Data-driven practice management.
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Data Collection↗
Biomedical subjects
Roger P Levin
Publications and source records attributed to Roger P Levin.
Eight ways to relieve practice stress.
Stress is a constant problem in dental practices because many dentists and dental team members do not understand what factors cause stress, let alone how to take away those stress-causing factors. Relieving stress in the eight areas of the practice discussed above is a proven and effective way for a dental practice to run more efficiently and ultimately, more profitably.
Humans↗
Developing a treatment philosophy.
Developing a philosophy is an excellent way to begin a dental career. Many dentists reading this column already are well into practice and may have developed a philosophy without realizing it. It is important to reflect on that philosophy and even write it down to clarify the direction you would like your practice to take. Our experience in consulting to more than 7,500 practices has shown that many dentists completely change the direction and vision for their practice when the philosophy is clearly established and documented. This change often gives these dentists greater profitability and the opportunity to retire at an earlier age.
Humans↗
Improving your practice's financial performance.
It is important to organize systems in the practice to track and monitor KPIs such as collection ratio, case acceptance, accounts receivable, and production per patient. Analyzing these 4 KPIs makes it easier for a dentist to know exactly how efficiently a practice is running and what steps need to be taken to maximize that efficiency as well as the overall productivity of the practice.
Accounting↗
Strategic planning. Part V of the dental management pyramid series.
Strategic planning is not something that should be taken lightly. It is the course by which you will map out your own personal future, as well as that of your practice. You cannot look ahead until you and your dental team are ready to accurately and responsibly assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing your practice today. Putting in the work to do so will leave you and your practice in a better position to grow and prosper in the long run.
Humans↗
Customer service and practice profitability.
Customer service, one of the major dental practice business systems, is critical to your short- and long-term success. The world will keep changing, but customer service is not a fad that can go out of style. If anything, it becomes even more important, year after year, as your customers expect more service and better treatment. Your goal is to provide extensive customer service, with 100% of patients enjoying a great experience every single time they interact with your practice. The "Wow" experience helps your practice grow. You want your patients to become your friends. Why? Because friends refer friends. When your patients become your friends, higher profitability is the inevitable result.
Communication↗
Key system changes to boost practice production and profitability.
A dentist may find many ways to increase dental practice production and profitability. One of the best ways is to focus on comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, but this must be accompanied by a reorganization of the practice's scheduling systems. In no way am I suggesting that practices only perform large cases because this is unrealistic for most offices. However, Levin Group data indicates that 81% of all dental appointments are single-tooth treatment. By working to reduce this to approximately 55% to 60%, the practice will notice an immediate increase in production. This increase will be based on a new focus on comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. This focus will allow the practice to offer a broader array of need-based and elective services and an increased capability in the areas of case presentation. Any practice can take advantage of this methodology and gain a significant benefit in only 1 year.
Appointments and Schedules↗
Measuring and managing profit.
One of the main purposes of any business, including the dental practice, is to make a profit. The first step is to attract and maintain patients through excellent care and unparalleled customer service. A practice can continue to provide the best for patients only if it operates profitably. Understanding why profit counts, watching cost, and setting goals will help bring you the financial independence you deserve.
Costs and Cost Analysis↗
Increasing income through technology.
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Capital Financing↗
The importance of clinical and management scripts.
Simply having excellent clinical skills is not enough to enable you to achieve practice goals. In the end, people will validate the quality of the practice based on the way you and your team communicate. It is amazing to realize how much impact we have on other individuals, based purely on what we say. A well-groomed dentist and staff possessing very attractive features and beautiful teeth almost invariably will work in the practice's favor. However, these traits, powerful as they may be, are incomplete without the ability to say the right thing at the right time. In the practice, the easiest way to ensure consistently excellent communication is to use clinical and management scripts. Nothing you do in your practice will equal the impact of what you say because it affects patient perceptions of quality and overall customer service experiences. Your goal is to have all routine communications in the practice turned into written scripts within 6 months.
Communication↗
Budget and profitability.
To fully understand profit and how it can be maximized in a dental practice, a proper budget must be developed. A budget helps the dentist understand how every component of practice performance is affecting profitability. When a budget is completed, goals must be set, and the systems needed to reach those goals must be implemented continuously. By carefully analyzing ways to make your practice more profitable, you will see short-term production benefits and long-term profitability benefits that will allow you to achieve financial independence more quickly.
Budgets↗
What drives the practice?
There are many opportunities to expand the role of the dental hygienist and provide patients with exceptional oral health care. The hygiene department has the potential to significantly increase production and profits. However, the proper business systems must be incorporated into the practice. Improving hygiene-department systems involves training hygienists to provide comprehensive care and new services to patients.
Appointments and Schedules↗
Four ways to ensure a successful future for your dental practice.
Practices must concentrate on optimizing their financial performance regardless of what economic conditions prevail. Even with signs of an economic turnaround, the 4 areas of your practice highlighted in this article demand your focus. Levin Group is seeing a nationwide breakdown in many of these 4 areas. Proper planning and organization with the appropriate management structure and systems can avoid these issues and keep your practice operating at maximum productivity and profitability.
Accounts Payable and Receivable↗
Team empowerment: myth or reality?
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Dental Staff↗
The myth of income and the economy.
Just because the economy fluctuates does not mean your practice has to do the same. You can take steps to ensure that your practice secures optimal income during a weak economic cycle. By performing "WOW" customer service, cutting down on accounts receivable, increasing case presentation, and motivating your staff, your practice can secure a steady, if not increasing, flow of income during a weak economy. A determined positive attitude by you and your entire staff will result in success and will keep you immune from the myth of income and the economy.
Economics, Dental↗
The best form of marketing.
Carrying out a few random customer service tips on an erratic basis does not help a practice grow and will not be sustainable because of staff turnover. However, currently having a long-term staff does not mean that outstanding service is being provided. Even a practice with a long-term staff can improve in service. Only through customer service measurement can you determine whether you are consistently exceeding patient expectations.
Dentist-Patient Relations↗
Seven secrets of scheduling.
Scheduling is the most important factor in achieving the productivity and profitability goals for a practice. Scheduling requires a scientific approach to management of patients with a great deal of flexibility built in. These 7 steps can help practices improve their scheduling and ultimately increase profitability.
Appointments and Schedules↗
The power of values.
Values are a powerful tool that can be quantified. Once you know your four to six business values, you can strengthen your practice and build a high-powered team. Once you have completed this exercise, you may want to repeat the process for your personal values. It can be insightful and fun.
Dental Staff↗