Blog Entries

How to do a Dental Recall Exam

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

The proper way to do a recall exam

Last month I was gearing up for a period of time away from
the office for over a month.

I was doing a recall exam when one of our hygienists
mentioned that she was not happy that I was going away for so long because I
was the only one that did recalls properly.

I know that was a bit of an exaggeration, but I think what
she meant was that I do it right all the time so she can count on me, and
therefore knows how her [...]

Dental Office Management

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Dental Office Management

Are you managing your balance sheet?

I used to belong to a management mastermind group called TEC. At that time I had a chain of 12 dental offices and I was having trouble managing them. I met a guy in the group who ran a chain of quick oil change centres.

I asked him how he made sure everyone did what they were supposed to.

He said "I don't get involved in the day to day management. I just manage the balance sheet".

Ba [...]

Teaching vs Learning

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Teaching vs Learning

Do you have any kids?

If so you have probably tried to teach them something
valuable and they totally disregarded it.

Typically they ‘discover' this information again at a later
date and embrace it.

Why is that?

It is because you cannot teach anyone anything.

You can [...]

What does Success Mean to You?

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0100

What does Success Mean to You?

I know hundreds of dentists, and they are all different.

We all have things we love and things we don't.

Most of us want to be successful, but have never defined exactly what it means to be successful to us personally.

When we see someone with a nice car or a nice house we think they must be successful.

But if these purchases required a large amount of debt for a person who is stressed out by debt, then they really are not [...]

Spouses in the Dental Office

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Spouses in the Dental Office

This is a touchy subject because a lot of dental offices have spouses working in their practice.

The question is; is this a good idea or a bad idea?

I have certainly seen it work. I have seen spouses totally take charge and run the office very effectively and profitably. After all, they have a lot at stake and really care more than a hired gun would likely ever have.

However, I have also seen a lot of disasters.

Why do these di [...]

Trust in the Dental Office and Course Updates

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Trust in the dental office

When all is said and done, there is really nothing more important than trust when it comes to building your dental practice.

The best, most thriving practices get this. So how do you achieve it?

It's by doing the ‘right thing'.

How many times have you heard this expression and what does it really mean?

What it means is doing something that hurts you in some way simply because it is the right thing for someone else. [...]

Dental Manager Training

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Manager Training

Last spring we ran a seminar for dental managers. It was run by my office manager, Craig. It is a bit hard to summarize because it is basic training of management, plus dental office key performance areas to focus on, plus automation of the dental office, plus developing an entire office manual.

There is no doubt it was our most successful training seminar yet. We are running it again this October. Every attendee learned the basics of management, of office [...]

WHEN should a dentist be focused on making money?

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:00:00 +0100

This may seem like a strange question. Everyone knows that dentists make their money when they are chairside. Right?

Wrong!

I believe that when a dentist is chair-side, it is not the time to be thinking about money, profit, overhead, etc. We should only be thinking about what is best for that patient. And sometimes the best thing for that patient is little or no treatment due to their financial situation or a host of other possible reasons.

Dentists make their money w [...]

Deadline Extended and Guarantee Added

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 16 May 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Deadline Extended and Guarantee Added

Our early bird registration deadline for the Vegas Dental Managers' Seminar expired yesterday, which is a Sunday.

We didn't think that was fair so we have extended the $100 discount and the $100 spa certificate until tomorrow, Tuesday.

I also just realized that we did not spell out any kind of guarantee.

If you don't know us, you might worry that the content does not measure up in some way.

To be sure that you don't ha [...]

Registration Discount Expiring

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The deadline for early bird registration discount expires this week for the Seminar for Dental Managers in Vegas.

You can save $100 PLUS your office manager will get a $100 spa certificate if you enrol by the 15th.

If you have not seen my video that gives more details on this hands-on conference, you can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCwCJL5uY8

And to register, you can click here:

http://www.dentalmanagementsecrets.com/index.php/vegas-semina [...]

Video for Dental Office Managers Seminar

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:00:00 +0100

I am attaching a link to a video I just shot giving more details on the Vegas Seminar for Managers.

This is the only Dental Office Managers seminar I know of where can not only learn about the systems a good dental office needs but also how to manage people in the first place so that you can actually implement the systems you want and stay on-side with all the rules and compliance issues that are expanding constantly.

It is Management 101 for a Dental Office.

T [...]

First Impressions

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Your First Impression

My wife needed some legal documents notarized recently and I thought her comments on the treatment she received from several different lawyers would be instructive to dentists as well.

These signings are kind of a pain to lawyers; it is simplistic, low fee and kind of a waste of their time. The last time she went, the guy was totally disinterested; she even had to show him where to sign. He charged her $50 and gave no receipt. [...]

How to get more New Patients

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 07:00:00 +0100

How to get more New Patients

I have been consulting in dental offices for a few years now. I am constantly amazed at the impact a few key changes can make in the success of a dental office. For example in a recent interview with the receptionist in an office I am consulting in, I asked how often patients asked about their financial policy. She said most did. I also asked how their financial policy was received by their new patients. She casually said, "Oh abo [...]

Revenue Up Costs Down Part 2

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Last week I sent a blog that highlighted the new program we are using to truly lower overhead, get a grip on the practice results in real time and once and for all to organize your management functions and stay organized forever.

In fact, with this program you can literally do payroll from your iPad on the beach in Mexico. Or check any of your office's key result areas.

Anyway, I neglected to mention that we are doing personal one on one demonstrations to show you [...]

Revenue Up, Costs Down; Is it Possible?

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Revenue Up, Costs Down; Is it Possible?

Please read this if real dental practice bottom line improvement is of interest to you.

The nice thing about what I write is it is not theory. It is based on actual results from my office, which is very likely not much different from your office other than the size. If it works for me it will work for you too.

I just had a look at my financial statement for last year.

It's no secret that we are in a recess [...]

Your goals for Next Year

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Your goals for next year

If you have been reading my stuff for a while then you know how I love goals. There is no way your practice is going to go from 60 per month to 80 per month (or whatever is relevant) unless you TRY to get it to improve like that. Major improvements don't happen on their own. Major improvements are the result of a deliberate decision and a plan to make it happen; in other words a goal. So make this the year you break through. As a belated Christmas present [...]

Cost of Status Quo vs Risk of Change

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Cost of Status Quo vs Risk of Change

The best dental management principle that I have come across this month is the following:

People (including dentists!) often fear making changes. And with good reason. Change is difficult, risky, uncertain and many things could go wrong.

So why would someone make a change?

It may be worth the risk in most cases, but in some cases it won't be.

What you need to determine is whether the Cost of the Status Quo is actual [...]

Good is the Enemy of Great

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Good is the Enemy of Great

I just read an investment article with this title and it really struck a chord with me.

Most dentists are doing okay. That's mostly good. The only part of that that is not good is the lack of sufficient incentive to move from good to great.

As I have moved into more on-on-one office dental consulting assignments, it has become increasingly clear that most of us get somewhat comfortable and then start to coast.

There is nothing wro [...]

Part 2 Dental Practice Management Blueprint

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:00:00 +0100

In my last blog, I received a lot of very cool compliments. If you missed the last one you can get it here: http://dentalmanagementsecrets.com/index.php/-blog Some of the comments are attached. (I removed the last names for privacy)

Truly empowering eye-opener. thanks, please, pour more into my cup. Dean

Greetings Dave, Pure Gold. Regards, George

Dave, Good stuff...I've been at it since 1993 and never thought of it that way. Thanks [...]

Dentall Practice Management Blueprint

hcubemarketing@gmail.com — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Practice Management Blueprint

What is dental practice management?

I write, consult and speak on practice management. So what the heck is it anyway?

Practice management is the art and science of creating success in your dental practice.

So what then is success?

Now please do not confuse practice success with clinical success.

Most of our training and continuing ed courses are designed to improve our clinical excellence and by extension our clinical su [...]