Enter Dr. Mayer Levitt, President and owner of Jodena Consulting, a firm that provides vital support and solutions to dental practices nationwide. Dr. Levitt spent nearly 30 years managing his now 12 chair dental practices before becoming a consultant, and during his last seven years in private practice, he balanced both consulting and practice management. Dr. Levitt knows the business of being a dentist and has worked with over 525 practices on everything from creating profitable hygiene departments, to practice transitions and helping doctors optimize their efficiency and effectiveness.

Dr. Levitt graciously allowed us to pick his brain about practice management today, and to let us in on a few secrets:

DB: As a dentist, what was the hardest thing about managing your own practice?
Dr. Levitt: Unquestionably, finding and keeping a talented, caring, customer service oriented staff. It’s still the biggest problem for dental practices now.

DB: What are some of the worst mistakes a dentist can make when managing his or her practice?
Dr. Levitt: Micromanaging the staff and not allowing them to grow and learn from their mistakes is a big misstep. Also, failure to think outside of the box and stifling creativity is an issue. Sometimes you simply have to leave your comfort zone and remain open to a different approach. If you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you’ve always gotten.

DB: What’s the latest piece of advice you’re giving to your clients?
Dr. Levitt: Get going with Internet marketing. It’s an absolute must if you want your practice to remain competitive. You have to have a great website as well as a social media presence. Google is king!

Dr. Levitt also let us in on another secret. Since he is no longer practicing dentistry, he doesn’t get the satisfaction of seeing patients relieved of pain and happy with their smiles. Now he gets his kicks seeing his clients become more successful as they grow their practices. For more great practice management advice, visit Dr. Levitt’s blog. Be sure to sign up for the Jodena blog RSS Feed to receive lots of consistent, practical advice delivered right to you email (you’ll receive a FeedBurner notice via email, so be sure to confirm after signing up). To learn more about Dr. Levitt and Jodena Consulting, visit his website at www.jodena.com.

Don’t be envious or jaded, just get on board. For the average Dr. Joe, going green doesn’t have to involve redecorating or rebuilding. And contrary to a popular frog’s beliefs, it IS easy being green. Here are just a few ways to celebrate Earth Day this year:

Your Front Office

• Online Registration Forms – instead of printed paperwork
• Web Marketing – instead of phone book ads
• Texted Recall Reminders – instead of postcards
• Recycled Paper & Biodegradable Office Products
• Recycling Program in the Office – call your city for details

Your Back Office

• Digital X-rays – instead of conventional films
• Composite Fillings – instead of amalgams
• Safe Mercury Removal Procedures – see mercuryfreenow.com

The Facility

• Recycled or Bio-Friendly Building Materials
• Reusable Instruments & Supplies (when possible)
• Lush Landscaping & Rainwater Irrigation System
• Windows for Natural Light
• Furniture with Eco-Resins
• HVAC with Zone Controls
• Energy Saving Appliances
• Mercury-Free Lighting

Fact: The first LEED-certified dental office as Mint Dental Works in Portland. LEED® is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, which is part of the US Green Building Council.

Why Go Green?

Well, you are a human, aren’t you? Do you want your great-great grandchildren to have to wear a respirator 24/7? Other than that, green is good to get you more green. Let me explain. The hot trend in marketing today is giving – investing in people and community is what Generation G is all about. Consider that Miley Cyrus traded her mother’s Porsche in for a Prius, and you’ll see my point.

What better community could you support than the global community? Seriously, just like the Halloween Candy Buy Back can boost your marketing campaign in October, six months later, a Green Dentistry campaign centered around Earth Day has the potential to make a splash with local media.

• Find out what your city is doing for Earth Day and get on board
• Find out what local schools are doing for Earth Day and offer to help
• Sponsor a community clean-up day in a high-visibility area and wear T-shirts with your practice’s name in big bold print on the back
• Send out an e-newsletter advertising that any patient who wears green the week of Earth Day will get a special gift – and give away bedding plants or pet rocks
• Create a “How to Save Your Smile and the Earth” article that reviews the green things your office does, and submit the article to local newspapers and blogs

Get creative this Earth Day and make a mint in the process.

An interesting read… The Wellness Factor.

When a seasoned dentist like myself looks toward transition, he or she should realize, there’s a lot of opportunity to work maybe two days or three mornings a week. You can sell practice, or bring on an associate, and create a structure that allows you to stay involved and have a really nice professional life, but also slow down your pace.

When we look at the number of dentists leaving school and those facing retirement, we see a real problem in trying to deliver all the dental care necessary for the population of the future. We’re training 50% women, which has never happened in our industry to date. A consideration with this, though, is that not all women want to practice full time, particularly once they have a family. Many international students graduate in the states, then go back home. Clearly, to meet the needs of our population, young and experienced dentists will need to work together. Personally, I see this as a great opportunity to continue to practice at a slower pace and to focus on the kind of dentistry I truly enjoy.

Dr. Cranham runs a private practice in Chesapeake, Virginia, focusing on cosmetic, restorative and implant services. He is a Partner and Director of Education for The Dawson Academy bases in St. Petersburg, Florida. Additionally Dr. Cranham founded Cranham Dental Seminars which provides a combination of lecture and mobile hands-on programs. Dr. Cranham can be reached at www.dawsoncenter.com, www.cranhamdentalseminars.com, or at smildoc@aol.com.