What happens when you appoint someone an office manager without proper training? In today's rerun episode Michael and Sandy dive deep into this critical issue afflicting many dental practices. They explore the stark differences between an office manager and a front office employee, debunking common misconceptions that can lead to team conflicts and inefficiencies. Sandy illustrates that in practices with under ten employees, appointing team leaders for different departments is a more effective strategy than designating an office manager. Furthermore, the episode highlights the essential role of an office manager as a key liaison, running protocols, handling team trainings, and guiding workflows, while they should steer clear from patient-facing roles. This division ensures each person contributes their best to the team's success.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The true differences between an office manager and a front office employee
• Why mislabeling roles can create chaos within a dental practice
• Ideal staff filling roles when you have fewer than ten employees
• Core responsibilities that should define an office manager's tasks
• Areas an office manager should avoid to ensure focused management
• Importance of effective communication with and among dental office teams
• How to handle and improve issues with existing office managers
• The key qualities an aspiring office manager should possess
• Understanding the structural integrity needed for harmonious office dynamics
• Tips on restructuring practices to incite better efficiency and cohesion

Set your dental practice on the road to ultimate success—Listen to this episode now!

(This episode originally aired on Nov 03, 2022)

Mentions and Links:

Communities/Groups:

Dental Gumbo Group

How can YOUR practice stand out in the crowded online space? In this episode, Michael, Sandy, and Ali dive into proven strategies for enhancing your practice's online presence. Joined by Ali from DocSites, a leader in dental websites and marketing, the conversation reveals how to keep your website fresh and engaging. From showcasing compelling before-and-after photos to ensuring your team and service information is always current, Ali provides actionable tips that can attract new patients and keep your existing ones loyal.

But it doesn't stop at just updating your website. Ali discusses the significant impact online reviews can have on your practice's reputation and offers a glimpse into effective marketing tools like Google Ads and SEO. Even more, this episode introduces a fantastic free web assessment offered by DocSites that can help you pinpoint areas for improvement with your site!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why keeping your website content updated is essential for patient engagement.
• The importance of showcasing before-and-after photos on your website.
• How online reviews can significantly influence new patient acquisition.
• Effective tools and strategies for dental marketing, including Google Ads and SEO.
• The benefits of a free web assessment offered by DocSites to improve your website.
• How to create and maintain a system for regular updates.

Don’t miss this opportunity to supercharge your practice's online presence—tune in now!

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency? Check out what DocSites can do for you: https://www.DocSites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

You can also reach out to Ali here! ali@DocSites.com

Tools/Software:

Google Ads

SEO

Cherry Payment Plans

Brands/Businesses:

Invisalign

iTero

SureSmile

Pep Boys

Practices:

Seaside Dentistry

Aspen Dental

Are you unsure about how consulting might help your dental practice? In this episode, Michael and Sandy dive deep into the transformative power of consulting versus coaching in the dental world. They clarify that while coaching hones the personal development of your team, consulting zeros in on your business's heartbeat—its systems, organization, and overall operational efficiency. From reducing stress to improving overall practice productivity, they paint a vivid picture of how the right consultant can turn a chaotic office into a well-oiled machine.

Sandy shares invaluable tips on choosing the right consultant, stressing the importance of experience, and steering clear of advice from inexperienced sources or online hearsay. They candidly discuss common challenges and misconceptions team members have about consulting, and provide practical advice for seamlessly introducing a consultant to your team. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how consultants can provide ongoing support well beyond mere initial implementation, and why viewing them as temporary "training wheels" can eventually lead your practice to smooth, independent operation. Don't forget to check out Classic Practice Resources and join the conversation in the Dental Gumbo Facebook group!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The crucial differences between consulting and coaching for dental practices.
• How consultants can help improve systems, organization, and reduce practitioner stress.
• Why experience is key when selecting a consultant and red flags to watch for.
• Common team challenges and misconceptions about working with consultants.
• Tangible benefits of consulting, like increased productivity and better team training.
• Practical tips for effectively introducing a consultant to your team.
• Insights into Classic Practice Resources’ approach to consulting, including ongoing support.

Ready to transform your practice with an effective consultant? Tune in to get all the details!

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency? Check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

Tools/Software:

Zoom

People:

Howard Farran

Gordon Christensen

Brands:

Taco Bell

Burger King

Fortune 500

Wataburger

What pitfalls are most common in dental practices? In this episode, Michael and Sandy unpack the challenges and strategies that can make all the difference. From mastering efficient systems to ensuring your team remains accountable, Sandy's insights will steer you away from common pitfalls like the notorious slow periods in August and September. With a focus on tracking crucial metrics and recognizing trends, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for keeping your practice bustling year-round.

But that’s not all—Sandy emphasizes the irreplaceable value of proactive communication and patient follow-up. Discover effective techniques for team training, how to maintain a dependable system for patient retention, and the best ways to handle unscheduled treatment follow-ups. As the episode wraps up, Sandy shares her upcoming seminars dedicated to continuous learning and improvement, inviting you to further your practice management skills.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to maintain efficient systems in a dental practice.
• Strategies for retaining patients and ensuring team accountability.
• The importance of tracking numbers and understanding trends.
• How to prevent and manage slow periods, specifically in August and September.
• Best practices for proactive communication and patient follow-up.
• Effective methods for team training and development.
• Systems for patient retention and handling unscheduled treatments.

Dive into this episode now to find out what common pitfalls your practice needs to avoid!

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency? Check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

Places:

Disneyland

Software/Tools:

Yapi

Demandforce

Flex

Excel

thedentaldashboard.com

Stats:

2024 Dental Industry Annual Benchmark Study (Henry Schein One Report)