DYNAMIC DATA NEWSLETTER tm October 2000

A complimentary e-newsletter from Linda Miles for the professional dental community.

For subscription (or unsubscription) details, as well as Miles & Associates contact information, please see the end of this newsletter.

Visit us at www.DentalManagementU.com

EVIDENCE BASED CARE

Evidence Based Care will be the new threat to dentistry. We have survived the throes of OSHA, computer conversions, integration of new technology, managed care, and DMSOs . Just when the economy is at an all time high for practices in every corner of the US, this new threat to dentistry rears it s ugly head.

As stated in my September issue of Dynamic Data, and in my upcoming article in the November issue of Dental Economics, co-authored with Vicki Anderson, dentists in the grass roots need to be aware of the newest twist of fate for their patients employee benefit plans. Just when we thought the benefits to patients would improve, insurance companies are working to dilute quality care. Vicki Anderson, Editor of Insurance Solutions Newsletter, first alerted me to this movement. Dr. James Pride had an excellent article in a past summer issue of Dental Economics which was hopefully read by all. If Evidence Based Care comes through, unless dentists can prove that their patients are at high risk for dental disease, prophys may be approved for every 12, 18, or 24 months and BWX every 24 months. This is even more reason for every general practice to have a strong early diagnosis perio protocol in place. Without proper diagnosis, referral letters to periodontists, and charting, practices may see their entire hygiene departments weaken. For those of you reading this letter who say, this won t affect my practice. Our patients are so well educated, they will come back as recommended even if it is out- of pocket , may be in for a few surprises. Even well-educated patients are Insurance dependent.

ENJOY LIFE

Fall is in the air!! While enjoying the company of our friends from N.Z., Dr. Don Wallace and his wife Heather, my husband Don and I were able to enjoy three magnificent days as tourists to our part of the world. Virginia is a beautiful state this time of year. We walked on the boardwalk at the beach, strolled the Chesapeake Bay beach, went to the Marine Science Museum and enjoyed a day in historical Williamsburg and the Blue Ridge Parkway. How long has it been since the many busy dentists reading this newsletter have taken three days mid- week to play hookie from their practices and just enjoy life? The American working couple stays so busy, they rarely have what I call selfish time. No wonder busy people burn out from the same routine!!

After talking to two widows of my clients this past month, and consulting a practice (when the 54 year old doctor had to sell quickly due to a serious health problem), I realized the precious commodity of good health and life, I urge each one of you to take more time to do the important things in life with the people who mean the most to you. Plan a mini three-day selfish time get- away. You will be amazed at how well it makes you feel. And you will have a great year in spite of these mini-vacations. Once you see production rising, you will start having these excursions quarterly!!

TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT

Last month, one of the highlights of my travels was my tour of the DENTRIX facilities in Provo, Utah. The Summit 2000 Meeting invited 30 consultants to dentistry as their guests to network with their staff of 275. In my 22 years of consulting, I have never been more impressed by a company than I was with DENTRIX. The support, product, mission, and people make DENTRIX the winner it is in the industry.

CLIENT OF THE MONTH

Our October Client of Distinction is Dr. Greg Wych, of Irmo, SC. Greg s practice attended my Hinman seminar four years ago. I have visited their office twice and met with the entire office for a Total Team Retreat in Jamaica. The practice has doubled and continues to grow even in a small town. Dr. Wych keeps up with the latest in clinical excellence, facility updates, new technology, and staff development. He rates in the top « of 1% of solo practices in the US production-wise. He also enjoys a four day work week and many hobbies including golf. We are proud of this supreme practice and feel proud to say we know and work with one of the finest practices in dentistry. Our congratulations to the entire team and Dr. Greg Wych.

STAFF APPRECIATION GIFT

If you haven t decided how to reward your team for a year well-done, call 800-922- 0866 today to register for one of our SUNFUN SEMINARS to Cancun in January or the 4-day W. Caribbean Cruise aboard the beautiful IMAGINATION cruise ship. We will gift wrap your confirmation information to present at your year-end parties if registered before December 1st. For dates, call, or see my complete itinerary on our website.

Don and I will be off to NZ and Australia mid-October to November 6th. It will be great to see our many friends down under . Have a wonderful month of October and a strong 4th quarter. If my consultants or I can be of further assistance, please email or call our Corporate Office in Virginia Beach at 800-922-0866.

Sincerely, Linda L. Miles, CSP,CMC,CEO

Please keep in mind that this newsletter is being offered FREE in response to your request for information. If you would like to unsubscribe to Dynamic Data, please send us and email to let us know.

Miles & Associates' corporate headquarters may be reached at 800.922.0866 or 757.498.0014. On the web at www.DentalManagementU.com or via email at LLMiles@ix.netcom.com.

Miles & Associates - October 2000 Miles & Associates 4356 Bonney Road Suite 2-103 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452

757-498-0014 757-498-0290 FAX 800-922-0866 Toll-free www.DentalManagementU.com