://www.radiantedentalfacial.com/Email: drivan@radiantedentalspa.com‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

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