Month: September 2012

Kill Your Television

Posted on
 

I am so blessed to be able to work with dental teams across the country. And I am blown away by the technology that is used in practices in even the most remote areas.

Here’s the perfect use for a monitor in the operatory.

The team is using their monitors to educate patients with radiographs and intra-oral photos. Sometimes, the team (including doctors) gets distracted and decides to use the monitor for patient entertainment and ugh…cable television.  Read about how you can remove TV from your ops (if it’s there).

 

Kill Your Television

If you lived in a college town in the 90s like I did, you may remember the bumper sticker ‘Kill Your Television’.  I’m reminded of it every time I walk into a dental practice and see a TV on in the operatory. Notice I said TV, not monitor. There’s a big difference.

Having traveled all across the country, I’ve seen a lot when it comes to what’s being broadcast in some dental offices. From depressing commentary on the local economy to trashy talk shows to HGTV to graphic images of murder victims, I’ve seen each and every one of these shows blaring in dental operatories occupied by patients who came there to be cared for.

I know, I’m getting preachy here but I just can’t help it. Recently when I visited a lovely client whose ops are completely equipped with digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras I saw this in play. I cringed every time I heard the hygienists giving it their all to engage the patients in the hygiene exam only to see the patient’s gaze locked not on their care giver but rather on the local morning show.

If you’ve experienced this (or you know someone who has) here are some tips to rip yourself from the grips of TV in your office:

1-Discuss as a team and get EVERYONE on board to end the TV programs

2-Replace the programs immediately with x-rays and intra-oral photos on the monitor-this way patients won’t have to look at a blank screen

3-Agree to gently keep each other accountable-everyone has to be on board

4-See your enrollment success dramatically increase 😉

Stay Inspired,
Rachel

Numbers can be boring…but we’re not…

Posted on
 

I’ll be the first to admit it. I was not a good math student. In fact, that’s one reason I chose to apply to hygiene school. Little did I know I’d be the ‘numbers queen’ of Inspired Hygiene, Inc.

But I did like statistics in college and these days, I spend a lot of time analyzing our clients’ trackers to identify areas they can refine in their scheduling techniques, perio enrollment language and risk assessment skills. What I’ve discovered is…

NUMBERS CAN BE FUN!

In fact, here’s a photo to prove to you that we have fun in our workshops with private clients, even when we’re talking about numbers.

Once I realized that numbers tell a story about what’s happening in a practice, I could easily relate simple benchmarks to quickly determine the effectiveness and potential growth of a hygiene department.

Now it’s time to share these benchmarks with you! This will be a fast-paced, fun tele-class. Join Stacy and me as we share with you how to see the story your numbers are revealing to you. Don’t miss it!

.

“Hygiene Numbers and the Story They Tell”
With Rachel Wall and Stacy McCauley

Practice statistics tell a story about the success and opportunities that exist in your practice. The same is true for the hygiene department. Learning to analyze a few key indicators within the hygiene department will reveal areas of potential growth and improvement as well as allow you to celebrate what you’re doing well!

During this tele-class, Rachel and Stacy will look at several key statistics of the hygiene department that can either make or break hygiene department profitability.

  • Key benchmarks to look for regarding hygiene production and compensation
  • The financial impact of no shows, last minute cancellations, and unscheduled time in hygiene? Broken schedules can break your practice
  • How to find ways to get to the next level even when you’re doing really well

If you’re not already a member of our Mastermind group, the first 2 months are FREE.  Click here to sign up.

Stay Inspired,
Rachel

Your Diabetic patients need your help

Posted on
 

I’m sure you remember back in July when the TV show ‘The View’ had financial expert Regina Lewis speak on industries with growing job markets.  She included dental hygiene in the segment and stated that dental hygienists do not need a college degree.

She said ‘All I care about is that my hygienist knows that this instrument goes on that tooth’.

I am not easily offended but her statements were demeaning.  Not to mention that the job market is pretty tough for many hygienists right now.  I mean do they not check their facts before going on national television?  (Remember this when you depend on network media for important information…I’ll stop now).

But it got me thinking.  There are always two sides to every story and while I don’t like their side, maybe Regina Lewis has not experienced a hygienist who has educated her on her oral cancer risk or the oral-systemic link.  Or maybe she has…

I want to give you a resource this week to help you and your team step into your role as part of your patients’ healthcare team.  Scroll down for a BIG (yet simple) step toward helping your diabetic patients today…

Stay Inspired,
Rachel

Your Diabetic Patients Need Your Help

It’s been well documented that Diabetes and Periodontal Disease have a two-way relationship.  If periodontal disease is active it makes it harder to control diabetes and vice versa.  There’s also mounting evidence that active perio disease increases a diabetic’s risk for major health events like heart attack and kidney failure.

So…this is the perfect opportunity for you as a dental professional (whether you are in a clinical or administrative role) to play a very important role in your patients’ ability to manage their overall health.

ALWAYS ask your diabetic patients this question:

What was your last HbA1c level?

The HbA1c number is the primary indicator of diabetic control.  It is a ‘snapshot’ of blood sugar control over several months.  Diabetic patients should know their A1c numbers and if they don’t, that may be a sign they are not as focused on their health as they could be.

As you see in this chart (you can find it by searching Google Images for ‘HbA1c chart’) the desired level is 6.5 or lower.  Uncontrolled perio disease can have a direct effect on the HbA1c levels and how well diabetics control their disease.  AND a higher HbA1c level makes it harder to control perio disease too.

Action step:

Find the above image, print it out and use it when talking to diabetic patients.  You can use it when discussing perio and/or diabetes with your patients.  Use it with patients who have a family history of diabetes and those that have diabetic family members.

Imagine how this conversation will show your patients that you are a well-educated, concerned member of their healthcare team and focused on more than just cleaning their teeth.

PS-for a fun parody and response to The View’s segment check out AndyRDH’s video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ikF3-qKew