Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube!  Understanding the impact of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) is critical for every office manager and dentist. My friend Dr. Tony Stefanou - the founder of Connect the Dents - is a solid resource in this area. Even if you’re not planning to join one soon you should know how they operate and grow. We can all learn from the different business models which operate around us. I asked Tony what piques a DSO’s interest and that led to a great conversation about practice valuations. Take some notes with this one!   We tackled ..read more

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube!  Great employees are worth their weight in gold. Managing them is usually the most taxing part of the job. Different personalities, different ages - all of it comes with pros and cons. My guests - Michelle Coker and Matt Nelson from the California Dental Association - help offices with these challenges every day. We unpacked the nuanced dynamics of workplace communication and the generational differences coloring today's dental practices. I hope it’s helpful!  We tackled these topics: Workplace Communication Onboarding & ..read more

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube!  It’s always fun to have Rachel Wall back for hygiene updates. She’s the founder and president of Inspired Hygiene and is my go-to for shedding light on the latest trends and products in dental hygiene. We tackled these topics:  The challenges of the various hygiene compensation models How a knowledgeable administrative team impacts patient communications Strategies for expanding service offerings in dental hygiene to keep pace with an evolving industry Newer treatments such as remineralization and enamel regeneration ..read more

SHOW NOTES: Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube!  Returning guest India Chance joined me for another infection control, bug-filled episode! She's the founder of Learn to Prevent and always teaches me something new. Sometimes I wish I didn't know it but it's important for our patients and practices. Some highlights from our talk: Infection Control and Compliance: Autoclaves - who knew they could be a hot topic? See what I did there? ? We talked tracking parameters for every autoclave cycle and how digital solutions are becoming the standard.  HIPAA Compliance: S ..read more

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube!  In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Bryan Laskin – a dental tech entrepreneur, an author and a good friend. He's been on before (Ep 76) and just like last time, the conversation flowed. Dentistry is changing behind the scenes. We think of progress as materials updates and faster scans. But what happens when the changes occur behind the scenes yet have such a huge impact on your job? Some highlights from our talk: Digital Transformation and Interoperability: We started by exploring the progression of dentistry from analog to digit ..read more

In this episode, I was joined by Andrew Johnston, co-founder of “A Tale of Two Hygienists,” and the man responsible for The Dental Podcast Network at Dental Economics. He's also a restorative hygienist. Also making an appearance was Editor-In-Chief at Dr. Bicuspid and my Chew On This Podcast co-host, Kevin Henry. We discussed some of the noticeable movements that have been shaking the current norms in the dental industry: Artificial Intelligence: We had to discuss the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its industry impact. From its potential applications in administrative tasks and cl ..read more

In this episode, we dive deep into the concerning issue of workplace violence in dental offices. I was joined by my friend Duane Tinker, a compliance consultant and former investigator for the Texas Dental Board. This episode is a bit more serious than usual but oh so important. Dental Office Safety: We discuss the duty of business owners to provide a safe workplace, the importance of contingency plans, and the potential legal ramifications they may face in case of violent incidents. We also touch on the delicate topic of carrying guns at work - you have to know your local laws and regulatio ..read more

In this episode, I was joined by Gary Bird, founder and managing partner of SMC National, to discuss changes in dental marketing strategies. We talked about many topics but really became animated when these came up: Video Marketing: Gary emphasized the importance of video in marketing, especially for promoting larger dental treatments. He discusses how high-quality videos can lower customer acquisition costs, build trust with patients, and address specific concerns of pediatric patients and their parents. He also explains how dentists who are camera-shy can use other staff members for their ..read more

It's a beautiful situation when a manager and dentist truly co-pilot the practice! It takes work to reach that balance though. For this deep dive into the manager-dentist dynamic, I gathered three dentists in different stages of their careers. They shared what worked and - more importantly - what didn't work. They also shared how they show appreciation for their team (hint: constant and sincere expressions work best). Laughs were definitely shared all around when discussing our missteps - learn from us! The best managers I've encountered are true vision partners in the practice. Dentists want ..read more

It's not often I can fangirl over one of my guests! Dr. Addison Killeen joined me to discuss the importance of systemization in dental practices and how it can transform the way we run our businesses. I've listened to him speak on these topics and am thrilled to share this knowledge with you. He believes that high levels of systemization and consistency lead to easier onboarding of new employees. We discussed the need for leaders to regularly evaluate and update their checklists and processes - things change! Addison also opens up about the challenges of dealing with potential theft and the he ..read more