The Truth About Dentistry

As Dr. Bob Barkley once said in the 1970s, "The goal of dentistry is to make the patient worse at the slowest possible rate". Dentistry is not a perfect science. Any time we have to touch a tooth, all we are doing is slowing down a train already in motion. So the #1 mistake you can make as a dentist is to be a bad communicator. You will always fail someone's expectations IF you haven...

As dentists, we know that we can only be as strong as our team. So making sure we take the time to come together and reconnect on the clinic's on-goings is such a vital role to a healthy business. And I really feel that our team has figured out the secret sauce to a productive and high energy team meeting. Today we will discuss: Planning your team meeting. The perfect template for a stellar me...

I recently received a text from a good friend who was hearing from other colleagues in her area that her friends are "having trouble with the economy" which has led to their chairs being empty. I gave this a lot of thought and decided it could make a great podcast. Because while the economy can play a factor of the equation, it is never the whole picture. I believe that if you look at wh...

Most of us do not suffer from having too few clients, the problem is one of quality not quantity. And we will sometimes attempt to compensate by adding more clients. If we are to build a lucrative clinic with patients who appreciate our work, we need to work at creating great patient relationships. These bonds are formed when we educate and find out what the patient cares about.  If the patient do...

Marketing is a big scary word for most dentists because WHERE DO YOU START?! And honestly, starting is the hardest part! With so many platforms, and analytics, and funnels, it is basically a new language. But it can also be SO. FUN. Join me this week for a very basic intro course to marketing and learn where I believe you should start. These tips will help you bring your dental practice into the m...

If you feel ready to jump into the world of sleep medicine, it can give you a sense of imposter syndrome when you first start doing your consultations. That's why having a solid system with your team will always make you feel more confident. Diagnostics and asking the right questions will give you the entry point you need into having the right conversations with your patients. Show off your sk...

Maybe one of the hardest aesthetic concerns in dentistry is masking a large black triangle while still delivering natural looking results. But with some great additions to your tool belt, you can conquer anything! In today's episode we discuss: The importance of a planned approach. The Bioclear system and how we can tweak it for our advantage. Tips for adding character to teeth in a simple way...

Although I am obsessed with marketing, believe it or not, not all dentists love doing social media! And even for a self-proclaimed marketing addict, I even struggled to keep the consistency in my marketing for a long time. But what I have learned is that your team can be a huge asset IF you know how to get them excited to help out! In today's episode I discuss the tips and tricks I have learne...

Having clearance for composite bonding is one of the most important things you can do to have long lasting work that your patients are happy with for years to come. However, not all patients are willing to go the ortho route, or aren't even good candidates for orthondontics! That is why I have been using the vertical bite technique with increasing frequency through the years, because it just w...

In the past 6 months I have had the opportunity to join two incredible multidisciplinary clinics in my province, New Brunswick. These types of clinics are on the rise in rural areas so that these communities can attact various health services that they would otherwise not be able to draw in. Today's episode is a reflection on what my experience has been working with these groups, and how I bel...

WHITER TEETH - The #1 patient sought-after cosmetic treatment. This affordable treatment has a complicated history of sensistivity and lack-lustre results. I have offered whitening services for most of my career, with varying results from each product I have tried. In today's episode we discuss: Creating expectations with your patients about results In-Office vs Take-Home use Concerns and solu...

As a dentist, I cannot have more gratitude for my assistants and all of the work they put in behind the scenes and when I am not in the room to ensure successful appointments and patient satisfaction. I especially value their insights into our new patient consultation appointments and have put together a list of super star qualities I have seen in my assistant. I hope that by listening to this pod...

An engaged team is a powerful thing! When your team is excited and putting their 100% into your team training, that is when you get the best pay-off for the time you have put aside to help level up their skills. But it isn't always easy to foster. That's why this episode is dedicated to putting the FUN into your training days to bring your team together. Have you ever wanted to try your ow...

Every year I like to do a round up of my favourite tools I'm bringing from the previous year into the new one. These 5 tools have totally changed the game and help my clinic perform at the next level. Have you ever wanted to try your own team TRAINING DAY, but not sure where to start?  Grab our FREE Amazing Race Starter Pack for templates and topic ideas to get your team motivated!  Click the...

You've just really impressed your client in their consult, but will what comes next hold the same value? The simple truth is, a weak closing can really harm your patient's first impression of you. If they feel like they are leaving with a shakey idea of what comes next, and a unprepared treatment coordinator who has more questions than answers, then your consult really wasn't as succes...

Sometimes as dentists, we run into children who need restorative work and we are their last hope. Now I'm not sure how it works in your area, but in New Brunswick, our children are looking at a 6-12 month waiting period for OR sedation. So being able to quell anxieties and get control of the paediatric appointment is crucial. In this epidsode I discuss: How to get your patient's focus back...

Every once and awhile it's good to look back at your work and make sure you are delivering the best patient experience possible. This episode mainly goes out to my audience of newer dentists who are looking to hone their skills, but I hope my more experienced audience can also take away a few reminders while I discuss my techniques to avoid patients calling up after their fillings saying that they...

We are back with another segment of our Marketing Moments Series! We discussed previously this great give away that promotes your skills and creates huge engagement. So now I'd like to talk to you about the follow through and how to make the most of a smile give away! Today we discuss: - Choosing the right applicant. - Documenting the moments. - Sharing the story. Have you ever wanted to try your...

We're back with a brand new addition to our UnconDentional Series with a really unique way to deliver anterior Maryland Bridges. This ribbond method puts all of the esthetic control of your bridge in your hands. It is a great cost effective option that has given me many beautiful results over the years. Today we discuss: - What conditions must be present for this to be an option for your patient....

While working in cosmetic dentistry is usually rewarding, you can't please everyone on the first attempt! While you and your team may know that we can always make things right and adjust as needed, our patients can react poorly at first! And if you don't know how to handle these situations both in front of the patient, and in your own head, then it is likely you won't last very long in the field....

Stock Images are CANCELLED. 🛑 It's more important than ever to come across as an authentic brand, and your potential patients can spot a stock image photo a mile a way. This episode will help you sort out how to go about having a content Batching day so that your authenticity can shine through in your digital footprint. **BLACK FRIDAY SALE** Wanting more? Take "The Modern Dentist" digital course...

We went back through the archives to repost one of our favourite episodes on building patient relationships! This is the most crucial part of dentistry and cannot be emphasized enough! There is a reason there are so many patients with dental anxiety and it is our responsibility, to correct the mistakes made by dentists in the past that has led to such poor patient perceptions. /// Wanting more? Ta...

Probably one of the most common cosmetic issues I see that can throw off the harmony of a smile is uneven gum tissue. It's often hard for a patient to identify as the root cause which leads to them being disappointed in their smiles even after undergoing Invisalign or previous bonding. Being able to address this problem directly in your clinic can drastically improve outcomes and not require t...

By popular demand, today's episode will discuss my free-hand technique that gets me many of the results seen on my Instagram. Today I will be discussing: Using my mock-up template that was previously done in the consultation process. Favourite materials. Finishing techniques for the final polish. Not quite sure what these steps might look like in practice? Take "The Modern Dentist" d...

Today I bring to you my new mini-series called Marketing Moments! This will be a segment I do that focuses on new marketing and social media trends & developments that I learn about or experiments I have done with my own platforms that have been really successful. Today’s moment is about a recent contest we did on my Instagram with a local business and the amazing results we were able to achie...