Helping the Dental Practice Thrive in Today’s Economy

Many practitioners have noticed changes in their practice scheduling and procedures performed. In order to keep the business viable, there are several tips that can help. 

1.     Strengthen your skills and knowledge.  Get back to reading the industry publications, attending CE, and improving and expanding your skill set.

2.     Get back into a routine.  New patients go where they can get an appointment.  You might need to decrease days off and vacations in order to improve access to your services.  Re-evaluate your schedule to insure that you are allowing access to many demographics of patients.

3.     Decide how to handle questions about your office and the economic effects it is dealing with.  You don’t want to talk about a poor economy throughout the appointment and then show the patient a treatment plan for thousands of dollars.  Be proactive in your actions and dialogue in demonstrating that now is the time to make yourself better, to differentiate yourself.

4.     Start rebuilding your patient network.  Internal referrals remain the most consistent and long-term way to build a solid practice.  It also remains a sound economic investment.  As you see your patients in the community, visit with them, introduce yourself to their friends, and invite them to come to your office.

5.     Don’t make the same mistakes twice.  The state of the economy might not have been your fault, but your actions have contributed to the level of stress and slowdown that you might be experiencing.  Assess your behavior with regards to communication, treatment plan acceptance, staff competence, and staff goals; make changes to positively

This was adapted from The Wall Street Journal, Making an Easy Re-entry Into the work Force by Diana Middleton.

Dental Health Message

We would like to thank all those that were instrumental in organizing and arranging the humanitarian project that the Alliance participated in at the Dental Alliance luncheon held during  the Utah Dental Convention.  

We have had the opportunity to partner with the American Medical Association Alliance and fight the use of smoking in PG rated movies. Below is the article giving some details of the campaign.

“The problem of tobacco in Hollywood has an answer: demand future youth-rated films be tobacco-free and break the ties between the entertainment and tobacco industries. The American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance has always been a strong, passionate advocate for the health of America's children and feels it is imperative to join national health groups and advocate for youth-rated films to be free of tobacco and its associated images.”

“To raise awareness about the harm on-screen tobacco use causes and garner support for the Smoke Free Movies campaign, the New York State Department of Health and the University of California at San Francisco developed the national action program: Screen Out!”

Goals of Screen Out!

In October 2006, the Medical Alliance joined the Smoke Free Movies movement giving a powerful, national voice to the Screen Out Campaign. Through letter writing, petition and endorsement campaigns, the members of the AMA Alliance are creating national public awareness and building a strong base of support for the four solutions set forth by the campaign.

If you are interested in this issue and concerned, please visit the web site: screenout.org. You can see what the four solutions are for this campaign and see how you can show your support. The Alliance of the American Dental Association is a partner in the Screen Out program.

We are looking for a project for the next UDA convention held in February. If you have knowledge of one, please let us know. Becky Richards uptownendo@hotmail.com.

Annual ADA Convention. Are you going?

An Abbreviated Annual Convention Schedule Honolulu, HI

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel

Thursday, October 1 AADA Council Meetings (3:30 – 5:30 pm)

Saturday, October 3 AADA Caucus Meetings (8:30 – 10:30 am)
AADA Neff Luncheon (11:00 am - 12:30 pm)
AADA Reference Committee Hearing (1:00-2:30 pm)

Sunday, October 4 ADA/AADA Brunch
Register through the ADA(9:30 – 11:30 am)
AADA House of Delegates (1 – 4:00 pm)
Reception for President-Elect Carol Reitz AADA President’s Reception (TBD)

Monday, October 5 AADA ADPAC/Member Project
Awards Breakfast (8:00 - 10:30 am)

**If you're lucky enough to attend, we'd love to see pictures and post them on this blog. Email them to thecondieclan@gmail.com**

AADA Conference 2009- Find the Shoe that Fits

The AADA Leadership Conference, which is now titled AADA Conference, was held in Baltimore the last weekend in March (26-28). Perhaps  “Leadership” was dropped from the title to encourage participation from any member of the Alliance who wants to attend and become fully  involved whether holding a leadership position or not. The theme of 
 the Conference was “Find the Shoe that Fits,” encouraging us to  volunteer in our particular area of interest to further promote AADA. An optional tour to Washington DC was offered on Wednesday and a busload of participants took advantage of a great historical opportunity and beautiful spring weather. Thursday included an optional tour of the historic city of Baltimore. Even though the day was drizzly, we enjoyed many sites including the Inner Harbor, Shakespeare Street, and Fort McHenry, home of the “Star Spangled Banner”. A welcome event kicked off the Conference Thursday evening, which then continued jam-packed with a legislative breakfast, membership luncheons, and dental health meetings until late Saturday night concluding with the Gala. The Well Being session speaker was Sheryl Roush whose “Sparkle-Tude” presentation displayed how our attitudes really do make a difference in our lives and showed us that laughter is imperative to our well being. Two recipients from Utah,  Sue Ryser and Marisa Wall, were honored as Beulah K. Spencer winners at the Spencer luncheon on Saturday. Baltimore is home to the National Museum of Dentistry housing George Washington’s choppers (they’re not made of wood after all!) along with several interactive exhibits. The two ladies from Georgia, Shari Carter and Mary Percy, who were the Conference co-chairs for gifts and favors, did an outstanding job. Each event, luncheon, and dinner was beautifully  decorated and each attendee came home with a bag full of wonderful gifts and memories. The "Georgia girls" will also be the Conference co-chairs for 2010, and they promised to outdo this one – put AADA Conference 2010 (late April) in your plans.

Past Presidents Luncheon for the Alliance of the Utah Dental Association

Monday September 21, 2009

12:00 noon

Thanksgiving Point Harvest Restaurant

All Past Presidents Invited

RSVP to Sharon Wiest 801-225-2048

We will order off the lunch menu-prices range from $9-16

We will walk through the Gardens afterwards--it takes about one hour

Cost is $10

Alliance Day

Alliance Day was a great success.  Our booth at convention received a great deal of attention from prospective members.  The service project was quickly completed.  Our new board was installed by our National President Anne Morrison.  Thank you to Sharon Wiest who has done an outstanding job as President and congratulations to Margaret Tribe and our new board.

Just a few dates for you to keep in mind:  February 20th is our annual Utah Alliance day luncheon.  Reservations can be made through Sharon Wiest or Margaret Tribe.  March 25th-28th is our national Leadership Conference in Baltimore Maryland.  Information about this can be found at allianceada.org.  The most recent "Key" edition can also be accessed at the same website. The ADA Convention will be held in Honolulu, HI this year on Oct. 1-5. 

Please watch for the information on changes to our AUDA constitution.  We will be voting on the changes at our state alliance luncheon on February 20th.  Hope you are all planning on attending the luncheon which is held during the UDA Convention.  We will have the installation of next years AUDA board at this time.  Many Thanks to Sharon Wiest and her board for their dedication and hard work this year.