Dos and don'ts for ending the year on the right note

Finish strong

2009 is almost over, and you have made it through one of the toughest economies the dental community has ever experienced. Congratulations!

December is a crucial month that sets the stage for 2010. Many practices have seen improvements in production and patient referrals during the last few months. Maintain focus and continue those positive trends through the end of year. Ending the year on the right note will help the practice get off to a good start in January.

Keep the momentum going. Contact patients who have unused insurance benefits. Many will schedule hygiene appointments to take advantage of dental insurance before benefits expire at the end of the year. Remind patients of the value of good oral healthcare and its relationship to overall health. Hygiene appointments often lead to opportunities to provide other types of treatment.

Write off December. With the holidays, December can be a challenging month. Stay focused on achieving daily, weekly, and monthly goals until the end of the year. Target several goals that the team can meet or exceed. Making and meeting end-of-year goals will set the stage for a better 2010 and end 2009 on a positive note.