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/

What is the KEY role front office staff play in a successful dental practice? In this episode, we dive into office management with Michael and Sandy. A conversation taking you behind the scenes of Sandy's recent Front Desk Pro and upcoming office management training seminar, this episode underscores the vital role live training and phone skills in your office.

Sandy gives us an in-depth look into the weighty importance of answering calls professionally and demonstrating empathy. The strategic approach to scheduling appointments is another element under the spotlight in this discussion. The duo also delve into the significance of having front office staff who are well-versed in the services a dental practice offers, the proper use of verbal skills, and how online scheduling can take your practice to a new height. So get ready to broaden your horizon in office management and enhance your dental practice to its utmost potential.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The benefits of live front office training in the dental industry.
• Strategies for effective and professional call answering.
• The importance of empathy in patient communication.
• Tips for efficient appointment scheduling.
• The role of service knowledge in front office management.
• The impact of effective verbal skills on patient experience.
• The value of online scheduling for improved efficiency.

Don't forget to tune in and participate in this discussion, as you won’t want to miss these tips on improving your dental practice's front office operations!

Sponsors:

Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

Front Desk Pro Seminar November 15th, 2024

Establishments:

French Quarter

Ritz Carlton

Brands/Products:

Ford Explorer

Zoom Whitening

Services:

CallRail

TV:

Saturday Night Live

Want to know how to turn your dental practice schedule from stress-inducing to productivity-boosting? In this episode, Sandy and Michael tackle this very challenge. Drawing upon Sandy's extensive experience in training dental teams nationwide, they delve into the integral role of scheduling in balancing efficiency and patient satisfaction. Common issues like late appointments and broken down technology are recognized as catalysts for stress that many practices fall victim to, leading to a discussion on the necessity of a tailor-made scheduling system for every dentist.

As the discussion deepens, Michael highlights the importance of team involvement to ensure the success of a productivity-driven schedule. Defining clear-cut goals for each provider and striving for team alignment is emphasized, underscored by Sandy's belief in celebrating victories - no matter how small - and viewing setbacks as opportunities for reassessment and growth. Furthermore, they illuminate the need for tracking key stats like call numbers, appointment bookings, and time utilization, thereby cultivating an understanding of effective scheduling from an analytical perspective.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The significance of customizing your practice's schedule for improved efficiency and patient contentment.
• Identifying and rectifying common stress inducers within dental practice scheduling.
• The necessity of goal-setting for every provider and ensuring team alignment with these goals.
• How to use setbacks as a learning curve and the importance of celebrating victories.
• The effectiveness of monitoring key stats and how they contribute to achieving productivity goals.
• How approaching scheduling as you would a game increases motivation and makes goal achievement a collaborative effort.

Don't miss this episode and streamline your practice schedule for maximized productivity and minimized stress!

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/

• Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

• Front Desk Pro

People:

• Dr. Westerman

Brands:

• Energizer Bunny

What really makes or breaks a well-functioning team? Buzzing with insights and real-world advice, we lay bare an indispensable component of business success – Regular one-on-one meetings. Dive into this episode with Sandy and Michael as they unfold the multiple layers of importance these interactions hold. From honing effective communication, fostering deeper relationships, to inciting recognition and personal growth among employees, the effectiveness of these conversations shapes the dynamics of your business.

We delve into the significance of timely issue resolution, personalized training initiatives, and making room for these indispensable meetings. Discover how the simple act of note-taking and regular, thoughtful interactions, pave the way for a more harmonic and productive work environment. You’ll want to take notes as we dissect the critical role one-on-one sessions play in cultivating a positive practice culture and perpetuating employee satisfaction.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why one-on-one meetings are crucial and how they can build stronger relationships
• Importance of addressing issues promptly
• The impact of regular interactions on the productivity
• How personalized training can enhance employee satisfaction
• Ways to effectively schedule and conduct one-on-one meetings.

Be sure to tune into this eye-opening episode to equip yourself with the indispensable tool that a successful business runs on. Remember, one-on-one meetings could be the missing piece in your business' success story!

Sponsors:

• Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

• Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Brands/Products:

• Apple Watch

People:

• Dr. Westerman

Ever questioned how to ace the management of in-house membership plans? This episode delves deeper into this vast topic with Janelle and Bari from Plan Forward, who walk us through tackling challenges and implementing successful solutions. They recount the journey of Plan Forward, a concept born out of the desire to improve customer service and streamline management of membership plans. The conversation embodies an in-depth analysis of the importance of tailoring plans for various practices, ultimately aiding in patient retention and practice growth.

Janelle and Bari underline the vitality of personalized communication with patients, translating into increased customer service satisfaction rates. They additionally stress the significance of understanding practice demographics, which is instrumental for devising effective plans. The discussions reflect their innovative solutions and substantial industry knowledge, ensuring practitioners can manage in-house membership plans effortlessly and efficiently.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The inception and objectives of Plan Forward
• The importance of tailored membership plans for different practices
• How personalized communication affects patient retention and practice growth
• The significance of analyzing practice demographics in effective plan implementation
• How to manage in-house membership plans effectively and efficiently

Plug in your headphones and join us on this informative journey through membership plan management!

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/

• Dental Gumbo Group

Are we becoming slaves to our screens even at the workplace? In this engaging episode, Michael and Sandy delve into the impact of screen time at the workplace, particularly assessing the effect of devices like Apple watches, Fitbits, and cell phones. Taking a hard look at the addictive demands of these technologies, they explore how their constant use can compromise individual productivity and professional etiquette.

They zoom into the healthcare field, using dental practices as a case study. Here, Sandy exposes the reality of enforcing phone policies in an environment where personal rights, patient care, and legal considerations such as HIPAA compliance dance a precarious dance. As they shed light on instances of phone misuse, a critical need for clear and enforceable guidelines comes to light. The episode serves up insights on striking the right balance, creating an environment where technology empowers workers without becoming a distraction or liability.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Exploring the addictive nature of digital devices in the workplace
• How to set clear and enforceable device usage guidelines in a professional setting
• Analyzing the challenges and potential liability arising from device misuse in healthcare settings
• Understanding the fine line between enforcing rules and respecting personal property rights
• The importance of effective communication in setting device usage boundaries

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! Hit the play button and learn how to control technology, not letting it control you or your team!

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/

• Dental Gumbo Group

Brands/Products:

• Garmin watch
• Apple watch
• Target
• Fitbit
• Samsung

Have you ever wondered how to properly compensate your team, especially during training sessions and lunch meetings? This enlightening episode explores just that. Michael and Sandy navigate the often-overlooked aspects of employee payment, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor regulations and treating staff equitably. Learn from the friendly banter as they share personal insights – both from an employer's perspective and from a viewpoint of ethical responsibility.

Discover how setting clear terms during hiring can result in beneficial outcomes for both parties involved. The duo also brings to light situations where employers are obliged to cover training expenses and underlines the necessity for transparent communication surrounding matters of monetary compensation for additional training.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of compliance with labor regulations
• Strategies for negotiating lower rates for different tasks
• Setting clear terms during the hiring process
• Obligation of employers to cover training expenses
• The importance of transparent communication regarding compensation

Don't miss this must-listen episode that unravels the nuances of staff compensation and inspires with valuable insights and real-world examples.

Sponsors:

• Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

• Front Desk Pro Seminar April 19th, 2024

Brands/Products:

• Oral-B
• Chick-fil-A
• CBS
• The Ritz-Carlton

Services:

• Cedr HR Solutions

Organizations:

• U.S. Department of Labor