We’ve always been taught that the new patient experience begins at their initial visit, right? Wrong! It begins the moment you answer your phone. That voice on the other end is the first thing the caller hears, and it’s what sets the tone for their entire experience with your office. This is important, especially with new patients, because it’s their first interaction with your office, and your voice represents the business. A positive attitude is infectious! This is especially true for callers who begin a call with a defensive or angry attitude. The more welcoming your voice, the more comf ..read more

We all like to feel that nothing will ever happen to us (and hopefully it won’t!), and we believe all the ground is covered all the time. Until we don’t and when no one knows what to do in our unexpected absence or honestly in the absence of any role in the office. How can you help your team be prepared just in case? One way is always to be looking to train your replacement and to cross-train across the practice. While sometimes this feels threatening, it really shouldn’t! As the pack’s leader, you have abundant knowledge to share with those around you. As office leaders, we always want to ..read more

Life was moving along smoothly… I had two wonderful kids and an incredible wife. Life was good for our young family. We were happy. It looked like smooth sailing from here to the horizon—but it was just the calm before the storm. At the age of 27, on the evening of April 3, 2001, my life, and the life of my family, changed forever. I was on my way home from work when my wife, Shondell, called to tell me that our youngest son had just taken his first steps. I told her I would hurry, but first I needed to stop by the field and feed the elk. I jumped onto the tractor and slid steel forks und ..read more

  Remember the days when the biggest concern at the front desk was a busy phone line? A constant ring might have meant a bustling practice, but today, unanswered calls are usually the symptom of a deeper problem. “A lot of phone calls are not being answered. That’s the number one issue [we’re] seeing right now. And it’s because there’s just not enough manpower,” says Malika Azargoon, dental consultant and founder of Zar Dental Consulting. Missed calls are just the tip of the iceberg. They point to a much bigger challenge facing dental offices today: a staffing crisis. This shortage is ..read more

Join us for a transformative one-hour webinar, “Mastering Management: Elevate Your Impact in Dental Practice,” designed exclusively for dental office managers committed to excelling in their careers. Hosted by renowned industry expert Laura Nelson, this session is your stepping stone to becoming a leader within your practice. Why Should You Attend? This webinar isn’t just about learning; it’s about transforming. Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to take charge of your professional development and make a measurable impact on your practice. Whether you’re looking to refine yo ..read more

  Managing an office comes with its unique challenges, and staying informed of industry trends is essential to ensuring financial stability. While each office operates differently, understanding prevalent trends can offer valuable insights into your practice’s financial health. Here, we delve into key payment trends affecting office managers and provide actionable insights for maximizing profitability. Navigating Payment Landscape Shifts In recent years, the landscape of payment processing has undergone significant transformations, driven by evolving consumer preferences and technologi ..read more

Dental Menu helps office managers run a successful membership plan. We understand the complexities involved with pricing, getting your team on board, and setting things up properly in your practice management software. Our software will help you run your membership plan smoothly. We help offices properly account for their membership revenue by matching production with collections and eliminating the need to adjust membership services to $0. This ensures that your patient ledger is accurate with collections matching production when included benefits (exam, cleaning, x-rays) are received. Thi ..read more

In this final installment of the 4 Agreements Applied to Dentistry, we’ll learn about doing our best, being our best, and why it’s essential to our work life and dental teams. Always Do Your Best Your best will change from moment to moment and day by day. Your best will be different when you’re healthy and happy to work with your team, with a zest for your ability to lead an incredible group of people instead of being sick or in a bad mood. Under any circumstance, always give your best efforts to be the best version of yourself; your team and patients require it. Being Our Best:   ..read more

One of the most rewarding and simple motivational things I have implemented was a team bulletin board and information center. Overall, the employee bulletin board is a powerful tool for strengthening workplace bonds by facilitating communication, encouraging recognition, promoting collaboration, and facilitating social interaction. On a blank wall in our employee kitchen, I mounted an inexpensive magnetic chalkboard and some 4×8 open-top containers. Add a few chalk pens and magnets, plus some creativity, and you will have the beginnings of a fun way to communicate with and draw your team to ..read more

As a consultant, I was privileged to observe different dental practices and their collection systems. I was always amazed at the office’s accounts receivables; some are great, and others make me wonder how the doctor stays in business. I watched a financial coordinator set up a payment plan for 48 months with no finance charges and no signed agreement. The patient was going to pay $25 a month! Another time, I helped an office run 500 statements for a one-doctor practice with over $700,000 owed to the doctor. In this economy, a practice cannot survive doing business like this. The following ..read more