Leadership

December Dental Office Leadership, Team Building, and Management Tips and Ideas
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December Dental Office Leadership, Team Building, and Management Tips and Ideas

Hello Friends,

December is typically a busy time for you, your patients, and your employees. Regardless of what December usually looks like in your office – if you haven’t done so already, take some time now to plan for how you will not only keep/design a full schedule but ensure that it will be productive too. I know that we can’t control the schedule 100% because life happens. However, we certainly can plan to end the year on a happy & productive note.

December 2023 Dental Office Leadership, Team Building, and Management Ideas and Reminders

Leadership

Review the practice performance for 2023 – What worked well? What did not work well or requires change? What are your ideas for Improvement? What are your plans for implementation? Remember, change what needs changing, and control what you can control.

Practice Owners, if you would like to grow and improve your dental practice and have wondered what it might be like to work with me and what coaching is all about… please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.

Team Building and Appreciation

National Sock Day: December 4th – Purchase some silly socks for the team and take
a picture of everyone wearing the socks and post it to your office Facebook/Instagram
pages and Google My Business listing.

National Cocoa Day: 12th – Bring in hot cocoa and all the delicious toppings for the team.

Practice Management Tips & Reminders

Lab Cases – As we get closer to the end of the year make sure there is plenty of time
to get cases back from the lab in time. You know how patients will wait until the very
last minute to call and request a crown before Jan.1?!

Social Media – In advance, schedule your social media posts for the last 2 weeks of December and the first week of January. One less thing to stress you out during the crazy times. 😉

Appointment/Retention Incentive – It can be challenging to get patients to keep their dental appointments during the holidays – consider having a drawing for a gift basket or gift card to a local business that your patients can enter to win when they come in for their dental appointment before December 23rd.

Homecare Products – December is a great time for Special offers on Electric Toothbrushes and Waterpiks

Gift Certificates – Remember, Gift Certificates/Cards for Teeth Whitening, Ortho, or Wellness visits should always be available for your patients to purchase as gifts for their loved ones.

Unpaid Insurance Claims – Run your unpaid insurance claim report and work from
oldest to the most current. Work on cleaning up any outstanding insurance claims.

Wishing you a fabulous, stress-free, and productive month!

Have you signed up to receive my complimentary dental marketing and practice management ideas that are sent right to your email inbox each month? If not, take a second and sign up. This way, you won’t miss a single idea!

If you’re looking for Marketing and Practice Growth Ideas for December Visit Here December 2023 Dental Practice Growth, Marketing, and Social Media Content Ideas

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty (Dental Coach)

Before you go… Would you kindly leave me a review/recommendation on Google or Facebook, please? Simply click the following links:   GOOGLE   and/or  FACEBOOK Thank you so much!

Dental Leadership, Team Building, and Practice Management Tips and Ideas for November 2023
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Dental Leadership, Team Building, and Practice Management Tips and Ideas for November 2023

Hello friends,

Here are the Leadership, Team Building, and Practice Management Reminders and Ideas to help you benefit from a great and productive month!

Leadership Ideas

Accountability – Hold each employee accountable to uphold the same high standards of performance and attitudes.  It’s been said that “what you allow you encourage.” Once you make the decision to no longer tolerate or allow poor behavior and attitudes in your practice, you’ll breathe a huge sigh of relief and the rest of your employees will know just how much you care and appreciate them.

November is Gratitude Month – Gratitude helps to strengthen and motivate your team, encouraging employee loyalty and engagement. Don’t assume they know that you appreciate them just because you give them a paycheck every week. Show them by your words and actions that you value and appreciate their contributions to the success of the practice. For several ways to do this, visit here: Why Gratitude Matters

Team Appreciation Ideas

World Kindness Week: 12th – 18th AND Random Acts of Kindness Friday: 24th – Time to spread some kindness! – Surprise your team with a random act of kindness.

Practice Management Ideas & Reminders

Small Business Saturday: 25th – Use this day (or all month long) to showcase or spotlight a few small local businesses on your Instagram & Facebook pages. Be sure to TAG the business in your post. It would be great if you could get pictures of the business to share with the post. This is an excellent way for you and your team to engage with local businesses and build (or strengthen) relationships.

Daylight Saving Time Ends: 5th (First Sunday) (Turn Back 1 Hour  @2:00 AM)

Treatment Plans and Financial Arrangements – Every patient that has an appt. scheduled with the doctor for treatment must have a copy of their treatment plan AND a financial agreement before the appt. DON’T ASSUME that the patient is OK with their financial responsibility simply because you gave them a copy of their treatment plan and they didn’t question the cost.  What often happens is they say OK and schedule and then will no-show or cancel at the last minute.

End-of-Year Dental Insurance Benefits (or HSA/FSA) Use it or Lose it Reminders – There is still time to schedule more appointments. Have you followed up with a call(s), texts, and letters to your patients who haven’t responded to your reminder emails?

Practice Owners – If you would like to grow and improve your dental practice and have wondered what it might be like to work with me and what coaching is all about or would like to discover areas of opportunity for your practice … please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com. (Plan now to smile more in 2024)

Looking for marketing and practice growth ideas for November 2023? Visit Dental Marketing, Practice Growth, and Social Media Content Tips & Ideas for November.

I hope these ideas and strategies when implemented will allow you to end the year strong.

Before you go, would you please do something for me? If you appreciate and enjoy the complimentary ideas and content I share each month – PLEASE leave me (Betty Hayden Consulting) a review/recommendation on Google and / or Facebook. Simply click the following links…  GOOGLE   and/or  FACEBOOK– Thank you so much!! 

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty – Dental Coach

Please follow and say hello to me on  Facebook and/or  Instagram

I would love the opportunity to work with you and your team to help you set and exceed your practice goals. If you would like to schedule a no-obligation, complimentary consultation to learn how our coaching program works, please email me at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.

Why Gratitude In The Workplace Matters
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Why Gratitude In The Workplace Matters

Hello Friends,

November is Gratitude Month

Why does gratitude in the workplace matter? Gratitude helps to strengthen and motivate your team, encouraging employee loyalty and engagement.

Yes, your employees may show up each day physically, but are they engaged? Are they there mentally and emotionally?

One of the most common issues I hear from dental employees is that they don’t feel appreciated. Feeling a lack of gratitude is often the main reason why they leave their employer or suffer a decline in positivity and productivity.

Hint: Sadly enough, I hear the same thing from the employer – my team doesn’t appreciate me, and/or my team is unthankful. So if you’re an employee reading this you’ll find that these same ideas for showing gratitude may be used for showing appreciation and gratitude to your employer.🙂

Don’t assume they know that you appreciate them just because you give them a paycheck every week. Show them by your words and actions that you value and appreciate their contributions to the success of the practice.

Here are several ways to express and show gratitude for your dental team…

Invest in them – Thoroughly train your employees (new & old) on your practice goals, systems, expectations, software, telephone skills, dental procedures, protocols, etc.  Include regular continuing education – you can do this with in-office training, webinars, lunch and learns, and seminars/classes outside of the office.

Give them your attention – Conduct quarterly commendation and performance evaluations. This also allows them to share with you how things are going for them and their ideas to improve the office.

Don’t Overwork them – If you regularly overwork your employees they will eventually burn out before that happens though, negativity and feelings of being underappreciated will set in. Avoid working into their lunch hour and after their scheduled end time.

Accountability – Hold each employee accountable to uphold the same high standards of performance and attitudes.  It’s been said that “what you allow you encourage.” Once you make the decision to no longer tolerate or allow poor behavior and attitudes in your practice, you’ll breathe a huge sigh of relief and the rest of your employees will know just how much you care and appreciate them.

Greetings – Say hello & goodbye to your employees at the start of the day and the end of the day.

Use your Manners – Say please and thank you. Make it a habit to say please every time you ask for something. Saying thank you improves your office, your health, and boosts morale.

Thank you notes – a thoughtful handwritten thank you note will go a long way in helping someone feel appreciated and valued.

Praise – Commend and praise your employees in front of and to your patients.

Feed them – Bring in breakfast, snacks, or lunch.

Gifts of Appreciation – Surprise your team with thoughtful gifts of appreciation (gift cards, cash, treats, etc.)

Work Anniversaries – Acknowledge work anniversaries. Don’t take their loyalty for granted. Make sure they feel wanted and appreciated.

Encourage Creativity – Host “Brainstorm Sessions” with prizes for creative marketing ideas, solutions to improve office efficiency, welcome more new patients, patient retention, and how to have more fun as a team.

Work Environment – Show your team just how much you care by providing a nice work environment for them to work in. Is your office due or past-due for a good cleaning and organizing? Maybe even some remodeling or redecorating?

Give them your time – Spend time outside the office with your team engaging in fun team-building recreational activities. Do this at least quarterly.

Be Consistent – When gratitude becomes a habit, so do its benefits.

These are simple and inexpensive ways to let your team know how much you care. I encourage you to put them into action. When you do you’ll quickly learn that it is a triple win – a win for your team, a win for your patients, and a win for you (you’ll not only enjoy better health but practice growth too).

“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life“. —Northrup Christiane

Have you signed up to receive my complimentary dental marketing and practice management ideas sent to your email inbox each month? If not, take a second and sign up.

Practice Owners, if you would like to grow and improve your dental practice…please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.

Did you enjoy these tips and ideas?   I would love and truly appreciate it if you to please take a second to leave a review/recommendation for me here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK – Thank you!!!

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty (Dental Coach)

Ten Tips To Increase Dental Office Collections
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Ten Tips To Increase Dental Office Collections

Hello Friends,

Would you like to see an increase in office collections?  Would you like to decrease the amount of time and money being spent on chasing past-due patient and insurance balances? I can help you!

The accounts receivable (A/R) balance is the amount owed to your office for services already provided (and paid for by you!), but not yet collected from the insurance company and/or patient. 

How about your 90-day Collection Percentage on both Gross and Net Production? How much of your production are you collecting and how much are you writing off?

Far too often dentists work harder than ever with very little to show for their work. During my in-office coaching visits, we quickly discover that in most cases solid collection protocols are lacking.

Here are 10 tips to help you increase office collections and clean up unhealthy accounts receivable.

  1. See the true value of dentistry – With each patient, you and your team have the privilege and opportunity to potentially change someone’s life or at the very least, help them smile healthier. A healthy smile is part of a healthy body, healthy smiles and bodies create healthy communities. The entire team must also wholly believe that you’re providing the best dental care.
  2. Be confident with fees – The entire team should role play presenting small and large treatment plans and financial arrangements until everyone is comfortable saying the dollar amounts out loud and with pride.
  3. Financial Guidelines & Expectations – Have written financial guidelines that are kindly reviewed with the patient at their first appt. For your existing patients, review with them any changes to your financial expectations, have them sign, and give them a copy to take home.
  4. Avoid assumptions and judgment – Don’t make decisions for the patient as to whether they can afford the treatment based on your assumptions or reality.  Always offer the best treatment and flexible payment options and allow the patient to decide what they want to accept or not. Help your patients to say yes to the best!
  5. No surprises! – Present the patient’s treatment plan and estimated financial portion before treatment is started. When you diagnose the treatment, be sure to add the treatment plan to the patient’s chart (in your practice management software), present the treatment plan and financial estimates to the patient, schedule the appointment, and give them a copy of the treatment plan with their payment portion that will be due on or before the day of service.  If you accept and/or participate with their insurance, have up-to-date eligibility, a breakdown of benefits, and the insurance fee schedule on file for the patient and enter into your practice management software.
  6. Payment is due before or on the day of service – No billing the patient for co-pays or payment for services. (Hint: Collecting prior to appt. will reduce cancellations and no-shows. Another Hint: If you didn’t collect at the time of scheduling, collect their portion before the patient goes back for treatment, especially if they’re having a lengthy or difficult appt.)
  7. Make it easy for them to pay – In addition to accepting cash, check, and charge cards, offer third-party financing. Make sure the team knows how to effectively present third-party payment options.
  8. Offer online payment options– allow your patients the convenience of making payments online. (This way, while you and your team are sleeping, you’re collecting payments from your night-owl patients 😉 )
  9. Dealing with forgetful patients – When a patient says they forgot to bring money…they can either call the payment in over the phone when they get home or give them an envelope with a payment due date for them to mail in a check. Note this in their ledger and set a reminder to call the patient if payment isn’t received by the due date. Better yet, send them a text/email to pay link so they can easily and quickly take care of the balance online.
  10. When Insurance is involved – Always give the full treatment fee, the estimated insurance amount, and the patient’s estimated portion that is due today. Let the patient know you’ll send in the claim and inform them if anything changes with the estimated insurance portion. Reminder: Collecting co-pays on the day of service is an insurance requirement. Tip: Monitor your insurance aging report closely. Promptly follow up on any unpaid claims, insurance rejections, and requests for additional information. What does your insurance claims aging report look like?

There you have it, 10 tips to successfully collect payment before or at the time of service.

Once you plan to consistently collect payments before or at the time of service and hold your team accountable to follow through with that plan, you’ll wish you started it sooner. Don’t wait, start today to implement these changes.

Bonus Tips! Here are a few more tips to help you benefit from healthy accounts receivable.

  • Daily, Weekly, and Monthly monitor your patient and insurance accounts receivable, collection, and credit reports.  (Carefully review write-offs, discounts, credits, charges, payments, and past-due claims, and patient balances.)
  • Avoid “Statement Groundhog Day” – Stop sending statement after statement to patients who are past due on making a payment. They ignore them and it costs you a lot of money. Get collection letters out and make some calls.
  • Set goals, share with your team what your production and collection goals are, and how it benefits them to all work together as a team to reach or exceed these goals. Do you and your team know what healthy benchmarks they’re striving for? If not, establish those benchmarks and get everyone on the same page.

Print out these tips and suggestions and review them at your next team meeting.

Do you appreciate the ideas and content that I share each month? If you do, would you kindly leave me a review/recommendation on Google or Facebook, please? Simply click the following links:   GOOGLE   and/or  FACEBOOK Thank you so much!

Practice Owners, if your office is struggling with collections or out-of-control accounts receivable please don’t wait to seek help. The longer that money sits out there the less you collect.  You deserve to be paid for the amazing dental care you provide. If you’re unsure where or how to get started – feel free to reach out to me for a complimentary 30-minute consultation at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com

Are you receiving my complimentary Practice Growth Tips & Ideas each month? If not, please start following us today. 

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty – Dental Coach

P.S. Before you go – would you kindly leave me a review/recommendation on Google or Facebook, please? Simply click the following links:   GOOGLE   and/or  FACEBOOK  – Thank you so much!