Practice Independence & Authenticity 

September 8, 2024 Paul Henny DDS

By Paul A. Henny, DDS 

The Case for Setting Boundaries 

When we are financially or emotionally dependent on patients saying “yes,” we crave acceptance which comes at cost: we are fearful of offending the person if we say, suggest, or do something that might trigger a “no,”—so we strategically modify our behavior to avoid rejection. 

On the other hand, independence allows us to adopt a course of action—a purpose that’s clearly justified in our mind, and accepting of the fact that some people might disagree and therefore their opinions will not influence how we feel about ourselves. So, independence involves respecting how others feel AND how we feel—a critical issue that’s known as psychological boundary. 

What’s Our Goal? 

Our goal should be to help others as much as possible—but not to manipulate them into making decisions or taking actions they would otherwise not make. If we feel like we cannot help someone, or if we believe helping a person in the way they are demanding is harmful long-term, then we simply need to find a way to respectfully agree-to-disagree, and move on. No need for moralistic stands. No need for judgment. We just need to continue our search for others who are in closer alignment with our purpose. 

As we become masterful at the execution of our purpose, we become known for it —we become “branded.” Once branded, more like-minded people can find us in the sea of other options and then make a higher level decision than “he/she is in my network.”  

Start with Personal Leadership 

Relationship-based, health-centered dentistry therefore starts with personal leadership and personal power. Who am I? What am I willing to stand for? What am I willing to share with the world? What am I unabashedly willing to promote because I believe in its value so deeply that I simply must promote it. And critically, HOW can I best promote it so that more people will be able to make better decisions for themselves that are more in alignment with our purpose, and that move them closer to an optimized health? 

“Know Thyself,” the ancient Greek appeal to greater self-awareness, is one of the four principles incorporated into L. D. Pankey’s “Cross of Dentistry.” But following this sage advice isn’t easy, as we’re pulled and pushed around by the environment; we’re constantly challenged to either adapt, resist, surrender or lead. 

Being Authentic Requires Regular Introspection 

Leading is only possible in patient-centered dentistry through authenticity—through clarified values aligned with a congruent vision and ACTION. Hence, without self-awareness, the seductions of life—the temptation to take shortcuts, and the trappings of materialism, can easily lead us away from our authentic self. What makes this process even more challenging is that when we feel threatened or rejected, we tend to do more of those things while blocking out how we truly feel. We lose ourselves in our pursuit of things that we think will sooth our anxiety.  

Gaining greater self-awareness through regular introspection is the starting point of a process that essentially never ends, but it represents the only pathway toward authentic leadership. Authentic leadership is an inside-out process that’s at the very core of patient-centered dentistry, which is why Dr. Pankey inscribed “happiness” as the outcome of his developmental philosophy. 

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Paul Henny DDS

Dr. Paul Henny maintains an esthetically-focused restorative practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally, he has been a national speaker in dentistry, a visiting faculty member of the Pankey Institute, and visiting lecturer at the Jefferson College or Health Sciences. Dr. Henny has been a member of the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, The Academy of General Dentistry, The American College of Oral Implantology, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is Past President and co-founder of the Robert F. Barkley Dental Study Club.

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Chronic Stress and the Need to Get Back in Touch with Who We Are 

August 24, 2024 Paul Henny DDS

By Paul A. Henny, DDS 

Coping with Stress and Trauma 

If you hang around me long enough, the conversation will eventually turn toward the amazing work of Gabor Maté, MD. Maté is a Canadian of Hungarian decent. He is also Jewish, and barely survived the Nazi invasion of Budapest. He has spent his life studying the effects of trauma on the body, both physical and emotional, and he has authored several books. WHEN A BODY SAYS NO is a favorite of mine. 

All of Maté’s work has a common theme: how we individually cope with stress, and when it’s severe enough, trauma. He also advances the bold theory that most of our diseases and dysfunctions today are self-inflicted, even cancer and autoimmune disorders. They are self-Inflicted in the sense that our body does it to itself in its dysfunctional attempt to cope with chronic stress.  

Maté maintains that chronic stress, particularly in a young child, causes the child to dial back their sensitivity to the environment, to stop paying close attention, because it is or might be too painful. 

If you can follow this line of thought, then you will be led to better understand Mate’s theory regarding the common mental dysfunction ADHD, and even some of the milder forms of autism. Maté states that a stressed mother releases stress hormones into the placenta, and when chronically present, these can negatively influence brain development resulting in autism in some cases.* 

Note: Stress can also originate externally from toxins in the environment and food, and from working and living in toxic cultures. 

Today’s Toxic Culture and It’s Impact on Dental Practice 

Those of you who have heard me speak, have heard me say this before. We live in a very toxic culture today. We all try to cope with too much information, too many decisions, and too many stressful issues lingering in the back of our mind left unresolved. And the outcome is similar: we tend to dial back on our sensitivity to the environment. 

Consequently: 

  • We start to think of others as being problems to be resolved instead of people. 
  • We stop sensing other people’s feelings. 
  • We stop paying attention to our gut and intuition. 
  • We start blaming instead of understanding. 
  • We start manipulating instead of listening. 

Combine all of these together, it isn’t hard to imagine the daily functioning of the average dental practice: 

  • Detached 
  • Unauthentic 
  • Reductionistic 
  • Money-centric 
  • High stress 

Hence, lots of personal dissatisfaction occurs among staff and patients. 

Getting Back to Whole-Self, Whole-Person Dentistry 

Whole-person dentistry takes into consideration the whole person physically and emotionally. It requires us to be sensitive to our patients feelings, expectations, and experiences. It also requires us to be sensitive to our own feelings, because without them, we can’t sense others and the world around us accurately.  

Without sensitivity, we work through the day like an autistic child in a bubble, and then wonder why our patients don’t listen to us or take our advice. Thus, the road to true person-centered care must first run through us. And that needs to be a life-long pursuit —the process of getting back in touch with who we truly are inside and how we feel. THAT is what L. D. Pankey was trying to tell us when he said, “Know Yourself.” 

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Paul Henny DDS

Dr. Paul Henny maintains an esthetically-focused restorative practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally, he has been a national speaker in dentistry, a visiting faculty member of the Pankey Institute, and visiting lecturer at the Jefferson College or Health Sciences. Dr. Henny has been a member of the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, The Academy of General Dentistry, The American College of Oral Implantology, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is Past President and co-founder of the Robert F. Barkley Dental Study Club.

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Keeping Your Best Smiles: How “Stay Interviews” Can Help Retain Your Dental Team 

August 22, 2024 Deborah Bush, MA

By Deborah Bush 

Imagine this: a valued member of your dental team walks in, resignation letter in hand. It’s a blow, not just to patient care, but to the overall morale of your practice. But what if you could have prevented it? Enter the “Stay Interview,” a powerful tool used by thriving dental practices to keep their top talent happy and engaged. 

Why Stay Interviews Matter 

Studies by Gallup and Pew Research show that money isn’t the only reason employees leave. Often, it’s a feeling of being undervalued, lacking growth opportunities, or simply not having a voice. A Stay Interview allows you to proactively address these concerns before it’s too late. 

Benefits of Stay Interviews for Dental Practices 

  • Reduced Turnover: Replacing an employee costs a significant portion of their annual salary. Stay Interviews can help you identify and address issues that lead to departures, saving you time and money. 
  • Improved Morale: When employees feel valued and heard, their morale soars. This translates into a more positive work environment for everyone, including patients. 
  • Increased Productivity: Engaged employees are more productive. By identifying and addressing roadblocks, you can help your team work smarter, not harder. 
  • Enhanced Patient Care: A happy, stable team provides better care for patients. Stay Interviews can help ensure your dental team feels supported and equipped to deliver top-notch service. 

Turning “Stay” into Action 

Here’s how to implement Stay Interviews in your dental practice: 

  1. First, focus on high-performing team members, those critical to the practice and whose departure would be a major loss
  2. Schedule private, dedicated time for the interview. Ensure a relaxed atmosphere. I recommend having a stay interview twice a year and strategically schedule one of the interviews before planned vacations. This way your valued team members have happy thoughts about their employment while gone and look forward to returning. If you are going through a practice transition, you may need to adjust when you do stay interviews to make sure you meet with each employee early in the transition to help them see the value of the transition for them. See Effective Strategies for Managing Transition in Your Dental Practice Part 3  – The Pankey Institute
    •  Start and continue a conversation. Remember that “the relationship is the conversation.” Two-way listening and recognition are key. 
      • You might start the conversation with this question: “What do you enjoy most about working here?” 
      • Go deeper by asking: “What could make your job even more fulfilling?” “Have you considered leaving?”  
      • Trigger their professional drive by asking: “Do you feel challenged?” “Have I given you enough opportunities to grow professionally?” “What would you like to do more of?” 
      • Affirm their value. “I may not say it often enough, but I value you and recognize your contributions to the practice. In fact, recently….” “Would you consider leading on our next project to _______. It’s important to me that I have someone like you I can rely on to champion this and help make sure we make headway.” 
  3. Actively listen and respond without becoming defensive.
  4. Summarize the key points of the conversation and create a plan to address concerns.
  5. Follow up with more conversations as needed. 

Remember, the key is to listen, respond, and act. Let Stay Interviews be the bridge to building a thriving dental team with happy smiles all around! 

About Deborah E. Bush: Deb is a contributing writer specializing in dentistry and a subject matter expert on the behavioral and technological changes occurring in dentistry. A graduate of the University of Michigan and a student of positive psychology, Deb has more than four decades of technical writing experience for medical and dental outlets and authorities. Before becoming a dental-focused freelance writer and analyst, Deborah served as the Communications Manager for The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and as Director of Communications for the Preeclampsia Foundation. Her work with leading dental brands includes Curve Dental, Patient Prism, and Alatus Solutions (which includes DentalPost, Illumitrac, and Amplify360). She has co-authored and ghostwritten books and articles for multiple dental authorities. 

 

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Deborah Bush, MA

Deb Bush is a freelance writer specializing in dentistry and a subject matter expert on the behavioral and technological changes occurring in dentistry. Before becoming a dental-focused freelance writer and analyst, she served as the Communications Manager for The Pankey Institute, the Communications Director and a grant writer for the national Preeclampsia Foundation, and the Content Manager for Patient Prism. She has co-authored and ghost-written books for dental authorities, and she currently writes for multiple dental brands which keeps her thumb on the pulse of trends in the industry.

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Riding the Waves of Transition 

August 16, 2024 M. Johnson Hagood, DDS

By M. Johnson Hagood, DDS 

 As a general dentist in Vero Beach, Florida, who does a lot of restorative whole mouth dentistry, I rely on a wonderful interdisciplinary team but lately I’ve wanted to have more resources in my own practice.  

 A year ago, I decided to purchase a practice with a larger office on the beachside of town with the aim of bringing on an associate dentist with a background in periodontics and prosthodontics. I wasn’t sure if I would need to keep the 900-square-foot space I had practiced in for over two decades, so I only recently put my bungalow-style building on the market and moved fully out of it.  

 The transition has been fraught with challenges…the financing, the physical move, the tech setup, accommodating the exiting dentist and his team two days a week for a few months, and transitioning patients to a new location. Some might say I am going through a mid-life crisis, and they would be correct. My team and family have been incredible. I don’t think I could have done it without their support. They keep me going through the choppy waves. 

Many of you know that I am a surfer. I still surf in my 50s but for the last six months, I haven’t had the time. Something with the transition is always rising to my attention. Many days, I feel the kind of burnout that I haven’t felt in years. Six months from now I hope to be writing again about what has transpired and how I am finally feeling on top of my game again. But for now, I can say that it’s been tough. 

 Some of you know Debbie Bush, who helps as a remote editor for Pankey. She was in the office a couple of days ago. She knows about the trials and tribulations we have been going through, and we spent some time talking about them. 

 She observed, “I’ve been here twice, and my husband has been here twice since you moved. I can tell that your patients think the change has been seamless. From their perspective, you and your team are providing them with the same personalized attention, interest, encouragement, and care. The other dentist’s patients are getting to meet you and your team. They are sensing the positive culture of your practice. It’s okay, Doc. You will get where you want to go. It’s going to be okay. You’ll be on an even keel in a few months.”  

 That meant the world to me.  

I was able to tell her, “I wish it were easier, but I would do it all over again because I have a vision for the future, and this is the path to getting there.”   

She reminded me that much of “the chop” we are weathering through is due to things outside our control. Our values and culture have remained the same. She asked me what the biggest benefits have been since moving to the new office, and we started talking about “the bright side.” 

For starters, I am grateful for the greater space. We have one more operatory, and all our rooms are larger. It “feels good.” There is tremendous natural light coming in, pristine walls to hang my paintings on, and we have moved from a tiny, gentrified environment to an expansive more modern environment. My team is more physically comfortable. Patients have greater privacy and don’t overhear conversations outside the room they are in. On top of that, most of my patients live on the beach and are delighted I have moved closer to them. 

 The other thing I am excited about is my new CBT system. Moving into a larger space meant I could finally do 3D imaging for my patients in-house. Many patients come to my practice specifically because they are seeking treatment for TMD. I want cone beam images for every TMD patient. For years, I sent them to my endodontist for the 3D images, but now I do those images right away in my own office.  

 When my patients see the 3D images there is a wow factor but more importantly, I can be more thorough with diagnosis, and there is practically no radiation. In addition to the value-add of CBT with TMD, I’m seeing abscesses in teeth that don’t show up on regular X-rays, and the CBT will be important to a partner doing surgeries. 

 Debbie encouraged me to write about the choice of technology I made because it might help others in a similar situation. So, here goes. I considered the cone beam options on the market and decided to go with the Dexis OP 3D LX platform with a 12×15 cm field of view that enables us to see the entire dentition and TMJs in one high resolution image—the mandible, maxilla, bilateral TMJs, sinuses, and pharyngeal airway. I have always been impressed by the quality of Dexis imaging products, and the latest software with the OP 3D is intuitive. 

 I still have a long way to go to achieve my vision for expanding practice. I’ll report back on my experience early next year. I am grateful for the encouragement I receive from you, my colleagues, as I step up to pay the price, continue taking a leap of faith, and stay on course to reach my goals. 

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M. Johnson Hagood, DDS

Advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry requires hundreds of hours of postgraduate training. It may surprise you to learn that most dental schools do not teach courses in cosmetic or advanced restorative dentistry, and the few that do are limited to a few introductory courses. Gifted with an artistic eye, a rigorous program of over 2000 hours of postgraduate training and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Dr. Johnson Hagood has surpassed the ordinary and achieved the extraordinary through the art of dentistry. Since 1991, Dr. Hagood has provided contemporary dental services to the Vero Beach area, and utilizes the latest in dental techniques, technology, and materials. He has advanced training and credentials in the areas of preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, TMJ disorder treatment, and implant dentistry. He has extensive experience in whole mouth restoration for predictably long-lasting optimal health, function, and appearance.

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Advice for Young Dentists Part 2: My Thoughts on Productivity  

August 13, 2024 John Cranham, DDS

By John C. Cranham, DDS 

 When I’ve looked at and really studied my practice numbers over the years, my favorite has always been productivity per hour. I have aimed to focus on a low volume of patients who need advanced dentistry. As my practice developed, I was able to earn more per hour on fewer patients. I was able to earn as much or more while working fewer hours, and my overhead went down because the office was open fewer hours. 

 Rather than just firing off from the hip and trying to make a treatment plan with the patient who is in the chair, I now invite them back for what I call an “advanced records visit.” Then I focus on making comprehensive records and studying those to create a well-thought-out treatment plan. The time spent planning the treatment may be an hour.  

 When you become good at treatment planning, it may take as little as 20 minutes. But the idea is to do better dentistry for your patients and get to where you are working on about 12 big cases each month. I have found that doing more than that is exhausting and makes it difficult to maintain general patients.  

 As you develop your reputation for being a “go to” dentist who solves problems, the big cases will flow in steadily. When you are planning a big case, you are generally working off a treatment plan where you’ve mounted models, you’ve studied photographs, and you’ve got an architectural plan of where you’re going. It’s very cerebral.  

 When you’re executing the plan, everything must be done in a specific way. So, in my office, we have time scheduled for executing planned dentistry—without interruption. We have another time scheduled for seeing general patients and moving between operatories. In the morning huddle, we review the plan for the day and decide where we can fit in an emergency appointment if one is needed. 

 Over the years, my schedule has changed. I’ve tried various schedules and had to experience them to know what works best for me. Now, I like to arrive at 6:00 AM, do my cerebral case workups in solitude, schedule patients with advanced needs in the morning, and have short afternoons for general dentistry. I don’t bother with lunch because I have determined that I don’t need that break in my day.  

 You’ll find what works for you. Keep in mind that your schedule might change over the years in response to patient needs, staff needs, family needs, and your pursuit of other activities. That’s okay. There is no perfect one schedule that fits all dental practices all the time.  

 Once I had a steady flow of big cases coming in and productivity per hour was high, I no longer felt the need to keep my office open long days or to offer evening appointments. I discovered that evening appointments were the ones patients most often cancelled. And when we cut back on our afternoon appointments a few years ago, patients were accepting once they heard it was because the team and I wanted to spend more time with our families.  

 You may discover that when there are fewer appointment slots available, your patient’s perceived value of them rises, and patient calls to cancel or reschedule diminish. 

 Starting out in practice means delaying the gratification of shorter workdays. It will take some time to get your steam engine rolling but stay the course, balanced with being kind to yourself so you can keep going. Keep your vision alive and educate your patients toward the comprehensive dentistry that will serve them best. Be patient. Your low-volume/high-earning productivity per hour will grow slowly and then faster. 

 At every stage of practice, I think there is one thing all dentists have in common. They relish the quiet hours when they are alone planning treatment. Those are the hours when they feel most at peace, most able to solve complex problems, and actively create plans for efficiently delivering dentistry. As a young dentist, you might experience this once per month, and after a few years, you may experience this nearly every day. Those quiet hours are powerful hours for driving productivity. 

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We face a severe health crisis, that is a much larger pandemic than Covid-19! Our western lifestyle affects periodontal & periapical oral disease, vascular disease, breathing disordered sleep, GERD, dental…

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John Cranham, DDS

Dr. John Cranham practices in Chesapeake, Virginia focusing on esthetic dentistry, implant dentistry, occlusal reconstruction, TMJ/Facial Pain and solving complex problems with an interdisciplinary focus. He practices with his daughter Kaitlyn, who finished dental school in 2020. He is an honors graduate of The Medical College of Virginia in 1988. He served the school as a part time clinical instructor from 1991-1998 earning the student given part time faculty of the year twice during his stint at the university. After studying form the greats in occlusion (Pete Dawson & The Pankey Institute) and Cosmetic Dentistry (Nash, Dickerson, Hornbrook, Rosental, Spear, Kois) during the 1990’s, Dr. Cranham created a lecture in 1997 called The Cosmetic Occlusal Connection. This one day lecture kept him very busy presenting his workflows on these seemingly diametrically opposed ideas. In 2001 he created Cranham Dental Seminars which provided, both lecture, and intensive hands on opportunities to learn. In 2004 he began lecturing at the The Dawson Academy with his mentor Pete Dawson, which led to the merging of Cranham Dental Seminars with The Dawson Academy in 2007. He became a 1/3 partner and its acting Clinical Director and that held that position until September of 2020. His responsibilities included the standardization of the content & faculty within The Academy, teaching the Lecture Classes all over the world, overseeing the core curriculum, as well as constantly evolving the curriculum to stay up to pace with the ever evolving world of Dentistry. During his 25 years as an educator, he became one of the most sought after speakers in dentistry. To date he has presented over 1650 full days of continuing education all over the world. Today he has partnered with Lee Culp CDT, and their focus is on integrating sound occlusal, esthetic, and sound restorative principles into efficient digital workflows, and ultimately coaching doctors on how to integrate them into their practices. He does this under the new umbrella Cranham Culp Digital Dental. Dr. Cranham has published numerous articles on restorative dentistry and in 2018 released a book The Complete Dentist he co-authored with Pete Dawson. In 2011 He along with Dr. Drew Cobb created The Dawson Diagnostic Wizard treatment planning software that today it is known as the Smile Wizard. Additionally, He has served as a key opinion leader and on advisory boards with numerous dental companies. In 2020 he published a book entitled “The Cornell Effect-A Families Journey Toward Happiness, Fulfillment and Peace”. It is an up from the ashes story about his adopted son, who overcame incredible odds, and ultimately inspired the entire family to be better. In November of 2021 it climbed to #5 on the Amazon best seller list in its category. Of all the things he has done, he believes getting this story down on paper is having the greatest impact.

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Advice for Young Dentists Part 1: Be Thoughtful 

August 8, 2024 John Cranham, DDS

By John C. Cranham, DDS 

Every hour you invest in your practice is an hour invested in your future, so invest time in thinking about how you are spending your time. 

I am often asked if I have advice for young dentists starting out in practice. As I reflect on my own experience in practice and on conversations with other dentists in private practice, several thoughts emerge.  

There will be times when you are working in a chaotic, undisciplined environment because you are trying to care for as many people as you can fit into your day. You will become physically and emotionally tired. At some point, you will recognize that you can’t go on that way. You will need to create more disciplined systems for you and your team. You will need to develop your team members, so they can do more and save you time. You will need to hold yourself and them accountable.  

A young dentist must understand that when you run around and do many procedures, you could be confusing activity with productivity. When you’re working on highly thought-out treatment plans, you’re sitting down, you’re doing more well-organized dentistry on fewer patients. You’re also usually executing the dentistry better, which means fewer remakes.  

How do you position yourself to have the luxury of working on those types of cases? The advanced CE at Pankey and other top programs will move you along, but you need to be patient with yourself…and your patients. You will be bringing them along with you through the opportunities you have to educate them about their oral health, where it is headed, and what can be done. Don’t assume you will achieve your goals fast. Eventually, you will become known as the go-to dentist to solve problems and the cases will flow.  

Know your patients. Be thoughtful about moving them along. Enjoy them as you do. 

I’ve written about this before…for the first few years I felt my colleagues were surpassing me. They were doing more advanced cases and utilizing what they were learning at Pankey and Dawson. I had purchased a tiny practice filled with patients who valued dentistry when they were in pain. I aspired to do more than fill cavities. Sometimes I thought I would have to give up on my dream. But I kept talking with my patients, building relationships, raising their awareness, and eventually they began accepting treatment. I had to stay hopeful and employ the behaviors I was being mentored to employ before I could employ my advanced clinical skills.  

I learned a lot about people, not just dentistry, in my early years. I look back upon the experience with fondness now. 

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John Cranham, DDS

Dr. John Cranham practices in Chesapeake, Virginia focusing on esthetic dentistry, implant dentistry, occlusal reconstruction, TMJ/Facial Pain and solving complex problems with an interdisciplinary focus. He practices with his daughter Kaitlyn, who finished dental school in 2020. He is an honors graduate of The Medical College of Virginia in 1988. He served the school as a part time clinical instructor from 1991-1998 earning the student given part time faculty of the year twice during his stint at the university. After studying form the greats in occlusion (Pete Dawson & The Pankey Institute) and Cosmetic Dentistry (Nash, Dickerson, Hornbrook, Rosental, Spear, Kois) during the 1990’s, Dr. Cranham created a lecture in 1997 called The Cosmetic Occlusal Connection. This one day lecture kept him very busy presenting his workflows on these seemingly diametrically opposed ideas. In 2001 he created Cranham Dental Seminars which provided, both lecture, and intensive hands on opportunities to learn. In 2004 he began lecturing at the The Dawson Academy with his mentor Pete Dawson, which led to the merging of Cranham Dental Seminars with The Dawson Academy in 2007. He became a 1/3 partner and its acting Clinical Director and that held that position until September of 2020. His responsibilities included the standardization of the content & faculty within The Academy, teaching the Lecture Classes all over the world, overseeing the core curriculum, as well as constantly evolving the curriculum to stay up to pace with the ever evolving world of Dentistry. During his 25 years as an educator, he became one of the most sought after speakers in dentistry. To date he has presented over 1650 full days of continuing education all over the world. Today he has partnered with Lee Culp CDT, and their focus is on integrating sound occlusal, esthetic, and sound restorative principles into efficient digital workflows, and ultimately coaching doctors on how to integrate them into their practices. He does this under the new umbrella Cranham Culp Digital Dental. Dr. Cranham has published numerous articles on restorative dentistry and in 2018 released a book The Complete Dentist he co-authored with Pete Dawson. In 2011 He along with Dr. Drew Cobb created The Dawson Diagnostic Wizard treatment planning software that today it is known as the Smile Wizard. Additionally, He has served as a key opinion leader and on advisory boards with numerous dental companies. In 2020 he published a book entitled “The Cornell Effect-A Families Journey Toward Happiness, Fulfillment and Peace”. It is an up from the ashes story about his adopted son, who overcame incredible odds, and ultimately inspired the entire family to be better. In November of 2021 it climbed to #5 on the Amazon best seller list in its category. Of all the things he has done, he believes getting this story down on paper is having the greatest impact.

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Advancing Your Clinical Team’s Skills  

July 31, 2024 John Cranham, DDS

By John C. Cranham, DDS 

Every dentist finds it challenging to take time to train their team members.

Here are a couple of examples of how I’ve added time to my own day by advancing my team’s skills:

 I fired myself as the practice photographer. My goal was to have multiple people in my office who know our intraoral and extraoral image protocols and who can take the photos at the same high level of quality. To do this, I built “training time” in our schedule to teach photography. Now, while the patient is in the chair, I have the “photographer” show me the photos. We look at them quickly. Occasionally there is one that needs to be retaken, and I will explain why. The quality has become consistently high. By having multiple photographers in the office, my primary dental assistant can focus on something else when needed.  When I am working up a case, I often show them why I needed a specific photo. They take interest in their part of the process and the case. Engagement in their work rises. Always clearly share the why. 

I’ve also trained my team on how to fabricate deprogrammers. I’ve trained them all, checked their work, and explained the why behind our standard. We now have four people who can do that, too. This means we have a good product we offer patients and get it out in a timely manner when my primary assistant is busy.  When it comes to training your team, you will set a standard, and your team needs to know you are serious about it, but you can do this without being stern or making them feel bad. For example, in my office, if they take a bad photo or make an unacceptable deprogrammer, I explain why and ask them to retake the photo or remake the deprogrammer. As they redo something, they learn from their mistakes. I am patient with them. I tell them I made the same mistakes while I was learning. 

Related Course

Integrative Dental Medicine: Creating Healthier Patients & Practices

DATE: June 27 2025 @ 8:00 am - June 28 2025 @ 4:00 pm

Location: The Pankey Institute

CE HOURS: 10

Regular Tuition: $ 2995

Single Occupancy with Ensuite Private Bath (per night): $ 345

We face a severe health crisis, that is a much larger pandemic than Covid-19! Our western lifestyle affects periodontal & periapical oral disease, vascular disease, breathing disordered sleep, GERD, dental…

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John Cranham, DDS

Dr. John Cranham practices in Chesapeake, Virginia focusing on esthetic dentistry, implant dentistry, occlusal reconstruction, TMJ/Facial Pain and solving complex problems with an interdisciplinary focus. He practices with his daughter Kaitlyn, who finished dental school in 2020. He is an honors graduate of The Medical College of Virginia in 1988. He served the school as a part time clinical instructor from 1991-1998 earning the student given part time faculty of the year twice during his stint at the university. After studying form the greats in occlusion (Pete Dawson & The Pankey Institute) and Cosmetic Dentistry (Nash, Dickerson, Hornbrook, Rosental, Spear, Kois) during the 1990’s, Dr. Cranham created a lecture in 1997 called The Cosmetic Occlusal Connection. This one day lecture kept him very busy presenting his workflows on these seemingly diametrically opposed ideas. In 2001 he created Cranham Dental Seminars which provided, both lecture, and intensive hands on opportunities to learn. In 2004 he began lecturing at the The Dawson Academy with his mentor Pete Dawson, which led to the merging of Cranham Dental Seminars with The Dawson Academy in 2007. He became a 1/3 partner and its acting Clinical Director and that held that position until September of 2020. His responsibilities included the standardization of the content & faculty within The Academy, teaching the Lecture Classes all over the world, overseeing the core curriculum, as well as constantly evolving the curriculum to stay up to pace with the ever evolving world of Dentistry. During his 25 years as an educator, he became one of the most sought after speakers in dentistry. To date he has presented over 1650 full days of continuing education all over the world. Today he has partnered with Lee Culp CDT, and their focus is on integrating sound occlusal, esthetic, and sound restorative principles into efficient digital workflows, and ultimately coaching doctors on how to integrate them into their practices. He does this under the new umbrella Cranham Culp Digital Dental. Dr. Cranham has published numerous articles on restorative dentistry and in 2018 released a book The Complete Dentist he co-authored with Pete Dawson. In 2011 He along with Dr. Drew Cobb created The Dawson Diagnostic Wizard treatment planning software that today it is known as the Smile Wizard. Additionally, He has served as a key opinion leader and on advisory boards with numerous dental companies. In 2020 he published a book entitled “The Cornell Effect-A Families Journey Toward Happiness, Fulfillment and Peace”. It is an up from the ashes story about his adopted son, who overcame incredible odds, and ultimately inspired the entire family to be better. In November of 2021 it climbed to #5 on the Amazon best seller list in its category. Of all the things he has done, he believes getting this story down on paper is having the greatest impact.

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Effective Strategies for Managing Transition in Your Dental Practice Part 3 

July 5, 2024 Edwin "Mac" McDonald DDS

By Edwin “Mac” McDonald DDS  

Effective management during transitions directly impacts overall success. By implementing these strategies, you’ll lead your dental practice through change more smoothly. In Part 1 of this series, I described Phase One: The Ending Zone, the time during which a team is feeling the loss of the familiar and coping with uncertainty. In Part 2, I described Phase 2: The Neutral Zone, the time when a team is learning to embrace the change. Let’s look at what is likely to happen in Phase Three as a team continues to transition through change. 

Phase Three: New Beginnings  

During the third phase, the grieving is now passing or gone. This is when you and your team begin to identify yourselves (your culture) with “the new”—whether that be a practice ownership change, addition of more team members, merging with another dental practice, moving to a new office, updating your technology, adding a new niche service, dropping PPOs, or changing your operational systems (how you do things). The change is affecting their daily work and interactions with patients and each other. Adding to this burden is the tendency for patients to ask questions about the change. They also want to know about and feel connected to the change. Time and energy go into that additional communication. 

 

But, wonderfully, uncertainty is gone and things are clearer to the team members. Commitment becomes high again, and things start to feel “normal” again. People’s sense of competence is greater, they are able to easily identify the practice’s values to what is happening and how they are personally connected to them. When leaders and team members get to this stage, they can focus on the quality of the patient experience, and a new sense of commitment is felt. 

Strategies for Managing this Phase 

  • Continue to talk with your team and individuals about how they are feeling about the change. 
  • Acknowledge team members that have contributed to the changes. Doing this publicly cultivates trust and gives an example for others to follow. 
  • Give individuals a part to play in sustaining the change and ensuring that it becomes the way of working or operating. People need to feel as though they are a part of it. Some leaders who have a hard time with delegating may need to practice letting go. 

 

Keep in Mind 

  • Ultimately, the leader’s ability to communicate effectively will be the leading success factor in managing transition. 
  • Approach other natural leaders in your practice – these are the people that others tend to follow or listen to , so get their buy-in early in the process. This will provide more support for you during the process. 
  • Expect people’s performance to drop during the process and give grace to those that are not at their highest and best. Eventually, they will reach the other side and so will you! 

Related Course

Integrative Dental Medicine: Creating Healthier Patients & Practices

DATE: June 27 2025 @ 8:00 am - June 28 2025 @ 4:00 pm

Location: The Pankey Institute

CE HOURS: 10

Regular Tuition: $ 2995

Single Occupancy with Ensuite Private Bath (per night): $ 345

We face a severe health crisis, that is a much larger pandemic than Covid-19! Our western lifestyle affects periodontal & periapical oral disease, vascular disease, breathing disordered sleep, GERD, dental…

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Edwin "Mac" McDonald DDS

Dr. Edwin A. McDonald III received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Economics from Midwestern State University. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Dr. McDonald has completed extensive training in dental implant dentistry through the University of Florida Center for Implant Dentistry. He has also completed extensive aesthetic dentistry training through various programs including the Seattle Institute, The Pankey Institute and Spear Education. Mac is a general dentist in Plano Texas. His practice is focused on esthetic and restorative dentistry. He is a visiting faculty member at the Pankey Institute. Mac also lectures at meetings around the country and has been very active with both the Dallas County Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Currently, he is a student in the Naveen Jindal School of Business at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a graduate certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching. With Dr. Joel Small, he is co-founder of Line of Sight Coaching, dedicated to helping healthcare professionals develop leadership and coaching skills that improve the effectiveness, morale and productivity of their teams.

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Effective Strategies for Managing Transition in Your Dental Practice (Part 2)

July 1, 2024 Edwin "Mac" McDonald DDS

By Edwin “Mac” McDonald DDS  

Effective management during transitions directly impacts overall success. By implementing these strategies, you’ll lead your dental practice through change more smoothly. In Part 1 of this series, I described Phase One: The Ending Zone, the time during which your team is feeling the loss of the familiar and coping with uncertainty. In Part 1, I also listed communication strategies to help them cope. Let’s look at what is likely to happen as you and your team continue to transition through change. 

Phase Two: The Neutral Zone 

During this transition phase known as the “Neutral Zone” or “Chaos Zone,” team members grapple with the loss of the old ways and the unfamiliarity of the new. Competency levels vary, and individuals may feel consciously incompetent or consciously competent. What do I mean by that? 

Some may feel they now know what they didn’t about the change and understand the value of it. They are ready to navigate the change emotionally. Others may feel they are starting to “get it” and deal with it. And others have become champions of the change and model confident competence in making the transition. Others will still experience confusion, stress, doubt or skepticism. This is when leaders need to step up and put on an encourager and coaching hat. 

Strategies for Managing this Phase 

  • Discuss Strengths Utilizations: Encourage team members to identify how the change allows them to use their strengths differently and explore new opportunities. 
  • Open Conversations: Lead them in conversation and empower them to create solutions as issues of the transition arise. Foster teamwork and purpose as you converse with them, so they feel vital to the practice. Encourage them to talk among themselves and lean on one another as a team because you want to retain that team. Express your appreciation for them navigating and embracing the change. You can take them outside of the office for a social meal that does not feel formal and they can feel connected even outside the office.  
  • Provide Support: They will feel the need for information in order to feel secure. Ensure communication networks are open. Bringing in a transitions coach helps. Consider what HR resources you can make available to support individuals during this challenging phase. 

Remember, effective management during transitions directly impacts overall success. By implementing these strategies, you’ll lead your dental practice through change more smoothly. 

Related Course

Integrative Dental Medicine: Creating Healthier Patients & Practices

DATE: June 27 2025 @ 8:00 am - June 28 2025 @ 4:00 pm

Location: The Pankey Institute

CE HOURS: 10

Regular Tuition: $ 2995

Single Occupancy with Ensuite Private Bath (per night): $ 345

We face a severe health crisis, that is a much larger pandemic than Covid-19! Our western lifestyle affects periodontal & periapical oral disease, vascular disease, breathing disordered sleep, GERD, dental…

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About Author

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Edwin "Mac" McDonald DDS

Dr. Edwin A. McDonald III received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Economics from Midwestern State University. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Dr. McDonald has completed extensive training in dental implant dentistry through the University of Florida Center for Implant Dentistry. He has also completed extensive aesthetic dentistry training through various programs including the Seattle Institute, The Pankey Institute and Spear Education. Mac is a general dentist in Plano Texas. His practice is focused on esthetic and restorative dentistry. He is a visiting faculty member at the Pankey Institute. Mac also lectures at meetings around the country and has been very active with both the Dallas County Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Currently, he is a student in the Naveen Jindal School of Business at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a graduate certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching. With Dr. Joel Small, he is co-founder of Line of Sight Coaching, dedicated to helping healthcare professionals develop leadership and coaching skills that improve the effectiveness, morale and productivity of their teams.

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Boundaries in Dental Practice (Part 2)

June 29, 2024 Paul Henny DDS

By Paul A. Henny, DDS 

In Part 1, we looked at personal boundaries in dental practice. I mentioned scarcity bias and how it is prevalent in undifferentiated dental practices but not so much in dental practices where providers and patients mutually share the values and agenda of the practice. Because scarcity bias is so human, so ingrained in us, I want to discuss two things in Part 2: healthy relationships and also how to address scarcity bias as it occurs in our differentiated dental practices. 

Insight Into Our Boundaries Leads to Healthy Relationships 

Healthy interdependent relationships are only possible through first understanding our personal boundaries (Who am I? What am I responsible for? What am I not responsible for?). That’s critical because psychologically speaking, boundaries are like fence lines with consciously regulated gates.  

The aphorism “Good fences make for good neighbors” prevails.  The same logic applies to the practice of dentistry and the nature of the relationships that we create—consciously or not, within it.  

And Now, We Circle Back to Differentiation  

Healthy interpersonal boundaries lead us toward more interpersonal authenticity, which leads us toward higher-quality communication of our values and purpose. Higher quality communication leads to a more sophisticated level of collaboration and healthy results, including healthy interdependent relationships, self-reflection, self-responsibility, improved oral and total body health, improved mental health, and a constantly growing reputation for your values. That’s differentiation. That’s personal authenticity. That’s success. 

Addressing Scarcity Bias 

Once we understand ourselves well and we communicate consistently with personal authenticity, we still have the challenge of “knee-jerk” scarcity bias in our patients. This is where patience comes in and empathy—understanding and recognizing their feelings. 

People are biased toward the here and now. The mind is naturally focused on meeting immediate needs at the expense of future ones. We procrastinate important things such as dental treatment unless we have an urgent need for it. We fail to make investments, even when the future benefits are significant or the costs of not doing so are substantial. 

When the dentist and patient participate equally in a co-discovery examination process and co-discovery consultations to discuss health history and current findings, and the patient is empowered and becomes comfortable mentioning everything on their mind, we have already begun the powerful process of leading each other through understanding what is happening in the body and what is happening in the mind (feelings and thoughts). We can start to talk about what the patient would like to achieve long term—the patient’s beyond-the-moment oral health goals. We can start to talk about what is possible to achieve together and introduce the notion that we can take steps at the speed that is mutually comfortable for us. 

Inspiration to do “the work” is often planted with just a few words that create a future desirable image in the patient’s mind. If we have the patience to let the inspiration grow, without overwhelming the patient, scarcity bias can dissipate. Often patients come back to the conversation the next time they visit us and say, “I was thinking about what we talked about, and I think I am ready to…”  

Negotiating health goals between two adults starts as an invitation to agree upon common goals. We can start early in the doctor-patient and hygienist-patient relationships by instilling the thought that preventive health care is a partnership. They can’t do it alone and you can’t do it for them. Everyone must play their part responsibly. 

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DATE: March 6 2025 @ 8:00 am - March 8 2025 @ 2:00 pm

Location: The Pankey Institute

CE HOURS: 16

Dentist Tuition: $ 2795

Single Occupancy with Ensuite Private Bath (per night): $ 345

Achieving Financial Freedom is Within Your Reach!   Would you like to have less fear, confusion and/or frustration around any aspect of working with money in your life, work, or when…

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Paul Henny DDS

Dr. Paul Henny maintains an esthetically-focused restorative practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally, he has been a national speaker in dentistry, a visiting faculty member of the Pankey Institute, and visiting lecturer at the Jefferson College or Health Sciences. Dr. Henny has been a member of the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, The Academy of General Dentistry, The American College of Oral Implantology, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is Past President and co-founder of the Robert F. Barkley Dental Study Club.

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