Beyond Teeth: What’s Inside Your Mouth

• By Connie Brichford | Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

Good oral health goes beyond brushing and flossing. Find out more about the inside of your mouth and the role its various structures play in speech and digestion.

Your mouth is made up of more than just teeth, so good oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing. In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum. All of these structures play an important role when it comes to good dental health and are routinely examined when you receive dental care.

The Oral Mucosa

When you open your mouth and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa, which is a mucous membrane similar to the mucous membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears.

The oral mucosa plays an essential role in maintaining your oral health, as well as your overall health, by defending your body from germs and other irritants that enter your mouth. A tough substance called keratin, also found in your fingernails and hair, helps make the oral mucosa resistant to injury.

The Gums

Your gums are the pinkish tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Also covered by oral mucosa, gums play a critical role in your oral health. Healthy gums are firm, cover the entire root of the tooth, and do not bleed when brushed, poked, or prodded. Gum disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss, so taking care of your gums by flossing daily is just as essential to dental care as brushing your teeth.

The Upper and Lower Jaw

Your jaws give your face its shape and your mouth the structure it needs for chewing and speech. Human jaws are made up of several bones: The upper jaw contains two bones that are fused to each other and to the rest of your skull, while the lower jawbone is separate from the rest of the skull, enabling it to move up and down when you speak and chew.

The Tongue

The tongue is a powerful muscle covered in specialized mucosal tissue that includes your taste buds. The tongue is not just important to your oral health — it’s also considered an integral part of the body’s digestive system — it’s responsible for moving food to your teeth, and when chewed food is ready to be swallowed, the tongue moves it to the back of the throat so it can proceed into the esophagus. In babies, the tongue and the jaw work together to enable the infant to breastfeed. Additionally, the tongue plays an essential role in the ability to speak by shaping the sounds that come out of your mouth.

The Salivary Glands

You have three sets of salivary glands in your mouth and neck: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. These glands produce saliva, which contains special enzymes that help break down food, making it easier for you to swallow. Saliva is critical to good oral health, because it protects your teeth and gums by rinsing away food particles and bacteria and by helping to counteract acidic foods that can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth.

The Uvula

The uvula is the small flap of tissue which hangs down at the back of your throat. The uvula is composed of muscle fibers as well as connective and glandular tissues. Like other soft tissue structures in the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa. The uvula has long been a source of curiosity for scientists as all of its functions are not yet fully understood. However, it seems to play some role in speech and in keeping the mouth and throat moist.

The Frenulum Linguae

The frenulum is a flap of oral mucosa that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This tissue allows the tongue to move about as it does its job. If an infant is born with a frenulum that is too short, or not elastic enough, he or she can have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect speech.

The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at the parts of the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Knowing what these structures do and what they look like can help you to maintain optimal oral health.

Local dentists — Support your local businesses and use Dentek Lab.  Dentek, Inc. Dental Laboratory is located in the heartland of America, in a suburb of Kansas City.  Our location in the Midwest benefits us in two ways: we are centrally located for shipping, and we have a Midwestern hardworking mentality and genuinely friendly staff.  As a Certified Dental Laboratory, our technicians are trained in the latest techniques and technologies.  Dentek, Inc. Lab strives to be the best quality and best service dental lab in the United States.  Our mission statement is: “Quality Work Plus Exceptional Service Equals Beautiful Results”.  Dentek Lab will offer your first three crowns absolutely free, so that you can see for yourself our quality, value, and service.  We believe that finding the right individuals and a high level of technical training is essential.  To work in our laboratory, technicians must be quality oriented, artistically inclined, have good memory, be precise and understand that their employment advancement is directly connected to the dentist / patient satisfaction.  Every aspect of fabrication is looked at as an individual task, which requires training, thorough understanding and exercise to achieve the level of quality and consistency of which we can be proud of.

Meet your local staff that you will be working with on every case.  Dave and Raymond are both Certified Dental Technicians with 25+ years of experience.

Dave Van Der Merwe    Raymond Crator

See what local Dentist Dr. Patrick has to say about his experience with Dentek Lab:

“I have been using Dentek Dental Lab since 1995 and have been very pleased with the work their company provides.  For 14 years they have consistently delivered top quality restorations for my patients at a very reasonable cost.  It’s a pleasure to work with people who know the meaning of quality, value, and service.”

Richard E. Patrick, D.D.S.
Overland Park, Ks.

Are you a Dentist in Philadelphia PA looking for a new dental lab?  Dentek, Inc. Dental Laboratory has been in business for over 30 years.  We attribute our success to the ability to consistently fabricate high quality crown and bridge, and all ceramic restorations at very competitive prices. We offer unparalleled customer service and support.  Wherever your office is located, we will do everything possible to service you like a local lab. We promise you will not see any difference in service whether we are 2 or 2,000 miles from you.  FedEx drivers will pick up and deliver cases at your office.  We pay for overnight delivery both ways.  We will supply you with prepaid and preprinted labels to minimize your shipping efforts.  All cases will be completed in 5 working days so they may be returned to you in 7-9 business days including shipping both ways.  We believe that getting cases back quickly is good for patient satisfaction and your cash flow.  You will find it a pleasure to work with a lab where all technicians are highly trained.  Every case has to be perfect in order to pass our multi-level quality control.  Mistakes are not tolerated.  Due to our extremely low remake ratio, all our restorations are unconditionally guaranteed for life.  We will remake any restoration, free of charge, should it ever fail for any reason.  We pride ourselves on the ability to fine tune every aspect of the restoration to your individual style and methods including preparation, impression taking techniques, preferences of occlusion, contacts, contours, shades, or anything else that you specifically would like done.  We take into consideration that different impression materials have different expansion ratios.  Combined with individual preparation styles, die stone, metal shrinkage, and other variables in the fabrication process that may result in a tight or loose fit, tight or loose contacts, and inaccurate occlusion, or margins.  Based on your feedback, we will synchronize all aspects so that your restorations will consistently be placed with little to no adjustment.  Feel free to contact us any time to assist you with even your most complicated cases.  We understand the value of chair time.  So if you are a Dentist in Philadelphia PA looking for a new dental lab, click here to try Dentek Lab today!

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Dentek Lab strives to be the best quality and best priced dental lab in the United States by always achieving the following on every case:

• Having the Highest Quality Materials
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• Precise Fit

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Having well trained technicians and a high level of technical training is essential.  To work in our laboratory, technicians must be quality oriented, artistically inclined, have good memory, be precise, and understand that their employment advancement is directly connected to the dentist/patient satisfaction.  Every aspect of fabrication is looked at as an individual task, which requires training, thorough understanding, and exercise to achieve the level of quality and consistency of which we can be proud.  We consistently stress the importance of carefully reading and understanding all of the instructions accompanying the case.  We will not proceed until everything is crystal clear and, if necessary, we will call you for clarification.  Should you have any general instructions that you may want us to post with all of your cases – simply let us know in advance and our computerized system will automatically print them every time we receive a case from you.

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Secrets your dentist doesn’t want you to know written by Daniel Solin. Going to the dentist may seem like a mundane chore, but it can quickly become an expensive one. Here’s what you need to know to get the most for your money when shopping for dental care.

Recently, I addressed the annual convention of the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA), an organization of dentists dedicated to continuing education. It was quite an eye-opener.

I realized I knew very little about my dentist. Even worse, I didn’t know how to determine if my dentist had the right qualifications and equipment to provide first-class dental care.

There are approximately 165,000 dentists in the U.S., and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the yearly earnings of dentists averaged $147,010 in 2007. There is no doubt we are spending a lot of money on dental care and most people do not have dental insurance. But are we spending our money wisely? This is an area of particular interest to retirees and those planning to retire, because dental health issues tend to become more pressing as we age.

Here are the secrets your dentist may not want you to know — but you need to know to get the best care possible:

Secret #1: Your dentist may not be as educated as you think.

Dentistry has changed a lot since your dentist graduated from dental school. One practitioner told me changes come “almost daily.” There have been major advances in most materials used in fillings, bonding and root canals.

The world of neuromuscular dentistry has evolved at a particularly rapid rate. This branch of dentistry treats misalignment of the jaw which can cause headaches, sleep apnea, worn or cracked teeth and severe jaw pain, among many other symptoms.

Dental techniques have also changed. Laser systems can regenerate bone lost to gum disease and improve smiles with gum contouring. Lasers and air abrasion systems can be used to remove some decay without numbing the patient and to achieve superior dental cleaning.

If your dentist is not actively engaged in continuing education, it is unlikely that he or she is keeping up with these developments. Here are some specific questions to ask:

How many hours of continuing dental education a year do you do? The top dentists I interviewed do 100 hours or more.

Where do you go for your dental education? Some of the top places for continuing dental education are LVI Global, the Pankey Institute and the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.

Secret #2: Your dentist may not have the latest technology.

Technology is an important part of today’s dentistry. Is your dentist current? Here are some questions to ask:

Digital x-ray: Dentists who do not have digital x-ray equipment are practicing in the dark ages. Digital x-rays use less radiation than film. They are easier to read and the ability to manipulate contrast makes diagnosis more accurate. This equipment is expensive. It costs $30,000-$50,000. You are worth it.

Ultrasonic Cleaning: Ultrasonic instruments vibrate plaque and calculus off your teeth, even in areas below your gums. It is much more comfortable than old-fashioned hand scraping. They can remove heavy stains (like tobacco and coffee) from the tooth and even treat periodontal disease.

Total cost to your dentist: Around $2000. There is no excuse for not having it.

CEREC: For many dentists, this is the information they don’t want you to have. The CEREC system lets your dentist provide a ceramic crown, onlay or veneer in only one visit. Use of CEREC can conserve the tooth structure and permit the dentist to seal the tooth in one appointment. No gagging impressions. CEREC means fewer injections, less drilling and no annoying temporaries.

The big rub is cost. A CEREC system will cost around $120,000. Personally, I don’t care. If I have a choice between a dentist who has it and one that doesn’t, the availability of CEREC will be the deciding factor.

Diagnodent: This is a laser which the dentist shines on the tooth and it tells whether there is a cavity and how deep it is. What’s more, the laser can even tell your dentist that a root canal may be required. With the use of this technology, the dentist can detect cavities, and find them at an earlier stage, than traditional poking around the tooth (and no one likes that!). The initial investment is $4000.

Secret #3: Your dentist may be using mercury.

I know the American Dental Association and the FDA have no problem with mercury fillings. However, none of the top dentists I spoke to would put mercury in the mouths of their families or their patients. They use a composite filling instead.

Mercury is toxic. As one dentist told me, “the only place I can legally put mercury is in your mouth or in a hazardous waste container.” Norway and Sweden have banned the use of mercury fillings.

Even without the toxicity controversy, the use of mercury fillings is still questionable. Mercury expands and contracts with temperature changes, just like in an old fashioned thermometer. This can lead to cracked teeth.

Composite fillings look better. They bond to the teeth and make them stronger (mercury fillings weaken the tooth). Teeth with composite fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold. They require less removal of tooth structure.

Mercury fillings are less expensive and easier for the dentist to use. No continuing education is necessary.

To me this is a no-brainer. If your dentist does not use composite fillings, don’t use him.

Secret #4: The lab may be more important than your dentist.

If you are like most dental patients, you have no idea which lab your dentist is using. This lack of information could cost you dearly.

Dental labs create dentures, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances, and other dental restorations like implant crowns. There is a huge difference in the quality of these labs.

In order to increase profit, some dentists use foreign labs or cut-rate domestic ones. These labs may include tin, aluminum or even lead in their restorations. A reputable, first class lab will certify its restorations contain none of those metals and provide the dentist and patient a warranty on their craftsmanship.

You should be particularly wary if your dentist is using a lab in China or Mexico, where the practice of using those metals is very common. Some of the top labs in the U.S. are Aurum Ceramics, MicroDental Laboratories, da Vinci Dental Studio, and Williams Dental Lab. I am sure there are many others.

If you don’t know where or which lab your dentist is using, you need to find out… now!

Secret #5: There’s more to good dentistry than filling cavities.

A competent dentist screens for more than tooth decay. He or she should be concerned about sleep apnea, jaw-related pain known as TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder, periodontal disease, oral cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

Sleep Apnea: Asking simple questions about snoring, weight gain, or medications such as blood pressure or acid reflux drugs can give your dentist clues about sleep apnea. Find a dentist that takes a thorough medical history.

TMJ: Did you know migraines and neck problems can be related to the position of your jaw? Your dentist should feel your joint and ask about any pain or discomfort you may be having.

Periodontal disease: By carefully checking the condition of your gums for periodontal disease, your dentist can detect early indications of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Hypertension: Most Novocain used by dentists contains epinephrine, which can increase your blood pressure. If you already have dangerously high blood pressure, the addition of epinephrine could cause a stroke. Your dentist should be aware of your medications and take your blood pressure before giving an injection or doing any dental work.

Advancements in oral cancer screening allow your dentist to find it sooner. A Vizilite exam is a detection tool used by dentists to see tissue changes in their earliest form. The dentist has you rinse with a solution and then shines a specially designed light in your mouth which will indicate the presence of oral cancer. A similar system by Velascope is also very effective at early detection.

If your dentist is not doing these health screenings, find one who does.

Secret #6: You are probably using the wrong specialist for dental implants.

Since dental implants involve the removal of a tooth and replacing it with an artificial tooth, many patients assume that an oral surgeon is best qualified to do it. This can be a flawed assumption.

Periodontists, who specialize in gum disease, may be a better option. Periodontists have special training in gum tissue and underlying bone in the mouth, which are significant issues in dental implants.

Whether you use your general dentist, a periodontist or an oral surgeon, you should ask these questions:

What is your success rate with implants? It should be at least 94 percent.

How long is the procedure? It should be no more than thirty minutes.

Do you use a surgical guide? A surgical guide directs the implant drilling system and provides for accurate placement according to the digital surgical treatment plan. It is important to confirm that the dentist doing your implant uses a surgical guide.

Do you use a CT scan and 3-D imaging software? This technology assesses bone structure and identifies the best sites for dental implant placement while avoiding vital structures like nerves.

Many dentists hold themselves out as implant specialists. You need to screen them very carefully before entrusting them with this surgical procedure.

Secret #7: Bad dental advice about dentures can be fatal!

Dentures are no joke to the millions of senior citizens who use them. While patients often pride themselves on keeping the same dentures for many years, this can be a big mistake. Your dentist should examine your dentures for evidence of wear. Wearing down the teeth on your dentures can result in distorted facial characteristics, collapse of the bite and closure of the airway.

Dentures need to be replaced at least once every seven years. Poor fit or worn dentures can cause sleep apnea, stroke or even death.

Yearly cancer screening exams of denture users are extremely important.

Contrary to common perception, dentures should be worn at night in order to insure that the airway passage is kept open. Your dentist should instruct you on proper denture cleansing and should check you regularly for signs of infection.

Secret #8: Your dentist may not know enough about sleep apnea.

The most common form of sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway during sleep. It is a pretty scary condition. The patient can stop breathing hundreds of times during the night.

A common treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP involves blowing pressurized room air through the airway at high enough pressure to keep the airway open. Many patients find it difficult to adjust to this device and want to avoid surgery, which is another treatment option. As an alternative, your dentist, working with your physician, can custom make a device that guides the lower jaw forward, called a mandibular advancement device or MAD. MAD devices are more comfortable to wear and the compliance rates are much higher than using CPAP.

If you have (or suspect you have) sleep apnea, here are some questions to ask your dentist:

Are you a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine?

Do you regularly attend the annual meeting of the Academy?

Do you work with Ear, Nose and Throat physicians and sleep physicians, where appropriate?

You can also call sleep centers and ask them what dentists they refer to in your area.

Sleep Apnea is potentially a very serious medical condition. It is important to do careful due diligence before you select a dentist to treat it.

Secret #9: Not all cosmetic dentists have the skills to really improve your smile.

A beautiful smile is a big part of our appearance. Cosmetic dentists promise us beautiful smiles (a “smile makeover”). But how do we know if they can deliver?

Any dentist can call herself a “cosmetic dentist.” Here are some questions that will help you select one that is qualified:

1. Have you had post-graduate training? If so,where? The cosmetic dentistry field has changed rapidly over the years. A dentist with no post-graduate training is not likely to be current with these advancements. Look for post graduate training in porcelain veneers from well known schools like LVI Global, the Pankey Institute and the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.

2. What kind of veneers do you use? The best veneers are either felspathic (super thin) veneers, or CAD/CAM veneers, which can be milled and made by a computer. There are pluses and minuses of both. Your dentist should explain the differences to you.

3. Show me the… veneers! Your dentist should be able to show you ten or more before and after photographs or videos. She should be willing to give you the names of patients who have consented to be used as references. Be cautious. Some dentists use before and after pictures of models they did not work on. Verify that what you are seeing is work done on actual patients!

Secret #10: How to avoid the root canal your dentist says you need.

Your dentist has just conveyed the dreaded news: “You need a root canal. Here’s the name of the endodontist I recommend.”

Now what?

Endodontists receive at least two years of additional training after dental school. They are root canal specialists. Start by checking to be sure the endodontist is licensed in your state. Some endodontists become Diplomats of the American Board of Endodontics and are “board certified.” You can check to see if your endodontist is board certified by going to the American Board of Endondontics Web site.

Ask your endodontist if he uses a surgical microscope during treatment. These microscopes magnify the tooth approximately 20 times and greatly increase success rates. If your endodontist does not use a surgical microscope, find one who does.

Once you go an endodontist, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will perform a root canal. That is his business and it is very lucrative. But is it always necessary?

Ask your endodontist if he has considered the “ferrule effect”. Technically, this means that a root canal is unlikely to be successful if there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to protect the tooth from coming loose or fracturing after it has been prepared for a crown.

If your tooth fails the “ferrule effect” test, you might be better off with an extraction and an implant, which will likely outlive you.

Still not a walk in the park, but far better than enduring an unnecessary root canal.

To prepare this article, I interviewed a number of dentists. I am particularly grateful to the following dentists, who gave generously of their time:

Mark Levy, DDS
Columbus, OH

Tara Hardin, DDS
Mason, OH

David S. Frey, DDS
Beverly Hills, CA

How to have a successful dental practice… This can be scary and intimidating for most graduates right out of college.  Starting your own practice will come with costly mistakes you will most certainly want to avoid.  In order to avoid these costly mistakes, you must first research, plan, and prepare yourself for success.

First prepare yourself

What will it take to successfully run your own business and be your own boss?  Meet with as many current practice owners as possible.  Try and get both good and bad information.  Talk with practice owners who have been successful and those who have failed.  Collect as much information as you can to prepare yourself for what lies ahead.  Be prepared to meet many people when opening your own dental practice.  Meeting these people will help you build a network of advisors that can be trusted.

Financing

Just like purchasing your own home, there will be plenty of banks out there willing to loan you money.  Pay attention to interests rates, you want to avoid high interest rates if at all possible and lock in at a fixed rate.  Stick to a 10-15 year loan, and remember you can always pay more towards your loan if your business is doing well.

Create a successful business plan

Familiarize yourself with the dental business.  This is where your network of trusted advisors will come in.  Your network can and will help you save time and money.  Get yourself involved in dental seminars and magazines that will have very important information about the dental industry.  Always keep up on your research even if you have already created a successful dental practice.

Budget

Staying within your budget when first opening your own dental practice can be very difficult.  Apply for a little more on your loan to cover equipment expense.  Once your practice is set up for success, hire someone that can take care of your budget/expenses for you.  Seeing patients full time and budgeting your expenses is not a good mix.

Set goals for yourself when opening your own dental practice, stay focused, and have patience.  This is not something that will happen overnight, so be prepared to spend a lot of time, money, and energy.  As long as you are prepared, have your financing in order, design a successful business plan, and budget you will succeed in opening your own dental practice.

Dentists in Mobile Alabama try your first 3 crowns free with Dentek Lab.  Dentek Lab located in Lenexa Kansas offers your first 3 crowns absolutely free, this will prove to you how confident we are in fabricating your crown and bridge work so that we can hopefully gain your business from there.  Dentek, Inc. Dental Laboratory is located in the heartland of America, in a suburb of Kansas City.  Our location in the Midwest benefits us in two ways: we are centrally located for shipping, and we have a Midwestern hardworking mentality and genuinely friendly staff.  As a Certified Dental Laboratory, our technicians are trained in the latest techniques and technologies.

Dentek Lab strives to be the best quality and best service dental lab in the United States.  We truly believe that quality work plus exceptional service equals beautiful results.

• Correct Contacts
• Accurate Occlusion
• Perfect Fit
• Perfect Shades
• 5 Day in Lab Turnaround
• Lifetime Warranty
• FREE Overnight Shipping Both Ways Via FedEx

Dentek, Inc. Dental Laboratory has been in business for over 20 years.  We attribute our success to the ability to consistently fabricate high quality crown and bridge, and all ceramic restorations at very competitive prices.  We offer unparalleled customer service and support.  Feel free to contact us any time to assist you with even your most complicated cases.  We believe that finding the right individuals and a high level of technical training is essential.  To work in our laboratory, technicians must be quality oriented, artistically inclined, have good memory, be precise, and understand that their employment advancement is directly connected to the dentist/patient satisfaction.  Every aspect of fabrication is looked at as an individual task, which requires training, thorough understanding, and exercise to achieve the level of quality and consistency of which we can be proud.  We consistently stress the importance of carefully reading and understanding all of the instructions accompanying the case.  We will not proceed until everything is crystal clear and, if necessary, we will call you for clarification.  Should you have any general instructions that you may want us to post with all of your cases – simply let us know in advance and our computerized system will automatically print them every time we receive a case from you.  Every stage of production has to pass our quality control check before the fabrication process can continue.  Everything will have to be done perfectly, no matter how much time it takes.

To get started today Click Here and we will gladly send you a starter kit that will consist of: boxes, FedEx prepaid shipping labels, and prescription forms.  Click Here to print your coupons to get your first 3 crowns free!  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The most common lies dentists tell themselves

By Theodore C. Schumann, CPA, CFP

“I don’t plan for equipment purchases. I just buy new stuff at the annual dental convention.”

As humans, we tend to believe things that may not necessarily be true because they fit our view of the world. These “lies,” or innocent self-deceptions, may seem harmless, but can in fact be very costly to a professional practice in terms of time, money, and satisfaction. As advisors to dentists, we have found the following to be the most common “lies” dentists tell themselves:

1. I am a doctor, not a business owner. Success is guaranteed.
Many dentists struggle with the challenges of owning a business. Some will proudly tell you that they didn’t become a dentist to make a profit, but rather to help people by treating dental diseases. Being a financially successful dentist and being a good doctor are not mutually exclusive. In fact, in order to be there to treat your patients, you or your employer must make a profit. In today’s world you must devote time to the business side of your practice.

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2. Budgets are a waste of time. I just check whether I’m doing better than last year.
Just the sound of the word “budget” sounds confining and restrictive. We all want the freedom to spend as we please. Ironically, when budgeting is proactive, the process “frees
up” money that tends to get wasted. Budgets provide the dentist three significant benefits:

• Budgets set revenue and expense goals. Studies have shown that people are more likely to accomplish goals that are written compared to those that are not.
• Budgets ensure the efficient use of resources. Setting and reaching revenue goals ensures that cash is available to meet all obligations. Expenditure goals ensure that resources are directed toward those activities that will move the practice forward toward a well-defined goal. Finally, a dentist is less likely to impulse buy because expenditures have been determined in advance.
• The budgeting process helps the dentist internalize the practice goals, resulting in better practice management decisions.

Simply depending upon last year’s numbers to manage one’s practice is like driving a car by looking in the rearview mirror. Start budgeting and experience the freedom.

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3. Scheduling for production is all about money.
One of the most dramatic improvements you can bring to your practice is to learn to schedule for productivity. Often, practices confuse being busy with being productive. Scheduling for productivity is about time management. A good scheduling system maximizes the efficient use of both doctor and staff time. Done well, scheduling can reduce stress of patients and staff, improve patient satisfaction and reduce the time a patient will need to spend in your chair. A few dollars spent with a qualified consultant can pay big dividends.

“One of the important lessons doctors must learn is that each and every one of their staff contributes to their success or failure. […] Being appreciated is one of the top reasons employees continue to work for a  particular employer.”

4. I have more important things to do than plan my equipment purchases. I can wait until it wears out and then buy what’s currently “hot” at the dental convention.
Planning equipment purchases seems like a mundane task. However, the money saved by doing this planning can be pretty exciting. Most practitioners finance the purchase of dental equipment if the amounts are significant. However, by planning ahead and saving rather than borrowing, the results are positive and dramatic. If a dentist expects to acquire $50,000 of dental equipment in three years, simply setting aside the funds in an equipment reserve account can save $8,200 (assumptions are 5% rate of return, 40% tax bracket, 7.5% interest rate, 60-month repayment term for equipment loan). Money-saving ideas occur when the dentist develops and works a good business plan in partnership with an accountant that understands the dental industry.

5. Staff are all overpaid and don’t appreciate their job – or me.
One of the most important lessons doctors must learn is that each and every one of their staff contributes to their success or failure. Studies have shown that 68% of patients that leave your practice do so because of something your staff has done. You need to create a culture where everyone works towards the practice success. Being appreciated is one of the top reasons employees continue to work for a particular employer.

6. Leadership training doesn’t apply to our practice. We’re all professionals and know what we’re doing.
How would you feel if you were boarding a flight to London and overheard the pilot say, “We don’t need a flight plan today; we can just ‘wing’ it?” Most people would feel nervous and uncomfortable because they want the pilot to know the best course, be aware of bad weather, and anticipate air traffic conflicts so they arrive at their destination safely and on time. Likewise, patients and staff want the dentist to have a clear idea of where the practice is going and to assume a leadership role. When everyone is pulling in the same direction, astounding results occur. If each person on your dental team cannot clearly articulate and enthusiastically support the practice goals, then the practice has a leadership vacuum. You are the person responsible to fill that vacuum. Improve your leadership skills and your practice performance will soar.

“Waiting even five years [to plan for your retirement] can cost you a large amount of money, and putting off funding retirement indefinitely will most assuredly put your ability to retire at all in jeopardy.”

7. Staff meetings are a waste of time and money.
One of the symptoms we see when a practice is struggling is the lack of communication between the doctor and staff. Well-run practices understand the value of staff meetings. Staff meetings take several forms. Each day should start with a morning huddle to review the day about to take place. At least monthly, the practice should set aside a couple of hours for a full staff meeting. The staff meeting is a great opportunity for training, problem solving, review of systems, and holding team members accountable.

8. Our practice is not experiencing any problems. We can afford to coast.
After working hard to build a practice, a dentist must guard against complacency. Little thoughts creep into one’s mind, “Everything is going well. I think I’ll coast for a while. I deserve it.” In times past, people manufactured horse drawn carriages, steam locomotives, slide rules, and typewriters. Today all of those once-useful products are obsolete. We sometimes forget that the world is constantly changing, and if we are not constantly changing, our dental practices become obsolete. If your practice looks the same as it did three years ago, is likely a red flag warning you to innovate, upgrade, and improve. A dynamic business plan will include innovation and improvements. Create or update your plan, and use it as a daily guide.

9. Our practice will never be embezzled. My bookkeeper has worked in our office for 20 years and is totally trustworthy.
Of course we trust our employees; we would never hire a person that we don’t trust. Trust is crucial to running a successful business. As prudent business owners, we always insist on honesty and ethical behavior. Despite the best of intentions, a substantial number of dental practices (15% to 20% by most estimates) unfortunately experience fraud or embezzlement. In order to protect business assets while simultaneously maintaining high employee morale through mutual trust and support, a dentist must implement and maintain “internal controls.” Internal controls are simply self-checking systems that constantly alert the owner whether business assets are being handled in a responsible manner. Internal controls can include a record like a day sheet, a procedure such as checking daily production totals against the schedule, or a policy such as “checks must always be signed by the dentist.” If you are unsure whether your internal controls are protecting you, contact your dental CPA.

10. I can wait until later to start funding my retirement.
We believe the first day a dentist should begin planning for his or her retirement is the first day of practice. Developing the discipline to save for retirement early is the best way to meet your retirement goals. Consider five different dentists who each contribute $25,000 per year towards retirement but started at different ages (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55) and earn a rate of return of 6%. The dentist who starts at age 35 contributes a total of $750,000 and accumulates $1,976,455. The dentist who waits until age 40 only accumulates $1,371,613. Waiting to start at age 45 only allows the dentist to accumulate $919,640. Waiting until age 50 results in accumulating only $581,899, and $329,520 if you wait until age 55. Waiting even five years can cost you a large amount of money, and putting off funding retirement indefinitely will most assuredly put your ability to retire at all in jeopardy. There are many qualified plan choices for dentists today that provide flexibility and tax advantages. Your dental CPA can help you choose the best plan for you to meet your retirement planning goals.

Marketing your dental practice can be time consuming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.  Use the resources you already have… Patient referrals.  Existing patients will always recommend a dental practice they love to their family, friends, and co-workers, but the key is to make certain all of your existing patients are happy and satisfied in order for them to do this for you and your practice.  Always let your patients know how much you appreciate them, and reward them for their referrals.  Place yourself in the shoes of a brand new patient, what are some things you would look for in a dental practice that you were visiting for the very first time.  Start with the waiting area, this should be an inviting peaceful area.  Talk with some of your existing patients and see what they would change about the waiting room.  Remember the waiting room is the first impression of your dental practice.  The purpose of an inviting peaceful waiting room is not to keep your patients waiting.  Make it your number one goal to always see patients at the time of their scheduled appointment.  Patients should never wait more that 10 minuets.  When seeing a patient for the very first time, always introduce yourself and ask them questions to try and get to know them.  For example:  Do you have any big plans this weekend?  Never get too personal at a first meeting, keep it simple and let the patient open up to you.  This will allow you to feel the patient out and see how much they want to talk or not.  Some patients will just want to simply get the appointment over with and want nothing to do with “small talk”.  Learn to read your patients, as every patient is different.  Make sure you never make your patients feel stupid or uncomfortable.  There is no such thing as a stupid question.  Try your best not to call your patients out.  About 50% of your patients will lie about flossing, so if the patient says they floss and you can clearly tell they do not, then explain some tips to floss more accurately.  Treat every patient the way you would want to be treated.  Every patient should feel like the most important person in your office.  If you and your staff are successful with making all of your existing patients 100% happy, then this will be your number one recourse for inexpensive marketing for your dental practice.