The Nifty Thrifty Dentists

Latest Episodes:

Josh Combe- Podium- Adapting the Patient Experience May 12, 2020

Show notes

NOTES

A big part of their business is patient interaction and engagement

A great way to relay information and protocols that you will need in your office is to train your offices on how to manage and control patient communication

Podium currently works with any business that uses instant messaging, such as professional services, auto services, and healthcare

They use their knowledge of many industries to make helpful insights on communication in your case

Adding communication and webchat in addition to reviews expands the capabilities of what Podium can do for your office

Things like messaging and a virtual waiting room are simple changes you can apply to work more safely and efficiently in the time of COVID-19

For the consumer, there’s no need for them to have an app, it’s all within their text messages

The web-based platform is easy to use and keep open to stay productive throughout your day

Within the platform, you can search by a patient name or phone number

Podium just launched a simple (HIPPA compliant) video chat function that a patient can easily link to through a text

Currently, video chat works on a desktop, but the development is expanding to use from mobile as well

People are much more likely to respond to a text rather than an email

Reviews on Podium are a simple text response, for customer convenience

Webchat is a great way to engage with potential patients who find your website

Being able to engage if the person goes quiet makes it more likely that you can convert them to a patient

Chat functions can have set hours and an automated text letting them know someone will respond if it’s after hours.

They also have a quick text for online payment options that are both secure and cost-effective for collecting payments

The normal price for Podium varies based on the tools you need, but they have a free starter package for anyone to use

LINKS

Website: https://www.podium.com/

CONTACTS

Phone Number: 1-833-276-3486

Brian Dershow- Turbi- Turbi's Dental Handpiece Repair Kit May 12, 2020

Show notes

Brain Dershow is the owner of Turbi, a simple handpiece repair system.

He has been in dental for about 11 years exclusively in dental equipment repair and handpiece repair. He learned that a high-speed handpiece repair only takes about 5 minutes.

Instead of waiting until several break and making a quick scramble, he provides a simple way to use your hand skills to save you time and money.

He has a video for every handpiece is on the market. Simply order the turbine, use the specialty wrench and replace your turbine so you are ready to go. Why pay twice the price and take weeks to get it back?

Is the kit limited to certain brands? It is for high-speed handpieces only. They have every make and model. Do a quick search for your model and your order comes with the turbine and wrench.

This does not work on electric handpieces or 1-to-5 systems as they are more technically involved.

This is an easy repair for a team member to do as well.

How does the instruction process work?

Each unit has a high definition video showing how to do the repair step by step. A simple video tutorial is all you need.

At the end of 2009, he started a dental equipment repair franchise. The economics of handpiece repair means the repair costs you half of what it would be.

When you send a handpiece in for repair, you may not get the best quality turbine. That quality makes all the difference in your performance, much like octane differences in your car.

Don’t be tricked by cheap repair because it’s cheap material. There’s also a risk to the patient if the handpiece breaks during treatment.

Are the turbines new or refurbished?

You will get a new turbine with new parts every time.

Can you search on the website by model number? Yes, just type it in the search bar.

If the turbine isn’t holding the bur, it needs replacing.

Are these OEM turbines? They are very expensive and don’t last any longer than the ones Turbi manufacturers in Germany. They come with a 1-year warranty. And will last much longer than that as well.

What is the average cost for a high-speed repair? It typically runs $180-$250. A Turbi turbine kit runs $119. That’s some serious savings!

If a have some crappy eBay handpieces, can you replace them? A word of caution, you are using this as a medical device, so make sure you are using quality vetted products certified by the FDA.

What other tools might I need to finish changing my turbine? An explorer, alcohol, and maybe an alcohol swab to clean out the debris. You should be able to use things already in your office.

How easy is it to remove the O rings? It’s pretty easy overall, but you may need to use an explorer to lift it up. All of the video instructions are specific to the model you are using.

Is it really that easy? He has a video showing his seven-year-old daughter changing a turbine. It’s that easy!

Think about the time/cost value and the control you get by being able to do it in your office.

Go to www.turbi.com and search for your handpiece. Save your purchase in your account for quick repeat orders. There’s also a chat function for more questions.

The kit comes with the turbine, washer, and O rings, and all need to be replaced together.

What is the shipping time for your kits? 3-5 days and they are ready to ship now.

Is there a shortage of certain turbines? Not at this time, they are ready to ship.

The Nifty Deal:

The regular price for a repair kit: $119

The Nifty price: get 10% off two or more turbines

Enter code: nifty

Korey Korfiatis- - Keeping Your Brand Top-of-Mind During COVID 19 May 07, 2020

Show notes

Legwork can help you link these together. By linking email to a landing page and adding a survey or way to connect back to Legwork, you can collect more information and be able to continue to communicate your message. Unscheduled treatment and recare will boost your production.

Legwork has been a great supporter of Nifty Thrifty to give back and provided materials and advice at any time.

His advice for the current climate: There’s always opportunity amidst a crisis, but you need to start thinking outside of the box. Don’t forget that many businesses that would love to have an opportunity for recurring business.

Michael Bonnano- Performance Partners and Virtual Support Solutions May 04, 2020

Show notes

Michael Bonnano is the CEO of Performance Partners and Virtual Support Solutions. They use the Bank Methodology to improve patient case acceptance. As a past practice owner, he understands the issues dentists face. The average offices are missing 87-250 calls per month. By providing call rollover, you can greatly increase your ROI. Their training to meet the high caliber response of a practice means better success for you. They have found that 75% of unanswered calls do not leave a message. That is revenue lost for your office. If you spend money acquiring new patients but they can’t get a person on the phone, you are wasting money. With an average of 87 calls lost per month, assuming 25% being new patients, which can mean hundreds of dollars lost or more. By becoming an extension of your team, your office can be strengthened.

US Dental Triage is a group set up out of a response to Covid-19. They have donated PPE to local hospitals as well as making a hotline available for free that connects available dentists to patients needing assistance. To get on the list, go to dentaldss.com. Many of the dentists are very busy.

The dentists who want to be busy are staying busy. By using a call service, they are able to check on patients during the closure, notify patients upon reopen, or to fill the schedule in preparation of opening.

Their fees from 7 am-9 pm M-F is $6 per call. After hours and weekends are $10 per call. Being able to handle schedule changes after hours gives you more time to fill your appointments and be more productive. 37% of your calls happen nights and weekends. If there’s a hangup call or solicitor, you are not going to be charged. They have 100% retention and have grown by 100% just based on referrals.

Nifty Deal: 1st 10 Call Rollover calls complimentary - no setup fees, month-to-month!

To get this deal: jw@performancepartners.us, or alt. phone 612-597-3666

To be added to the triage list: www.usdentaltriage.com

Crazy Dental- Supply Updates from Behind the Scenes Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Jay Glazer, Shira Friedman, and Howie Friedman are from Crazy Dental

Besides hoarding, why are we having supply issues? Are they getting better? Our first problem was masks because they are mostly produced overseas. Those countries kept them for themselves. Gowns may have a material shortage that affects production. Right now they are confident in their supply for K95 masks and gloves. They feel these are short term shortages that should resolve in the next few months.

Do you feel there will be shortages on other things? We are well stocked on the majority of products aside from PPE or certain instruments may be a bit slower to arrive. In addition, they can ship straight to your house if necessary.

For the products they are offering, they vetted the effectiveness and quality to make sure it was consistent with what they offer.

To join go straight to their website and create an account at https://www.crazydentalprices.com/

For standard masks, they are working to get everything they can, as the shortage has limited orders.

Nifty deal: Take an extra 10% off with the code PLATINUM10

Orders over $1000 also receive a free curing light

1-800-260-6451

Send them your typical order from other companies with numbers and they will upload it with their corresponding product numbers that will show as a list on your account for easy ordering!

Sean Ryan and Dr. Carlos Ramos Medidenta and Prophy Magic Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Sean Ryan and Dr. Carlos Ramos of Medidenta and Prophy Magic

Dr. Carlos Ramos is originally from Brazil and is an endodontist. He has several patents on Apex generators and spent years training and perfecting endodontics. He now works full time for Medidenta to help grow their endo products and training.

Several years ago, they created an air-free handpiece. Originally it was used for ortho to increase bonding. The power is the same and can use water, but doesn’t need air. The water already cools the bur, so it creates less splatter and aerosols.

Dr. Ramos started analyzing the why and how effective it is at lowering aerosols. Spray is water in the air, once it touches saliva or other particles it becomes aerosol. In his test, it reduced aerosol creation by 50%. It doesn’t completely prevent it, but it does lower risks, especially when combined with other methods.

He stresses that when using a rubber dam it needs to extend over the nose. He recommends we use rubber dams for restoratives going forward to lower risk as well. This isn’t just about COVID-19, this is about lowering all of your exposure to anything. The information from dentists in Wuhan shows that most of the issues are irreversible pulpitis that were treated during their quarantine. We need to wait to prep the crown. If a patient has a crown with pain, don’t take it off, but cut a sizeable hole so you have light access. Crowns do not have enough light transparency to see well. Make sure to rinse the canals effectively. You can leave it for 24 hours if necessary or do a temporary crown.

The air-free have 18 watts of power, rear vents out of the bottom, and does not lose any pressure or power. You do need the Kavo quick connect system.

The first deal is for the air free handpiece 4- hole retails for $499, but the Nifty Special is $350

The Titan buy 2 for $800 and get a free couple to put on your system. That’s almost $600 savings!

Nifty deal on Face Shields: Their visors can accommodate loupes and they have a film that protects your eyes from a curing light, but the film can be easily removed.

They also have Level 2 masks with a discount as well as infrared no contact thermometers. They have also created a safety kit for doctors and patients that include covers and sanitation items.

Every $500 purchase will come with a box of Level 2 masks free.

Instead of 200 angles, you get 300 angles, a box of masks and you still get a free gift

Every $1000 includes 2 boxes of masks and 2 bonuses.

Now is a great time to save whatever money you can, and they want to help you.

Keep in mind that the supply chain is very weak due to the current situation. Many products have to be air freighted. The cost goes up, but when the price goes down for him, he promises their prices will reflect that to his customers.

Dr. Ron Nguyen- Face Forward with Ultralight Optics Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Ron Nguyen is the CEO of Ultralight Optics. He designed a face shield while in dental school, but put it away because people wondered why you’d ever need a face shield, much less how to wear one with loupes. When the pandemic struck, they pulled out the molds ready for action. It works with a 5.0 light and flips up while you are taking a break. Very little light is reflected back, so your light source is still efficient for work. As an alternative, you can use the holding clip on top to place it like a headlamp if you prefer. The weight is less than your current loupe weight.

The wireless light has a battery pack that wraps around your neck. This lessens the weight on your back, which is often the heaviest part.

Adjustable tension knobs raise to a preferred height for convenience.

In addition, they offer KN95 masks certified from China. Surgical N95 masks cannot currently be purchased outside of hospital settings.

The masks are disposable, but may potentially be wiped down depending on your level of sanitation. The problem with hardware masks is that the shield will scratch.

The first batch should be heading out in 3 weeks.

Nifty Deal: Get a starter pack that comes with two headpieces and removable face shield attachments

Promo code: NIFTY

Get 20 extra face shields with your starter pack.

Normally the cordless light is $795

Get the cordless or standard light option for $495 for the next two weeks.

Evan Reynolds- Dental Space Advisors Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Evan Reynolds of Dental Space Advisors works almost exclusively with dentists to help negotiate their leases and target locations for a new startup practice.

What is your suggestion for dealing with landlords? We have found that the most effective thing is to reach out to them personally, not necessarily a form letter or even his company contacting them as a third party. Most landlords have been willing to help with something like a deferral program with payback within 12 months is a good approach. Make a personal appeal and express that it is a mandatory government closure. Other options have included abatement with a lease extension if it is coming up in the next few years. It’s about cashflow and showing that there is a give and take.

If you have a lease renewal coming up, start working on negotiating 9 months to one year in advance. Make sure that they understand you are able and willing to move. Whether it is real or not, start communicating that early so they know they have something to lose. Without that, you have no leverage. If you can get abatement now or a very favorable scenario, do it now.

If you are looking to open a new practice, you may have some good leverage because there are lots of opportunities out there. It’s hard to tell if this will be a tenant market, but there should be more incentives. This process to open a new practice can be lengthy, so it’s a good time to look ahead a bit.

A longer-term lease will give more incentive, so initially doing a 10-year lease is pretty common.

To negotiate the terms, if you can pay the triple nets now, do that so that it shows you are making an effort. If you can defer through May or even June with 12 months to pay back it would be ideal to keep you out of a cash crunch. It’s highly unlikely that you will be locked out, especially if you communicate with them regularly.

To get ahold of him, email him at ereynolds@dentalspaceadvisors.com

Laura Hatch- Front Office Rocks- The Strategy for a Grand Re-Opening Part 2 Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Laura Hatch is the CEO of Front Office Rocks/ Team Training

Being married to a dentist, she found herself managing a new startup in Baltimore and then again in Southern California. After seeing the same problems and need for continual training for the front office, she decided to create a team training that could be done anywhere.

After opening up in 2008 in one of the most challenging markets in the country, she has learned a lot about start-ups in challenging environments. The key is to have a great attitude first and foremost. The way it was may not happen quickly, but you can prepare. It’s a graduated system to get going.

First of all, you want to check in with your team. Who’s coming back, and who can’t come back due to issues with kids. Start with your schedule and look at our high-risk patients likely to cancel, also look for small business owners or people who have high travel jobs that will get back to work quickly. Look for those who have needed to come in and are ready. You also need to be mindful of who is eligible for their insurance. With many people losing their jobs, they may not be able to come in for treatment due to cost.

How do you approach team members that are hesitant? What was your culture before? You may choose not to invite some people back because other more qualified and high impact people will be available to hire.

What advice do you have for startups? If you were a recent startup, keep running with what you’ve got. You were probably already working on social media, technology, and acquiring new patients.

What should we do about new laws and regulations? We don’t know how those will look currently, but we do not it will be a slow open. Lengthen the appointments to reconnect with patients, address new safety precautions, and give the patient assurances of their safety. In the front, we are not sure what changes will be necessary, and we will need to refresh ourselves on the operations and safety measures.

Be mindful that some patients may be very scared. Turn off the news in your offices and keep the environment positive.

Communication, team building, and anti-drama training is a great place to put your time. Another great training is productive scheduling and case acceptance. The last thing is to go over things that were giving you headaches before the closure to correct the issue before opening.

How should we handle the modules? Have the team watch the same videos on their own, then set up a meeting on how to implement it in your practice.

What about a curbside waiting room? It is a reception area, not a waiting room. There should be an adaptation based on the patient unless you prefer otherwise.

What about high-risk patients having a designated time? That can be a great idea. We need to look at how we can adapt to accommodate as many people as possible. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does, just do what works for you and your team.

How should we keep the training momentum going after we reopen? New hires need one hour minimum training per day. For current team members, it is one hour a week on any kind of training skills. The recommended time is either first thing in the morning or right after lunch so that it doesn’t interrupt production. You can also do it during a huddle or during cancellations. Team meeting times are a great time to apply the information as well. If you don’t schedule it, it doesn’t happen. Just get the person away from the production area. Doctors need to lead by example.

How do I keep my team motivated? Ask your team what they want to work on to improve. Her next event will be in June in Indianapolis that will be live-streamed.

Go to www.frontofficerocks.com/laura to reach out to her team for information and don’t forget about the Nifty Deal

What do you suggest to help get through this time? Use this to come out of it as a better person.

Dr. Justin Bhullar and Dr. Paul Etchison - The Strategy of a Grand Re-Opening (Part 1) Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Justin Bhullar and Dr. Paul Etchison

Justin has practices in Alberta, Canada and Paul is outside of Chicago.

What should doctors be thinking about right now?

We are hoping there is some lead time to prepare, but there are a lot of questions as to what it will look like. Even if we open as usual, expect a drop in production due to patient hesitation and budget or benefit loss. Consult with your team on how they want to participate. For supplies, prepare for what you need, especially regarding PPE, but don’t go crazy. For scheduling, you may have more cancellations at first. Ramp up your production ability and possibly prioritize treatment according to need.

A lot of the reopening will be based on feel. They may not realize the risks, so he’s expecting people to come back quickly. Play up your sanitation efforts. Now is also a great time to renegotiate your PPO fee schedule.

Have you talked to your team and how did you approach it? He has done a Zoom meeting as well as an anonymous survey. SoGo survey is an option that is not free, but there may be some free ones out there such as Survey Monkey.

The strength of the relationship is important. If you manage remotely, have the closest touchpoint person reach out in addition to what you are offering as the owner. Overcommunicate and stay visible.

How has it gone with your associates? We talk and message often so that we can communicate. Make sure they know you have their back and tell them the plan. Set the expectations and work on the plan.

Don’t put anyone in your office that doesn’t feel safe. Find out what they would need to be comfortable, otherwise, it’s not a good working environment. The biggest thing is to maintain communication with your team.

What are your steps to get ready? In about 2 weeks they are hoping to bring everyone back to practice new safety protocols and review training. Then a meeting with your team leads to direct additional training to prepare to open. If it’s emergency only, it will not include hygiene, and hours would go to those with seniority first. Text patients to confirm their appointments.

Start with building your schedule and confirming appointments. Texting is okay, but phone calls help build relationships.

What are some things we should be thinking about once reopening? Make sure to take time for family and try to keep a good routine. Get back to your regular sleeping schedule as well.

Their group Dental Business Mentor is designed for training docs and their team. It is an online platform that addresses the problems and how to correct them. The online platform is not only convenient, but it gives you a chance to pause, go back, and ingest the information. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

What is your advice for navigating the current climate? We are going to be okay. We have the time to educate yourself and become better. Try some new routines and see what you can change for the better. Stop and visualize what you are thankful for. You can’t be both grateful and angry at the same time, so focus on that. Your effort will multiply, so put the time in and don’t be passive.

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