Accelerate My Practice Blog

7 Habits for a Successful Dental Practice

There are several Habits that we will be discussing in the upcoming weeks based on Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." The Impact both Personally and Professionally will be profound within your dental office.

Your Dental Practice must be consistent in Communication, Time Management, and Leadership to be productive. Dr. Covey references two types of Ethics in his book. They are Character Ethics and Personality Ethics. In brief, Character relates to the core and Personality is on the outside. These are important to understand as your Dental Practice starts with YOU. As the Dentist, you are the owner of the Dental Practice. In many cases there are Associates. The Associates must also think as an Owner. The Character of a Leader must be derived from their core. Your Dental Practice will only produce in abundance if you are healthy. The overall state of your health and the Dental Practice is pertinent in order to maintain growth and development.

Social Media is the biggest trends in today's Dental Marketing! One of the hottest resources in social media is Facebook. Facebook is an excellent social networking platform. By platform I mean that it allows you to connect with your dental patients as well as family, friends, team members, other dental practices, as well as businesses. Let's begin by creating a Facebook Page for your dental office. It is important to select more than one administrator when creating your Facebook Page. By having more than one administrator it will allow more than one perspective.

Once you have created your Facebook Page keep these 3 underlying components in mind. Each component is important in forming a balance that is attainable in reaching your overall goal. The first is to keep the posts entertaining. When updating the page...add some dental specific humor or entertaining news related to the topic at hand. Second, continue to educate on your Facebook Page. Third, offer promotional tactics that will allow a return. An example is an in office special or referral incentive that your dental practice might be offering at this time. By utilizing these areas you will allow proper balance and measurement of tracking. There are various ways to keep your audience intrigued. Brainstorm with your dental team and patients when deciding on topics to be posted. Be certain that your content is timely, relevant, and more importantly FUN!

This article is provided by SBA.gov to help all dental office owners understand the impact on their businesses.


Key Provisions Under the Affordable Care Act for Employers with Fewer Than 25 Employees

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act occurs in stages, with many of the reforms and requirements taking effect in 2013 and 2014. Some of the provisions that may impact employers with fewer than 25 employees include:

Small Business Health Care Tax Credits

The small business Health Care Tax Credit helps small businesses afford the cost of health care coverage for their employees and is specifically targeted for those businesses with low- and moderate-income workers. The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have. Since 2010, businesses that have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, pay average annual wages below $50,000, and that contribute 50% or more toward employees' self-only health insurance premiums may qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35% to help offset the costs of insurance. In 2014, this tax credit goes up to 50% and is available to qualified small businesses that participate in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). Eligible small employers can claim the current credit through 2013, and the enhanced credit can be claimed for any two consecutive taxable years beginning in 2014 through the SHOP.

Healthy Habits = Passionate Dental Practice

Sometimes the most challenging part of our day is "taking a look at oneself in the mirror." This is the reality check when facing our truth in life.  We must constantly approach each challenge while in the face of adversity; not in the absence of adversity. The same rules apply in our Personal and Professional lives. Let's discuss how this philosophy relates to our Dental Practice. Let's use the analogy that like plaque on our teeth, decay will cause other issues.  The same is true with our minds.  The environment "created" within your Dental Practice can potentially cause bitterness, resentment, and possibly even a Team Member.  The result is just like decay… will cause other issues.  Dentistry provides solutions to issues related to our mouth.  We strive, as the clinician, to ensure that our clinical knowledge and ethical perception go hand in hand.  Therefore, at times the other components that typically complete a practice are somewhat dim in brightness. The Team should excel and demonstrate in every facet the same "light".  We have shared several archives and probably already shared most of the importance of team communication, personal mindset, and value of the Patient.  The AMP! drive is to"Prosper in the face of any challenge by getting focused on what you want in life and business."  Every week we share the Clinical and Mindset nuggets to continue enhancing your growth within your practice through our TV Shows.  Often times we get feedback that personal lives are impacted as well.  Our goal is to grow you; you must awaken the passion from within YOU!

The Patient Hand Off In Your Dental Practice.....AFTER ALL..."The Shortest Distance between two people is a smile" ~author unknown

Let's discuss the Value of every patient that comes into your Dental Practice. A successful "Hand -Off Process " requires that each Dental Team Member play an important role.

This is an example that I use quite frequently: Imagine for a moment it's the fourth quarter of the national championship football game; the score is tied, and your team's quarterback fakes a pass, turns, and hands the ball to the running back. The running back has absolutely no idea where he is supposed to go, gets slammed by the opposing team's defense, and fumbles the ball, which is promptly recovered by the opposing team and run in for a touchdown.

If you are imagining that dropping the ball even under pressure/heat is very unfortunate, pat yourself on the back...you are correct!