Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   What if we could identify hidden tooth cracks and structural damage before patients experience pain? In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Cherilyn Sheets to discuss InnerView AI, a dental diagnostic technology that helps detect cracked teeth, failing restorations, implant issues, and other hidden den...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Most dentists think insurance is just malpractice coverage until a cyberattack shuts down the office or a flood destroys expensive equipment. And on that note, a missed premium payment can leave the practice completely uninsured. In this episode, Jack McKinney from TDIC Insurance Solutions explains t...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Most dental patients think their only option is to pay out of pocket or rely on limited dental insurance, but what if thousands of dollars in treatment could actually be covered through medical billing instead?   Although I don't teach it, I keep up with its impact on dentistry. For many offices, med...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   What keeps great dental assistants loyal to a practice and why do so many leave? Julie Varney shares what dentists can understand about retention, respect, leadership, and building a team that wants to stay. We discuss career growth, communication, and what today's assistants actually want from the p...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Dentistry is changing fast and most practices are either adapting or falling behind. From rising costs and staffing challenges to new technology and shifting patient expectations, what used to work no longer guarantees success.   In this episode, I brought back my friend Ted Osterer from Synergy for...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   If your dental marketing still focuses only on getting found by Google, you're already behind because today your real audience is not just patients. It's AI deciding whether your dental practice deserves to be recommended at all.   The dental marketing strategy shift right now is that visibility is n...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Sometimes the most powerful management lessons come from honest conversations with dental professionals who are navigating the same challenges every day.   I'm sharing two recent post-lecture conversations that revealed common leadership struggles. One attendee shared how exhausted she felt in her ro...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   This episode with my friend Michelle Affanato breaks down what truly makes a great dental office manager, especially for those promoted from within or stepping into the role for the first time. We get honest about the realities of new manager energy ranging from being handed a title without training...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Dental practices are being stretched thinner than ever, but the solution isn't just hiring more people. It's learning how to better use, train, and trust the team you already have.   In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Singleton - assistant extraordinaire -  to discuss how dental practices can ad...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Does dental billing feel harder than it used to? You're doing the same work, but claims stall, rules change, and nothing seems consistent anymore. My friend and Dental Revenue Network member Brooke Bird joins me to break down why that's happening.   The rules keep changing, knowledge is scattered, an...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   What will dentistry really look like in 2026? Teresa Duncan and Kevin Henry cut through the noise to unpack the economic, workforce, insurance, and technology trends that will shape dental practices sooner than many expect.   They take a data-driven look at trends such as persistent staffing shortage...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Most dental practices don't struggle because of dentistry but because of what happens behind the scenes.   Practice management is rarely taught even though it controls profitability, team morale, and long-term growth. My friend Olivia Smith shares insight and stories of her clients' misses and wins....

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter Did you know that throwing away a simple "education letter" from an insurance company could be the first step toward an audit seven years later? Or that hiring a team member without checking the exclusion list could label your practice "radioactive" and cut you off from federal funding? Many dental pra...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Leading employees can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step and morale, productivity, or trust can explode. But great leaders are not born with the ability to navigate tough personalities. They learn the strategies, communication skills, and mindset shifts that turn conflict into cons...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter Your practice might look efficient, but what if unnoticed expenses are quietly draining thousands from your bottom line each year?   My friend Adam Smith talked with me about the hidden costs that most dental offices overlook and how small changes can make a big difference. Everyday expenses like merch...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Dental school prepares you to save teeth but not for the life that comes with it. The truth is, most dentists are blindsided by what happens once the drills are down: confusing insurance contracts, shrinking reimbursements, rising debt, and the daily challenges of managing people. In this conversatio...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter In this special takeover episode, Ashley Bond shares why dental billing isn't a solo job, it's a team sport. When hygienists, assistants, and front office staff work in sync, claims get paid on the first try. Clinical notes play a critical role here; detailed SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessme...

Dr. Bicuspid Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry joins me to discuss some crazy current events! A California dentist has been sentenced to 75 years to life in state prison after what prosecutors called a "reign of terror." The man's crimes included multiple sexual assaults against five female patients and an extern, with victims ranging in age from 19 to 73. Prosecutors said he treated the women "as his p...

Every year, I attend Converge, the annual conference of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). It's where I explore the latest issues and challenges faced by carriers and providers. I've watched the evolving partnerships between carriers and DSOs and observed the increase in network leasing concerns, I wanted to share my observations with you. I listened to compliance updates, discussed...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Lessons Patients Taught Me The Hard Way   Some of the most powerful lessons in dentistry don't come from textbooks or training, but from real-life patient encounters that test your patience, humility, and adaptability. In this episode, I reflect on situations where patients pushed me out of my comfor...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Did you know a single ransomware attack can cost a dental office six figures or shut it down entirely? A small dental practice is an ideal target for a cyberattack easy to overlook, often underprotected, and rich with valuable patient data. Teresa Pichay (returning guest!) and Katie Fox from the Cali...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Did you know 80% of dental claim denials can be overturned with the right strategy? I love meeting fellow insurance nerds! My time with Dr. Christie Bateman was packed full! She shared how to master PPOs, Medicare Advantage plans, and complex prior authorization rules while protecting your bottom lin...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Modern office managers lead through clarity, culture, and connection not control. My longtime friend and colleague Lorie Streeter joins me for a frank conversation about the lessons we've learned over the years.    Micromanagement is everywhere, and dental teams are evolving whether leaders are ready...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   Is the secret to more dental case acceptance hiding in plain sight right inside your own team?   If you've ever wondered why some patients freeze at the mention of treatment costs, or how to handle those moments when someone starts Googling your every word from the chair, you're not alone. In this ep...

More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter   What if your child's speech or chewing could give you clues about hidden developmental delays?   Did you know that your child's visit to the dentist could hold hidden insights into their overall development? Join host Teresa Duncan and guest Ann-Marie DePalma as they unravel the fascinating connectio...