Dentistry Made Simple with Dr. Tarun 'TBone' Agarwal

What 2020 brought our industry and our lives was not exactly what we all thought a year ago, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom, either. We’ve seen a lot of innovations in the past few months, many of which were likely forced early on, but people have since adapted to this “new normal,” and we’ll very likely take it with us as we enter 2021. How did our practice adjust to the abrupt changes? What were the adjustments we needed to spearhead? How did the pandemic affect us professionally and personally?

Today, I discuss how the pandemic has forced our industry to innovate and what our practice did to not just keep our doors open, but to try to hit as many of the goals we set out a year ago. I share why we needed to shuffle our team amidst the pandemic and explain why I can’t fully get rid of insurance in my practice. I describe the lessons we learned as a team and how we’re not better prepared when it comes to anything virtual. I also share how the pandemic personally hit me and my family and explain why, despite these challenges and setbacks,  I’m still thankful.

"No one needs change; we needed disruption and COVID was the disruption."

This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast:

• My thoughts on how the pandemic will persist through 2021.
• Did we hit our practice's 2020 goals?
• Why I'm trying to get out of network with many insurance companies.
• How the pandemic affected our team members.
• The positive changes Slack enabled our practice to have.
• Why a team change should be a goal in 2021.
• The one area COVID-19 crushed across every industry.
• Some of the wins we had in 2020 and how it affected our families.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "2021 will be a very bad year if we don't have any team change in our practice." - Tarun Agarwal

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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of T-Bone Speaks Dentistry. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Play Music to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your dental practice, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other dental practitioners.

Lane Barker is the owner of Magnolia Dental Spa, a dental practice that provides high-quality services and makes each patient feel like they’re being pampered by having a luxury spa atmosphere. He has over 20 years of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry and has completed advanced training in other services, including Botox and dermal fillers. Lane launched Magnolia Dental Spa in 2019 to provide nothing but the ultimate level of service through current technology and new treatments. 

Today, Lane joins us to discuss what it’s been like since their practice started offering dental implants. He shares the initial fears about dental implants and extractions and how he eventually felt comfortable and even looked forward to providing these services. He describes his experience with the 3D Dentist program and his takeaways from the training. He explains why he was doubtful about running a practice by himself and what changed his mindset. Lane also shares the payment options he set up so his patients can afford his services.

"It was probably one of the best moves I ever made."
 - Lane Barker

This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast:

• What to expect from 3D Dentist in the near future.
• What the retreat event will be about and who can join.
• Who Lane is and his professional experience with dental implants. 
• Lane's initial thoughts on implants and how much they would cost.
• The fears Lane had after dental school and how he overcame them.
• Why Lane chose 3D Dentist over other dental programs.
• Why Lane despised extractions early in his career and why he enjoys them now.
• The live patient experience during the program.
• The immediate impact of providing implants and extractions in their practice.
• How Lane determined the specific services and technology his practice needed.
• The options you have to make your services affordable for patients.
• Sedations and why dentists should suggest them more often in their practice.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "You don't have to buy everything. You just need what it takes to get started." - Tarun Agarwal
• "There's very little in dentistry now that we can't literally get in 2-3 days." - Tarun Agarwal
• "In dental surgery, there's as much fear for your team as there is for you." - Tarun Agarwal

Connect With Lane Barker:

• Magnolia Dental Spa

Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of T-Bone Speaks Dentistry. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Play Music to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your dental practice, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other dental practitioners.

On today’s episode I will explain more about our financial menu and what are the steps that we follow when we present cases, plans and this financial menu to patients.

Chances are you’re in your house right now because of the coronavirus pandemic, and you’re doing your part by temporarily closing your practice to help flatten the curve. But how do you run a dental practice during a global pandemic? How do you ensure your practice can continue helping patients after the pandemic has subsided and the social distancing restraints are lifted?

How do you ensure your business can weather the financial burden through the COVID-19 crisis so you can reopen your doors and reclaim your business?

In today’s episode, I discuss the financial options available for dental practices affected by the coronavirus. I explain how you can apply for small business loans as well as payment plans that can shield you from potential bankruptcy. I discuss why people are your biggest asset and why you should only consider removing them as the last resort. I also describe what our team plans to do after the pandemic is over and we open our practice’s doors once more.

“You have to do what you feel is right and what your team feels is right regardless of the situation or future situations.”

This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast:

• The financial options you have to keep your practice running.
• How you can apply for payment protection programs and loans.
• When to rehire team members who filed for unemployment.
• What to do when you don't have protective gear while working with a patient.
• Compensating furloughed team members if they go to work.
• What offices can do to be recession ready.
• Why sleep ortho and implants are still key services in this market.
• My future plans for my practice after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• How will insurance reimburse practices after this.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Don't put yourself in trouble by not paying your team members for the time they worked."
• "Stay calm and have leadership, especially in today's time."
• "People are the last thing you should consider getting rid of."

Resources Mentioned:

• US Small Business Administration
• Slack

In this episode, Meredith and I take you behind the scenes of a dental practice's daily hustle. We explore how teamwork and communication play a crucial role in ensuring that your dental appointments run like a well-oiled machine. From scheduling tips to understanding the connection between the front and back office, we share practical insights that can help make your dental practice more efficient. If you're part of a dental team or simply curious about what happens behind those clinic doors, this episode is a must-watch.

@2:47 Common Problem in Scheduling

@8:16 Adapting into the Schedule Challenges

@10:28 Adjusting the Schedule for Smooth Workflow

@11:47 Clinical Quarterback

@14:49 Try to Fit Team Member’s Shoe

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

One for the good guys!  Dr. Matt Howell was an associate at a DSO location and when things weren't going as expected for the DSO, he was able to purchase the practice.  He talks about taking over, making it his own, and doubling the practice.  

The best way you can support our podcast is by attending a seminar or workshop with 3D Dentists.  For more information visit www.3D-Dentists.com . 

On today’s episode we have two question. The first one regarding the Icon Infiltrant Resin, and then one question about occlusion changes after using sleep appliances.

In this episode, I underscore the pivotal role of investing in people within dental practices, asserting that the most valuable asset is the practice's personnel. I challenge the prevailing misconception that dentistry must be complicated and advocate for simplicity in dental procedures. The episode extensively explores the objectives of the hygiene visit, emphasizing the representation of the practice, oral health maintenance, and patient education using the "assess, recommend, and ready" approach. I introduce the concept of a Unique Selling Proposition (USP), specifically the "3D USP5," highlighting clinical excellence as the indispensable foundation for success. Additionally, I address the challenges of team training investment, exploring the dilemma of potential turnover versus the risks of not investing in team members. The episode concludes with a focus on the significance of schedule availability, drawing parallels with sports, and accentuating the need for a flexible scheduling approach for enhanced patient care and practice growth.

@00:29 Goals of Hygiene Visits

@03:30 Your Unique Selling Proposition

@09:25 Investing in Your Team

@13:13 Your Availability as Your Best Ability

Connect with Dr. Tarun Agarwal,DDS 

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbonespeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbonespeaks

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbonespeaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbonespeaks

Who is Dr. Tarun Agarwal?

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, DDS is considered one of the top dentists in the country. He is a recognized speaker, author, and dental leader. He has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and News 14 Carolina. Dr. Agarwal has been awarded '40 under 40' Business Leaders by the Triangle Business Journal.

He is regularly invited to teach other dentists around the world and recently built a training center within the practice dedicated to sharing his expertise.

Most importantly he is a dedicated father of three wonderful children. His biggest accolade was being voted 'Best Dad in the World' by 2 of his 3 kids.

Brett Wells is the Founder and CEO of Dental HQ, a company that provides membership plan services to dentists who want to improve their in-house membership plans. He started Dental HQ because he saw the frustrations patients experience with the insurance process and sought to make their dental appointments smoother. Brett has since grown his business and continuously attracts new clients, even when the coronavirus pandemic hit the economy hard.

Today, Brett shares how his membership plan changed the way he runs his business. He discusses why he started multiple offices after graduation and how Dental HQ was founded. He explains how membership plans can help bring more patients as well as some of the possible drawbacks of having one. He describes the perks their patients receive with their plans and how much it costs the patients. Brett also explains how membership plans compare and contrast with dental insurance.

“It’s all about the monthly price. That’s what your patients want to see: the affordability.” - Brett Wells

This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast:

●      How you can use membership plans in your practice

●      Where Brett learned about membership plans.

●      Why Brett opened multiple offices after graduation.

●      The systems he has in place in his offices.

●      What entrepreneurs should expect from having multiple offices.

●      The benefits of giving non-insurance patients discounts.

●      How Brett's membership plan kept his business running amidst Covid-19.

●      The difference between insurance and a membership plan.

●      Why membership plans don't have to be a discount.

●      What Brett's members get from his membership plan.

●      Brett's thoughts on patients dropping their own dental insurance for membership plans.

●      Getting your team on board with your membership plan services. 

●      The drawbacks of having a membership plan in your practice.

Our Favorite Quotes:

●      "If you want to live a headache-free life, don't chase being a DSO just to make more money." - Brett Wells

●      "You should really have 80% of your cash patients on your membership plan." - Brett Wells

●      "You should never buy your own dental insurance." - Brett Wells

Connect with Brett Wells:

●      Dental HQ

●      Email: brett@dentalhq.com

Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of T-Bone Speaks Dentistry. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Play Music to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your dental practice, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other dental practitioners.