The Dental Brief Podcast

Building a successful dental practice isn’t just about clinical skills, it’s about mindset, confidence, and having the right support. In this episode, Dr. James Sanderson shares his journey from dentist to mentor and reveals how adopting the right mindset and the right team can help you grow as a dentist, master new procedures, and thrive in your practice.

Here’s what they cover:
– The Biggest Challenges Dentists Face ...

Running a dental practice comes with endless challenges from insurance and billing headaches to patient confusion and team miscommunication. In this episode of The Dental Brief, host Patrick Chavoustie talks with Shelbey Arevalo of Elite Dental Systems about how dentists can streamline their operations and improve profitability. Shelbey shares practical strategies for optimizing financial systems, improving patient communication, a...

Struggling with messy, time-consuming implant restorations?

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr. Michael Lowe, creator of Tefball, who explains how this innovative tool is revolutionizing implant dentistry. Discover how it speeds up procedures and keeps every restoration cleaner and more hygienic for your patients.

Here’s what they cover:

– Dr. Lowe’s Journey: From Dentist to Innovator
– Why Tefball Was Create...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr Derek Giddon, founder of AirPay Dental who shares how automation can solve one of dentistry’s biggest admin headaches: Insurance verification. They discuss how practices of all sizes can save time, reduce errors, improve staff efficiency, and boost patient satisfaction using the latest technology.

Here's what they cover:
– The Challenge of Manual Insurance Verificatio...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr. Reed Faldet who shares how dentists can build wealth, control, and long-term cash flow by owning or investing in commercial real estate. From buying your first practice building to partnering on larger properties, they cover strategies that can help dentists stop renting, reduce risk, and create financial freedom.

Here's what they cover:

- Dr. Reed’s Journey: From Dentist...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr. Dan Butterman from Spear Education who shares insights from his 30+ years in dentistry on mastering clinical skills, improving case acceptance, and implementing systems. They discuss how Spear Education helps dentists elevate their skills, reduce stress, and achieve better patient outcomes.

Here’s what they cover:
– Dr. Dan Butterman’s Journey in Dentistry
– Common Ch...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Brenda McNulty from DSO FACTS who shares her 30+ years of experience helping dental practices streamline systems, hold teams accountable, and reduce stress. We explore the biggest challenges dental practice owners face and how to tackle them effectively.

Here’s what they cover:
– Brenda McNulty’s Journey in Dentistry & Leadership
– Top Challenges Dental Practices Face...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr. Lincoln Harris from RipeGlobal who dives into the challenges new dentists face after dental school and how to bridge the training gap. Learn how simulation, repetition, and mentorship can fast-track your skills and give you the confidence to thrive in real practice.

Here’s what they cover:

–Why New Dentists Struggle After School

–The Hidden Gaps in Dental Education

–The value of...

In this episode, host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Dr. Tyler Hales who shares insights many dentists overlook about the business side of dentistry. Learn decisions and strategies that can make or break your profitability, team efficiency, and long-term success. These tips will challenge the way you think about running a dental practice.

Here's what they cover:

– Why the business side of dentistry matters

– How different dental...

In this episode, Dr. Addison Killeen shares key lessons on leadership in dentistry. Learn how to guide your team, make confident decisions, and build a practice that runs smoothly without burning you out.

Here’s what they cover:

• Leadership mistakes dentists make.
• Mentoring and developing your team.
• Practical strategies to improve daily practice operations.
• Servant leadership and feeding your mind.
• Making impactful leadership decision...

In this episode, host Patrick is joined by Dr. Bradley Dykstra who shares strategies for growing and managing dental practices without burning out. Learn how to evaluate your practice, make smart expansion decisions, and optimize systems so your business runs smoothly even when you step away from the chair.

Here’s what they cover:

-Common mistakes dentists make when expanding

-How to evaluate if your practice can thrive long-term

-Smar...

In this episode, Patrick sat down with Eric Vickery, President of Coaching at All-Star Dental Academy, to tackle one of the biggest challenges dentists face today: case acceptance. They dive deep into the communication habits that may be holding your practice back, and how to guide patients toward saying “yes” without feeling pushy.

They break down practical strategies to improve your verbal skills, align your team, and grow yo...

This episode dives into one of the biggest challenges dental practices face today, keeping your best team members engaged and empowered. Host Patrick is joined by Robyn Reis from All Star Dental Academy, who shares practical insights on building a strong practice culture and managing your team for long-term success.

They unpack why so many practices struggle beyond just hiring shortages, the hidden risks of the “always-on” mentality...

This episode is about something every dentist faces but not enough talk about.

Host Patrick Chavoustie is joined by Lisa Grogan to unpack the subtle ways providers accidentally undersell treatment… and what to do instead. They dive into the mindset traps that cost practices revenue, why patients say “no” when they might actually mean “not yet”, and how one simple shift in communication can dramatically improve case acceptance.

Here’s...

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...