Articles by Deborah Odell

Deborah Odell is a frequent contributor to Dental Practice Report, including the following articles:

• Collections in an economic downturn
  During a recession it feels riskier to broaden your financial options; you are already seeing your accounts receivables increase. Ironically, that is the exact strategy you need to employ. When patients perceive there isn't enough money to pay for the dentistry they need, dentists need to respond with increased flexibility in their financial arrangements.
• Share the wealth to motivate employees
  Are you struggling to hire new employees? Are you concerned your long-term team members may be looking for greener pastures? If you answered yes to either question, you're not alone. Dentists across the nation are trying to figure out how to recruit and retain the best employees in today's competitive environment.
• Don't underestimate the power of the job description
  Without clearly defined roles, the attitude of 'It's not my job, someone else should be doing it,' has the potential to spill over into other areas of the practice. And it can lead to frustration.
• If you must slash, slash smart
  Rather than making across-the-board cuts, understand where you are overspending and where cutting would reap the best benefits.
• Stressless salary reviews
  Dentists are finding it increasingly difficult to determine how much to spend on salary increases. Far too often, they base raises on gut decisions. Erase doubts about when, and how much, to raise employee salaries.