Discounts can be destructive if not used with proper judgement. There is always the danger of having people focus on price instead of the value of your services. However, keep in mind that "Discount Dentistry" is very different than offering targeted discounts to accomplish a specific goal. The key is to have a good reason to offer the discount to accomplish the targeted need. You just have to be smart about it. Kevin Tighe, Cambridge Dental Consultants, Senior Consultant, got bitten hard by the business and marketing bug during long summer days working at his dad's Madison Avenue ad agency. After joining...

There are many variables in terms of pediatric dental practice scheduling for both new patients and recare. From what the assistants can do, to how long to meet, greet, and seat, to the age of the patients and the income level of the area.  Consider offering a small discount for those who schedule during those hard-to-fill time slots. Pediatric dental practices see so many more patients per day compared to general dentist, so the flow of patients through a pedo practice nice to be very smooth.  Kevin Tighe, Cambridge Dental Consultants, Senior Consultant, got bitten hard by the business and marketing bug during...

In a general practice, a hygienist can see 8 to 10 patients per day, with operative also seeing 8 to 10 patients plus consultations, impressions, etc. Variables can include the type of dentistry being done (including SRPs), number of chairs, and whether there is some form of assisted hygiene in use. A well-trained front desk person can handle 18 - 20 patients per day. Kevin Tighe, Cambridge Dental Consultants, Senior Consultant, got bitten hard by the business and marketing bug during long summer days working at his dad's Madison Avenue ad agency. After joining Cambridge as a speaker in the mid-1990s, Kevin...

1. Hire for attitude. Train for the rest. Attitude = proud of and likes to work.  2. For the front desk, make sure to test for basic math skills. It's amazing how many prospective employees can't do arithmetic on their own.  2. Do background checks if someone will be handling money.  3. Group interviews help show how candidates interact in a group situation.  4. Some practice owners like to have their staff take the best candidate out to lunch and then have the staff give a thumbs up or down. There is a lot to be said for this method as the staff will take...