SCAMS AND CREDIT CARD THEFT CAN HIT YOUR PRACTICE

Dentists, beware of the vultures out there who spend untold time and energy devising ways to cheat and steal from legitimate businesses, dental practices included.  One of the most recent wide spread scams to hit dental offices is a fake Yellow Page company that sends invoices for a bogus Internet phone book listing.  Other offices have had experience with a variety of illegitimate billings for everything from reception room magazine subscriptions to unordered supplies.

Recently a friend’s dental office was contacted about a counterfeit credit card that had been used in a nearby city to purchase consumer goods at a Nordstroms department store.  There were three legitimate cards on that account, all issued in the name of the practice, “Dentist’s Name, PA”.  All three cards were still in the possession of the dentists and an administrator, yet the thief had used a perfectly made copy of the card and was apprehended when he returned to the same Nordstroms to charge more merchandise.  The case is still pending, and the dentist will prosecute.

While there is no sure-fire way to prevent such scams and thefts, there are some safeguards that help prevent damage to your business or personal accounts.  Suggestions:  Discuss such problems with your staff to alert them to potential threats.  As the first line of defense when they answer a call from a scam artist or a thief, they need to be forewarned about potential threats and how the scripts might go.  Educate them about how much information can be provided to a caller and encourage them to decide quickly when a questionable caller should be passed on to the dentist’s or administrator’s attention.  Always inspect all invoices the practice receives and authorize only one or two staff members to approve purchases. Many larger practices have moved to a system of purchase orders in which no supplies are ordered or paid for unless an order has been issued and receipt of the items has been verified by a staff member. Make it a hard and fast rule that an invoice is paid only after receipt of the items has been confirmed.  If you suspect you are receiving bogus invoices, contact the better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org for help investigating the company.  In case of credit card theft or counterfeiting, contact the credit card vendor as quickly as possible.

NEW LOOK; SAME INNOVATIVE WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS AND SERVICE

Watch for IT in April 2014!!  What is IT?  The Practicon Catalog with a redesigned-for-you format.  New color coding for product sections make it easier to find exactly what you want and to compare it with similar items.  Fewer words to describe each product make pages clearer and less cluttered.  A new pricing chart will make it easier to determine and compare costs.  And, as always, dentistry’s favorite catalog will be packed full of new cutting-edge products, many designed or suggested by you, our customers.  Incidentally, we always welcome your contacts to discuss your product needs and/or ideas with our Research and Development Director, Brad Griffin.

Our goal is to help make your practice surpass even YOUR expectations, help you deliver care and serve patients with unsurpassed quality dentistry, and help you increase your profit and enjoyment in the practice of this profession we love.

RESPONSIBLE FOR A C.E. COURSE THIS YEAR? HERE’S THE SPEAKER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.

Dr. Robin Wright, founder of Wright Communications in Evanston, IL, is an expert in the field of dental communication with an international reputation for credibility based on current research and surveys with dental professionals coupled with interactive training.  In short, she’s the consummate pro in communications within the practice of dentistry. 

I have known Robin for over 20 years and attended a number of her seminars.  However, just knowing her, warm, charming, and funny as she is, would never lead me to recommend her as a speaker for your next C.E. course unless I were convinced of her ability to improve communication skills for all dental professionals.  I recommend Robin on the basis of her expertise, credentials, and rave reviews from thousands of seminar attendees, myself included.  Her interactive, practical training provides immediate improvements in Dentist-Staff-Patient communications that leads to better team interaction and greater patient satisfaction resulting in increased treatment acceptance rate.

Robin has presented over 500 seminars, speaking to all the major dental professional organizations, often for consecutive years, and she is a featured speaker in the ADA Seminar Series.  With a PhD in healthcare communication, she has taught communication courses at four universities and two dental schools.  She is the author of over 50 publications, including the book, Tough Questions, Great Answers, Responding to Patient Concerns About Today’s Dentistry.

Contact Robin on line at robin@greatanswers.com or by telephone at 847-864-5266.  You’ll be a hero within your dental organization when you arrange for Dr. Robin Wright to present a seminar and training session to your group.