Month: May 2013

It may not be getting any worse but is it getting better? The effects of chronic inflammation.

One of the statements Kim, Jamie and I hear a lot when we coach clients is this:

“I have a lot of patients that have 4-5mm pockets that bleed, but they’ve been like that for a long time. They’re maintaining and aren’t getting any worse so why should we recommend anything different than maintenance?”

Our question is then: “But are they getting any better?”

The definition of maintain is:

1) to continue, carry on

2) to keep in existence

3) to keep in good repair, condition

All these definitions imply that maintenance is to keep something in a GOOD state, not a state of disrepair. Chronic, long-term inflammation is a state of disrepair.

When patients are maintained in a state of disrepair (periodontal infection or dental infection) they may not be getting any worse but they are not getting any better. They are maintaining chronic inflammation and infection.

Now, to be fair, there are plenty of patients that have residual pockets over 3mm after active perio treatment that are perfectly healthy. These are patients that do not exhibit bleeding on probing or exploring, the tissue is generally pink and firm in tone, and the patient has little to no health history risk factors.

When this is not the case, and there is active inflammation, the following correlations have been shown between overall health and chronic periodontitis (references available upon request):

• Increased risk for heart attack and stroke
• Increased difficulty in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels for diabetics
• Increased risk for cardiovascular disease and kidney failure in diabetics
• Increased difficulty in managing other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Increased likelihood to have obstructive sleep apnea

So take another look at those patients that aren’t getting worse.

Ask yourself, “Are they getting any better…what care can I provide to help them get there?”

Stay Inspired,
Rachel

GOT GOALS?

“Arriving at one goal is … the starting point to another.” So whenever we begin private coaching with our clients, we make sure that we sit down with the team and create a clear vision as to how the new protocols will be implemented. We set goals that are obtainable and we map it out clearly as to how that will look.  When creating your goals, use the time-tested “S.M.A.R.T.” formula:

• (S)pecific: having defined goals creates clarity for you and your team as to what is expected.
• (M)easureable: make sure you develop benchmakrs and that you monitor, measure and report the progress being made (this is also a huge motivator!).
• (A)chievable: coming up with realistic goals is key because if it doesn’t feel like it can be accomplished – then it’s hard to even get started – and you also will quickly get unmotivated.
• (T)ime specific: by creating a timeline for your goal, you move it into the present and increase your commitment to achieving it.
• (R)ewarding: once you have achieved a goal, make sure you reward your team/self by celebrating your success. This makes everyone feel appreciated and motivated to keep growing and starting on the next goal!

Here is an example of what goal setting and accomplishment might look like for your and your team:

Contact us if you’d like more information on our private coaching programs and how we can help you achieve these goals!

Stay Inspired,
Jamie

We get this question all the time from our private clients and Mastermind members… ‘so where do our dental assistants fit in here?’.  Our articles and training videos speak to the doctor, the hygienist and the office manager but admittedly, our programs are not specifically geared to speak to dental assistants.

But what we’ve found is that the dental assistants that do participate in our online and private coaching programs gain a lot of knowledge and confidence not only in educating their patients with periodontal disease but also in being able to more fully assist the doc and hygiene team in the diagnostic and enrollment process for all treatment.

That’s easy for me to say, right? I want you to hear it directly from a real-life dental assistant. So…

We have a short video in today’s feature for you. See how she feels she’s grown as a result of IH training.

Before the workshop day Jill wondered ‘What does this training have to do with me…why do I have to be here?’

After the training she gained:

• Confidence in talking with patients about their dental and overall health
• Knowledge of specific systemic connections and how SHE personally can make a difference in her patients overall health
• The feeling that she’s an integral part in growing the practice (and the hygiene department) by supporting doc and hygiene’s treatment recommendations
• Excitement to have a new set of tools to better communicate with her patients

Stay Inspired,
Rachel

You’re not going to want to miss the Hygiene Profits Mastermind call this month! Every team member I’ve ever met over the last 22 years has asked me about this topic. There’s a lot of confusion and misunderstanding when it comes to financial incentives and on this call, we clear it up!

On the May 16^th monthly Hygiene Profits Mastermind call, Dr. Sharon Tiger will address the nuts and bolts of a win-win bonus system.  I know you’ll get a lot of good information, so be sure to tune in!

In order for you and your entire team to be on the same page with the idea of increased income based on day -to-day productivity, it may require a shift in how you look at the idea of a bonus.  Don’t miss this and if you’re new to the Mastermind, we have a special offer for you below.

“Did you say BONUS? Finally a Realistic Approach That Works!”
with special guest Dr. Sharon Tiger

There are numerous formulas and systems for team compensation. No matter what our clients choose, we always recommend a TEAM BONUS system in addition to hourly, salary or commission based compensation for ALL team members. Dr. Sharon Tiger has a simple, trackable, practical system for implementing a bonus system in your practice. On this call, she’ll reveal:

• How to create a win-win-win situation that helps build the practice and encourages team members to promote high-level care which in turn creates healthier patients

• Ways to de-mystify the Bonus formulas so your team is involved in the process and can track their progress every day

• What must be included in the ‘break even’ amount and how to help the team understand the role of overhead in the practice

Date: Thursday, May 16

Time: 1:00pm Eastern

CE credits are provided by Inspired Hygiene.

Inspired Hygiene is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing dental education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship, Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement.

The current term of approval extends from 6/1/2010 to 5/31/2014.

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

Stay Inspired,
Kim

Documenting a clear periodontal diagnosis and treatment plan is critical to the health of your practice. Not only for your patients’ well being but also to protect your practice from the risk of being sued for NOT thoroughly examining and documenting a patient’s periodontal status and/or NOT recommending proper treatment.

One question we get occasionally is this…

‘If my patient is alternating with a periodontist, do I still need to do periodic periodontal exams with full charting?’

Take a look at the short video training below for the answer …

Stay Inspired,
Rachel