Practice Management

If marketing is about communicating with the public, then the sub-discipline known as branding is about projecting a unique identity that enables a dental lab to be memorable and recognizable. And so, a good dental lab marketing plan begins with answering this simple question: “Why should I (the dentist) pick this lab over any other?”

To attempt to be on the technological leading edge as a practice today, with the number of high-quality technology product choices in the marketplace is truly mind-boggling. I have been fortunate in my role as President of Pride Institute to have the privilege to work closely with industry experts who are able to offer valuable input in this critical area.

We’ve rounded up some of Dental Products Report's best “Patient Tips of the Day” in an effort to help you better your patient relations and boost retention rates. Here are seven pieces of patient-geared wisdom to consider. Simply click each one to learn more and dig deeper into our tidbits of advice. 01 Want to put fearful patients at ease? Offer to give them a tour of your practice before their first appointment.

  From Alice in Wonderland: Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don’t much care where. The Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.

PatientActivator®, the patient communication and online marketing software from 1-800-DENTIST®, has launched a free mobile app that gives dentists easy access to the powerful practice communication and marketing tool right from their mobile phone.

One clinician’s take on the Lighthouse 360 patient communication system.

Several designs have been added to the line of Practicare™ Patient Communication Cards. With a wide variety of original designs, along with an economical price point as low as 13¢ per card, the cards are said to be ideal for recall reminders, welcome greetings, missed appointments, promotions or personal notes. The 7-point matte finish paper stock is compatible with laser and ink-jet printers and USPS-approved. Each 8½-inch by11-inch perforated sheet is printed 4-up on front only.

Dentimax practice management software has been serving the dental industry for several years now. But the latest release, DentiMax 2013, boasts a number of new features that make life even easier for the entire practice.

You probably know your practice should be following a number of handpiece maintenance procedures to keep your patients and employees safe, save money on your repairs, and extend the life of your handpieces. What is on your essential list when it comes to handpiece maintenance?

Tired of trying to roll up your print copy of Dental Products Report and carry it in your back pocket? Wish you had a simple way to review the latest dental product information and clinical techniques between patient appointments or while standing in line or stuck in traffic?

As part of our Morning Huddle e-newsletter, DPR partnered with notable practice management consultants to provide quick video tips to get your team talking. Cathy Jameson, Ph.D. of Jameson Consulting offers practical tips on how to easily ask for the service your client needs to be healthier and happier.

As part of our Morning Huddle e-newsletter, DPR partnered with notable practice management consultants to provide quick video tips to get your team talking. Together, Cathy Jameson, Ph.D. and Dr. Brad Guyton of Jameson Consulting explain how assisted hygiene can be a major win for the overworked practice.

These blunders may cost you more than you know.

It’s January, and everyone knows what that means: New Year’s resolutions. To be sure, it’s a good time for dentists to assess the status quo, evaluate both successes and failures and set specific objectives to work toward in the dental practice during the coming months. This time of year also presents an opportunity to recommit to those strategic goals that may have been pushed to the back burner as more pressing needs arose.

As part of our Morning Huddle e-newsletter, DPR partnered with notable practice management consultants to provide quick video tips to get your team talking. Here, Cathy Jameson, Ph.D. of Jameson Consulting offers 3 pieces of advice on how to lead lasting change in your dental practice.

All your marketing dollars go to waste if your secretary isn’t well-trained to handle new patient phone calls. You may invest thousands in direct mail, website upgrades or tens of thousands in television commercials because you need new patients.

We all know a trip to the dentist isn’t usually on the fun-day to-do list for any kid. With younger patients, the dentist office often gets a bad rap. With so much working against you, how are you supposed to get children to understand the importance of dental health and not fear the dental chair? As difficult as it may seem, there are simple ways to help younger kids to get interested in proper teeth care and not assume the tantrum position as soon as they come through the door.

If there is one thing we all need to really improve, it’s our communication skills. Not just in dentistry, but everywhere. However, because this is a magazine devoted to dentistry, I’ll keep my discussion to our beloved profession.

How the Morgester Dental model paves the way for other dentists looking to take that first high-tech step.

The CPS Evaluation Team, consisting of dentists, assistants, hygienists, patient coordinators and the dental laboratory, evaluated the ReelMatrix™ by Garrison Dental Solutions. CPS produced the following comments and reviews following its evaluation. Dentist comments

What you need to know for a successful 2013.

In dental practices throughout the United States, the new year is prompting a renewed focus on improving practice systems. Evaluating your dental office management, design, materials, outreach and more can be a boon for everyone involved-the smallest change can have the huge impact. So in the spirit of renewal, we offer 11 tips and tactics you can easily utilize to jumpstart your dental practice success in 2013:

This new feature, promoted in print and online, is designed to offer quick bites for team development and practice success. We highlight best practices and best products in Top 3, Top 5 and Top 7 lists so that you can take the advice and be nimble in integrating into your practice. 1. Offer S.M.A.R.T. incentives.

Many practices that do follow statistics go only as far as comparing their numbers with last year, expert range norms or what they heard their colleagues have accomplished. This is managing by hindsight only and leads to reactive decisions that do not ensure continued growth and progress. If a dentist and team are going to monitor progress through statistical analysis, a key ingredient must be SMART goal setting. This is the only way pro-active foresight can be applied to future success.

Looking to spruce up the design and flow of your dental practice? There’s a new ADA guide to help you with the process whether you’re refreshing an existing practice or building on from scratch.

The updated CS PracticeWorks v7.5 practice management software includes two new eServices that are said to streamline reimbursement and online patient registration. ePostings streamlines the process of receiving and posting reimbursements from insurance carriers, removing the need to decipher detailed paper EOBs. eForms allows patients to complete registration paperwork online at home or at a computer when they arrive for their appointments.

It’s January, and everyone knows what that means: New Year’s resolutions. To be sure, it’s a good time for lab owners to assess the status quo, evaluate both successes and failures and set specific objectives to work toward in the lab during the coming months. This time of year also presents an opportunity to recommit to those strategic goals that may have been pushed to the back burner as more pressing needs arose.

It’s the first episode of 2013! Let’s start the new year right with four amazing cover products… It’s Friday, January 11 and this is DPR Friday, brought to you by Align Technology Inc., makers of Invisalign.  

Dental Consultant and Office Manager Jill Nesbitt, MBA, offers up 10 fresh ways to put those older items to use in your practice.

The New Year’s resolution might be a bit cliché, but the first of the year is a great time to look at your personal and professional life and set some goals for the coming year. Setting goals will help keep you focused and help make you an even better dentist in 2013.