ResiDental Movement

E35: A Few Thoughts on Safety Concerns Associated with House Call Dentistry

On this week’s podcast, I wanted to share a story with you that happened to me during one of my routine house call visits. I have a long-time patient whom I visit every three months, and recently when I arrived at her house for her appointment, I noticed that her front door was open. This immediately concerned me, as my patient is an older woman who lives alone and is very cautious. After calling inside for the patient she let me know that she would be “right there.” Then after waiting for over 20 minutes I decided to let myself in and found my patient sitting in a chair in her front room with her walker right in front of her. She had been attempting to stand up out of the chair the entire time but her knees just wouldn't let her. 
While waiting for those 20 minutes, so many thoughts popped into my head about safety concerns not only for my patient but also for myself. I understand that there are risks involved with providing in-home care, but I believe it's important to not let fear get in the way of offering services to people who really need them. This being said everyone’s journey into house call dentistry is unique and it’s important that you do what is necessary to feel safe and secure on every visit. For some, an assistant might make them feel more comfortable from both a security and liability standpoint. Personally, I feel safe enough to continue solo, however, I am considering some self-defense courses and perhaps wearing a body-cam to mitigate any potential legal jeopardy or liability. 
I hope this story was helpful and informative for you. Thank you for taking the time to listen. As always, whether you decide to pursue dental house calls or not, please consider supporting those in need by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation. These reflections were inspired by a conversation in The ResiDENTAL Movement's Official Membership Community. Click the link to find out more about the benefits of becoming a member. I appreciate you tuning in!
 
Sign Up to Become An Official Member of the ResiDENTAL Movement
Visit me at: ResiDENTAL Movement Website
Vist: AccommoDental
Visit: Home Smile Care Foundation
 
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E34: A Few Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way

This week on the podcast I wanted to share a personal story with you that I hope will help you on your own house call journey. It's about my first appointment with a patient I had no connection with, and the lessons I learned from it.
When I first started offering house calls, I didn't have an established travel radius or minimum visit fee, and it caused some problems. I ended up driving over three hours to visit a patient living with Autism who I was only able to interact with for 45 seconds! Now this was no fault of the patient as building trust with patients suffering from Autism takes time. However it was frustrating, but it taught me the importance of being a better businesswoman and establishing some basic policies upfront. 
I know firsthand how tough it can be to start a house call practice, especially without access to resources or support. That's why I created the ResiDENTAL Movement and the Dental House Call Practice Academy. The Academy is an eight-week course that covers everything you need to know to start your own house call practice, from legal basics to equipment lists and best practices. I truly believe that more house-call dentists means more patients have access to care, and that's what this is all about. As always, whether you decide to pursue dental house calls or not, please consider supporting those in need by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation. I appreciate you tuning in!
Thank you for listening, and please feel free to reach out to me at hello@residentalmovement.com if you have any questions or just want to chat.
 
Sign Up to Become An Official Member of the ResiDENTAL Movement
Visit me at: ResiDENTAL Movement Website
Vist: AccommoDental
Visit: Home Smile Care Foundation
 
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E33: Do You Need Special Malpractice Insurance to Offer House Calls?

It's that time of year again when I renew my liability or malpractice insurance, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from other dentists when they find out I offer house calls. The question is, "Do you need a special kind of malpractice insurance to offer house calls?" The short answer is no, you don't need a special kind of liability or malpractice insurance. However, there are some important things you should know about malpractice insurance if you plan to offer dental house calls.
First, malpractice insurance isn't always legally required depending on the state you live in. However, I highly recommend getting yourself insured as settlements can range from $65,000 to millions of dollars. It's better to be safe than sorry. Second, before offering house calls, it's crucial to contact your current insurance carrier to check if they will cover you when you do home visits or house calls. Many policies are designed to only cover you when practicing at a particular address or a singular practice location. If your carrier will not insure you, it's important to know that sooner rather than later and begin searching for a new malpractice carrier.
Lastly, even after you're covered, it's essential to manage your risk by practicing the highest standard of care, being cautious about case selection, referring when necessary, documenting everything, and having the proper consent and disclosures in place. If you're interested in becoming a house call dentist and discussing topics like this in even more detail, consider joining Dental House Call Practice Academy. This online training is the only one of its kind that will help you create your dental house call practice.
Thank you for your interest in house-call dentistry. As always, whether you decide to pursue dental house calls or not, please consider supporting those in need by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation. I appreciate you tuning in!
 
Sign Up to Become An Official Member of the ResiDENTAL Movement
Visit me at ResiDENTAL Movement Website
Visit: AccommoDental
Visit: Home Smile Care Foundation
 
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E32: An Interview with Dental Podcast Pioneer Dr. Alan Mead

This week we have a very special episode for you! You may already know that I’ve interviewed other house-call dentists here on the show. I’m excited to share that I recently had the honor of interviewing one of the very first dentist podcasters! If you're listening to this show, it’s likely that you listen to other dental podcasts too, so you may very well know this week’s guest, Dr. Alan Mead! Alan is a pioneer in the space of dental podcasting. Communication and education in dentistry has always been extremely formal. There are dental schools and dental conferences, but thanks to Alan there is the Very Dental Podcast, formerly known as the Dental Hacks podcast.
You likely know, especially based on last week’s episode, that I feel strongly about connecting with other dentists. Even though he isn’t a house-call dentist, Alan values a lot of things that you and I value, like time freedom and having other interests outside of dentistry. In this conversation, we address his early steps into dental podcasting, business ethics, mindset, and so much more. From discussing the challenges faced by dentists looking for alternatives to private practice to exploring the importance of work-life balance and developing a supportive community, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for dental professionals and individuals considering a career transition.
In addition to my interview with Dr. Mead, I’m excited to share that the ResiDENTAL Movement Official Membership is finally available! If you're interested in connecting with me and other dentists on their house call journey, please visit our membership page to enroll. In this private community, we'll share exclusive content and challenges, but we'll also meet monthly for Q&A. We'll meet another time each month, too, for Book Club. Finally, Official Membership includes discounts on any other ResiDENTAL Movement offers. I hope to see you inside of this official membership.
Thank you so so so much for tuning into this week’s episode. I am so grateful for your loyal listening. As always, whether you decide to pursue dental house calls or not, please consider supporting those in need by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation.
 
Connect with Dr. Mead:
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E31: Discussions Only Dentists Can Have

I recently caught up with some of my former dental school classmates and it was such a great experience. We talked about our lives and our practices, and they even gave me some helpful advice about managing my house-call dental practice during my pregnancy and maternity leave.
It was really nice to be able to bounce ideas off of other dentists who understand the unique challenges of a house-call practice. We talked about everything from hiring an assistant to bringing on another dentist, and I feel like I have a lot of great options to consider.
If you're interested in connecting with other house-call dentists, I highly recommend becoming a member of the ResiDENTAL Movement. It's a private community of like-minded professionals where we can have discussions like these off of social media. Plus, there is exclusive content and discounts on other ResiDENTAL Movement offers. And if you're thinking about becoming a house-call dentist yourself, be sure to check out the Dental House Call Practice Academy. It's a comprehensive online training course that will guide you through everything you need to know to get started on your journey of becoming a house-call dentist.
Thanks for tuning in! If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out to me at hello@residentalmovement.com. And don't forget to consider supporting the Home Smile Care Foundation. The Home Smile Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by myself and my loved ones to offer financial support to patients. They do great work helping those in need of in-home dental care.
 
Sign Up to Become an Official Member
Visit me at: ResiDENTAL Movement Website
Visit: Home Smile Care Foundation
 
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E30: Are You Qualified to Offer Dental House Calls?

This week I wanted to share a recent experience I had with one of my patients who has dementia and mobility challenges. Despite these challenges, we were able to place four restorations in one visit, which was a huge feat for both me and my patient! Working with motivated families and patients is truly rewarding, and it's victories like these that make me love house call dentistry even more. 
I know that if you're listening to this podcast you're probably interested in pursuing in-home dentistry as well and soon will be able to relate with my little victories. One listener recently asked me what qualifications are needed to treat patients in their homes, and while legally you just need to be a licensed dentist, it's important to have experience and a calling for this type of work. Residencies and CE courses can teach you a lot, but it's your experience with patients that truly qualifies you for this type of dentistry. 
If you feel a calling to pursue this work you will learn what CE to take as you go. You may even decide to go back to residency. But you will never know how to help yourself if you don't begin by helping others. The experience you gain by following your calling to help patients in their homes will teach you more than any program ever could. This is true in all of dentistry. Don't wait on the sidelines forever hoping that some CE is going to be the one that qualifies you.
At some point, you need to make a jump. That's why it's called practicing dentistry. We're always growing and improving, but you need to take the first steps. After all, it's your calling and experience with patients that qualifies you to do this work. So if you feel called, you are already way ahead. Once you begin, you'll be such a gift to your patients.
If you're interested in pursuing in-home dentistry, I'll soon be offering a course called Dental House Call Practice Academy that will teach you everything from business basics to best practices. But even if you don't decide to pursue in-home dentistry, please consider supporting the Home Smile Care Foundation. The Home Smile Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by myself and my loved ones to offer financial support to patients. Thanks for tuning in today, and I hope this information was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out. 
 
Sign Up to Become an Official Member: 
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E29: How House Call Dentistry is Giving Me The Flexibility to Expand My Household

I have some exciting news to share with you today! I recently found out that I'm expecting a baby in February, and my husband and I couldn't be happier. We've been planning to start a family since we got married, and the timing couldn't be better.
As I've been preparing for this new chapter in my life, I've realized just how grateful I am to have made the decision to become a house-call dentist over two years ago. The flexibility and freedom that my dental house call practice provides will allow me to adjust my work schedule to meet the needs of my family, which is incredibly important to me.
I know that many dentists struggle to find the time to spend with their families, especially if they own a traditional dental practice. As a house-call dentist, I have complete control over my schedule and never need to ask for a day off ever again. I'll find mutual availability with my patients and work when I want to.
I understand that not everyone may want to become a house-call dentist, but I highly recommend considering it if you're looking for more time and freedom in your life. Dental House Call Practice Academy is a course that I'll begin offering next month that teaches you exactly how to start your dental house call practice. I'll guide you through a comprehensive curriculum - everything from business basics, to what equipment to buy, and all the way to best practices. I highly recommend taking this course if you're ready to go.
Whether you decide to pursue dental home care or not, please consider supporting patients in need of it by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation. The Home Smile Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by myself and my loved ones to offer financial support to patients. Thank you for taking the time to read about the time freedom that a dental house call practice offers. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out. 
 
Sign Up to Become an Official Member: 
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E28: My Advice on Dealing With Competition

This week I’m sharing some advice on starting a successful dental house-call practice in a region where there is already another house-call dentist. First of all, I believe that competition is a good thing because it ultimately benefits our patients. With an aging population, there will always be a demand for in-home dental services. So, don't be afraid to start your own practice even if there is already someone else offering similar services in your area. In fact, I recommend reaching out to your colleagues and learning from them. They may be able to offer you some patients to start with or connect you with members of the community. 
Dentistry is a profession with a long-standing tradition of mentorship and cooperation, so don't hesitate to ask for help. If befriending a colleague isn't an option, that's okay too. You can still start your own practice and carve out your own unique value proposition for your patients. Maybe you offer more convenient hours or a special payment plan. Whatever it may be, your unique value makes competition irrelevant. And if you're feeling skeptical, challenge yourself to do things differently than anyone else in the industry. Research industry norms and figure out what you want to do differently and why. You may just carve out your own blue ocean. 
Remember, the ResiDENTAL Movement is here to support you on your journey. We offer plenty of resources to help you get started, including a free guide called "A Day in the Life of a House Call Dentist" and our Dental House Call Practice Academy. Lastly, if you aren't ready to offer in-home dental services but would like to support patients in need of them, please consider contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation at homesmilecarefoundation.org. I hope this advice helps and I appreciate you taking the time to tune in today. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions!
 
Sign Up to Become an Official Member: 
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E27: Annual Update and Surprises Coming This Year

This week I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for being a part of the ResiDENTAL Movement community. It's hard to believe that we're already celebrating our one-year anniversary! Time really does fly when you're having fun! Over the past year, I've had the pleasure of connecting with so many amazing dentists who are passionate about providing in-home dental care. I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you who has listened to the podcast, visited the website, or engaged with me on social media.
As we move into our second year, I'm committed to providing even more value to the community. I know that many of you are eager to start offering dental house calls, and I want to do everything I can to support you in that journey. That's why I'm excited to announce two new initiatives: ResiDENTAL Movement Membership and the Dental House Call Practice Academy. The Membership will give you access to exclusive content, live Q&As with me, and a private community where you can connect with other dentists who are passionate about house-call dentistry. And the Dental House Call Practice Academy will provide you with all the tools you need to confidently launch your own dental house call practice.
If you're interested in either of these initiatives, be sure to visit residentalmovement.com and subscribe to my email list. Email subscribers will be the first to know when registration is available early next month. Of course, even if you're not ready to become an official member or enroll in the academy, I'll still be here each week with more information and inspiration for you. And as always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or feedback. Thank you again for your support and enthusiasm over the past year. Here's to many more years of growing ResiDENTAL Movement and bringing quality dental care to those who need it most!
 
Sign Up to Become an Official Member: 
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E26: Six Lessons I’ve Learned From Two Years of Dental House Calls

Exciting news! I just celebrated the second birthday of my in-home dental service, AccommoDental, and it has been an incredible journey so far. I wanted to share 6 important lessons that I have learned over the past two years, both professionally and personally.
 
1. I’ve Learned That TIME Is Our Most Valuable Asset
We should cherish every moment and use it wisely. I’ve learned that time isn’t simply a resource to use for accomplishing tasks or missions. Years ago, I compartmentalized my time and only dedicated some to friends and family, while most of it was spent on work or school. I rarely smelled the roses. If you’re unsure of what the schedule or time of a house call dentist might look like, please download my free guide called “A Day in the Life of a House Call Dentist.” It’ll help you visualize your days when offering house calls. 
 
2. We Can Only Control Ourselves and Our Reactions to Situations
When you step into someone else’s domain, you can’t control everything like you might be able to in your own dental office.  You can’t control the temperature. A lot of older adults are freezing even when it’s 80 degrees outside, so they might have windows sealed without AC. You can’t control whether siblings break out into a screaming match about money while you’re there. You can’t control if your patient is incredibly attached to their loud, threatening German shepherd. The only person you can control is yourself. You can control your response, your words, how you treat others and that’s about it.  
 
3. Being Comfortable with Discomfort Is Crucial to Success
I recommend being flexible and doing as much work as you possibly can even in tricky conditions because the patients really do benefit from your time and services. AccommoDental has helped me embrace the unknown more and more throughout the past two years of my practice. I learned that I can handle a lot! I am more and more willing to be accommodating in various ways because I know that I have shown myself that I can work under pretty interesting conditions.  
 
4. Remaining Gracious and Building Strong Relationships with Patients & Colleagues Is Important
I am incredibly appreciative of my patients. They welcome me, a stranger in most cases, into their homes. I’m grateful for how much time I get to spend with them. I’m grateful for their stories, their humor, and their families. My patient interactions are the best and I’m grateful for the flexibility that a dental house call practice allows for. 
 
5. The Quality of Our Relationships Directly Affects the Quality of Our Lives
Relationships with patients are important. Patients need to know you’re on their side.  It’s also important to build rapport with their families. These relationships also grow best within boundaries. My patients know not to call me just to chat on Saturday morning.  I respect their time and they respect mine. Professional relationships are important, too. Of course, it’s good to network and foster relationships with colleagues. This helps with referrals and it also is a great way to make actual friends. I’ve been lucky enough to make a number of new friends since AccommoDental started and I’ve learned a lot from everyone. 
 
6. It’s Important to Follow our Mission and Not Just Chase Financial Gain
Oftentimes, if you’re following your mission, you will see financial gain. There’s no shame in earning a healthy living because you offer a valuable service to people. I’m not here hating on the exchange of money. I just want to remind you that pursuing ONLY money can lead to poor outcomes for your business. Chasing cash is a great way to begin to resent your business. If you’re not helping who you want to help and you’re working when you don’t want to be working, the cash won’t justify it. Build a business you LOVE, not a trap that you resent.  
I hope these lessons resonate with you and inspire you to pursue your passions. Whether you decide to offer dental house calls or not, please consider supporting those in need by contributing to the Home Smile Care Foundation. Thank you!
 
Visit me at: ResiDENTAL Movement Website
Visit Home Smile Care Foundation
 
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Produced by: Social Chameleon