3 Simple ways to Build Powerful Leaders on Your Team

In a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academies, Nathan Mlot, a Mechanical Engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, published an article about fire ants. While a single fire ant struggles when exposed to water, a group of the same fire ants when working closely together can float effortlessly for days. The ants accomplish this by literally linking their bodies together. The fire ants actually create “waterproof rafts,” and as a whole the rafts

are significantly more buoyant than an individual fire ant floating alone – much like a happy, productive dental team can outperform an unhappy dental team any day of the week. So how are fire ants similar to dental team members? It’s all about synergy. The more efficiently everyone works together, the more productive and profitable the practice will be. The ultimate result will be superior customer service and high quality patient care compared to a disjointed group of people merely working in the same practice.

There are three keys to strengthen a team and build powerful leaders:

1. Positive Attitude 2) Common Goals 3) Personal Growth/Leadership “Hire for Attitude & Train for Skill” provides insight to the first way to build a powerful team of leaders. If an individual has a positive attitude, they can easily be trained for skills. A group of people with positive attitudes are more likely to work well together, just like the fire ants. Patients especially appreciate friendliness and open-

Dr. Tanya Brown Power To Succeed

ness as it helps them to connect on a deeper level and strengthen the patient relationship. After all, we are in the smile business! We must remember to have a smile on the inside and outside at all times.

entire practice grows and quality of patient care improves. The best-performing, leaststressed dental teams are often ones with “leaders at all levels,” which means that each person on the team takes ownership and responsibility for their area of the practice. Each leader presents the results of their efforts at the team meetings. This may include the number of collection calls made by the financial coordinator or the number of patients reactivated by the scheduling coordinator. The clinical team may report on their supply costs compared to the budget or numbers of a particular procedure completed for that month. The point is that each person is accountable to the team as a whole. Another personal development idea that has proven successful is a “book club,” where the team selects a particular book on leadership or personal growth. At a team meeting, each person should report on one or two things that they learned from the book and can apply to improve patient care and the practice.

Unfortunately, dental team members may not receive the appropriate training for their positions, which creates a burden on the entire team. Training is critical because most teams are only as strong as their weakest link. Linda Miles has developed the concept of “Hire, Train, Trust, & Praise,” which describes an ideal dental practice management philosophy. Specific training could range from team meetings, hands-on coaching, lunch and learns, to continuing education programs.

A highly-trained team of people with positive attitudes are also more likely to accomplish common goals. In dentistry, common goals could include expanding services provided to patients, producing a certain amount per month, or earning a continuing education trip. One way to promote teamwork and common goals is to create a practice bonus system based on net production and collections. This ensures that both the administrative and clinical team members must work together for the common benefit of the patients, the practice, and the team. At the end of the day, successful team oriented companies have “owner mentality” and NOT “unionized thinking.” The synergy and productivity is clearly evident when the entire team is happy and working together to accomplish common goals. It is a “WIN-WIN”!

Dental practices that have strong team building processes throughout their organization have reaped the greatest personal and financial rewards. Remember the timeless adage of TEAM – “Together Everyone Achieves More.” ■

Finally, the third key to strengthening a dental team is to encourage each team member to develop personally. When each team member develops personally and becomes a more effective leader, the

“Record Keeping” cont. from page 17

I hear your objections. Charting... ugh! ...the most tedious, time consuming, non

productive waste of my time. That’s what I used to think. My opinion of charting, after having spent several months in Federal Prison, has been forever changed. I’ve learned that the chart is the single most important document in the event of an insurance audit, malpractice claim, legal action, or challenge of any kind. What is contained in the treatment record can exonerate you or condemn you, depending on what is there (or what is missing). The clinical record can speak volumes. Although just a document, it can “testify,” if you will, of your competence, your attention to detail, or your complete disregard for the treatment of the patient.

Dr. Shelburne is a 1981 Honor Graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School

We make a critical choice every day to take the time to construct a complete, concise and comprehensive record, or to “let it slide.” Believe me, it’s worth the time and effort to make the appropriate entries,

“Diploma” cont. from page 9

perform, a large number of active patients, experienced employees in place, equipment and systems in place and running – and a steady new patient growth from the first day forward. While a practice purchase is not likely to start out as one’s perfect practice, in time it can be molded to that perfect practice while earning a good income along the way. Also, in most cases the seller is available to provide expert support to the buyer in time of need.

In review, the first step in your career process should be to look within yourself to determine which practice career option best suits you, then carefully assess each opportunity you uncover to discover the most successful alternative available. Good luck! ■

Earl Douglas, DDS, MBA, BVAL, is the founding president of ADS, a company with independent practice brokers, appraisers, and consultants nationwide. His company, ADS South serves the Southeast and South Central US. He can be reached at 770-664-1982 or at douglas@adssouth.com. Visit the website at www.adssouth.com

patient by patient, procedure by procedure, day by day! Start the charting system on the right foot and don’t ignore its importance. It will serve you and the patient well! ■

next 3 years no aspect of his life was left unexamined. Roy was found guilty of healthcare fraud, racketeering, and money laundering in March of 2008. He was sentenced to 24 months in Federal Prison and was ordered to pay fines and restitution. Roy is presently serving a 3 year period of supervised probation.

of Dentistry. After graduation, Dr. Shelburne opened his practice “back home” in his grandfather’s hardware store building and practiced there for 27 years. He has been a past president of the Southwest Virginia Dental Society and has volunteer at Virginia’s various MOM projects across the state. Dr. Shelburne has also been a short term missionary with the Baptist Medical Missions International to Honduras, CA.

During the investigation as well as in the

preparation for and during the trial it became apparent that his records, billing, and coding systems were faulty. The Court stated that this decision was to send a message to the healthcare community and Dr. Shelburne has taken that statement literally. Dr. Shelburne has now focused his efforts toward the education of others to prevent the same from happening to them. His message is that it is possible to implement systems that can form a defensive systems approach. A speaker, consultant, and writer, Dr. Shelburne specializes in record keeping and business systems that protect and defend.

Most healthcare professionals live in fear of litigation but few worry about going to prison. Dr. Shelburne became aware that he was a target of an investigation when the FBI broke down the back door of his office and confiscated all his business and dental. Over the course of the

Dental Trade Shows

Hinman Dental Meeting March 22–24, 2012 Atlanta, GA

7th Annual Dental Student Orientation March 23, 2012 from 4 to 5 PM, Exhibit Hall Room #6 of the Georgia World Congress Center

California Dental Association – Fall Session No meeting in 2012 San Francisco, CA

American Dental Association October 18-21, 2012 San Francisco, CA

Holiday Dental Conference TBA Charlotte, NC

Greater NY Dental Meeting November 25-28, 2012 New York, NY