The Dental Brief Podcast

This episode gets personal. Host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Brandi Hooker Evans to explore the often-ignored emotional side of dentistry.
They talk about the real reasons patients avoid care, how shame shows up in the dental chair, and what providers can do to shift from judgment to partnership.
Whether you’re trying to improve patient trust, reduce no-shows, or just connect more deeply with the people you serve. This ...

We’ve talked about AI in dentistry before, but not like this.

In this episode, Patrick is joined by Dr. Shervin Molayem, periodontist and co-founder of Trust Dentistry AI, to dive into how artificial intelligence is changing treatment planning and what dentists need to know to stay ahead. They cover real-world use cases, from clinical decision support to patient communication, plus where AI helps and where human expertise still matt...

Ever thought about dropping insurance plans or going fee-for-service but weren’t sure if it’s worth the risk?

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Shelly VanEpps from Allstar Dental Academy to break down exactly what dentists need to think about before making that call.

They’re not just talking theory, it's real-world stuff every growth-minded practice should consider.

Here’s what they cover:

• Why Patient Exper...

You already know dental insurance is a pain but do you know how much it’s really costing you?

In this episode, I’m joined by Shreyas from Daydream Dental to talk about the real financial impact of billing bottlenecks, the admin burden your team silently carries, and how AI (when used the right way) can help you reclaim your revenue and your sanity.

Here’s what we cover: How much money practices lose to poor collections (it’s more tha...

In this episode, host Patrick is joined by Dr. Anjali Rajpal, a Beverly Hills dentist who opened her own practice in the middle of the COVID chaos and made it work.
They talk about what it really looks like to go out on your own, build a brand around your personal energy, and navigate today’s evolving dental workforce.

Here's what they dig into:
 – How she left an associate role to start her own practice
 – How COVI...

If you’re dealing with team drama, low morale, or constant staff turnover… this one’s for you.
In this episode of The Dental Brief, I chat with the always-brilliant Julie Parker from Dental Business Mastery about a simple daily habit that can completely shift how your dental team shows up and sticks around.

Julie shares some seriously actionable ideas, like:
 ✅ The 4 daily questions that boost team engagement
 ...

In this episode of The Dental Brief Podcast, Dr. Addison Killeen shares the #1 mistake that leaves dental chairs empty and how building genuine, personalized connections with your patients can change everything.

From remembering major life events to asking intentional personal questions before treatment, Dr. Killeen breaks down how a more human approach creates loyalty, more Google reviews, and a steady stream of referrals...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie dives into one of the most shocking threats facing dental practices today: embezzlement. Patrick sits down with David Harris, CEO of Prosperident, the nation’s leading dental embezzlement investigation firm, to uncover how these crimes happen, why most dentists miss the warning signs, and what you can do to protect your practice.

About the guest: David Harris may...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie welcomes Lane Rizzardini from SleepApneaLeads.com, for an eye-opening conversation about why most dental sleep apnea programs don’t deliver results and how AI is changing everything. Lane explains how their AI texting agent  “Sarah” is helping practices respond to leads instantly, 24/7, and increase conversion rates by up to 8x. 

If you're a dentist, office ...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, we welcome back Open Dental expert Brittany Rogers from SKF Practice Solutions and she’s dropping serious knowledge on how dentists are leaving thousands on the table without even knowing it. 

Brittany shares how one dental practice uncovered $60,000 in missed insurance claims, all by using one overlooked feature inside Open Dental. If you're a dental practice owner or office manag...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie and guest Dr. Bryan Laskin uncover the costly systems holding dental practices back and reveal how connected dentistry is changing everything. From broken data flow to patient engagement gaps, learn how platforms like ToothApps and CAIR are helping dentists modernize, improve care, and operate more efficiently.  

About the guest: Dr. Bryan Laskin is a Minnesota dentist and...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, Patrick Chavoustie and guest Mandy uncover the costly systems, third-party programs, and outdated processes that many dentists are still paying for — without even realizing how much it's costing them. 
Discover how to:
-Reduce or eliminate processing fees
-Take control with in-house membership programs
-How to gain clarity and take control of your expenses
-Save thousand...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by dental practice consultant Melinda Hereford to break down the hidden chaos in many dental offices—and how to fix it. They dive into the real meaning of efficiency vs. effectiveness, how to implement SOPs that actually work, and why streamlining your systems leads to higher profits, better teamwork, and improved patient care. 

About the guest: Melinda Hereford ...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, returning guest Jay Malik of Less Tax for Dentists shares timely insights into how dentists can reduce their largest hidden expense—taxes. Jay and Patrick discuss the impact of changing tax laws, how to prepare for economic uncertainty, and why taxes—not payroll—may be your biggest cost. Whether you're looking to recession-proof your practice or increase your profits, this episode is packed...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie sits down with Tamara Stillwell, VP of Operations at United Dental Co-Op, to explore an innovative solution to a growing challenge in dentistry: providing affordable care while maintaining profitability without relying on traditional insurance models. Tamara explains how co-ops are helping patients receive transparent, affordable care, while giving dental practices predic...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie sits down with dental real estate expert Ryan Zeman to share valuable insights on how dentists can continue to earn from their real estate through strategic partnerships and syndication models, even if they no longer want to manage properties themselves. They discuss the growing trend of sale leasebacks, how to diversify and scale with dental-specific real estate, and how...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie sits down with Rebecca Herring to explore how virtual assistants are revolutionizing dental practice management. Rebecca shares her personal journey from growing up in a dental family to leading a multi-location practice through the challenges of hiring and staffing after COVID. Discover how hiring VAs not only doubled production and reduced open chair time, but also reac...

 In this episode of The Dental Brief, Patrick Chavoustie sits down with Scott Manning to discuss the power of authority in dentistry. Scott shares expert insights on how dentists can position themselves as trusted leaders, attract high-value patients, and create a premium patient experience. From branding strategies to pricing models and marketing pitfalls, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for growing a successful...

In this episode of The Dental Brief, Patrick Chavoustie chats with AI expert Chad Wooters about the real impact of AI in dental practices. From AI-powered chatbots improving patient communication to sleep apnea detection and automated marketing, discover how dentists can leverage AI to save time and boost efficiency. Plus, learn about the risks and ethical concerns every practice should consider.  

About the guest: Chad Wo...