1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,980 Hey there, dental professionals and industry enthusiasts. 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,000 Picture this. It's October, and you're in the 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:07,779 middle of one of the most transformative 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:10,880 experiences of your career. You're at the Becker's 5 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,359 Fall Future of Dentistry Roundtable in the vibrant 6 00:00:13,359 --> 00:00:16,015 city of Chicago, fresh off an incredible 3 7 00:00:16,015 --> 00:00:19,155 days at the Hyatt Regency. Imagine yourself inspired 8 00:00:19,214 --> 00:00:19,954 and invigorated 9 00:00:20,255 --> 00:00:23,375 after attending captivating keynote sessions by none other 10 00:00:23,375 --> 00:00:26,690 than the legendary boxing world champion and CEO, 11 00:00:26,910 --> 00:00:28,769 Lila Elite, and the extraordinary 12 00:00:29,150 --> 00:00:32,750 professional basketball player, Caitlin Clark. See yourself engaged 13 00:00:32,750 --> 00:00:33,890 in lively discussions, 14 00:00:34,190 --> 00:00:36,909 exchanging ideas, and collecting a stack of business 15 00:00:36,909 --> 00:00:39,854 cards from fellow dental experts and potential partners. 16 00:00:40,414 --> 00:00:42,114 You've networked with over 350 17 00:00:42,655 --> 00:00:45,215 attendees and learned from more than 80 speakers 18 00:00:45,215 --> 00:00:47,475 who are at the forefront of dental innovation. 19 00:00:48,335 --> 00:00:51,534 You sat in on educational sessions exploring topics 20 00:00:51,534 --> 00:00:54,015 that elevate dental care as a critical element 21 00:00:54,015 --> 00:00:57,109 of whole person health. You've witnessed firsthand how 22 00:00:57,109 --> 00:00:58,969 digital technology is revolutionizing 23 00:00:59,510 --> 00:01:00,490 patient outcomes 24 00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:04,250 and how both large DSOs and independent practices 25 00:01:04,390 --> 00:01:07,270 are flourishing. Get ready to transform your career 26 00:01:07,270 --> 00:01:09,049 and don't miss out on this incredible 27 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:12,495 opportunity. The Becker's fall future of dentistry roundtable 28 00:01:12,635 --> 00:01:15,935 is from October 30th to November 1, 2024. 29 00:01:16,474 --> 00:01:18,655 Get registered by going to beckersdental.com 30 00:01:20,075 --> 00:01:21,854 and clicking on the events page. 31 00:01:22,420 --> 00:01:24,819 Hello. This is Cameron Cortejano with the Becker's 32 00:01:24,819 --> 00:01:26,840 Dental and DSO review podcast. 33 00:01:27,219 --> 00:01:29,060 I'm thrilled to be joined today by doctor 34 00:01:29,060 --> 00:01:32,340 Catherine Alderman, founder and CEO of Intelligent Care 35 00:01:32,340 --> 00:01:34,900 Alliance. Doctor Alderman, thank you so much for 36 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:35,799 being here today. 37 00:01:36,915 --> 00:01:38,915 Hey. Thank you so much, Cameron, for inviting 38 00:01:38,915 --> 00:01:41,234 me. It's always a pleasure, and I'm honored 39 00:01:41,234 --> 00:01:42,694 to be on a Becker's Healthcare 40 00:01:43,314 --> 00:01:45,094 podcast. I'm super excited, 41 00:01:45,555 --> 00:01:47,795 to talk about, some of the issues we 42 00:01:47,795 --> 00:01:48,614 have in dentistry 43 00:01:48,994 --> 00:01:51,180 and what to look for in 44 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,019 2024 and even 2025. 45 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:54,780 Awesome. 46 00:01:55,239 --> 00:01:56,920 To start us off today, can you just 47 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:57,899 introduce yourself, 48 00:01:58,280 --> 00:01:59,959 and tell us a little bit about your 49 00:01:59,959 --> 00:02:00,459 background? 50 00:02:01,239 --> 00:02:03,079 I have been in dentistry for a long 51 00:02:03,079 --> 00:02:05,745 time, and, really, I can be up I 52 00:02:05,745 --> 00:02:08,305 have been growing dental group from a start 53 00:02:08,305 --> 00:02:10,324 up, so I have a lot of experience, 54 00:02:11,344 --> 00:02:11,745 growing, 55 00:02:12,224 --> 00:02:15,104 successful dental practices from a start up and 56 00:02:15,104 --> 00:02:17,925 also developing them as they become a seasoned 57 00:02:18,465 --> 00:02:18,965 practices. 58 00:02:19,550 --> 00:02:20,530 So my expertise 59 00:02:20,909 --> 00:02:21,810 is all about 60 00:02:22,509 --> 00:02:23,009 strategy, 61 00:02:23,790 --> 00:02:24,290 marketing, 62 00:02:24,830 --> 00:02:25,330 mentoring, 63 00:02:25,790 --> 00:02:26,290 PR, 64 00:02:26,669 --> 00:02:28,129 and now integrating 65 00:02:28,590 --> 00:02:29,330 AI technology 66 00:02:29,949 --> 00:02:31,889 to help dental practices 67 00:02:32,509 --> 00:02:34,050 and to support the team. 68 00:02:34,935 --> 00:02:36,155 Great. Thanks for that. 69 00:02:36,694 --> 00:02:38,555 What are some of the biggest issues 70 00:02:38,935 --> 00:02:41,355 that you are following in the dental industry, 71 00:02:41,895 --> 00:02:42,635 this year? 72 00:02:43,814 --> 00:02:47,034 I would say 4 issues. Number 1, AI 73 00:02:47,254 --> 00:02:47,754 integration. 74 00:02:48,659 --> 00:02:50,979 People want to have an a integration, but 75 00:02:50,979 --> 00:02:53,379 there is a fear and lack of time 76 00:02:53,379 --> 00:02:55,939 and sometimes lack of understanding how to bring 77 00:02:55,939 --> 00:02:56,759 it successfully 78 00:02:57,139 --> 00:02:59,699 and integrate it into practice. So number 1, 79 00:02:59,699 --> 00:03:00,439 a integration. 80 00:03:01,305 --> 00:03:04,685 Number 2, patient acquisition and retention because, 81 00:03:05,224 --> 00:03:06,205 most practices 82 00:03:06,585 --> 00:03:07,245 do feel 83 00:03:08,025 --> 00:03:08,525 competitive 84 00:03:09,865 --> 00:03:10,365 landscape, 85 00:03:10,745 --> 00:03:12,125 and keeping patients 86 00:03:12,504 --> 00:03:13,724 engaged and loyal 87 00:03:14,289 --> 00:03:16,789 is everything, but it's becoming more it's 88 00:03:17,090 --> 00:03:19,909 becoming more challenging with so much competition 89 00:03:20,449 --> 00:03:21,270 in the market. 90 00:03:21,650 --> 00:03:24,550 And that brings another point, employee retention, 91 00:03:25,250 --> 00:03:25,650 that, 92 00:03:26,050 --> 00:03:27,189 they do experience 93 00:03:28,125 --> 00:03:31,004 employee retention problem, but, really, the biggest, 94 00:03:31,645 --> 00:03:34,125 advantage of all the professional practices is a 95 00:03:34,125 --> 00:03:34,865 long term 96 00:03:35,165 --> 00:03:37,485 motivated and a happy team, and a lot 97 00:03:37,485 --> 00:03:38,385 of dental practices 98 00:03:39,724 --> 00:03:42,544 will struggle with having a long term 99 00:03:43,010 --> 00:03:45,030 motivated and a happy team. So, 100 00:03:45,889 --> 00:03:46,870 employee retention 101 00:03:47,650 --> 00:03:50,229 moves along with the patient acquisition and retention. 102 00:03:50,849 --> 00:03:53,510 And, also, the last challenge that I see 103 00:03:53,729 --> 00:03:55,669 many dental offices experiencing 104 00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:57,510 is economic concerns. 105 00:03:58,125 --> 00:04:00,864 Because right now, due to economic situation 106 00:04:01,245 --> 00:04:01,905 in USA 107 00:04:02,525 --> 00:04:05,485 and the election's coming up, patients are more 108 00:04:05,485 --> 00:04:06,784 careful with the standard. 109 00:04:07,084 --> 00:04:08,784 And really, they are 110 00:04:09,245 --> 00:04:12,860 they're really worried about spending money, and, they 111 00:04:12,860 --> 00:04:15,520 want to only do an insurance pay. So 112 00:04:15,819 --> 00:04:17,740 that has been, I see it as a 113 00:04:17,740 --> 00:04:19,500 common challenge in a lot of the input 114 00:04:19,500 --> 00:04:20,000 practices. 115 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,120 Yeah. Definitely. I think that, the economic conditions, 116 00:04:25,740 --> 00:04:28,365 especially as we're getting even closer and closer 117 00:04:28,365 --> 00:04:29,585 to the election now, 118 00:04:30,365 --> 00:04:33,264 is is becoming a bigger talking point 119 00:04:33,645 --> 00:04:34,384 in dentistry. 120 00:04:35,165 --> 00:04:36,625 What do you see kinda, 121 00:04:37,404 --> 00:04:38,305 going forward, 122 00:04:39,085 --> 00:04:40,605 up to the election and then maybe, like, 123 00:04:40,605 --> 00:04:41,425 a little bit 124 00:04:41,789 --> 00:04:43,949 post election when it comes to the economy 125 00:04:43,949 --> 00:04:45,970 and, like, patient spend and stuff like that. 126 00:04:46,349 --> 00:04:47,629 But I would be I would love to 127 00:04:47,629 --> 00:04:49,310 have a crystal ball and tell you that, 128 00:04:49,310 --> 00:04:50,849 but I don't have that knowledge. 129 00:04:51,149 --> 00:04:53,870 But what I do know that, I it 130 00:04:53,870 --> 00:04:54,930 survived 2,008 131 00:04:55,709 --> 00:04:56,209 recession. 132 00:04:56,589 --> 00:05:00,355 So what worked for me is, encouraging the 133 00:05:00,355 --> 00:05:03,314 team, providing a great customer service, and really 134 00:05:03,314 --> 00:05:05,814 focusing on procedures that patients value. 135 00:05:06,194 --> 00:05:07,814 Emergency dental care, 136 00:05:08,675 --> 00:05:11,475 doing procedures that do help patients to be 137 00:05:11,475 --> 00:05:12,775 out of pain, to prevent 138 00:05:13,550 --> 00:05:15,729 action, or to make sure, 139 00:05:16,110 --> 00:05:17,729 it gives them value. So 140 00:05:18,110 --> 00:05:19,649 learning from 2,008, 141 00:05:20,029 --> 00:05:23,069 2009 recession, it's really being available to the 142 00:05:23,069 --> 00:05:26,050 patients and offering the services that they need. 143 00:05:26,685 --> 00:05:28,685 And, that's really helped me to get through 144 00:05:28,685 --> 00:05:29,345 that recession 145 00:05:29,964 --> 00:05:33,324 and, maintain successful practices and maintain the growth. 146 00:05:33,324 --> 00:05:35,425 And regardless of what happens 147 00:05:35,884 --> 00:05:37,664 with the upcoming elections 148 00:05:38,044 --> 00:05:39,264 or after elections, 149 00:05:39,644 --> 00:05:42,579 I would say focusing on on a customer 150 00:05:42,639 --> 00:05:45,699 service and focusing on provided services that patients 151 00:05:45,759 --> 00:05:46,579 would value 152 00:05:47,039 --> 00:05:49,139 and, making sure what services 153 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:50,579 are offered 154 00:05:51,199 --> 00:05:51,860 at DentalProctus. 155 00:05:53,599 --> 00:05:54,899 Got it. That makes sense. 156 00:05:55,764 --> 00:05:58,485 Something that I'm curious to get your thoughts 157 00:05:58,485 --> 00:05:58,985 on 158 00:05:59,524 --> 00:06:02,564 are what are some things that you're most 159 00:06:02,564 --> 00:06:05,384 excited about when it comes to dentistry today, 160 00:06:05,845 --> 00:06:07,785 and what are some things that are potentially 161 00:06:08,245 --> 00:06:09,845 making you a little bit concerned or a 162 00:06:09,845 --> 00:06:10,745 little bit nervous? 163 00:06:11,819 --> 00:06:13,259 Oh, I love to talk about it. So 164 00:06:13,259 --> 00:06:15,919 my excitement, I just completed the MIT program, 165 00:06:16,459 --> 00:06:20,060 in 2004, and, MIT program was to create 166 00:06:20,060 --> 00:06:23,360 AI products for health care. So I love 167 00:06:23,419 --> 00:06:24,925 AI, and I'm excited, 168 00:06:25,324 --> 00:06:28,384 about transformative potential of AI in a dental 169 00:06:28,444 --> 00:06:28,944 industry. 170 00:06:29,404 --> 00:06:33,004 AI can streamline operations, improve patient care. It 171 00:06:33,004 --> 00:06:35,805 can even help in diagnosis, and, really, it 172 00:06:35,805 --> 00:06:38,625 can help to support dental teams and 173 00:06:39,209 --> 00:06:40,670 maximize what we do 174 00:06:41,209 --> 00:06:43,689 while minimizing how much energy we have to 175 00:06:43,689 --> 00:06:44,189 spend. 176 00:06:44,569 --> 00:06:47,310 But to bring AI is not easy because 177 00:06:47,370 --> 00:06:48,430 our team is, 178 00:06:48,970 --> 00:06:51,149 our team is already kind of overstimulated, 179 00:06:52,170 --> 00:06:54,375 and a lot of teams are short on 180 00:06:54,375 --> 00:06:57,334 health, and burned out. So introducing a new 181 00:06:57,334 --> 00:06:57,834 technology 182 00:06:58,454 --> 00:07:01,014 can be challenging. So then so while I'm 183 00:07:01,014 --> 00:07:04,475 excited about bringing AI to dental practices, 184 00:07:05,095 --> 00:07:08,279 I'm also nervous about the teams accepting it 185 00:07:08,439 --> 00:07:10,839 and taking time to learn it and really 186 00:07:10,839 --> 00:07:12,620 incorporate it in the daily routines 187 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:13,660 and operations 188 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:14,779 and utilizing 189 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:15,980 AI correctly 190 00:07:16,439 --> 00:07:19,959 to support them. So while I'm excited, I 191 00:07:19,959 --> 00:07:22,439 can see that, I'm a little nervous about 192 00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:24,305 it as well. And most importantly, 193 00:07:25,085 --> 00:07:26,785 that, there is a responsibility 194 00:07:27,165 --> 00:07:30,045 when I do introduce AI or AI is 195 00:07:30,045 --> 00:07:32,125 introduced to the office. You want to make 196 00:07:32,125 --> 00:07:34,764 sure that it's implemented the right way, otherwise, 197 00:07:34,764 --> 00:07:36,860 it can back fire as well. So there 198 00:07:36,860 --> 00:07:37,680 is a responsibility 199 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:38,800 about bringing 200 00:07:39,339 --> 00:07:39,899 AI and, 201 00:07:41,259 --> 00:07:43,360 moving it to as a part of our 202 00:07:43,579 --> 00:07:45,819 daily routine. But, again, it has to be 203 00:07:45,819 --> 00:07:46,560 done correctly. 204 00:07:46,939 --> 00:07:49,759 So it benefits the practice, benefits the team, 205 00:07:50,004 --> 00:07:51,305 and not the opposite. 206 00:07:52,404 --> 00:07:54,745 So that's I'm excited and nervous 207 00:07:55,204 --> 00:07:57,384 about bringing AI at the same time. 208 00:07:58,485 --> 00:08:00,745 Yeah. I think just because it is still 209 00:08:01,125 --> 00:08:03,685 so new to the industry, there is a 210 00:08:03,685 --> 00:08:04,745 lot of that 211 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:05,960 feeling that, 212 00:08:06,580 --> 00:08:08,339 you know, AI is great, and it can 213 00:08:08,339 --> 00:08:10,600 help us be more efficient at our practices. 214 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:13,319 But if we're not using it correctly, 215 00:08:14,180 --> 00:08:14,839 it can 216 00:08:15,139 --> 00:08:15,639 definitely, 217 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:17,860 maybe not backfire, but, you know, we're not 218 00:08:17,860 --> 00:08:19,725 getting the most out of it. So we 219 00:08:19,725 --> 00:08:21,805 wanna make sure we're doing that. What do 220 00:08:21,805 --> 00:08:23,964 you think are some of, you know, your 221 00:08:23,964 --> 00:08:26,764 best practices when it comes to integrating and 222 00:08:26,764 --> 00:08:27,264 implementing 223 00:08:27,884 --> 00:08:29,504 AI and making sure that 224 00:08:30,044 --> 00:08:32,379 the the whole team at a dental practice 225 00:08:32,379 --> 00:08:34,059 is kinda on the same page with that 226 00:08:34,059 --> 00:08:35,200 new tech and AI. 227 00:08:36,299 --> 00:08:38,540 I love that question. And, truly, it's come 228 00:08:38,540 --> 00:08:40,940 down to one answer, change management. So when 229 00:08:40,940 --> 00:08:41,440 we 230 00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:44,205 be as a practice leaders, we may get 231 00:08:44,285 --> 00:08:47,184 excited about, technology, saving money, 232 00:08:47,644 --> 00:08:50,545 increasing revenue while relying more, 233 00:08:51,165 --> 00:08:52,764 on our AI and, 234 00:08:53,325 --> 00:08:55,725 not so much relying on our human health. 235 00:08:55,725 --> 00:08:58,000 So other leaders may get excited about this 236 00:08:58,000 --> 00:08:58,500 technology. 237 00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:00,799 But if we want to bring an AI 238 00:09:00,799 --> 00:09:01,620 to the practice, 239 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,720 the team may not be that excited because 240 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,559 they can look at it as a threat 241 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:09,200 to the job, or they don't understand how 242 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,274 it will support them, or they may not 243 00:09:12,274 --> 00:09:15,554 see value in adding it. So we have 244 00:09:15,554 --> 00:09:19,154 to think change management, and change management is 245 00:09:19,154 --> 00:09:21,654 when we get our teams excited about it. 246 00:09:21,954 --> 00:09:22,194 And, 247 00:09:22,834 --> 00:09:25,429 the goal is here is not to implement 248 00:09:25,809 --> 00:09:27,589 too many new things, 249 00:09:28,049 --> 00:09:30,690 but really to focus on one thing at 250 00:09:30,690 --> 00:09:31,970 a time and, 251 00:09:32,450 --> 00:09:35,669 really to go through the cycle of explaining 252 00:09:35,889 --> 00:09:38,794 to the team how it will help them, 253 00:09:38,794 --> 00:09:39,855 support them, 254 00:09:40,794 --> 00:09:42,495 taking any spheres away, 255 00:09:42,875 --> 00:09:44,654 and then, give it time 256 00:09:45,514 --> 00:09:46,815 for the team to 257 00:09:47,514 --> 00:09:48,495 use the technology, 258 00:09:49,289 --> 00:09:50,990 get comfortable with the technology, 259 00:09:51,529 --> 00:09:54,429 and really start seeing the benefits of it. 260 00:09:54,490 --> 00:09:58,429 So we're gonna change management model focuses on 261 00:09:59,209 --> 00:09:59,709 implementation, 262 00:10:00,169 --> 00:10:01,230 careful implementation, 263 00:10:01,850 --> 00:10:03,929 and getting the team on board and getting 264 00:10:03,929 --> 00:10:05,345 the team actually excited 265 00:10:05,644 --> 00:10:06,144 to 266 00:10:06,924 --> 00:10:07,904 use this technology. 267 00:10:08,445 --> 00:10:10,544 So that's really my best advice. 268 00:10:11,485 --> 00:10:13,245 Do it slow. Do one thing at a 269 00:10:13,245 --> 00:10:15,105 time, but do it now. 270 00:10:15,804 --> 00:10:17,565 The reason that I would say do it 271 00:10:17,565 --> 00:10:18,065 now 272 00:10:18,509 --> 00:10:21,009 because we're all gonna be using AI. 273 00:10:21,389 --> 00:10:23,790 No exceptions. We will be using AI in 274 00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:25,250 every part of our life. 275 00:10:25,710 --> 00:10:28,769 And while AI will not replace our jobs, 276 00:10:29,149 --> 00:10:32,129 it will make the jobs look more different. 277 00:10:32,705 --> 00:10:33,845 So the team 278 00:10:34,304 --> 00:10:34,625 and, 279 00:10:35,184 --> 00:10:36,565 team members and officers 280 00:10:36,945 --> 00:10:38,804 that do implement AI now, 281 00:10:39,184 --> 00:10:41,764 they will have a much easier conversation 282 00:10:42,625 --> 00:10:43,024 to be 283 00:10:43,825 --> 00:10:45,044 to use an AI, 284 00:10:45,585 --> 00:10:47,044 in their daily lives. 285 00:10:47,899 --> 00:10:50,960 So my best recommendation, start using AI now, 286 00:10:51,420 --> 00:10:54,460 implement AI, but do it slowly. Do it 287 00:10:54,460 --> 00:10:56,540 one thing at a time and follow change 288 00:10:56,540 --> 00:10:59,820 management model, which basically starts with getting the 289 00:10:59,820 --> 00:11:01,600 team excited, getting them 290 00:11:02,644 --> 00:11:04,345 getting them to see the benefits, 291 00:11:04,725 --> 00:11:07,445 then learning how to use it, and really 292 00:11:07,445 --> 00:11:08,904 utilizing those benefits. 293 00:11:09,605 --> 00:11:11,705 So that's that would be my best recommendation 294 00:11:12,404 --> 00:11:14,264 on how to bring AI 295 00:11:15,524 --> 00:11:17,225 in a more successful way. 296 00:11:18,700 --> 00:11:20,399 Got it. That makes a ton of sense. 297 00:11:21,500 --> 00:11:22,720 Kinda as we move into 298 00:11:23,340 --> 00:11:25,200 the last question for today, 299 00:11:25,580 --> 00:11:28,299 what will the most effective health key health 300 00:11:28,299 --> 00:11:31,039 care leaders need in order to be successful, 301 00:11:31,740 --> 00:11:33,100 in the next 2 to 3 years, do 302 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:33,644 you think? 303 00:11:34,445 --> 00:11:36,205 I love talking about it. I might give 304 00:11:36,205 --> 00:11:39,245 you a little bit longer answer here because 305 00:11:39,245 --> 00:11:42,684 number 1, again, the leaders the leaders have 306 00:11:42,684 --> 00:11:43,825 to be adoptable. 307 00:11:44,445 --> 00:11:45,745 They have to adopt. 308 00:11:46,169 --> 00:11:48,649 So they have to understand what health care 309 00:11:48,649 --> 00:11:50,990 landscape is changing is a 310 00:11:51,850 --> 00:11:54,570 super fast pace and then really driven the 311 00:11:54,570 --> 00:11:56,589 technological advancements AI, 312 00:11:57,049 --> 00:11:58,589 shift on a patient expectations, 313 00:11:58,970 --> 00:12:01,070 and really more regulatory requirements. 314 00:12:01,684 --> 00:12:04,264 So leaders will need to be highly adaptive, 315 00:12:04,884 --> 00:12:05,704 able to 316 00:12:06,164 --> 00:12:08,024 change the direction quickly 317 00:12:08,404 --> 00:12:10,884 and response to new challenges. And really, they 318 00:12:10,884 --> 00:12:12,024 have to see an opportunity 319 00:12:12,964 --> 00:12:14,804 as they arise. So they have to be 320 00:12:14,804 --> 00:12:15,304 adaptable 321 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:18,699 adaptable, and they have to be flexible 322 00:12:19,399 --> 00:12:19,899 and, 323 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:21,100 adjusting 324 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:24,220 to everything that is happening so quickly, 325 00:12:25,079 --> 00:12:27,480 you know, around us. They have to be 326 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,475 tech savvy. They have to understand that, again, 327 00:12:30,475 --> 00:12:33,355 it's gonna be here. They really cannot ignore 328 00:12:33,355 --> 00:12:36,174 AI. It it's gonna be here. That's, 329 00:12:37,034 --> 00:12:38,714 they cannot ignore it, so they have to 330 00:12:38,714 --> 00:12:40,634 adjust to that. So they're really whether they 331 00:12:40,634 --> 00:12:42,394 believe it or not, they have to adjust 332 00:12:42,394 --> 00:12:44,154 to it. They have to implement it, and 333 00:12:44,154 --> 00:12:46,649 they have to start thinking how can I 334 00:12:46,649 --> 00:12:49,209 bring AI? In what areas can I use 335 00:12:49,209 --> 00:12:51,610 AI? And how can I implement it, 336 00:12:52,169 --> 00:12:53,069 to my practice? 337 00:12:53,610 --> 00:12:56,490 But the next one will surprise you. Empathy 338 00:12:56,490 --> 00:12:57,709 and emotional intelligence. 339 00:12:58,329 --> 00:13:01,315 The the leaders have to be emotionally intelligent. 340 00:13:01,934 --> 00:13:02,754 All leaders, 341 00:13:03,054 --> 00:13:05,875 not just the practice owners, office managers, 342 00:13:06,735 --> 00:13:09,475 leaders. They have to have an emotional intelligence 343 00:13:09,615 --> 00:13:11,294 because that's how it's been shown to be 344 00:13:11,294 --> 00:13:12,514 number one factor 345 00:13:13,214 --> 00:13:14,595 that is valued 346 00:13:15,220 --> 00:13:16,039 by workers 347 00:13:16,659 --> 00:13:17,720 when they value 348 00:13:18,580 --> 00:13:20,580 when they score the health of the culture. 349 00:13:20,580 --> 00:13:21,879 So emotional 350 00:13:22,740 --> 00:13:26,659 emotionally intelligent leaders are highly valued, and they 351 00:13:26,659 --> 00:13:27,315 need it 352 00:13:27,794 --> 00:13:30,215 especially in a light of a labor shortage 353 00:13:30,674 --> 00:13:30,995 and, 354 00:13:31,554 --> 00:13:33,794 the way the labor market is looking. So, 355 00:13:33,794 --> 00:13:35,735 really, developing empathy 356 00:13:36,274 --> 00:13:38,855 and emotional intelligence skills are crucial 357 00:13:39,235 --> 00:13:40,534 for leaders 358 00:13:40,914 --> 00:13:42,534 in a current market. 359 00:13:42,950 --> 00:13:44,649 And, really, they have to have a strategic 360 00:13:44,710 --> 00:13:45,990 vision because, 361 00:13:46,549 --> 00:13:48,089 effective health care leaders, 362 00:13:48,549 --> 00:13:50,250 they need to have a clear and strategic 363 00:13:50,389 --> 00:13:52,149 vision for the future. And the reason I 364 00:13:52,149 --> 00:13:54,169 say that because there is so much happening, 365 00:13:54,789 --> 00:13:56,710 and I see it in every practice that 366 00:13:56,710 --> 00:13:58,865 the leaders become bombarded with, 367 00:13:59,644 --> 00:14:02,125 plans or to do list. And they have 368 00:14:02,125 --> 00:14:02,625 to 369 00:14:03,004 --> 00:14:05,964 they have to know what matters because not 370 00:14:05,964 --> 00:14:08,044 everything matters. So they have to be able 371 00:14:08,044 --> 00:14:09,345 to become that 372 00:14:09,725 --> 00:14:10,225 20% 373 00:14:11,325 --> 00:14:13,980 of a to do list that will make 374 00:14:14,139 --> 00:14:16,079 a big impact and focus 375 00:14:16,459 --> 00:14:17,919 only on work tasks, 376 00:14:18,699 --> 00:14:20,240 because that's the most important. 377 00:14:20,940 --> 00:14:24,059 And they have to build strategic plans and 378 00:14:24,059 --> 00:14:24,879 build a vision 379 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:26,325 based on 380 00:14:27,205 --> 00:14:29,205 what really matters. So they have to be 381 00:14:29,205 --> 00:14:31,705 able to pick out and understand what matters 382 00:14:32,245 --> 00:14:34,904 and really build a strategic vision 383 00:14:35,684 --> 00:14:38,725 based on what matters and not, you know, 384 00:14:38,725 --> 00:14:39,625 what maybe 385 00:14:40,004 --> 00:14:40,504 everybody, 386 00:14:41,750 --> 00:14:43,350 says that they need to do. So they 387 00:14:43,350 --> 00:14:44,250 have to be able 388 00:14:44,629 --> 00:14:46,970 to confidently pick what really matters. 389 00:14:47,909 --> 00:14:49,509 And then, you know, they have to con 390 00:14:49,669 --> 00:14:52,309 they have to continue well, learn, and they 391 00:14:52,309 --> 00:14:54,789 have to really be kind of have the 392 00:14:54,789 --> 00:14:55,769 growth mindset 393 00:14:57,054 --> 00:14:58,514 again because that's really, 394 00:14:59,215 --> 00:15:00,355 that's really important, 395 00:15:01,134 --> 00:15:03,475 to survive in this fast paced 396 00:15:04,415 --> 00:15:04,915 world. 397 00:15:05,375 --> 00:15:08,735 And really and finally, the most the most 398 00:15:08,735 --> 00:15:10,995 important that all this remains important 399 00:15:11,610 --> 00:15:14,269 regardless of economic situation, technological 400 00:15:14,649 --> 00:15:15,149 advancements, 401 00:15:15,529 --> 00:15:16,029 or 402 00:15:16,970 --> 00:15:17,950 political situation 403 00:15:18,730 --> 00:15:21,529 focusing on a patient experience and outcome. That's 404 00:15:21,529 --> 00:15:22,909 a basic foundational 405 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:23,789 principle, 406 00:15:24,414 --> 00:15:27,315 and we all have to remember other leaders. 407 00:15:27,855 --> 00:15:29,794 Patient care, patient experience 408 00:15:30,095 --> 00:15:30,914 comes first, 409 00:15:31,294 --> 00:15:33,475 and that has to be our top priority 410 00:15:33,855 --> 00:15:34,595 to ensure 411 00:15:34,975 --> 00:15:36,754 that our teams, our doctors 412 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,019 provide the positive experience 413 00:15:39,639 --> 00:15:41,080 and, create that, 414 00:15:41,639 --> 00:15:45,080 patient experience with a positive outcome. So, really, 415 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,660 there is a lot for the leaders, but, 416 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:51,559 if the leaders possess those qualities and value 417 00:15:51,559 --> 00:15:54,235 of things, they will do great jobs. They 418 00:15:54,235 --> 00:15:56,095 will be great leaders, 419 00:15:56,875 --> 00:15:57,274 in, 420 00:15:58,154 --> 00:15:58,654 in 421 00:15:59,115 --> 00:15:59,934 this market. 422 00:16:01,355 --> 00:16:03,995 Awesome. Thanks so much for that. So, just 423 00:16:03,995 --> 00:16:05,915 to wrap up here today, I wanna thank 424 00:16:05,915 --> 00:16:07,855 you so much again for joining 425 00:16:08,350 --> 00:16:09,330 us on the Becker's 426 00:16:09,870 --> 00:16:12,429 Dental podcast, doctor Alderman, and thank you for 427 00:16:12,429 --> 00:16:14,690 sharing all those valuable expertise, 428 00:16:15,629 --> 00:16:18,269 and insights. It's been a pleasure connecting and 429 00:16:18,269 --> 00:16:19,570 speaking with you today, 430 00:16:20,029 --> 00:16:22,110 and I look forward to connecting with you 431 00:16:22,110 --> 00:16:23,169 again in the future. 432 00:16:24,125 --> 00:16:26,205 Thank you so much, Cameron. My pleasure. And 433 00:16:26,205 --> 00:16:28,205 thank you for giving me this opportunity and 434 00:16:28,205 --> 00:16:29,184 letting me share, 435 00:16:29,884 --> 00:16:32,304 about my favorite thing, the business of dentistry 436 00:16:32,445 --> 00:16:35,404 and leadership and, you know, everything that has 437 00:16:35,404 --> 00:16:36,125 to do with, 438 00:16:36,684 --> 00:16:38,544 growing successful dental practices.