DrBicuspid

Dental care is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being, yet a recent study showed that many respondents perceive treatment to be unaffordable. This finding, combined with a lack of understanding of dental benefits and the cost of care, impact patients’ decisions when it comes to scheduling and keeping appointments and accepting recommended dentistry.

The "Dental Lifetime of Care Study" conducted by Synchrony on behalf of CareCredit surveyed more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. to understand their attitudes and behaviors regarding dental care. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 75 and represented a diverse range of backgrounds and income levels.

With all of this in mind, editor in chief Kevin Henry recently spoke with Synchrony’s Matt Muscolo and Dr. Brian Harris to discuss what the numbers mean to them and how dentistry can improve access to care. You can hear our podcast below. This episode is the first of a CareCredit-sponsored series that will be a yearlong deep dive into numbers and trends that dental practices need to know.

You can view the study at https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/pdf/dental-lifetime-of-care-study.pdf

In this conversation, John Beaver, president and CEO of Biolase, discusses the new WaterLase iPlus Premier Edition and the modular approach to laser dentistry. He emphasizes the company's focus on accelerating the adoption of lasers in dentistry and the importance of after-sale service and training. The evolution of lasers in dentistry is highlighted, along with the superior clinical efficacy of laser procedures. The trial program and VIP program are discussed as ways to introduce dentists to laser technology. The importance of technology-savvy dentists and the value of laser dentistry in terms of ROI are also explored. The conversation concludes with a mention of Biolase's social media presence and the upcoming Tequila and Tongue Ties event.

Takeaways

Biolase introduces the WaterLase iPlus Premier, a modular laser system that allows dentists to customize their laser capabilities.

The company focuses on accelerating the adoption of lasers in dentistry and provides after-sale service and training to support dentists in using the technology effectively.

Lasers in dentistry have evolved to become more user-friendly and offer superior clinical efficacy compared to traditional instruments.

Biolase offers trial and VIP programs to help dentists experience the benefits of laser dentistry before making a purchase.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction and New Product Announcement

01:05 — Modular Approach to Laser Dentistry

02:57 — Evolution of Lasers in Dentistry

03:56 — Focus on After-Sale Service and Training

04:25 — Importance of Team Acceptance and Education

05:21 — Expanding Focus on Endodontics

06:17 — Superior Clinical Efficacy of Laser Dentistry

06:47 — Trial Program and VIP Program

08:13 — Importance of Technology Savvy Dentists

09:11 — ROI and Value of Laser Dentistry

10:07 — Shift in Perception of Laser Dentistry

11:28 — Trade Shows and Casual Conversations

12:51 — Importance of Social Media and Online Presence

13:43 — Tequila and Tongue Ties Event

15:03 — Conclusion

Learn more at www.biolase.com.

Jonathan Miller, an expert in helping dentists go into private practice, joins the podcast to discuss the challenges and considerations for young dentists transitioning to CEO and practice ownership. He emphasizes the importance of making clear decisions and focusing on yeses and nos rather than maybes. Miller highlights the opportunities in second-generation practices and the need to adapt to changing market dynamics. He also addresses the mindset and preparation required for starting or buying a practice, including managing people and embracing the grind. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Miller for personalized advice and guidance.

Takeaways

Transitioning to CEO and practice ownership requires a shift in mindset from clinician to business owner.

Consider both buying and starting a practice, and focus on clear decisions rather than maybes.

Second-generation practices offer low-risk opportunities for growth and jumpstarting a practice.

Investing in technology is crucial for staying competitive in the dental industry.

Young dentists are neither more nor less prepared to be business owners, but they are open to learning and seeking guidance.

Being mentally prepared, putting yourself out there, and managing people are key factors in successful practice ownership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:30 The Biggest Challenge for Dentists Transitioning to CEO

03:15 Considerations for Buying or Starting a Practice

05:29 Opportunities in Second-Generation Practices

09:17 The Importance of Technology in Dental Practices

10:14 Are Young Dentists More Prepared to be Business Owners?

15:18 The Mindset and Preparation for Starting or Buying a Practice

18:08 Managing People in Practice Ownership

19:23 How to Connect with Jonathan Miller

20:23 Conclusion

Learn more about Miller at https://www.denovodds.com.

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Ellen Guritzky, RDH, about the link between periodontal health and overall health. Guritzky shares her passion for educating patients about the importance of maintaining healthy gums and the impact it has on the entire body. She emphasizes the need for dentists and hygienists to bridge the divide with patients and encourage them to prioritize their oral health. Guritzky also discusses the role of education and products in improving periodontal health and offers tips for effective patient education in limited time. She encourages dental professionals to promote dental health year-round and take small steps towards better oral health.

She can be reached at [email protected] and learn more at https://www.haleon.com.

Takeaways

Maintaining healthy gums is crucial for overall health.

Dentists and hygienists need to bridge the divide with patients and educate them about the importance of oral health.

Routine dental visits and proper oral hygiene practices are essential for preventing periodontal disease.

Collaboration between dentists and hygienists is key in promoting oral health.

Effective patient education can be achieved through visuals and consistent messaging.

Promoting dental health should be a year-round effort.

Taking small steps towards better oral health can lead to significant improvements.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Bio

01:13 Passion for the Oral Systemic Link

03:07 Bridge the Divide with Patients

04:49 Importance of Routine Visits

06:09 Collaboration between Dentists and Hygienists

07:26 Education on Products for Oral Health

09:25 Effective Patient Education in Limited Time

10:58 Aha Moments and Patient Education

12:30 Promoting Dental Health Year-Round

13:52 Taking Baby Steps for Oral Health

14:17 Contact Information

15:35 Conclusion

In this episode of the DrBicuspid-Cellerant CEO podcast series, editor in chief Kevin Henry interviews Dr. Alex Sanders, the CEO of Diagnocat, about his journey as a serial entrepreneur in the dental industry. They discuss the excitement around AI in dentistry, the key to building a successful business, the difference between building a successful practice and a successful business, and the current trends in dental technology. Dr. Sanders also shares advice for dentists who want to start their own entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways

AI is an exciting development in the dental industry, with the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and treatment planning.

The key to building a successful business is having a clear vision, being adaptable, and surrounding yourself with a strong team.

Building a successful practice and building a successful business require different principles, but both require a focus on providing excellent patient care.

Focus and completing tasks before moving on to the next is crucial for success.

Automation and AI are key trends in dental technology, with the goal of improving efficiency and patient outcomes.

Dentists who want to start their own entrepreneurial journey should have a clear idea, do thorough market research, and be prepared for challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:16 Excitement about AI in Dentistry

04:35 Key to Building a Successful Business

06:38 Building a Successful Practice vs. Business

08:54 Best Piece of Business Advice

11:33 Focus and Completing Tasks

12:39 Key Trends in Dental Technology

14:27 Advice for Starting a Journey as an Entrepreneur

16:41 Conclusion and Appreciation

In this episode, DrBicuspid editor-in-chief Kevin Henry interviews Chip Fichtner, co-founder and principal of Large Practice Sales, about the current state of practice sales and the role of invisible dental support organizations (DSOs) in the industry. Fichtner explains how invisible DSOs partner with dentists to provide support and resources while allowing the dentists to retain ownership and autonomy. He highlights the growing trend of younger dentists partnering with invisible DSOs and the benefits of such partnerships, including increased profitability and access to new technologies. Fichtner also emphasizes the importance of understanding invisible DSOs and their impact on the dental industry.

"Invisible DSOs want to become your silent partner by buying anywhere between 51 and 80% of a practice for cash upfront. Doctors retain ownership in the balance and continue to lead their practice with their brand, their team, their strategy and full autonomy for years or decades," Fichtner said. "One of the major changes we've seen in the last three years is the number of younger doctors that are partnering with invisible DSOs. In our billion dollars of transactions in the last 24 months, over $150 million of those transactions were for doctors in their 30s. So this is not a retirement strategy. It's not selling. It's not a transition. It's not an exit. It's a partnership where independent dentists can benefit from the resources of a larger partner but not be homogenized to fit some sort of corporate standard, not be micromanaged and continue to run their practice but do it with the support of somebody bigger.

"Those support services are getting more and more relevant. We have, for instance, a client on the East Coast that does $4 million in collections. It's all insurance-based. And his new partner is getting reimbursed by those same payers at a 20% higher rate. So the profitability of his practice this year, because he just partnered with them, will grow by about $800,000 just because his new partner has leverage and has been able to get more money out of the insurance company. That's just one of the benefits of a partnership."

Takeaways from podcast

Invisible DSOs are becoming increasingly popular among dentists, with over a thousand operating in the US. These DSOs offer partnerships that allow dentists to retain ownership and autonomy while benefiting from the resources and support of a larger partner.

Younger dentists are actively seeking partnerships with invisible DSOs, recognizing the advantages of increased profitability and access to new technologies.

Understanding invisible DSOs is crucial for all dentists, as they are rapidly growing and have resources that independent practices may not have access to.

Factors to consider before partnering with an invisible DSO include practice size, profitability, labor costs, and fee structures.

Podcast chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:03 Getting Started with Practice Sales

03:14 Understanding Invisible DSOs

05:04 Trends in Practice Sales

06:19 The Role of Partnerships in Practice Management

08:54 Value and Timing in Partnering with Invisible DSOs

10:50 The Importance of Understanding Invisible DSOs

13:17 Factors to Consider Before Partnering with an Invisible DSO

14:13 The Impact of PPO Networks on Practice Sales

15:30 Conclusion and Contact Information

Learn more at https://largepracticesales.com.

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Michelle Coker, an employment practices analyst for the California Dental Association, about wage traps and how to avoid them. They discuss misconceptions about paying hygienists, the importance of tracking time and providing compliant meal and rest breaks, the risks of not paying overtime and off-the-clock work, the potential pitfalls of working interviews, and the need to pay employees for required meetings. They also emphasize the importance of staying compliant with employment laws and updating the employee manual regularly.

Takeaways

Misconceptions about paying hygienists can lead to wage traps, such as not tracking time, not providing compliant meal and rest breaks, and not paying overtime.

Employers should be aware of the risks of not paying for off-the-clock work, such as employees arriving early or performing work after clocking out.

Working interviews can be a trap if employers fail to pay employees for the work performed during the interview.

Required meetings should be considered on-the-clock time and employees should be paid for attending them.

Dentists should reach out to their local dental association or employment law attorneys to ensure they are staying compliant with employment laws.

Updating the employee manual regularly is crucial to staying compliant with changing employment laws.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:08 Chapter 1: Wage Traps

06:37 Chapter 2: Off-the-Clock Work

09:33 Chapter 3: Working Interviews

10:13 Chapter 4: Required Meetings

11:16 Chapter 5: Staying Compliant

13:09 Chapter 6: Updating Employee Manual

14:40 Conclusion

For more information, visit https://www.cda.org

In this episode, Dr. Lou Shuman, founder, president and CEO of Cellerant Consulting, discusses the exciting advancements in dental technology and the impact they will have on the industry. He shares his experiences working with CEOs of innovative dental companies and highlights the importance of the management team in the success of a business. Dr. Shuman also emphasizes the rapid advancement of technology in dentistry and its integration with medicine. He discusses the process of working with companies and the criteria Cellerant uses to determine if a product or technology will be successful. Additionally, he highlights the impact of technology on dental hygiene and the importance of recognizing the connection between oral health and systemic health.

Takeaways

* The advancement of technology in dentistry is rapidly changing the industry and improving patient care.

* The success of a dental business depends on the management team and their attitude towards hard work and adaptability.

* Technology is bridging the gap between dentistry and medicine, with a focus on the connection between oral health and systemic health.

* Cellerant Consulting works with companies to bring new technologies to the dental industry, providing support in funding, branding, and distribution.

* Dental hygiene is experiencing significant advancements in technology, particularly in the areas of biofilm management and medicament delivery.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:29 Sharing the Experiences of CEOs

06:09 The Rapid Advancement of Technology

08:06 The Impact of Technology on Dentistry

11:39 Common Denominators of Successful Business People

16:28 The Process of Working with Companies

20:55 The Impact of Technology on Hygiene

23:17 How to Learn More about Cellerant

26:02 The Best of Class Technology Awards

27:58 Supporting Dentists with Ideas

28:23 Conclusion

The University of Utah and the Department of Defense are working together on a project to help solve the identities of missing soldiers. In this podcast, we discover how every dentist (and tooth) can help. We talk to Dr. Gabriel Bowen about Project FIND-EM. Learn more about this at https://wateriso.utah.edu/findem/info.html#work.

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Alex Nottingham, the founder and CEO of All-Star Dental Academy. They discuss the silent killers in dental practices, which are the issues that often go unnoticed but have a significant impact on the success of a practice. The three main silent killers they focus on are phone call conversion, broken appointments, and declining team performance. Alex provides insights and strategies for addressing these issues and improving practice profitability.