Ep 149: Production isn’t everything… Or is it?

On the podcast today, we’re talking about money. Specifically, we’re talking about the role production plays in a dental practice.    How important is production? If the owner-dentist is talking a lot about production, is that a sign of greed or possible over-diagnosing? A dental practice is a business, and money plays a role, but how does that factor into patient care and the overall practice atmosphere?   Production isn't everything, but it is important to the survival and performance of the practice. So how much should teams be focusing on it?   We’re diving into this hot topic in today’s episode, so don’t miss it!

Team compensation can be an emotionally-charged topic in any dental office. With wages rising and profits shrinking, this can put doctor-owners in a tough spot when determining a fair pay structure.   Today, Kellie Black is joining Wendy Briggs on The Double Your Production Podcast to share how to best handle compensation in the practice.   In this episode, you’ll learn: How to determine the market rate for your area (and the pros and cons of meeting or exceeding that rate) How to introduce activity bonuses periodically to energize the team and incentivize top performance The best ways to respond to team members who ask for a raise What to do when team members are frustrated by the compensation of others

Most dentists are taking on too many things in the practice. They see patients every day, manage the team, and operate the business, all of which could be full time jobs. This overload often leads to burnout and causes practice growth to hit a ceiling, but delegation isn’t always easy. Do any of these sound familiar? “The team is already working so hard, I can’t ask them to take on any more.” “By the time I teach someone else how to do this, I could have just done it myself.” “This project is too sensitive to give to a team member, it can only be done by me.” When delegation is done right, time is saved, team members are more satisfied in their roles, and the practice can grow more quickly. In this episode, Dr. John Meis and Wendy Briggs are sharing their tips for delegation and clearing the way for stronger team dynamics. In the episode, Wendy highlights some of our upcoming events. We hope to see you at one of these retreats or workshops. See our full calendar here: https://www.theteamtraininginstitute.com/events 

In part 2 of this episode, Dr. John Meis and Wendy Briggs are discussing more ways to protect your dental practice in the event of an economic recession. In this episode, you’ll learn… How to make the most of lean periods in your practice Why it’s a good time to evaluate your insurance participation and renegotiate reimbursement rates How to avoid bad habits if appointments dip Why an economic downturn is often a good time to invest in growth Unexpected challenges will always arise in business, but the more prepared you are, the less your practice will be impacted. Don’t miss this episode. These strategies will ensure your office thrives no matter the circumstances. Download Your Free Guide: We’ve put together a downloadable guide with additional resources on how to protect your practice. Get your copy here: https://www.theteamtraininginstitute.com/recession 

Over the past few months, there have been countless headlines warning of a recession. While nobody can predict the future, there is considerable evidence to indicate a looming downturn. What can you do to protect your dental practice? Contrary to popular belief, recessions don’t hurt all businesses. Some companies make it through difficult periods unscathed, and some even take advantage of certain economic factors (like low interest rates) and grow. How you prepare will determine the impact economic fluctuations will have on your production, profitability, and growth potential.  In this 2-part episode, Dr. John Meis and Wendy Briggs are sharing their 7 strategies to insulate your dental practice from economic harm. Don’t miss this in-depth episode. We’ve also put together a free downloadable guide with additional resources on how to protect your office. Get your copy here: https://www.theteamtraininginstitute.com/recession

How is AI impacting the dental industry? How will it transform patient care? In this episode of The Double Your Production Podcast, Dr. John Meis and Wendy Briggs are diving into the AI advancements that they believe are making the biggest difference right now. Technology is improving at breakneck speed, and changes are coming to dentistry every day. As you look at the technology available, it’s important to have sound recommendations so you can make smart investments for your office. We’re proud to announce that this episode will be part of a recurring series on the podcast where Dr. John and Wendy share their thoughts on emerging tech and help you make the wisest investments for your practice. Don’t lose money on overly hyped new releases, get our recommendations here.

When people work closely together, conflict is inevitable. In a dental office, disagreements will come up, but if you have strategies in place to handle them, these sticky moments can actually bring team members closer and create a stronger work environment. In this episode of The Double Your Production Podcast, Wendy Briggs is joined by Heather Driscoll to talk about ways to reduce conflict at the office and bring the team together with a common purpose. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: How to establish non-negotiable rules of behavior to protect core values The Drama Triangle: what it is and how best to handle it in the workplace Scripts to empower the team to face discomfort and interpersonal tension How to disagree with co-workers without abandoning your integrity How clear roles and systems greatly reduce overall conflict within teams When conflict arises in your office, it’s an opportunity to improve communication, strengthen the team, and emerge happier.  If you’re struggling with conflict among your team members, reach out to us for some guidance and tools. Schedule a quick 10-min call here and we’ll see how we can help: theteamtraininginstitute.com/10min 

Every day in dentistry, new science emerges that requires dental professionals to revisit their recommendations for patients. While chlorhexidine was a widely used antimicrobial agent for many years, it may not be the gold standard moving forward. In this bonus episode of The Double Your Production Podcast, Wendy Briggs is sharing her best recommendations for home care products for at-risk patients.

Do your patients thoroughly understand why they need the care you recommend? Do they understand their risks and the benefits of preventative treatment? In today’s episode of The Double Your Production Podcast, Wendy Briggs and Dr. John Meis are discussing better ways to communicate these risks and benefits to patients to get them more engaged in their oral health. In this episode, you’ll learn: How risk assessments help patients better understand oral disease and the health implications of their lifestyles How a chairside risk assessment process raises the case acceptance rate How to talk to patients about fluoride when they’re encountering conflicting information in the media How to open up a conversation with patients about periodontal disease and the oral-systemic link Why the ideal appointment structure is needed to accommodate patient education When patients know more, they choose more, and dental professionals can be of greater service each day. At our upcoming Champions of Dentistry Summit, Wendy Briggs will be talking about this topic in more detail. In-person tickets and virtual tickets to the conference are still available. Save your seat here: https://www.theteamtraininginstitute.com/summit 

Patients appreciate options. When you’re able to offer more to patients and provide the education and autonomy to choose a higher level of services, their health improves and the business performs better. When patients have access to new technology, new treatment, and advanced care, they are more engaged with their dental care and feel more satisfied with their providers. Today, dental hygiene coaches Bert Triche and Paige Hood are joining the podcast to talk about ways to expand care in a dental office. In this episode, you’ll learn: How expanded hygiene care leads to higher doctor production How to get patients excited about their care options Why 30-minute hygiene appointments often stunt practice growth How hygienists can empower patients to move forward with necessary care Also, Bert and Paige will be speaking more on this at our upcoming Champions of Dentistry Summit in Austin! Be sure to get tickets to hear their in-depth sessions. Click here to learn more about the Summit: https://www.theteamtraininginstitute.com/summit