Dentists do not talk about embezzlement. Embezzling staff people don’t talk about it either.

We believe it is time to talk about embezzlement in dental practices.
We are encouraging all dental health care professionals to present a united front declaring a clear intention to stop all theft.  It is time to end an escalating problem.

Theft in dental offices is more serious and more rampant than you may think. 7 out of 10 dental practices have experienced, are currently experiencing, or will experience employee embezzlement. Many professionals believe their accountant is monitoring the books. Your CPA may not be able to detect theft in your office.  A CPA simply does not have the hands-on experience to identify theft in a dental office.  In most cases, the bookkeeper knows more about your practice and your dental practice management software than you or your accountant.

Theft is not limited to your accounts receivable.  Theft through payroll and accounts payable cost one dentist nearly $200,000. 

Often, employee theft begins innocently.  Opportunity combined with life’s hard knocks can lead a staff member to embezzlement.  It is that easy.

Let’s face it.  Life can be difficult.
Life’s uncertainties can affect our financial status and may tempt us to do things we would not normally do.  Temptations including computer error, posting errors, trusting patients, and the "no one’s looking” error can lead an otherwise honest person to dip into the till (your till) “just this once” with the intention of paying it back tomorrow.  But what if no one noticed?  Why pay it back if the small theft goes unnoticed?  What will prevent a staff member from stealing again and stealing more when the opportunity presents itself again?  Some dental software systems make the opportunity an easy one to create in an ongoing way.  Who is holding a staff member honorable?  Who is minding the store – your store?

The most seasoned and covert embezzlers are able to finance expensive lifestyles courtesy of your dental practice. Your practice may not be their first or their last target. Embezzlers move around, often to avoid being caught.  An experienced embezzler will alter her resumes to avoid contact between perspective employers and “questioning” past employers.  Once an embezzling staff person becomes accustomed to his or her increased income, it is difficult to live on taxable income alone.

Our Mission
To prevent theft by providing dentists with internal protection. We are the Honor Guard and we are your advocates to secure your checking accounts and your accounts receivable.

It is vital that all dental health care professionals present a united front declaring a clear intention to stop all theft. It is time to end employee theft and embezzlement in your profession!

The effects of theft are not localized to your immediate cash flow – there are many other at risk areas to think about:

• Long-term cash flow and ability to pay practice expenses on time
• Profit margin
• Your personal income
• Patient trust
• Patient retention
• Your practice value and the ability to sell your practice

For every $500 stolen in a practice with a profit margin of 40% you will need to produce $1,250 to cover the theft.

Why Honor Guard?
Through years of practice management consulting and repeated discoveries of theft we learned how to embezzle.  Cash is only one means of stealing your money.  Theft occurs using insurance benefits, and private payments. Occasionally patients are financing the theft.  Consider being told by your patients that you are being embezzled!