Medical Billing

Budgeting: Main Hurdle in Managing Practices

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Medical practices, and orthodontic practices by extension, aren’t exactly cheap, especially when taking into account the rising costs of equipment and medicines. In fact, the Medical Group Management Association says that the operational expenses of U.S. practices not owned by hospitals have increased by 64 percent since 2001 and this figure shows no signs of slowing down. Reliable orthodontic practice management is, therefore, not a luxury but a necessity, if orthodontists want to stay in business.

Practice management consultants can intervene through a number of ways. First, they can educate orthodontists about the contents of the latter’s financial documents, particularly their general ledger, which provides details on overall operational costs. If they know how to read their ledgers, orthodontists will have a better idea of their financial situation by comparing their numbers with national or statewide figures.

Second, consultants can assist orthodontists in entering negotiations on certain costs, like rent, office supplies, and service contracts. It’s common for start-up orthodontic practices to assume that the price of their supplies and equipment is final. Third, consultants can train the relevant staff in proper financial management, especially when it comes to maximizing revenue and minimizing overall expenditure. This includes being ‘in-the-know’ of industry trends, particularly when it comes to performing “cost-effective” orthodontic treatments.

Happy Dental Team, Stellar Orthodontic Practice

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Your dental team is a key component in the success of your orthodontic practice. In fact, patients tend to set their expectations based on the dental team. If the members of the team are cheerful and motivated, patients are more likely to feel happy and satisfied with the results of their appointment.

Of course, assembling a well-rounded and motivated staff is easier said than done. To help you out, here are a few tips:

Hiring Your Team

Try not to fall head over heels in love with an applicant’s resume. Impressive credentials are certainly a plus, but dig deeper and find out the personalities of your prospective hires. If team member A has excellent clerical skills, but lacks the interpersonal skills to interact with patients, you need to find someone who can cover for team member A’s deficiencies.

Listening to Your Team

Conduct monthly one-on-one sessions with each member of your team. Use these one-on-one sessions to learn if your team members have concerns that should be addressed or ideas that could improve the practice.

Your team is a vital part of your practice, so keep them involved in the growth of the practice. Showing them that you’re interested in more than just their productivity also helps them stay motivated.

Motivating Your Team

You should set up a system that rewards exceptional performance and work attitude. Employees love being recognized for their hard work, and being recognized and rewarded gives them an incentive to work even harder.

 

Basic Aspects of Orthodontic Practice Management

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Reliable and effective orthodontic practice management is one of the ways orthodontists can prevent their practices from folding, which holds true for any other business. However, managing an orthodontic practice is easier said than done if orthodontists don’t even know where to start. To make things easier for them, orthodontists can focus on the different aspects of practice management: business management, personnel management, and patient management.

Business management for orthodontic practices isn’t entirely different from managing commercial establishments as it also tackles day-to-day operations, as well as non-personnel matters like finances, insurance, inventory, and marketing. Personnel management, meanwhile, involves hiring/firing of staff and implementing office rules and regulations. Patient management deals with properly scheduling patient appointments, maintaining patient records and invoices, and referring patients to other specialists and practices when needed.

Although these aspects require different skills and competencies, proper communication skills remain a universal requirement for all of them. When marketing the orthodontic practice, interpersonal communication skills are needed to entice potential clients to make a visit. When managing patient records, knowledgeable insight is appropriate since this involves relaying technical information to the parties concerned.

Orthodontic practice management is not limited to being present in your office, receiving patients, receiving payments, and buying supplies. Orthodontists can learn more about being better business managers by engaging the services of orthodontic marketing companies.

Is Software the Best Tool for Practice Management?

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Running an orthodontic practice is not easy. Numerous issues like finances, record keeping, and inventory are some of the things that many orthodontists deal with on a daily basis. As such, many orthodontists feel the need to hire an assistant (or two) to help them with their operations. While this sense of concern is understandable, orthodontists should also know that they can receive valuable assistance from an orthodontic practice management software, which allows them to efficiently manage their day-to-day business.

Management software tends to vary from one developer to another, but they usually address the same issues. For example, purchasing new orthodontic equipment is generally done over the phone or in person, but a management program with inventory procurement features can do the same thing, albeit online. Issuing patient invoices and managing financial documents are also streamlined with the help of software, which can make more accurate numerical assessments than a human can.

Even the simple act of purchasing management software is already beneficial in itself: computer programs don’t need paychecks or work insurance! Orthodontic practice management software also gives many orthodontists an edge over their competition, since the idea of relying heavily on a management program isn’t widespread yet. Finally, most management software applications are tamper-proof, which makes orthodontists less vulnerable to identity theft.

Tips for Managing an Orthodontic Practice

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

The way you manage your orthodontic practice can affect your profitability and reputation. Needless to say, better practice management will lead to a better, happier practice. With that in mind, here are a few tips that can help you manage your orthodontic practice more effectively:

Have Regular Team Huddles

Be at the office as early as possible each day so you can hold regular team huddles. Go over the records of patients with appointments for each day, as well as any special treatment instructions that may need to be followed. By doing so, your staff can prepare accordingly, while patients can have an idea about what to expect during their visits. You can also use these huddles to hear out any concerns your staff may have.

Automate Your Processes

Balancing your management responsibilities with your patient care duties can be tough. Look into purchasing practice management software that can automate tasks like scheduling appointments and updating patient records.

Be Active in the Community

Part of managing your practice is promoting your practice, particularly by playing an active role in your community. Set aside a donation budget for activities that aim to improve the community, or better yet, join these activities yourself. You may also want to look into sponsoring smaller events organized by your patients.

Features of Practice Management Software

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Running an orthodontic practice can be difficult, especially if you are the only orthodontist in the office or have a small dental team. Fortunately, there are many orthodontic practice management programs available on the market today. These programs are created to reduce the time spent on business matters and allow you and your staff to focus more on patients. Here are some of the convenient features practice management software can offer: Read More

Cottony Soft: Teeth Friendly Foods For Braces Wearers

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

Most people find it hard to eat with newly-installed braces. Numbness is typically felt along the gum line, though this is temporary. Normally, the orthodontist will advise you to eat pureed foods for the next 24 hours or for several days before you can back to your usual diet.

Your teeth become sensitive during orthodontic treatment, so you will need sufficient calcium in your diet. Dairy products are good for braces wearers because they require minimal chewing. If you are lactose-intolerant, soy products are recommended as they will not irritate your stomach. Opt for soft fruits such as raspberries, more so when your teeth are tender after wire adjustment. Hard fruits, on the other hand, may be eaten on days when your teeth do not feel tender.

Meat is stringy and often gets stuck in braces, so you should choose lean, bite-sized pieces of meat. Avoid eating meat right from the bone as it dislodges the brackets. Other alternatives include, fish, tofu, chicken, and pork. It is also wise to avoid nuts because they tend to bend the wires and cause the teeth to move into undesired positions. Moreover, candy must be avoided during orthodontic treatment because it is destructive to the braces and to the tooth’s surface. Proper food selection and oral hygiene is highly encouraged because tooth decay will be at its peak during the orthodontic treatment.

Benefits of orthodontics

Posted on by OrthoSynetics

A person’s smile displays their personality, and can be a great asset or an embarrassment. Since a bright smile is an important factor in first impressions, improving your smile is a valuable investment in your confidence and your future. If you are worried about big or small imperfections, orthodontic care is available to fix your teeth and increase your confidence.

Although it is best for children to see an orthodontist at an early age, not all will receive immediate care. Children who visit an orthodontist will be evaluated early as to whether the child needs orthodontic treatments and when it can be done. When dental problems are treated early, the proper alignment of the jaw can be guided, as well as the growth of permanent teeth. Early oral care training can avoid needless extractions of permanent teeth later, and can stop thumb-sucking habits, as well as cure other abnormalities, including speech problems.

Proper orthodontic care can ensure an easier life for one’s teeth, gums and jaw. Teeth that are properly aligned and supported can last longer, are healthier and are easier to clean. Children who have early orthodontic intervention can benefit in adulthood by avoiding expensive treatments later.

Orthodontic care not only improves appearances and self-confidence, but can be a lifelong investment in overall health. The key is early intervention and with today’s technology, there is no excuse for not being able to receive affordable, quality care with results that can last a lifetime.