Are staff meetings in your practice driving productivity or just wasting time? In this episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into the art and science of effective staff meetings, unearthing the transformative power they hold when done right. They explore the contrasts between casual huddles and well-structured meetings, underlining their essential role in fostering communication, training, and team unity. Sandy shares her seasoned strategies for making meetings productive, from appointing a facilitator to engaging the team in planning and decision-making, while also steering clear of common hazards like gripe sessions. Leadership sits at the heart of these discussions, with Michael and Sandy stressing the importance of meaningful interactions that tie directly into the practice’s success. They reveal the benefits of rotating the role of meeting facilitator, celebrating team achievements, and cleverly using tools like suggestion boxes and whiteboards to collect agenda items. Sandy concludes with advice on the meticulous planning and scheduling of these meetings to ensure they remain significant and effective, helping to build a cohesive, motivated team. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How do casual huddles differ from structured staff meetings? What are the key benefits of regular staff meetings in dental practices? Strategies for appointing a meeting facilitator and engaging the team. Common pitfalls to avoid during staff meetings. Why leadership is crucial in making meetings productive. The advantages of rotating the facilitator role. Tips for celebrating team achievements during meetings. How to use tools like suggestion boxes and whiteboards for agenda setting. Best practices for planning and scheduling effective staff meetings. How to maintain meeting importance and engagement over time. Let's jump into today's episode on effective staff meetings! 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: Communities/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Events: Front Desk Pro - November 15, 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana

Ever wonder why patients often decline treatment and how you can address these objections effectively? In this episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into the top three most common excuses patients give: fear, lack of awareness, and financial concerns. Sandy sheds light on why recognizing these objections is crucial and offers actionable strategies for overcoming them. Through compelling examples, she underscores the importance of educating patients about the benefits of timely care and mastering verbal skills, including the art of voice inflection, to present treatment plans compellingly. Sandy doesn’t stop there. She explains how role-playing and regular training can transform your dental team's approach, making patients feel more at ease and informed. By the end of this enlightening discussion, you'll understand how to create a comforting environment for your patients, empowering them to move forward with necessary treatments. Tune in to harness the power of effective communication and patient education in your practice. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to identify and address patient fears regarding dental treatments. Techniques to inform patients who are unaware of their dental needs. Strategies for handling financial objections to dental care. The role of verbal skills and voice inflection in presenting treatment plans. The impact of role-playing and team training on patient interactions. Ways to make patients feel comfortable and informed during decision-making. Tips for educating patients about the benefits of timely dental treatments. Transform the way you handle patient objections by listening to this episode today! Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/   Mentions and Links: Communities/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce Brands: Louis Vuitton Places: Disneyland Disney World Organizations: American Dairy Association

Are you struggling to streamline your practice’s front office operations while juggling departments, patients, and metrics? In this episode, Michael and Sandy delve into the essentials of managing a successful practice, starting with the highlights of Sandy's recent webinar and her upcoming seminar in Boston. The conversation quickly transitions into a focused discussion around a listener's question on maintaining consistent department meetings and tracking pivotal metrics. Sandy offers an actionable guide on conducting effective meetings, complete with tips on following up on assignments, gathering feedback, and defining clear objectives. Specific topics like tracking new patient conversions, handling broken appointments, and managing production and collections metrics take the forefront. By the end of this episode, you'll grasp the importance of accountability, clear communication, and performance metrics in leading your practice to success. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to run effective and consistent department meetings. Tips for following up on previous assignments and setting clear goals. Key metrics to track for the smooth operation of a dental practice. The importance of tracking new patient conversions and handling broken appointments. Best practices for managing production and collection metrics. Strategies for efficiently managing insurance claims and ensuring accountability. Benefits of in-person training and special promotions for upcoming seminars. Tune in today to learn about department meetings, metrics, and paying attention to what matters in your practice! 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: Communities/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce  Books: The No Complaining Rule The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy Services: Practice by Numbers

How transformative can employee training be for your practice? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy delve into the critical role of structured training programs and their immense benefits on profitability, employee satisfaction, and patient care. Sandy illuminates the stark contrast between trained and untrained employees, revealing how targeted investments in specialized programs can significantly enhance your practice’s performance and efficiency. The duo also shares a wealth of practical advice on implementing effective training within your  office, covering everything from verbal skills and role-playing exercises to comprehensive onboarding protocols. Sandy makes a compelling case for the necessity of consistent training, emphasizing how it leads to predictable outcomes, boosts employee retention, and propels overall practice success. They remind practice owners that despite budget challenges, investing in training is pivotal and suggest starting with free resources like podcasts to begin the journey toward excellence. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How structured training programs boost profitability and employee satisfaction. The significant differences between trained and untrained employees. Practical steps for effective employee training within a dental office. The long-term benefits of consistent training and its impact on practice success. How to utilize free resources like podcasts for initial training investments. Ready to elevate your dental practice through strategic training? Don’t miss out on this episode of Dental Drill Bits! 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: Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Products: CEREC

Underperforming team members in your practice? In this episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into the intricacies of practice management, starting from upcoming seminars to managing underperforming team members without rocking the boat. Sandy shares her wealth of experience on the art of effective communication, setting realistic goals, seeking constructive feedback, and the crucial follow-up processes needed to help your team excel. Her emphasis on thorough training, meticulous documentation, and structured management will leave you equipped with practical tools to ensure your practice runs smoothly. Moreover, this episode tackles one of the most daunting aspects of practice management: dealing with the potential need to fire staff. Sandy uncovers common concerns doctors face and provides thoughtful, methodical steps to navigate this challenging terrain. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to communicate effectively with underperforming team members. Steps to setting realistic and achievable goals for your team. Techniques for seeking and using employee feedback to improve practice performance. The importance of training and documentation in maintaining a high-functioning team. Structured management strategies to optimize your practice. Approaches to handling the difficult decision of firing staff. Tune in to harness these insights and elevate your dental practice management skills today!   Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/ 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: Communities/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce

How can your front desk team transform every call into a positive patient experience? In this episode, Sandy draws from her recent speaking engagements at the Delivering WOW Summit to uncover key strategies for top-notch front office communication. She also previews her upcoming seminar, Front Desk Pro, set to take place in Boston on August 23rd, revealing the secrets to boosting front office performance. Michael and Sandy tackle real-world phone interactions, from handling insurance queries to managing cancellations, ensuring that your front desk makes a lasting impression. But it’s not just about what you say; it's also about how you say it. This episode underscores the critical role of tone, verbal skills, and intuitive call handling. Sandy shares practical advice on avoiding the pitfalls of sounding robotic and burdening patients with unnecessary tasks. With actionable tips and relatable scenarios, this episode is a must-listen for any practice aiming to elevate their front desk etiquette and foster a welcoming, efficient environment for every caller. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to handle common phone interactions effectively in your practice. Techniques for making a positive first impression over the phone. The do's and don'ts of discussing insurance with patients. Strategies for dealing with appointment cancellations smoothly. The importance of tone and verbal skills in patient communication. How to implement a call-handling system to avoid common pitfalls. Ways to promote your practice during phone calls. Ready to transform your front desk team's phone skills and enhance your dental practice's first impressions? Tune in to today's episode! 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: Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce Delivering WOW Summit   Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Insurance Companies: Cigna Brands: Baskin-Robbins

Dental membership plans are only for low-income patients, right? Join Michael and Sandy in this episode of Dental Drill Bits as they sit down with Megan Lohman to debunk common myths surrounding dental membership plans. Megan dives into the core advantages of Plan Forward, a tool designed to streamline the creation and management of dental membership plans. She reveals how these plans are not just exclusive to low-income regions but can be effectively tailored to a wide range of demographics, including affluent areas and retirees without dental insurance. Megan busts myths and shares eye-opening statistics about the significant portion of Americans lacking dental insurance, shedding light on how transparent pricing through membership plans can promote better dental care. Addressing concerns about potential revenue reduction, Megan explains how offering discounts can actually lead to increased patient visits and higher treatment acceptance rates, ultimately boosting overall revenue. She provides actionable strategies to add substantial value to your membership plans, such as including emergency visits and fluoride treatments, and emphasizes the role of Plan Forward in enhancing efficiency. By the end of the episode, you'll understand why simplifying and tracking membership plans is crucial for your practice's success. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why dental membership plans are not just for low-income patients How to tailor membership plans for various demographics The significant number of Americans without dental insurance Strategies for making dental pricing transparent and manageable Debunking concerns about reduced revenue from membership plans How offering discounts can boost patient visits and treatment acceptance Value-added elements to include in membership plans Strategies for tracking performance and gaining team support Don’t miss out on this game-changing conversation! Tune in now to uncover the full potential of dental membership plans for your practice. Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/   Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group

Explore effective interviewing techniques for dental practices, from essential preparation strategies to uncovering candidates' true nature with insightful questions. Learn the importance of personality and intelligence tests, understanding candidate expectations, and creating a welcoming work environment. Get practical advice on aligning hiring practices with your practice's culture and long-term goals.

How can cutting-edge technology streamline the entire patient journey in your practice? In this episode, Michael and Sandy sit down with Dr. Gina Dorfman, the visionary founder of Yapi, to explore how this comprehensive dental software solution is transforming the industry. Dr. Dorfman passionately discusses the latest Yapi updates, such as a sleek new interface, enhanced appointment reminders, and innovative tools like insurance verification, credit card processing by text, and two-way patient texting. Each feature is designed to streamline practice management, improve patient care, and boost the efficiency of your front office. But that's not all—Dr. Dorfman shares her broader contributions to the dental community, including her active involvement in the Dental Gumbo Facebook group and a special offer for our listeners. Whether you're a dental professional eager to modernize your practice or someone intrigued by the latest advancements in healthcare technology, this episode is a goldmine. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What new features are included in the latest Yapi update and how they benefit dental practices How Yapi’s enhanced appointment reminders and internal communication tools work The advantages of Yapi’s insurance verification and text-based credit card processing How the two-way texting feature with patients can improve patient engagement Ready to transform your dental practice with the latest technology? Listen in to discover how Yapi can elevate your practice to new heights! 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 Dentaltown   Terms: SAAS   Insurance Companies: TDIC (The Dentists Insurance Company)   Practice Management Software: Dentrix Open Dental  Eaglesoft   Products/Brands:
 Invisalign Starbucks Amazon

Are you tired of complex billing structures and challenging patient finances? In this episode, we connect with Dr. Abby Neville, who has transformed her dental practice by leveraging the remarkable Plan Forward membership plan. This innovative package simplifies processes, cuts costs, and uncoils the often tangled world of insurance and payments for both patients and practitioners alike. Dr. Abby takes us on a journey of transformation—a success story wherein she harnessed the Plan Forward initiative for enhanced savings and preventive care. We delve into the nitty-gritty of how the plan works, how easy it is to implement, and the impressive time and cost savings it offers. Hear from Dr. Abby as she underscores the paramount importance of patient well-being and why centering your practice on their best interests is the key to successful utilization of the membership plan. What You'll Learn in This Episode: An in-depth understanding of Plan Forward membership plans The simplicity and cost-saving nature of Plan Forward The role of treating patients well and focusing on their well-being in successful plan implementation The benefits of preventive care under Plan Forward Steps to implement the Plan Forward in your practice Tune in to learn how you could potentially revolutionize your practice with your own membership plan! Sponsors: Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/   Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group   Organizations: ADA