ACT Dental

💡 Is Your Dental Practice Really Yours? Think Again! A lot of dentists believe the practice is theirs—and sure, it is to some degree. But here’s the truth: Your practice belongs to your patients and your team just as much as it does to you. Want a thriving, successful practice? It’s less about what you want, and more about what they need. Next time, instead of telling patients what they need, ask:  👉 “What brings you in today?” 👉 “What’s bothering you?” 👉 “How can we make your experience better?” The same goes for your team. Do they need more recognition? A raise? Additional time off? 🤔 Have you asked? Leading with their desires shows you’re truly listening—and that’s the key to happier patients, a stronger team, and a thriving practice! #BetterPracticeBetterLife #DentalLeadership #PatientCare #TeamCulture #DentalSuccess #ListeningSkills

In my recent Leadership Corner update with ACT Dental, I explore The Paradox of Success and the traps it can set for dentists - and really, for anyone who's achieved something meaningful. If your old habits and beliefs brought you success, can they keep you there? Probably not. The landscape is shifting, and adapting is essential. I break down the three steps every dentist should take to stay ahead and build a future-ready practice.

Did you know the clock at Lambeau Field is set 15 minutes ahead? It’s not broken—it’s intentional. Why? Because early is the new on time. ⏰ Let’s say you have an appointment at 9 a.m. If you walk in at 9, you’re already behind. Dentists who aim for the exact start time often end up running late. Meanwhile, your patient has been sitting there since 8:50, wondering why they’re still waiting 10 minutes after their appointment was supposed to start. And trust me—patients don’t respect dentists who are always late. They’ve taken time out of their day to visit your office. A Starbucks gift card for their inconvenience? That’s not what they want. They want you to keep your promises. So, don’t just show up on time—be early. Show your patients that you respect their time. Time is one of the most valuable assets, and once it’s stolen, you can’t give it back. Want to know what happens when you’re always late? Your team will have a lot to say about this one! 🎥. #BetterPracticeBetterLife

🏋️♂️ Dentistry isn’t just a profession—it’s a sport! 🏃♀️ Think about it: how many hours a week do you spend standing, bending, and working with your hands? Those small, repetitive movements add up, and over time, they can take a real toll on your body. If dentistry is a sport, guess what? You’re an athlete! 🦷💪 Time to start treating yourself like one. Dentists focus so much on patient health that they often forget about their own. It’s crucial to take care of your body, so you have the energy and stamina to care for your patients. 💥 Challenge time: Dedicate 30 minutes a day to cardio and 30 minutes to resistance training. You might be thinking, "I don't have an hour to spare!" But here’s the kicker: the average person spends 2 hours a day on social media. Imagine how much healthier you’d feel if you swapped that time for exercise! (Okay, we’ll allow some social media time… 😉 Especially if it’s to check out our free resources!) 🧠💡 Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, prioritizing your physical and mental health is key. It’s one thing to be older; it’s another thing to feel older. Discover how to unlock your full wellness potential! Now get moving and take control of your health! 👊 #BetterPracticeBetterLife #DentistLife #WellnessJourney #MoveMore

🚨 Ted Lasso fans, this one’s for you! 🚨 We coach a dentist who’s a HUGE fan of the show, and it sparked an amazing idea for their team! 🦷✨ In Ted Lasso, Ted puts up a “Believe” banner to inspire his crew. This dental team took it a step further and created their own Believe Box 📝—a place for shouting out teammates who live and breathe the practice’s core values. Then, they turned all those shout-outs into a HUGE Believe Banner! 🎉 💡 Here’s the takeaway: Anyone can slap some values on a wall, but do those values actually mean something? Core values need to come to life in your team’s actions every day. 🔥 Ready to shake things up? Try one creative idea each quarter to keep your values top of mind. The goal: help your team live those values—and give them a shout-out when they do! 👏 Core values shape every decision, big or small. Want to know more about how your team can lead with their values? Let’s chat! 👇 #BetterPracticeBetterLife #CoreValues #Believe

💸 Dollars vs. Pennies: The Common Pitfall of Trying to Save Money 💸 As dentists, our focus should be on making money, not just saving it. Of course, we all enjoy a good deal—whether it's a discounted grocery item or that TV on sale. But here’s where it goes wrong: when penny-pinching becomes your business model. Picture this: A hygienist asks for a raise, but the lead dentist declines. That hygienist leaves for a job that pays them what they deserve. The dentist spends months trying to replace them, only to realize the new hire lacks the passion, dedication, and team spirit of their predecessor. In the process, the dentist loses time, profits, and a top-notch team member—all in the name of “saving money.” Don’t fall into the trap of tripping over dollars to pick up pennies! By investing in great people, your profits will grow. Success comes down to having the right people in the right seats. When you’re ready to expand your team, our blueprint to hiring can help you find the perfect fit. #BetterPracticeBetterLife #DentalLeadership #PracticeGrowth #InvestInYourTeam #Dentistry

"Ideas Are Like Grains of Sand" As the visionary of your dental practice, ideas are constantly buzzing through your head. It's like standing on a beach—ideas are limitless, like grains of sand. But here's a word of caution: don’t get swept away! Sometimes, we get so excited about a new idea that we immediately share it with the team. But constantly throwing around ideas can overwhelm them—they won’t know which ones to act on. It’s like dumping a bucket of sand on your receptionist’s desk and saying, "Here’s what I got. You take it from here!" No direction, just chaos. Instead, build a sandbox. Make it your designated space to play with ideas and test them out. Run them by your traction team first, then evaluate. Some ideas might not be as great as you initially thought, and that's okay. Stay focused on your quarterly priorities, and when the time is right, show your team what you’ve been building. Don’t have a traction team? Bounce ideas off your fellow dentists in the Best Practices Association! And in the meantime, check out our blog on how different team players contribute to bringing ideas to life.

🚨 “It’s Not Me, It’s You”: Break Up with Your Insurance! 🚨 Are you stuck in a toxic relationship with insurance? You’re not alone—every dentist knows the struggle! Just like an ex-partner, insurance companies can feel controlling, taking more than they give. And let’s be honest, there was never any emotional connection in the first place. We get it—breakups are tough! Ex-partners (aka insurance companies) love to gossip, telling your patients that you no longer accept their insurance. And then what? They offer a list of other dentists who do. 😒 But here’s what you stand to GAIN from cutting ties: 💰 Make More Money: Reclaim the 25-30% profits insurance companies steal from you every year! 🤝 Build Trust with Patients: Without insurance dictating care, patients will listen to YOU and what they actually need. 🙌 Get the Respect You Deserve: Insurance undervalues your services—breaking free means patients can truly appreciate what you do. Will you lose a few patients? Maybe. But just like in any breakup, the most loyal friends stick around. By letting go of insurance, you can focus on the patients who truly value your care. It’s all about quality over quantity. Ready to make the break? 💥 Your friends at ACT Dental have your back. Download our free PPO roadmap today and take the first step towards less dependence and more profits. #BetterPracticeBetterLife #BreakUpWithInsurance #DentistsTakeControl #DentalProfits

🚀 Let’s talk about the heartbeat of your practice: your administrative team. 🚀 These incredible individuals are the first—and often the last—impression patients have of your practice. They handle everything from scheduling appointments to managing billing, all while keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Yet, how often do we unintentionally treat them like… well, furniture? 🔄 “Let me walk you up to the front desk.” 🔄 “You can schedule your follow-up with the front desk.” 🔄 “The front desk can give you more information.” 💡 See the issue? They’re not just "the front desk"—they’re Sarah, Maria, and David—the friendly faces who greet your patients, answer questions, and keep your practice afloat! 🛠️ Here are a few simple ways to show them the respect and recognition they deserve: 1️⃣ Ditch the 'Front Desk' Label: Use their names! Say, "Let’s head over to Sarah at the welcome desk—she’ll get you checked out." 2️⃣ Acknowledge Their Expertise: When patients have questions, highlight your team’s knowledge: "Let’s ask David, our scheduling whiz, to clarify that for you." 3️⃣ Show Appreciation: A simple "thank you" can go a long way. Publicly acknowledge their hard work during team meetings: "We see you and appreciate all that you do." 👨👩👧👦 Treat Sarah, Maria, and David like family, not furniture—they are the glue that holds your practice together! ✨ Want more tips on how to maximize your administrative team's potential? Join us at our conference, “Achieving Dental Administrative Excellence with Miranda Beeson.” Learn how to improve communication, streamline management systems, and enhance rapport within your practice! 🌟 Sign up now for actionable insights that will transform your practice! 🌟 #BetterPracticeBetterLife #DentalExcellence #TeamAppreciation #LeadershipInAction #PatientExperience 

🔨 Are you tired of playing kick the can with your to-do list? We've all been there. Between patient appointments, leading our team, and juggling the endless details of running a practice, it’s easy to let minor issues linger. But here's the truth: procrastination is the enemy of progress. That faulty equipment you’ve been ignoring? It could lead to a frustrated team and unhappy patients. That nagging tech issue? It might snowball into a bigger problem later on. Instead of kicking those cans down the road, it’s time to crush them! By tackling problems head-on, you’ll: 🔧 Save time and money in the long run 🚀 Boost efficiency and productivity in your practice 😊 Keep your patients smiling with a smooth-running operation So, how do you start crushing those pesky problems? First, acknowledge the issue and its potential consequences. Then, take action! Schedule that meeting, address those concerns, and tackle challenges directly. Crushing your problems now paves the way to what you truly desire: a healthy, successful practice. Imagine a stress-free day where everything runs like clockwork—it’s possible when you ditch the can-kicking habit and take a proactive approach. Be a champion crusher, not a can kicker, and watch your practice thrive! 💪 #BetterPracticeBetterLife #Leadership #Productivity #DentalPracticeManagement #ProactiveApproach #SuccessMindset