Renee Knight is a freelance writer and editor who's been covering the dental industry for 15 years. 

Renee Knight

Thinking about investing in an all-tissue laser? In 

, Dr. Howard Golan offers advice about what you should think about before you buy. Here’s a sneak peak of what he’ll cover.

Dr. Howard Golan wanted to change the definition of traditional dentistry.

He wanted to offer his patients minimally invasive treatment, and saw the value in treating his patients’ bodies with respect and the least amount of pain possible. That’s ultimately why he decided to add all-tissue laser dentistry to his practice nearly 10 years ago.

“My patients loved it. They loved everything about it,” Dr. Golan said, describing how his patients reacted. “Less needles, less discomfort. They loved the high-tech atmosphere-this is very high-tech equipment. They told their friends and their friends came to my practice because of it. It really changed the whole face of my practice.”

Dr. Golan now lectures about the benefits of laser dentistry for both dentists and their patients, and there are many. But as you know, purchasing an all-tissue laser is a big investment, and you have to make sure you’re ready for it.

Here are just a few of the questions Dr. Golan suggests you ask yourself and your team members before jumping in.

How will an all-tissue laser make you more efficient?

 An all-tissue laser impacts the entire practice, and is something you should use every day with every patient. Think about the procedures you do now and how an all-tissue laser will help save you time and help ensure those procedures go smoothly.

What new opportunities will an all-tissue laser provide?

 From periodontal to endodontic procedures, there is so much you can do with an all-tissue laser. Think about what procedures you can add to your practice with an all-tissue laser, and what that could mean for your bottom line.

 When you offer laser dentistry in your practice, patients will notice. They’ll appreciate the fact that you’re offering a minimally invasive solution that makes their visit to your office much more pleasant. Think about how you’ll market your laser investment to current and potential patients. Educate your patients about laser dentistry and how it can affect them in a positive way.

 Laser dentistry is a great addition to any practice, but there is a learning curve. You’ll have to take the time to learn how to best use the laser, and resist the temptation to revert to your old ways of practicing dentistry when things don’t go exactly how you planned. You have to be willing to leave your comfort zone to be successful.

 An all-tissue laser isn’t a small investment, and that makes many dentists hesitant to incorporate laser dentistry into their practices. Consider your patient base. Will they be willing to pay extra for a more comfortable experience? Will they be willing to pay out of pocket for what insurance won’t cover? If you and your team members take the time to educate your patients about the benefits of laser dentistry, chances are the answer to both those questions is yes.

Dr. Golan will cover these topics and more during the 

Webinar, “Opportunities lost: Are all-tissue dental lasers the right investment in this economy?” 

During the webinar, Dr. Golan will take participants on a journey from the beginning of laser education to explanations of applications that will provide better, less invasive and more profitable dentistry, to the role of lasers in transforming and marketing a high-tech 21st century practice. From cutting teeth with water to provide safer restorative procedures, to eliminating anesthetic in many cases, to using lasers to perform more dentistry in a single patient visit, Dr. Golan’s deep understanding of the economics of laser dentistry will be demonstrated in a fun, fast-paced webinar format.

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Thinking about investing in an all-tissue laser? In a free on-demand webinar , Dr. Howard Golan offers advice about what you should think about before you buy. Here’s a sneak peak of what he’ll cover.

Free Webinar: How to know if an all-tissue laser is right for your practice

The team at River Bluff Dental is committed to providing a comfortable, efficient practice for their patients, as well as the best cosmetic dentistry possible. Here’s how 

, CAESY, RevenueWell and CEREC have helped them make that goal a reality for the last 17 years.

Patients know exactly what to expect when they make an appointment at River Bluff Dental.

Dr. Walter Palmer and the team at this Bloomington, Minnesota-based practice are known for the high level of personalized patient care they offer, and for their comfortable, high-tech office-an office that was designed to improve the patient experience.

Dr. Palmer worked with a home builder to design the cosmetics-focused practice 17 years ago, and made sure it didn’t have the clinical feel so many patients associate with a dental practice. Large windows let in natural light, and cherry wood gives the practice a homey feel.

Patients truly can relax, whether it’s with a bottle of water while they wait for their appointment or under a warm blanket as they watch a movie in one of the exam rooms.

Patients know they’ll be comfortable while visiting River Bluff Dental, and they also know they’ll receive the best possible care. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Palmer mostly sees patients who want to turn a smile they’re embarrassed about into a beautiful smile they can’t wait to show off. When patients walk into his office, they already have a problem they want to discuss and are eager to hear what he can do.

“I present what I think is the best treatment plan to all my patients,” he said. “I know not all of my patients can achieve oral health immediately, but we present a plan we think is the best, most comprehensive plan, but it also has a cosmetic emphasis. That’s huge in this practice. Usually patient acceptance, over a period of time, is 100 percent. Our plan is to present oral health with cosmetic dentistry. That’s the best you can have.”

That’s why investing in technology is so important to Dr. Palmer. You can’t provide the level of care he offers without it. When he built his new office, he knew he’d need a space that could evolve with technology.

, he recently updated the practice’s interior with new cabinets to create a better space for the technology he uses and to improve patient flow. Dr. Palmer also knows the right technology and products help make a practice more efficient- and that’s very important to the River Bluff Dental team.

Dr. Palmer and his team strive to make the practice as efficient as possible, and the high-tech products they use every day, from 

 to CAESY Patient Education Systems to RevenueWell Patient Communications Suite, are vital to making that happen.

In a high-tech practice like River Bluff Dental, integration is important. Patterson’s Eaglesoft works together with technologies like CEREC, Galileos, 

and CAESY. Eaglesoft also helps improve team communication.

“By using the technology we have available to us, we have evolved into using six-handed dentistry,” he said. “I’m able to dictate notes, design CEREC, and find out what’s going on in the other treatment areas. I practice out of seven treatment areas. I can be messaged and know what’s going on in each one. I can use hygienists and assistants to their full capacity.”

A comprehensive scheduling system makes it possible for everyone to know what is happening with every patient, from the time they walk in until they leave, and that helps make this cross-trained team more efficient.

Eaglesoft also has enabled the practice to go paperless. They no longer have paper charts and are able to scan everything they need into Eaglesoft, including 3D scans they take at the office and scans that come from specialists.

Patient education is important at River Bluff Dental, and the technology Dr. Palmer has available to him makes educating his patients easy and effective.

He can use digital x-rays and images from intraoral cameras to explain what’s going on in their mouth and why he’s recommending certain treatment, and he can instantly pull them up via Eaglesoft. He can pull photos stored in Eaglesoft into 

Patterson Dental’s CAESY Patient Education Systems

. Everything is integrated and designed to work together, making it easy to give patients the information they need to make the right decisions about their oral health care.

 Dr. Palmer said. “It starts the education process so patients understand what you’re presenting. It helps give patients a visual of our goals, and it’s something they can take home to further look at. CAESY can help answer questions that a dentist or technician can’t always answer.”

It also makes treatment presentation easier. After watching CAESY, patients have a basic understanding of the proposed treatment; Dr. Palmer then fills in the details. This helps improve case acceptance-in fact many patients have already decided to go forward with treatment before he’s presented the plan.

If you’re going to have an efficient practice, you have to find a way to efficiently communicate with your patients. That’s what Dr. Palmer and his team get from RevenueWell.

RevenueWell makes it easy to communicate with patients

 the way they want to be reached, via email or text. It has cut down on last-minute cancellations and no shows. It integrates with Eaglesoft and automatically updates the schedule as appointments are confirmed or rescheduled, freeing up team members to tackle other tasks. The system also makes it easy to collect online reviews, request referrals and conduct post-treatment follow-up.

“Dentists who want to run a practice efficiently need help from software to contact patients and remind patients about appointments, because you’re seeing quite a number of patients per unit of time,” he said. “You have to take advantage of this technology to keep patients running on time and prevent last-minute cancellations.”

Dr. Palmer takes pride in the fact that he was one of the first in his area to use Sirona Dental’s CEREC 3 technology in 1999. He has used CEREC to complete more than 60,000 restorations.

Dr. Palmer also uses Sirona Dental’s Galileos for guided implant placement, and describes it as a technology that is changing the way dentists diagnose and treatment plan. He also uses Sirona’s Schick sensors for sharp radiographs that offer greater detail. To get the most out of the imaging software, Eaglesoft 17 tells you if you are not using the optimum exposure on your Schick 33 digital images.

Patients know to expect these type of technologies at River Bluff Dental, but are still wowed by what they see. Appointments don’t take as long as at other practices, and patients are more comfortable during their appointments.

Dr. Palmer has worked with Patterson Dental since 1996, and couldn’t be happier with the products and service they provide. They keep him up to date on the latest developments and even give him samples so he can make sure a product is right for his practice.

“Other companies don’t have the service that Patterson does,” he said. “I work out of seven treatment areas. I need them all. If ever a problem comes up, they are here to fix it.”

Dr. Palmer is a leader in cosmetic dentistry and loves the technology and science behind what he does. He loves creating beautiful, confident smiles. The products he uses from Patterson Dental help him do that efficiently.

The team at River Bluff Dental is committed to providing a comfortable, efficient practice for their patients, as well as the best cosmetic dentistry possible. Here’s how Patterson Dental and products like Eaglesoft, CAESY, RevenueWell and CEREC have helped them make that goal a reality for the last 17 years.

Products for an efficient dental practice and enhanced patient experience [VIDEO]

Dr. Ben Miraglia has used 3M ESPE’s Imprint VPS impression materials in his practice for as long as he can remember.

He’s relied on Imprint 3 to create accurate impressions for years, and with a 95 percent success rate on first impressions, the material has done its job. But now, with the introduction of the

, Dr. Miraglia expects to see that success rate reach 97 or 98 percent.

 in his practice for a few months now and, not only has he not had to do any retakes, his patients are enjoying the faster set times this new impression material offers. Depending on which impression material you use from the Imprint 4 portfolio, set times range from 2 minutes to a mere 75 seconds with the Super Quick option.

“That’s a huge advantage. There’s always been a 4 minute set time with these types of impression materials, and a 4 minute set time feels like a week to a patient,” Dr. Miraglia said. “To be able to take a VPS impression in 1 minute and 15 seconds is just incredible. Everybody benefits. It saves chair time and saves patients that inconvenience of waiting 4 minutes.”

 to take impressions for a variety of cases, from crowns and bridges to Invisalign, and said patients have noticed a difference 

 in how long they’re waiting in the chair for the material to set. Patients don’t look forward to having what many see as “goop” in their mouth, so the fact that an accurate impression can be taken in half the time is something patients really appreciate.

And Imprint 4 is able to offer these faster set times with the same working time dentists are used to, making this impression material an exciting development for both dentists and their patients.

The team at 3M ESPE began working on Imprint 4 about four years ago, said Dr. Julia Farr, Scientific Affairs Manager, Global Indirect Solutions Business Team, and the idea to create an impression material with a faster set time came from their customers.

Dentists wanted a material with a faster set time to improve patient comfort as well as to reduce the chance for mistakes. They also wanted something hydrophilic in the unset state to ensure precise reproduction of details in the oral environment, which leads to accurate impressions and restorations that fit.

“You have the same working time, which is important because you need time to syringe around the teeth to capture all the details, but you can remove the material from the mouth faster,” Dr. Farr said. “When the material is setting in the mouth, distortions can occur. When the patient moves or the dentist moves, distortions can occur. With this material the time to set is much shorter, which can lead to better impressions. We have the super hydrophilicity in the unset stage, which is important to capture detail. It is more moisture tolerant to saliva and blood.”

As Global Technical Services Advisor for 3M ESPE Prosthodontic Business Team, Mack Rivas is part of that team that talks with dentists and assistants to get a feel for what they really want and need in a product (in this case, impression materials).

Once Rivas and his group gathered this information, or voice of customer, for what became Imprint 4, they sent it on to the Research and Development department as well as the company’s engineers, who from there began thinking about how to develop a product that would meet those needs.

No matter the product, input from dental professionals is key to product development at 3M ESPE, from the very beginning until the product is released, Rivas said.

“3M ESPE’s new product introduction process is a very structured way of product development and commercialization,” said Dr. Peter Osswald, who is part of the R&D team at 3M ESPE. “This process includes several reviews to demonstrate performance, safety, regulatory requirements, manufacturability and commercialization aspects of a new product.

The customer is always in the center of our products. In the beginning, we define the basic product features based on the customer feedback and develop prototype formulations, which meet exactly these requirements in lab tests.

After biocompatibility testing and regulatory approval, the customer feedback obtained from application tests in several countries is the key decision factor for the start of commercialization.”

And when it comes to new product development at 3M ESPE, there are several departments involved, from R&D to production to quality management to safety to marketing. New product development at 3M ESPE is an intense process that involves a variety of players.

The process can take years, but once the product is ready for market, the team members involved are confident the product will be a success, and is something that will help their customers practice better dentistry. And that’s exactly how they feel about Imprint 4.

“The Imprint 4 portfolio consists of various materials offering different setting times and viscosities to satisfy all customer preferences and requirements,” Dr. Osswald said. “We have only been able to succeed in developing all of these materials in time by a highly motivated team and with all the individuals acting together as one unit.”

In recent years, innovation in impressioning has been mainly attributed to digital impression systems, Dr. Osswald said, something 3M has been involved in with the development of the 

Even so, many dentists still use VPS material to take impressions, and that’s an area that hasn’t seen much of an update, said Mark Cotton, Marketing Manager, Impression Materials. That, combined with the fact they knew dentists wanted a material with faster setting times, drove the team at 3M ESPE to create Imprint 4.

“There hasn’t been a wow factor in the VPS impression material business for a long time. Imprint 4 brings the wow factor with the blazing fast intraoral set time while maintaining adequate working time,” Cotton said.

“Doctors are always looking for ways to decrease procedure time and increase patient comfort. Imprint 4 accomplishes both of these issues. More importantly, this product benefits patients by reducing the time they have to sit in the chair waiting for an impression to be completed. Nothing good can come from having an impression take longer in the mouth.”

The team at 3M ESPE knew dentists and patients wanted an impression material with a faster set time, they just needed to find a way to make it happen. After screening different technologies and approaches, they found adding a self-warming mechanism to accelerate the VPS setting reaction was the best way to achieve a shortened setting time without compromising the working time, said Rüdiger Hampe, R&D Services, Customer Integration.

In this special case, Dr. Osswald said they knew they only needed to accelerate the second half of the setting reaction and that the first half-the working time-should remain unaffected. They made this happen by using an additive that has a tailored reactivity, enabling the self-warming reaction only in the last part of the setting reaction.

“Imprint 4 incorporates new patent pending technology that makes the material warm from within,” Cotton said. “Once the material is in the mouth, the material will actively warm up to body temperature (98.6). The warming of the material allows the intraoral setting time to be reduced. The material will never get warmer than 98.6. The active-self warming allows Imprint 4 to have a faster set time, while also increasing patient comfort and decreasing procedure time.”

Before a new product can be brought to market, it needs to be tested in the field. 3M ESPE performed clinical application testing with 300 dentists in the U.S. and Europe, Dr. Farr said. Each dentist received prototype material, which they used for six weeks.

These dentists created more than 3,000 impressions with the material and each one sent feedback on what they liked about the product or how it could be improved.

“This is a very important part because, first of all, it gives you confidence that the product performs how it should. We want to make sure it works for the dentists and that they can handle the product in the right way, and that they like the product,” Dr. Farr said. “Then we can go back and make changes if needed.”

The clinicians who have had a chance to use Imprint 4 in their practice, like Dr. Miraglia, love the faster set time and the accurate impressions, Rivas said. It makes impression taking faster, easier and more predictable, and that’s something every dentist wants.

“The overall satisfaction rate was very high. The short intraoral setting time, combined with adequate working time, was mentioned as one of the most significant application benefits,” Hampe said. “Impression accuracy, including high detail reproduction, was another reason for dentists’ overall satisfaction with Imprint 4. As a result of satisfaction, 89% of the testers would recommend

Dentists are also pleased with how easy the margins can be read, Dr. Farr said. The new, fresh colors offer a great contrast that makes this possible. Dental lab professionals have also taken note, and are thrilled with the crisp, accurate impressions they’re receiving.

There are no new techniques or a learning curve with Imprint 4-it works the same way as the impression material you’re using now, Hampe said. But this new impression material offers a faster setting time and more accurate impressions for better fitting restorations, both features that will make impression taking easier, quicker and more successful. It makes the impression-taking procedure less stressful and more comfortable for patients, especially for patients who are gaggers.

These are all benefits patients will notice and talk about, and that can only mean good things for your practice.

“The general procedure of impression taking does not change with Imprint 4 as the portfolio offers impression materials for all techniques as well as different viscosities and setting versions,” Dr. Osswald said. “But impression taking with Imprint 4 makes the procedure easier, faster and more convenient for the dentist and the patient.”

How new Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material creates fast, accurate impressions [VIDEO]

 helps this patient better understand what’s happening in her mouth, making her more comfortable while at the dentist.

Sue Wallitner describes herself as a nervous patient.

She doesn’t want to be in the chair any longer than she has to, and she certainly doesn’t want to think about any pain associated with treatment she might need. That’s why she loves going to Dr. Gerald Bittner, Jr.’s practice in San Jose, Calif.

From digital x-rays to lasers, his office is equipped with the latest technology, something Sue has appreciated over the last 10 years she’s been a patient.

About 9 months ago, Dr. Bittner introduced Sue to 

 and was designed to provide a visual experience that takes patient education to a new level-all on an iPad.

“I like to be able to see things. I like to have all the information,” Sue said. “If I need something done I want to know exactly what’s going on. I like looking at the x-rays and photos and the details. I like to know so I can prepare myself for what needs to be done.”

Sue bought an iPad for personal use about a year ago, so when Dr. Bittner first introduced her to DEXIS go she was comfortable right away.

She was also impressed with the technology and loved the fact she was able to hold the iPad and really see the images and radiographs up close. She’s easily able to look at the images and ask her doctor any questions she has. Having everything right there really does make it easier for Dr. Bittner to explain what he sees in the photos and radiographs, and for her to understand her treatment options.

“He used to have a TV in the operatory, but I think it’s easier to have an iPad right in your hand,” Sue said. “I think having something people can hold onto makes a huge difference. I know I can see my x-rays and photos. It’s nice to have it right there as the doctor explains what’s going on.”

Sue hasn’t needed much dental work, but she does have an area of recession that her dentist wants to monitor, she said. She isn’t ready to go forward with treatment just yet, but said she is considering doing something to cover it up at some point down the road.

With DEXIS go, she’ll be able to look at photos that show the recession’s progression at each visit, and that will help her decide if and when she wants to go forward with treatment.

To Sue, it’s important that her dentist has the most up-to-date technology. She wants to know exactly what’s going on in her mouth and what her options are to fix any issues that might come up. She may not like going to the dentist, but she’s a lot more comfortable when she knows exactly what to expect and can understand the importance of any recommended treatment.

 offers that, and is just another reason for her to stay with Dr. Bittner.

Find out how DEXIS go helps this patient better understand what’s happening in her mouth, making her more comfortable while at the dentist.

How DEXIS go® helps this patient feel more comfortable at the dentist

Hiring a dental consultant is an important step in improving your dental practice and the care you offer your patients. But you have to make sure you hire the RIGHT dental consultant. Here are tips to make sure you get the most out of this all-important relationship.

You’re ready to make a change in your dental practice.

Maybe you’re stressed because your practice is suddenly experiencing turnover and you have no idea why. Maybe you’re looking for a way to make your hygiene department more profitable, or you’re a new dentist who struggles with the business side of owning a dental practice.

No matter the reason, you’ve decided it’s time to make a change in your practice and that you’re ready to bring in outside help to make it happen. The problem is, you have no idea who.

Hiring a dental consultant is an important step in improving your dental practice and the care you offer your patients. But you have to make sure you hire the RIGHT dental consultant. If you don’t, not only will you not get the results you’re after, you’ll end up more frustrated than you are now.

Here are tips to make sure you not only find the right dental consultant for your practice, but that you get the most out of this all-important relationship once you do.

Before you start meeting with consultants, find out a little bit about them, said Penny Limoli, owner of Limoli and Associates. Google them, read articles they’ve written and spend some time on their websites. Ask for references so you can talk to other dentists they’ve worked with. This will give you a better feel for the consultants you’re considering and help you make the right decision for your practice.

Before you meet with any consultants, write down your goals for your practice, and share these goals during the interviewing process, said Kathleen O’Donnell, Executive VP of Coaching for Jameson Management. Talk with the consultant to make sure he or she understands your goals. Have the consultant write up a plan of action aimed at helping you meet those goals.

Know up front what the consulting fees will be, and don’t be afraid to negotiate, O’Donnell said. And make sure you ask about total fees-you need to know about any additional fees that may come up, like travel when he or she comes to visit your practice.

During the interview process and beyond, you have to be willing to talk with your consultant about any problems that come up in your practice, Limoli said. Don’t hide problems; that will just waste time and money. If you want real change in your practice, let your consultant know what challenges your practice faces so he or she can help you meet your goals.

Let your consultant know you expect honesty as well, Limoli said. The consultant isn’t there to tell you what you want to hear; you hired this professional to be honest about what he or she is seeing in your practice and what changes you need to make-even if those changes make you uncomfortable. If the consultant you’re considering isn’t willing to do that, you need to find someone else.

Every practice has different needs, so it’s important to make sure your consultant recognizes that, O’Donnell said. Any plan your consultant comes up with should specifically address your practice’s needs, and you consultant should have flexibility in case those needs change.

After you talk with your consultant about what your goals are and the challenges you face, ask how long he or she thinks it will take to reach those goals, Limoli said. Where can you expect your practice to be in 6 months, or a year? Find out what’s realistic to help avoid frustrations down the road.

Working with a dental consultant won’t do you much good if you have no idea how your practice is progressing.  Your consultant should update you on how you and your team are doing in terms of follow through, implementation and accountability, O’Donnell said.

It’s also important for you to offer feedback to your consultant. Let the consultant know what you and your team members think about the relationship and how you see improvements progressing-even if some of that feedback if negative. If the consultant knows something just isn’t working, he or she can make needed adjustments to help get the plan back on track.

If you want your team members to be on board with change, you have to involve them from the very beginning, O’Donnell said. If they know why you want to make changes and the benefits that will come, they’re more likely to be excited about those changes and to help, rather than hinder, implementation of new systems or philosophies. 

“We like to build a relationship with team members from the start,” O’Donnell said. “Doctors should engage and involve the team in decision making and involve them throughout the process. Delegate follow-through on action items to team members, make sure they see the bigger picture and how they’re part of the overall plan to achieve the doctor’s goals.”

Change can be difficult, and even though you and the consultant know it’s best for the practice, some of your team members may not be on board with some of the changes needed to meet your goals-even if you did involve them in the process from the very beginning. When the consultant isn’t there, it’s your job to hold everyone accountable and make sure they understand the need for change in the practice.  

“We can help you make more progress than you would on your own but when we aren’t present, you have to be prepared to say, ‘This is what I want.’ We’re not dong this because Penny said so, but because Penny recommended this change and this is what I want,’” Limoli said. “The consultant works for the doctor not the other way around.  It can be hard being a small business owner. While we do partner with you we can’t fight the battle for you. That’s a short term victory.”

If you work in a group practice, all the doctors have to be on the same page when it comes to making changes, Limoli said. If you’re not, your team members will focus more on the conflict than making real, positive changes in the practice.

If one of the three dentists in a group practice doesn’t agree with some of the proposed changes, don’t hash it out in front of the team; talk with the consultant behind closed doors to come to a solution that gets everyone excited and ready to move forward.

It’s easy to say you want change, but to make it happen you have to put in the work. That means keeping scheduled coaching calls and visits with your consultant, O’Donnell said. Visits and follow up calls are key to staying on track and making sure your consultant is informed of what’s working and what isn’t.  

Short-term fixes are tempting, but aren’t what’s best for the long-term success of your practice, Limoli said. You may be tempted to raise fees 5 to 10 percent to bring more money in, but if you lose patients because of the increase you’ve done your practice more harm than good. You have to think about the long-term effect these kinds of changes will have on your practice.

Whatever problem you’re trying to fix in your practice, both you and your team members will have to invest time to make it happen, Limoli said. That means meeting with your consultant, learning new skills, implementing new systems and holding everyone on the team-including the doctors-accountable for doing their part.

“The doctor and leadership in the practice should model, in a positive way, their belief that this is an investment and it’s going to be worth it. They should convey the message, ‘I am a leader and I am going to be a role model,” Limoli said. “You will not get the results and rewards you seek if you, as the leader, don’t model the attitude and change you wish to see in your team.”

14. Remember training is a process, not an event

Just because you had a training session on Friday doesn’t mean everyone in the office will know exactly what they’re doing come Monday, Limoli said. You have to start somewhere, and every training session is a step toward your end goal.

Keep meeting with your consultant about your progress and stay on task; don’t get frustrated if it’s taking longer than you expected. Be patient and keep working and you’ll reap the rewards soon enough.

A consultant should be someone who will hold you accountable, someone who you trust and you feel comfortable talking with about the goals you have for your practice and the challenges you face.

You should consider your consultant a partner and someone you can call when you need advice or when you want to talk about what’s working and what isn’t. That’s why it’s so important for you to find the right consultant for your practice-someone you can relate to both professionally and personally.

“Trust is critical between the doctors and the consultant,” O’Donnell said. “If the doctor is not feeling the trust within the first 60 days of the working relationship, it’s time to confront the issues and fix it or find a better fit.”

Remember your consultant is a confidant, Limoli said, and you’ll be discussing matters with him or her that you won’t share with anyone else-sometimes things even your business partner doesn’t know. Trust is key, as is finding a consultant you like.

When you find that person, you’ll see the improvements begin to happen, and you can be confident that if you and your team members put the work in and stay focused on your goals, you’ll finally get your practice exactly where you want it to be.

14 tips to make sure you get the most out of your dental consultant

More dentists are turning to social media to promote their practices, and it’s a great tool for labs as well. Tweet about specials your lab is offering.

Blog about successful cases you’ve completed and share links to your posts via Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Post pictures from successful cases on your Facebook page. Use these tools to showcase your work and attract dentists to your lab.

You’re always looking for ways to market your lab, and these days social media is a no-brainer. If you regularly update Twitter, Facebook and any other social media accounts connected with your lab, you have the ability to reach countless current and potential customers-especially if you’re posting content people want to share.

3. Social media offers a deeper connection

You can connect with dentists through traditional marketing methods, but nothing gives you the level of interaction that social media does. If you post a case on Facebook, chances are someone is going to ask you a question about or comment on that case, sparking a conversation. It gives you an opportunity to interact with clients, and even patients, on a different level.

One of the best things about social media is it’s free!

If you dive into social media, you need someone to manage it. This is a great opportunity for someone on your team to take ownership of the lab’s social media account as part of the lab’s marketing efforts. 

1. Your clients are into social media More dentists are turning to social media to promote their practices, and it’s a great tool for labs as well. Tweet about specials your lab is offering.

5 reasons you should get on social media

Ever wonder what your patients say about you after they leave your dental practice?  Read on to find out the most common patient complaints.

Patients are going to talk. After they leave your practice, they’re going to tell family and friends about the experience they had-whether it’s good or bad. 

You might be surprised to learn what many patients talk about when you’re not around, from judgments about how you handle your time to complaints about that awful team member you hired. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common things patients say behind your back, and how you can change those comments from positive to negative.

1. “My dentist never starts or ends my appointment on time.”

This is a big one. Your patients are busy people, and no one wants to spend a lot of time in the reception area waiting for their appointment to begin.

Yes, dental offices get behind but there are steps you can take to make sure this doesn’t happen on a daily basis at your practice, said Kathleen O’Donnell, Executive VP of Coaching for 

. Make sure you time your procedures accurately and never double book.  Be smart about scheduling patients, or you may lose some to the dentist down the street who doesn’t make their patients wait.

 and your other patients won’t notice-if you have a full schedule this will throw off your day and leave your other patients wondering where you are.

2. “My dentist is always in a hurry.” 

Yes, you have a busy practice and a lot of patients to see, but that doesn’t mean you should rush in and out of every operatory without spending time getting to know your patients and their dental goals, said 

Penny Reed Limoli of Limoli and Associates

. Take the time to educate your patients on their condition and treatment options and answer any questions they may have. Let them know you do have time for them and want to help them reach optimal oral health.

“A lot of patients say their dentist seems like he’s in a rush and doesn’t spend much time with them,” Reed Limoli said. “What I really think they’re saying is when the dentist is in the room he’s not really interacting with them. He just came in and said ‘How are you doing? OK, now open up.’ Be sure that you’re connecting with patients when you’re in the room.”

3. “Wow, my dentist’s fees are so high.” 

If patients don’t understand the value of the care they’re receiving, then they’re likely going to think your fees are too high. Take the time to educate your patients about the value of optimal oral health, and how not going forward with treatment may cost them more money down the road.

If a patient questions your fees or complains that prices always seem to be going up

, don’t get defensive, O’Donnell said. Instead, take the opportunity to educate the patient. Let the patient know you want to provide the best care for your patients and are dedicated to providing outstanding services.

And remember, if you truly are providing that outstanding service, your patients are less likely to question how much they pay for it.

“When the doctor or doctors in a practice perform excellent clinical dentistry and have outstanding customer service, then patients don’t question their fees,” O’Donnell said. “They will feel it’s a fair price for the wonderful experience they had.”

4. “He never told me treatment would cost that much.” 

Patients never should be surprised with how much treatment cost. They should know up front exactly what to expect when it comes time to pay the bills, yet this is an all-too-common complaint that leaves patients angry and confused.

This one is easy to avoid. Establish a protocol in your practice that requires you to have a written financial agreement before you start any procedure, O’Donnell said. That way, patients know exactly what to expect before they even agree to treatment.

5. “My dentist has the worst staff!” 

This is a touchy one but one you really need to handle right away if it becomes a problem in your dental practice. You have to make sure your 

team members offer friendly service to your patients

, and that they’re knowledgeable enough to answer questions patients may not feel comfortable asking you.

If a patient truly doesn’t like a team member for whatever reason, chances are that patient is going to seek their dental treatment elsewhere. Send out a patient survey to give patients the opportunity to tell you what they like and what they don’t like about your practice, O’Donnell said.

Take their comments and concerns seriously, and talk with any team members about issues that come up in the survey. You want patients to feel comfortable at your practice, and 

your team plays a large role in making that happen

6. “I don’t understand why I need a new crown.” 

This all comes back to patient education. Just because a patient tells you he understands why he needs the recommended treatment doesn’t mean he really does.

When you’re talking to patients about treatment options, make sure the financial coordinator is with you, or maybe a hygienist or dental assistant depending on the situation. That way you have another set of eyes and ears watching the patient for body language, O’Donnell said. When the doctor leaves the room, the team member can answer any questions the patient may not feel comfortable asking you.

It’s also a good idea to ask patients to tell you what they understand about the treatment options you’re proposing, O’Donnell said. Let the patient know you want to make sure he understands the importance of the treatment before he leaves the office, and that you and your team members are happy to answer any questions to help make that happen. Talk with the patient about his goals and show him how the treatment you’re recommending aligns with those goals.

“Too often dentists focus too much on the whole treatment acceptance process or the case acceptance process,” O’Donnell said. “We want to make sure not just the doctor but the entire team is focused on how we can best educate our patients.”

Before you can talk to a patient about treatment options, you have to know what his goals are and you have to be flexible. Maybe your patient doesn’t really want a crown right now, or simply isn’t interested in any of the cosmetic fixes you keep talking about. Don’t argue with that patient, Reed Limoli said. Find out what his goals are and find a way you can meet those goals without suggesting treatment he simply doesn’t want.

8. “All my dentist cares about is money.” 

Adding new technology to your practice is great, but if your patients don’t see the value in that technology, they may think all you care about is fancy gadgets and what they can do for your bottom line-especially if you’ve recently raised your fees, Reed Limoli said.

Again, this all comes back to patient education. Educate your patients about any new technologies you add to your office, and make sure your team members do the same. If they see the value in new technology, they won’t question your motives for adding expensive equipment to your practice.

9. “My dentist has a horrible temper.” 

This is not a reputation you want to have in your community. Sure, we all get angry sometimes but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to take it out on a patient or a team member.

The next time a late patient makes you angry, resist the urge to let that patient know about it, Reed Limoli said. Instead take the opportunity to remind the patient how important it is to keep their appointments and to arrive on time, and have your office manager talk to them about scheduling a time that works best for their schedule. Address the issue, whatever it is, rather than blowing up and making your patients and your team members uncomfortable.

You want to take the time to get to know your patients, but you also don’t want to take it too far. You may think you’re just being friendly, but your patient may see it as inappropriate flirting, Reed Limoli said.

When chatting with patients, don’t get too personal. Don’t ask who they’re dating or what they’re doing Friday night. Keep any jokes you tell clean, and avoid bringing up politics. You don’t want to offend your patients; that’s a good way to ensure they end up at the practice down the street.

Patients are the lifeblood of your practice

. Without them, there is no practice. You have to make sure they’re happy when they leave your practice, and ready to tell their family and friends about the great experience they had. If your patients are talking behind your back, that’s not necessarily a bad thing-you just want to make sure they’re focusing on the positives. If they are, you not only have patients who are sure to remain loyal, but patients who will refer new patients, and that can only mean good things for your practice.  

10 things your patients are saying behind your back

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