IDEAS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Practical ideas for better dentistry.
Thinking on case acceptance and efficiency to create a more successful practice.
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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.
The courage to do less
Doing fewer procedures and doing them brilliantly leads to better outcomes and a more profitable practice. Here's the case for focus in dentistry.
The productivity paradox
It's less tiring to produce $8,000 per day than $1,500. This deep dive explains why and what separates practices that feel effortless from those that grind.
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.
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.
The 30-minute crown preparation
A streamlined approach to crown preparation that delivers predictable clinical results in 30 minutes. How to work faster without cutting corners.
3 productivity boosters
Improve dental practice productivity with delegation, consistent clinical systems and block scheduling. Three practical ways to achieve more with less stress.
Why dentists run late
The most efficient dentist I ever watched never kept anyone waiting. His approach taught me why small problems in setup, scheduling and workflow can leave the rest of us running behind all day.
Patients who cost you big time
Some patients cost far more than the appointments they miss or the fees they pay. They drain your energy, unsettle your team and take the pleasure out of dentistry. Here are patient types I’ve learned to be wary of, and why.
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.
The cost of clutter
Clutter isn’t just a mess. It’s a tax on your attention, your speed, and your clinical confidence. Here’s how and why to get rid of it.
Explain outcomes, not procedures
Patients aren't interested in the clinical steps. They want to know what their teeth will look like after treatment. Explain outcomes not procedures.
Step away from the computer
Lunchtime in a dental office should be for relaxing, not writing treatment notes. Doctors need to delegate.
What’s your time worth?
A group of dentists dismissed a time-saving syringe because it cost $1 more. I did the maths. The result challenges how we think about the cost of dental materials and the value of our time.
An epiphany
Occasionally you have a realisation that is so important that it changes everything.
Asymptomatic cracked tooth
Discovering an unexpected crack is one thing. Communicating it to a patient who feels nothing and getting them to act is another challenge entirely.