The Making of a DENTAL OASIS
Step Inside Dr . Tara Littlefield’s Oklahoma Remodel
Growth in Texas Burkhart Helps Build New Practice on the Gulf Coast
Is it Time to Say Goodbye to a PPO Contract?
Compare the Pros & Cons with the Burkhart Practice Support Team
A Guide to Retirement Benefits for Your Practice
Tips from the experts at Financial Freedom for Dentists
President From our
When I reflect on Burkhart’s place in this competitive market and our goals for the future, I am reminded of the core principles that guide us: Integrity, Knowledge, and Client Success These are not just words in our mission statement but the foundation of how we approach our work .
Integrity
We are authentic Our team is dedicated to acting in the best interests of our clients, regardless of whether it results in a sale Every Associate in our company — from our Account Managers and Service Technicians to our Customer Service Team — works together and strives to ensure client success in every way possible
Knowledge
We use our expertise to free up our clients to achieve great things We come prepared with the tools and skills to offer guidance and support As individuals and as a group, we continue to learn and grow, hone our knowledge, and proactively meet the changing needs of the dental communities we serve
Client Success
Our ultimate goal is to build trust and become valued advisors and team members By prioritizing our clients’ best interests and leveraging our collective expertise, we are able to proactively recommend strategies and deliver effective solutions
These principles are the foundation of everything we do and are what guide every interaction I believe this makes Burkhart truly special, and I hope you will feel the same
Lori Burkhart Isbell President
Serving the Dental Profession since 1888
At Burkhart we realize our clients are both dental professionals and business owners It is our goal to help them be successful at both Catalyst is fully dedicated to that success. The articles in this publication vary from product use and selection to business management topics and provide information and guidance that can lead to a more successful practice. We hope you enjoy!
If you have a request for a topic you would like us to cover in Catalyst, please contact our Marketing Department at: Marketing@BurkhartDental.com
Catalyst Magazine is published by: Burkhart Dental Supply
2502 South 78th Street Tacoma, WA 98409 P 253 474 7761 F 253 . 472 . 4773
Advertising Contact Marketing Marketing@BurkhartDental.com
All rights reserved Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the Publisher is strictly forbidden Images are not necessarily to scale
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to Say Goodbye to a PPO Contract?
Written by Burkhart Practice Support Team
Deciding whether to leave a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan is a significant decision.
While PPOs have historically provided access to a broad patient base and competitive reimbursement rates, many dentists are reconsidering their participation due to shrinking profit margins, administrative challenges, and restrictions on patient care.
Pros of Leaving a PPO Plan
• Greater Control Over Fees and Treatment: Going out-of-network allows practices to set their own fees and avoid contract limitations, enabling more personalized patient care
• Reduced Administrative Burden: Exiting a PPO can result in less paperwork, fewer claim denials, and less time spent navigating complex insurance requirements .
• Improved Profit Margins: Practices may increase profitability by collecting full fees for services instead of accepting discounted PPO rates .
Cons of Leaving a PPO Plan
• Potential Loss of Patients: Patients who prefer in-network providers for lower out-of-pocket costs may look for care elsewhere .
• Marketing and Communication Challenges: Practices must invest in clear messaging and marketing to help patients understand the benefits of staying, even when out-of-network
• Uncertainty During Transition: The process of leaving PPOs can be unpredictable, with possible fluctuations in patient volume and revenue .
Additionally, some lease agreements between insurance companies and third-party administrators can automatically expand a practice’s PPO patient base, often without the dentist’s direct involvement . This may result in dentists being listed as in-network for plans with which they never explicitly contracted Such arrangements can complicate reimbursement processes and make it harder to fully exit a PPO network .
Assessing the Impact: Burkhart’s PPO Impact Analysis Tool
To make an informed decision, analyze the financial and operational impact of leaving a PPO plan . Burkhart’s PPO Impact Analysis is a valuable resource that helps practices evaluate how
dropping a PPO might affect their revenue, patient base, and overall business performance . With practice-specific data, dentists can visualize potential outcomes before making any changes .
Determining Patient Retention: Burkhart’s PPO Calculator
One of the biggest questions when considering leaving a PPO is: “How many patients do I need to retain to break even?” Burkhart’s PPO calculator tool, found at burkhart-go.info/PPO-Calculator, provides an answer by estimating the minimum patient retention required to remain financially stable while operating out-of-network . This datadriven approach empowers dental teams to set realistic goals and monitor progress throughout the transition .
Mastering Patient Care and Communication
Ultimately, the success of leaving a PPO hinges on delivering exceptional patient care and communication . Many patients misunderstand their insurance policy, not realizing that benefits can still be paid when they see an out-of-network provider . It’s up to the practice to explain this in simple, reassuring terms . Providing a predetermination of benefits is an effective way to help patients understand their coverage and expected costs . Practices must focus on delivering value that goes beyond insurance coverage, such as personalized treatment plans, flexible payment options, and a welcoming atmosphere When new patients call to ask if you are in-network, it’s crucial to handle these conversations with confidence and clarity . Train your team to respond in a way that emphasizes the quality of care, the benefits of choosing your practice, and the ways you help patients maximize their benefits .
Next Steps
Parting ways with a PPO plan is a complex decision that requires careful consideration of both financial and patient care factors . By leveraging tools like Burkhart’s PPO Impact Analysis and PPO calculator, and by focusing on patient retention and communication, dental practices can make the transition successfully while continuing to thrive
PST welcomes the opportunity to support your healthy business in 2026 and beyond . We are committed to your practice’s business success and the well-being of your patients . Reach out for targeted resources, an Analysis, or a strategy call with a business coach Our support and services are complimentary to our Supply Savings Guarantee clients or clients spending 40K+ on merchandise annually .
Article written by:
Our experienced Practice Support Team has clinical and business expertise dedicated to supporting your practice & answering your questions .
Find more practice resources & learn more about the Practice Support Team at burkhart-go.info/PracticeSupport
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The Making of a Dental Oasis
Dr. Tara Littlefield’s Oklahoma
Remodel with Burkhart
Picture a relaxing spa appointment you’ve booked for yourself. The atmosphere is serene, with calm music . A soft, relaxing scent fills the air . You’re given warm blankets and maybe headphones . You may have a few small cosmetic
procedures scheduled, and the experience is stress and pain-free . Now imagine you also get your dental maintenance done while you’re there . This is the idea behind spa dentistry, or relaxed dentistry .
Written By DAWN KAHL
This concept has been around for a few decades now, born out of the desire to improve the patient experience and reduce dental anxiety, making a dental appointment a welcoming place where a person can receive general dentistry service along with cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening or veneers, as well as additional luxury spa services like aromatherapy, facial massages, Botox treatments, and more .
Dr Tara Littlefield, whose warmth is immediately evident over the video call, seems like the perfect dentist to create such an atmosphere . She is friendly and engaging, describing herself as a people person and someone who likes working with her hands . She loves art and enjoys painting, sculpting, and any hands-on work, so to her, the dentistry she performs is a natural extension of her art She is a general dentist and has focused much of her CE on cosmetic dentistry She owns and operates Littlefield Dentistry in Tulsa Oklahoma, where she has created a spa-inspired dental practice .
“I love my Littlefield crew!” says Burkhart Account Manager Jason Corbin . “Such an enjoyable team to work with ”
Dr . Littlefield knew since middle school that she wanted to be a dentist . She credits a line of great mentors for guiding her on her path to where she is today, and it started with her first orthodontist .
She grew up with a single mother, so she did not have the opportunity to visit a dentist regularly until she, in her words, 'begged her mother' to get braces . The visits with her orthodontist were her first impactful experiences with dentistry .
She still remembers how sweet he was to her and her mother and how he would ask about her and remember details about her life . "Now, I know those are hidden in chart notes, like, Hey, how's your dog Peanut doing? But it was really impactful on me at that age," she recalls .
The next mentor was her uncle, an oral surgeon . He let her shadow him often, where she learned very quickly that she did not want to do oral surgery.
Dr . Littlefield is originally from Colorado, and one of her mentor dentists had a dental spa-like practice . Her original plan was to join him after dental school, but then she met her husband, and he lived in Oklahoma .
After two dispiriting years in corporate dentistry, where packed schedules and rigid policies left little room for passion or family, Dr . Littlefield knew she needed to leave and find a practice that aligned more closely with her values .
She originally wanted to join a practice, not become a solo dentist. Then a dentist with a small, 3-operatory practice suffered a stroke and was forced to retire and sell the business. At the same time, Dr . Littlefield had recently had another dentist withdraw from an offer.
Despite the situation not panning out, that office introduced her to Burkhart and her current Account Manager, Jason Corbin. As part of the bid to get her to join the practice, this dentist had his Burkhart Account Manager, Jason, call her to share a third-party perspective on the practice.
Above: Dr Littlefield counsels a patient Opposite: Office & Insurance Coordinators Brittany and Avery at the front desk
Top Left: Finished operatory interior featuring A-dec cabinetry Top Right: Tara Littlefield, DDS
Bottom: Dr Littlefield selected the color scheme for her operatory while touring A-dec with her Burkhart team Opposite Page: Vatech PaX-i 2D Panoramic
“Obviously, I wasn't a client of his at the time, and he was just so kind and so friendly. And then fast forward, my practice fell into my lap. We're starting to transition everything, and I'm like, 'Well, what dental company do you use?' And she's like, 'Oh, we use Burkhart, and we have an amazing rep; his name is Jason.' And I was like, oh, I wonder if this is the same Jason. And it was.”
That transition to her new practice began in August of 2022. At first, she didn't want to change too much. She had just taken over the practice, was seeing 60 patients a day, was a new dentist, and was still learning a lot.
However, it soon became apparent that change was needed. The cabinets and chairs needed an upgrade. The carpet was very old; the walls were dark.
“Jason comes to my office every two weeks, and essentially holding my hand through this process was amazing and not something I expected. I had no idea how helpful they would be, and I am so appreciative for that.”
Burkhart provided floor plans for the expansion from 3 to 4 operatories, plus a consult room, staff room, and a real office. The project became a full expansion and remodel, doubling the space from 1,000 to nearly 2,000 square feet. Her goals included creating a modern, spa‑like environment, improving staff workflow and amenities, and updating the space to meet current clinical and OSHA standards.
To help her decide on what equipment to purchase, her Burkhart Equipment Specialist Brandon Saas and Account Manager Jason flew her out to A dec to view the showroom and discuss her options. It was a big investment to decide to purchase A dec, but looking long term, she knew it was ultimately the right decision for her practice.
“Brandon and Jason talked me through that,” says Tara. They reassured her that Burkhart would assist with future moves if needed. Looking 5 10 years in the future, and she is paraphrasing here, “You might be ready to replace some things anyway, but we can literally pick it up and move it to a new place for you. That's the beauty of this equipment.”
“ They [Burkhart] truly went above and beyond...” says Dr. Littlefield
Thanks to the new office's unique H-shape design, Dr. Littlefield was able to keep seeing patients throughout the expansion.
They built out the new side with 3 operatories first, adding the second vertical of the H, while she continued to see patients in the original 3 - op space. Once the new side was operational, she moved operations there . At the end, there was a two -week shutdown for the sterilization flip into the new central location - the 'bar' of the H, joining the two sides together .
Dr . Littlefield worked with her Burkhart team to time the flip to align with a pre -planned international trip so she wouldn't lose any extra weeks . As with all builds, though, there was a snag: the risk that the A- dec sterilization center wouldn't arrive in time for the planned shutdown
Burkhart made it work: Brandon planned a temporary sterilization workaround, and the A-dec rep pushed behind the scenes to get the unit there on time. When she returned from her trip, the sterilization center was already installed, eliminating the need for a temporary setup
She describes a time when Jason and Brandon stepped in to solve an unexpected issue while she was overseas . Her contractor decided to demo the front desk early because he had the dumpster on site . Her office hadn’t cleared out the supplies from the desk yet because it wasn’t scheduled to be cleared . Jason and Brandon came and cleared out the desk themselves
“That's not their job, and it's not their fault that my construction guy decided to do something that he said he wasn't going to do . But what did they do? Jason got his khaki pants dirty . They truly went above and beyond, and that was something that I would have never asked or expected of them,” she marvels
After the flip, she worked out of the new side for the last few months while the old side was finished—separated by tarps . The contractor avoided noisy work while patients were in the building . By mid-August, the office was effectively fully functional, other than the final punch list
Top: Dental Assistant Melanie and Hygienist Melissa
Opposite & Below: Gold accents complement the design in the reception area
“Dr Littlefield had a vision, an expectation, and a goal She communicated those things to us and trusted the process The result was one of the most amazing offices we have done,” remarked Brandon Saas about the project .
Dr . Littlefield created her spa-like environment with amenities like alkaline water, weighted blankets, warm scented towels, lavender-scented hand sanitizer, Zen instrumental music, and noisecanceling headphones She does cosmetic bonding and Invisalign .
The office is filled with subtle touches, including natural earth tones, plenty of greenery, and a modern design that feels fresh without ever feeling sterile . Patients often say the space feels warm, welcoming, and instantly calming
“They truly go above and beyond to bring comfort to every person that walks into the office Tara, Sam, and the entire team made this one of the most memorable projects I’ve been a part of,” agrees Jason .
She recently added Botox in office and has longterm goals of bringing in other procedures, possibly with dental and facial laser treatments .
In addition, patients specifically seek her out because she is more eco-conscious and offers “cleaner,” lower-waste options while still practicing evidence-based dentistry . She emphasizes she is not a holistic dentist, but “falls in the middle”: eco-aware, respectful of patient preferences, and focused on reducing unnecessary waste while maintaining high clinical standards She intentionally reduces plastic where possible: she offers bamboo toothbrushes
and works to minimize plastic waste in the practice by eliminating the standard little plastic “goodie bags” for every visit, allowing patients to buy plastic bags if they really want them .
And she plans to stay with Burkhart, appreciating her Burkhart team:
“My husband and I live by just a very standard rule: be a good human . It's very simple . And like Jason and Brandon, they are just good humans . And I love to do business with good humans ."
To learn more about Littlefield Dentistry, visit
Growth in Texas
Burkhart Helps Build A New Practice on the Gulf Coast
Written By DAWN KAHL
Aaron Family Dentistry has been serving the League City community for over 45 years.
Dr . Eugene Aaron originally founded the practice in the early 80’s as a tiny, 3-operatory office . Today, his son, Dr . Kyle Aaron, proudly continues his legacy with a brand-new building .
When Dr . Aaron walked into his father’s practice as a new graduate in 2009, he wasn’t just joining a dental office; he was stepping into a legacy “I always wanted to work with him,” Dr . Aaron reflects . “He was my best buddy and my hero .” For nearly a decade, father and son worked side-by-side at the League City practice, which had grown steadily . What began as three operatories eventually expanded to five, and later, under Dr . Aaron’s leadership, to eight .
Today, that legacy has expanded once again In early January, Dr . Aaron and his team opened the doors to their brand-new, custom-built 15-operatory practice, a project years in the making and one he describes as both “weird” and wonderful . “It’s so much bigger,” he laughs . “I went from wearing dress shoes to tennis shoes because now I’m walking so much more ”
But behind the excitement lies a long, thoughtful process shaped by family history, patient-driven growth, modern technology, and a trust in the partnership with Burkhart to help bring the practice to life .
Dentistry wasn’t Dr Aaron’s first calling “Honestly, in the beginning, I wanted to do oncology,” he recalls Working in cancer hospitals gave him purpose, but also heartbreak . “You get close to patients, build a relationship, and then they would pass,” he explains . “I knew I didn’t want to deal with death . ”
He was drawn instead to dentistry’s long-term relationships and problem-solving After discovering that he was only missing one final science credit, Dr . Aaron enrolled in the course, completed his undergraduate studies, and was accepted into dental school in Houston . The goal was clear: return home and join his father’s practice .
“It was always the plan,” he says. “To be able to join him was awesome.
As a mentor, he was the best one I could have had.”
Dr Kyle Aaron
After dental school, Dr . Aaron balanced time between the family practice and a Medicaid clinic in Alvin, which he describes as a great skill and confidence-builder . Within about five years, the family practice was seeing significant growth . And when his father slowed down and ultimately retired during COVID, patient demand only increased .
Dr . Aaron added an associate when his father retired, and a few others followed There were staff changes throughout the years, but the biggest issue became physical space . “We were putting people out so far, and I hated that,” Dr . Aaron said . “In the old building, if one hygiene patient ran over, everything bottlenecked . ”
Dr . Aaron knew they needed to expand . He also wanted a space that could incorporate modern scanning technology, add private office spaces for
himself and his associates, and to add essential areas such as a staff break room, IT room, consult room, all within a design that would support the practice’s ongoing growth
The land for the new building carries its own piece of family heritage . Towering live oaks shade the property: trees Dr . Aaron’s dad and grandfather planted when they were young . When the first architectural drawings exceeded the allowed boundary by a few feet, the building had to be narrowed to protect those trees and the neighboring easement
“The city wouldn’t let you take down any tree,” Dr . Aaron recalls . “Especially a live oak . And we weren’t going to anyway .” The change tightened the main hallway, giving the building a long, slender feel, a layout that ultimately worked .
Though Dr . Aaron’s father had used various suppliers over the years, it was Burkhart that ultimately earned their long-term trust “All my dealings with Burkhart have been positive,” Dr . Aaron says . “The relationship had a lot to do with choosing them . Everyone sells the same chairs and cabinets, but not everyone works with you the same way . ”
For Dr . Aaron, that difference showed up everywhere: in collaboration with the builder, in the transparency of communications, and in proactive problem-solving .
Burkhart’s Service Technician Sergio Garza, who has worked with Dr . Aaron’s father since the 1990s, was especially integral .
“Sergio’s the man,” Dr. Aaron says.
“He’s been our go ‑to guy forever.”
Above: A complete operatory with DCI Edge chair and cabinetry Opposite Page: Floor, walls, and desk installations
Above: The large front desk in the reception area
Below: Reception area
It was Sergio who caught issues early — including a missing vent in the mechanical room that would have caused heat damage and failed inspection.
“On the final walk-through, I asked, ‘Shouldn’t there be a vent in that nitrous closet?” recalls Sergio . “There most certainly should have been . Without it, a burst hose could leak nitrous into the room and hallway . Calling it out wasn’t popular with the contractor, but it was the right thing to do . ”
“That was a good catch,” said Dr . Aaron . “It’ll make our equipment last a lot longer ”
“Every question he had, I tried to answer to the best of my knowledge, so he felt really comfortable . After
that, it was entirely a team effort to put that place in,” said Sergio
Despite delays from the builder and the city, Dr Aaron never felt stressed . “We were still fully functional in the old office, so the timeline didn’t crush us . Overall, it was a smooth process with the usual bumps . ”
The new practice features 15 operatories, with 13 currently in use, including 6 hygiene rooms and a spillover room The layout mirrors the flow of the old office, but on a much larger scale . Even the team’s transition has been smooth . “Every day it feels more like home . We’re not 100% settled yet, but we’re close . ”
Left: The digital technology includes a Vatech Green 18 CT and an iTero Lumina imaging system .
Next page: Front door to the new space .
When asked if he’d work with Burkhart again on another build or expansion, Dr . Aaron doesn’t hesitate . “I would definitely work with Burkhart again on a future project ”
For Dr. Aaron, the choice wasn’t just about equipment; it was about the people: a decades- long relationship, personalized support, responsiveness, and trust.
“Burkhart was helpful, personable, and Johnny-on-the-spot,” he says . “Everything was easy . ”
From three operatories to fifteen, the practice that his father opened in 1980 has grown into a thriving, modern facility
“We were lucky,” Dr . Aaron shares . “We never had to stop . The old office kept running, and the new one came together . And now we’re ready for the next chapter . ”
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A GUIDE TO Retirement Benefits for Your Practice
How to design retirement benefits to build wealth, reduce taxes, and support staff without turning plan administration into a second job .
Written by Financial Freedom for Dentists
For many practice owners, offering retirement benefits may be important, but can be confusing or become administratively burdensome Whether or not you choose to offer retirement benefits, it may be costing you thousands in missed tax-saving opportunities, hidden fees, and administrative time .
A strategically designed retirement plan is one of the most powerful wealth-building and tax-saving tools available for practice owners . It can also be a differentiator to attract and retain exceptional
Do I have the right type of retirement benefits?
Different plan types may fit different stages of practice growth Many dental practices follow a natural progression as their profitability increases: They start with a SIMPLE IRA and eventually switch to a 401(k) for greater savings potential . If desired, they can add a Profit-Sharing element or even a Cash Balance plan on top of their existing 401(k) plan .
team members in a competitive market Providing retirement benefits in your practice can boost staff morale, reduce their financial stress, and show you truly care about their financial future .
This guide reflects our experience helping dental practices design retirement benefits that work for them while not increasing their administrative workload
Every practice owner should ask themselves these 3 questions:
• Do I have the right type of retirement benefits for my practice?
• Are the fees I am paying reasonable and clear?
• Am I getting service that fits my needs and saves me time?
Your retirement benefits are like crown prep: the design matters, margins matter, and a poor fit becomes expensive and frustrating .
SIMPLE IRA
A strong starter option for dentists who recently purchased a practice and want to offer benefits with minimal administration and cost .
Safe Harbor 401(k)
As cash flow stabilizes and profitability improves, many owners transition to a 401(k) to unlock higher savings potential . IRS startup tax credits now offset setup costs for several years, making this a viable starter option as well
Add Profit-Sharing Plan
When additional discretionary income is available, tax-deductible Profit-Sharing contributions can be layered onto the 401(k) . The contributions only come from the owner and are optional each year, and the amounts contributed to owners versus their employees can vary based on staff demographics . A common goal is to maximize owner contributions while keeping employee contributions reasonable . These contributions are subject to a vesting schedule, encouraging employee retention .
SIMPLE IRA
Safe Harbor 401(k)
Add Profit Sharing Add Cash Balance
Add a Cash Balance Plan
If the owner wants to shelter more income, especially in higher tax brackets, a Cash Balance plan may be appropriate . These plans are more complex and work best with an experienced administrator and advisor team When implemented properly, they can significantly increase tax-deductible contributions .
PLANNING TIP:
If your spouse works in the practice (or supports it in a documentable way), consider asking your CPA about adding them to payroll so they can participate in retirement benefits too . This can significantly increase household tax-advantaged savings!
KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Are your current benefits aligned with:
• Your profitability
• Your tax bracket
• Your retirement timeline
• Your staff demographics
Am I getting service that fits my needs and saves me time?
Offering retirement benefits adds responsibilities to your plate that requires time and oversight . Hiring the right team of professionals to help with those responsibilities can keep retirement benefits at your practice running smoothly
Retirement Benefits Comparison Chart
One way to think about your support team for your retirement benefits is as a basketball team: each player has a unique, specific role, and weak performance in one area affects the whole team
After all, legendary basketball coach Pat Riley once said, “The key to teamwork is to learn a role, accept a role, and strive to become excellent playing it .”
• Plan Administrator
- Maintains IRS compliance
- Helps design and optimize your retirement plan
- Files annual tax form 5500
- Generates required notices to be delivered to employees
• Recordkeeper
- The online “hub” of your retirement plan
- Tracks transactions and contributions
- Integrates with your payroll system for automated contributions
- Processes account updates online (contribution rates, beneficiary updates, withdrawals, etc )
• Financial Advisor
- Selects and monitors investment options
- Evaluates retirement benefits design relative to your personal financial goals
- Provides personal, comprehensive financial planning for doctors
- Provides investment and financial advice for staff members
- Coordinates annual staff education & enrollment meetings
• Bookkeeper
- Updates payroll when staff members change how much they contribute
- Processes deposits into retirement plan accounts
• Custodian
- Holds the assets and provides investment brokerage services
Retirement benefits function best when each responsibility is clearly covered. Some practices attempt to operate without support in certain roles, which can lead to inefficient administration and frustration for owners and employees alike .
For example, if an office does not have a financial advisor to conduct annual education and enrollment meetings or to provide investment and financial guidance to staff, employees may be less likely to understand or utilize their retirement benefits . This can lead to lower appreciation of the benefits offered and frustration from unanswered questions . Partnering with a financial advisor helps increase employee engagement, ensuring the retirement plan is viewed as a valuable benefit and an effective retention tool rather than an afterthought
KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
• Who’s on your team?
• What responsibilities do you have?
Are the fees I am paying reasonable and clear?
While some fees are very clear and visible, some fees can be harder to spot . For example, in a recent fee analysis, a two-doctor practice believed they paid $2,000 in annual retirement benefit fees, but were actually paying almost $40,000 (Keep reading to see why!)
Offering retirement benefits can involve multiple service providers, and fees can be charged in multiple ways, sometimes making fees unclear . A proper analysis of your fees answers two questions:
• Who is getting paid?
- Plan administrator
- Custodian
- Recordkeeper
- Financial Advisor
- Investment product expenses
• How are they getting paid?
- Billed directly to your business bank account (Easily Noticeable)
- Deducted directly from retirement accounts (visible as transactions on statements) .
- Reducing your investment returns (common for mutual fund/ETF expense ratios; less noticeable)
Reviewing fee disclosure documents, account statements, and provider invoices together helps clarify total costs . When we do this analysis, we often break out the fees into:
• Asset-based fees (percentage of assets)
• Dollar-based fees (flat or per participant fee) .
Because payment structures vary widely, total cost is not always obvious . Below is a chart showing an example from the two-doctor practice previously referenced
Notice how all the asset-based fees in the chart below were reducing investment returns . Knowing exactly who you are paying and what you are paying them is essential!
KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
• How much are you actually paying in total fees (including the ones who are less visible)?
• Who are you paying fees to?
• How are your fees being paid?
The correct answers to each of the three overarching questions in this guide are unique to each practice and doctor .
Knowing the answers for yourself will keep you on track for your financial goals and provide you with peace of mind about your financial future . At Financial Freedom for Dentists, we help practice owners answer these questions As independent financial advisors and fiduciaries, we guide dentists toward solutions tailored to their practice and financial situation . Advisory services are offered through Financial Freedom for Dentists LLC, an SEC Investment Advisor All content is for information purposes only It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions Nor is it intended to be a projection of current or future performance or indication of future results Investing always involves risk and possible loss of capital Reach out today for your
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Outcomes without Compromise
Dental Water
Dental Anesthetic
Articaine HCl 4% and Epinephrine 1:100,000 Injection
Burkhart Dental Anesthetic is indicated for local, infiltrative, or conductive anesthesia in both simple and complex dental procedures.
• Rapid onset of anesthesia within 1-9 minutes
• Complete anesthesia lasts about 1 hour for infiltrations, up to 2 hours for nerve block
• 10% overage of epinephrine¹
• 24-month shelf life at room temperature
• Sodium edetate-free, methylparaben-free and latex-free
• Most common adverse reactions (incidence >2%) are headache and pain
• Each cartridge is sealed individually in the blister for maximum protection
24-Month Long Shelf Life
• Store at room temperature; 77°F (25°C), with brief excursions permitted between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C)
• Protect from light
• Do not freeze
Convenient Packaging
• Each cartridge is individually sealed for maximum protection up to the moment of use
• Cartridges packed 10 to a blister tray to avoid glass-to-glass contact
• Blister trays packaged in boxes of 50
Dosage & Administration – Adults (Ages 16+)
• For normal healthy adults, the maximum dose of Burkhart Dental Anesthetic administered by submucosal infiltration and/or nerve block should not exceed 7mg/kg (0.175 mL/kg) of articaine HCl
• Dosage should be reduced in elderly patients and in patients with cardiac or liver disease
Pediatric Patients (Ages 4 to 16)
• The quantity of Burkhart Dental Anesthetic in children ages 4 to 16 years of age to be injected should be determined by the age and weight of the child and the magnitude of the operation
• The maximum dose of Burkhart Dental Anesthetic should not exceed 7 mg/kg (0.175 mL/kg) of articaine HCl (see Use in Specific Populations). Use in pediatric patients under 4 years of age is not recommended
Important Safety Information
Care should be taken to avoid accidental intravascular injection, which may be associated with convulsions followed by coma and respiratory arrest. Local anesthetic solutions that contain a vasoconstrictor should be used cautiously, especially in patients with impaired cardiovascular function or vascular disease. Administration of Burkhart Dental Anesthetic results in a 3 to 5-fold increase in plasma epinephrine concentrations compared to baseline. However, in healthy adults, it does not appear to be associated with marked increases in blood pressure or heart rate, except in the case of accidental intravascular injection. The most common adverse reactions (incidence >2%) are headache and pain. Inform patients in advance of the possibility of temporary loss of sensation and muscle function following infiltration and nerve block injections. Instruct patients not to eat or drink until normal sensation returns.
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• Crack-resistant with rolled edges for easy sipping and a comfortable drinking or rinsing experience
• The horizontal embossing creates easy separation and a comfortable grip
• 1,000 cups per case
• Provides maximum absorbency
• Less adhesion to wounds for faster healing
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