Ed Rabinowitz

If you're not certain who's handling your dental practice finances, you're not alone. But that doesn't mean it's a comfortable position to be in. Making certain that your dental practice finances are in the right hands is critical to your practice's financial success.

Engaging patients in word-of-mouth marketing could be the most cost-effective way to spread the word about your dental practice. Often, the only cost to the dentist with this marketing method is time. Dentists should simply ask patients who have had positive experiences in their practices to provide feedback. The key is having systems in place to streamline that process.

Ross Segal, D.D.S., believes in treating the whole facial complex. It's a philosophy that has positioned him as one of southern New Jersey's top orthodontists. Segal has accepted and successfully treated numerous cases that others have deemed impossible. He continues to advance the orthodontic field through a commitment to self-discipline and improvement.

Unresolved conflict can have a significant impact on a dental practice's image and productivity. Recognizing conflict and addressing it early on are the keys to avoiding serious problems down the road. Sharon Dolak, MDR, R.D.H., explains how to make that happen.

Mariana Blagoev, D.D.S., owns and operates Bright Smiles Dental in Parlin, New Jersey. She wound up in dentistry because she enjoyed working with her hands. Though she considers herself a somewhat shy person, she recently discovered how connecting with your community can make a difference in the lives of patients, and raise awareness of your practice.

Attracting millennials to your dental practice requires a tech-centric marketing strategy. Naren Arulrajah, founder and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, says that this generation wants instant information, delivered on their terms. Social media, email and text-based marketing are all critical components of a strategy that will reach this group, Arulrajah says.

There are certain key indicators that your dental practice's overhead may be out of control. First and foremost, after the bills are paid, and your staff has received payroll, is there any money left over for you? Linda Drevenstedt, R.D.H. and principal of Drevenstedt Consulting, says using a dental-specific CPA and equipping your practice management team with proper software will go a long way.

Linda Drevenstedt, RDH, MS, principal of Drevenstedt Consulting, LLC, says that many dentists find themselves in the business doldrums because they lack the necessary skills to be a practice administrator. Fortunately, there's help to be found in this area.

"He's the sole reason I became an orthodontist," says Monisha Iyer, DMD, of her childhood orthodontist. "He changed my life in a way that I want to do for others."

There's a real opportunity to own a tangible asset that, from an investment standpoint, could increase and build wealth, says JP Blevins, healthcare lending general manager at Live Oak Bank.

Scott Cairns, DDS, says that dentists can use digital photography to be a tour guide of sorts for the mouth: showing, rather than telling patients what the issues are. This can lead to increased case acceptance.

We help our practices and the doctors understand how to build a self-led team, says Wes Janowski, CEO and founder of CEODentist. One that is built on personal accountability, and personal responsibility.

From the moment I started dental school, I knew the only thing I wanted to do was specialize in pediatric dentistry, says Michael Milano, DMD. It was something I always wanted to do and couldn't imagine working in any other field.

China's burgeoning middle class is demanding oral healthcare. A KPMG report estimates that there will be more than 42,000 dental care delivery organizations in China by 2020.

How you can make use of technology in your dental practice to work smarter, not harder.

Daniel Kubikian, DMD, specializes in a procedure called Teeth-in-a-Day. He believes he is the only periodontist in his area to own and combine two unique, advanced technologies in order to ensure a more accurate diagnosis and treatment placement.

Social media has replaced traditional newsletters and email newsletters because people carry Facebook in their pocket all day long and they use it 1.7 billion times every month, says Naren Arulrajah, president and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, a custom website design firm.

The biggest key trend is our ability to promptly appoint new patients, and what our recall system looks like, Jason Champagne, DDS, says.

I wanted to go into medicine, Cheryl Callahan, DDS, recalls. My guidance counselor told me that women don't go into medicine. They go into nursing. And since I didn't have very many people in my family who went to college, when discussing it with my parents, it sounded great. We didn't know better.

Why dentistry may begin to shift back toward the fee-for-service model, and what it takes to achieve financial success with it.

How to address aspects of hygiene production that are often overlooked within dental practices.

Through charity and improvement of the patient experience, Tim Stirneman, DDS, works to elevate dentistry.

When and how to go about getting rid of a troublesome patient.

I like challenges, said Josephine Chang Pallotto, DDS. And I actually enjoy learning something new every day. Even when I make mistakes I admit it wholeheartedly to my team, and I make it known that we're all learning and nobody is perfect."

Dentists have an equal obligation to maintain privacy and security of their patients dental records, says Julia Hesse, a partner at Choate Hall & Stewart Health Care.

When you actually take the time to get to know your patients, it helps you treat them as a whole. They're more than just a tooth, says Timothy Stirneman, DDS.

New federal overtime regulations take effect on Dec. 1. Do you fully understand how they will affect payroll in your practice?

Trey Wilson, DDS, has taken his holistic approach to dentistry around the world to help those living in underserved areas.

Increasing case acceptance—and consequently, your bottom line—in your practice boils down to good communication.

A military dentist has used his competitive spirit to thrive, in and out of the clinic.