IDEAS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Insights & deep dives.
Practical thinking on case acceptance and efficiency.
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Sympathy vs. Empathy
Be sympathetic to your patients, not empathetic. Sympathy keeps you present and caring, while empathy will burn you out. After 30+ years in practice, here's why the distinction matters more than most dentists realise.
The fee is not the barrier
I once doubled a fee hoping to lose every case that came with it and started winning almost all of them. Here's what that taught me about pricing.
The thing that changed my practice
In 1986, more out of desperation than conviction, I took a communication course. Here's what I learned and why I'm running a seminar on 25 July.
What patients actually pay for
A lady told me she'd pay $200 more for a 30-minute crown prep appointment over a 90-minute one. That changed everything I thought I knew about fees.
Discounting will eat your lunch
Discounting can feel sensible. It isn't. Here's what it costs financially, what it signals to patients, and why your best patients deserve better.
5 case acceptance strategies that work
Why do patients decline treatment they need? Here are 5 practical strategies that improve case acceptance without pressure.
What to do when a patient says ‘No’
When a patient declines treatment, pushing harder or stripping the plan back are both wrong. Here’s what actually works and why it starts with letting go.
Your best dentistry may never get done
Communication is a vital skill yet most dentists don't know they're getting it wrong. A challenge for every dentist who cares about their patients.
9 difficult questions patients ask
A practical guide to the tough questions patients ask about cost, necessity, and risk — and how to answer them in a way that builds trust and acceptance.
13 patients who cost you big time
Not every patient is worth keeping. Learn the 13 patient types that drain your time, energy, and profit and what to do about them.
Massively increase case acceptance
Clinical skill doesn't matter until a patient says yes. A practical framework to communicate more effectively and get more case acceptance.
Dental practices stand on 3 legs
Dental practices do three things: attract patients, gain their agreement on treatment, and deliver the care. Get all three right and your practice will thrive.