Have you ever wondered how to properly compensate your team, especially during training sessions and lunch meetings? This enlightening episode explores just that. Michael and Sandy navigate the often-overlooked aspects of employee payment, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor regulations and treating staff equitably. Learn from the friendly banter as they share personal insights – both from an employer's perspective and from a viewpoint of ethical responsibility. Discover how setting clear terms during hiring can result in beneficial outcomes for both parties involved. The duo also brings to light situations where employers are obliged to cover training expenses and underlines the necessity for transparent communication surrounding matters of monetary compensation for additional training. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of compliance with labor regulations
• Strategies for negotiating lower rates for different tasks
• Setting clear terms during the hiring process
• Obligation of employers to cover training expenses
• The importance of transparent communication regarding compensation

Don't miss this must-listen episode that unravels the nuances of staff compensation and inspires with valuable insights and real-world examples.

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

Events:

• Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Brands/Products:

• Oral-B
• Chick-fil-A
• CBS
• The Ritz-Carlton

Services:

• Cedr HR Solutions

Organizations:

• U.S. Department of Labor

Is your dental practice is not showing up in search results the way you want? This episode of Dental Drill Bits dives deep into the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and its impact on your practice's online visibility. In conversation with our expert guest, Ali from Docsites, we address the importance of local SEO and elucidate how optimizing your web presence can organically elevate your position on search engine results pages. Ali covers common misconceptions about SEO and illuminates the potency of a coherent content strategy, mobile optimization, and the effective use of keywords in reeling in prospective patients. We shed light on common pitfalls to look out for, as well as the importance of persevering in your SEO initiatives. Above all, we warn against the fixation on rankings - reminding listeners that it's the consistent quality of your SEO work, not quick fixes or hacks, that truly matters in the long run. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The role and relevance of SEO in improving your dental practice's online visibility
• Insights into local SEO and how to optimize your website to rank higher organically
• Unmasking common SEO misconceptions
• The importance of content strategy and mobile optimization in SEO
• Effective use of keywords to attract and captivate potential patients
• Tips to avoid common SEO mistakes
• The significance of perseverance in your SEO initiatives
• The need to prioritize consistent, quality SEO work over quick fixes or obsession over rankings

Ready to elevate your dental practice? Tune into this episode of Dental Drill Bits for a comprehensive dive into SEO that could transform your online presence. 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: Community/Groups:

• Dental Gumbo Group

Brands/Products:

• Zoom Teeth Whitening

• Kör Teeth Whitening

• Invisalign

• iTero

• WordPress

• Squarespace

• Zocdoc

• Yelp

How can you take control over your schedule and make sure it's not running YOU? This episode peels back the layers to reveal the make-or-break role a scheduler plays in any thriving dental practice. Sandy passionately articulates how setting precise production goals and having a clear understanding of individual procedure timings can make all the difference. Michael and Sandy navigate the conversation to highlight the immense value of seamless team communication and overall organization in keeping a well-maintained, high-functioning schedule. Their shared experiences unfold in a treasure trove of tips and tricks to evade common scheduling pitfalls – inaccurate procedure timings or the blow of missed appointments. By the time this episode ends, you will find yourself contemplating your existing scheduling processes and getting excited about the prospect of changes that could revolutionize your dental practice.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The ins and outs of effective scheduling in a dental practice
• The role of setting production goals and understanding procedure timings
• Strategies to avoid common scheduling inefficiencies
• The importance of good communication and organization in maintaining a streamlined schedule
• Ways to empower your team to take on proactive measures like patient follow-ups and pre-scheduling
• The potential impact of having a designated schedulers in your practice

Don't let your practice run out of time! Tune in to this episode to learn how to take control of your schedule and rise to new levels of productivity and patient satisfaction.

Sponsors: For modern dental practices, membership plans are the way forward — but not just any plan will do. Look ahead with the platform that puts you in control, effortlessly. Mention Dental Drill Bits for 60 days FREE! https://www.planforward.io/ Mentions and Links:

Community/Groups:

• Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

• Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Brands/Products:

• Starbucks
• Tony Chachere's Seasoning

Public Figures:

• Taylor Swift

Are you crumbling under constant patient cancellations and under-utilized hygienists? If so, this episode is a must-listen. Michael and Sandy go into deep dialogue discussing the art of managing the oh-so precious time of hygienists during those inevitable patient drop-offs. The duo shares their insights on the crucial role of effective communication within a dental practice, with an emphasis on the mighty bearings of the front office in ensuring a bustling schedule, despite the rollercoaster of patient availability. In this enlightening conversation, Sandy underscores the cardinal importance of forging clear-cut agreements with the hygienists about their pay during the slack periods. They dive into the labyrinth of scheduling and patient management, providing actionable steps towards mastering these often-overlooked aspects of running a dental practice. Most importantly, this episode serves as a poignant call to arms, urging dental practices to give employee well-being the attention and respect it deserves. They conclude by stressing the urgency of a proactive approach in dentistry, a surefire way to trim down on missed opportunities and turbocharge your practice's efficiency. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of maintaining a hygienist's schedule during patient cancellations
• How proper communication in a dental practice plays a crucial role
• Effective methods to deal with broken appointment issues
• The significance of establishing clear-cut agreements with hygienists regarding their pay during downtime periods
• Ways to navigate the complexities of patient scheduling and management
• The importance of prioritizing employee well-being in a dental practice
• How proactive measures can reduce missed opportunities and drastically improve practice efficiency

Don't miss out on this power-packed episode if you wish to skyrocket your practice's efficiency and maximize your hygienist's time! Mentions and Links:

Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Dental Gumbo Group

The 3 R's for Practice Management Part 2: Recall

Are the new patient numbers in your dental practice declining? Dive into this episode, where Michael and Sandy tackle this pressing issue, shedding light on the alarming trend that many dental practitioners face of dwindling new patient numbers. Sandy brings her expertise to the table, sharing startling real-world experiences of dentists and team members who have faced and overcome the same issue. She implores dental practitioners to delve deep to unearth the root cause of the decline. Sandy also unveils the significance of front office operations in creating a first lasting impression on your patients. She explains how accommodating requests and building healthy relationships with patients not only retains them but also encourages them to refer others. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What the declining trend in new patient numbers truly means
• The real reasons behind decreasing new patient numbers in dental practices
• The crucial role of front office operations in dental practices
• How to create a strong first impression in a professional setting
• The importance of accommodating your patients' requests
• Tactics to develop patient loyalty and drive fruitful referrals

Don't miss this golden chance to get those patient numbers up, starting today! Sponsors: For modern dental practices, membership plans are the way forward — but not just any plan will do. Look ahead with the platform that puts you in control, effortlessly. Mention Dental Drill Bits for 60 days FREE! https://www.planforward.io/ Mentions and Links:

SurveyMonkey

Crowdsignal

Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Dental Gumbo Group

Sponsors: Do you need a new website or marketing agency with no long-term contracts? Visit DocSites' website here and be sure to mention this podcast episode for a special deal! https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/ (Docsites is offering $750 off their plans until the end of February, 2024, so be sure to jump on this amazing offer for our listeners!) How does an inviting and up-to-date website impact your dental practice? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, our website wizard, Ali, joins hosts Sandy and Michael to unravel the power of a well-managed website and how it can boost a dental practice's profile. Taking you through the elements of an effective website, they share nuggets of wisdom about the significance of timely updates, patient testimonials, and professional imagery, focusing on how these components create credibility and set your dental practice apart in today's competitive landscape. In their lively discussion, the trio point out how internal marketing, through a properly curated website, can revolutionize your practice, debunking the common misconceptions surrounding patient acquisition. They dig deep into how showcasing your team's expertise, using before-and-after images, and integrating positive patient feedback can truly enhance your online presence. Moreover, throughout the episode, they provide practical tips to optimize and breathe life into your practice's website, underlining the importance of regular checks and professional assessments. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The pivotal role that a diligently managed website plays in setting a dental practice apart.
• The necessity of regularly updating a website to mirror your dental practice's current status and improvements.
• The power and importance of testimonials and before-and-after photos in instilling trust and drawing in prospective patients.
• The potential of internal marketing through an effectively planned and executed website.
• How a professional website service can maximize your site's performance and influence.

Jumpstart your website and thereby, your dental practice by tuning into this insightful episode!

Sponsors: For modern dental practices, membership plans are the way forward — but not just any plan will do. Look ahead with the platform that puts you in control, effortlessly. Mention Dental Drill Bits for 60 days FREE! https://www.planforward.io/ Are you curious about how to elevate patient care and streamline processes in your dental practice? Wondering if appointing a treatment coordinator could make a remarkable difference? This episode provide insights and practical advice on the exact topic. In this engaging conversation, Sandy and Michael delve into the roles and benefits of having a dedicated treatment coordinator in a dental practice. Drawing from her personal experience with a treatment coordinator, Sandy emphasizes the critical role of patient education and effective communication in driving treatment acceptance. In our discussion, they explore the responsibilities of a treatment coordinator and how this role can significantly contribute to your overall success. They discuss the importance of having not only a clear understanding of treatment options and financial aspects but also effective appointment coordination skills and a flair for communication. Sandy talks about the essential qualities an efficient treatment coordinator should possess and provides advice for practice owners contemplating implementing this role. To wrap up the episode, we remind everyone to focus on patient education, maintaining open channels of communication, and providing exceptional care right from the get-go. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of a treatment coordinator in your dental practice.
• How a treatment coordinator can improve patient care.
• The key responsibilities of a treatment coordinator.
• The necessary qualities a successful treatment coordinator must possess.
• Practical advice for implementing and supporting a treatment coordinator role in your practice.

So tune into this insightful episode and learn how to transform your practice through effective patient coordination!

Sponsors: 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/ Still wondering what makes a great front desk team at your dental practice? We're back this week to delve into the multifaceted world of front desk duties, shedding light on tasks that keep your favorite dental practice buzzing with organized, professional energy. We highlight how this vital team scales their workload according to patient inflow, adapting to increased pressures, and strategically splitting tasks among themselves to ensure that no detail, however minute, is overlooked. In a world increasingly digitized, we're making a compelling argument about the unmatched importance of a human presence at the front desk, weaving in discussions about financial targets, appointment scheduling, and making the most out of open time slots. Amidst the varied roles a front desk team undertakes, we stress the paramount importance of organizational tools like procedure manuals, detailed inventories for each department, and individual statistics that help hold the team accountable and on track. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of human presence at your front desk
• How front desk teams manage increasing workload as patient inflow grows
• The significance of office goals and financial targets in managing practice operations
• The necessity for organizational tools like procedure manuals and detailed inventories
• Why keeping track of individual statistics are vital for the team's overall productivity
• The advantages of implementing an efficient recare system and confirming patient appointments

Ready to unlock the mystery of what happens behind the dental front desk? Listen in to learn the ins and outs of keeping your schedule full!

Sponsors: 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/ Why is the front desk team so crucial to the life and health of a dental practice? How can you create a driven and dedicated team to keep the wheels of your practice rolling smoothly? Buckle up, because this episode lays out the vital behind-the-scenes work that every front office team should be performing. We unravel how a well-coordinated front desk team extends the life of a dental practice, offering invaluable patient services that soar far beyond the confines of the office. From appointment scheduling to recalling patients, Sandy provides insight into the practices of an efficient team and the common pitfalls to avoid. Discover why front desk-less offices fall short of expectations and how personalized communication wins every time. The importance of a well-organized schedule and its direct correlation with practice income is also covered. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The wide range of responsibilities of the front desk team in a dental office.
• The impact of personalized communication and customer service on patient satisfaction and referrals.
• The downfalls of a front desk-less office structure.
• Nailing down an effective schedule to maximize appointments and income.
• The importance of recall management and patient reactivation strategies.

Put your practice on the path to success. Don't miss a beat of this enlightening part one! Are you ready to skyrocket your front office team? Register for the next Front Desk Pro with Sandy here! https://classicpractice.com/front-desk-pro/

Do you have patients who refuse to take X-rays? Navigating through this sensitive space requires both empathy and skill. Michael and Sandy meticulously break down the different scenarios that dentists commonly encounter - the cost-conscious deniers, the comfort-focused decliners, and the radiation worriers. They share practical verbal techniques and strategies to engage with each category, effectively conveying the vital role X-rays play in maintaining overall dental health. As they discuss how consistent refusal despite proper communication and patient education might sometimes lead to "firing a patient," they place a spotlight on the importance of detailed note-keeping and educated refusal forms for documentation. Throughout the episode, Michael and Sandy pave the path to nurturing patient relationships through clear communication and deeper understanding. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of sympathetically addressing patient persistencies concerning X-ray refusals
• The value of role-playing within the dental team to hone their communication skills
• How to explain the importance of X-rays convincingly and clearly to patients
• Techniques to navigate and respond to varied patient objections: from cost, discomfort, to radiation
• The correct way to document the choice of patients adamant about not taking X-rays

Ready for a deep dive into patient communication? Hit play! What to connect with like-minded dentists and learn more? Join Dental Gumbo here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/dentaldrillbits/members/