Dental Practice Heroes

Validation might be the most powerful leadership tool you're not using. This often-overlooked skill—distinct from praise, problem-solving, or agreement—has the remarkable ability to transform your dental practice from the inside out.

When team members bring concerns or patients express frustration, our instinct as dentists and practice owners is to jump straight to solutions. But this approach misses a crucial step th...

Ever feel like your dental practice is an endless cycle of putting out fires, managing team drama, and squeezing in "just one more patient"? That overwhelming weight on your shoulders isn't just in your head—and you're definitely not alone in feeling it.

Dr. Paul Etchison breaks down the three fundamental stressors that make practice ownership feel impossibly heavy: team management challenges, operation...

Claims keep getting denied? Here’s a hard truth: it’s probably your fault. But in this episode, Dr. Travis Campbell shares everything he's learned about how to master the insurance game, get your denial rate under 2% and stop wasting hours on appeals.

His insights cover everything from the common reasons SRP claims get denied to the simple step that makes crown approvals almost automatic. We also talk about what insurance revie...

Leadership's echo effect shapes dental practice culture far more than we realize. As practice owners, even when we're not actively leading, our behavior creates rippling effects that influence team dynamics long after we've left the building.

True practice culture isn't what you declare in mission statements or team meetings—it's the accumulation of every feeling your team members have about workin...

You get it, you need to let go. But how do you actually step back, stop micromanaging and see what your team can really do?

In this episode, we share actionable ways to reduce your workload, delegate the right tasks, and leave work stress at the office. Learn how you might be getting in your own way and why letting your practice fail is the first step to real growth!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why letting go is so hard for ...

Discover the psychological key that unlocks patient follow-through with the endowed progress effect—a powerful concept that transforms how dental professionals communicate about treatment plans. This game-changing approach doesn't require changing your fees, procedures, or recommendations—just the way you frame patient progress.

Through a fascinating car wash punch card study, we explore why patients who feel they&apo...

Thinking about making your associate a partner? This episode will help you decide if it’s the right move for you and what other options you have to keep associates in your practice without giving up equity.

You'll learn the must-haves of a successful partnership, the common reasons they fail, and what to look for in a potential partner. Listen now to hear the benefits of partnership and why you might want to stay solo!

Topics di...

There’s an easy solution for patients who can’t afford treatment: membership plans. In this episode, you’ll learn how to structure your plan, price it so patients sign up, and get your team on board.

The DPH coaches share what’s worked in their practices and easy mistakes you can avoid, whether you're creating a plan or revamping one you already have. Tune in for tips to build a plan that keeps patients coming back and feels li...

Most owners manage the day-to-day; Dr. Sten Erickson is turning doctors into partners. He joins me in this episode to share how he stepped into a true leadership role and expanded his practice after leaving clinical work behind.

From scheduling weekly meetings across multiple practices to case reviews, we talk about the strategies and systems that help him get doctors ready to lead, drive culture, and grow a multi-location practice ...

Practice ownership doesn’t have to mean running an office or signing a lease. Dr. Jennifer Haddad designed her practice around a hybrid model that keeps her schedule and clinical decisions all within her control. In this episode, she shares how it works inside an existing practice, the benefits of this non-traditional path, and how she began building a brand before ownership. Tune in to find out if this model is right for the caree...

Feeling trapped in the operatory five days a week? Imagine reclaiming an entire workday without sacrificing income or patient care. That's exactly what today's episode delivers—a practical blueprint for dental practice owners who want to work smarter, not harder.

I break down five seemingly small schedule adjustments that combine to create massive efficiency gains. From the simple act of staggering assistant lunc...

Ever felt that mounting frustration when someone keeps crossing a line you never actually drew? That's exactly what happens in dental practices without clear boundaries. When you're constantly putting out fires, feeling resentful toward team members, or watching work bleed relentlessly into your personal time, it's not just about difficult people—it's about undefined limits.

The truth is uncomfortable b...

Why have dozens of DSOs collapsed? What’s the impact on the dental industry? And how can you protect yourself, even if you never plan to sell? Tune in to learn what’s really happening in the DSO market, and what YOU should look for if you're considering a DSO!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why so many DSOs are failing
• What investors look for in DSOs today
• 3 characteristics of an ideal partner
• Risks of the DSO business model
• ...

A sellable practice runs smoother, earns more, and stresses you less. But what does it mean to have a sellable practice? In this episode, the DPH coaches share the seven signs your practice is sellable and explain why you should build a sellable practice even if you never plan to sell. Learn how to increase the value of your practice, what metrics matter to buyers, and how long it takes to make a practice sellable. Tune in to find ...

Ever have one of those nights where you're exhausted but someone talks you into staying up anyway—and it turns into the most fun night ever? That's exactly what happened when my family convinced me to play our ridiculous Italian-themed drinking game called "Garlic and Oil" at the lake house.

The truth is that strong practice cultures aren't built through mission statements—they're created thro...

When’s the last time you reviewed your office policies? Regular check-ins keep your practice running smoothly and your team on the same page. In this episode, the DPH coaches share how they've updated their own policies to reflect today’s workplace, cut down stress, and avoid playing favorites.

Get tips on managing cell phone use, stopping patients who start recording in the chair, and creating policies that are fair to all emp...

What would happen if your entire dental team quit tomorrow? Rather than just a nightmare scenario, this thought experiment reveals critical insights about your practice's foundation. I share the story of a dentist who actually experienced this situation—when he laid out his vision for the practice and gave his team of seven the option to leave if they didn't align with it, five walked out. Surprisingly, this became one of...

You can be a great dentist and still struggle to grow — and here's why: your mindset. It's what keeps some practice owners stuck and helps others build the type of practice they want.

In this episode, find out how to shift out of "survival mode" and run your business instead of just working in it. From perfectionism and fear to day-to-day fundamentals, we discuss common mindset traps and habits that stall growth ...

Ever struggled with hygiene cancellations while simultaneously facing a backlog of patients desperate for appointments? You're not alone, and there's a brilliant solution hiding in plain sight.

What makes this approach so powerful is its triple benefit structure. Your practice maintains a more predictable schedule and improves productivity. Your patients gain more consistent access to care when they need it. And ...