The Dental Practice Heroes Podcast

Tired of putting out fires all day? It’s time to start thinking like a CEO, not just a clinician. In this episode, Dr. Chris Green shares the systems that helped him cut down clinical days and lead like a CEO instead of just a manager.

You'll learn how he trains strong leaders, strategies you can use to address team resistance when you step back from the chair, and the first step every owner should take to start acting like the CEO of their practice. Hear what it takes to lead with less stress and more structure!

Topics discussed:

• The new challenges that come with practice growth
• Dr. Green’s biggest leadership mistake as a new owner
• Developing systems to lead instead of manage
• The structure that helped him reduce clinical days
• Core lessons in his 12-week leadership program
• Mindset shifts for cutting clinical days without guilt
• Strategies to keep associates happy and accountable
• Key metrics that show you’re ready for another associate
• How to easily cut down to three clinical days

Grab Dr. Chris Green’s book, The Plan, The Project, The Practice: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D37YZBKN/allbooks/

Learn more about Dynamic Dental Ascension:
https://dynamicdentalascension.com/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Ever notice how those last two painful reps at the gym are what actually build muscle? Dental practice ownership works exactly the same way. Growth happens precisely when you're tired, stressed, and want to quit—but push through anyway.

Dr. Paul Edgerson shares a deeply personal journey from being a 99-pound freshman football player who could barely bench the bar to building successful dental practices. The transformation didn't come from working harder, but from working smarter and pushing through discomfort. When he hired a trainer who taught him that growth only happens during those painful final reps, everything changed. This same principle applies perfectly to practice ownership.

Through vulnerable storytelling, Dr. Edgerson reveals how he faced the uncomfortable task of confronting an associate dentist about questionable clinical work, despite good production numbers and positive patient relationships. This courage to have difficult conversations, drop insurances with outdated reimbursement rates, delegate leadership responsibilities, and say no to energy-draining commitments represents the "last two reps" of practice ownership. These uncomfortable actions yield the greatest returns and differentiate growing practices from stagnant ones.

The podcast introduces a powerful framework for identifying what you're avoiding in your practice because of discomfort. Dr. Edgerson challenges listeners to "eat the frog"—tackle your most uncomfortable task first thing each day—and consider getting a "spotter" in the form of coaching or mentorship to accelerate growth. After all, you can't build strength without stress, and you can't build a better practice without embracing necessary discomfort. What uncomfortable conversations are you avoiding that might be keeping you from true practice freedom?

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Overwhelmed in ownership? You can’t fix everything at once, but today you'll learn where to start. Get back to the fundamentals — vision, numbers, and leadership — with simple steps that will help you get organized and out of survival mode.

The DPH Coaches share the seven metrics every owner should track, the checklists that keep you and your team accountable, and how to spend less time on tasks you don't enjoy. If you feel like you're drowning in problems or stuck in decision paralysis, this episode is for you!

Learn how to:

• Navigate the mental toll of ownership
• Define your “why”
• Align your culture with your vision
• Do a “stress autopsy”
• Track important data in your practice
• Keep your team accountable
• Make smarter decisions based on data

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Ever fantasized about bringing on an associate to handle all those difficult cases while you kick back and watch the profits roll in? That seductive vision—what I call "the associate illusion"—has lured countless practice owners into disappointment and financial stress.

The harsh truth is that associates rarely outproduce the owner, and without proper systems in place, adding another doctor simply amplifies your practice's existing problems. It's like adding more rowers to a leaky boat; you're still taking on water, just with more people watching it happen. Many dentists are shocked to discover they actually made more money as associates than they do as owners after hiring their own associates.

For the associate model to work effectively, four critical elements must align: cultural fit, longevity, production capability (minimum $650/hour), and case acceptance skills. The responsibility for creating this environment falls entirely on you as the owner. This means implementing scheduling templates, training your team on case presentation, and—most critically—providing consistent mentorship. I learned this lesson the hard way, watching my first two associates thrive under my guidance while subsequent hires struggled when I mistakenly assumed the process would run itself.

When done right, however, associates truly unlock freedom and scalability. Imagine working just 1-3 days weekly, focusing only on procedures you enjoy, and having the flexibility to adjust your schedule without six months' notice. I've built a $6 million practice working just one day weekly through systematization and associate development—not magic, but methodical implementation.

Ready to transform the associate illusion into reality? Start by auditing your patient demand (you need at least 35 new patients per doctor), systematizing operations, committing to mentorship, and considering junior partnership models that create long-term retention without sacrificing control. Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com to discover how we can guide you through this transformation and help you achieve the practice freedom you've always wanted.

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

You know what’s worse than not having an office manager? Having the wrong one. We all want that "perfect" hire, but perfect on paper rarely works in practice.

This episode explores what really makes someone the right fit, whether you're promoting from within or hiring from the outside, and how to set them up for success in their new role. You'll learn three important things: the trade-offs of hiring internally vs. externally, what you need to do before handing over the reins, and how to keep your practice running smoothly — with or without a manager.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why most outside hires fail
• The #1 onboarding mistake
• How to successfully promote internally vs. externally
• How to interview new office managers
• How to “build your bench"

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Feeling trapped on the dental treadmill? That plateau between $1-2 million in practice revenue isn't just common—it's a critical crossroads in your ownership journey.

Dental practice owners typically hit this wall after establishing their core team (usually two hygienists, two assistants, and two front desk staff), then find themselves unable to push beyond despite working harder clinically. The fundamental problem isn't your clinical skills or work ethic—it's that you've reached the ceiling of what one dentist can physically produce while simultaneously trying to run a business.

I experienced this firsthand when my practice hit $1.8 million back in 2015. Despite efficient systems and block scheduling, growth seemed impossible without clinical burnout. I was constantly trying to squeeze in one more same-day patient while lacking the energy to handle the essential business responsibilities. The breakthrough came when I realized that most dentists don't actually own a business—they have a really good job. A true business continues generating revenue when you're not physically present, while most dental practices stop producing the moment the owner stops performing dentistry.

Breaking through requires four transformative mindset shifts: transitioning from dentist to owner, building a leadership team, systematizing operations, and developing problem-solvers within your team. By implementing these changes, I was able to bring on my first associate, reduce my clinical schedule, and unlock unprecedented freedom—taking 18 weeks off last year while my practice continued thriving.

The path beyond $2 million isn't about working harder; it's about working differently. Ready to stop being trapped by your practice and start enjoying the freedom of true practice ownership? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com to schedule a strategy call and discover how our coaching can help you build the systems and leadership that create both profitability and freedom.

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Imagine losing a team member who's been with you for years. Beyond the obvious recruiting costs, you're facing a cascade of hidden consequences: the training burden on your remaining team, eroding morale as staff wonder if they should be looking elsewhere, and patients noticing unfamiliar faces at every visit. That's the reality of turnover, and it's far more costly than most dentists realize.

Drawing from my own practice experience—nine years of remarkable stability followed by a challenging period of departures after COVID—I've discovered that reducing turnover doesn't require complex systems or extravagant perks. It comes down to three fundamental principles that are surprisingly easy to implement but transformative in their impact.

Recognition sits at the heart of retention. When I committed to giving each team member two specific compliments weekly (what I call "filling buckets"), I was shocked to discover how many quiet contributors I'd been overlooking. Creating systematic appreciation—sharing patient reviews, implementing token recognition programs, celebrating achievements—transforms recognition from an occasional afterthought to a cultural cornerstone.

Regular one-on-ones provide the psychological safety team members need to express concerns before they become resignation letters. These structured conversations aren't just problem-solving sessions; they're relationship-building opportunities that demonstrate you value each person's perspective. I've consistently found that periods of team unrest coincided with lapses in these critical meetings.

Finally, investing in your team's growth and creating a workplace where people genuinely enjoy their colleagues builds remarkable loyalty. People will tolerate significant workplace challenges when they love the people they work with and feel they're continuously developing professionally.

Ready to transform your practice into one where people want to stay? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com to schedule a strategy call. We'll discuss your specific challenges and explore how our coaching program can help you build the team-driven practice that gives you more freedom, profitability, and peace of mind.

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Not everyone should be a leader. Not even your star employee. The DPH Coaches learned this lesson the hard way, and this episode unpacks what can happen when you put the wrong person in charge. You'll hear how to be proactive and get the right people in the right roles, the signs you may have promoted the wrong person, and why an outside hire might be the best move. Leadership is too important to get wrong, so don’t miss this one!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Early signs Dr. Henry’s new manager wasn't a leader
• What actually makes a good leader
• Internal hires vs. external hires
• Why internal promotions don’t always work
• How respect is earned in a practice

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

The sinking feeling of spotting a one-star review for your dental practice is something most of us know all too well. That pit in your stomach, the immediate defensiveness, the late-night rumination—it's a universal experience for dental professionals who pour their hearts into patient care. But what if everything we believe about the impact of negative reviews is wrong?

This eye-opening episode challenges conventional wisdom about online reviews by examining what actually happens when businesses face public backlash. Remember when everyone swore they'd never fly United Airlines again after the Dr. David Dao incident in 2017? The outrage was deafening—yet United's revenue actually increased that year. This surprising case study reveals a fundamental truth about consumer behavior: people care far more about their own experiences than someone else's story. Your patients judge you based on how you treat them, not on a stranger's angry review.

We dive deep into practical strategies for handling negative reviews and preventing them in the first place. Since roughly 90% of dental practice complaints stem from financial misunderstandings, clear communication about costs becomes essential. You'll learn why sometimes the best response to an unhappy patient is simply offering a refund—the sleep you'll gain is worth far more than the money you might lose. We also cover proven de-escalation techniques, how to craft professional responses to negative reviews, and why measuring meaningful practice metrics matters more than obsessing over star ratings. Whether you're currently dealing with review anxiety or want to prepare for the inevitable criticism that comes with business ownership, this episode provides both the perspective and practical tools to transform how you handle patient feedback forever.

Ready to create systems that ensure consistent, exceptional patient experiences? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com for a free consultation on building a practice that runs smoothly, profitably, and can easily withstand the occasional negative review.

GRAB THE FREE PLAYBOOK HERE - Discover 30 proven strategies top-performing dentists use to increase profits, cut clinical days, and finally enjoy the freedom they originally built their practices for.

https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/playbook

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams.

Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.