• Our CEO Interviewed
• Guest Article --Eric Cohen
  
• The "Hall of Shame"
  
• Upcoming Speaking Dates
• A note from our CEO

Prosperident Hall of Shame

We have recently updated our Hall of Shame  so that it profiles over 450 embezzlers.  Are any of them working in your office?

Empty Seats at Your Event?

 

 

 

May 4	Texas Dental Meeting, San Antonio TX
May 4	Atlantic Canada Seattle Study Club, Halifax NS
May 10	Tax Matters For Dentists, Toronto ON
May 12	Tax Matters For Dentists, Ottawa ON
May 16	University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica
May 18	Endo Inc. Study Club, Danvers MA
May 25	Patterson Dental, Nashville TN
Jul 20	Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City OK
Aug 25	Kentucky Dental Association, French Lick IN
Sep 14-15	Dentsply Sirona World, Las Vegas NV
Sep 22	Patterson Dental, Dallas TX
Oct 20	Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Kelowna BC
Nov 3	Innovative Study Group of Arizona
Nov 14	Fresno Madera Dental Society, Fresno CA

 

Guest Article --Eric Cohen

Editor's note --for most dentists, accepting credit card payments is an expensive necessity.  Trying to lower the cost is a confusing and frustrating exercise.  So it is a huge relief when someone can do it for you.

A Note From Our CEO

 

Regular readers know how I like to use this space to discuss situations I encounter that may have broader relevance.  This month I am going to discuss "rules".

 

Many dentists, as well as the consultants who advise them, believe that rules will protect them from embezzlement.  I've seen things like using "for deposit only" stamps for checks, having triplicate receipt books for cash payments, etc suggested as anti-embezzlement strategies.

 

There is a logic flaw here.  You can make all the rules that you want, but when a team member decides that your rule interferes with the embezzlement that they want to carry out, the rule will quickly be ignored or circumvented.

Also, the fact that you block one, or ten, embezzlement "pathways" will not help you very much.  To assume that an embezzler can only think of one or two ways to steal underestimates the creativity and motivation of thieves.

So if rules will not work, what will?  Several studies, including one by the ADA, confirm that the majority of embezzlers telegraph their stealing by exhibiting certain behaviors.  There are many examples -- a reluctance to take a vacation, working unusual hours, providing financial reports late, etc.

 

Our Embezzlement Risk Assessment Questionnaire provides an excellent (and quick) barometer for staff behavior.  You can check it out HERE.

 

Thanks, as always, for reading.

 

David Harris CPA, CMA, MBA, CFE, CFF

Chief Executive Officer

Promotions!

 

Scott Clifford to Chief Fraud Examiner.

 

 

Jacob Hiltz to Chief Information Officer.

 

Congratulations, all!

Is attendance falling at your meetings?

 

 

Jul 21	Patterson Dental, Oklahoma City OK
Aug 25	Kentucky Dental Association, French Lick IN
Sep 6	Durham Dental Society, Ajax ON
Sep 7	Niagara Peninsula Dental Association, Niagara Falls, ON
Sep 14	North Texas Premier Dental Forum, Fort Worth TX
Sep 16	Dentsply Sirona World, Las Vegas NV
Sep 22	Patterson Dental, Dallas TX
Oct 20-21	Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Kelowna BC
Nov 3	Innovative Study Group, Scottsdale AZ
Nov 14	Fresno Madera Dental Society, Fresno CA
Nov 15	Vancouver Study Club, Vancouver BC
Dec 7-8	Patterson Dental, Nashville, TN

• Our article in Oral Health Office
• Guest Article -- Jeremy Behar
  
• Promotions
  
• Upcoming Speaking Dates
• A note from our CEO

Guest Article -- Jeremy Behar

Once Upon a Time…a Dentist Signed a Lease

 

A Note From Our CEO

 

 

I'm not referring to the catchy John Mellencamp tune of the 1980s (although I did like the song).  I'm referring to one of the factors that dentists use to convince themselves that they are "immune" from embezzlement.

 

We all want to believe that our staff are honest and that they would never steal from us, and most of the time this is true.  However, there is also a significant portion of the population who, in the right circumstances, will commit a dishonest act.  When you combine the size of this cohort with the large number of staff that a typical dentist will hire in his or her career, the result is that at least two in three dentists will eventually be embezzled.

 

 

Thanks, as always, for reading.

 

David Harris CPA, CMA, MBA, CFE, CFF

Chief Executive Officer

 

• Free Assessment Questionnaire
• Introducing Prosperident's Office Protection System
  
• Upcoming Speaking Dates
• A note from our CEO

Free Webinar

We are teaming up with the great folks at Cirrus Consulting to present a free webinar on August 15 titled "Ending Embezzlement and Managing Risk in Your Office Lease".

 

For more information, or to register, click HERE.

Want to liven up your meeting?

 

 

Aug 25	Kentucky Dental Association, French Lick IN
Sep 6	Durham Dental Society, Ajax ON
Sep 7	Niagara Peninsula Dental Association, Niagara Falls, ON
Sep 14	North Texas Premier Dental Forum, Fort Worth TX
Sep 16	Dentsply Sirona World, Las Vegas NV
Sep 22	Patterson Dental, Dallas TX
Oct 12	Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City OK
Oct 20-21	Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Kelowna BC
Oct 27	Sinclair Dental, Fredericton NB
Nov 3	Innovative Study Group, Scottsdale AZ
Nov 14	Fresno Madera Dental Society, Fresno CA
Nov 15	Vancouver Study Club, Vancouver BC
Dec 7-8	Patterson Dental, Nashville, TN

 

Prosperident's Office Protection System

 

For a long time, people have asked us if we can do something to control embezzlement before it happens.

 

So we are pleased to introduce Prosperident's Office Protection System ("OPS").

 

The OPS Program is our best, most up-to-date, most effective way to provide you with a comprehensive review of more than 25 policy and procedural systems you use in your office (all having embezzlement implications). OPS is not a software application, but rather an in-depth investigation and analysis performed by one of our experienced fraud examiners.

 

Special introductory pricing is available until September 15.

 

Please CONTACT US to get started or obtain more information.

A Note From Our CEO

 

I hope you are having a great summer.  I'm enjoying following my 15-year old son around the continent as he plays basketball.  As I write this, he is in San Diego playing for the Canadian team in the Indie World Championships.  Oh, to be a teenager again...

 

But now that I am an adult, I sometimes have weightier concerns than playing basketball. 

 

One of the things that has been on my mind is how we can help dentists "get ahead of" embezzlers.  Many people have said something to us along the lines of "instead of just being the go-to people when embezzlement happens, why can't you help me set up practice systems properly now so that I am less likely to be a victim?".

 

Over the past quarter-century, we have learned a lot about the systemic weaknesses that embezzlers exploit, and we built that knowledge base into our new product, Prosperident's Office Protection System. 

 

For more information on how we can help you protect your practice, give us a call or send us an email. 

 

Have a great summer! Thanks, as always, for reading.

 

David Harris CPA, CMA, MBA, CFE, CFF

Chief Executive Officer

• Dr. Doug Carlsen
• Our new logo
  
• Upcoming speaking dates
• A note from our CEO

Our new logo

We decided that, after using our last logo for five years, it was time for to tweak it a bit.  We hope you like the new version!

 

Falling asleep at meetings?

 

 

Sep 6	Durham Dental Society, Ajax ON
Sep 7	Niagara Peninsula Dental Association, Niagara Falls, ON
Sep 14	North Texas Premier Dental Forum, Fort Worth TX
Sep 16	Dentsply Sirona World, Las Vegas NV
Sep 22	Patterson Dental, Southlake, TX
Oct 12	Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City OK
Oct 20-21	Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Kelowna BC
Oct 27	Sinclair Dental, Fredericton NB
Nov 3	Innovative Study Group, Scottsdale AZ
Nov 14	Fresno Madera Dental Society, Fresno CA
Nov 15	Vancouver Study Club, Vancouver BC
Dec 7-8	Patterson Dental, Nashville, TN
2018
Jan 17	Metro West Seminars, Omaha NB
Feb 1	Patterson Dental, Cincinnati OH
Feb 2	Patterson Dental, Columbus OH
Feb 2	Ortho 2 UGM, Savannah, GA

 

Guest Post -- Dr. Doug Carlsen

Our friend Doug Carlsen is a former practicing dentist.  He was able to retire at age 53 and now shares his wisdom on achieving financial freedom with the dental profession.  He is also one of the nicest men you will ever meet.

 

We are honored that Doug made a video for us.  Check it out here:

 

 

Doug's web site is www.golichcarlsen.com.  It's definitely worth a look.

A Note From Our CEO

 

I got asked a great question the other day.  I was speaking with a prospective client, and she asked, "What differentiates you from everyone else who investigates dental embezzlement?"

 

I paused for a second, wondering if I was too close to the problem to give a cogent answer.

 

My brief, but honest, answer was:

1. We limit ourselves to working with dentists only.
2. We have been doing this work for a long time and have well-established procedures and rigid quality controls.
3. Our dozen investigators are the most qualified, best trained, and most diverse, group in the business. 70% of our investigators have received the Certified Fraud Examiner designation, which is the “gold standard” for fraud investigation. 40% of our team are also licensed as private investigators. We all have dental backgrounds and understand that environment well.
4. We perform hundreds of dental embezzlement investigations annually. It is challenging to do this work well if you only do three or four investigations per year.
5. We have the ability to handle a wide variety of scenarios.  For example, investigating orthodontic practices requires different knowledge than assisting general dentists.  Many of our investigators have considerable expertise in specific software, situations, or types of practice.

David Harris CFE, CPA, CMA, CFF, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Podcast!

David Harris recently did a podcast with a terrific host, Dr. Peter Boulden on The Bulletproof Practice.  Dr. Boulden was an embezzlement victim, and this made for some great discussion.

 

 

Check it out HERE..

Does your dental meeting need some spark?

 

 

Oct 12	Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City OK
Oct 20-21	Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Kelowna BC
Oct 27	Sinclair Dental, Moncton NB
Nov 3	Innovative Study Group, Scottsdale AZ
Nov 9	Spider Study Club, Livingston NJ
Nov 14	Fresno Madera Dental Society, Fresno CA
Nov 15	Vancouver Study Club, Vancouver BC
Dec 7-8	Patterson Dental, Nashville, TN
2018
Jan 16	Lincoln District Dental Society, Lincoln NB
Jan 17	Metro West Seminars, Omaha NB
Feb 1	Patterson Dental, Cincinnati OH
Feb 2	Patterson Dental, Columbus OH
Feb 25	Ortho 2 UGM, Savannah, GA
Mar 15	Boulder Broomfield Dental Society, Boulder CO
May 5	Tumbleweed Study Club, Walland TN
May 25	Jasper Dental Congress, Jasper AB
Jun 2	Orthopreneur meeting, Dallas TX

 

A Note From Our CEO

 

Synergy.

 

Whether we are talking about your association, study club, sports team, practice, or our own office, synergy is essential to how we work, play and find security and contentment.

 

It’s easy to become hyper-focused on tasks, the things that you are good at, the things that you enjoy, and to miss the signs that someone or something is no longer serving the greater good in your life.

 

Often we speak with doctors who feel that they are to blame for missing the cues that something was not right in their practices and we want to tell them that it’s not their fault!

 

Until you have been taken advantage of by a trusted team member, you may never understand how terrible it feels to have suffered a loss or a breach of trust and then spend hours, days and weeks wondering what you could have done to have produced a different outcome.

 

At Prosperident, we have spent years focusing on only one thing; helping dental professionals discover, confirm and eliminate dishonest behavior in their practices. To us, it doesn’t matter whether someone is taking money, stealing office supplies, or reading your email without permission, it is all behavior that has to be detected and stopped. Period.

 

Recently, we at Prosperident found ourselves in just the sort of situation that we spend thousands of collective hours every year warning dentists to be aware of in their practices and I have to say, it’s been a rollercoaster of “what if’s” and “if only we had paid closer attention” moments. Horrible. Horrible, but completely recoverable and here’s why – synergy.

 

When a staff member shocks us with their dishonesty, we often forget just how amazing and reliable the rest of our team is, was, and will be. As business owners, we may suffer the full financial brunt of an employee’s dishonesty, but as a team, there is also a sense of loss and betrayal in discovering that someone who worked with us was so careless with the good energy and contributions we all made to help create a greater good.

 

If you and your team have been unfortunate enough to be hit by someone’s acts of dishonesty, we are definitely here to help sort things out and put a stop to the problem. As for recovering from the aftermath, I would like to suggest that you make sure to appreciate the synergy of those who help you get your work done and your goals met.  After all, it is the constant efforts and energy of our true team players that allow us to excel and enjoy and prosper from the work we do.

 

Finally, I want to say “thank you” to the team at Prosperident for their hard work, loyalty, and contributions which are too vast to mention.

 

And to all of the practice owners reading this, if you feel that you have any reason not to be as fortunate and happy as I am with the team in your office, please feel free to contact us by clicking HERE at any time to discuss your situation. We are always here to help.

David Harris CFE, CPA, CMA, CFF, MBA

Chief Executive Officer