More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter

Leslie Icenogle, CPC, a leading medical-dental billing expert, shared her strategies to maximize your dental revenue through proper medical coding. From documenting procedures correctly to navigating Medicare's maze, she breaks it down for me. She also shared how a chance encounter at a post office led to significant patient benefits - it’s a great story! It demonstrates how proper medical billing can dramatically impact patients. Most importantly, she revealed why many dental offices are leaving money on the table by not exploring medical billing options. You know I perked up about that topic! 

FROM LESLIE, A CLARIFICATION ON ONE POINT:

Medicare Part B, DME-covered appliances (with an actual sleep apnea diagnosis, MD referral, an appliance that meets their criteria, etc.):

• Non-participating DMEPOS suppliers can accept assignment on a case-by-case basis: If you do NOT accept assignment: There is a Medicare stipulation for DME providers only, which says if you are enrolled as a non-participating DME provider and assign benefits to the patient, you may collect your fees in full from the patient. In this case, and this case only, you are not limited to the Medicare allowable.
• If you DO accept assignment: Medicare will pay 95% of the limiting fee, and you can collect/charge up to 15% above that fee. (Take the limiting fee (say $3,000) times 95% ($2,850), then times 115% ($3,277.50). In this example, you would charge the patient $3,277.50 and no more—since you accepted the assignment on this case.) The EOMB would tell you that (what the deductible and co-insurance amount is)--as I am sure you know.  

Participating suppliers that accept assignment are limited to Medicare's approved amount for that appliance.

Connect with Leslie

Dental Classroom Online: https://www.dentalclassroomonline.com/

Use ODYSSEY for a 10% courtesy

Email: [email protected]

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I created Dental Revenue Network to foster collaboration and networking amongst RCM professionals. Billing company owners and billing professionals will have access to skill building sessions, current carrier news and insurance discussions beyond “what's the code?" Check it out - I hope you'll join! https://dentalrevenuenetwork.mn.co/

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Synergy Dental Partners offers lower prices for your dental supplies and services

https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

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My insurance course Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

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Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

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Watch this episode on YouTube!

Ever wonder what happens when a sterilization tech becomes a practice optimizer for a 50-person dental office? I sat down with someone who lived that exact journey, and her insights might surprise you. 

Meet Erika Pusillo, who shares her transformation from handling sterilization duties to optimizing one of Florida's leading dental practices. Our conversation touched on the challenges and triumphs of managing a large dental team, including the delicate balance of associate relationships and the art of keeping talented team members engaged. Erika opens up about her own moments of doubt, near-resignation, and ultimate growth into a respected practice leader and coach. I was impressed with her refreshingly honest perspective on feedback, humility, and what it really takes to evolve beyond the traditional office manager role. Whether you're managing two team members or fifty, her insights are  invaluable for any dental practice leader.

Key Takeaways:

• Communication is crucial between practice owners and managers
• Regular check-ins (quarterly for doctors, every 3 months for team members) are vital
• Success requires going beyond the 9-5 mentality
• Create opportunities for growth within your existing structure
• Give first, monetize later when pursuing speaking/coaching

Additional Bulletproof Dental podcasts featuring Erika 

• https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com/113-the-power-of-alignment-and-delegation-for-you-and-your-om-with-erika-pusillo/

• https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com/great-teams-start-with-great-leadership-werika-pusillo/

•  https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com/top-3-things-your-om-should-be-doing-with-erika-pusillo/

Connect with Erika 

Email: [email protected]

Find her through: Spodak Dental and Bulletproof Dental Practice

https://www.spodakdental.com/

https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com/

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I created Dental Revenue Network to foster collaboration and networking amongst RCM professionals. Billing company owners and billing professionals will have access to skill building sessions, current carrier news and insurance discussions beyond “what's the code?" Check it out - I hope you'll join! https://dentalrevenuenetwork.mn.co/

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My insurance course Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

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Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

Are you struggling to find the right office manager? It might be costing you more than you think!

In this episode, I’m sharing how to avoid the common hiring mistakes many dental practices make when choosing the perfect manager. I’ll explain why clear job descriptions are crucial, how to prevent overloading managers with unrealistic expectations, and the key traits to look for during the hiring process.

Key Takeaways:

• Clear job descriptions are essential to avoid overloading your office manager with unrealistic expectations.

• Focus on hiring the right manager by assessing key traits like communication skills, confidence, and problem-solving ability.

• Is promoting from within the right step? 

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I created Dental Revenue Network to foster collaboration and networking amongst RCM professionals. Billing company owners and billing professionals will have access to skill building sessions, current carrier news and insurance discussions beyond “what's the code?" Check it out - I hope you'll join! https://dentalrevenuenetwork.mn.co/

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My insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

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Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

Along with my quick wrap up of 2024 I thought that I'd share two words that have helped me in difficult situations. Perhaps they'll come in handy for 2025 and the many decisions to come. The simple words "unless" and "until"  have helped me get to the root of objections and set boundaries. Don't worry - I'll give you examples!

What You'll Learn:

• Set Boundaries Effectively: Learn how I use "until" to create clear boundaries when encountering new situations.

• Find Real Reasons: Asking someone “unless what happens?" can be uncomfortable but I share why it's so important. Sometimes people are too nice to give you the answers you need to grow as a person and a manager.

• Imperfection Is Okay: As you go through 2025, remember to give yourself grace and permission to mess up. Perfect people don't grow because they have nothing to learn from. Besides, perfect people are annoying 😄 

2025 is going to be fantastic - I just know it. How do you feel about your resolutions and goals? I'd love to know!

More About My Passion Project: I created Dental Revenue Network to foster collaboration and networking amongst RCM professionals. Members will have access to business building sessions, current carrier news and insurance discussions beyond “what's the code?" Check it out - I hope you'll join! https://dentalrevenuenetwork.mn.co/

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https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

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My insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

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Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

Ted Osterer returns to the show to discuss recent bankruptcies and sales in our industry. Large companies are experiencing shifts and they have teams of advisors. How can a smaller dental business learn from these mistakes and strategize for their own success? Ted shares how understanding key financial metrics like EBITDA, cost of goods, and margins has become essential in the dental industry. Businesses have to use data instead of intuition.What about offices that haven’t had that kind of training? Now is the time. Now more than ever, business owners must adopt a mindset of financial clarity to make smarter decisions. 

Key Takeaways:

• The impact of DSOs on dental business practices is a double-edged sword, with positive financial insights but also challenges in maintaining company culture.

• The recent wave of mergers and acquisitions in the dental industry, like Patterson going private and BIOLASE’s bankruptcy, will likely reshape the sector.

• Education and customer success initiatives can be powerful but require long-term commitment for real results.

• To navigate current pain points, dental offices are encouraged to adapt, whether it’s adjusting payment policies, working more hours, or improving treatment presentations.

• There’s optimism for a consumer confidence rebound in 2025, with a rise in entrepreneurial tactics and a slow but steady industry recovery.

Visit The Synergy Dental Partners:

https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

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My insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

-------------

Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

#businessgrowth, #dentalpractice, #financialmetrics, #keyperformanceindicators, #businessdecisions, #profitmargins, #financialstrategy, #dentalfinance, #practicemanagement, #dentibusiness, #practicetips, #smartbusinessdecisions, #financialsuccess, #businessperformance, #metricsthatmatter, #dentalpracticgrowth, #businessprofitability, #dentalindustry, #financialplanning, #keybusinessmetrics, #practiceperformancetips

In this episode of Nobody Told Me That!, I sit down with HR expert Alan Twigg from Bent Erickson and Associates to discuss HR policies and how they can make or break a dental practice. From avoiding legal pitfalls with proper documentation to navigating the National Labor Relations Act, we cover items you need to know to safeguard your practice. It’s not easy to create and maintain a productive, compliant workplace but it’s part of our job as practice leaders. We talk about these key HR issues:

• Managing sensitive conversations versus toxicity in the workplace.

• Building legally sound ‘no gossip’ policies (this is where many managers are surprised by the law!)

• The importance of annual reviews and continuing education investments.

Plus, we’ll explore the real cost of mishandling harassment claims and tips for keeping wages and benefits competitive. It’s a must-listen for anyone leading a dental practice!

 Connect with Alan

 Website: https://bentericksen.com/

 The Dental HR Podcast

The People Power In-Person Events: https://bentericksen.com/people-power/

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https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

-------------

My insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

-------------

Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

Not every patient is a good fit for your practice. Life is actually easier when you prune the bad ones. If you've dealt with patients who miss appointments, delay payments, or even compromise your team's safety, this episode is for you. This episode breaks down when and why patient termination may be necessary.  

You'll need a well-documented process for issuing termination letters and handling uncomfortable situations, like bumping into a terminated patient outside the office. Ensuring a safe, respectful work environment is essential. Your team deserves it.

Be sure to check the show notes for additional resources and links, including Teresa’s course on dental insurance design and management. Tune in and take notes—you won’t want to miss this one!

A few talking points: 

Exploring patient termination: handling difficult revenue scenarios.

Document thoroughly for legal defense and audits.

Standard responses for difficult situations.

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https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

-------------

My insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

-------------

Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

Being a new manager is scary and challenging. Everything is different now. You are juggling your work friendships  and building trust with your doctor. You're managing different personalities all while  leading by example, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. Plus, it can be lonely at the top.

I’ll share personal stories—like a lesson learned the hard way with patient emails 🤦🏻‍♀️—and share insights specifically for new managers. Be sure to check the show notes for added resources, upcoming classes, and events!

Don’t forget to subscribe!

A few talking points: 

• Navigating coworker-manager transition challenges and changes.

• Handling complaints in a constructive manner

• Activate your listening and conflict resolution skills. 

• Can you be friends with your employees?

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https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

-------------

My new insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

-------------

Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt

These are excerpts from two fun episodes of my other podcast Chew on This. Have you ever wondered how treatment in space would happen? Of course you have! My co-host Kevin Henry and I explore the challenges of space dentistry, including how microgravity affects oral care and the innovations being developed for astronauts.

We also discuss Minnesota's recent legislation allowing dental assistants to administer certain injections, highlighting the implications for dental practices and patient care.

Be sure to listen for more insights! 

Chew on This! A Dental Podcast

Chew on This #70 Space Dentistry, Turkey Teeth and Frisky Koalas

Chew On This! #66 Mystery Edition! Scottish Dentist Goes Rogue

Link to the articles:

Smile Beyond the Stars: A Narrative Review Exploring the Challenges for Dentistry in Space

Official Rulemaking Record Minnesota Board of Dentistry (Starts on page 269): 

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Synergy Dental Partners believes in the podcast! They are offering to double their free trial offer for NTMT listeners. Synergy is a group purchasing organization (GPO) that lowers your expenses by leveraging their purchasing power. 

https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

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My insurance course is here to help! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

https://www.odysseymgmt.com/dental-insurance

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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

What's the big deal with the AADOM Conference? New attendees are often surprised by the event so let me share what to expect. The AADOM Conference offers networking and educational sessions plus key opportunities for dental office managers to elevate their careers. ‘Recharged’ is a common way to describe how you'll feel after the sessions. I'll cover: 

•  Who attends

• How it's evolved over the years

• The quality of education

• The various awards & designations

 This conference is on my “don't miss" list. Hope to see you there!

Links:

www.AADOMConference.com

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https://www.odysseymgmt.com/synergy

NTMT listeners receive a 2 Month Free Trial + a 3rd Month if you buy anything from any vendor during the trial period. Also, new Darby customers receive a $200 Darby statement credit with a purchase. 

-------------

My new insurance course is out! Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment. 

-------------

Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.

-------------

Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! 

**If you like the show then I’d appreciate a good rating. Tell your friends. Even podcasters ask for referrals!**

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt