Dentaltown August 2022 - 56

a checklist. Put one person
in charge and implement
a purchase order system so
you know and approve what's
being ordered. Shop for the best
prices and consider joining a dental
buying group. Consider ordering
generic brands. Prepare a list of suppliers,
stock up on core supplies and look for
backup suppliers.
Examine subscriptions and service
contracts: This includes telephone lines
(consider VOIP), internet, waste management,
cleaning service, lawn service, etc.
You may be able to downgrade the service
or fi nd things you no longer need.
Utilize credit cards: Take advantage of
introductory offers and merchant-specifi c
discounts. Pay all offi ce expenses with one
credit card and earn rewards on purchases.
Compare insurance rates: Shopping
around for insurance is one of the best ways
to ensure you're paying the best rate based
on your circumstances.
Outsource tasks: Evaluate the administrative
area and consider outsourcing
some tasks instead of hiring another team
member. Outsourcing insurance verifi cation
and follow-up will free up time to focus on
keeping the schedule full and productive.
Create an in-house membership plan:
You may need options for patients who are
feeling the effects of infl ation, losing their
jobs, etc. An in-house membership plan
helps retain patients and helps them afford
the treatment they need.
Take team inventory: Employees are
feeling the effects of the economy and may
want an increase in pay. You can't afford
Close the back door:
Look for blind spots that cause
patients to fall in the cracks.
* Revisit your recall and
reactivation processes.
* Verify that calls are going
out regularly to schedule pastdue
patients and patients with
unscheduled treatment.
raises if the practice is losing money. The
actions of team members have a lot to do
with the viability of the practice. Take
inventory of your team using their individual
job descriptions as a guide.
* Position.
* Rate of pay.
* Benefi ts.
* Performance.
* Attitude.
* Contributions to the practice.
There are many possible outcomes to
this activity. You may discover you need
to hire, give raises if you can afford it,
outsource or make internal adjustments.
Focus on retaining productive and loyal
team members. Work on team dynamics,
designate time for team training and focus
on improving offi ce culture.
Conclusion
Infl ation takes our attention away from
fundamental business practices and taking
care of our patients and employees. Now
more than ever, effective internal systems
are needed for consistent income and predictability
in your practice. If you collect
$900,000 in the next 12 months and you
reduce overhead by 5%, that adds $45,000
to your bottom line.
In addition to your current owner responsibilities,
you will need to add managing
infl ation effects to your job description.
It's unlikely that this will be the last time
you will be faced with this challenge. Drive
profitability, increase productivity and
boost accountability. Focus on the actions
that matter. ■
Earn up to 6 CE credits and learn
more about hiring and staffi ng!
Sandy Pardue's four-course online CE series explains everything
dentists need to know about hiring and managing scheduling
coordinators, treatment coordinators, fi nance coordinators and
front desk team members. The 1.5-credit course for each position
includes job descriptions, key attributes to look for when hiring,
suggested performance monitors and even what to post for the
job listing. To get started, scan the QR code at left.
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Dentaltown August 2022

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