July 2008

The facts are sobering any way you look at them: Medical practices have the highest embezzlement rate of the entire service industry. By some estimates, 40 percent of all dental offices have been victim-ized. Average loss: Over $100,000.

The real news, however, isn’t the risk. That’s the old way of looking at the problem. Today, the entire exer-cise of preventing embezzlement doesn’t have to be predicated on a fundamental mistrust of your team. That’s the wrong way to look at the issue, not to mention the wrong way to look at the individuals you rely on each day.

In the digital world today, em-bezzlement is as much a failure of infrastructure as it is of personal character. In other words, embez-zlement is now obsolete. Technol-

ogy, along with common-sense safeguards, virtually elimi-

nates the opportunities for criminal wrongdoing

today. Moreover, the steps you take will help define the

responsibilities of each member of your

team and, ultimately, help to make them happier and

more productive.Here are ten simple measures

you can implement to protect your practice:

Embezzlement is Now ObsoleteBy Elizabeth Black, Vice President, DSN Software

1. Schedule a professional audit each year with a CPA.

2. Randomly inspect a dozen or more patient records each week.

3. Limit computer privileges.4. Send bank statements to your

home.5. Confirm shipments before writ-

ing checks.6. Check references before hiring.7. Know behavioral symptoms

that point to embezzlement.8. Keep long-term safeguards in

place.9. Be visibly vigilant. 10. With the proper infrastructure in

place, do everything to promote an environment of trust.

I’d like to close by stressing the importance of trust. The transpar-ency and control that technology allows today is making it possible to place more trust than ever in team members. Many have said that watching these individuals flourish in a practice is a joy that ranks a close second only to promoting the well-being of patients.

DSN Software (www.dsn.com) is a Washington-based software developer that engineers, markets and supports practice manage-ment software aimed at dental and dental specialty practices.

The Seattle Study Club office has been busy moving. We’ve left our cozy little nest on Lake Washington for a newly constructed office a half mile up the road. We will miss our view of the water, but the new office has one thing that we were definitely missing on Lake Street – space.

We now have space for of-fice meetings, storage, and individual “tatami rooms” for offices. The Cohens were in-spired by Japanese designer Takashi Sugimoto’s “Super Potato” book. They worked with a local designer to cre-ate a spectacular “zen” space that will cultivate excellence and creativity in each of us.

You probably received the email notification of our new address, but in case you missed it, our new address is listed below. Next time you’re in town, stop by to say hello.

Seattle Study Club635 Market StreetKirkland, WA 98033

Phone 425.576.8000Fax 425.827.4292www.seattlestudyclub.com

No CouchPotatoes Here

By Heather Bright

Watch your mailbox for more information on the latest option for clinical sessions. Case-Flix will be a complete comprehensive treatment planning session, leaving only the venue and RSVPs to you! Each package will include a PowerPoint presentation, handouts for reproduction, study models, and presentation notes for the Director. CaseFlix can be used for lunch-and-learn sessions, training for new members, and is a “back pocket” for any last-minute cancellations that may come up. We will send more details on this exciting new option this summer.

Following Coordinators Conference in Seattle, Michael, Suzanne, Greg and I hopped a plane to Cancun, Mexico to start talking Symposium.

After a ridiculously early flight and getting through Customs, it was a delightful surprise to walk out of the airport and feel the sunshine on my face with heat up to 80 degrees! Having left weather of showers and infrequent sun breaks, I was initially in heaven…then I was hot! After a brief moment of absorbing the sun-shine, I looked up to see a gentleman holding a sign with my name on it. It was Crispin with Ritz-Carlton Destination Services, ready to escort us to the hotel. Once our luggage was in the van, Crispin offered us a cooling cloth and cold bottled water, which was stored in a cooler placed between the driver and pas-senger seat. We exchanged pleasantries and were asked again if there was anything else we needed to make our drive to the hotel more comfortable. We thanked Crispin for his kindness and he replied with those magical Ritz-Carlton words: “It’s my pleasure.” We all melted into our seats knowing that from here on out, the pampering would begin.

After a brief 30-minute drive from the airport, we arrived at the hotel and were greeted again, this time by a lovely welcoming committee. This property has the signature Ritz-Carlton décor with marble floors and luxurious fabrics. As we walked the property, we were told that the hotel underwent $15 million in refurbishments in 2006. One of the revisions to this luxurious facility is a culinary school, which offers pri-vate cooking classes, and wine and tequila tastings. A new restaurant called Casitas was also added and features casitas with wooden floors on the sand, candlelight, and the Caribbean Sea as your view. Did I mention the food was spectacular? Casitas offers a seafood and steak menu as well as a customized

children’s menu to accommodate guests of all ages. To rent a private casita (seats up to 6 people) is about $150USD.

CaseFlix: Comprehensive Treatment Planning SessionsBy Heather Bright

RITZ BITSBy Shaida Ghomi

This sounds like a pretty penny to spend for ambi-ance but the food and setting is truly an unforgettable experience–and one I highly recommend. There are six other restaurants located on the hotel property, all of which I found very pleasing. Great food, great ser-vice and delicious margaritas! Personally, my top two choices would be the Club Grill (most extraordinary food I have ever eaten) and Casitas (most amazing experience). If you get a chance, I would definitely check these two places out.

During our visit, Greg and I met with the Ritz Desti-nation Services, who offers activities and excursions to sites such as Chichen Itza, X-Caret, swimming with the dolphins, jungle zip-lining, deep sea fish-ing and much more. We had the pleasure of visit-ing Tulum, the Mayan City of Renewal. I have never seen anything so incredible and was amazed by this archeological treasure. Most breathtaking was a cliff overlooking the deep blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. What is so great about the Ritz Destination Ser-vices is that your tour guide never leaves your side; you are never alone and are well taken care of. They are thoroughly educated about all of the sites you visit. Greg and I were able to stop at a little Mayan restaurant after our excursion to sit and enjoy lunch with our guides and learn more about this amazing culture. Destination Services will be working closely with the SSC at Symposium to offer packages and tours of all sorts for children and adults. This is a great option for those of you who plan to bring your family and would like them to experience the very best of the Yucatan Peninsula.

I could continue to write about the hotel rooms, the pools, tennis courts and the spa, but I will leave that for you to experience yourself. Just be prepared to hear, “Es mi placer” (It’s my pleasure) echo through the beautiful halls of this hotel in Cancun, Mexico. This is truly the crème de la crème of Ritz-Carlton hotels and I cannot wait to return.