How similar is dental business coaching to dentistry?

How similar is dental business coaching to dentistry?

When I sold my practice and concentrated on dental business coaching many people commented about what a massive change of direction this was for me and how different it is from dentistry. Curiously, I find the process of dental business coaching as being  very similar to being a dentist and serving my patients.

Some patients would call the practice because they had pain or dental problem that required emergency or urgent dental treatment. Similarly, clients call because they have an immediate problem in their practice that requires urgent or immediate support for the principal. For some the problems are lack of finances, bank loans being called in, ever increasing debt, troubles and falling out within the team, inability to recruit, insufficient patients, NHS claw black, loosing NHS contract, stress, anxiety worry etc.etc.

Most other patients came to the practice, not because they had a problem, they wanted me and my team to help them improve the health, comfort and beauty of their mouth and smile.  Others, wanted us to help them maintain a mouth that they were happy with. Coaching clients call or e mail me, not because they have problem that need solving, they are doing well and still want to improve their practice, the cohesion of the team, improve customer service, patient satisfaction, referrals, testimonials, reputation etc etc. Some recognise that if their practice is not improving it is deteriorating and they would like some assistance to ensure that they are continually improving standards.

• As you look at your day list and notice the emergency patients ask yourself "What are the current or potential emergencies that I need help with in my practice?"                                
• As you see your regular patients whose mouths, and smiles you are helping them improve, ask yourself "Where are the areas of improvement in my practice?"                                                      
• As your see your regular patient who are attending for their 6,12, 18 or 24 month routine examination, ask yourself, "When was the last time that my practice had a routine business health check?"

Whatever your motivation, give us a call, 07989 757 884, discover how we can help you and your practice stay healthy.

Arrive with problems or questions leave with solutions.

How to be A.W.A.R.E. and stop anxiety

How to be A.W.A.R.E . and stop anxiety

last week I was on an intensive training programme to supplement my skills as a therapeutic coach and was enhancing my skills and approach treating to PTSD.

I thought I would share an element of the training, as it will be useful to some people who are suffering from mild to moderate anxiety.

To avoid an overly long post and give you a process that works and you can use, I have annotated one of many techniques that we learnt. My intention is to give you sufficient detail so that you can use the technique immediately, reducing your anxiety. Many therapists and coaches experience mild, moderate or event significant emotional and psychological triggers, when they recognise the symptoms in themselves, they will know that they need a process to get through the anxiety. Even when coaches and therapists know the protocol they generally find it more effective to have their own therapist or coach to walk them through the process. Use this process on your own and if you want extra support ask for help.

This technique seems simple, before you make a cognitive decision and dismiss it as being too simple to be effective, I would encourage you to physically test it out and notice how effective it is.

The technique uses the framework of the word AWARE, so it is rememberable.

A = Acknowledge. Acknowledge when you are feeling anxious, angry, out of control or whatever the negative emotion that you are experiencing. You may notice the feeling as you engage in your normal stress management strategy such as reaching for food, alcohol, drugs, computer, porn, self-harm, withdrawal, control, etc.

W = Watch. From an outside position, observe yourself, experiencing the feeling. Notice where the feeling is in your body, do you perceive it has a size shape, colour, texture, movement. You may wish to name the feeling, give it a persona and score how intense the feeling marks out of 10.

A= Activate your resources. In your mind’s eye see yourself responding and feeling normal. Notice, when you are free of anxiety, how you breathe, hold your body, move, think, where is your focus of attention. Once you have noticed, in your imagination, how you behave when you are free of the anxiety, act as if you are responding normally. Actively alter your breathing patterns, eye positions, body tensions, internal self-talk, mental constructs.

For this section of the process you will probably find a coach or therapist most useful. Choose someone who understands the mental constructs, physiology and somatics of anxiety, PTSD, depression etc. A coach/ therapist who is a master practitioner in NLP will have the skills and experience you need.

R= Repeat. Notice how far your anxiety score has come down and keep cycling through these three steps until you have reduced your anxiety to a manageable level or completely eliminated it.

E = Expect the best of yourself. Don’t set unrealistically high standards and know that you are doing your best that you can every situation with the resources you have available.

Let me know how this technique helps you.

If you would like to discuss a specific issue that is interfering with your personal or professional life e.g. PTSD, anxiety, phobia, panic attacks, addictions. Call me and I will be delighted to help. Call on 07989 757 884 or e mail Jane@IODB.co.uk to arrange an initial conversation

Arrive with problems and leave with solutions.

“Be smart enough to recognise when you need help,

Be brave enough to ask for it