The Web-based Dentist

JANUARY 2014

David Harris

How is embezzlement normally uncovered?

 

The answer to this question might surprise you. The American Dental Association recently published the results of an extensive study on embezzlement. Among other things, the study considered how victims uncovered the embezzlement taking place in their offices.

 

Here's where it gets interesting -- only 19% of discovery was prompted by the planned operation of the dentist's system of controls (day-end balancing, review of software audit logs, fraud found by the  dentist's accountant etc.). The remaining 81% was discovered by some accidental occurrence (examples include another employee reporting the theft, patients identifying billing discrepancies or an employee working unexplained extra hours).

 

So what can be learned from this?

 

There has been a lot written by advisors who suggest that the way to prevent embezzlement is to implement more (and more) controls. I'm sure you have seen articles that give frustratingly long lists of things a dentist should check weekly and monthly.

 

In addition to the large time commitment that accompanies this internal audit process, I have always questioned its effectiveness. Embezzlers are driven by some powerful forces, and to expect them to be discouraged by some visible and easily circumvented controls seems like a delusional exercise.

 

With the ADA's survey results reinforcing my view, I hope that dentists and their advisors begin to see the futility of attempting to manage fraud through internal controls and self-directed audit.

 

Please don't misunderstand me -- there are lots of controls that serve purposes other than fraud detection. For example, even though day-end reviews uncover less than 8% of all embezzlements, these reviews serve other useful purposes like catching clerical errors.

 

The good news

 

Since I've just turned your understanding of embezzlement upside down, at this point you are probably looking for a solution. Fortunately I have one, and it is a lot less painful than you might think.

 

This silver lining is that, regardless of the methodology used to steal, embezzlers behave in very predictable ways. We have developed and constantly refined an "Rmbezzlement Risk Assessment Questionnaire" that is designed to help you capture and assess these behaviors. Completion will take less than five minutes and could save you a bundle. You can request the questionnaire by sending email to requests@dentalembezzlement.com

 

 

More About Prosperident

 

One of the key advantages of managing your practice on the cloud with Curve Dental is that you can access your data from anywhere at anytime.

Now, I've had doctors tell me "But, Andy, with my software I can access my system from home, too." Well, they're right. With enough more dollars in software and IT assistance you can access your patient information from home. But it's a clumsy, slow and encumbered experience and requires more technology. And a bigger technology footprint only weaves a more tangled web that must be managed and maintained by you or your IT pro. It's like buying after market body parts for your car; it just doesn't look quite right.

The answer to accessibility is the cloud, my friends. With a cloud-based system, like Curve Dental, you can access ALL of your patient data from anywhere at any time. All you need is a computer and Internet access to view x-ray images, odontograms, clinical notes, prescription records, your schedule, and more. ALL of your patient data is at your fingertips without purchasing additional software and messing with the configuration frustration that comes with it.

One last analogy and I'll let you go: If you're banking on line, does your bank make you install software on your home computer so you can access your finances. No! With Curve Dental you can access all of your patient data without installing software.

Want to learn more? Chat with one of our dental software experts at 888-910-4376. Ask about our Google Nexus 7 tablet giveaway for doctors who make the switch by January 24, 2014.

Classic Dental Jokes
Did you hear about the dentist who planted a garden? A month later she was picking her teeth!
More Dental Jokes

Fun Dental Facts

33% of Americans have untreated tooth decay. (CDC 2002)

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