The Business of Dentistry Podcast

Les Jones talks to Simon Thackeray as he reaches his third week of welcoming patients back.

Simon shares some insights into how he has found the past few weeks back in the practice and the challenges that the new ways of working bring to both staff and patients.

What you’ll hear:

• What have been the main changes and challenges since reopening
• What level of service is currently available due to guideline constraints
• What is the ‘new normal’ and what does this look like short and long term
• Top tips for reopening and new ways of working.

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team.

Recorded on 25^th June 2020

Eleanor Young, Business Development Manager, talks to Harry Singh about what lockdown has been like and the positives that can be taken from the new ways of working and thinking for the future.

What you’ll hear:

• What challenges/highlights has lockdown created both professionally and personally
• What growth areas have you found as a result of restricted practice opening
• What should the marketing focus look like going forward
• Finance priorities, both patient and practice

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team.

Recorded on 15th June 2020

Suki Singh, Regional Support Manager, talks to Kris Leeson, Principal Dentist at Thorpe Dental Group, about joining together cluster community practices to set up a UDC through COVID-19.

Detailing how this came about and what to consider moving towards the reopening of practices.

What you’ll hear:

• How and why was the cluster UDC set up and what were the barriers
• What does the UDC look like now
• What plans are being implemented for reopening
• What are the PPE challenges post lockdown

Who should listen:

• All dental professionals.

*Recorded on 5th June 2020

**The playback resolution and quality of this recording is not usual standard

Eleanor Young, Business Development Manager talks to Simon Walker, owner at Headless Cross Dental Care, about the challenges he has faced during lockdown and the practicalities of reopening.

With so many considerations for the practice, team and patients, Simon shares his thoughts on addressing the inevitable changes as restrictions are eased.

What you’ll hear:

• What challenges has lockdown created both professionally and personally
• How the time has enabled reassessment and implementation of changes
• What resources have helped throughout COVID-19
• How to communicate with the team and patients returning to the practice

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team.

*Recorded on 11th June 2020

Michael Bentley talks about the road to recovery for dental practices as we welcome the team and patients back.

Michael details some of the less talked about subjects ahead of reopening.

 What you’ll hear:

• The importance of virtual communication to maximise practice productivity
• How will PPE affect day to day consultations
• How to prepare for virtual communication and consultations
• What stages of triage to expect

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team.

*Recorded on 4th June 2020

Before he joined Practice Plan and as a Regional Support Manager, Matt Hadman was a practice manager. Today he shares some points you may want to consider to facilitate a successful reopening as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

What you’ll hear:

• Bringing the team back to work and furlough scheme usage
• How and what to communicate with the team and patients
• What changes will need to be in place –systems and processes
• The importance of diary zoning

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team

Recorded on 1st June 2020

Chris Barrow talks about putting plans in place ahead of first phase of reopening.

Whilst a definitive return to work date has not yet been issued but many feeling this is imminent, Chris details of some considerations to take into account.

What you’ll hear today:

• What is phase I of return to work going to look like from the perspective of a patient
• How this perspective differs from that of team members
• What changes can be expected in the patient journey going forward
• What is minimal attendance dentistry (MAD).

Who should listen:

• Practice Owners and Managers
• Anyone who leads a team.

Recorded on 20^th May 2020

Ashley Latter talks about what you can be doing right now amid COVID-19 lockdown ahead of current restrictions being lifted. With practical tips and advice, he highlights the importance of utilising this time wisely ahead of reopening post-lockdown.

What you’ll hear today:

• How to create COVID-19 maintenance checklists
• What to include in your re-opening preparation
• How to identify tasks by viewing your practice objectively

Who should listen:

• All practice owners and managers.

Recorded on 4th May 2020

Les Jones talks to industry expert, Ros Keeton, Chair of the BDA Benevolent Fund on how they continue to help dental professionals with their personal finances.

This support is invaluable to many through the current crisis, with 6 months of usual contact received in the first 6 weeks of lockdown. Offering a range of practical support this is a great aide for those who are unaware of the resource available and the charitable help they are providing.

What you’ll hear today: 

• Who are the BDA Benevolent Fund
• What support do they provide
• How to access this support

Who should listen:

• All dental professionals.

Recorded on 30th April 2020