What is a Lionhearted Dentist? A lionhearted dentist trained, in school and afterward, to provide top quality care. They possess the courage to provide their patients with the best care for them, and won’t compromise and allow that care - or their fees - to be dictated by an insurance company.
Who is Dr. Steve Rasner? Dr. Rasner is a practicing dentist, and has been for 40 years. He lives in your world. Despite practicing in a long-depressed area, Dr. Rasner built one of the top-grossing offices in the country. Dr. Rasner teaches both surgical and practice management classes for groups throughout the country, and holds live patient courses in his office.
In his Lionhearted Dentists podcast, Dr. Rasner shares, in a very casual kitchen-table style, the principles on which he built his success. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on YouTube.
Step 4 - Be a Warrior
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 219
Maximize your productivity. Remain calm and focused, even when business is slow. How can you train your team to operate in your absence? What is your focus and specialty?
The Art of Getting Paid
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 218
Your relationship with your patients must be built on trust. If they trust your knowledge and experience, your patients will commit to treatment. Building these relationships takes time. This episode is Part 3 in a series with special guest Michele, the new-patient coordinator from my own office.
Michele - Confirmations
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 217
Having each appointment confirmed is crucial to having a successful schedule. Your time is valuable and limited. Maximizing your time, staff, and efforts starts at the front desk. Hear my own new-patient coordinator, Michele, give her first-hand insight.
Michele - The Front Line
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 216
Join me in welcoming my new patient coordinator, Michele, as the first guest on the podcast. Hear her discuss the importance of screening new patients over the phone, and the detail with which this is done. Every interaction with your patients should be meaningful and personal.
Starting Over - Continued
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 215
Part four of a series on starting over. Establishing new procedures and habits takes determination. Reserve time to meet with your team. Establish protocols and procedures that your team understands and follows. Eliminate the bumps in your workflow one by one.
Becoming a Leader
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 214
You must learn to be a leader like you learn to be anything else. Strong leadership is required to implement growth and change in an organization. How do we schedule our time to eliminate broken appointments? You must establish reliable ways to confirm appointments.
Rasner’s Wow Factor
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 213
Take the extra step with each patient to each them on a personal level. Multiple staff members should be trained and cross-trained in customer service and billing. Keeping a positive mental outlook is a challenge. You must be the leader that your patients and staff can trust.
Strategy is a Priority over Spending
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 212
Spend your funds on the right things when you plan well in advance. Set professional goals that include certain equipment you would like. Have your own, separate, personal goals. Change is slow, but takes persistence. Holding regular meetings is necessary.
Starting Over
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 211
It can be hard to know where to start when you run your own practice. Goal setting is paramount. Do you have SMART goals? Your goals should be written down. Hold regular staff meetings and discuss the performance of your office. Kick off 2023 the right way with Dr Rasner.
First Two Goals of 2023
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 210
Have you grown since last year? Have your goals been met? Having confidence in your own skills is the first step growth as a professional. Confidence gives you the power to delegate as well as trust your teammates. Please let me know what your goals are for this year and what you would like to hear discussed.
How bad do you want to reach the top?
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 209
Having clear, short and long term goals is paramount in building a successful practice. Holding on to these goals and establishing core principles for your office to follow gives you stamina to grow. There is no room to cut corners when it comes to your dentistry.
Consistent Customers
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 208
We must always treat our patients as patients, but they perceive our practices as customers. How would you be perceived by the general public? Focus on the cornerstones that make your patients want to return to your office.
The Role of Recall and Hygiene
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 207
Do your patients understand and value the importance of their oral health? You are responsible for explaining soft tissue to your patients. Good oral health begins with a regular maintenance program.
A Rant Podcast by Raz
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 206
Treat your practice like the business that it is. What makes your patients want to return? What convinces your patients to accept the treatment you recommend?
That Confidence Thing
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 205
How you present yourself, your office, and your treatment impacts your success directly. Serve your patients the best care possible for the most rewarding career.
It’s Not December 30th Yet
Preview 1 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 204
Begin and finish each day with focus. You should be meeting regularly with your staff to discuss your goals. How well integrated is your staff? Do you trust and delegate responsibilities to your team?
The distance between Average and Great
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 203
When you look in the mirror what do you see? Work the schedule you want. Take time when you start your day, and produce when it is time to be productive.
What does the Military have to do with your Dental Practice Success?
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 202
Where is the discipline in your office? Discipline accounts for consistency. Foster a culture of teamwork in your office.
How to Fix Being Too Busy
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 201
Trust and confidence should be the culture of your practice - people come to you because they trust you. Confidence comes from your training. C.E. is a lifetime investment in learning the basics. Hear Rasner discuss how to be on time, consistent, clear, about what your patients should expect.
People in the Hallways
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 200
How do we manage our teams? Delegation must be done carefully in order to be efficient. Build and maintain a team that works together and can also operate independently.
The Common Thread of the Lionhearted (Part 2)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 199
Having discipline across all aspects of your life and practice is key to success. Don’t work to pay your bills. Take an honest look at yourself and the areas you need to improve. Strategy should be your strength. Writing down your goals helps them to solidify.
The Common Thread of the Lionhearted
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 198
What is holding you back? You are never too far down to get back up. Many factors are out of your control, but you can control your persistence. Associate with positive people that build you up. Never quit, and stop comparing yourself to others.
The Money Subject (Part 2)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 197
Do you have financial freedom? Get the most out of your profession. How well you are able to communicate with your patients is crucial to your success. Stand out from the average practitioner in your area.
The Money Subject (Part 1)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 196
Having a wide range of skills is key to feeling comfortable with the services you provide. Do you refer out patients that you would rather treat yourself? Take time to study and train in areas like sedation and extraction.
The Art of Delegation
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 195
Relieve the pressure in your office
Let your staff know what is important to you. Be a conscientious leader and team player. Share the load across the entire office and trust each team member. Give yourself ample time in the schedule to account for unexpected steps. Alleviate stress for yourself and every member of your office.
Preview 2 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 194
Phenomenal Case Acceptance
Communication is key to case acceptance. You need to make a personal connection with each of your patients. Take the time to address your weaknesses.
What procedures did you do this week?
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 193
Work on your own terms
How efficient is your office? Can your team operate without you? Expand your skillset to perform all the work you would like to do. Don’t hold back when it comes to your training.
Why You Don’t Have The Income You Want
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 192
Getting paid upfront smooths the treatment process both for you and your patients. Evaluate your practice based on consistent output, not just revenue. Market to the audience that you want to attract.
You Don't Have to be the Best Dentist on Instagram
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 191
You Don't Have to be the Best Dentist on Instagram
Just be the best version of you
What is your clinical care really like? Are you proud of your work? Are your patients happy? You can overcome any obstacle that may be hindering your growth.
Implant Module Three
This covers use of a bone-supported guide.
Implant Module Two
This video covers use of tooth-supported guides.
Implant Module One
This module introduces the BioHorizons implant kit.
Time for Change (Part 2)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 189
Be proud of your work
Continued from last weeks episode - what do you need to change right now to get where you want to be in your career? Take the necessary steps to grow in the areas you are weakest.
A Time For Change (Part 1)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 188
Build a fulfilling career for yourself
Take the time to evaluate the health of your business. What is inhibiting your growth? Avoid spreading yourself and your capital too thin. Focus on what you do best.
Partial Denture Patient Treatment
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 187
Provide information and build trust
You can be a high fee-for-service practice, that your patients trust. You should recommend the absolute best care possible at all times. You need to be able to explain yourself thoroughly in order to build that trust.
The Anatomy of an Amazing Day (Part 2)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 186
Maximize everything you do
It is your responsibility to present a thorough evaluation and recommendation of care to every patient, regardless of why they came into your office. Your treatment should not be limited by a patients dental history or the scope of your patient’s insurance policy. Offering your patients the option to be sedated allows them to be more comfortable and makes your life easier. Make sure you can trust your team at the highest level.
The Anatomy of an Amazing Day (Part 1)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 185
Making your schedule work for you
A successful day begins well beforehand with the confirmation of all appointments. While hygiene is not the most profitable service you provide, it can be a reliable source of revenue. How do you still make the most of your time when patients break appointments?
Five Minutes (Part 3)
Preview 2 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 184
Establish your course of care based on the needs of the patient. What is best for their health may be beyond the scope of their dental insurance. Each patient values their oral health differently. Learn how to communicate your values to your patients.
Five Minutes (Part 3)
Preview 1 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 184
Establish your course of care based on the needs of the patient. What is best for their health may be beyond the scope of their dental insurance. Each patient values their oral health differently. Learn how to communicate your values to your patients.
Five Minutes (Part 2)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 183
Keeping the patient on board
Invest everything you have into your new patients. Trust your expertise and your patients will trust you. Cheaper does not necessarily mean better.
Five Minutes (Part 1)
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 182
That impact everything
You only get one chance at first impressions with a new patient. Allow patients to put their full trust and confidence in your team. Strive to go above and beyond with every case.
Marketing
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 181
How do patients find you?
What type of marketing attracts the consistent base of customers that you want in your office? Invest in marketing that actually brings you business. Dr. Rasner also wraps up staff management.
The Stress is Real
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 180
Do not become overwhelmed with the pressure of running your practice. Build a strong team that you can trust. Give yourself the proper training, time, and equipment to perform at the highest possible level.
Preview 2 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 179
Dr. Rasner continues to outline how to be an effective leader. Maximize productivity in your office and give credit where credit is due.
Your Team
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 178
What makes up your practice
You will only be as successful as the team you have trained. Your team members require a certain level of skill in order to make your life easier and save you time. Does your team have the same level of commitment to patient satisfaction that you have? Do you meet regularly and stay on the same page?
Continue to Grow
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 177
Put in the time it takes to continue expanding your skillset. Give yourself the credit you deserve for the practice that you put in on your own time. A lifetime of growth is required for you to thrive.
Staff - Money - Stress
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 176
Do you have a strong cohesive team that you trust? Does your team trust you? Don’t be surprised by the day-to-day challenges we all face. Prepare yourself to handle your patients and your income like a professional.
Be in the Moment
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 175
Being Present with Every Patient
You can never be too clear when presenting treatment. Patients respond to honesty and confidence with trust for you. Your patients can tell if you are dedicated to giving the best possible dental care at all times. Why not give your patients the most appropriate care?
You’re Probably Undervaluing Your Dental Practice
no.174
A lifetime of dedication and work is required to build a high quality dental practice. Recognize the value of what you are creating and the work that you put in to stay at the top of your game. Not all dentists work as hard or care as much as you.
The Protocol Book
no.173
Principles of Sustained Success
Dr. Steve Rasner speaks from his 41 years of experience and outlines how he created the systems that sustain his success. Learn to adopt these Lionhearted Protocols into your work, or put your own protocols in place in your office to achieve consistent success. Email drrasner@aol.com for copies of the materials used in this podcast.
Fee Structure
no. 172
What is the value of your organization?
Make sure that you are earning what you deserve for the work that you do. A healthy practice is supported by a competitive yet ample fee structure, confidence in your work, and a commitment to excellence at all times. Take the time to look closely at what you charge and evaluate if your financial system is balanced.
First Five Minutes
no. 171
The Most Important Part of Meeting a New Patient
The most important time you have with a new patient is the first five minutes that they are in your office, and in the chair. Reinforce the phone call by starting a similar line of dialogue when you meet in person. Get all the information you need from both the patient and the significant other if applicable. You need to be thorough in order to provide complete dental care.
Becoming a Sedation Practice
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 170
Becoming a Sedation Practice
Provide your patients the comfort they need
A comprehensive dental practice starts with a patient that trusts you and is committed to a healthy mouth. Build a community of patients that maintain regular work and advertise by word of mouth. Dr. Rasner discusses how to use sedation as part of your brand.
Principles of Case Presentation
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 169
Principles of Case Presentation
Creating a fulfilling career
Dr. Rasner goes into further detail on the best ways to build quality patient relationships. Establish consistent systems for patient intake and operate from a confident, professional stance. Give your patients the opportunity to make the best decisions for their oral health.
Why Your Case Acceptance isn’t what it Could Be
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 168
Why Your Case Acceptance isn’t what it Could Be
Common errors in establishing new patient relationships
Dr. Rasner shares his most valuable tools in getting quality patients to accept your plans for treatment. Give patients a reason to choose you over other dental offices. Get the most out of your schedule, and even turn an emergency patient into a new long term patient.
The Secret to Case Acceptance
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 167
The Secret to Case Acceptance
Cultivating a Quality Patient Base
The first step in building your schedule should be a careful screening of all patients. You must know which of your team members are skilled at patient communication. Dr. Rasner also discusses the importance of advertising and branding appropriately for the patients that you would like to see.
Taking the Office Temperature
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 166
Taking the Office Temperature
Evaluating the Health of Your Practice
How do we even begin to evaluate our own success? Dr. Rasner suggests you should make an effort to examine key parameters of how you and your staff operate. Take at least four weeks to understand how your office performs. You, as a doctor, must feel comfortable with the services you provide. Your staff and your patients must feel comfortable communicating with you if there is a problem or misunderstanding.
Preview 2 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 165
Maximize Your Team
To Reach Your Maximum Potential
The Survivor’s Tool-Kit
Do you have a positive, cohesive team? An open line of communication between you and your staff is vital to a Lionhearted practice.
How well can your assistant prepare you for a procedure? Dr. Rasner discusses how to not get bogged down by tasks that you can trust your team members to complete.
Preview 1 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 165
Maximize Your Team
To Reach Your Maximum Potential
The Survivor’s Tool-Kit
Do you have a positive, cohesive team? An open line of communication between you and your staff is vital to a Lionhearted practice.
How well can your assistant prepare you for a procedure? Dr. Rasner discusses how to not get bogged down by tasks that you can trust your team members to complete.
Overcoming Obstacles
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 164
Overcoming Obstacles: $47,000 Tuesday with a Skeleton Team
How can we prepare for and react to unexpected obstacles? Dr. Rasner shares how to maximize your schedule and take advantage of cancellations. He also discusses the importance of honesty and transparency in giving comprehensive care.
Lionhearted Protocols: Best of 2021
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 163
Dr. Rasner recaps the most important protocols and systems from the past year of the Lionhearted Dentist. He discusses how daily and monthly meetings that are organized and planned well in advance can improve the efficacy of your office, as well as the most common setback practitioners have with their profits.
Preview 2 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no.163
Dr. Rasner recaps the most important protocols and systems from the past year of the Lionhearted Dentist. He discusses how daily and monthly meetings that are organized and planned well in advance can improve the efficacy of your office, as well as the most common setback practitioners have with their profits.
Preview 1 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 163
Dr. Rasner recaps the most important protocols and systems from the past year of the Lionhearted Dentist. He discusses how daily and monthly meetings that are organized and planned well in advance can improve the efficacy of your office, as well as the most common setback practitioners have with their profits.
New Systems for Success
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 162
What are your daily and weekly organizational practices? Dr. Rasner discusses how thorough you need to be to keep your patients and your office organized. Confidence should be at the center of everything you do.
Starting Your Day, Staying on Time
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 161
Dr. Rasner discusses how starting your day by reaching out to your colleagues and loved ones is crucial to keeping your goals in line. Staying connected with your team allows you to provide the best possible service to your patients. He continues to emphasize the importance of goal-setting and having short and long-term goals that correspond and stay focused to the core of your work.
Listener Questions - Principles for Elite Professionals
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 160
What does it mean to be a top-level elite professional? Understand the level of focus and amount of time you need to perform. Dr. Rasner shares a moment from his day and addresses questions from the audience as he continues to outline his core principles.
A Practice Built on Core Principles
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 159
A Practice Built on Core Principles, Not Fluff and Glitz
What is the basis for a successful dental practice? Whether you are a weekly or new listener, get a sense of what it means to be lionhearted, as Dr. Rasner explains the principles and routines he finds most crucial to his practice.
Goal Setting - Now is the Time
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 158
Without clear goals, it is difficult to have a direction in your growth as a professional and as a person. Separate what you want to accomplish into short and long term and make sure your priorities are in order.
Planning for success in 2022
Welcome to season 4 of Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner. This is episode no. 157. We are just a handful of weeks away from 2022, and it's a great time to think about what we can improve. Today, Dr. Rasner discusses the need to be thorough at all times in order to serve the patient’s best interest. Not just the doctor, the team has to be on he same page, too.
Power Marketing
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 156. Strategize your marketing in a way that makes sense to your desired customer base in your particular area. There is no universal formula when it comes to people.
The art of delegating - enjoy more by doing less
Dr. Rasner encourages you to take the time to teach your staff in order to build a cohesive team. You and your office should interact with and treat your patients as a unit.
An easy technique for achieving correct horizontal plane. And the reward for vigilant leadership.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Raser no. 154. Dr. Rasner shares his tips for the challenging task of achieving the correct horizontal plane. He also talks about the work involved in leading the practice, and the rewards that follow.
What to do when on days when you're not feeling it
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 153. How do you approach a difficult patient? How do you find motivation when things are stressful?
Stuff you think about and you aren't sure what to do about
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner no. 152. Are you offering the treatment you really believe in? Are you saying what you need to say when you have a sit-down with a staffer you’re tempted to fire? Does the amount of time since their last raise have any relationship to when a staffer deserves a raise? This week we’re talking about stuff you think about and aren’t sure how to handle.
What to do with our teams
The team is what makes your office. It takes communication and understanding to maintain a positive work environment. Dr. Rasner discusses how to build and keep a cohesive team.
Answering listener questions
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner # 150
Answering listener questions
Six practice guides to a record-setting year, part 2
Episode 149. Dr. Rasner shows us where an investment of time and energy in our teams will come back to us. He covers getting the day started on time, delegating wherever that makes sense, and building relationships with patients. He also delves into the importance of a large nucleus of patients, and why periodontal health needs to be a priority.
Six practice guides to a record-setting year
In part 1 of 2, Dr. Rasner shares tips to help you replicate his model and reach your practice goals.
Props for case presentation
Dr. Rasner responds to a listener’s question about using photos, and adds a few more ideas for case presentation tools.
The best and quickest way to turn around a bad week or month
We talked a few weeks ago about a bad week we had and why. Now let’s talk about how we bounced back and how you can, too.
Let's plan your 2022 CE right now!
Now is the time to get your calendar out and schedule your CE for 2022. What do you want to learn to help you build your practice? Dr. Rasner lays out some ideas and encourages you to get whatever you’re planning scheduled before you find yourself in next August.
Why are you still in network?
Dr. Rasner compares a few of his fees to what insurance pays, ending with the question - Why are you still in network?
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Every summer our business tanks. It doesn’t have to! We’ll talk about what should be happening in the spring to keep the summer moving.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Why is case acceptance so difficult? We'll talk about this and more.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Today's topic: the danger of doing nothing. Being complacent. Letting time go by. Don't look back at the end of your career and wonder where the time went.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
The devil is in the details. Dr. Rasner finds numerous places where this expression is relevant in dentistry.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Are you ready to act now? It's time to meet with your team and get your ideas implemented. Every day I see great things happen in my office that are the result of discussion in a meeting. We'll wrap up with some thoughts on how the dental greats behave in a course, and the importance of not judging your book by its cover.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
In the pursuit of case acceptance, what are some new patient red flags and how should they be handled?
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Dr. Rasner revisits last week’s topic of the tipping point, and then goes on to detail the pieces of the puzzle that came together for one fantastic three-day work week that brought in over 130k.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
Follow the Lionhearted principles and push your practice to the tipping point of having enough work that you need to hire additional clinical staff. We'll also talk about some creative uses for soft tissue conditioner.
Lionhearted Dentists with Dr. Steve Rasner
We’re continuing to mix in a few clinical tips. This week we’ll talk about when you’re in over your head with an extraction and how to deal with a bleeder. Then we’re on to more of the Lionhearted principles and how to manage your schedule to maximize your personal energy.
