Your front desk might be costing you patients—and profit—without you even realizing it!

In this encore episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain reframes your receptionist as the Senior Vice President of First Impressions, and shows how that single role can make or break patient satisfaction, reviews, referrals, and retention.

You'll discover why minimal training and high turnover at the front desk quietly erode loyalty, and how a few intentional changes in hiring, development, and expectations can transform your reception team into a powerful growth engine for your practice.

If you want happier patients, better reviews, and a more profitable dermatology clinic—before they ever see the provider—this short episode will give you practical, immediately usable ideas you can take back to your team today.

A special thank-you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring this episode and for embodying the same commitment to first impressions and patient experience that we're championing for your front desk team. With a 99+ percent cure rate, 99+ percent patient satisfaction, and more than 100,000 patients treated at over 400 leading practices, GentleCure shows how the right approach can instill confidence from the very first interaction. GentleCure helps practices deliver a more distinctive, patient-centered experience from the moment a patient walks through the door.

(You'll also note the success of GentleCure -- the number of patients treated has doubled, and there has been substantial growth in the number of practice partners since this episode first released.)

This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist focuses on the defining advantage for dermatology practices moving forward.

It's not going to be volume. It's not going to be speed. It's not going to be who sees the most patients or runs the tightest schedule.

The practices that will thrive in 2026 — and beyond — will be the ones that intentionally deepen relationships, not just expand volume.

As you look toward the coming weeks of 2026, the question shouldn't be: "How do we get busier?" The better question is:

"How do we become indispensable to the patients we already serve?"

Thank you, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist.

Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects today's message perfectly — because long-term success is about offering care in a way that builds confidence, trust, and enduring relationships.

Now that the New Year has just begun, many dermatology practices are already back in full motion. However, in the middle of that momentum, there is another conversation that is just as important… and often overlooked.

It isn't about revenue.
It isn't about volume.
It isn't even about efficiency.

It's about who you are becoming as a practice — beginning right now.

This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist is about the question reframes the year from the beginning. It's the one that launches The Reset Conversation.

Thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects the same conviction behind today's message: that great care is not only clinical — it is intentional, relational, and grounded in purpose.

As we close out another year, this episode isn't about productivity tips, growth hacks, or pushing harder into the next twelve months. Instead, it's about something deeper — something seen in practices all across the country, and something many teams quietly feel but rarely pause long enough to acknowledge.

It's the difference between being busy… and being intentional.

For many dermatology practices, the past year has been full. And when a practice gets busy — especially for long stretches of time — something subtle starts to happen.

Busyness begins to replace purpose. We'll tackle that problem at the perfect time -- the end of the year -- on this episode.

Thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist this year. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is more than a program or partnership — it reflects a deeper belief that when we care intentionally, outcomes improve, trust strengthens, and practices thrive.

This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist is about something that quietly affects patient trust, loyalty, and outcomes far more than most dermatology practices realize. It's something I call the assumption gap — and it may be one of the most expensive blind spots in healthcare.

The assumption gap is the space between what we think patients understand… and what they actually understand.

When we assume understanding, confusion quietly replaces confidence. That's why this matters so much.

A special thank you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects the core truth of today's episode: care isn't complete until it's clearly understood.

If attracting new patients were really the solution…most dermatology practices wouldn't be struggling the way they are.

Because the real challenge isn't getting patients in the door. It's getting them to come back.

Today's episode is about the second visit problem — and why it's one of the most overlooked growth barriers in dermatology.

A special thank you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects today's message perfectly: Growth doesn't come from more first visits. It comes from stronger relationships that lead to the second… and the third… and the fourth.

It's an important topic on this week's edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist.

Patients sometimes wonder: "Why did I get different information from different people?" -or- "Who am I supposed to talk to?" -or- "Why does each person at this dermatology clinic act differently toward me?"

That's why this episode focuses on something that is often underestimated in clinical environments — but it might be the most important factor of all: Team Distinction...a unified culture where everyone contributes to an experience that is consistent, caring, and distinctive.

A special thank-you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to supporting practices and elevating the Ultimate Customer Experience® aligns perfectly with today's message: Excellence isn't just what one person does. It's what everyone repeats.

For most dermatology practices, it's one of the busiest times of the year. People are trying to use those remaining benefits, deductibles are about to reset, and suddenly, everything patients postponed over the past 11 months becomes urgent.

It's a sprint. And because it's a sprint, there's a myth that creeps into a lot of practices. Here it is:

"If we're busy in December… we must be productive."

But let's be honest — busy and productive are not the same thing. Not even close. That's why the goal of this episode is to help your practice avoid the "December trap." Even though December is busy from a clinical standpoint, it's often quieter from a strategic perspective.

We'll discuss why December isn't just a finish line. It's a preview of what needs strengthening for the year ahead.

AND -- a special thank-you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for supporting The Distinctive Dermatologist.