The doctors and staff at an Algonquin, Illinois, office are the proud members of the... All Smiles Dental, THE PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
Dr. Roger P. Levin, president and CEO of The Levin Group, and
Dr. Joseph A. Blaes, editor of Dental Economics, are proud to announce that the 1997 Dental Practice of the Year is All Smiles Dental of Algonquin, Illinois!
History of the award
Having consulted with over 3,000 practices worldwide, Dr. Levin knows what it takes to make a dental practice succeed. Being a third-generation dentist and an internationally recognized lecturer, speaking more than 120 days a year to the dental profession, he decided that it would be a natural progression to honor a dental practice that has gone above and beyond standard operations. Dr. Levin worked closely with Dr. Blaes, an accredited author, practicing dentist, lecturer and DE editor, to bring the program and prestigious award to the profession.
The response to the first annual Dental Practice of the Year award, co-sponsored by Dental Economics and The Levin Group, was overwhelming! After reviewing hundreds of outstanding applications, our finalists were selected based on growth, productivity, esthetics, organization of systems, staffing, teamwork, technology, profitability and overall office structure. The next phase in the selection process included Levin Group consultants visiting each finalist to observe the dentists and staffs as they went about a typical day. All of the information was compiled and reviewed by the selection committee.
After careful consideration of the finalists, the one office that excelled in all areas of the selection criteria was All Smiles Dental. Co-owned by Drs. Audrey Huddleston and Timothy Stirneman, All Smiles Dental uses strong teamwork and effective in-house systems to achieve dramatic practice growth.
Growth
Drs. Huddleston and Stirneman formed their partnership in 1995. Their hard work and perseverance enabled them to quickly build their practice. In their first year of practice, they earned incredible revenue, and they attained an amazing growth of over 220 percent between 1995 and 1996. By continuing to utilize and perfect their expertise, teamwork, marketing efforts, systems and technology, All Smiles Dental has had steady growth ever since.
What sets Drs. Huddleston and Stirneman apart is that they have continued to strive to be the best dental practice in the area and the state. All of their hard work paid off in 1997 when total office production nearly doubled. Their success has continued. In the first quarter of 1998, practice revenue has increased by 50 percent. All Smiles Dental is completely committed to providing an unparalleled level of service with a personalized touch.
About the dentists
Dr. Audrey Huddleston, a native of the Algonquin area, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry, in 1993. Before forming All Smiles Dental, Dr. Huddleston was an associate in another area practice.
Dr. Timothy Stirneman, who has been in practice for eight years, graduated from Creighton University College of Dentistry in 1990. He established his own practice following graduation. As his practice grew, he built a larger office in partnership with another dentist. Taking advantage of a greater opportunity, Dr. Stirneman joined forces with Dr. Huddleston to create All Smiles Dental.
As a strong believer in community involvement, Dr. Huddleston has been a member of the Algonquin Rotary Club and was editor of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Also an avid community supporter, Dr. Stirneman served as vice president of the Algonquin Chamber of Commerce and was a cofounder of a community group that built a playground for Algonquin`s Towne Park.
Both doctors are active members of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and the McHenry County Dental Society. Dedicated to continuing education, they participate in a variety of courses and seminars, as well as attend the monthly Algonquin Study Club.
Caring touch
The All Smiles Dental team believes in providing patients with quality dentistry and exceptional service, as reflected in their mission statement: "We care not only about our patients` dental health, but also their questions and concerns. We want their visits to our office to be comfortable and fun. We believe that every new patient is an opportunity to make a new friend." Their patient-centered approach to dentistry is refreshing and welcome!
Operations
All Smiles Dental has an amazing appreciation and understanding of the importance of well-organized systems and documented policies. Dentists and staff have been able to expertly create and implement organized scheduling policies, financial policies, employee policies, general office policies and telephone and customer-service procedures. The practice also has an extremely detailed and consistent new-patient process. The employees are proud of their exceptional employee program that includes excellent benefits and a detailed bonus system. Through their bonus system, employees benefit from exerting extra effort in creating a more profitable practice. The staff`s incredible attention to detail can be seen in daily operations, morning meetings and bimonthly meetings. A well-selected team, with proper training and implementation of designated systems, is the key to creating such a superior practice.
Staff and teamwork
Drs. Huddleston and Stirneman are fortunate to have an efficient and personable team. The doctors add: "By putting the right people in place and training them to be completely patient-centered, yet still aware of the business aspect of our practice, we have been able to see dramatic increases in our practice performance."
Leading the office team is Steve Horn. He has post-graduate studies from Harvard University and serves as the practice`s full-time, multi-talented office manager. At the front desk are the scheduling coordinator, Lisa Koehler, and the financial and insurance coordinator, Stephanie Shrader. In the clinical area is full-time dental hygienist, Karen Krabbenhoft. Through the increased efforts of the hygiene department, hygiene production doubled in a six-month period in 1997. The three dental assistants, Elizabeth Coronado, Alicia Spohr and Michelle Resh, combine their years of experience to form a productive, high-energy and enthusiastic team.
A good portion of the team`s success is derived from the doctors` abilities to work together and truly make the most of their different personalities. "Tim provides the energy for maintaining our drive, while Audrey is the glue that keeps it all together," boast team members. Overall, the unique blend of staff personalities creates an efficient, yet caring and fun atmosphere for patients.
The facility
The All Smiles Dental team works in a striking and distinctively designed storefront office that is strategically located near a well-traveled road. Dr. Huddleston designed the spacious floor plan and expertly decorated the office space. Dr. Stirneman served as the general contractor. The open, modern office is efficient and functional, allowing for separation of the business office and the treatment areas.
The reception room includes a separate area for children complete with toys, television, and VCR, which plays videos for the kids. The sterilization and supply area is centrally located to allow for easy access from all operatories.
The u-shaped design of the treatment rooms allows unrestricted movement by the assistants and the doctor. Every treatment room is identical in layout and function, which gives additional flexibility during procedures. Each room is equipped with a side storage cabinet, units with over-the-patient delivery, and a rear cabinet behind the doctor and assistant.
Adding to the fun working atmosphere, each treatment room has been decorated with a unique theme. The hygiene room has a 1950s theme, complete with a neon sign. Also, there is a Jungle room, Chicago Bulls room and a Hollywood room. Each operatory also is equipped with a complete computer workstation and 17-inch, wall-mounted monitor. Future plans call for expansion and the addition of another office.
Technology
All Smiles Dental uses some of the most sophisticated technology available to general dentists in providing a wide variety of services. The office focuses heavily on integrated technology.
The operatories and business area incorporate PracticeWorks software. The program allows for chairside paperless charting, treatment planning, scheduling, routing and billing of patients, researching of dental insurance and electronic submission of insurance claims. All of these functions can be done at any one of nine computers throughout the office. The practice eventually will become paperless, using Tigerview software to digitize existing paper charts and radiographs.
Intraoral video cameras (Insight Imaging system links three operatories) and computed dental radiography (Schick Technologies) are used as diagnostic tools as well as educational tools for patients. Images and computer schedules from both machines are displayed on a video monitor mounted above the patient`s chair. Virtual-vision glasses also are available, although most patients enjoy watching cable television using their own remote controls.
Marketing and patient education
The practice has dedicated a large investment of time and energy to community involvement and patient education. To promote National Children`s Dental Health Month, All Smiles Dental staff members perform an educational and fun play, "The Wizard of Teeth," for local schools. "The Not Ready for Adult Players" travel to performances in their unique "Molar Mobile" van
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Drs. Roger Levin (left) and Joseph Blaes (right) congratulate the owners of the Dental Practice of the Year - Drs. Audrey Huddleston and Timothy Stirneman.
Each operatory at All Smiles Dental has a different decorative theme. Memorabilia from the local NBA franchise, the Bulls, dominate one room, while Hollywood stars of past and present adorn the walls in another room.
The All Smiles Dental staff includes (left to right) Dr. Timothy Stirneman, Dr. Audrey Huddleston, Karen Krabbenhoft, Elizabeth Coronado, Alicia Spohr, Lisa Koehler, Steve Horn, Stephanie Shrader and Michelle Resh.
