The Practice Support Team (PST) provides coaching, resources, and analysis for our valued Burkhart clients.

It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our clients while meeting our mission to provide an exceptional client experience. Our most frequent requests continue to focus on clinical staffing shortages, insurance reimbursement challenges, and practice overhead.

Given the current staffing shortages, how can I effectively recruit and retain qualified staff?

  • Clearly define roles and required skills, craft compelling job descriptions, and leverage recruitment channels like online job boards, professional networks, and social media.
  • Foster a positive work environment, provide ongoing training, and recognize and reward staff contributions. Implement flexibility that promotes work-life balance. Recent surveys through the Health Policy Institute revealed this to be the #1 driver of workplace satisfaction among RDHs, DAs, and front office staff.
  • Offer competitive salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities.
  • Conduct frequent performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.
  • Organize regular team-building activities to foster a positive work environment and strengthen team cohesion.

Reach out to PST for additional employee morale-building resources.

What strategies can I use to improve low reimbursement rates and frequent insurance denials?

  • Verify insurance coverage in advance to avoid surprises and provide accurate estimates.
  • Help patients understand their dental benefits and limitations.
  • Use electronic claims submission and centralize insurance information.
  • Use the most up-to-date CDT codes and ensure accurate documentation for clean claims.
  • Negotiate fair reimbursement rates, restructuring lease arrangements where possible.
  • PST provides an in-depth PPO Impact Analysis to help you determine your insurance exposure and strategies to increase reimbursements.

How can I manage rising overhead costs, including staff wages, benefits, and equipment expenses, while maintaining profitability?

  • Implement technology and automation for administrative tasks and clinical efficiency to reduce overhead.
  • Cross-train employees and craft schedules to improve efficiency.
  • Regularly review financial statements and key performance indicators to maintain your practice’s economic health.
  • Diversify revenue by offering services to attract different patient demographics, including additional procedures such as implant placement, Botox, and clear aligners.
  • Build patient loyalty through excellent care and communication.

PST provides an Overhead Analysis to compare your data to healthy benchmarks with recommendations for improvement.

What marketing strategies are effective for attracting new patients?

  • Build a strong online presence through a professional website, SEO, and social media.
  • Create valuable content such as blog posts, videos, and newsletters.
  • Incorporate in-house membership plans to offer discounts or rewards for regular visits that attract private pay patients.
  • Train staff to be friendly, professional, and responsive to patient needs to build internal referrals.
  • Provide post-op calls regularly.

Consider Ascent Marketing, which incorporates a comprehensive approach with a unique fee strategy: You only pay for each new patient who schedules. Talk with your Burkhart Account Manager or contact Practice Support Team for details.

Your success is our success. Please reach out to us anytime.
To learn more, visit the Practice Support Team page, email us at PracticeSupportTeam@BurkhartDental.com, or call 1.800.665.5323.

Burkhart Dental Supply – Practice Support Team

Category: Practice Consulting

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