Is Your Dental Practice Controlling Costs Effectively? Profitability Benchmarks for Dentists

To Improve Collections in Your Dental Practice, Manage Patient Expectations
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2010-02-09 | Word Count: 596 | Page Views: 30 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Many patients come into a dental practice with the notion that insurance will cover everything. This needs to be set straight during their first visit. In fact, the word "insurance" is a misnomer. What the patient has is really a dental benefit plan, which could cover all or a portion of their treatment. The coverage is never guaranteed, and there are dozens of ways in which payment could be denied even for a preventive exam and cleaning visit...

Maintain Your Dental Practice Profits by Dealing Effectively with Patients Who Chronically Break Appointments
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2010-02-02 | Word Count: 503 | Page Views: 53 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Appointment cancels; broken appointments, and no-shows are a source of endless frustration in any dental practice. Although the vast majority of patients keep their appointments, about 10% of patients cause 80% of that frustration. Developing a protocol for handling this group of patients is essential to avoid lost revenue of anywhere from $150 (minimally) to $700 per day, depending upon the procedure. Follow the four steps below to slow the daily losses.

Fewer Broken Appointments Mean a More Profitable Dental Practice
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2010-01-26 | Word Count: 608 | Page Views: 59 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 2.00
On a daily basis, a dentist and staff probably spend more time discussing and dealing with the topic of appointment cancels, broken appointments, and no-shows than any other subject. It is a source of endless frustration. Downtime is also the biggest single source of lost revenue.

PPO Vs Fee for Service Dental Practices: How to Make This Crucial Decision Wisely
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2010-01-19 | Word Count: 532 | Page Views: 51 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Our experience is that in an ideal situation, every dentist would like to have a FFS practice, but not all dentists are suited to running a FFS practice. To make a better decision about PPO participation, compare the characteristics of a successful heavy PPO practice with those of a FFS practice.

Improve the Profitability of Your Dental Practice by Increasing Staff Productivity
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2009-12-08 | Word Count: 582 | Page Views: 87 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 0.00
Payroll costs at many dental offices are high, and doctors are at a loss for ways to bring this under control. Across-the-board salary cuts are not the answer, as that will only result in turnover, and you may end up losing some of your best people. The key culprit is usually low staff productivity.

Dental Practice Staff Management -- Turning a Difficult Employee into a Star
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2009-10-22 | Word Count: 552 | Page Views: 119 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
It takes both courage and management skill to deal with a difficult employee in your dental practice. It is never easy to confront an employee with regard to performance issues. Yet, by developing this vital management skill, you can potentially add upwards of $40,000 to the gross receipts of your practice. That's for a solo practitioner with 3-6 employees.

Nine Policies That Greatly Improve Collections in Your Dental Practice
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 0000-00-00 | Word Count: 609 | Page Views: 27 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5.00
Many dental offices lose between $10,000 and $50,000 annually, year after year, due to deficiencies in Accounts Receivable management. Sadly, some of them don't even know how much money they are leaving on the table. With a systematic process for collecting monies that are owed, a practice can drastically reduce the revenues that remain uncollected. Sound - and profitable - collections begin with the following policies.

All of Author's Articles on this site: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. Articles

Learn to Avoid Basic SEO and Internet Marketing Mistakes
Written by: Paul Marshall | Distributed: 2010-02-09 | Word Count: 819 | Page Views: 22
Many new website owners fail to consider the basics of SEO from the planning stages of their site. The biggest mistakes are generally the easiest ones to avoid. You don't necessarily need a marketing coach to recognize and to overcome common SEO pitfalls.

Many Fail To Plan, More Fail To Execute!
Written by: Martin Harshberger | Distributed: 2010-02-09 | Word Count: 744 | Page Views: 31
As the owner, CEO or senior executive of a business, you share many things in common with the coaches of professional sports teams. Can you imagine the head coach of a team - say in the National Football League - going into a game without a game plan? Of course not! That coach would soon be out of work. Coaches literally spend hundreds hours preparing for a 60-minute event.

To Improve Collections in Your Dental Practice, Manage Patient Expectations
Written by: Peter Gopal, Ph.D. | Distributed: 2010-02-09 | Word Count: 596 | Page Views: 30 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Many patients come into a dental practice with the notion that insurance will cover everything. This needs to be set straight during their first visit. In fact, the word "insurance" is a misnomer. What the patient has is really a dental benefit plan, which could cover all or a portion of their treatment. The coverage is never guaranteed, and there are dozens of ways in which payment could be denied even for a preventive exam and cleaning visit...

A Confession From Barack Obama
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-02-08 | Word Count: 292 | Page Views: 56 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5.00
One of the big mistakes many business owners make is coming across as if they are perfect and have no faults. But here's the problem with this. Perfection doesn't endear you to anyone. And everybody knows it's false.

Why I Admire Bob the Builder
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-02-05 | Word Count: 321 | Page Views: 55 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 3.00
Today I want to talk about why I admire Bob the Builder. Until recently, I never thought much about Bob the Builder. But over the holidays, I spent some time watching different shows with my 3 year old son.

Marketing Coaching: Understanding the Basics of Page Rank
Written by: Paul Marshall | Distributed: 2010-02-04 | Word Count: 868 | Page Views: 35 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 1.00
PageRank (PR) is a numerical value Google assigns to a site as a measure of "authority." A marketing coach will emphasize that building PR is one of the most affordable SEO methods. Understanding PR and using it to craft a link-building campaign is a first step toward higher search engine results.

A Business Lesson From The Australian Open
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-02-03 | Word Count: 614 | Page Views: 51 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 1.50
Unless we move outside our comfort zone on a regular basis, we end up just going around in circles. We need to learn to play 'The Red Line' if we are going to achieve our dreams. And that's what we need to do in business, isn't it? We have to escape our comfort zone to find real success in life and in business...

Link Building in Online Marketing: Tougher Than It Sounds
Written by: Paul Marshall | Distributed: 2010-02-02 | Word Count: 871 | Page Views: 54 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 2.00
You probably don't need to read the latest professional advice...Without links, your site won't develop authority. Without authority, it won't move up on the search engines. But even the most savvy online marketing consultant would have to admit that doing that is just not as easy as it sounds.

Educate Your Customers
Written by: Jesse Self | Distributed: 2010-02-02 | Word Count: 465 | Page Views: 50
Take the time to market and sell new products to your old customers and less time trying to sell old products to new customers and you will see a drastic change in your sales, customer quality and branding position.

Evaulating Medical Gas Costs In Your Dental Practice
Written by: Chick Cowan | Distributed: 2010-02-02 | Word Count: 583 | Page Views: 47 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5.00
Medical gas is a standard expense item in most dental practices. What most dental practitioners do not know is that there are wide variances in pricing depending on the source - perhaps as much as 30% to 40%. This article will explain the many factors that may influence the cost of medical gas purchases, and how you can reduce expenses in your dental practice.

How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
Written by: Mark Silver | Distributed: 2008-07-15 | Word Count: 821 | Page Views: 35862 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.40
There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be' written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm... might there be a better way to get a book written?

The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
Written by: Judy Murdoch | Distributed: 2007-05-09 | Word Count: 1522 | Page Views: 33040 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 3.60
From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books. Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises people. Curious? Read on.

The Bizarre History Of The HOLLYWOOD Sign
Written by: Morris Timlen | Distributed: 2008-11-05 | Word Count: 1211 | Page Views: 24753 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 3.06
The most famous sign in the history of mankind is the one that graces the side of the hill above Hollywood, California. As famous a landmark as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris France, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint Petersburg Russia, and the Statue Of Liberty in New York City, the Hollywood sign is known around the world as the symbol of the American movie industry.

What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
Written by: Casey Moher | Distributed: 2008-08-05 | Word Count: 930 | Page Views: 4256 | Votes: 29 | Rating: 3.14
In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?

You Can Turn Complaints into Cash!
Written by: Judy Murdoch | Distributed: 2006-08-08 | Word Count: 795 | Page Views: 2844 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 3.54
Most of us don't like listening to complaints. We can't imagine the value in listening to someone rant and rage about something they're dissatisfied with. But here 's a secret: There's gold in those complaints—-if—-you know what to listen for.

Selecting Between a 401(k) And 403(b) For a Nonprofit
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2007-10-11 | Word Count: 333 | Page Views: 2575 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.64
Newly released IRS regulations impose several new requirements and fiduciary responsibilities on employers with 403(b) plans. While the regulations generally don't take effect until January 1, 2009, there are some provisions that apply sooner.

A Wedding Competition Worthy Of American Idol Status
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2007-12-11 | Word Count: 392 | Page Views: 2499 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.00
Past American Idol contestants Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, and Kelly Clarkson may have stood up to the pressures of the American Idol competition, but could they handle the stress of the Designer Wedding Challenge.

The Pros And Cons Of Postcard Marketing-direct marketing offline
Written by: Cheryl Miller | Distributed: 2006-11-29 | Word Count: 675 | Page Views: 2414 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.60
Postcard marketing is one of the oldest methods of marketing. Its concept is simple but can be quite effective. It is just sending out your message to your mailing list on a postcard. Postcard marketing is a powerful and cost effective way to advertise and will keep building in momentum when done correctly.

Interior Designers Expand Your Advice to the Exterior
Written by: Catherine Wilson | Distributed: 2006-07-19 | Word Count: 775 | Page Views: 2201 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.50
Do you have clients that depend on you for everything? Do they often want you to advise them in areas that somewhat fall out of your expertise? Do they ask for direction with parties, holiday decorating, coordinating weddings or even advice on landscaping? These are just a few of the ways a good interior designer is asked to stretch beyond the norm by clients who love their tastes and respect them.

Getting The Best Work From Your Graphic Designer
Written by: Erin Ferree | Distributed: 2006-11-02 | Word Count: 717 | Page Views: 2170 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 3.60
A graphic designer's goal is to provide you with the logos, artwork, and page designs that best fit your business, personality, industry, and target market and that convey your offerings and differentiators. The experience of reaching that goal can be extremely smooth and pleasant if you know what to expect up front, and if you understand that you do need to work with your designer rather than just letting them loose to create.

Why Businesses Need Receivable Factoring In Cash Flow Management
Written by: Toby Seibert | Distributed: 2007-08-08 | Word Count: 866 | Page Views: 844 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.60
In today's business environment, many businesses need to fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the business.

Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-07-09 | Word Count: 640 | Page Views: 672 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?

Equal Opportunity Pizza Ordering
Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-10-19 | Word Count: 629 | Page Views: 621 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
With online ordering, your menu and restaurant suddenly become accessible to both the deaf and blind customers in your community.

Business School for Non-Business Minds: Got a NAICS Number?
Written by: Melissa Mashtonio | Distributed: 2008-04-15 | Word Count: 423 | Page Views: 455 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
I’m a journalist. I spent a lot of my career in the news business. As my career has progressed, I’ve spent time at small and large companies, and I have sat through dozens of business meetings wondering what the heck the “money” people are talking about. They used acronyms as if they were a foreign language.

FDA's New Process Validation Guidance Recommends Team Approach
Written by: Norm Howe | Distributed: 2009-01-21 | Word Count: 665 | Page Views: 537 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
The November 2008 FDA draft guidance for process validation says "We recommend an integrated team approach to process validation that includes expertise from a variety of disciplines..." But when different people from different backgrounds work together, disagreements can stall your team. How do you get your project back on track?

The Problem With Swiping Sales Copy
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2009-12-03 | Word Count: 480 | Page Views: 134 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
This is what people miss when they try to simply "swipe" sales copy from another advertisement.

The Secret To Making Successful Business Connections
Written by: Kate Smalley | Distributed: 2006-10-11 | Word Count: 672 | Page Views: 673 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 4.00
If you have a hard time making successful business connections, don't despair. Anyone can be good at meeting people-if they use the right technique. The whole secret to making a positive connection is knowing how to attract people and inspire them to want to give you a chance.

How to Build a Really Great Business? (Super Success Secrets from a Legendary Business Master)
Written by: Chet Holmes | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 1523 | Page Views: 749 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 4.00
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval. Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater emphasis on pure performance?

How to Charge More and Get It!
Written by: Kendall SummerHawk | Distributed: 2006-08-01 | Word Count: 290 | Page Views: 645 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.88
Why do businesses undercharge for their service? Fear. Fear of being rejected and fear of being disapproved of certainly. But the real fear is of not being good enough. Here are some tips to help you decide what the right price is for your products or service.

Online Copywriting Makes Content as the King
Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-12-11 | Word Count: 560 | Page Views: 768 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.86
The inverted pyramid is basically the placing of 4 W's in the primary sentences of the articles, supported by the other W and H on the following discussions. Four W's consist of what, when, where, and who. The other W which stands for why on the other hand, follows on the succeeding paragraphs, including the elaboration for the H which also stands for how, if necessary.