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Sally McKenzie's
Weekly Management e-Motivator

 

Issue #39
November 22, 2002

Sally McKenzie,CMC
President
McKenzie Management
SallyMcK@mckenziemgmt.com

1-877-777-6151 Ext. 11

Feeling ‘Stuffed’? Dental Supply Inventory

From the looks of the piles, it appears as though you have enough “stuff” to outfit the two other dental practices on the block as well as a third one street over. Tissues, towels, disinfectant, floss, brushes, burs, gloves, syringes, cotton rolls, brand, after brand, after brand of “stuff.” Propagating faster than dandelions on a hot summer day, this “stuff” is spreading from closet to cupboard and everyplace in between. A few items were ordered on special, just in case you might need them in the future – even though you’ve never used those particular materials. What’s more, Maxine, the office manager is placing orders, as is Sue the assistant, and Jane the hygienist every time someone can’t find this or that. The result: inventory is out of control.

Dental supplies should consume no more than 5% of monthly collections. If your costs are more than that, take steps now to rein in those expenses immediately.



Sally’s Recommended Actions
  • Assign one person to be in charge and accountable for inventory.
  • Keep records of everything you order, including when it was ordered, quantity, company ordered from, turnaround time required, and cost for each purchase.
  • Explore payment options with supply companies that allow you to negotiate a lower rate for prompt payment.
  • Live within your means. If last month’s collections were $30,000, your supply budget for this month is $1500.
  • Minimize waste by purchasing only a 30-day supply of inventory.
  • Communicate with your dental supply vendors to ensure that your practice continues to secure the best rates for quality dental products.
  • Inform your dental supply vendor of your 5% monthly collections objective.

Supply companies want your business and most are more than happy to help you stay within your budget. Dental supply inventory is one area of your practice in which you can make changes today and see positive results immediately.

 

Technology Tool Box

Mark Dilatush
VP of Professional Relations
for McKenzie Management
Mark@mckenziemgmt.com

1-877-777-6151 Ext. 28

A series of short weekly chores designed to keep the return on investment in technology at its highest level.

 
Top Ten Technology Do's and Don't's #9
Purpose:
Every week we will publish one of the top ten. Unlike the “Tonight Show”, these are not in any particular order. These are compiled from watching 20 years of mistakes and helping to fix those mistakes. We would rather our clients just avoid the mistakes!
Situation:
We just started implementing our digital camera. We have seamlessly integrated it into our examination and presentation routines. Now what can we do?
What NOT to do:
Never fully implement anything new that has a direct impact on perceived customer service without including your whole team in the process.

Never display, reprint, or in any way use a patient’s image for public viewing unless you have permission from the patient with their signature.

Do not assume that digital dentistry ends at the camera’s viewing screen or the PC’s in your office.

What TO do:
Got a website? Wouldn’t it be cool if an existing patient could see some of YOUR completed work from a procedure that is similar to what THEY need? What if the links to your work were provided in a “welcome to the office” email? Hmmm

What about the spouse’s part of treatment decision? What if you could build a PowerPoint presentation and copy it to a CD or email it to the patient’s spouse so THEY can see what you’re talking about? One or two of the PM systems on the market can build the presentation automatically!

Do you have dental “works of art” on the wall of the reception area? If you have a patient education system set up in the reception area, this next idea will have double impact. Take a look at the series order of your patient education system in the reception area. Let’s say it’s whitening, composites, crowns, veneers, ortho. Why wouldn’t you have YOUR “works of art” displayed in the same order?

Implement: Once the team has the “system” down and it doesn’t add an inordinate amount of time to the overall process, set a date and GO FOR IT!

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Happy Thanksgiving to
you and yours... from the Team of McKenzie Management

You have 22 work days to reach your year end GOALS . . .

•Will your production exceed   last year minus fee   increases?
•Will your patient retention   increase to add days of   hygiene?
•Will you take home more   money?

The TOP 4 concerns of dentists that will put the brakes on TOPPING last year's business?
•Staffing •Scheduling
•Hygiene •Cash Flow

Will you make it?
Find out here!

What if ...
Your business staff had the training, efficiency, knowledge, expertise and organization of the
Nation's TOP Dental Management consultants?

"I have some GREAT employees and know they could be even better with the proper training, but that's not my area of expertise. HELP!"

How do I know if my staff needs Advanced Business Training?
Find out by clicking here!

The Center for Dental Career Development
Advanced Business Education for Dental Professionals

This issue is sponsored in part by:

DentalTown - Never practice solo again! DentalTown.com is a free community, hosting dentistry's MOST ACTIVE message boards, classified ads and a dental event calendar.The site is open to dental professionals throughout the world, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you visit, you'll wonder how you ever practiced without it! Log onto http://www.dentaltown.com TODAY!

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McKenzie Management - A full service, in-office dental management consulting company specializing in the business, clinical, and hygiene areas of practices nationwide.You can find McKenzie Management at http://www.mckenziemgmt.com

CareCredit - The nation's leading patient financing program - offers 3, 6, & 12 Month Interest Free Payment Plans and low-interest Extended Payment Plans for treatment fees from $1 to over $25,000. All plans offer low minimum monthly payments and a revolving credit line for additionaltreatment or add-on charges, without the need to reapply.
Call 800-300-3046, x519 and let the representative know you're ready to increase production, reduce accounts receivable, and increase cash flow with CareCredit patient payment plans. Or visit the website at http://www.carecredit.com

The Center for Dental Career Development - Providing Advanced Business Education for dentists and training for business employees as well as Team Building Retreats for the entire dental team in Beautiful La Jolla, California. You can find The Center for Dental Career Development at http://www.dentalcareerdevelop.com

Lares Research - Make Your Practice Profitability Soar! SoftCare ™ boosts your hygiene department profitability to a new level. Treatment of periodontal disease with the Lares' PocketPro Lasers ™ is easy to learn and offers a quick and dramatic return on your investment. Lares lasers will also make your dentistry faster and easier. Visit us at ttp://www.laresdental.com or call 800-347-3289, ext. 1 and schedule an educational presentation.


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