Basic Communication Skills in Pediatric Dentistry: Tips, Techniques & Comedy

Last Friday in Philadelphia, I had the privilege of speaking on communication in the pediatric dental office. Not clinical technique.Not materials. Communication. After decades in practice, I have learned that communication skills in pediatric dentistry are often the difference between calm resolution and unnecessary conflict. Most conflicts in a pediatric dental office are preventable. They […]

7 Ways to Grow Your Practice by Taking Better Care of the Patients You Already Have

Internal Marketing in a Pediatric Dental Practice: 7 Ways to Grow from Within In today’s competitive dental landscape, many offices focus heavily on attracting new patients. However, one of the most effective growth strategies is internal marketing in a pediatric dental practice — strengthening relationships with the families you already serve. When patients feel welcomed, […]

5 Keys to Effective Communication

Effective Communication in a Pediatric Dental Practice: Why It Matters Remember the childhood game “telephone”? One simple sentence turns into something completely unrecognizable by the time it reaches the last person. It’s funny in elementary school. It’s far less amusing in a pediatric dental practice. Miscommunication in a dental office can lead to confused parents, […]

Running Your Practice Like a Well-Tuned Orchestra

Picture this: It’s Monday morning. You walk into the office and everything is already humming. The ops are set up, your staff is on time, the schedule is full (and booked out for months!), and there’s even a waiting list. The team is reviewing today’s patients, making sure they understand the needs of each child […]

Test Your Temper

We all get angry. But when stress runs high—like during the busy summer months in a pediatric dental office—those emotions can bubble over more quickly than we’d like. This quick quiz isn’t about judgment; it’s a tool to help you check in with yourself, recognize signs of rising frustration, and take small steps toward healthier […]

Top 10 Reasons Your Dental Office Needs an Onboarding System (Not Just Shadowing)

As a pediatric dentist, I know firsthand how busy our days can be. Between treating patients, communicating with parents, managing emergencies, and overseeing the team, the idea of onboarding a new hire often falls into the “just shadow someone and figure it out” category. But here’s the truth: sink-or-swim onboarding is costing your practice time, […]

Perfectionist Quiz

Almost everyone pursues perfection — doing the best job you can, setting goals and working hard to reach them, maintaining high standards. But perfectionism isn’t about any of this. Perfectionism is a long, maddening drive down a never-ending road for flawlessness; it provides no rest stops for mistakes, personal limitations or the changing of minds. […]

Listening Practices: Tips and Traps

Have you ever noticed how GOOD it feels to be really listened to? It’s impactful, particularly when the listening goes beyond just the words you’re speaking. That kind of artful listening conveys respect and value to the speaker, and promotes positive relationships of all kinds. And, like any art, it takes practice. According to widely […]

How Well Do You Delegate?

  Whether you work with others, or alone, you may still suffer from the “Lone Ranger Syndrome”—that managerial malaise that causes folks to work excessively long, hard hours because only THEY know how to do something right. Whoa, Silver! There is a cure. Effective delegation is a learnable time management skill that can dramatically increase […]

7 Ways to Motivate Yourself Every Day

  There are some days when it feels impossible to get motivated. Yet in order to achieve your goals, motivation is essential. Without it, nothing is accomplished. Responsibilities and tasks pile up. Life becomes overwhelming. Motivation becomes even harder to find. However, with a few simple strategies you can motivate yourself every day. Here are […]