Here’s the deal. Extra training certifications or specialized equipment make you a more skilled dentist BUT it will never build your practice.  That’s not what patients put the most value on when accepting treatment.

So what DO you need to focus on to grow your practice and attract more patients?

It’s about the connection to people’s wants and needs that make you money. You are in the PEOPLE business, not the teeth business.  We bust the myths and talk about building your practice the wrong way.

Click on the video image below to watch.

I got an email from a dentist’s wife that was concerned about their lack of treatment plan acceptance.  And then she proceeded to tell me how special her husband is because he’s certified to do laser dentistry.  While that’s an amazing treatment option, patients were no more likely to accept care from him than another dentist who didn’t do laser dentistry.  

So I coached her on where to focus so it’s a clinical and emotional win for the patient.

Here’s the reality, the truth…

It doesn’t matter about you. It doesn’t matter what you think is important, it matters what is important to your patients.  And patients make choices on the emotional level, not the technical logical level.

Fancy expensive equipment, new and exciting gadgets are not the way to grow your practice. It is a crutch to lean on. Buying a brand-new coffee bar isn’t going to have patients flying through your door magically.

If you really want to be successful, let’s take it back and focus on that connection with your patients. 

Life is hard, but it is so worth it. You deserve to be successful….if you are ready to put in the work.

Take a few minutes to watch the full video above – do it for you and for your practice.

The phone is a very powerful tool and is often a patient’s first impression of you and your practice. You only get one chance to make a good impression.

One way to look at is, is that each phone conversation is like a round of speed dating. You know the scene from a funny movie. Ladies are seated at tables and eligible single guys sit down and introduce themselves. And they’ve only got 5 minutes to make a good impression, then they have to move on.

When a prospective new patient calls your office, you’re playing your own version of the speed dating game to find out if you make a connection or not. You don’t blow your chance.

Click on the video image below to watch.

Pop question! Do you know how the phone is being answered at your office? Is the person smiling, excited and engaging when they answer the phone? 

 If the answer is no, you probably need to make some adjustments. When was the last time you mystery called your own practice? Maybe this person needs additional training, maybe there is someone else that would be more successful, or maybe you need to hire someone strictly to answer phones.

Take a few minutes to watch the full video above – do it for you and for your practice.

I want to share with you an insightful conversation I had with one of my clients recently.

As a solo dentist for many years, he tried several different practice models. Some things were great in his practice and some were stressing him out. After 25 years in practice, he decided to change his focus.

He made the big switch from status-quo to something more. His focus shifted way past profit margins, overhead and tax brackets. He gained a whole new perspective when money wasn’t the driving force behind his success. The problems and the glass ceiling he couldn’t get through just disappeared.

Click on the video image below to watch.

He now has multiple practices, works less, and has more of a positive impact. Of course, issues still arise, however they aren’t near as stressful and he has the means to take care of things more efficiently.

Think about the bigger picture, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Listen to his story and get your pen and paper ready to take some notes.

Take a few minutes to watch the full video above – do it for you and for your practice.

The good news is there are a variety of types of dental practices to serve all kinds of patients. You can believe a practice model that services your patient pool, your community, and yourself well. We cover the pros and cons of each and how to know you’re operating optimally.

Each practice provides a collection of similar services…dentistry  But dependent on how you put them together and how you deliver them determines what kind of practice you have. 

I think of it like you have an establishment that serves Mexican food.  You have a list of key ingredients like tortillas, beans, meat, and cheese.  And depending on how you put them together in different combinations, they make up totally different menu items.  It might be a taco or burrito. And depending on the environment and the level of experience you provide to serve those combinations in, you might be eating at a Taco Bell or one of Bobby Flay’s restaurants all from the same basic list of items.

That’s where you get to be unique and stand out.

Click on the video image below to watch.

When choosing the right price model for your practice, you need to be aware of your audience and what kind of environment and experience they are looking for. If you are constantly stressed out trying to provide certain experience that isn’t well-received by your community of patients, is it really worth it in the long run?

Listen to your patients and the feedback they give. Ask them what they value most. Your pricing model is valued on your community, how you do it and what your patient wants. I encourage you to take a step back and evaluate how you are setting up your practice.

Take a few minutes to watch the full video above – do it for you and for your practice.

Do you hear your services are too expensive? If the answer is yes, I want you to ask yourself – how are you setting your practice apart from your competition? 

When it comes to the cost of customized services, you can’t always compare apples to apples. You have to distinguish yourself and build value in what you are offering.

Click on the video image below to watch.

Maybe the practice down the road from you is cheaper but… they don’t guarantee their work and stand behind what they do.  Depending on your patient, a guarantee on a crown is worth the extra cost for the peace of mind. They appreciate the quality of their dental experience and how they feel special in your office. 

The good news is that there are a variety of types of dental practices to serve all kinds of patients. You can choose to utilize a practice model that services your patient pool, your community, and yourself well. 

Take a few minutes to watch the full video above – do it for you and for your practice.