The Naked Dentist: Communication advances technology

Have you ever known someone who could use some help but won't ask for it? I bet the answer is yes. We've all needed help at some point but were either too embarrassed to ask or thought that we could handle it ourselves. We need to ask for help.

I am the Naked Dentist. No, I am not a dentist, I am not always naked, nor do my clients practice dentistry naked. I have a powerful analytical tool that strips a dental office of all its clothes, makeup, and accessories to reveal the true problem areas. At that point we can begin maintaining dental performance or systematically improve performance to reach forecasted goals.

Dr. New Hampshire

Curtis Marshall is the vice president of marketing at Dental Intel.

A month ago I got an email from Dr. New Hampshire that read: "I love the dashboard and all of the information it has for me, but I can't seem to get my office manager on board. Since I signed up, she has refused to incorporate or learn more about it. I am frustrated because I know that this will change my practice for the better. She is frustrated because she feels it is just one more thing on her 'to do' list for the day. Can you help us out?"

I got on the phone with the office manager and Dr. New Hampshire, and at first we heard the same thing. The office manager didn't think this dashboard could help. She felt as if it were just another gadget that she didn't have time for.

After she'd made several more excuses, Dr. New Hampshire said, "Kim, is this about something else? This is so important to me, and I can see how it's going to make both your job and my job less stressful."

Kim was silent for a couple of seconds and then said quietly, "I have never been great with math and all of the formulas. When you told me that you had found a dashboard that would use math, numbers, and formulas to help out with the practice, I worried that I wouldn't understand how to use it. And that once you saw that I couldn't keep up, you would replace me."

"That's wonderful!" I said, shocking them both. "Kim, you're right! The dashboard does use math, formulas, and numbers from your office. But the best part is that you aren't the one having to do the math. The dashboard takes all of your personal office numbers and calculates everything for you. All you need to do is find the numbers that are important to you and your office. We provide the tutorials, phone meetings, and analysts to walk you through every step of learning, for as long and as often as you need the help."

Big sigh of relief.

Technology can be intimidating. Learning and implementing something new is a bold step for an individual to take and an even bolder leap of faith for an entire office. By knowing your numbers, setting goals, and tracking, you can be well on your way to having a successful dental practice. We all need help, and we all need to be able to ask for it when needed.

Let's get naked together.

Curtis Marshall serves as the vice president of marketing at Dental Intel. If you would like your practice to be in the next Naked Dentist column and have your practice undressed, contact him at [email protected] or 801-380-7070.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.