Dental Articles

By Rick Epple, CFP®, NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor

As we enter 2010, are you thinking, I have been working as a dentist for a number of years and while I make a good income, I have no idea if I am on track for retirement? How do I take control of my future? The following process can be used to start you on your way.

• Project by Heritage Construction

Heritage Construction Companies, LLC is a general contractor business founded on honesty and respect, and dedicated to high levels of building expertise. We serve our dentist clients with professionalism and integrity. Our knowledge and innovation is infused into each dental office project, big or small, to exceed your expectations.

We are excited to present this dentist client case study for your review. 

New Dental Office Building

• Client: Silver Lake Smiles 
• Location: New Brighton, Minnesota
• Size: 1,200 sq. ft.
• Design Build

Keep up with your annual OSHA and infection control requirements. This two hour, two CE credit, special seminar will be presented by an experienced Minnesota-based instructor: Leanne Mathieu Kramer of Statements Plus Compliance Solutions.

With so much focus on quality patient care, new products and technology keeping up with written infection control, MSDS, and radiation manuals can fall on the back burner. Know how your office is doing before an inspector calls.

Put the worries of  hazardous waste and other environmental issues behind you. Leanne, a Northern Dental Alliance Member, makes it possible for dentists and teams to focus on Treatment Planning, Marketing, Recall and Scheduling.

Our three newest members are Promoted in the January/February Issue of Northwest Dentistry Journal via our full page Northern Dental Alliance advertisement. Included in this story is the color version the black and white that will start running in February 2010.

Review all the content and see the entire ad in the next section/paragraph.

> Jennifer Maschke, U.S. Bank 

Northern Dental Alliance welcomes Jennifer Maschke, Business Banking Officer with U.S. Bank. Jen works with dentists and dental offices, assisting them with financial solutions that build successful businesses.

The services she provides cover many areas of practice development as well as ongoing business banking. Whether it is financing your office real estate and construction or equipment purchases and merchant services, expect comprehensive banking solutions.  

Northern Dental Alliance would like to welcome new member Heritage Construction Companies, LLC of Elk River, Minnesota. Heritage has developed numerous dental practices and other healthcare related offices throughout the state and region, as well as other retail and commercial sites.

Their membership in the Northern Dental Alliance shows a commitment to serving their dentist clients in a comprehensive way with long-term success as the goal. From the dental operatory and reception area design to the most efficient and cost-effective office building process, Heritage Construction has developed the resources to help dentists create their dream practice.

Laboratory Technical Tip:

Predictable Results Achieved with Digital Photography

Communication as we know it is a critical element that is needed between the dental practitioner and dental laboratory in order to achieve the desired outcome. Visual images are a key part of this communication and provide the dental technician with valuable information about the patient.

Photos not only serve as a practical case tool but also allow the laboratory technician to have a better connection with the patient and a higher level of involvement with the dentistry case. Images of the actual dental patient versus a stone model, especially in an anterior case, are a key component needed in the fabrication process.

The Northern Dental Alliance will be at the St. Paul (MN) Midwinter Meeting. Our consultants can help you practice fearless dentistry!

• Date: January 15, 2010

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving traditionally or uniquely, the members of the Northern Dental Alliance wish you all the best. 

Experience exceptional levels of health, wealth, security and success. And don't forget to laugh some as well.

Dentists, when is a financial advisor working in your best interest? Only one of these terms, fiduciary or suitability, reflects the highest level of protection for your investments.

As a fee-only financial advisor and professional wealth building consultant, Rick Epple CFP® of Epple Financial Advisors recommends dentists understand the difference and know how to navigate to the best planner. The responsibility your advisor has to you and your financial interests should be more important than any other entity.

Northern Dental Alliance member Leanne Mathieu Kramer is attending the December 4th Mpls District Midwinter Meeting. This gathering will be held at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest Hotel Minnetonka, MN.

Start Practicing Fearless Dentistry! 

Northern Dental Alliance is dedicated to developing real results for dentists as well as their patients, team, dentistry and practice. While we are independent businesses, NDA member consultants work together to effectively present a complete array of exceptional services dentists in Minnesota and surrounding states require to be successful for the long term. 

With all of the changes and advancements in the dental industry it is important to stay educated on current trends and techniques. This is why Renstrom is committed to providing educational opportunities for not only its doctors but its own staff as well.

Over the summer, a few of Renstrom’s employees were able to attend some courses and touch up on some skills of their own.

Dentists and dental office team members will get the Nuts and Bolts of Radiation Safety Officer Responsibilities and X-ray Rules by attending this October training session in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. 

NDA member and Dental Consultant, Leanne M. Mathieu Kramer of Statements Plus Compliance Solutions will be conducting this seminar to help dental offices stay on the right track with their safety responsibilities and rules. This two-hour course will provide two dentistry CE credits.

Tax Act Encourages Business Purchases in 2009

• Rick Epple, CFP*
• This article was originally published in Northwest Dentistry.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law on February 17, 2009. The new law includes significant incentives to encourage equipment purchasing this year. You may be asking yourself, is there any benefit to me? The short answer is "perhaps". With some quick planning and implementation, you could realize a sizeable benefit.

Everyone wants a solution that sets sail successfully the first time. Most dentists have just skirted around the edges of dental marketing. Why? Something else usually takes precedence. 

Unfortunately, at some point the winds change and luck, location (cubed), and trial and error are no longer on your side. A strong, consistent, proactive connective communication strategy is the only way to sail on these rough seas.

The following are seven dental marketing strategies that will increase new patient numbers and completely unfurl your sales!

Invigorate Your Referrals & Refresh Your New Patient Numbers

Dental brands can become stagnant and then deteriorate very quickly, depending on the condition of the local and national economic environment and strength of the practice structure and management. Generally, within five to seven years many branding elements can begin to go spread apart and lose their strength without a focused reenergizing effort.

A dental brand includes the office location, facility decor and layout, dentist expertise, team presentation, practice mission, advertising statements and of course, logo design and the look of other marketing materials. Some dental brand elements will have a much longer life and other brands become outdated even before Google can rank it.

Review how Renstrom Dental Studio, a Minnesota laboratory and NDA Member takes restorative and cosmetic dentistry to new levels with enhanced quality control and more precise examination.

According to Randy Renstrom, CDT and co-owner, "Our mission is to continually increase the value we provide our dentist clients. We do this by saving them time, improving their smile makeover results, and eliminating the frustrations of the patient experience."

The Northern Dental Alliance would like to welcome our newest member, Leanne M. Mathieu Kramer.  She has worked with dentists and in dentistry for over 20 years. Leanne brings a high level of expertise in infection control and OSHA compliance training and implementation for dental offices throughout Minnesota. 

After working in the clinical setting, Leanne saw a common need among these dental offices. With so much focus on quality patient care, new products and technology keeping up with written infection control, MSDS, and radiation manuals fell to the back burner.

Doing some kind of consistent marketing is vital, but what and why? In an economy like this, consumers need to quickly know why your expertise is valuable and be reminded regularly.

First, Determine What Your Dental Brand Is.

To many people and dentists, branding sounds like pure marketing hooey. Sadly, it often is in dentistry advertising. Not because there is no value in branding, but because few dentists develop their brand adequately, using rationale data and appropriate examination of their business goals.

Training Hands-On Digital Dentist CE Photo Course

• Presenter: Rick Spaulding, Nationally Recognized Digital Dental Photography Trainer
• Where: Renstrom Dental Studio
• Address: 4225 White Bear Parkway, Ste 1240 Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
• When: Monday, May 18, 2009 6:00-9:00PM

Watch for Northern Dental Alliance in your mailbox. Then call and start building success through new ideas. 

NORTHERN DENTAL ALLIANCE

- What you don't know can help your dental practice succeed!

• Redefining the way dentists do business

Visit us at www.northerndentalalliance.com

Renstrom Dental Studio laboratory and Nobel Biocare encourage dentists in Hudson and surrounding areas to attend this upcoming evening continuing education course:

Nobel Esthetics: Maximizing Clinical Results with Procera

• When: May 6th, 2009 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM
• Where: Holiday Inn Express - 1200 Gateway Blvd 
• Hudson, WI 54016
• No cost for attending 
• 2 C.E. credits will be provided
• Soft drinks and Appetizers will be served

Review our Northwest Dentistry Ad.

NORTHERN DENTAL ALLIANCE 

• Know More
• Make More
• Achieve More

The Northern Dental Alliance guiding principle:

"What You Don't Know Can Help You."

Collaborate with one or more NDA members and Get...

 - Deep Expertise - Experts in our fields and working with Dentists.

- Complete Flexibility & Solutions - You pick and choose the services that meet your needs plus we go beyond our membership to customize a plan.

- Total Focus & Commitment - Our advisors work in YOUR best interests.

- Exceptional Value - Our advisors have demonstrated their ability to provide a significant return on investment (ROI) in their services.