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Dental Practice Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Release Date: 08/07/2024

Have Them at Have Them at "Hello": 6 Steps to Effective Phone Calls in Dental Practices

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Imagine transforming potential inquiries into loyal patient relationships with just a phone call. In this episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into mastering effective phone communication for dental practice front office staff, a critical yet often overlooked skill. Sandy begins by highlighting the significance of first impressions, presenting a powerful six-step guide designed to seamlessly manage new patient calls. From crafting a welcoming greeting to confidently promoting the practice, Sandy breaks down each step with clarity and precision, ensuring your front office team is well-equipped...

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Unraveling Myths: The Real Impact of False Information in Dentistry show art Unraveling Myths: The Real Impact of False Information in Dentistry

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Does the truth always prevail when rumors run rampant in the dental community? In this eye-opening episode, Michael and Sandy confront the damaging effects of rumors and misinformation that pervade the dental industry. They tackle the common pitfalls of comparing oneself or one's practice to others, emphasizing how this can erode confidence and productivity. Delving into specific scenarios such as production numbers and appointment cancellations, Sandy and Michael illustrate how external benchmarks often mislead rather than motivate, highlighting the perilous journey of false comparisons....

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Silence the Rumors: Building a Gossip-Free Practice show art Silence the Rumors: Building a Gossip-Free Practice

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Is gossip silently drilling holes in your dental practice, eroding trust and harmony? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy embark on a candid exploration of gossip within dental offices. Sandy dives deep, demystifying the corrosive nature of workplace chatter, sharing eye-opening stories, and offering firsthand insights. With the lively discussion, they expose how gossip not only deteriorates team morale but also impacts patient care subtly yet significantly. Sandy's storytelling captures the gravity of gossip as she narrates the poignant poem "Nobody's Friend," serving as a...

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Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled | Part 2 show art Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled | Part 2

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Have you ever wondered why some practices struggle with last-minute cancellations while others maintain a steady flow of happy patients? In this part 2 of the Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled series, Michael and Sandy pull back the curtain on one of the biggest challenges in the dental industry: broken appointments. Sandy dives deep into the tactics for addressing this issue head-on, offering invaluable advice on the "appointment wrap-up" process. From ensuring seamless handoffs between your technical and front office teams to mastering patient interactions, especially with...

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Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled | Part 1 show art Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled | Part 1

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Imagine transforming the daily chaos in your practice into a streamlined and efficient operation. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy tackle some of the most disruptive productivity killers facing dental practices today—late patients, broken appointments, no-shows, and cancellations. Sandy brings her expert perspective by emphasizing the necessity of a dedicated scheduler who can artfully manage appointments to minimize chaos and boost productivity. They delve into actionable strategies, such as enhancing patient education, solidifying financial arrangements, and...

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Working Interviews in Dentistry: Are They Worth the Risk? | From Post to Podcast show art Working Interviews in Dentistry: Are They Worth the Risk? | From Post to Podcast

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Should you have working interviews? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy unravel the complexities of hiring processes in dental practices that often fly under the radar. They take a closer look at the commonly used "working interviews" and reveal the legal pitfalls and inefficiencies often associated with them. But fear not, as they guide you through innovative strategies to better evaluate potential hires. With their expert advice, you'll learn how to navigate these challenges with ease and ensure your dentistry team is top-notch. Get ready to transform your interview...

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Why Is Your Practice Slow? Here's What's Often Overlooked | From Post to Podcast show art Why Is Your Practice Slow? Here's What's Often Overlooked | From Post to Podcast

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Puzzled by a sudden slowdown in your practice after a period of steady growth? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy tackle this very dilemma, driven by a listener's concern about a drop in activity despite continuous marketing efforts. Sandy shines a light on the inevitable ebbs and flows of the dental business, detailing how peaks and valleys are quite common. While it's tempting to look at external factors, she emphasizes that the real key lies with internal operations—how well your team navigates daily tasks, engages with patients, and adheres to promotional schedules...

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Should Your Practice Offer Profit-Based or Flat Bonus Schemes? | From Post to Podcast show art Should Your Practice Offer Profit-Based or Flat Bonus Schemes? | From Post to Podcast

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

Imagine turning your practice into a thriving hub by simply tweaking your bonus structures for your office manager. This episode of Dental Drill Bits delves into the nuances of crafting successful bonus systems that align with your practice's financial goals. Michael and Sandy engage in an insightful discussion exploring profit-increasing bonuses versus flat raises, focusing on ensuring these incentives are both motivating and sustainable. Sandy advises on basing bonuses on collections instead of production for financial stability while offering strategies to set clear, transparent benchmarks...

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Claims to Cash: Optimizing Your Dental Insurance Process | From Post to Podcast show art Claims to Cash: Optimizing Your Dental Insurance Process | From Post to Podcast

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

How can you master the art of insurance collections and minimize outstanding claims? In today's episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into the essentials of managing insurance collections with expert insights that can save your practice valuable time and resources. Sandy explains the critical importance of timely and consistent follow-up on insurance claims and recommends designating a specific day each week for this task to streamline operations. Meticulous tracking of claims—whether using spreadsheets or software reports—and conducting follow-up every three weeks are essential strategies...

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Ditching Insurance Dependency: Benefits of Dental Membership Programs | From Post to Podcast show art Ditching Insurance Dependency: Benefits of Dental Membership Programs | From Post to Podcast

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue

In this episode, Sandy dives deep into the myriad benefits of dental membership plans, revealing how they are game-changers for increasing patient loyalty and cutting the ties from heavy reliance on dental insurance. Through comprehensive discussion and real-life examples from various practices, Sandy illuminates the substantial impact these plans have on both patient retention and revenue growth, backing it all up with compelling statistics. Learn how integrating dental membership plans and using tools like Plan Forward software can streamline your management process while enhancing patient...

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More Episodes

What pitfalls are most common in dental practices? In this episode, Michael and Sandy unpack the challenges and strategies that can make all the difference. From mastering efficient systems to ensuring your team remains accountable, Sandy's insights will steer you away from common pitfalls like the notorious slow periods in August and September. With a focus on tracking crucial metrics and recognizing trends, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for keeping your practice bustling year-round.

But that’s not all—Sandy emphasizes the irreplaceable value of proactive communication and patient follow-up. Discover effective techniques for team training, how to maintain a dependable system for patient retention, and the best ways to handle unscheduled treatment follow-ups. As the episode wraps up, Sandy shares her upcoming seminars dedicated to continuous learning and improvement, inviting you to further your practice management skills.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

  • How to maintain efficient systems in a dental practice.
  • Strategies for retaining patients and ensuring team accountability.
  • The importance of tracking numbers and understanding trends.
  • How to prevent and manage slow periods, specifically in August and September.
  • Best practices for proactive communication and patient follow-up.
  • Effective methods for team training and development.
  • Systems for patient retention and handling unscheduled treatments.

Dive into this episode now to find out what common pitfalls your practice needs to avoid!

Sponsors:

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Places:

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Stats:

2024 Dental Industry Annual Benchmark Study (Henry Schein One Report)