AACD Chief Marketing Officer. Michael DiFrisco, shares seven easy steps you can take now and every day to practice better dentistry.

1. BE COURAGEOUS
Take bold steps to stand out from the sameness in the marketplace. Take a look back at the past year. What you did well? What you could have been differently? Take daring steps to help your personal and dental brand stand for something meaningful and relevant going forward.

2. WHEN YOUR PATIENTS DON’T HAVE SOMETHING IN THEIR MOUTHS, SHUT UP AND LISTEN
There's a lot to learn if you take the time to listen. Listen to what your patients have to say and act on what you've heard. Make sure you ask your team for feedback, ideas, and suggestions for improving your service and your offerings. Honest, unfiltered feedback is fuel for positive change.

3. SET SOME BIG GOALS AND STRETCH
Set at least one wild and audacious goal for the coming year—something you've never tried before. Starting on the path toward Accreditation is a challenging and worthwhile objective. Share the goal with your team and dare them to play their part in achieving it. Just don't forget to celebrate the victories and successes along the way.

4. BUILD A PASSIONATE AND ENGAGED TEAM
Your most valuable resource is your people. Ensure that you’re giving them the resources, education, and inspiration that they need to be active, passionate, and energized team who will make a true difference to your practice and your dental brand.

5. INJECT FUN INTO THE EVERYDAY
One of the best motivators for your team is a great work environment. Start doing small things that make your office staff happy. Small gestures or events can make a big difference. And the benefits won't just stop with your dental team—they will show through everything that your practice does. Happy people mean a happy brand.

6. TAKE TIME FOR LEARNING
This year, make a commitment and ensure you—and your practice—are continually learning. Take advantage of all the resources at your command—from the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, to AACD’s Annual Scientific Session, to your exclusive eLearning benefits—and inject some new thinking into your practice that will energize your team and, ultimately, benefit your brand by making you a more credible practitioner.

7. SAY THANK YOU…AND REALLY MEAN IT
Follow the golden rule. Treat people how YOU want to be treated.  Thanking your staff, your patients, and your mentors goes a long way to creating valued and appreciated fans—internally and externally. Starting now, find new ways to show that you appreciate your team, your patients, and your partners, in ways that truly make a difference in their lives.