Meetings That Matter: Turning Staff Time Into Practice Power

A dental team without effective meetings is like a GPS with no signal—lost, frustrated, and going in circles.

In this episode, Dana and Sandy dive into the often-overlooked power of consistent, structured team meetings. From setting agendas and reviewing stats to celebrating birthdays and avoiding gum-chewing drama, they lay out the exact formula for turning “just another meeting” into a high-impact tool for team alignment, accountability, and growth.

This episode is inspired by a post in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group (thanks, Heather!), and it answers all your questions about frequency, timing, food, and how to keep the meeting professional without turning it into a complaint fest.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Build consistency and trust through regular meetings
✅ Set a professional tone that encourages open communication
✅ Use stats to manage without micromanaging
✅ Create a clear agenda that respects everyone’s time
✅ Avoid common traps—like canceling because “one person’s out”

📓 Listener challenge: Pull out your calendar and mark team meetings for the rest of the year. Pro tip—choose the first Thursday (or another set day) of each month and make it a tradition!

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Key takeaways:

• Your calendar is your culture—pre-schedule meetings 12 months in advance.

• A great meeting starts with a plan, ends with accountability, and includes a little cake.

• Never use meetings to discipline—address policy violations 1-on-1.

• A facilitator keeps meetings on time and on topic.

• Phones off the table. Literally.

• Celebrating wins builds trust; structure builds momentum.

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🔊 Special thanks to our sponsors:
🦷 Plan Forward – Simplify and grow your dental membership plans with ease. Learn more at planforward.io
📣 Identity Dental Marketing – The industry’s go-to for branding, SEO, and growth. Discover how they can elevate your practice at identitydental.com

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📲 Join the conversation!
How do you run staff meetings at your office? Share your best tips or horror stories inside the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—we might just feature it in an upcoming episode!