Industry news, insider tips & the secrets for success.
In the years since the Great Recession, many dentists and dental specialists have noticed a disturbing trend. People reacted to the housing crisis, job losses, and stagnant interest rates by keeping a cushion in savings. It’s a rational decision, but it means that they’re no longer willing to tap into those savings to pay for […]
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By Angela Davis-Sullivan, PDA Business Development Coach At the start of your day, the schedule is full and running smoothly. Then, a patient fails to show up. Your team scrambles: what do they do, who do they call, how do they handle this? No one seems to know what to do, leaving everyone stressed. If […]
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You may experience a wave of emotions just reading the words “personal finance”—anxiety, boredom, exhaustion, confusion, frustration—don’t worry, you’re not alone. They don’t teach you this stuff in dental school, but the truth is, having a handle on your personal finances is one of the best things you can do to improve your life and […]
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Beware of Tuesday morning. It’s where good intentions die. After an inspiring seminar or conference, you walk into the office on Monday morning excited to implement all the things you learned while away. And then reality hits: the team isn’t dialed in, the scheduling is off, the patients aren’t reacting the way you hoped. Regardless […]
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We’ve all had those days (or months, or years) when we’ve felt frustrated, emotional, anxious, or upset. Maybe your team is not performing and you’re worried about the future of your practice. Maybe you had a fight with your significant other and emotions are high. Maybe a fear of failure is preventing you from moving […]
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As the dental industry becomes commodified, great service is essential to increased production. Hygiene teams are an important part of that mix, especially when they’ve been trained to provide higher-level, patient-focused service. Rachel Wall, RDH, BS of Inspired Hygiene has made it her mission to take hygiene teams to the next level of patient care […]
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Your phone is your lifeline. In fact, 98% of people call to make an appointment before walking into a dentist’s office. Some are calling for price, some are just checking you out. Either way, you want to be sure you’re doing everything you can to turn those callers into productive, loyal patients. First impressions are […]
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This past summer at our PDA Summer Camp in Colorado Springs, we invited some of our Grand Slam doctors as well as our entire PDA Tribe, including our Coaches and Marketing Group, to join us for some educational teambuilding fun. Part of this experience included breaking up into teams and coming up with skits to […]
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“How do I become a better leader for my team?” This is one of the most common questions our coaches get asked. The good news is, you’re not alone! In the first installment of our 10-Month Leadership Mastermind Video Series, PDA’s Business Development Coach Kari Miller shares key takeaways from Jon Gordon’s The Power of […]
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“Hi honey, how was your day?” “Well, Barbara called in sick so we were down one hygienist and our whole schedule got behind, and Sara kept screwing up her crowns with the new CEREC machine so I had to re-do them for her. Then we got a bad review because Margaret was rude to a […]
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“Do you believe in love at first sight?” The Dating Game is a classic ABC show that first aired in 1965 and was revived and continued in syndication for decades until the turn of the 21st century. You know the game: a bachelorette questions three bachelors hidden from view, and at the end of the […]
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Kathryn Gilliam, RDH, BA, is passionate about the oral-systemic health link. The founder of Periolinks has spent her career empowering dental hygienists to move beyond prophylactic cleanings and become oral health care providers. Gilliam believes that a well-trained hygiene team doesn’t just improve production and attract patients – it also saves lives. Currently, much of […]
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Productive Dentist Academy is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by AGD for Fellowship, Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from 10/1/2016 to 9/30/2020. Provider ID# 217561
Bruce B. Baird, DDS is a well respected cosmetic and family dentist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. His practice is located in Granbury, Texas. Dr. Baird’s expertise as an implant dentist has afforded him the skill to perform dental implant surgery and restorations since the mid-1980s. In 1990, he established the Texas Centers for Implant Dentistry, a mobile practice that allowed him to work with more than 25 doctors in the region. Recognizing his ability to help other dentists to achieve the same success he has experienced in his practice, Dr. Baird partnered with Vicki McManus, RDH to create Productive Dentist Academy. The Academy has been an invaluable resource to dentists nationwide.
Editorial Highlights with Dr. Bruce B. Baird
“I have over 30 years of experience in management and coaching general, periodontal, orthodontic and oral surgery dentists. I am passionate about being a part of the PDA team, and am grateful for the opportunities to assist dentists and their teams in achieving new levels of success.”
Business, leadership and helping others has always been a passion of mine . Prior to entering the world of dentistry I enjoyed a decade long career with Washington Mutual Bank and JPMorgan Chase as a Bank Branch Manager. I was able to work daily with individuals and Small Businesses to help them achieve their financial goals. I became passionate about leading my large team to achieve individual and team goals. I joined dentistry when my husband asked for me to lead his dental practice through a major transition. I fell in love with the field and never left. Over the last seven years I have enjoyed learning all aspects of what makes a successful dental practice thrive. From dental assisting to practice management, I’ve done it all. Our practice is part of the PDA alumni tribe and it’s awesome to see PDA systems in action every day. I have a B.A. in Communication from San Diego State University. When not business focused I love travelling the world enjoying new cultures, great food and great wine.
“The world of dentistry is a great place to be. Through smart, goal focused leadership we get to improve our patient’s lives while enriching the lives of every person on our team. Productive Dentist Academy has an amazing way of innovating processes that make all goals achievable.”
“One of the biggest challenges facing assistants is time – time for training and time for patient care. Another challenge is earning the trust of the doctor in gaining more responsibilities once we are trained. The most rewarding part for assistants is the patient relationships – we really love our patients!”
Kathryn Gilliam, RDH, BA is a published author, consultant, and speaker who is passionate about empowering dental hygienists to elevate the standard of care for their patients. Under Kathryn’s guidance, dental hygienists become oral health care providers who powerfully impact the lives and health of their patients.
Comprehensive periodontal care results in improved systemic health and creates loyal patients who accept treatment and refer family and friends. This practice builder is a win-win for patients and care providers.
How may I help you? I’m your first point of service as you begin your journey with the Academy. I’m happy to assist you with pre-seminar homework, hotel reservations, or any special needs that you may have. My passion is to handle the details so that our doctors and teams can focus on growth and success. Working with PDA for over 5 years, I’ve been honored to witness the accomplishments of so many dental offices. Please let me know how I can support you!
Machell Hudson, RDH, is the Director of Oral/Systemic Wellness for Granbury Dental Center and a Hygiene Consultant with Productive Dentist Academy. She is certified in laser, trained in Productive Dentist Academy methods of productivity, attended the BaleDoneen Method Preceptorship. She fell in love with the dentistry at 24 when she became a dental assistant, though that career was short lived as she quit to attend dental hygiene school. She has worked as a hygienist for Dr. Bruce Baird at Granbury Dental Center for 10 years where she has applied her passion for hygiene and helping people. Machell feels blessed to have a job where she is able to positively impact the lives and health of her patients who she considers as family. When she is not buried in books studying the oral/systemic connection she can be found playing outside, walking her dog, or spending quality time with her son who she considers to be her biggest blessing.
Dr. Chad Johnson is a practicing general dentist in Iowa.
He has served as Visiting Faculty at Spear Education in Scottsdale, AZ as part of the CEREC Mentor Group, used CAD/CAM and CBCT since 2011, and has served as a CEREC Trainer. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2005 and is a Fellow of the AGD. He is the immediate past president of the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry, and he also participates in the AACD, the AAFE, and the ALD. In addition, he is a Diplomate of the International Dental Implant Association. Passionate about digital dentistry and practice management, Dr. Johnson is dedicated to helping doctors actualize their potential within their practices. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, cycling, and recreational basketball.
Smile Maker since 1979. Thirty years in dentistry has combined my education in dental hygiene and marketing/PR nicely. I’ve been coaching doctors to achieve business success since 1996. Our systems are based on clinical excellence, team communication, and streamlining data. As a public speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to share the stage with Tony Robbins, and most keynote speakers in Dentistry. From 1999 – 2003, I was co-director of the aesthetic hygiene program for PAC~Live at the University of Pacific, San Francisco. Teaching with David Hornbrook, and a great team of mentors. In 2005, Dr. Bruce Baird and I joined forces to create Productive Dentist Academy.
Editorial Highlights with Vicki McManus Peterson
“What I enjoy most about my job is helping doctors achieve their goals by holding them accountable for their own vision, increasing productivity and profitability while reducing everyday stress in the office, and reenergizing their teams.”
“If the Academy had a front door, that’s where you’d find me. Doctors and teams reach out to me everyday to see what we might accomplish together. I’ve spent years listening to doctors and teams from across the county describe the highs and lows of the profession. I’ve given hundreds of dental webinars and spoken at dozens of events on topics ranging from communication and marketing to dental caries. It’s absolutely amazing to watch our clients develop and I am humbled everyday by the trust and faith they have in the Academy”.
Editorial highlights with Chris Moriarity
Robyn is passionate about strengthening emotional intelligence to help others overcome limiting beliefs, break cycles of negativity, and interact in more constructive, productive ways. She provides solid strategies to help manage stress and turn frustration into positive action, career success and personal well-being.
“I believe at the heart of every business is the people and groups it serves. As a leader, I am responsible for developing and steering initiatives that create a positive transformation that enhances client experiences, employee satisfaction, and the overall market.
Success lies within teamwork. Fostering the collaboration between like minded businesses and teams to achieve the best results possible is a driving factor in my life. I help weave the vision of the company throughout divisions in a way that is consistent and translates seamlessly to the market.
My personal passion is in supporting the arts. A graphic designer, illustrator, and color guru at heart, it is our duty to help the next generation experience as many opportunities at flexing their creativity muscles as much as possible”.
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world,” E.B. White once wrote. “This makes it difficult to plan the day.” – Adam Grant.
“What our doctors appreciate the most from our Coaching program is that we provide a ‘safe place’ to vent frustrations. We give them peace of mind that we can help them handle their challenges and create wealth.”
“The top 3 questions I hear from doctors are:
I take great pride in providing tangible solutions to help my doctors achieve their goals.”
“I absolutely love to help doctors and teams learn how to set goals, create action steps and then celebrate their success. To be surrounded by positive people is addicting! I love my job!”
Posted March 13, 2018 / 
