The Dental Practice Heroes Podcast

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 mathematics behind this problem are straightforward but concerning. A full-time hygienist seeing seven patients daily for four days weekly can accommodate 672 patients on a six-month recall schedule. For practices bringing in 80-100 new patients monthly with strong reappointment rates, a single hygienist reaches capacity within just eight months. This reality forces practice owners to make difficult decisions about resource allocation.

Beyond simply raising compensation to attract scarce hygiene talent (though that may be necessary), savvy practice owners are deploying creative solutions: becoming more selective about recalls and building robust ASAP lists; extending recall intervals beyond the traditional six months for appropriate patients; restructuring patient flow to route new patients directly through doctor exams with same-day dentistry opportunities; and implementing assisted hygiene models to increase capacity. Each approach has merits and challenges, but combining these strategies can help practices continue growing despite staffing limitations.

Remember that transparency with patients about industry-wide staffing challenges helps manage expectations, and consider that new patients often represent a population with greater immediate treatment needs than established patients who already receive regular care. By implementing these five practical solutions, you can continue growing your practice, serving your community effectively, and maintaining the profitability that supports your ideal lifestyle.

Ready to implement systems that create freedom and profitability in your practice? Visit dentalpracticheroes.com to learn more about our training programs designed specifically for practice owners who want more time off while maintaining exceptional income.

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Big growth isn’t reserved for in-network practices. Dr. Andrew Kokabi has built more than just a thriving fee-for-service practice — he’s built a reputation as a trusted business that gives back.

In this episode, he explains what it means to be a community-driven practice and how this approach has helped him grow without relying on insurance. He also shares his best community initiatives, including one that cost nothing to launch but continues to generate trust and referrals. Don't miss this one — he’s got some ideas on service and leadership that you’ll want to try!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why Dr. Kokabi wanted a fee-for-service practice
• Early challenges and hiring lessons
• Growing from 3 to 11 operatories
• How they became a community-driven practice
• Strategies to build up your reputation
• The mindset that will hold you back

Learn more in Dr. Andrew Kokabi’s book, The Community Focused Dentist!
https://drandrewkokabi.com/book

Connect with Dr. Andrew Kokabi:
https://drandrewkokabi.com/
http://brookhavenfamilydentistry.com/

Call (770) 451-0611 to book Dr. Andrew Kokabi for your event!

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Every dentist dreads it: the day a case turns into a lawsuit. And often, it’s not the actual dentistry that gets you.

In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon gets candid about a worst-case scenario he’s facing in real time. He shares what mistakes opened the door to litigation, and the steps every dentist can take to avoid the same fate. You’ll learn best practices for case management, tools for documenting consent, and how to use the CANDOR process to resolve issues before they escalate.

Don’t wait for a lawsuit to test your systems — find out what to fix now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The missteps that lead to a lawsuit
• Why relationships and follow-ups matter
• When and how to initiate the CANDOR process
• Navigating the CANDOR process
• How to protect yourself from litigation
  
  

Get more information on the Colorado Surgical Institute:
https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com/

For Taher's Informed Consent Forms mentioned in the episode.  Click Here

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Great dental practices share one essential quality: exceptional team communication. Yet many offices struggle with ineffective meetings that drain energy rather than build momentum. Drawing from 13 years of practice management experience, I reveal how my team transformed frustrating, head-spinning meetings into productive sessions that actually strengthen our culture.

Remember when your practice was small and communication seemed effortless? Those casual, unstructured catch-ups worked beautifully until your team grew beyond 7-8 people. Suddenly, meetings became chaotic—discussions wandered aimlessly, people disengaged, and you left feeling more confused than when you started. Sound familiar?

Through years of trial and error, we've discovered five game-changing elements that revolutionized our team meetings. These strategies have transformed our meetings from dreaded obligations into powerful tools for team alignment and practice improvement. The results speak for themselves: team members leave feeling connected and energized rather than drained and frustrated. You'll discover practical ways to implement these changes regardless of your practice size or current meeting structure.

The quality of your team meetings directly reflects the health of your practice culture. If your meetings aren't currently building that culture, it's time for a meeting makeover. Try these proven strategies and experience the difference a well-structured meeting can make in your practice's communication, collaboration, and overall performance.

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Trust should be the plan before the treatment plan. It’s the foundation behind case acceptance, retention, and referrals — the things that actually grow your practice.

In this episode, we dive into strategies for building trust in the day-to-day, common mistakes new dentists make, and how to ease patients into seeing a new provider without losing them. You’ll learn how to make a great first impression, discover a hack for stress-free follow-up calls, and hear what really keeps patients coming back!

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

One bad case can haunt you longer than a bad hire. But what’s really more unpredictable — the patient in the chair or people in your practice? This episode debates what causes more stress: clinical work or the business of running a dental practice. The DPH coaches share their experiences on both sides of dentistry and how they reduce stress in clinical procedures and day-to-day operations. This is a practical listen for building more confidence and predictability into your day!

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

What if working less could actually make your practice more profitable? Dr. David Maconi proves it's not just possible—it's achievable for committed practice owners willing to challenge conventional wisdom.

Whether you're burning out from too many clinical days or simply curious about creating more flexibility in your practice, this conversation provides actionable strategies for working smarter, not harder. Join us to discover how strategic staffing, targeted marketing, and a willingness to challenge dental practice norms can transform both your business and your life.

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Are your front desk team members constantly asking for more help? In this revealing episode, I tackle the challenging question every dental practice owner faces: when should you hire more administrative staff versus improving your systems?

I walk through practical solutions I implemented during COVID when my team was drowning in new protocols and administrative burdens. Rather than immediately hiring additional staff, we automated patient check-ins, digitized forms, and streamlined communication processes. The results were transformative - not only did we handle the increased workload without adding headcount, but we created a less stressful environment for our existing team.

Ready to transform your front desk operations? This episode delivers actionable insights to help you build a more efficient, profitable practice without unnecessarily expanding your payroll. Your administrative team - and your bottom line - will thank you.

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real problem in dentistry. But why? Join us as we dive into the growing issue of burnout and how you can find joy in your career again. You'll get strategies for combatting burnout, learn how to manage the stress of practice ownership, and understand the key mindset shifts that make all the difference in your workweek. These insights will help you step back from the chaos and make changes that reduce stress and prevent burnout!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why is burnout on the rise?
• Mindset shifts to overcome burnout
• Balancing roles as owner and clinician
• Strategies to manage stress and avoid burnout

Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))

Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!

Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life

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

Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice:

• Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management
• Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most.
• Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey.
• Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly.

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