The Business of Dentistry Podcast

Nathan Wallis talks to Les Jones about how multi-site practices and corporates should organise their communications to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and employee engagement.

What you’ll hear:

• The importance of effective communications in any workplace, particularly in multi-site organisations
• What practices should be adopted to facilitate good communications
• How to ensure your team is on board

Who should listen:

• Multi-site owners and managers looking to improve communications
• Those interested in the development of business communications
• Managers wanting tips on how best to structure communications in their team

Sarah Buxton explains how to set up an associate agreement and exactly what it needs to include.

What you’ll hear:

• The pros and cons of hiring an employed or self-employed associate
• What should be included in an associate agreement
• How to make amendments to agreements
• Risks to practice owners if agreements don’t adhere to Employment Law

Who should listen:

• Practice owners
• Anyone considering hiring an associate
• Anyone with an Associate Agreement already in place

Nigel Jones and John Milne, Senior Dental Adviser to the CQC have a frank and wide ranging conversation about patient care in dentistry today.

What you’ll hear:

• How the involvement of the CQC in dentistry has affected patient care
• The effects of regulation on patient care
• Ensuring vulnerable groups receive a high level of care

Who should listen:

• All dental professionals
• Anyone working in the dental industry

Nigel Jones talks to Joe Hendron about his decision to withdraw his practice from the prototype programme earlier this year and why he also decided to write an open letter to Jeremy Hunt explaining the reasons why.

What you’ll hear:

• Why Joe decided to withdraw from the prototype programme
• The personal and professional costs he came across by taking part in the programme
• Joe’s views on NHS dentistry and the future of contract reform

Who should listen:

• Anyone considering joining the prototype programme
• Dentists who will be working with the new contract when it is rolled out
• Anyone interested in the progress of contract reform

Zoe Close explains the reasons to invest in developing your team, even if it’s an established one. She illustrates how continued training will benefit both them and the whole practice.

What you’ll hear:

• The importance of continued training
• How to go about implementing a training plan
• The best way to encourage reluctant members of staff
• What this will achieve for both the team and the practice

Who should listen:

• Anyone with direct line management responsibility
• People leading teams
• Anyone who would like to develop within their role

Business Coach Carol Groombridge explains what you need to be monitoring in your practice in order to be sure you’re meeting your sales objectives, and the best way in which to do this.

What you’ll hear:

• Five essential Key Performance Indicators
• The best way to track performance
• What to look for in the results

Who should listen:

• Business owners & Associates
• Team leaders
• Anyone responsible for tracking aspects of business performance

Helen Minnery, president of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT), talks about how the roles of therapists and hygienists have changed over a number of years and what the next stages of change will include. She also discusses how the BSDHT and other professional bodies work together for the benefit of the profession.

What you’ll hear:

• Historical changes to the roles, including the impact of direct access in 2013
• How the BSDHT have been key to these changes
• Details of a joint project with the British Association of Dental Therapists for exemptions

Who should listen:

• Dental hygienists and therapists
• Members of a dental team who want a better understanding of these roles
• Dentists considering employing therapists and hygienists 

Pat and Clare explain the latest updates from the CQC, offering guidance on what you should be doing in your practice in light of these updates and share their top tips for a successful inspection.

What you’ll hear:

• The Importance of the KLOEs.
• The most frequent areas of non-compliance.
• Eight things you must do to ensure you are ready for an inspection.

Who should listen:

• Practice Managers and owners
• Those responsible for CQC regulation
• All practice team members

In a follow up to his podcast on leadership, Chris talks about the characteristics of a great manager and shares his top tips for ensuring that you and your systems are the best they can be.

What you’ll hear:

• The key differences between management and leadership
• The five systems that exist within a successful dental practice
• The benefits of creating and individualising your own systems.

Who should listen:

• Practice owners 
• Practice managers
• Members of the front desk team

Chris Barrow explains the differences between leadership and management and talks about the four key characteristics of a good leader.

What you’ll hear:

• How having a clear and well thought through vision is vital to being a good leader
• The benefits of sharing this vision with the team
• The role your behaviour plays in the way your team respond to you.

Who should listen:

• Those who want to display good leadership
• Team leaders
• Anyone who works closely with others.