Personal Finances | General/Other

Avoid The Top 10 Financial Mistakes From The Pandemic

Many doctors’ savings and investing plans fell off the rails during the pandemic. Use this list to dodge the common pitfalls and financially get back on track.

Practice Management | Industry Trends

Survey Reveals Top Practice Reopening Strategies

How has your practice handled the return from the COVID-19 closure compared to your colleagues? Plus, 14 best practice reopening ideas from our member-practices.

Marketing | Communication

Act Now To Fill Holes In Your Fourth-Quarter Schedule

Avoid letting a short-term hygiene problem become a long-term doctor production gap, with 3 simple strategies to help you stay as busy as you want to be.

Investments | Investment Strategy

Election 2020…What’s An Investor To Do?

All too often, doctors let their political views wreck their investment portfolio. As November approaches, take note of these economic reminders and heed our advice so this doesn’t happen to you.

Marketing | Referrals

How To Increase Referrals By Improving Quality Of Care

Do you know how your patients FEEL about your practice? Their perception is the reality and directly affects their loyalty, treatment acceptance, and willingness to refer others.

Practice Management | Personnel

Just Say No To The Payroll Tax Deferral

Think twice: the payroll tax deferral relief measure has a catch! The short-term benefit isn't worth the implementation time and complexity and there are several good reasons your practice should opt out.

Tax | General/Other

Top 50 Year-End Tax Planning Strategies (Online-Only Article)

With several new COVID-19 tax breaks, tax planning in 2020 is more complicated than ever. Focus on these 50 strategies that can save you the most.

Transitions | Practice Values

Analyze Your Practice Sale Options To Make The Best Transition Decision

Selling your practice is a critically important decision impacting your ability to achieve financial security in retirement. Should you sell to a DSO, or go the traditional route? Consider your options carefully—because there are no “practice transition mulligans”!

Practice Management | Financing

New SBA Rules Curb PPP Loan Forgiveness For Owner-Related Payments

The SBA continues to modify rules on PPP forgiveness, and with the impending election, more changes are likely to come. Find out your best strategy to achieve full loan forgiveness and why we recommend waiting to complete your application.

Personal Finances | General/Other

President Signs Coronavirus Relief Orders

Coronavirus economic relief efforts continue as President Trump bypasses a gridlocked Congress with four executive orders signed on August 8, 2020.

Personal Finances | Debt Management

Three Tips To Tackling Your Student Loan Debt Now

Is student loan debt taking an emotional toll on you? Relief is in sight with the combination of record-low interest rates and extended federal student loan relief. Plus, we’ll tell you why buying a practice now could help you get out of debt even quicker.

Marketing | Communication

How To Successfully Handle Patient Calls During COVID-19

Everyone is handling the pandemic differently. It’s more important than ever to be sure your phones are answered with genuine care and concern. Share these tips with your team to make certain your patient-callers are informed and at ease during these extra-precautionary times.

Personal Finances | Estate Planning

How Low Interest Rates Can Boost Your Tax Savings From A Charitable Lead Trust

Are you a charitable giver? If so, due to record-low interest rates, now’s an excellent time to set up a Charitable Lead Trust. When properly structured, this trust helps you benefit the charities of your choice, while generating a super-charged income tax deduction.

Practice Management | Personnel

Use Staff Performance Reviews To Protect And Build Your Practice

Regular performance reviews are beneficial to your staff and necessary for practice growth and development. If you’ve been putting it off, here are 4 specific reasons to conduct (and document!) employee reviews now for a happier staff and more productive practice.

Practice Management | General/Other

CDC Issues New Testing Guidelines (Online-Only Article)

Keeping your patients and staff healthy is your #1 priority. The CDC released new COVID-19 testing guidelines that could affect your current office protocols—this short update helps keep you informed.

Practice Management | General/Other

How To Reduce Your Risk For A COVID-19 Lawsuit

Suing for COVID-19 damages has sadly become a reality. Follow these 3 steps to limit your legal liability should a staffer, patient, or their family member contract the virus traced back your practice.

Practice Management | Financing

No PPP Loan Yet? Here’s Your Golden Second Opportunity!

If you thought you missed your chance to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and qualify for 100% loan forgiveness, Congress has a nice surprise for you! Don’t miss this opportunity to receive tax-free PPP funds to help your practice recover from the financial impact of the pandemic.

Practice Management | Personnel

12 Steps To Take If An Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

Find out what to do from the first urgent step, to the last, to ensure your practice is prepared–and protected–if your staffer contracts coronavirus.

Practice Management | Productivity

6 Ways Teledentistry Can Improve Your Practice

Teledentistry is becoming increasingly important during the pandemic—and it’s here to stay! Integrating it effectively will help make your practice more efficient and profitable now and in the future.

Personal Finances | Budgeting, Spending, Saving

Top 5 Financial Apps For Your Success

Plan for a financially secure future with the help of our advisors’ favorite personal finance apps to control spending and increase your savings. Money management just got easier!

Personal Finances | Estate Planning

Smart Moves To Save Millions By Dodging Future Tax Hikes

With the current record-high federal estate and gift tax exemption expiring in 2025, doctors should plan now (starting with these 3 strategies!) to protect their net worth.

Practice Management | General/Other

Forget the Balance Billing Scare! Act Now to Receive Provider Relief Fund Payments

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanded the Provider Relief Fund under the CARES Act. With the deadline extended (again), you now have until September 13, 2020 to apply for funding to receive payments equal to 2% of your annual revenue!

Practice Management | Industry Trends

How Do Your Practice’s Reopening Results Compare? (Online-Only Article)

After reopening most practices have become increasingly busy despite COVID-19 productivity constraints. Use our summary of ADA’s HPI survey results to see how the pandemic’s economic impact on your practice compares to your peers.

Practice Management | Financing

New PPP Law Eases Loan Forgiveness

For months, doctors have been waiting for PPP loan forgiveness regulations. Finally, Congress offered some answers in this new legislation passed by the Senate on June 3, 2020.

Investments | Investment Strategy

7 Steps To Avoid Disasterous Results From Emotional Investing

Can you imagine making a phone call that costs you nearly $600,000? Help yourself avoid such devastating losses by heeding this advice that prepares you to weather the highs and lows of the stock market well.

Personal Finances | General/Other

Strategies To Protect Yourself Against The Growing Risk Of Online Fraud

Cybercriminals are looking for your practice to make mistakes and they're finding them: there’s almost a 50% increase in reported security breaches. We reveal common scams and how to protect yourself, and your practice.

Tax | Practice/Corporation

Take Advantage Of Tax-Free COVID-19 Reimbursements For You And Your Staff

A little-known tax provision allowing for Disaster Relief Payments creates the opportunity for you to receive tax-free cash from your practice and provide a morale-boosting bonus to hard-working staff.

Practice Management | Billing/Collections

COVID-19 Coding And Billing Strategies For Teledentistry, PPE, And In-Office Testing

Reopening your practice brought with it new and stricter safety protocols. This guidance from dental coding expert Dr. Charles Blair will help you make better, informed decisions about your COVID-19 related insurance coding and billing procedures.

Personal Finances | Budgeting, Spending, Saving

Act Soon For A Great Used Car Deal

The dealership’s advertised price may seem appealing, but watch out for costly add-ons. Could you find a better price through rental car sales or a private seller?

Practice Management | Personnel

Why Exit Interviews Are More Important Than Ever (Online-Only Article)

COVID-19 is the ultimate practice disrupter. How effective are your new policies and procedures? See what you can learn from interviews with departing staffers.

Transitions | Practice Values

How Will The Coronavirus Affect Your Practice's Value?

The pandemic has impacted clinical guidelines, staffing levels, productivity, and more…so transitioning doctors wonder how the value of their practice will be impacted. The answer may surprise you!

Practice Management | General/Other

Seven Benefits From An Attitude Of Gratitude

Being a thankful person offers many advantages; here are just a few that’ll help you experience life with more satisfaction and deeper meaning.

Practice Management | Personnel - Compensation

How To Protect Your Practice Under The New Emergency Paid Sick Leave Rules

New FMLA rules will affect nearly every dental practice. And there's good news! But...be sure you understand the intricacies around qualifying reasons for paid sick leave and claiming the tax credit and small business exemption.

Practice Management | Embezzlement

Are You Protected Against The Growing Risk Of Embezzlement?

Safeguard your practice by understanding the familiar signs of embezzlement and the common schemes dishonest employees use to steal from doctors.

Practice Management | Personnel

How To Bring Back Your Staff To Maximize PPP Loan Forgiveness

Will your staff return to work when your practice re-opens? Heed this warning and use our sample notice to be prepared and comply with new PPP loan forgiveness rules.

Practice Management | Financing

6 Lessons Learned From The Latest PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules (Online-Only Article)

The latest rules answer some of the remaining questions and provide opportunities to increase the amount of your PPP loan forgiveness.

Tax | General/Other

How To Reap The Maximum Tax Savings Under The CARES Act

A $2.2 trillion economic relief package was signed into law to aid Americans during the COVID-19 crisis. The stimulus package includes several major tax provisions and we break down nine of them to help reduce both your personal and practice-related tax burden.

Practice Management | Financing

How To Get The Maximum Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Legally Possible

The Treasury Department released additional guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program on April 6, 2020. Review these guidelines now to secure the maximum PPP loan amount for your practice.

Insurance | Life, Disability, Business Overhead

Why Your Practice Should File A Business Interruption Insurance Claim

Business interruption insurance typically applies when revenue loss is due to physical damage...but there are several reasons it's worth finding out if your coverage will help reimburse losses due to the coronavirus.

Insurance | General/Other

Claim Your Insurance Premium Refunds Now

While your practice is closed, contact your insurance carrier now to request potential money-saving benefits and take advantage of any available relief programs.

Personal Finances | Debt Management

Take Advantage Of Student Loan Debt Relief Under CARES Act

President Trump had announced a temporary freeze on student loan debt in an emergency declaration regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Now the CARES Act takes this debt relief even further.

Practice Management | Financing

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Update

New bill replenishes PPP funding–here's how to get your PPP loan approved! This, plus PPP funding rules for sole proprietors, independent contractors, and partnerships.

Investments | Annuities

Should You Invest Your Retirement Plan Funds In Annuities?

The insurance industry lobbied hard to allow them to sell annuities more widely—and within 401(k) plans. Here’s a fiduciary’s take on the soundness of this as an investment.

Practice Management | Financing

8 Strategies To Maximize The Benefits Of Your PPP Loan And Forgiveness

While we’re waiting on the SBA to issue final loan forgiveness rules, you can use our guidance to help you avoid traps get the best results.

Practice Management | Industry Trends

Reader Survey Reveals Record 2019 Production/Collections (Online-Only Article)

We reviewed financial statements from 212 practices across the country to provide our analysis to help members prosper and steer toward greater success.

Practice Management | General/Other

How To Deal With The Coronavirus Business Slowdown

No doubt your dental practice operations have been majorly impacted by this pandemic. Here are your focus areas for controlling overhead expenses, plus which sources to tap—in order—for access to emergency cash.

Practice Management | Personnel

How The New Emergency Paid Sick Leave Law Affects Your Practice

Managing your staff and day-to-day operations is increasingly stressful during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Read more about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and temporary paid leave provisions signed into law on March 18.

Personal Finances | Debt Management

President Trump Announces Student Loan Debt Relief

The economic blowback of COVID-19 has been strong, but there’s good news for the 43 million Americans who owe about $1.5 trillion in federal student loans.

Practice Management | General/Other

7 Steps To Boost Your Immune System And Help Protect Against Viruses

A vaccine for the coronavirus is likely many months away. Along with following other recommended precautions, help boost your immunity by being proactive and taking measures to generally avoid contracting a virus.

Personal Finances | Budgeting, Spending, Saving

20 Ways To Cut Your Personal Spending Now

It’s more important than ever, during times of uncertainty, to find ways to squeeze every dollar—and these strategies will help you keep extra money in your pocket, so you have more left over for retirement savings.

Tax | General/Other

Take Advantage Of Automatic Extension To File And Pay Your 2019 Taxes

The IRS postponed the deadline from April 15 to July 15 to file your federal income tax return. These relief measures also give you extra time to make contributions to HSAs, IRAs, and retirement plan accounts.

Retirement Plans | IRAs (Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, etc.)

Use Roth Conversions To Turn Your Stock Market Lemons Into Lemonade

While the current economic “perfect storm” is wreaking havoc on the stock market, there is a silver lining—it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the Roth conversion strategy to achieve tremendous tax savings.

Tax | Audits

Avoid These Top 3 IRS Targets

Investing in one of these tax shelter schemes will put a target on your back and almost guarantee an audit. Steer clear of these IRS red flags.

Investments | Investment Strategy

What To Do With Your Investments? (Online-Only Article)

Today’s gut-wrenching stock market volatility has many doctors on edge. It’s critical to avoid knee-jerk reactions and instead remain calm, utilize your financial advisor, and stay the course with minor adjustments to successfully weather the storm.

Transitions | Buying/Selling and Mergers

Corporate Buyers Eyeing Your Practice? 5 Costly Pitfalls To Avoid

Do you know how to limit brokerage commission? How about making sure there are no break-up fees? Are you comfortable with the Letter of Intent? We offer expert tips for your practice sale.

Tax | General/Other

5 Strategies To Beat The $10,000 Limit On State And Local Tax Deductions

Before you file your 2019 federal income tax return, ask your CPA to confirm these taxes are being deducted correctly. You’ll be glad you did!

Insurance | Health

How To Avoid Costly Medicare Mistakes As You Approach 65

You can lose thousands of dollars if you make the wrong choices. We narrow down the specifics that doctors should be sure to focus on to successfully manage health care costs.

Practice Management | Productivity

8 Time-Management Strategies To Lower Stress And Increase Efficiency

Big takeaway: Don’t take on more projects than you can comfortably handle. It's okay to say "no."

Personal Finances | Credit

Best Reward Credit Cards For 2020

We take the pain out of choosing the right card for the right purchase!

Personal Finances | Budgeting, Spending, Saving

Don’t Let Your Emergency Fund Rob Your Retirement Nest Egg

Read on for 5 alternatives to low-interest savings accounts, plus how to use them.

Personal Finances | General/Other

6 Steps To Protect Your Online Privacy (Online-Only Article)

Are you freely providing too much personal information over the web? Think twice–giving all those permissions to apps isn’t necessary and ends up making you more vulnerable.

Education Planning | Saving/Paying for College

How New Technology Increases Tax-Deductible College Funding Options

Most college savings advice misses the mark. But our recommended strategies save doctors an average of more than $70,000 per child on a 4-year college education!

Marketing | New Patients/Treatment Acceptance

Educate Key Decision-Makers Through Virtual Consults To Improve Your Conversion Rates

Patients who would be ready to start treatment, often don’t, if not all decision-makers attend the consultation. Here’s how to improve the selling process—and your related profitability!

Practice Management | Managed Care

More Practices Reduce PPO Participation: Hike Your Profits By Following Suit

Think you can’t afford to go out of network with PPOs? Four months after making changes to reduce PPO participation, one of our members saw profits go up about $12,000 a month. So think again!

Marketing | Communication

How Much Are Missed Calls Costing Your Practice?

If you calculate the value of a patient visit, you might be surprised how big your loss could be. Use these tips to maximize answered calls, in order to increase your profits!

Personal Finances | General/Other

How To Find True Happiness—And Improved Health

Intentional activity is 4 times more important than life circumstances to your happiness, according to studies. Here are some easy ways you can practice intentionality to decrease stress, starting today.

Insurance | Life, Disability, Business Overhead

Beware Of The Hottest Thing In Life Insurance—Indexed Universal Life

The promise of a “can’t lose” investment has caused indexed universal life to surge in popularity. But that’s a promise easily broken, and there’s a better approach than investing in these high-fee, low-return policies.

Retirement Plans | 401(k), Cash Balance, Defined Benefit

Now’s The Time To Review Your Retirement Plan

When your practice retirement plan is properly designed, you'll enjoy substantially bigger tax savings and maximize contributions for you and your family. Are you in the best retirement plan?

Personal Finances | General/Other

How To Buy A New Car At An “Old Car Price” (Online-Only Article)

New car prices have risen dramatically over the past few years, reducing sales. Discover a unique approach for using this inventory glut to bargain for huge savings.

Practice Management | Managed Care

How To Increase Profits By Playing It Smart With Delta

Delta Dental has the largest dental network by far, so your practice’s status with them is critical. Find out how you can potentially add thousands in increased profits by making the right provider moves.

Investments | Investment Outlook

4 Strategies To Improve Your Investment Returns

Where do the markets appear to be headed in 2020? If you ask the major Wall Street firms, you will get the same answer you always get. Read on for a fresh perspective and advice on becoming a more successful investor.

Tax | General/Other

6 Strategies To Accelerate Your Financial Success In 2020

Making contributions at the beginning of the year, rather than at year-end, could result in an extra accumulation of $453,477 over 30 years. That’s way too much money to pass up!

Practice Management | Personnel - Compensation

Motivate Your Staff For Practice Growth Using This Bonus Plan

One of our most popular topics - the best way to reward great staff members - and we’re thrilled to show you how!

Retirement Plans | General/Other

8 Major Changes You Need To Know Under The New Retirement Rules

2020 brings some of the biggest retirement plan change provisions in a decade. To avoid higher taxes or costly lawsuits, we highlight the changes you must not miss.

Practice Management | Personnel

9 Steps For More Productive Staff Meetings

Positive staff meetings require great listening and communication skills, which in turn will improve the patient experience, and your operating results.

Personal Finances | General/Other

Move Your Money Where It Will Treat You Best

The ability to overcome emotional obstacles, like selling at a loss to free up money for investments with greater future potential, is what separates good investors from great ones.

Insurance | General/Other

Disaster Protection Plan: Why You Need a Video Inventory (Online-Only Article)

How soon could you get your office up and running again if disaster strikes? An excellent way to be prepared is by creating a video inventory of your office—and your home. And your smartphone is the perfect tool for the job.