Dentists Get Personal Financial Tools for Whipsawing Economy

Dentist CE Course: Financial Preventative Care
Making the most out of your financial opportunities...
Location: Renstrom Dental Studio
Date: February 17, 2008
Gathering Time: Appetizers 6:15 PM
Program Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

This short, timely course will be given by Rick Epple, Senior Financial advisor at Epple Financial Advisors in the Renstrom dental laboratory seminar room. Rick will cover ways to maximize financial opportunities, implement effective succession and retirement plans, and  achieve financial independence.

At this dental seminar, dentists from the Twin Cities MN area will be presented with ideas and strategies that you can use to build a financial future, enabling you to live the life that you always dreamed of. Rick will discuss a model for making smart decisions, common pitfalls, avoiding and escaping the financial alarm trap, resources to count on, and much more.

Care for your future just as you do for your dental patients! There will be no cost for attending and all dentists are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!

Rick is a Northern Dental Alliance Member.

To RSVP and find out more about the Dentist Financial CE seminar at NDA.

Find out more about Rick Epple, CFP - Financial Advisor for Dentists in MN and other states.

• RSVP Renstrom dental lab in Minnesota

What Will Happen To Dental Marketing in 2009?

The economy has changed in a dramatic way. Even if you had a good year, the ground has shifted and consumers will react. Dental practices that follow the crowd could end up heading off the cliff of generic malaise or getting little to drink at a very dry lake.

Recently, a client sent me a newsletter from a dentist who helps practices make decisions about their strategies. The consultant's idea was to start focusing on insurance patients and family dentistry. Basically, because money will be tight for consumers dentists should find ways to do dentistry that costs less. Sounds like a common sense business and dental marketing strategy in these tough economic times.

The problem is NOT that it won't work. It will work very well for many dentists. But what you need to consider is: are you 'many' dentists? Or look at it this way, would it make sense to tell all businesses to become Wal-mart when the economy goes down hill?

The dental practice management consultant also said that cosmetic dentistry as an overriding focus would be a problematic strategy in this environment. While I agree, cosmetic dentistry has never really made huge inroads - staying around 3-5 percent of overall dental treatments in the U.S.

Unfortunately, dentistry as a service has hardly moved at all in its utilization by the public even with the exciting elements of cosmetic or aesthetic enhancement. From 1996 to 2004, there was no change in the percentage of consumers with a dental visit (SeniorJournal.com). This dental care statistic, while seemingly problematic especially in this economy, offers a good perspective in determining how to market YOUR practice (not every practice).

Things will change but not everything will change. Here are some realities you want to consider as you decide on what direction your dental marketing and business strategy will go in 2009...

First, the consumer is still stuck in a rut of dentistry tradition and dental fears. Their needs and wants are often conflicted because of this dilemma. While it can be frustrating for dental professionals who want improve public health, it shows how the economy has little to do with when they will go to the dentist. When they have significant dental problems, the economy has almost no impact on them. Historical memory, human emotion and dental pain are recession proof.

Second, the general consumer thinks about health when dentistry is brought up. Everything else is sidelined in some way. Cosmetic dentistry is marketing icing. No matter how ugly your smile is dental fears are not removed. The nice smile on your advertisement gets people to look and consider dentistry more so than a diagrammed root canal. Yet one look does not equal a dental visit. Your dental marketing needs to have reality infused in it so it does not look too unfamiliar. Most everyone would like a beautiful smile - just like most would like to have a hard body. But getting it done is another matter. 

Finally, the money is out there, just look at the numbers. Even if the employment goes as high as 11% (what most see as the high end) there are still 89% who will still have a job. While there will be areas that get hit very hard, overall there are people who will find the money to get it done. Those who have a lot less - will probably just hold off unless everything is paid, and go to the real Wal-mart--not practices that resemble them.

That means you won't make it up on those who rely solely on insurance or the family dentistry group with a big dental treatment plan or a couple crowns because more of them will just sit on their hands. And think about it, who is hit harder in this economy, those with kids or those without? People without kids have the money to spend, and will do it if the value is evident.

Conclusion

What would you do with extra money right now? Buy and flip some houses? Pile it into the stock market? Open a restaurant? Buy a new car? It might be 12 months to 5 years before at least some of these things seem more palatable. 

Yet, if you had money - like most people 45 and older who are in the upper 25% of incomes and household wealth - and your teeth were falling out, oral pain was a daily issue or your smile was yellow and worn - would you wait 12 months to stop the pain and the embarrassment?   

You can follow the dentistry marketing herd towards the watering hole that is quickly drying up or run off the cliff with a generic dental practice strategy. Take your pick. 

However, I suggest you survey the 'reality geography' more closely as it relates to the dentistry you want to do. Then find YOUR dentistry-plush savannah to graze in and avoid the fall into dwindling returns. Or dig a well to create YOUR dental care oasis. 

What exactly do you do to make it happen? That requires a phone call and a some reality time to make it work for you.  

866-453-1026 ext 251

•  Generic and magical-thinking dentists and dental practices apply elsewhere.

Dentistry Marketing Commentary by Dick Chwalek 

• Dental Marketing Coach and Communication Consultant

Remember just like all politics are local - every dental care decision is personal with a good dose of tradition - not about family, insurance or cost.

Dental Health Mission - Underway in Malawi Africa

The Nashville, Tennessee dental team left on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 on their journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa. They will be giving away as much dentistry as possible over Christmas and the New Year's Holiday.

Malawi, Africa Dental Health Outreach

Learn much more about the dental health global outreach at the Malawi Dental Health Mission website. View MOVIES and PHOTOS. Read about it on the Malawi BLOG.

Malawi has been making economic gains recently and we see our support in the health area as a way to enhance outcomes for more of its citizens. While providing this type of service is vital no matter what the circumstances, it is very exciting to know it is has the potential to develop beyond our mission alone. 

The following written report and news video demonstrate the Malawi's potential and ability to move forward. Here is background on the African country of Malawi, recently produced by NBC television.

To Learn more or donate: Contact Dr. Tania Howlett at Dental Specialty Group - Nashville TN

Dental Marketing Consultant Presents Seminars in Nashville

In late November Niche Dental president and marketing coach Dick Chwalek presented two seminars in Tennessee. The first seminar was for junior students at Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry. The evening session was presented to area dental specialists, general dentists and dentistry residents at the home of Nashville oral surgeons Brian and Tania Howlett.

Dick would like to thank Dr. Walter Owens who invited him to speak and introduced him to students.

Visit Niche Dental on Twitter.com

New Practice in West Chester PA: Implant, Cosmetic - Sedation Dentist

Want More From Your Dentistry?

In Pennsylvania consider the dental office of Ronald Briglia, DMD.

Dr. Ronald Briglia opened his new dental office at 600 E. Marshall in West Chester this fall. It serves dental consumers in southeastern Pennsylvania who want and need a high level of comfort to achieve their oral health goals.

After many years developing the skills, services, and expertise to provide long-term health and esthetically pleasing results for his patients, he now has the environment to match. One where stress is greatly reduced, pain is absent, and informed decisions can be made.

His new facility is one mile from his original West Chester dental office. While the traveling distance is minimal, the new office goes noticeably farther up the ladder of value than both his former setting and that of other practices in the area. The change is crucial for many reasons including making it more likely people will feel comfortable about pursuing dental treatment.

According to statistics from various national health organizations, more than 50% of the population avoids seeing the dentist on even a yearly basis, and this problem is not limited to lower income households. Much avoidance can be attributed to fear, embarrassment, and phobia. With almost 24% of adults having lost all their teeth by age 65 in Pennsylvania alone (source CDC Oral Health), there is a serious need for changing how dentistry is presented and delivered.

The potential for helping people with various dental needs is significant because of Dr. Briglia's unique certification in both IV general anesthesia and oral conscious sedation, and expertise in comprehensive dentistry. Combined with an advanced, calming environment, the likelihood of encouraging those people to come forward is greatly improved.

While clinical results and treatment comfort are vital, Dr. Briglia knows the setting matters too. To remove stress and achieve a higher level of receptivity for complex and necessary treatment, patients are calmed with a rock waterfall, appropriately spacious restroom, various relaxation elements, and refreshments. For those who need distractions, he provides DVDs, Internet, soothing music, satellite radio, Cable TV, and wireless headphones. Visit TotalConfidenceDentistry.com to see and find out more.

His practice mission goes beyond comfort amenities to achieve the trust, respect, and value missing in too many situations. Dr. Briglia wants to make sure his patients get more from their dental care:
• Respect for the patient's condition not a rush to treatment
• Calm, pleasant, and thorough presentation of the possibilities
• Smile care for consumers who want a dentist focused health on first
• Proper sedation to cover all treatments from implants to oral surgery
• Sedation when acceptable to the patient and applicable to their situation
• No reason to travel from place to place: most specialty procedures performed onsite
• Responsible recommendations with options that make the treatment financially possible

"For years, I have been planning and dreaming of this type of setting. A place that truly complements all the advanced continuing education courses I have taken and the level of dental care my team and I can provide. The new practice spotlights the major changes in dentistry since I graduated from Temple Dental School in 1984."

"As one of the few dentists in Southeastern Pennsylvania certified in oral AND IV Sedation dental care for the fearful, phobic, and time challenged, I wanted to develop an advanced dental 'suite' design makes calm, clear, and informed decisions possible. Making optimum oral health decisions first; then determine a clinically sound, esthetically pleasing, and financially feasible way to get it done." Dr. Ron Briglia

Interview Dr. Briglia and discover how his dental practice makeover and expertise make it possible for consumers in West Chester and southeastern Pennsylvania to attain a much healthier lifestyle.

CONTACT
Ronald Briglia, DMD
(610) 692-4440
Chester County Medical Center
600 E. Marshall • St Ste 201
West Chester, PA 19380
www.TotalConfidenceDentistry.com

Cheap Dentistry Or We All Get a Million $$$ Mortgages?

How do we approach dentistry as consumers? Do we know what is possible? Does the dentist present their services effectively so trust is improved and value is high?

Marketing is too often about gimmicks and discounts. As consumers, we want to get the best price for everything. But when cost and health meet we often find ourselves with a conflict of interest. If it is not covered by dental insurance or it does not exactly fit our limited perspective of what has changed and is now possible, we think we are getting over sold.

Dentistry marketing usually throws in some kind of deal and focuses on the shiny bobbles of high tech services because we would most likely ignore it without something besides "it is good for you". But this "smoke and mirrors" makes us think there is no there there or we go further and trust dentists less.

Unfortunately, there is something more there and we miss it because telling us that "the Surgeon General" says it is so - makes us frown. This creates a slippery consumer paradox: telling it like it is - is too boring and maybe too scary. And making it seem like a day at the park with ice cream - and seemingly free - makes us suspicious. Dr. Ron Briglia of West Chester PA provides a different perspective with his new dental practice, which just opened this month.

His new practice offers the comfort required to show consumers dentistry can be a lot more pleasant and palatable. He offers sedation dentistry including IV sedation to reduce the pain and anxiety issues to almost nothing. Then he focuses on complete long term health with dental implants and advanced periodontal treatments, which means we really get something good.

See how he eliminates the boring while including real value. Like not thinking everyone can get a million dollar mortgage, we need to focus on what is really BEST not think we can defy the laws of reality when it comes to our health. If you do not think your health is worth it, changing your perspective about dentistry is vital. Do your research but don't wait too long -- forking over a few more dollars is better than saying good bye to many of your teeth.

Go to Dr. Briglia's new dental practice in West Chester PA post.

Sincerely, Dick Chwalek - Niche Dental

Dental Marketing Coach and Consultant

New Dental Practice Opens in West Chester PA

WELCOME TO OUR NEW DENTAL PRACTICE 

Dentistry is good for you. While true, this statement lacks enthusiasm. No enthusiasm, no enthusiasts.
We are dedicated to enthusiastic dentistry. Is it an unrealistic goal? Consider these three new items first…

1) NEW…  600 E. Marshall, West Chester PA (Pennsylvania)

2) Very NEW… Oral health supporting and encouraging environment from look to feel to space.

3) NEW for YOU… Everything enhanced to make enthusiasm almost unavoidable.

"For years, I have been planning and dreaming of this. A place that truly complements all the advanced continuing education courses I have taken and the level of dental care my team and I can provide because of it. It is a setting that will spotlight the major changes in dentistry since I graduated from Temple Dental School in 1984.

As one of the few dentists in Southeastern Pennsylvania certified in oral AND IV Sedation dental care for the fearful, phobic, and time challenged, I wanted a free flowing design and state-of-the-art technology to serve them in a comprehensive manner. This advanced dental ‘suite’ design makes calm, clear, and informed decisions possible. Where we can most successfully achieve your health and comfort goals. Making optimum oral health decisions first; then determine a clinically sound, esthetically pleasing, and financially feasible way to get it done."
EXPERIENCE YOUR NEW DENTAL SUITE
• Reception room wide screen TV and wireless headphones
• Internet connection and computer, plus a fax and printer
• Web enabled phone for no cost local, national, and international calls
• A nice and appropriately spacious powder room
• Refreshments and other amenities

Spa Elements• Relaxation room: for before and after treatment where you can enjoy…
o Soothing music, a rock waterfall, paraffin hand dips, refreshments, a heated massage chair and more.
• Photo Studio: for treatment records and to showcase oral health rejuvenation and smile enhancement
• In The Future: we want to add additional spa-related services from a certified esthetician

Treatment Suites
• SIRIUS Satellite radio and relaxing CDs on our sound system
• Dimmable lights, volume controlled speakers and overhead patient video monitor
• Headphones and will be able to play cable TV, DVD’s or play video games
• Monitors to show digital x-rays, intra-oral camera images, and enthusiastic educational information

Comprehensive, Convenience, and Comfortable Treatments…
• IV Sedation for painless reconstructive treatment including dental implants, often in one day.
• When you need a dental specialist, there will be no traveling to other offices.
• Complete, painless, vital, no-lectures periodontal treatment to save your smile.
• Smile makeovers for total health rejuvenation, and a beaming with obvious confidence look!
• Safe & Reliable: digital x-rays 80-90% safer than traditional, up to date sedation monitoring, and more.

Sincerely, Dr. Ron Briglia and Team - TotalConfidenceDentistry.com

---------------------------------------------

Whether you are in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Minnesota, Alabama, Texas, Colorado or anywhere else in the US, look for a dental practice that goes beyond your expectations. Your health is worth more.

Dental CE Breakfast Seminars

The Topics

• Practice Transition Strategies and Dental Implant CE

Seminar Date/Time

• November 14, 2008 and December 12, 2008  (Fridays)
• Call or Email to Reserve Your Spot/For Specific Times

Where To Be

• 1000 Twelve Oaks Center Drive (394 and 494)
  
• Suite 101
  
• Wayzata, MN 55391

--- No Cost but Seating is Limited - Up to 12 Dentists
--- Reserve A Spot NOW!
--- Breakfast & CEU Certificates provided
CLICK HERE to send email to sign up for this Dental CE Breakfast Seminar
or CALL 866-556-6213 and leave a message or talk with a member.

Sponsored by Northern Dental Alliance, Bank of America, Renstrom Dental Studio, and Aftco Practice Transitions

Dental continuing education is vital for the health of your patients, business and life because... What You Don't Know Can Help You!
Northern Dental Alliance is presenting specific and relevant strategies throughout the region as individual members, as a group, via our website, and other Internet technologies to get you the right information at the right time. Put your patients, dental practice, and personal goals on a secure foundation.

Reality Dental Marketing Principles

These concepts are most valuable to dentists who have tried all the generic dental marketing strategies and products. Dentists with significant expertise that desire to develop a patient base who want and will pay for a higher level of results. Consumers who need re-constructive dentistry, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and smile makeovers.

• Consistent and persistent communication is a large percentage of success
• Creativity and uniqueness is necessary for differentiation and achieving a competitive advantage
• Effectiveness will dissipate with competition, familiarity, economic conditions, societal changes, technology advances, etc.
• Constant enhancement and refinement are required to overcome dissipation
• Almost anything will work, if no other dentists (or very few) are marketing
• Dental care has a history, which means the consumer has an attitude about it that makes it more challenging than other services and products
• Helping consumers navigate around dental insurance reliance and dental phobias make the phone person key
• Dentists need to be the BRAND not dental services or technology; otherwise patients will more often see recommendations merely as a starting point

Call 1.888.380.0020, talk to Oli, set up consult with me, and get real with your dental advertising and marketing!
-- Contact Niche Dental

Dick Chwalek
- Dental Marketing Coach and Consultant

Get Started Dental Marketing
Dental Marketing Coaching
Advanced Dental Marketing Consulting

• Northern Dental Alliance Member

Boost Your Dental Practice Revenue Health

The economy is starting to look pale and sickly. Times are getting tougher and leaner. Yet the best defense is proactive treatment. It is time to open up the floodgates with multiple dental marketing concepts that push the envelope of revenue generating potential, while keeping your budget at bay!

BELOW are three quick strategies to increase your dental patient numbers and turn things around!

1) Online Dental Marketing Channel
-- generate more local searches for less than $2,000 per year
-- totally self contained system of advertising - no website needed
-- national group with many other national websites as partners
-- great features including adding dental videos

2) Direct Mail, Powered to Balance Your Dental Marketing Budget!
-- choose your system

A -- Go Scalable: Start Your Budget at $399 per month and get...
-- personalized dental postcards going to new movers and high value households
-- you determine the campaign with the guidance you need and want
-- Postage, addresses, printing, designs, mailing, and more

B -- Take This Prescription: Start low and move to custom
-- dental marketing postcards as low as $0.06 per card
-- choose your design, add your dental logo, text and get it done

3) Dental Website Online Dominance Strategies

• Assisted Dental Blogging, which adds SEO power to your web repertoire
• includes unique content, territory exclusivity, and more
• Custom Dental Videos that speak YOUR words, which "walk right out" of your website
• Custom Dental Websites - actually unique - with power to boost your dental web presence

Give patients the dental health they deserve. Give your practice the revenue health it requires.

Call 866-453-1026 ext 251 and achieve a healthy independence for all!
-- Email Niche Dental
Happy 4th of July!
Get Started Dental Marketing Recommendation: great ideas for your situation now
Dental Marketing Coaching: ongoing enhancements and communication integration ideas
Advanced Dental Marketing Consulting: plan, assistance and implementation