Author Archive
Staff or staph: asset or infection?
October 28, 2011 | 
Author Staff or staph: asset or infection?
By Rhonda R. Savage, DDS
You have heard the old saying “Walk a mile in another person’s shoes before you criticize them.” Here’s a fun twist: “Walk a mile in another person’s shoes before you criticize them. That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes!”
I’d better start walking now, because I plan to be critical. I’ve heard people say, “Don’t call them staff. That’s an infection.” I respectfully disagree. Walk with me and let me know what you think.
As a former dental assistant and front office person, I know how hard the dental staff works. I also know the challenges dentists face daily. As someone who’s been in nearly all levels of the profession, I personally don’t understand what’s wrong with the word “staff.” In fact, I believe the term staff should be a badge of honor and worn proudly. Patients trust staff opinion and follow their directions. Doctors cannot do what they do without the staff. Staff is a great word.
Read the rest of this entry »
Dental Practice – Developing a Preventive Periodontal Protocol
By Rhonda R. Savage, DDS
Click here for Audio
Part 1
Do you place your dental patients’ best interest first? If you do, the money will follow! You’ll lower your risk of malpractice and increase your income! But most importantly, your patients will receive the care they deserve and expect!
Times have changed with regards to periodontal disease. Most people now agree that there is a connection of the mouth to the body! Hurray! While science isn’t exact, the majority of research agrees that periodontal disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, low birth weight babies, hormonal changes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, smoking, nutritional deficiency and autoimmune diseases. Is your practice “up to snuff”? Patients are more knowledgeable today than ever before because of increased publicity surrounding periodontal disease.
How do you evaluate your periodontal protocol? Ask yourself these questions:
Dental Practice Management – Teams, Part 4
Why Some Dental Teams Click and Some Don’t
Click here for the audio: Teams Part 4 Dress for Success
Part 4 – Dress for success:
Image is critical: Dress for success! You’ve heard this a million times; what does it mean?
Project a positive, can do, confident image. Get the training you need and if necessary…fake it until you make it!
If you need to, get an expert to help you with your image. Image contains SO many variables.
One example: How do you shake hands? Is your handshake weak? This projects a lack of confidence. Is your handshake too strong? Do you hurt the other person’s fingers? Not good! Where is your thumb placed during the handshake? A thumb up during the handshake expresses dominance and confidence.
Or, another example, for male doctors: Are your eye glass frames current? Men seldom update their eyewear. The new eyewear, just like your new Cerec or E4D, says “I’m current with the times.”
Why Some Team Click – Part 3
Take your job seriously:
Click here for audio: Why Some Teams Click Part 3 Audio
How passionate about dentistry are you? Draw a line in the sand: From a scale of 1-10, where do you put your mark regarding dentistry? No one will be as enthusiastic or passionate as you are; you will not be influential unless you are passionate.
Ask your team: “If this was your practice, what would you do to increase production and decrease overhead?”
Ask them to write down their answers and bring them to the team meeting. Use this as a discussion, an open forum, to talk about improving your practice.
Why Some Dental Teams Click – Part 2
Part 2 of 4
by Dr. Rhonda Savage, Dental Consultant
Streaming Audio Focus on Work
Focus on the work:
There is ALWAYS work to do in a busy dental office. If you’re not busy…do this work and you WILL be busy!!
Closely examine your effectiveness regarding the Accounts Receivables, the Past Due Insurance, the Recare effectiveness and your systematic way to follow up with patients. Clinical team: look at your space from top to bottom: clean it quarterly in depth. Stocking, laboratory work, sterilization, supply ordering and helping up front…the work is NEVER done. There is no reason to be standing around….which leads to gossip. Gossip is the number one detrimental thing that drives morale down. Read the rest of this entry »
Why Some Dental Teams “Click” and Some Don’t! Part 1
Dental Team Retreats – Increase Morale
Hot off Rhonda’s Iphone she talks about Dental Team Retreats. You asked for it, now call us today to find out more 877-343-0909