My journey into oral systemic health began when a very dear patient suffered a fatal stroke. Following the best evidence-based medical practices was not enough, so I studied hard to learn more. That journey led me to a treasure trove of knowledge from Bradley Bale MD and Amy Doneen DNP, ARNP, founders of the BaleDoneen Method®, and then to the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. More than ever, I can emphatically pronounce that NO cardiovascular prevention program is complete without ...
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Practice Management
Interview with Brittany Blue DDS
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics.
Brittany Blue DDS: We use MyPerioPath® to determine the levels of aggressive periodontal pathogens present in our patients’ oral flora. Traditional periodontal therapy will not be as effective and is certainly more prone to relapse if these harmful bacteria remain in the mouth. The bacterial diagnostics allow us to target the specific harmful bacteria with the specific systemic antibiotic that will help control the level of i...
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How Investing in Your Staff Pays Off in a Big Way
Payroll is one of the biggest expenses for any dental practice owner, taking up 24-28% of a standard practice’s income.1 If you are trying to increase your income and reduce your costs, you might be tempted to achieve this by hiring lower wage dental staff.
While this notion might look great on paper, it does not work out as well in reality. In fact, it is likely to cost you more money overall. Instead, you should consider investing in quality staff to boost your practice’s revenue.
No...
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The Amazing COVID Comeback: Part 2
Last week in Part 1, I introduced you to my team’s success during the difficult year of 2020. I delved into some of our practices and now you must be wondering, how in the world do I start with all of this?!? I am so glad you asked! I would love to help you! Start by establishing your vision. Then, look at where you are, review the information that you have and evaluate the statistics. Next is reviewing and, when necessary, revamping your training. Ask yourself the following questions:
...
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The Amazing COVID Comeback: Part 1
2020. What a year, right? For many offices, 2020 meant survival. For ours, what started as a traumatic year with a pandemic and the tragic, unexpected loss of one of our beloved doctors, turned into a year of thriving. By committing to focus on constant and never-ending improvement, our office was able to consistently meet and exceed our goals. In 2020, revenue produced in our hygiene department alone increased by nearly 40%. In fact, had we not encountered a 6-week hygiene shut do...
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It’s Not JUST About the Science
At a time when “evidence-based” everything is all the rage; I would like to share my experience and philosophy in regard to salivary diagnostics. My approach comes from a non-scientific perspective garnered from my 40+ years of clinical experience. I come at it from both a trained scientific, human, psychological, patient management and pragmatic mindset.
Several years back, I had a discussion with a well-respected career academic and journal editor about “evidence-based” medicine. He qu...
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Accountability in Your Office
Are your employees busy all day? But some of the things you want to get done are not getting done? Nobody seems to notice when there is a problem such as voids in the schedule, patients leaving without accepting treatment, operatory drawers not stocked, etc. until it is too late. Whenever you come across these difficult situations, you have choices. Do nothing or do something.
Webster's Dictionary defines “accountability” as “the quality or state of being accountable; an obligation or wil...
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How to Hire the Best Dental Staff in the Everchanging COVID-19 Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has changed almost every aspect of our lives, from grocery shopping to socializing with friends and family. The way we work has changed, too.
Working from home is now an option for many. However, dentists, hygienists, and assistants providing emergency treatment and elective treatment from their homes is impossible.
Working in dentistry during this time has been a real eye-opener. Many dental professionals have adapted while some have left practice en...
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A Common-Sense Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Weekly Case Reviews with Dr. Lee Sheldon
Most webinars explore new, innovative, fabulous procedures. What about the day-to-day procedures such as the new patient, the periodontal case, or the restorative case? What about the basics?
• How to communicate to the patient?
• How to prioritize to make dentistry within reach of the average person?
• How to gain greater case acceptance?
• How to remove the insurance obstacle?
Dr. Sheldon brings his whole team approach to patient management and communication to his new webinar series....
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The Time is Now: How COVID-19 has Awakened a Desire for Wellness
As we all begin to live out the new normal triggered by the current pandemic, one thing that will never go back to normal is peoples’ views on the importance of health. COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for many. There is a collective sense of the need to assess health, contemplating areas and practices we can improve and what we can do to prevent illness and disease in our bodies. As dental providers, the timing is right to capitalize on this movement towards health and wellness.
Now is the...
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