Dental Practice Heroes

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 manage...

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...

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...

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 episo...

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...

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 y...

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 kee...

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,...

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 i...

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...

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. Th...

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 par...

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...

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...

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 creati...

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 ou...

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...

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 ca...

Ever feel like the stress of dental practice is overwhelming? Join us on Dental Practice Heroes as we sit down with the insightful dental life coach Chelsea Myers to explore how dentists can manage stress and avoid feeling trapped in their profession. Chelsea offers practical advice on setting boundaries between work and home life and emphasizes the importance of personal and professional growth....

How can you keep your team, grow your practice, AND reclaim your time? Discover how Dr. Ryan Bradley did all three without burnout, spending big on marketing, or micromanaging his team. We talk about what worked to reduce turnover through a merger, create work-life balance, and scale while cutting back clinical days. Tune in to learn how working less can actually help you grow your practice faster...

What does “biohacking” have to do with dentistry? For Dr. Peter Dinh, figuring out the root cause of his low energy and burnout changed the way he felt in his body and in his practice. In our conversation, he shares how functional medicine helped him heal hidden issues like leaky gut and low dopamine, improve his mental and physical health, and show up better for his team, his family, and himself....

Dental practice owners across the country face a mounting challenge—skyrocketing hygienist wages that strain traditional production-focused models. But what if obsessing over hourly production metrics is actually holding your practice back from its true potential? In this transformative episode, I reveal why the real value of your hygiene department extends far beyond cleaning teeth and covering o...

Nothing throws off your day like a surprise complication. When a surgical or dental emergency hits, how you respond is what matters most. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon joins me to share how we approach emergencies to keep our cool, make smart decisions, and lead our teams. We dive into emergency protocols, critical mindset shifts, and how to avoid unnecessary risk. Discover new ways to reset in...

You might be missing out on tens of thousands in tax savings and not even know it. But all that can change with the help of a dental CPA. Mike Bark of Bull Moose Financial joins me today to talk profitability, tax mistakes and strategies that dentists overlook far too often. We dive into the tax landscape of dentistry, explore what a good dental CPA can do for your practice, and unpack how shiftin...

Dental practice owners across the country are facing a critical challenge: how to continue growing when hygienists seem impossible to find. This shortage creates a frustrating bottleneck - you've got the new patients flowing in, your clinical skills are sharp, your systems are solid, but without adequate hygiene capacity, your practice hits a growth ceiling that feels impenetrable. The mathem...