Podcasts about cbct

The Making Of Evelina Smiles | Front Desk, Floors, and Soft Opening Strategy with Dr. Rich ConstantineIn this episode Ashley catches up with Dr. Rich Constantine after a few weeks away and gets a full update on everything happening at Evelina Smiles. From hiring the front office team to finally solving the herringbone flooring saga, to insurance decisions and the philosophy that is shaping how Rich is building his team this time around, this episode is packed with real, in the moment startup updates.What You'll Hear In This Episode:The Herringbone Floor Update Remember the flooring drama from a few episodes back? Rich's team found a machine that could finally cut the planks the way they envisioned. The floors look incredible and prove that sometimes the answer really is just more elbow grease.Building The Front Office Team First Rich hired two full time front desk administrators right out of the gate, both former assistants, so they can speak clinical language and step in when needed. He explains why splitting check in and check out responsibilities matters so much in a larger office and why he wanted them trained up together before adding the clinical team.Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast Rich shares an update on his favorite phrase from training. This time he is intentionally building in time to coach his team, role play patient conversations, and make sure everyone is on the same page before opening the doors. He breaks down why confused patients do not commit to treatment and why getting the team aligned matters more than speed.Construction And Equipment Status Six operatories are fully equipped. Chairs, sterilization, cabinetry, and CBCT are all in. Scanners and the handheld x-ray unit are still on the way. The parking lot needed an unexpected redo and furniture is being timed around construction completion.Schedule And Sedation Plans Rich shares his initial hours, Monday through Thursday from 8 to 5, and his plan to reserve Fridays for longer procedures and sedation cases once he is solo. He also talks about why he works with a CRNA group for sedation rather than managing it himself.Dropping Delta Dental Rich shares his reasoning for stepping away from being in network with a major insurance plan and how comparing the membership plan cost to typical payroll deductions made the decision clear.The Membership Plan Breakdown Rich walks through how his membership plan works through Clerri, including the 20% discount structure, how clear aligners are included, and why tracking a membership plan is the real challenge, not setting one up.Hiring Challenges In This Job Market Ashley and Rich get honest about no shows, ghosting, and how different hiring feels compared to his their startup. He also shares how leaning on a consultant's team member helped streamline some of the interview process.Connect with Ashley: Instagram: @ashleyjovesddsConnect with Rich: Instagram @dr.c_smiles or richconstantinedds@gmail.comThank You to Our PartnersNet32: The dental marketplace that helps practice owners stop overpaying for supplies. Compare and save at net32.com/themakingof.Studio 8E8 — Dentistry's story-driven growth agency for startups. s8e8.com/vslKasper Opportunity Finder: Fill those empty chairs and reclaim lost revenue with one click. Get it free at meetkasper.com/register.Support the showFind Out MoreThank you for listening to The Making Of podcast. If you enjoyed it, please share with anyone you think will gain value from the show by clicking on one of the sharing tabs above.SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER HEREAlso, please consider leaving an honest review on iTunes. It helps other listeners find the show, and I would be forever grateful.Questions or comments? Feel free to contact us at - themakingofadental@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram or Facebook and improve your dental practice every day!Have you subscribed? Don't miss a single episode!

Digital workflows are changing how dentists select, plan, monitor, and communicate clear aligner treatment. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis, private practice dentist and clear aligner educator, to discuss how digital workflow innovations are transforming aligner treatment in 2026.You will learn how to evaluate aligner case complexity, monitor tracking and compliance, use auxiliary techniques, manage retention protocols, and think about aligners as part of a broader functional and preventive approach to dentistry. To understand how to make aligner workflows more predictable and practical in your practice, listen to Episode 1059 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Clear aligners have expanded from simple aesthetic cases to more complex Class II, Class III, surgical, and multidisciplinary treatment plans.Case selection should include evaluation of occlusion, arch form, profile, crossbites, growth status, recession, and bone support.CBCT, STL files, and complete diagnostic records give doctors better control and confidence when planning aligner treatment.Monitoring appointments should focus on aligner fit, attachment integrity, tracking gaps, programmed IPR, and occlusal contacts.Patient compliance remains essential because aligners generally require 22 hours of daily wear.Auxiliary techniques such as buttons, elastics, TADs, and bootstrap mechanics can improve movement predictability in moderate and severe cases.Retention protocols should account for occlusal stability and patient compliance, especially when deciding between clear retainers and lingual wires.Snippets:00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro02:11 Meet Dr Mari Jose03:14 Aligners In 202605:24 Case Selection Basics06:55 Monitoring And Tracking10:37 Doctor Coaching Support11:13 Micronutrients And Compliance13:03 Retainers And Stability14:45 Aux Techniques And Elastics16:32 Posterior Open Bite Causes18:24 Retainer Wear Schedule19:52 Future Of Aligner Care22:20 Final Tips And Records23:14 Contact Info And Spark24:28 The Exchange Event Preview25:00 Final thoughts on case selection, auxiliary techniques, and live case alignment.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis is a dentist in private practice in San Jose, Costa Rica. She has worked with clear aligner therapy through Invisalign and Spark and focuses on digital dentistry, aligner workflow, case selection, clinical monitoring, and doctor education.In this episode, she discusses Spark, Vista aligners, TruGen XR material, one-on-one clinical support, and her upcoming presentation at Smile Exchange on case selection, clinical complexity, auxiliary techniques, and live case review.Resources mentioned:mariajose.blanco@envistaco.comDiscount code for the smile exchange: JOSEBLANCO26https://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

DWD Team interviews Robert Hawkins with Aurum Ceramics Dental Lab on the Face 4D Dental Studio.

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Jay Reznick, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and one of North America's earliest adopters of fully-guided, prosthetically-based implant surgery. Trained at Tufts, USC, and L.A. County-USC Medical Center, Dr. Reznick holds both a DMD and an MD — and has spent the last two decades at the forefront of 3D digital technology in dentistry, becoming the first specialist in the U.S. to integrate CBCT and CAD/CAM into clinical practice. He is a co-founder of OnlineOralSurgery.com, a leading educational platform for practicing dentists seeking to expand their surgical skills, and a frequent lecturer and live-course instructor for dentists around the world. The conversation draws on his extensive clinical and teaching experience, exploring the evolution of implant surgery, the impact of digital workflows, and what it takes to bring advanced surgical techniques into everyday dental practice.   Episode #1705 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Jay Reznick — oral and maxillofacial surgeon, DMD, MD, and one of the true pioneers of digital implant surgery in the United States. The first specialist in the country to integrate CBCT and CAD/CAM in practice, Dr. Reznick has spent two decades teaching dentists around the world how to think bigger, operate smarter, and deliver better surgical outcomes.

In this episode of Endo Voices, Dr. Marcus Johnson sits down with outgoing AAE President Dr. Steven Katz for an honest and reflective conversation about leadership, mentorship, and the future of endodontics. From his early days on the Public and Professional Relations Committee to leading one of the most visible years in AAE history, Dr. Katz shares the experiences that shaped his presidency, including the organization's expansive media outreach, the evolution of the Worth Saving campaign, and the development of the updated CBCT position statement and trauma guidelines.Together, they explore the importance of servant leadership, the role of mentorship in organized dentistry, and how endodontists can continue to make meaningful contributions to the specialty at every stage of their careers. Dr. Katz also offers thoughtful insight into the challenges facing the profession—from educator shortages and student debt to the growing influence of AI—while emphasizing the enduring value of humanity, connection, and giving back.Episodes of Endo Voices may include opinion, speculation and other statements not verifiable in the scientific method and do not necessarily reflect the views of AAE or the sponsor(s). Listeners should use their best judgment in evaluating the merits of any content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello voices from the bench community, John Wilson here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, Ivoclar's new PrograMill 7. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you. At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn't have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it's not just about seeing what's new—it's about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn't hurt either. Mallorca, Spain. exocad Insights 2026 Three completely different conversations somehow all landed on the same theme: digital dentistry keeps getting smaller, smarter, and way more connected. First up, the crew catches back up with digital designer and educator Marjorie de Andrade, who went from Brazil to New Zealand chasing opportunity, only to end up building a global career through remote design, social media, and education. Marjorie talks about creating the Mastering exocad course, freelancing for dentists around the world, and why finding purpose through teaching became more important than simply designing crowns. She also shares thoughts on the newly announced exocad Hub, remote collaboration, and how digital dentistry is making communication between dentists and technicians easier than ever. Then the microphones turn to Dr. Dwight Pate for one of the most workflow-heavy conversations the podcast has ever had. From hand waxing cases the old-school Dawson and Pankey way to designing provisionals and controlling full-mouth rehabs completely through exocad, Dr. Pate breaks down how he combines analog principles with digital workflows. The discussion dives deep into occlusion, provisionals, articulators, guided workflows, AI design, and why he believes digital dentistry still has to prove itself back in the analog world before it ever reaches the patient's mouth. Finally, the crew reconnects with Dr. Eimear O'Connell to talk about why clinicians need to attend events like Insights just as much as technicians. Eimear shares how digital workflows are improving communication between doctors, labs, and patients while making implant planning, dentures, and aesthetic dentistry more predictable than ever. From digital dentures that fit with almost zero adjustment to helping patients emotionally reconnect with their smiles, the conversation reminds everyone that behind every scanner, workflow, and software update is still a real person whose life changes because of dentistry.Special Guests: Dr. Dwight Pate, Dr. Eimear O'Connell, and Marjorie de Andrade .

Learn how to recognize the different types, key symptoms, and how advanced imaging like CBCT helps clinicians diagnose and treat root resorption before it's too late.   https://www.rdhmag.com/patient-care/article/55362872/understanding-root-resorption

Hello voices from the bench community, John Wilson here and I wanted to share some news about the evolution of the Programill lineup. Most importantly, Ivoclar's new PrograMill 7. What stands out right away is the reduced air consumption this mill requires, but what you'll notice first is that impressive new touchscreen. For us, the biggest advantage has been increased spindle power. My laboratory's known for these larger cases with complex geometries, and I can tell you that extra power really makes a difference. Next time you see your Ivoclar representative, be sure to ask about the PrograMill 7 and tell them John Wilson sent you. Thank you. At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn't have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it's not just about seeing what's new—it's about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn't hurt either. This week at the Dental Laboratory Association of Texas Meeting 2026, the microphones stayed hot as three completely different conversations all circled around the same thing: how fast the dental lab industry is evolving. First up, the crew sat down with Tony Aliatim from Axis Dental Milling to talk about going from biomedical engineering and printing silicone heart models for surgeons… to becoming one of the go-to names in dental milling. From industrial machining roots in Michigan to AI-powered calibration systems and Straumann plug-and-play workflows, Tony breaks down how VersaMill machines are helping labs mill everything from zirconia to implant abutments faster, smarter, and safer. Along the way, the conversation dives into HyperDent, trade show madness, wet vs dry milling nightmares, and why dental technicians may not realize how close this industry really is to aerospace-level manufacturing. Then things shifted from mills to maintenance with Rebekah Serrago and Chris Wilson from Garland Dental Services. What started decades ago as a garage-based repair business fixing handpieces has grown into one of the industry's best-kept secrets for equipment sales, service, and support. Rebekah shares the story of growing up folding flyers for her father's repair company before eventually becoming CEO and expanding Garland into a massive online sales and service operation supporting everything from ovens to mills. Chris joins in to talk preventative maintenance, service certifications, keeping ancient ovens alive, and why labs desperately need dealers that actually understand the equipment they sell. It's equal parts family-business story, repair shop wisdom, and hilarious behind-the-scenes dental lab banter. Finally, the future officially arrived when the podcast crew sat down with Antoine Coppens from Relu and orthodontic lab owner Christian Saurman of New England Orthodontic Laboratory. What started as four engineering students experimenting with AI in Belgium somehow turned into fully automated dental workflows capable of designing surgical guides, night guards, models, and restorations in minutes. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping lab workflows, reducing manual design time, integrating directly into LMS systems, and even learning individual lab preferences. Christian explains how his custom-built orthodontic lab management system helped eliminate workflow chaos and automate huge portions of production, while Antoine gives a fascinating look into where dental AI is headed next. Between AI-generated appliances, automated scan checks, and self-learning workflows, this episode feels less like science fiction and more like a preview of what labs will look like over the next five years.Special Guests: Antoine Coppens, Chris Wilson, Christian Saurman, Rebekah Serrago, and Tony Aliatim.

When is it appropriate to consider an MRI for your TMD patient? What's actually involved in MRI of the TMJ? Can you use any MRI machine, or is the choice of imaging center crucial? And who should be reporting on these scans — does it really matter? (Hint: yes, it does!) Dr. Kevin Lotzof, a straight-talking radiologist, joins Jaz for a controversial deep dive into the role of MRI in Temporomandibular Disorders. While many experts downplay its importance, Kevin argues that TMJs are under-imaged and under-diagnosed — and that we may be missing critical pathology. They explore the practicalities of imaging, how to set expectations with your patients, and why strong but differing views in TMD care can ultimately help you refine your own clinical approach. https://youtu.be/-yo_Qx4Zg5Q Watch PDP265 on YouTube  Protrusive Dental Pearl: Adopt the mindset of “Find the cancer today.”When carrying out examinations—whether soft tissue or extraoral—approach it with the intention of detecting oral or skin cancers early. This mindset helps clinicians look beyond just teeth, catch unusual or suspicious lesions, and potentially save lives. Key Takeaways TMJ is often overlooked but is crucial for overall health. MRI is essential for accurate TMJ diagnosis. Cone beam CT cannot replace MRI for TMD assessment. Patients with headaches may have undiagnosed TMD. Education on TMJ imaging is lacking among dental professionals. Asymptomatic patients should still be scanned for TMJ issues. The quality of imaging directly impacts diagnosis accuracy. Patients often feel anxious about MRI procedures. Understanding patient perspectives can improve care. There is a need for better collaboration between dentists and radiologists. Highlight of the episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:55 Intro 05:20 Protrusive dental pearl 06:36 Interview with Dr. Kevin Lotzof 09:38 Under-Imaging and Differing Perspectives 13:27 Access and MRI Centers in the UK 17:51 TMJ MRI: Patient Expectations 22:17 Midroll 25:53 Open MRI Machines 27:26 Ideal Candidates for MRI Imaging 29:55 Cone Beam CT vs. MRI 31:53 Screening and Asymptomatic Patients 38:43 Centers with Reliable TMJ Imaging 41:27 Encouragement for General Dentists 46:33 Outro Where to Get Reliable TMJ Imaging ⭐ Top Pick: Orion, Wimpole Street, London(Full contact details available via the Protrusive Guidance App)

Did you know there's actually a right and wrong time to implement key practice indicators (or KPIs) in your office? Tiff and Dana reveal what should be firmly in place in a practice before you start assigning metrics for success. They touch on KPIs position by position, staying human amid the numbers, and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello Dental A Team listeners. I am so excited to be here with you today. You guys know that I love podcasting. You guys know that I love spending this time with you. And I love getting to spend the time with my consultant team as well. So I have Dana here with us today. Dana, how are you?   DAT-Dana (00:16) doing pretty good. I'm excited to be here. It's not that often that I get get dedicated podcast time with Tiff, so super excited.   The Dental A Team (00:22) I know,   I know it's because I schedule us long and we bust out a ton and then we don't see each other for a month on podcasting at least. So I agree, I agree. Well, Dina, it's springtime here. We like to call it springtime, which I think that Arizona just doesn't know when spring starts and ends because it goes straight into summer. So realistically, these drop in May, recording in April. I don't know when spring is, but it's hot. We've had a little bit of a cool down.   You've had a ton of sports and it's a beautiful time of year. How's everything down in your neck of the woods of Arizona going?   DAT-Dana (01:00) It's good. It is. It's beautiful. Now is the time where like you just love being in Arizona. I feel like, we don't really get a spring. It's kind of like a mismatch of random weather, like week by week. But now is the time where I truly love being in Arizona and get to be outside a ton. And, you know, if we could just get this wind to go away that's been hanging around down here for a couple of weeks, it would be perfect, really.   The Dental A Team (01:05) Yeah.   Yeah.   Yeah, my sister and I were talking about the wind yesterday. It really has been very strong, very strong. Yeah, especially where you are. You guys get whipped real bad with some wind. Yeah. Well, I'm excited that we're here today, that we're inside. It's supposed to warm up again. I think cool down. Who knows? It's going to rain. Maybe you might get rain. I probably won't. It's going to be great. It's going to be great.   DAT-Dana (01:35) Yeah.   Yeah.   The Dental A Team (01:48) I   wanted to chat today, something that keeps coming up for me on client calls, especially for new clients that come in. know that Nikki and Pam and Trish, you and I are pretty tapped out. So we're not getting a ton of new clients, but I know Nikki, Pam and Trish bring ⁓ oftentimes to our co-labs, really doctors looking for how to speak numbers and how to speak KPIs. We get it a lot. get people asking, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. That is our email address and we have people that   that pop in all the time on really how do we get our team to love doing KPIs and love watching them and kind of a leadership team standpoint, how do we do that? So I thought it would be interesting to chat a little bit today on the flip side of KPIs. And Dana, think we have an interesting perspective. Number one, we say this all the time that we, anything that we train, we try to duplicate in our own company. We try to create that space here. So we do a leadership.   a ton in our company. We train on leadership a ton. That's kind of like our year two process for clients coming in. We work a ton on systems year two, ⁓ or if systems aren't done yet, might be year three, but we really hone in on leadership a ton once practices get kind of the baseline groundwork done. So with that said, would say Dana, number one, I'd want to look at how far are we in our practice? Like, are we to the point now that we've   that KPIs, they matter or that they make sense, right? Because you've probably seen it and I've definitely implemented too early KPIs with Teams too. So finding that perfect timing and then obviously there's other aspects to it. But Dana, how do you feel about that? And what are you seeing with your clients you've worked with for many years, many of your clients? So when do you kind of see that KPI leadership standpoint roll in?   DAT-Dana (03:40) Yeah, I agree with you, Tim. do think it is like practices when you are building systems to like to add KPIs on top of that when it's like we don't even really know what we're doing to kind of get to these points. ⁓ I do feel like that's a little bit too early to kind of roll out KPIs. I think like when you have your systems in place, when you have job descriptions in place and when you really   feel like you have a team that kind of knows what they're doing and knows where the business is headed, I think that is the time to really start to implement KPIs.   The Dental A Team (04:11) I agree. And I think what that really boils down to and what you just described is the basics for so mission, vision, core values, job descriptions, and then looking at like the basic KPIs, even new practice KPIs, but getting a team to like love doing their own KPIs per position is that next step. So those practice KPIs, like you're saying, Dana, those are the ones that are going to tell us if the systems that we're doing are   benefiting the practice. Are they creating the results that we want? So production collections, new patients, maybe marketing RLI, but really narrowing it down and simplifying it so that they can start to see those to-dos, those things that they're doing every single day that are in line with their job description, they're adding value to those KPIs and then kind of taking a step back and layering it. I know when I look at KPIs and I look at our KPIs in our company, I really try to look at, what is like   What do they mean? How do they apply to my position and to your position or marketing's position? Does it make sense for that KPI to be attached to that person or that department? And then ultimately, what's the impact that it's making on the overall results, right? What is the company going for? And Dana, how do you help reverse engineer that? Because I watched you do that with a lot of practices. Dana's like,   Amazing. She's so good at pulling out meaningful, impactful KPIs per position. And I think your hygiene experience helps you to see those spaces because those back office ones are really the hardest. So how do you help practices reverse engineer that? How can they take a look at that today just from maybe from like an overarching big standpoint? And then we'll narrow in.   DAT-Dana (05:59) Yeah, sure. So I think it really comes down to just like you said, Tiff, making it meaningful, making them see that the things that they are doing every single day, we spent times building the system, we created these systems. So let us have an easy tool for you to know that if the input that you are giving every single day is getting you a certain result. And so I think that I love that you use the word meaningful because I feel like that we get asked all the time, like, how do I have   motivate my team to care about numbers? How do I, you have to make them meaningful for them, meaningful for their position, meaningful for their impact that they are putting into the practice and into patients. And so I think that that is, I think that's kind of where the magic happens. It's like, you've got these overarching goals. So then breaking them down into, let's say, quarterly goals. And then what can each team member do daily, weekly, monthly to help impact or move those quarterly pieces. So I think it is chunking it down, but, to the point where   team members feel like they actually, like the things that they're doing impact them. And I think when you can make those connections, we can say, hey, you've got to keep the schedule full. Well, what does full mean? Right? What do, what does full mean that like I am winning that day or I am hitting that goal or I am like being super impactful. And sometimes too, it's just relating it to.   Yes, these are numbers, but at end of the day, typically numbers equal patients, right? Typically numbers equal impact into the community. Typically, like it means how much we're improving the overall oral health of the patients that leave the practice. And sometimes when you can tie that like, yes, you filling the schedule equals that or yes, you hitting your period goal equals comprehensive care.   When you can link those things with team members, that's how you motivate them. That's how you make these numbers meaningful to just say, hey, I need you to hit 95 % of schedule to goal, right? Well, yeah, that's a number, but what does it mean for that person? What is the impact it does for the practice when they hit it? And like taking time too to celebrate it when we see it.   The Dental A Team (08:02) Yeah. And something that that changes for us, Dana, that dentistry has always in my opinion been like a just do it because we said to do it, right? You build the same way we've built since 1995 because that's how we do it. Right. And we've not, we're super innovative when it comes to photos and CBCT scans and tech and all of these cool things that the back office is using. So doctors and dental assistants are like, heck yeah, this is so cool. Dentistry moves so fast. But then the rest of the team is like,   Does it? Like I'm still doing, I'm still scanning papers. Yeah. Like what the heck? It's not, it doesn't innovate in the other areas. I think now with AI, we're seeing a lot of innovation and I think a lot of front office team members are probably like, Whoa, I'm not okay with this because that's never been dentistry from the front office standpoint. So my point in that is when we have a KPI and when you were speaking, I'm thinking like make five calls a day, make 10 calls a day. Why?   DAT-Dana (08:34) Still confirming.   The Dental A Team (09:02) Why am I making 10 calls a day? Because my ultimate goal is that the schedule is full to 95%. So then tracking a KPI of how many calls am I making? So what's the impact that I'm making towards that goal? And then I think, Dana, what you made me think of is really being able to take a step back and saying, is that thing that I'm doing impacting the goal? Because I don't want to just make 10 calls because you told me to make 10 calls. I want to make 10 calls because it's   positively impacting my overarching goal of 95 % scheduleful and that's positively impacting the impact we're having on the community. And so when it rolls up that way and it doesn't feel like they just like do this because I told you to do it, I don't think we work that way anymore. I think in the 90s, 2000s, we did. When I first got into the workforce, I was like, just tell me what to do. I'll just do whatever you, just give me a list, I'll check it off.   But I think as we evolved as humans, as dentistry is evolving, and now as there's more innovation coming to all aspects of dentistry, we're in a space now where we really have to know, why am I doing this thing? What is it for? Because I don't want to work for nothing as in money. I don't want to work for nothing. I don't want to do this if it's not helpful. I want to change it and do something different. And I think, Dana, in my opinion,   you know, the practices that I'm seeing in the forums that I'm seeing, I think there's a big wave of that mindset that really wants to know the impact.   DAT-Dana (10:28) I agree with you. think that like technology is great, but I think some a side effect of technology is it's made us a little bit skeptical, right? So we ask more questions than we have before. think that we do, we want to know why we want to know like all those background pieces. And I think too, like, I will say, I think it's still a side effect from COVID is like we value time. And so I don't, feel like as a society, we don't want to be wasting time. We want to try to get our time back. And so   The Dental A Team (10:36) Yeah.   DAT-Dana (10:56) If I have to spend time making five calls and it's not making an impact or I don't have that link on like why I'm making them and then it's pushing to the goal of my 95 % and that is incorporated into the practice goal, right? I want to know those answers because I don't want to waste time making calls just because you said I agree with you.   The Dental A Team (11:14) Yeah, and we want to feel valuable. So we want to feel like we're valuable in our position. And we want to feel like the things that we're doing are daily, whatever, monthly, weekly, all of those things that we're doing are valuable. Because I also think to your point, Dana, COVID taught us too that like, this is going to sound maybe so controversial. We are not like we don't have to stay stuck anymore. It opened up a whole new world.   I think for a lot of people who felt like they fell into dentistry and that like, this is just their path. This is where they need to be. This is the position they'll always hold. There's nowhere to go. You know, it changed a lot has changed in the last six years that we're still trying to understand. And on that, one of my least favorite questions is how do I motivate my team? And you don't motivate your team. inspire your team.   DAT-Dana (12:05) Thank   The Dental A Team (12:09) by being who you are, your culture, your mission, your vision, like what are we serving? What are we doing here? Inspires people. Motivation is very short. So yeah, like I always say, Dana, I can motivate you. I could probably convince you and motivate you to go for a mile run with me. Does that mean you're gonna be a runner? No. You're gonna do a mile with me because I motivated you to, I motivated my sister to go for a hike with me yesterday, right? Is she gonna go hiking again today? No. Would I? Absolutely.   Cause I'm inspired by how I feel when I'm on the mountain. So that like difference really, it gets me that, that question of motivate and it always Dana, I hate the word always, but I swear to you every time, I don't know if this is just me. They're like, if I give my team these KPIs and I ask them to measure these things and do them, I need to pay them more. And I'm like, they're like, how else do I motivate them? If I get, if I dangle this carrot at the end.   maybe they'll do these things. And I'm like, well, is that not their, like, is their job not this piece? Are you not already paying them for this? We're just not tracking it. So they could be doing 50 things that don't matter, that aren't making an impact. And we may be able to measure and replace them with things that do matter. I'm not necessarily asking for extra work aside from the tracking that takes 30 seconds, but that motivation space.   Like I want to sub box all day, but Dana, are you seeing that too? And how do you feel about that question?   DAT-Dana (13:40) Yeah, absolutely. guess I probably get asked that question at least once a week, right? And I do agree with you. It is, well, what can I do to motivate them as far as bonus, as far as activity, as far as, and like those things are essentially great, right? If there's a space for it. But I don't think that those are tools that are ever really needed to me. If you are feeling that way.   The Dental A Team (13:45) Yep.   DAT-Dana (14:02) Your goals themselves aren't inspiring. Your vision itself isn't inspiring because those should be the inspiring pieces that spur the motivation to do the daily work. And so if you are asking someone in your life that question, if you are asking yourself that question, if you are flat out asking the team, what can I do to motivate you to get there? The there is not inspiring them. And it's probably not inspiring you, which is why you're digging for the next layer or this bonus or this   push of some way because those foundational pieces aren't truly inspiring the team or you yourself.   The Dental A Team (14:39) I was thinking that same thing. If you're not inspired by the work that you're doing, you're not inspired by your vision or why your team's not going to be inspired either. And we've honestly lived that, Dana. We've lived that in this company where we were like, it just doesn't hit and it didn't hit Kiera. And we could tell and Kiera was like robotic because we were trying to hit a goal. So we all became robotic trying to hit a goal and it didn't hit right.   we failed and we had to take like 15 steps backwards and say, why did we fail? Where did we misstep? And it was because our why what we were really going for wasn't inspiring enough. it was like, honestly, even this year's vision is narrowed down to one of the best that we've had in years because it's narrowed down to the impact on a personal basis. And that's what consultants love.   dental team members love, right? Our favorite stories are the patients who came in after traumatic experience or cosmetic work or whitening, or they had a crown that they were afraid to get or fillings that those are first fillings and they're 42 and they're not scared anymore and they're coming in and they're so happy. Their whole demeanor changes because we've been able to change how they view dentistry. That's what we're here for. And when people dig for that, why? And I hear the, I hear the, ⁓   I want to, what is it, delivering smiles, delivering smiles to Maricopa County. Like, are you, is that why you're here? You want to deliver smiles? No, you want to change lives by giving them a different perspective on dentistry. You want to teach them something about dentistry that they never knew existed. You want to make them feel confident because they have a healthy place to go. They have somewhere that they know they're loved, taken care of, seen and heard, and they're getting quality dental care. Like, that's what you're here for.   DAT-Dana (16:29) Yeah, and in the end, are   you creating smiles for Maricopa County? Yes, you are, but like that's not why you show up every day. Yeah.   The Dental A Team (16:34) Yes!   Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.   And when people can key in on that, I literally see that light bulb moment of like, wow, that's exciting. Like I want to go do that crown. Yeah, you do. You do. Because it's more you're not delivering smiles to everyone. Right? It's an impossible feat. Like you're not going to create a new smile for everyone who walks through the door. You're not. Some people don't care about their teeth. And that's okay. Like how they look right aesthetics. Some people   don't need you to aesthetically change their teeth. Some people are coming in with straight teeth, white teeth, already veneered teeth, and you're not doing anything. But what you are doing is you're creating an experience and you're creating a space that they can come feel seen, valued, and heard and leave knowing that they were well cared for and they're a happier human when they leave your practice.   DAT-Dana (17:28) Yeah, I love   that. Because when they can, maybe eventually they will care, right? And you'll be the person that they come to when they do. Or maybe eventually the cosmetic work they already had will need redone and you've created that space that they can say it. And so I agree with you. It doesn't happen every single time, but we're looking for the times that it does and we're making those times incredibly meaningful.   The Dental A Team (17:33) Yeah.   tracks.   Yes, and when we can carry ourselves in a way that no matter what we are looking for, how can we positively impact this patient's experience? How can we make them a better person out to the world when they leave my practice? Like I want to inspire them. I want to make them happy. They leave feeling energized. They carry that on to the next person, right? So when we can make that's our focus that we're positively impacting the person who's standing in front of us, then we're showing up every single time. And our KPIs are like,   Hey, did you make 10 calls to make sure that people get back into this practice for their re-care so that they're well cared for and they don't feel like they have to find another practice that they start all over again? Absolutely, I made 10 calls. And when you get the question of, do I have to call? Can I just text? I don't care what you do, measure it. And if whatever you're doing works, we'll keep doing that. So if you're doing text messages and they're not working, try sprinkling in some calls.   see if the calls work too or double them up. I always say that because I think Dana, we get so rigid on what the system needs to be that we're like, no, Tiff and Dana, they said you need to do 10 calls a day. If that's your only takeaway from today, oh my gosh, right? They go, they're like, 10 calls a day, that's your KPI. And the team, maybe it's, you know, a 23 year old who is like, I don't want to get on, I don't want to get on the phone, I'm 41, I don't want to get on the phone. So like, I want to know that if I'm doing these 10 calls a day,   They are what is going to work. And if they're not, because we're in an age of tech and maybe voice small drops work better or text messages are working better, I want to do that. But it's going to be based on your community and not the person making the outreach. Because here in Phoenix, we got a lot of snowbirds. We got a lot of retirement communities. We've got a lot of people who, heck, like I don't want to, I don't want to do anything with my phone by the time I'm done with the day.   So I think measuring it and making sure those pieces add up to that value that you're trying to perceive to your patients.   DAT-Dana (19:56) Yeah. And I think sometimes there's a misconception with team members in this TIF that like the number tells them something about them, right? And sometimes it can, but for the most part, what it tells us is if our system works or doesn't work. And so I think team members too, just being embracing and open to the fact that this is not necessarily, if you don't hit 95 % scheduled to goal, that doesn't mean you as a human aren't succeeding. It means that there's something in our system or something in our consistency that isn't getting us   The Dental A Team (20:04) Yeah.   DAT-Dana (20:25) there and so I think you can have open and honest conversations with team members too and say like this isn't a value for you as a human. This is a value for the effort, the work and the systems that we've put into place because you're right Tim, if I can get one person scheduled with 40 text messages or one person scheduled with three calls, my gosh, give me the three calls.   Right? So it is being able to evaluate and assess those things too. And I think so many times when we go to roll out KPIs offices get a lot of resistance because it's like, I don't want you to put like a number on me, right? Or I don't want it to feel like it is me, the person that is letting the office down or we're not getting the goals. I think think of it as a tool to evaluate our systems. Yes, our people too, but honestly and truly typically it's a systems problem and not a person.   The Dental A Team (21:15) I 100 % agree. And I think that's where we start measuring the results instead of micromanaging the people. Yeah, I love that. You made me think too, Dana, that if you're not able to get to 10 calls a day or whatever your KPI is, if you can't get to them and you see the consistency is that you're falling behind, you're not able to do it, then take a step back and evaluate your time spent. Like what are the blockers that are coming up? Does this belong to that job description? So is it in the right lane?   Does it impact that person's goals that impact the companies? then like take those steps back. There have been so many times that I'm like, gosh, I just haven't been able to get to this. But next week, let me rearrange my schedule. I'm going to try a couple of things out to get it different so that I can try to get these done. And if it's consistently not happening, there's a blocker. There's something else going on. And it's not just that they're busy. I had this conversation a couple of weeks ago with someone. I'm like, there's no time. They're like, I see time. I'm like, okay, you know what? There is time.   There's no space left. So how do we get rid of some of the other clutter and rearrange to declutter my brain so that I still have output left for this piece of my job? And those conversations are really important. And your leaders, your one up above you should be able to help you unblock those. So Dana, I love this conversation. Thank you for having it. I think motivate versus inspire.   is really, really special. And when they're meaningful, impactful results, it makes a huge difference. So Dana, I would say action items for today. Number one, is your vision, your mission, your core values, are those things inspiring to you as a practice owner? And are they inspiring to your team? Do they fully know the definitions of them? And are we ready to make an impact on that community? Number two, assign some KPIs. If you've got that solid, you've got job description solid, you're working on some systems maybe, but   lot of systems are super clean and clear, then start doing individual KPIs. And Dana, I would say if they're not ready for individual KPIs, take that big, the umbrella, do your production, collections, new patients, and let them see how they're impacting every day. Dana, anything you want to add before we wrap for today?   DAT-Dana (23:31) No, I think you hit it out. This was a good one too.   The Dental A Team (23:33) Awesome.   I agree. Thank you. Thank you for riffing with me and busting this out Dana and you guys go leave us a five star review. We love to hear from you. We love to know how this impacted you and maybe how it impacted your why I always love that piece Dana and I live for a phenomenal why Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. If you need help with KPIs for individual positions, please reach out. Sometimes they get a little tricky with like dental assistance. Hygiene is kind of easy, but you get kind of bored with the flora, the perio. Just reach out.   We've got a million of them and Dana will help with all your hygiene and Britt. So anyways, that's a wrap guys. Thank you so much. We'll catch you next time.  

On this episode of MB2 Underground, Jonathan Tyroch and Joe Fox talk with Erin Kinder and Ryan Roosekrans from Carestream Dental about the role of 3D imaging in today's dental practice, and how dentists can get more out of the technology they already have. They cover what sets CBCT apart from traditional imaging, where it's often underutilized, and how it can impact everything from diagnosis to treatment planning and patient communication. The conversation also delves into how imaging directly ties to practice growth, efficiency, and the overall patient experience. Erin and Ryan share their perspectives from years in the industry, including how adoption has evolved, what's changed over time, and where things are headed next with advancements in AI and digital workflows. A great resource for any dentist looking to better understand 3D imaging and its role in the future of dentistry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Subscribe & Listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow MB2 Dental on Social: MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

Guest: Paul Geuy MPH DDS AKA Swoledds https://www.tiktok.com/@swoledds   Host: Serv Wahan MD DMD https://www.drwahan.com/   Navigating Military Dental Careers: Insights from Dr. Paul Geuy Discover the unique pathway of a military-trained dentist as Dr. Paul Geuy shares his experiences serving in the US Army, including opportunities, challenges, and the impact of recent policy changes on dental education. Whether you're a student considering the military route or a civilian dentist exploring alternative career pathways, this episode offers invaluable perspectives.   Main Topics Covered: How military scholarships and service can fund dental education and reduce debt Differences between civilian and military dental training, including residency opportunities The impact of federal loan caps and rising dental school tuition costs Deployment experiences, responsibilities, and the "boot camp" for medical officers The role of social media in modern dentistry and personal branding The advantages of military residency programs and specialization options Balancing physical fitness, military duties, and professional development   Key Insights: Dr. Geuy served in the Middle East, performing complex surgeries and gaining diverse clinical experience Military scholarships through the HPSP program cover full tuition in exchange for service commitments Residency in the military can accelerate career progress and reduce student debt Deployment can involve unique challenges like operational security and unanticipated relocations Military dentists can perform procedures like implant placement and impacted tooth removal in deployed settings Social media serves as a powerful tool for education and community engagement in dentistry The structured ranking system in the military enhances residency placement and career mobility Physical and mental resilience are key components of military dental service   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 00:09 - Dr. Paul Geuy's background and military practice 01:18 - Military training background and pathway to dentistry 02:37 - The rising costs of dental education and student debt issues 03:59 - Impact of federal loan caps and high tuition on new dentists 05:04 - Military service as a solution for debt and training quality 06:23 - Personal stories about debt, scholarships, and career choices 07:40 - Residency options in the military and their benefits 09:28 - Comparing military branches and base quality 11:22 - Benefits of military residency programs and specialization 13:12 - Application process for military scholarships and service commitment 15:07 - Military responsibilities during dental training and deployment challenges 16:33 - Pay structure, pay bumps, and benefits in the military 17:32 - Balancing loans, income, and military service timing 18:39 - The advantages of military training for residency and mentorship 20:23 - The structure and logistics of military oral surgery and advanced training 22:40 - COVID impacts on dental training and adaptations 23:36 - Military rankings, certifications, and scope of practice 26:07 - Mentorship, complex cases, and deploying as a military dentist 27:22 - Deployment duration, flexibility, and operational security 28:49 - Military boot camp for medical officers versus traditional boot camp 30:41 - Comparing military healthcare to TV shows like MASH 31:17 - Weapons training, qualification, and military skills outside dentistry 32:38 - Shooting range experiences and firearms proficiency in the military 35:46 - Military implant procedures and deployment dentistry 37:42 - Memorable cases: the complex surgical case in a deployed setting 41:00 - Managing dental infections and CBCT use in the field 45:41 - Repairing oral antral fistulas in remote environments 50:50 - Deployment logistics, return trips, and military commitments 55:50 - Social media presence, TikTok success, and global reach 60:13 - Social media tips, neutrality, and connecting with audiences worldwide 61:44 - Other dental influencers and creating engaging content 62:01 - Fitness, workouts, and balancing physical activity with professional life 63:02 - Closing remarks and future collaborations   Key Words: Swole DDS, Paul Geuy, Dr Wahan, Army, Navy, Army Dentist, HPSP Scholarship, Army dental corps, Boot camp, Officer training, Federal Loan cap, dental school tuition rising

50 Countries and 50 episodes. What a journey we have had. Dr. Vishal and Dr. Mike look back at some of the great guests and great moments on the DWD Podcast.

At just 27, Ali Hashemizadeh is doing things most dentists twice his age haven't managed — two private associate roles, a growing reputation as an endodontist, and the kind of self-awareness that usually takes a decade to develop. In this episode, Payman sits down with the Newcastle-based, Aberdeen-raised, Iranian dentist to trace the path from a rocky first year on the NHS to finding his feet in private practice. Ali talks candidly about the complaint that rocked him early in his career, the perspective shift it forced, and why he's genuinely glad it happened. It's a conversation about curiosity, resilience, and the quiet power of just cracking on.In This Episode00:00:50 – Introduction: Ali Hashemizadeh00:03:45 – Lifelong learning00:07:25 – The future of dental events00:14:30 – Optimism as a work philosophy00:15:35 – NHS complaint, first job00:19:40 – Resilience and perspective00:21:10 – Going private early00:22:25 – Becoming the endo guy00:25:55 – Generalist or specialist?00:26:50 – The disease of the twenties00:28:30 – Iranian roots in Aberdeen00:38:15 – Foundation year in London00:40:55 – Outdoor pursuits and Ironman training00:46:10 – CBCT and safe-ended files00:50:05 – Endo, implants and aesthetics under one roof00:52:00 – Treatment coordinators and ethical selling00:57:15 – The value of mentorship00:59:00 – Networking and landing the jobs01:02:55 – The two practices compared01:07:35 – Lucas Lassman and the most inspiring lecture01:10:40 – Dental resources: YouTube and Instagram01:15:10 – Being Mortal and Man's Search for Meaning01:16:30 – Modern Wisdom and guilty pleasures01:22:35 – Ten-year plan01:27:40 – Fantasy dinner partyAbout Ali HashemizadehAli Hashemizadeh is a 27-year-old private associate dentist working across two practices in the northeast of England — Middleton Saint George Dental in Darlington and Ken Harris's clinic in Sunderland — where he has developed a particular focus on endodontics. Born and raised in Aberdeen to Iranian parents, he qualified from Newcastle University and completed his foundation year in London before heading back north.

What if I told you the smartest way to approach airway isn't to become the hero in the room — it's to become the gatekeeper who knows exactly when, where, and how to refer?In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, I tackle one of the most polarizing conversations in orthodontics: airway and sleep-disordered breathing. There's so much noise, ego, and misinformation around this topic that a lot of orthodontists either jump in too aggressively or back away completely. My take is simple: neither extreme serves patients well. We don't need to diagnose everything ourselves — but we do need to know enough to recognize red flags, evaluate the orthodontic pieces we are responsible for, and collaborate with the right interdisciplinary team.Quotes“We are part of a bigger puzzle. We're just one piece and if we work together with the science and our referral base, we'll be able to treat people really, really well.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger“We need to be gatekeepers and we need to work with ENTs and oral surgeons and myofunctional therapists and pediatric dentists.” — Dr. Glenn KriegerKey TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Why the airway conversation has become so overblown in orthodontics (00:25)Why orthodontists should be gatekeepers — not lone diagnosticians (00:46)The real problem with extreme pro-airway vs. anti-airway positions (02:17)How to use symptoms, occlusion, anatomy, and CBCT responsibly (04:55)When to treat the occlusion and when to refer to the interdisciplinary team (06:11)Why ENTs, oral surgeons, myofunctional therapists, and radiologists matter (06:32)What Dr. Krieger's Scottsdale airway course will teach orthodontists and teams (06:43)Why collaborative care creates better outcomes than ideology ever will (08:24)A real example of how orthodontic-ENT collaboration changed a child's life (10:08)Additional ResourcesI've seen firsthand how airway and sleep-disordered breathing can become one of the most rewarding parts of an orthodontic practice — but only when we stay in our lane, know what we're looking at, and work with the right team. If you want to learn how to evaluate these cases more thoughtfully, collaborate more effectively, and treat patients with greater confidence, keep an eye out for the upcoming airway and sleep-disordered breathing meeting in Scottsdale. And if you want to learn more about Orthopreneurs RD, message me directly.Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Zach and Kevin are joined by Alan to navigate the murky waters of patient skepticism. The trio explores the frustration of the "impasse"—when clinical evidence points to a cracked lower molar, but the patient is convinced the pain is coming from a perfectly healthy upper tooth. They discuss the strategic use of referrals to specialists for "validation," the evolution of clinical confidence that comes with gray hair, and how technology like CBCT and high-res photography allows dentists to stop "convincing" and start "showing."  Join the Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Paul, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, McWethy, Papa Randy, or Lipscomb!  The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! We're proud to be supported by the folks at Net32! I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I've got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products. Are you a practice owner who feels like the bottleneck in your own business? If you're tired of being the hardest-working person in your office, I've got something you need to hear. Dr. Paul Etchison, is hosting a virtual event that is a total game-changer. Paul is honestly one of the most brilliant minds in dental leadership today, and he's hosting the 3-Day Freedom Practice Workshop from February 19th through the 21st. He's going to show you exactly how to break through that two-million-dollar revenue ceiling while actually compressing your clinical week. It's about building a leadership team that takes ownership so you can finally step into the CEO role you deserve. Head over to DentalPracticeHeroes.com/freedom to grab your spot. And do me a favor—mention the Very Dental podcast when you sign up. It's 100% guaranteed, so you've got nothing to lose but the stress. Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code "VERYSHIP" you'll get free shipping on your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

In this episode of the HealthspanMD Podcast, Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE sits down with Dr. Du Mond to explore a critically overlooked driver of cardiovascular disease, brain health decline, and chronic inflammation: the mouth. They dive into the powerful connection between oral pathogens and systemic inflammation, the role of red complex bacteria in heart disease and Alzheimer's risk, how saliva testing can uncover hidden inflammatory triggers, and why simply brushing and flossing may not be enough. If you've optimized your diet, exercise, and labs but your inflammatory markers like HSCRP or Lp-PLA2 remain elevated, this conversation may uncover the missing link. About the Guest Dr. Du Mond is a dentist with advanced expertise in oral systemic disease, pathogen testing, laser dentistry, ozone therapy, and immune-informed treatment planning. She approaches oral health not as a cosmetic issue, but as a foundational pillar of longevity, cardiovascular prevention, metabolic health, and neuroprotection. By combining CBCT imaging, salivary pathogen testing, and immune profiling, she helps identify hidden sources of inflammation that traditional dentistry often overlooks.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam  sit down with Dr. Jason Auerbach—better known to many as @bloodytoothguy. With a schedule that seems nonstop, we finally ask the question everyone's wondering: does he still see patients? (Spoiler: you'll have to tune in.)  Beyond the social media persona, Dr. Auerbach dives into serious clinical ground—highlighting the critical importance of thorough diagnostic documentation, smart medical billing strategies, and how proper records protect both patients and practices. He also references the American Dental Association recommendations on CBCT use, sparking a thoughtful discussion on imaging standards and clinical responsibility. Insightful, practical, and refreshingly candid, this episode blends real-world dentistry with behind-the-scenes perspective from one of the profession's most recognizable voices.   Resources: https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/new-recommendations-confirm-dental-x-rays-most-effectively-used-in-moderation   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212440325013252

In this inspiring episode of the UCM Podcast, Dr. Bill Davis interviews Dr. Caitlin Walker, founder of Atlas Imbalance Chiropractic in Oceanside, CA, who shares her powerful journey from chronic migraine and vertigo sufferer to thriving Blair Upper Cervical chiropractor. After struggling through chiropractic school with debilitating symptoms, a life-changing CBCT scan and precise upper cervical care transformed her health—and her calling. Dr. Walker discusses the impact of mentorship, the value of associateship training, the realities of launching a practice with a newborn at home, and the importance of systems, marketing, and balance in business ownership. She also shares how partnering with UCM Practice Growth Systems helped simplify her marketing, strengthen her systems, and create steady growth in her first year of practice. This episode is a heartfelt and practical look at what it really takes to build a purpose-driven upper cervical practice.

In this episode of Endo Voices, Dr. Marcus D. Johnson sits down with Dr. Pierre Wohlgemuth for a thoughtful and collegial examination of two defining challenges in contemporary endodontics: the elusive cemental tear and the disciplined art of soft tissue management in surgical care.Cemental tears—seldom discussed yet likely underdiagnosed—often masquerade as endodontic or periodontal pathology. With a limited but growing body of evidence, accurate identification demands clinical vigilance. Key red flags include vital teeth presenting with periapical radiolucencies and persistent disease following technically adequate root canal therapy. The discussion explores the roles of occlusal trauma, CBCT interpretation, and histologic confirmation, reinforcing the importance of expanding the differential diagnosis before defaulting to retreatment or extraction. Decisions surrounding tooth preservation versus implant placement are framed not as reflexive, but as biologically and prognostically driven.A central theme resonates throughout: clinicians do not rise to the level of their intentions—they fall to the level of their training.Episodes of Endo Voices may include opinion, speculation and other statements not verifiable in the scientific method and do not necessarily reflect the views of AAE or the sponsor(s). Listeners should use their best judgment in evaluating the merits of any content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most dentists try to scale their dental practice by chasing tactics, new marketing, new software, new equipment, more hygiene days, more locations, yet they still feel stuck, stressed, and buried in the business.  In this episode, we break down what real dental practice growth actually looks like: a clear 10,000-foot strategy, a deep-dive business audit, and a customized scaling plan built around leadership, roles, and measurable KPIs. If your dental marketing “isn't working,” your team feels stretched thin, or you're adding revenue without adding profitability, this conversation will hit hard. We talk about why scaling isn't just getting bigger, it's building an organization that runs without you. You'll hear how practices waste money on tools like CBCT and ignore the foundation: scoreboards, accountability, ownership, and a cadence of truth.  This is for practice owners who want sustainable growth, stronger culture, better systems, and more freedom, without building a bigger hamster wheel. If you're serious about practice management, dental leadership, and building a scalable dental organization, this is the playbook. You'll Learn: → How to create a true scaling strategy instead of stacking random tactics.  → How to run a “deep dive” audit like a diagnosis and treatment plan for your business, using profitability, recall, and real KPI scoreboards.  → How leadership and role clarity prevent breakdowns, like the classic “marketing isn't working” problem that's actually a follow-up and process bottleneck.  → How to think in levels of sophistication with consultants, advisors, and systems so your practice evolves and doesn't outgrow its support team. To connect with Dr. Buske follow the links below -  LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Limitless Dentist Academy Join Dental Syndicate HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top 5 Topics:- Wisdom Teeth Horror Stories- Nerve Injury & Lawsuits: The Dental Procedure Nobody Warns You About- 2-Stage Wisdom Tooth Removal (Coronectomy): The ‘Safer' Option When Close To The Nerve?- Sinus Complications After Upper Tooth Extractions- Hidden Bone Infections: ‘Lumpy Jaw' + The Weird Diagnosis ClueBackTeeth Boys Band Members:- Dr. Serv Wahan - Seattle, Washington- Dr. Amir Tahmasebpour - Toronto, Canada- Dr. Joe Doctora - Nashville, Tennessee- Dr. Brendan Gallagher - Long Island, New YorkQuotes & Wisdom:(08:12) “If you do enough extractions… you're gonna end up seeing pretty much every complication.”(09:49) “If it's not healing well… I usually would do a biopsy… and look for clues like sulfur granules.”(12:31) “The scary thing about Actino… it's commensal… you already have it—then it overgrows and infects bone.”(34:19) “Communicate, over-communicate, communicate some more.”(34:56–36:09) “That ‘barely peeking' wisdom tooth is a food trap… kicking it down the road can do more harm than good.”(38:58–39:27) “You're young and healthy now… you don't know what the future is gonna bring… what if it flares up in your late 60s/70s?”Questions:(06:21) “If you take out the distal upper molar and you get a 5–6 mm sinus opening, do you still take the adjacent tooth that's on the treatment plan… or stop/repair and come back?”(16:09) “For very high, fully bony maxillary third molars, what incision design(s) do you use now… and what are you trying to avoid (like recession/tearing)?”(23:11) “With a contra-angle (after training on straight handpieces), how are you sectioning disto-angular wisdom teeth now—what's your go-to technique?”(32:40) “How do you guys approach coronectomy in those ‘30s/40s, nerve-intimate wisdom tooth' cases—how do you treatment plan and consent it?”(47:22) “If the IAN is high-riding and in your path, how do you know if the nerve is buccal vs lingual without a CBCT?”Now available on:- Dr. Gallagher's Podcast & YouTube Channel- Dose of Dental Podcast #208My watch in this episode = Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Chrono- 1.2026

In This Episode, We Discuss:The Physicality of Dentistry: Toni discusses how she combats the postural strain and why ergonomic loupes have been a game-changer for her migraines and neck pain.The $17,000 "Happy Accident": Toni recounts her first All-on-4 restoration case. Relinquishing the Vine: Dr. Ashley Joves reflects on the "forced delegation" of her business, realizing that building a team-led practice has allowed her the freedom to be present for her family during a crisis.The CBCT & AI Debate: Following up on a community question, the duo explores how to maximize technology. Ashley shares the legal importance of "reviewing" vs. "reading" scans to avoid liability.Scrappy Grand Opening Marketing: With the grand opening just two weeks away, Toni shares her masterclass in bartering and community networking:Tacos & Tours: How she convinced a local food truck to park at her office for free.The Trader Joe's Hack: Ordering bulk flowers in advance to create a "Bloom Bar" for guests.Sponsorships: Landing a specialist to cover the "fancy lavender lemonade" and charcuterie cups.The Power of the Schedule: Toni has officially mapped out her entire year and realized the ultimate goal of ownership: Freedom.Episode Timestamps:[00:10:15] – The "Actionable Ick": When patients grab your hand during surgery.[00:15:30] – CBCT Discussion: Do you charge for the scan, and how do you read it?[00:25:20] – Scaling & Freedom: Ashley on why she's finally ready to "let go of the vine."[00:40:00] – Milestone: Bloom Dental Co. hits its first profitable month.[00:44:30] – The All-on-4 Win: A $17,000 lesson in quoting and specialist partnerships.[00:51:30] – "Tacos and Tours": Leveraging local vendors for zero-cost event traffic.[01:01:10] – The "March Schedule": Why Toni is moving to a 4-day week and owning her calendar.Connect with Toni: Instagram: @the.joyful.dentist • @bloomdental.coConnect with Ashley: Instagram: @ashleyjovesddsFeatured Resources & Sponsors:Net 32 — The online marketplace to compare brands and prices so you never overpay. net32.com/themakingofStudio 8E8 — Dentistry's story-driven growth agency for startups. s8e8.com/vslSupport the showFind Out More Thank you for listening to The Making Of podcast. If you enjoyed it, please share with anyone you think will gain value from the show by clicking on one of the sharing tabs above. SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER HERE Also, please consider leaving an honest review on iTunes. It helps other listeners find the show, and I would be forever grateful.Questions or comments? Feel free to contact us at - themakingofadental@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram or Facebook and improve your dental practice every day!Have you subscribed? Don't miss a single episode!

Joining the DWD team in this podcast is LaVonne Keal a consultant and business coach with Keal Consulting. The team discusses how a dentist can prepare for the options avaialbe for partnerships and how a DSO can be an option.

In this episode of Endo Voices, host Dr. Marcus D. Johnson sits down with renowned educator and past American Board of Endodontics (ABE) President Dr. Brad Johnson, recipient of the prestigious I.B. Bender Educator Award, to reflect on a career defined by service, innovation, and mentorship. Dr. Johnson shares his unexpected journey from general dentistry to endodontics—and ultimately into academia—highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his passion for teaching, advancing graduate education, and strengthening the specialty through leadership.Together, they explore what it takes to elevate endodontic training in a rapidly evolving landscape, from embracing new learning styles to fostering a culture grounded in mutual respect and lifelong growth. The conversation also spotlights Dr. Johnson's lasting impact on Board certification and professional excellence, along with insights on shared decision-making and how emerging technologies like CBCT can enhance diagnosis and treatment planning—while keeping patient-centered care at the heart.Episodes of Endo Voices may include opinion, speculation and other statements not verifiable in the scientific method and do not necessarily reflect the views of AAE or the sponsor(s). Listeners should use their best judgment in evaluating the merits of any content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we're taking a closer look at dental implants and the key factors that influence their long-term success—from what patients can do to lower their risk of peri-implantitis, to whether CBCT imaging has become the new standard of care in implant dentistry. We'll also examine the role of systemic health, including the connection between bisphosphonate use and osteonecrosis of the jaw, as well as the latest insights on how antacids, particularly proton pump inhibitors, may affect implant outcomes. Our guest is Dr. Jon Suzuki, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and of Periodontology and Oral Implantology at Temple University. A former Dean at the University of Pittsburgh, he has chaired the FDA Dental Products Panel, led the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, and served on numerous NIH committees. A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, he has published over 200 papers and a textbook, and continues to educate dentists all over the world. Thanks to our episode sponsors: EMS Dental - https://www.ems-dental.com/en-us Shofu Dental - https://www.shofu.com/en

In this week's episode, Collin Al-Samarrie sits down with Dr. Toni Torres of Bloom Dental Co. to navigate the high-stakes month leading up to her formal grand opening. From the logistics of hosting a city-sanctioned ribbon cutting to the sudden "panic" of realizing your practice is growing faster than your team can handle, Toni pulls back the curtain on the emotional and operational roller coaster of being four months into a startup.What You'll Hear in This Episode:[07:05] – Home Life Update[09:40] – The Grand Opening Logistics[16:45] – The Residency Debate[23:05] – The "Imposter" Mindset[27:30] – Clinical Boundaries[33:30] – Hiring Hacks & "Server" Stories[38:40] – The Six-Month Panic[41:45] – Systems for Scale[45:15] – Tech Regrets & Future-Proofing[54:10] – The Sign MiracleCommunity Question:Toni is looking to maximize her CBCT production. How are you utilizing your CBCT beyond just surgical guides? Are you doing airway/sleep screenings for every new patient? Do you charge for the initial scan? Let us know in the Facebook groupConnect with Toni: Instagram: @the.joyful.dentist • @bloomdental.coConnect with Ashley: Instagram: @ashleyjovesddsThis episode is made possible by: Studio 8E8 — Dentistry's story-driven growth agency for startups. Learn more at https://s8e8.com/vsl Net 32 — The online marketplace to compare brands and prices so you never overpay. Check them out at net32.com/themakingofSupport the showFind Out More Thank you for listening to The Making Of podcast. If you enjoyed it, please share with anyone you think will gain value from the show by clicking on one of the sharing tabs above. SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER HERE Also, please consider leaving an honest review on iTunes. It helps other listeners find the show, and I would be forever grateful.Questions or comments? Feel free to contact us at - themakingofadental@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram or Facebook and improve your dental practice every day!Have you subscribed? Don't miss a single episode!

Guest: Jason Auerbach (Bloody Tooth Guy) https://bloodytoothguy.com/   Host: Serv Wahan https://www.drwahan.com/   keywords   oral surgery, social media, dentistry, patient care, dental education, sedation techniques, corporate dentistry, private practice, dental instruments, dental technology, bloody tooth guy, Jason Auerbach, Dr. Wahan, Serv Wahan, Max surgical specialty management, riverside oral surgery, om3surgery, Seattle oral surgeon, new jersey oral surgeon     summary   In this engaging conversation, Serv Wahan MD, DMD, and Jason Auerbach, known as Bloody Tooth Guy, delve into the evolution of social media in dentistry, the challenges posed by algorithms and censorship, and the importance of documentation for dental professionals. They discuss teaching methodologies, ergonomics in practice, and the role of technology in modern dentistry. Auerbach shares his journey to becoming a dentist, the shift from private practice to corporate dentistry, and the evolution of sedation techniques. The conversation concludes with personal insights and reflections on the future of dentistry.     takeaways Social media has transformed how dental professionals share knowledge. Documentation is crucial for self-assessment and improvement in dentistry. Teaching is a vital part of the dental profession, enhancing learning for all. Ergonomics and patient positioning are essential for long-term health in practice. The right instruments can significantly impact surgical outcomes. Technology, like CBCT, has revolutionized dental procedures. The journey to becoming a dentist is often influenced by key individuals. Corporate dentistry is on the rise, affecting private practices. Sedation techniques have evolved, improving patient care. Oral maxillofacial surgery is a rewarding specialty that can inspire future generations.   titles The Rise of Bloody Tooth Guy Navigating Social Media in Dentistry   Sound Bites "I started Bloody Tooth Guy February 20th." "People love to see it, so I'm happy to do it." "A bite block is 101."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bloody Tooth Guy 03:03 The Evolution of Social Media in Dentistry 06:00 The Importance of Documentation in Dental Practice 09:04 Teaching and Learning in Dentistry 12:00 Ergonomics and Patient Positioning 15:03 Instruments and Techniques for Extractions 17:53 Personal Journey to Dentistry 28:55 Early Days in Dentistry 34:41 Advancements in Imaging Technology 39:50 Evolution of Sedation Practices 46:45 The Shift Towards Corporate Dentistry 52:25 The Future of Private Practice 56:24 Reflections on Oral Surgery and Music

Your team thinks they’re selling braces. They’re wrong. What patients actually buy is certainty. Certainty about cost, timing, next steps, and whether they’re making the right call for their kid or themselves. When you don’t create that certainty fast, you get the same complaints every practice has: they ghosted us, bad lead, they said they needed to think about it, they price-shopped, they no-showed. Here’s what hurts: your leads aren’t bad. Your process leaks certainty. Fix that, and your team won’t need to push harder. They’ll just need to get clear, confident, and better at leading conversations. The kind of leadership that feels like service instead of sales. Get your copy of the Practice Paradox and the Personality Assessment: https://ion.agency/practice-paradox-book The Core Truth — People Don’t Buy Orthodontics. They Buy Certainty. Whether someone is choosing braces, clear aligners, or even deodorant, the psychology stays the same: people move when they feel safe taking the next step. That’s why calls fall apart even when your team says all the right things. If the prospect feels confused, guarded, uneasy, or overwhelmed, you can keep talking. You’ve already lost. Not because they hate you. Because their brain is protecting them from a decision that feels risky. So the question becomes: How do you manufacture certainty, fast, without sounding salesy? Let’s break it into five levers: mindset, voice, speed, follow-up, and simplification. Redefine “Sales” So Your Team Stops Sabotaging It A lot of practices hate the word “sales.” They picture a used-car lot: fake smile, pressure, manipulation, take the money and run. That’s exactly why they struggle. Here’s the reframe: sales isn’t taking. Sales is giving. If your team believes sales is something you do to people, they’ll avoid it, rush it, or apologize for it. If they believe sales is something you do for people (clarifying, guiding, simplifying), they show up differently. Two guardrails matter: integrity and a true desire to help paired with belief that the service will positively impact the patient’s life. Violate those, and you’re back in the version of sales everyone hates. Hold those two guardrails, and closing isn’t predatory. It’s service. Why this matters to certainty: Certainty doesn’t come from convincing. It comes from leadership. People relax when they feel guided by someone who knows what they’re doing and genuinely has their interests in mind. If your team doesn’t buy that idea, every tactic in this article turns into a script. Scripts don’t create certainty. Free Growth Session Certainty Starts With How You Sound — Tone and Tempo Beat Perfect Wording The fastest way to kill a call isn’t the wrong sentence. It’s the wrong cadence. Two things matter most: tonality and tempo. Tone and tempo communicate what words can’t: calm confidence, leadership, empathy, impatience, uncertainty, awkwardness. The Real Phone Skill Is Emotional Control When your scheduler or treatment coordinator sounds rushed, unsure, or overly chirpy, the prospect doesn’t feel guided. They feel processed. And if the prospect doesn’t feel guided, they don’t feel safe. Use Anchoring Questions to Uncover What Creates Certainty for This Person Three questions shift the call from “schedule this” to “understand why this matters.” “How long have you been thinking about straightening your teeth or bringing Johnny in?” This tells you whether they’re a “yesterday” person or a “two years” person. Very different energy, very different barriers. “Why did you feel like now was a good time to address this?” This reveals the trigger: pain, bullying, a dentist referral, a life event, a deadline, a job, a wedding. The trigger is often where certainty lives. “Why did you decide to come see us?” This exposes perceived differentiation or lack of it. It also surfaces competitive context without you sounding defensive. These questions aren’t cute. They build certainty because they make the prospect feel understood. And they give your team leverage to connect the consult to what the person actually cares about. If You Sense Uncertainty, Address It Immediately If someone sounds uneasy, uncertain, confused, or guarded, you can’t just continue your flow and hope it resolves itself. You need to pivot and handle that emotion right now. Or you won’t have their attention for the rest of the call, and you’ll often earn a no-show. Use something playful as a pattern interrupt (something they don’t expect) to regain attention. The point isn’t the exact line. The point is: certainty requires attention, and attention disappears when emotion turns skeptical. The Underrated Skill — Being Comfortable With Silence Most teams panic during silence and start filling space with nervous checking: “Hello?” “Did you get that?” “Can you hear me?” Don’t do that. Embrace the silence. The person just answered an unexpected call. You don’t know what they’re doing. If you can sit through a few seconds, you keep authority and flow. Why this matters to certainty: When you talk like a leader (steady, calm, unhurried), you lend your certainty to the other person. When you sound nervous, you amplify theirs. Speed Is Strategy: Desire Decays Faster Than You Think If you’re treating online leads like they’re 2012 leads, you’re getting cooked. Amazon has trained consumers. If something doesn’t have the two-day delivery vibe, what do people start thinking? “Do I really need this?” “Maybe I’ll find something similar I can get tomorrow.” That same consumer expectation bleeds into choosing an orthodontist. If you don’t respond fast, if it’s hard to schedule, if it takes forever to get clarity, people don’t wait patiently. They move on or talk themselves out of it. The Five-Minute Rule Isn’t Aggressive. It’s Reality. Studies show that if you don’t follow up within five minutes, there’s a 400 percent decrease in ever getting in touch. Calling back within 60 seconds can boost conversions by 391 percent. Whether you obsess over exact numbers or not, the operational takeaway is undeniable: your speed determines whether you’re still top of mind. Here’s what should sting a little: five minutes should be your worst day. Because in a digital world, five minutes can feel like an hour. Nobody submits a form and then sits there doing nothing, waiting for your office to call. They go right back to scrolling, eating dinner, getting pulled into life. And when you finally call, you’re no longer “the answer.” You’re “some unknown number.” Certainty Collapses When You’re Not Top of Mind When your callback is slow, you trigger confusion: “Who is this?” “Where are you calling from?” “Why are you calling me?” That confusion isn’t neutral. Confusion is uncertainty. Uncertainty is delay. Delay becomes ghosting. If you want more conversions, stop treating speed like an operational detail. Speed is part of your sales system. “Bad Leads” Are Often Just Cold Opportunities, and Your Follow-Up Must Match Human Behavior Most practices overuse the term “bad lead” as emotional protection. It feels better to say “they were a bad lead” than “we didn’t create enough certainty fast enough.” Here’s the reframe: a bad lead is someone you truly can’t serve. Someone without teeth, no pulse, extreme mismatch. Everything else? That’s not a bad lead. That’s an opportunity that either isn’t ready yet, lost excitement, didn’t feel safe, or didn’t get enough follow-up to stay warm. It’s not always that the leads are bad. It’s that the opportunities have gone cold. The Simplest Reason Follow-Up Fails — Nobody Answers Unknown Numbers (Including You) Most of us do not pick up calls from numbers we don’t know. So why is your team shocked when prospects don’t answer? This is why you need a specific cadence: call, voicemail, text, email, repeat. That multi-touch pattern creates recognition: “Oh right, I did request that.” It builds association. And it reduces the emotional friction of picking up. Micro-Impressions Before the Consult Decide Whether They Show Up This might be the most overlooked certainty killer in orthodontics: the little irritations that happen before the patient ever meets the doctor. Being put on hold for minutes (feels like forever). The office not answering. Getting disconnected and not being asked for a callback number. Having to call back and re-enter the queue. These micro-impressions create a subtle story in the patient’s mind: “This is going to be a pain.” That story produces uncertainty. Bottom line: If your front-end experience feels clunky, you can’t treatment-coordinate your way out of it in the consult. Free Growth Session Create Certainty in the Consult by Simplifying the Process and the Money Conversation If you want more same-day starts, stop turning the consult into a college lecture. Here’s a real-world example of a practice that aggressively simplified the consult process: 30 minutes total per new patient exam, records done fast (an eight-minute window), doctor in the room for one to two minutes, treatment coordinator does most of the explanation and fee conversation, they deliberately trained and timed the team to move faster, and fee presentation is simple and consistent. The insight isn’t “everyone must do 30-minute exams.” The insight is: complexity creates hesitation. When the doctor spends 20 minutes explaining the science of orthodontics, the patient walks out thinking, “Wow, this is a big deal. I need to go home and digest this.” In other words: you made it feel heavy, risky, and uncertain. Simplification doesn’t mean low quality. It means low friction. Fees — Answer the Real Question Without Overwhelming Them The patient’s number one question at the consult is: “How much is it?” When offices avoid this, they don’t create certainty. They create suspense. And suspense is not your friend in a high-consideration purchase. One practice’s approach: Lead with one simple plan ($300 down and a monthly that stays under $200). Don’t lead with four options. Options create overwhelm. If they ask about pay-in-full, then you introduce that. If $300 today is a barrier, step it down: $150 today and draft the other $150 in one to two weeks. This strategy isn’t about discounting. It’s about making the decision feel manageable. On the Phone — If You Won’t Quote Fees, You Still Must Remove Financing Fear When people hear “payment plans” and “financing,” they often assume interest, credit checks, banks, and paying more over time. So if your team says, “We have great payment plans,” that’s not certainty. That’s vague reassurance. And vague reassurance reads like sales fluff. Instead, proactively clarify: zero percent interest, no credit checks, in-house financing, no banks involved. That removes uncertainty. And when uncertainty drops, people move forward. Stop Trying to Differentiate With Tech Patients Don’t Understand Some practices try to win by talking about technology (CBCT, bonding techniques, fancy bracket systems) as the primary differentiator. The general public has low dental IQ. Most people don’t know what those things are, and they aren’t buying them up front. What are disruptors winning on? Speed, convenience, little resistance, affordability, and a cool brand. You can wow them clinically once they’re in and committed. But at the decision point, patients buy what reduces friction and uncertainty. Practical Takeaways — A Certainty-First Playbook You Can Implement Now You don’t need a new script. You need a new operating system. Here’s a practical checklist, organized by where certainty is won or lost. Phone: Create Certainty in the First 60 Seconds Train the two T’s: tonality and tempo. Start coaching cadence, not just words. Add the three anchoring questions: How long have you been thinking about it? Why now? Why us? The moment you hear uncertainty, pivot and address it. Don’t keep going like nothing happened. Get comfortable with silence. Nervous filler kills authority. Scheduling —Stop the Endless Loop With Wide Net Statements Replace open-ended scheduling chaos with two-option narrowing. “Specific date or day or first available?” “Morning or afternoon?” “1 p.m. or 3 p.m.?” This approach prevents the call from dragging and keeps you leading. Speed — Protect Momentum Like It’s Revenue (Because It Is) Treat five minutes as unacceptable in normal conditions. Aim to call back before they exit the browser whenever possible. Build operational systems that make fast response normal, not heroic. Follow-Up — Assume They Won’t Answer and Build Recognition Anyway Use the cadence: call, voicemail, text, email, repeat. Stop labeling unresponsive people as “bad.” Most are just cold. Clean up micro-impressions: reduce holds, avoid disconnects without callback capture, and tighten the front desk experience. Consult — Simplify Until Decisions Feel Easy Reduce information overload. Don’t make treatment feel like a complicated life event. Standardize a simple fee presentation. Lead with one clear path. Introduce alternatives only if asked. Remove financing uncertainty with clear language (zero percent interest, in-house, no banks, no credit checks). If You Fix Certainty, You Fix Conversion Your practice isn’t competing only on clinical outcomes anymore. You’re competing on how fast you respond, how easy it is to schedule, how confident your team sounds, how predictable your process feels, and whether the patient understands the money without anxiety. People don’t buy braces. They buy certainty. If you want more starts without feeling salesy, stop trying to close harder. Start building a system that makes the next step feel obvious, safe, and simple. That’s what your market is actually demanding now. Free Growth Session The post Patients Keep Saying No? Here’s What You’re Missing appeared first on HIP Creative.

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf  In Part 2 of this powerful two-part series, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits back down with renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Scott Bolding, whose orthopedic-driven approach to TMJ diagnostics and surgery is reshaping how dentistry understands joint disease. If you've ever wondered why TMJ patients get "punted" from provider to provider, why MRI-based diagnosis never became mainstream, or how degenerative joint pathology silently derails orthodontic and restorative outcomes, this episode will fundamentally change the way you think. Dr. Bolding unpacks the historical missteps that led to dentistry's decades-long avoidance of TMJ surgery—from disastrous 1980s implant materials to insurance fallout and a profession-wide retreat from joint management. He explains how this cultural shift created clinical blind spots that we still see today, and why the message of "TMJ will get better if you leave it alone" has harmed diagnostic rigor for an entire generation of dentists. Together, Dr. Seibert and Dr. Bolding explore: How ligament injury leads to disc displacement—and when that displacement becomes surgically relevant Why MRI and CBCT are indispensable tools for modern diagnosis (and what specific radiographic findings clinicians should never overlook) How unaddressed joint pathology contributes to tooth wear, occlusal collapse, postoperative symptoms, and even failed orthognathic cases The truth about total joint prostheses today—far removed from the failed biomaterials of the past—and why custom joints offer dramatic predictability for patients with severe degeneration The critical need for comprehensive dentists to reclaim TMJ literacy and function as quarterbacks—not bystanders—in interdisciplinary care Dr. Bolding also describes the orthopedic model for surgical decision-making, clarifying when joints can be repaired, when they cannot, and how airway considerations should influence mandibular advancement in joint reconstruction. The conversation closes with a call to action for dentists everywhere: joint-aware dentistry isn't optional—it's foundational to predictable outcomes in restorative, orthodontic, and airway-driven treatment planning. This is a masterclass in the contemporary philosophy of TMJ management—equal parts clinical insight, historical context, and future-forward thinking.

This week we welcome back the dynamic duo of digital dentistry, Blake Roney and Patrick Dewey from S.I.N. 360 (https://sin360.us/) (Simplicity • Innovation • Nanotechnology) for a massive deep dive into implants, photogrammetry, and the ever-evolving world of full-arch workflows. Since their last visit in 2022, Blake has gone from new kid on the block to full-blown Exocad (https://exocad.com/) educator, and Patrick breaks down how S.I.N. has doubled down on innovation across implants, CAD/CAM, and photogrammetry. The guys walk us through the new Versalis implant line (https://sin360.us/versalis/), why one connection for all indications is a big deal for labs, and how S.I.N. is pushing efficiencies for high-volume, complex full-arch clinicians. Then comes the star of the show: the MicronMapper (https://sin360.us/micronmapper/)—a lighter, faster, more accurate photogrammetry system that doesn't just capture implants but verifies manufacturing accuracy, scans soft tissue, and reduces surgical guesswork. Blake breaks down real-world accuracy numbers, what RMSE actually means, why intraoral scanners aren't cutting it for full-arch, and how FitCheck is saving labs from misfires, wasted zirconia, and bad days. They also reveal the newest frontier: Tissue Mapper, a photogrammetry-based, scanner-free workflow that pulls bite, tissue, and implant data without fiducials or messy post-op scans. It's nerdy, innovative, and ridiculously cool for the high-volume teams ready to level up. If you love accuracy, numbers, full-arch workflows, or just really good dental tech nerding — this is your episode. Happy Holidays from Ivoclar! As the year comes to a close, all of us at Ivoclar want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible Voices From the Bench community. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and the support you've shown throughout the year. From our Ivoclar family to yours, we wish you a joyful, healthy, and safe holiday season. May your days be merry, your nights be bright, and your smiles shine like freshly fallen snow. Ho, ho, ho — Happy Holidays from Ivoclar! Big news is coming your way in the world of CAM. Our friends at Ivoclar have teamed up with FOLLOW-ME! Technology (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/) to bring the Ivotion Denture System (https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/digital-processes/ivotion) into the HyperDent CAM (https://www.follow-me-tech.com/hyperdent/) workflow. That's right—your favorite pre-shaded, two-layer Ivotion discs, the ones that let you design and mill a complete denture in one seamless process with no bonding and no mess, are now moving beyond closed systems. Thanks to this new partnership, Ivotion can finally be milled on open machines through HyperDent. And it gets better: you'll first see this powerful workflow available on the Roland DWX-53 series mills (https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-53d)—already a staple in so many labs—as well as the Imagine iMills (https://www.imagineusa.com/legacy/s/mills/imill). If you've been waiting for a faster, cleaner, more flexible way to produce full dentures, this is it. Ivoclar and FOLLOW-ME! just made the future of denture manufacturing wide open. Get ready—HyperDent is about to change the way you mill Ivotion. Year-end chaos is here. Labs are slammed, deadlines are brutal, and mistakes are not an option. That's when dental technicians rely on the one thing that never quits: https://www.rolanddga.com/applications/dental-cad-cam. The DWX-53DC (https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-53dc-5-axis-dry-dental-milling-with-automatic-disc-changer) is a true workhorse—24-hour automated milling that keeps your lab running, your overhead down, and your ROI up. No redos. No downtime. Just consistent, precise results. Built on decades of Japanese engineering, Roland delivers the reliability that keeps labs sane, profitable, and on schedule. Finish the year strong with the mill you can trust. Choose Roland DGSHAPE. Precision. Reliability. Performance. Learn more at rolanddga.com Special Guests: Blake Roney and Patrick Dewey.

In this forward-looking episode of Endo Voices, host Dr. Marcus Johnson sits down with Dr. Federico Martinho of the University of Maryland to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of endodontic technology. From dynamic navigation and CBCT-driven precision to the expanding role of artificial intelligence, Dr. Martinho breaks down how these advancements are reshaping accuracy, efficiency, education, and ultimately patient outcomes. The conversation travels through emerging research, adoption challenges, ergonomic considerations, and the fascinating interplay between engineering, AI, and clinical decision-making. The two also dive into what's on the horizon—from augmented reality and 3D printing to robotic assistance and next-generation irrigation systems—highlighting the opportunities and responsibilities that come with integrating new tools into practice. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or tech-curious endodontist, this episode offers a compelling look at the innovation wave redefining the specialty. Episodes of Endo Voices may include opinion, speculation and other statements not verifiable in the scientific method and do not necessarily reflect the views of AAE or the sponsor(s). Listeners should use their best judgment in evaluating the merits of any content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With long-term health, the mouth is often overlooked. For most people, the dentist is someone only seen for a cleaning or to fix a problem like a cavity or crown.  However, according to Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, a world-renowned oral health expert, we are undergoing a massive paradigm shift. It is time to stop seeing the mouth as separate and recognize it as a critical data center for your entire body's well-being. This new approach, which Dr. Levine's practice calls "mouth mapping," is poised to change how we manage everything from heart disease to sleep. The Biological Connection: Mouth Mapping for Longevity For decades, dentistry and medicine have operated in "siloed" worlds, but Dr. Levine explains that this separation is political, not biological. He stresses that "the mouth is connected to the rest of the body". The mouth is the second-biggest microbiome after the gut, containing over 600 species.  When it is unhealthy, foundational research shows that pathogenic bacteria can cause "leaky gums, like leaky gut," giving harmful bacteria a direct route into the bloodstream. Research has found bacteria associated with oral disease in the inner walls of the carotid artery in people with cardiovascular disease.  The connection, he says, is undeniable, linking oral health as a causal factor or risk factor for diseases including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and pancreatic cancer.  The statistics are staggering: 70% of the adult population has some type of inflammation in the mouth, and North of 55% suffers from periodontal disease (chronic inflammation). Studies show that as periodontal disease increases, rheumatoid arthritis also increases, and P. gingivalis has been found in the amyloid plaque of Alzheimer's patients. Mouth Mapping Diagnostics If your mouth is a window to health, "mouth mapping" is the diagnostic toolkit used to look through it. This integrative approach goes  beyond just looking for cavities. Dr. Levine's practice, Smile House, uses a "digital workflow" to create a complete profile of your oral and systemic health. This "mouth mapping" can include: Saliva pH Testing: A simple, first-line indicator, as "the bad bugs thrive in a low pH environment". Salivary Diagnostics: Saliva is sent for analysis to get a readout profile of 200 bacteria in about 10 days, educating patients on the specific pathogenic bacteria they possess and the risks they pose. CBCT (Cone Beam CAT Scans): This 3D scan analyzes anatomy from the "Top of the nose to the airway," showing how well the airway is functioning and if it is anatomically small. Blood Prick Testing: This new model of dentistry even includes checking "inflammatory markers in your blood," such as C-reactive protein. The Oral Physician This rich diagnostic data is shared with the entire health team. Dr. Levine is pioneering the concept of the "oral physician". Because patients typically see their dentist more regularly than their primary care physician, the dentist is uniquely positioned as the "tip of the spear" for addressing chronic inflammatory diseases early.  This allows care providers to "go upstream" and build a "wellness model". For instance, using a CBCT scan, an "oral physician" can immediately spot issues like a deviated septum that causes mouth breathing and prevents "deep regenerative sleep," leading to an immediate referral to an ENT specialist. A New Pillar of Longevity For years, longevity experts cited motion, nutrition, and stress management as the pillars of health. Dr. Levine argues it is time to add the pillar of oral health. Understanding how important a healthy mouth is "will lead to longevity".  This collaborative, integrated model marks the future of healthcare, moving away from the "sickness model" and toward true wellness. This innovation means that "If you're in an innovative dental office, you shouldn't be able to recognize it... Today, it's a new day". In this podcast you will learn… Why the mouth is considered a critical data center for the entire body's well-being. How pathogenic bacteria from "leaky gums" can enter the circulatory system and contribute to conditions like cardiovascular disease. That inflammation in the mouth is linked to diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatic cancer, and Alzheimer's. The function of specialized diagnostics used in mouth mapping, including Salivary Diagnostics and 3D CBCT scans. Why the dentist, acting as the "oral physician," is considered the "tip of the spear" for catching chronic inflammatory diseases early. Why Dr. Levine argues that oral health must be added as a fourth pillar of longevity alongside motion, nutrition, and stress management.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Dr. Levine offers $100 off your first visit to Smile House or JBL NYC. Just mention BIOptimizers or Awesome Health Podcast when booking your appointment at smilehouse.co Not in the city? Dr. Levine has curated a comprehensive Home Care Guide just for you. Visit @SmileHouseTribeca on Instagram and DM "GUIDE" to receive your free guide! Other accounts to Collaborate on Social: @drjonlevine, @smilehousetribeca, @jblnewyorkcity

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Net32.com  Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram   Description: In this episode, Dr. Scott Bolding — leading oral and maxillofacial surgeon and airway reconstruction expert — dismantles the outdated belief that sleep apnea is primarily a soft-tissue problem. He explains why the bone dictates the obstruction, why skeletal repositioning is the true driver of airway patency, and how maxillary advancement, mandibular rotation, and hyoid biomechanics can radically transform patient physiology. You'll also hear how CBCT, DICE, and joint-first diagnostics reshape treatment planning for sleep apnea and complex cases. A must-listen for clinicians who want to move beyond superficial airway conversations and into evidence-based surgical frameworks.

In this episode, we sit down with Maureen Shelton — ACPE Certified Educator, CBCT instructor, and co-developer of Compassion-Centered Spiritual Health — to uncover the surprising science behind compassion. Together, we explore how CBCT and CCSH transform chaplaincy from “holding space” into an evidence-based clinical intervention. Learn how compassion reshapes language, reduces patient distress, and even affects chaplains' well-being. https://compassion.emory.edu/cbct-compassion-training/index.html https://ccsh.emory.edu/ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313602 Connect with Alice and John on social media: Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) @researchchaplain (John) https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicetremaine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainbetz/ Leave us a message at the Chaplain's Compass phone number: 502-536-7508 Learn more about chaplaincy at https://www.chaplaincynow.com/ and the association of professional chaplains at https://www.apchaplains.org/

In this groundbreaking first in-studio episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas sit down with Adrian Lefler, founder of My Social Practice, to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping dental marketing and practice management.Adrian's journey into dentistry began unconventionally—emerging from bankruptcy in 2009, he discovered how to get businesses on the front page of Google and partnered with a colleague who had access to 3,500 dental practice contacts. What started as survival became a 15-year deep dive into understanding the unique challenges dentists face in marketing their practices.The conversation reveals why dentists make ideal clients: they're intelligent, ethical, pay their bills on time, and navigate extraordinary complexity managing both clinical excellence and business operations. Yet this same complexity creates vulnerability to marketing companies that don't understand the nuances of local, relationship-based dental practices versus national brand strategies.Adrian delivers immediately actionable insights, emphasizing that Google Reviews remain the most critical marketing investment. With three out of four potential patients checking reviews before making decisions, a robust Google Review profile becomes the filtering system for all other marketing efforts—making or breaking even six-figure advertising campaigns.The discussion takes a fascinating turn into AI's disruption of traditional search engine optimization. As Google integrates AI overviews at the top of search results, conventional advertising models are collapsing. Ad costs have doubled or tripled as fewer people scroll past AI-generated answers to click on paid advertisements. Adrian explains how AI doesn't just match keywords—it analyzes context, sentiment, and nuance in longer conversational search queries, fundamentally changing how dental practices must approach content creation.Perhaps most provocative is the revelation about practice management system data ownership. While doctors legally own their patient data, PMS companies charge multiple third-party vendors for API access to that same information—costs ultimately passed to dentists. Adrian proposes a revolutionary solution: an open-source PMS where dentists receive payment when vendors access their data, potentially reducing costs by hundreds of dollars monthly while maintaining superior functionality.The conversation doesn't shy away from emerging challenges: cloud-based systems that hold data hostage when contracts end, the rapid proliferation of AI products promising to revolutionize everything from scheduling to note-taking, and the consolidation wave that will inevitably follow as successful solutions absorb competitors.Adrian's vision for dentistry's future includes AI receptionists that never tire, conversational interfaces replacing traditional search, and the potential for collaborative dental centers—hospital-like facilities where practitioners share expensive technology like CBCT machines, CEREC equipment, and specialists under one roof, dramatically reducing individual overhead while elevating care quality.This episode challenges dentists to think differently about marketing, data ownership, and practice structure. It's a masterclass in understanding not just what's changing, but why it matters and how to position yourself for success in an AI-transformed landscape.Subscribe to the podcast on APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authentic-dentist/id1487586274Or SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qapfaNRkcIlCjgIsftb60?si=d02c74cf4f924897

This episode features host Dr. Alan Mead sitting down with his friend, Dr. Lance Timmerman, in the artsy Hotel Murano lobby in Tacoma, Washington, while Dr. Mead is attending a four-day Bioclear core certification course. The conversation flows between the excellence of the Bioclear hands-on CE curriculum and the company's continuous innovation in dental matrices (like the redesigned twin ring). Dr. Mead and Dr. Timmerman also share humorous and insightful anecdotes from their dental school days, discussing the crushing weight of modern student debt, the challenges of implementing new CE concepts, and their personal preferences regarding in-person versus remote hands-on learning. Dr. Timmerman touches on the importance of having a CBCT and reflects on the extreme surgical procedure of zygoma implants as something he actively avoids. The episode closes with reflections on the transformative journey from dental school anxiety to current professional life, highlighting the value of connecting with peers outside of formal lectures. Some links from the show: Bioclear Learning Center Bioclear Twin Rings Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," "Bioclear," Hornbrook," "Gary," "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code "VERYDENTAL10" you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

In this episode of the Nifty Thrifty Dentists Podcast, Dr. Glenn Vo sits down with Rick Cromar, Head of Sales at Peak Dental Studio, to uncover how building a better relationship with your lab can transform your workflow, save money, and bring the “local lab” feel back to dentistry. Rick shares how Peak Dental Studio bridges the gap between large-scale efficiency and personal service, offering top-tier craftsmanship, transparent communication, and group pricing for Nifty Thrifty dentists.

Got questions? Send Ericka a Text!If your perio percentage hovers around 15% while half your hygiene notes mention bleeding, you don't have a production problem—you have a calibration problem. We sit down with Ed, a clinician-turned-hygiene coach with a billing background, to unpack how teams move from prophy habit to complete health care without losing trust or momentum. The through-line is simple: document what you see, code what you do, and speak with one voice so patients understand why it matters.We start with measurement. Ed breaks down perio performance percentage and why healthy practices often land between 30 and 40 percent depending on demographics. From there, we map practical calibration: agreeing on diagnostic thresholds, choosing plain language that patients can repeat back, and separating clinical conversations from benefits talk. You'll hear how co-diagnosis works when the dentist frames whole-body health and the hygienist details the treatment sequence, intervals, and home protocols.Technology becomes a teaching tool rather than a crutch. CBCT helps illustrate bone changes, intraoral photos make bleeding undeniable, and saliva testing like OralDNA turns bacteria into a color-coded story patients can follow. We also explore Perio Protect and how reducing inflammatory load lets the body “recharge,” improving healing and even sleep. The hardest part—converting long-time prophy patients—gets easier with “show, do, tell” scripts, honest framing about updated standards of care, and seed planting that respects patient pace while protecting outcomes.If you're ready to raise perio performance with integrity, this conversation gives you the metrics, scripts, and workflows to get there. Subscribe, share with your hygiene lead, and leave a review telling us which change you'll implement first. Schedule a demo with MaxAssist to unlock scheduleing potential here: https://maxassist.com/book-a-demo-fortune-billing/ Join The Biller Acceleration Mentorship Wait List Here: (Only 5 Spots Left in 2025!!)https://linktr.ee/dental_billing_coachWould you like to set-up a billing consultation with Ericka? She would love the opportunity to discuss your billing questions and see how Fortune Billing Solutions may help you. Email Ericka:ericka@dentalbillingdoneright.com Email Jen: jen@dentalbillingdoneright.com Email Ed: ed@dentalbillingdoneright.comSchedule a call with Ericka: https://calendly.com/ericka-dentalbillingdoneright/30min Perio performance formula: (D4341+D4342+D4346+D4355+D4910)/(D4341+D4342+D4346+D4355+D4910+D1110) Delta Dental Locum Tenens Form: https://www1.deltadentalins.com/content/dam/ddins/en/pdf/dentists/locum-tenens-form.pdf

Early orthodontic treatment is transforming how practitioners approach phase one treatment for growing patients. In this episode of the Golden Age Of Orthodontics, hosts Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein welcome Dr. Don Spillers, a board-certified orthodontist and leading voice in Invisalign First therapy. Dr. Spillers shares how clear aligners for kids are revolutionizing pediatric orthodontics, offering superior compliance, better hygiene, and remarkable arch development without traditional metal appliances. The conversation explores the business impact of treating patients at age seven versus only offering observation, the role of digital orthodontics in the growth of modern practice, and the best age to start orthodontic treatment for children.What you will Learn in this Episode:• How early orthodontic treatment with Invisalign First delivers superior patient compliance and clinical outcomes compared to traditional orthodontic appliances like palatal expanders and headgear• The business impact of implementing aligner therapy for growing patients – including how observation and recall strategies may be costing your practice significant patient attrition to competitors• Why digital orthodontics is revolutionizing phase one treatment with innovations like the Invisalign palatal expander, mandibular advancement wings, and complete digital workflow integration• How treating children during active growth phases supports airway development and arch development, often eliminating the need for primary or permanent tooth extractionsSubscribe to the Golden Age of Orthodontics and our sister podcast, Practice Talk, hosted by Lacey Ellis, wherever you listen to stay updated on orthodontic innovation and real-world practice strategies. Visit People in Practice for more insights and to connect with our team for practice growth solutions.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to early orthodontic treatment debate, the evolution of phase one treatment with clear aligners and personal insights from Dr. Leon and Amy Epstein02:34 Meet Dr. Spillers09:55 Dr. Don Spillers' journey from Invisalign skeptic to faculty member, teaching digital orthodontics and aligner therapy worldwide15:43 Patient experience and business impact of implementing Invisalign First – including compliance advantages and practice growth from 30% early intervention orthodontics19:21 Clinical innovations, including Invisalign palatal expander, mandibular advancement wings, and CBCT integration, showing bone change and airway benefits28:00 The marketing reality of observation versus treatment – why delaying orthodontic treatment leads to patient attrition and the future of digital pediatric orthodontics by 2030KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Early orthodontic treatment with Invisalign First offers a complete digital workflow from scanning to retention, with new tools including the Invisalign palatal expander, mandibular advancement wings, and occlusal blocks – providing every appliance needed to treat growing patients without traditional metal devices• Children ages 7-8 demonstrate superior compliance compared to teenagers, with parents reporting kids remind them when it's time to change aligners – plus treatment causes no pain, allows normal eating and sports, and improves hygiene compared to traditional orthodontic appliances• Practices implementing phase one treatment with aligner therapy experience significant business growth, as observation strategies lead to substantial patient attrition to competitors – moms want immediate...

Injection Molding PDF Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram   In this first of a two-part series, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Dr. David Attia—an international educator leading the charge in digital and implant dentistry—to explore how advanced technologies are revolutionizing multidisciplinary care. Together, they unpack how tools like SmileCloud, CBCT segmentation, and 3D facial scanning are allowing clinicians to “stack” digital data for unparalleled treatment precision. Dr. Attia shares how virtual patient workflows have streamlined his implant and aesthetic planning, transforming coordination between surgical, restorative, and laboratory teams. The discussion also dives into biologically driven implant concepts, the evolution of partial extraction therapy, and the philosophy that “preservation is the ultimate form of regeneration.” This episode will reshape how you think about digital integration and tissue preservation in the aesthetic zone.   Dr. David Attia completed his undergraduate training at Griffith University, Queensland. Following graduation, Dr. Attia completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics through the City of London Dental School. David's passion for surgery led him to complete a Master's in Oral Implantology through Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. His Master's thesis focused on a novel approach in full-arch implant rehabilitations and he presented his research at the 6th Annual Congress of Innovation Jumps in Oral Implantology. Dr. Attia now holds a teaching appointment with Goethe University as a surgical mentor for Australian students completing the program. He has also presented on the implementation of photography into clinical practice, as well as the importance of soft tissue management around implants both locally and abroad. Dr. Attia is a core faculty instructor for the Australasian College of Dental Practitioners Graduate Diploma in Oral Implants and is also involved in live surgical training of dentists looking to begin or advance their journey in dental implantology. David thoroughly enjoys the multi-disciplinary approach to dentistry. His unique combination of education and training allows him to implement cutting-edge treatment, offering patients comprehensive, predictable and long-term treatment solutions. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and is regularly involved in training and mentoring recent graduates.

Dentistry isn't always the front of the pack when it comes to innovation, but Tiff and Kristy tackle the topic with digestible takeaways from a marketing point of view. In this episode, they touch on easy questions to identify your practice's brand, why that patient avatar is so critical, and how to ensure your brand spreads through your office, down to the check-in staff member. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. We are back here with you today. This is Tiffanie, because I forget to announce myself, and Miss Kristy. I have Kristy for the long haul today. She's doing a couple of different recordings with me. And I can't wait for them to come out. Actually, Kristy, I have had so much fun. I think this one, I don't know what order they go out in. So whatever. If you guys have listened to the leadership ones we just did or have not, they're coming.   You're going to love them. So Kristy, thank you for taking this ride with me today and just busting out a ton ⁓ with me on this beautiful, it's a Thursday morning right now. How are you doing? You holding up over there? You got your water? Awesome.   DAT Kristy (00:40) Absolutely. It's always the   day goes by fast when we're doing this. love it.   The Dental A Team (00:45) Yeah, me too. I really do. I do love it. And I ⁓ love when we hear from listeners. I love when we get, you know, we get to go through the reviews below and see what people loved or I know a lot of people will leave like info of their own that there is suggestions I should say. And it's just a lot of fun. Always hearing from it. And I love hearing from my clients when they've listened to one. So I agree the podcast is fun and it's like a collaboration time for us.   I enjoy it. this podcast topic, the subject, is something I really, really love. ⁓ I was talking actually, it's on marketing guys. So don't fret. I think you already saw the title, but it's on marketing. ⁓ I joined a marketing call yesterday with a client and it was a marketer I've not worked with before and she was fantastic and she was very collaborative. It was great, but she...   She was like, is this something you guys do? You guys work, like you do marketing for them? And I was like, no, no, no, let's not get wild here. Like I don't do marketing, but I love it. And I know my consultant team loves marketing and internal is our jam. And we are really, really solid at that, but really finding different ways that we can leverage our skills to show patients and potential patients that this is the right place for them.   I think is something that consultants on our team are really fantastic at. And I wanted to dive into some of that with you today, Kristy, is really just like how to just innovate a brand. And the most fun part about this for me in today's market is that I don't think that dentistry has always been in a space of total innovation.   I think dentistry has always kind of innovated, like, my gosh, can we just talk about how long we've been using the same stuff for like root canals, right? Or whatever, like, come on, right? But there is a lot of innovation in like filling materials and scans and x-rays, the, know, CBCT scans, all of these different modalities, in-house crowns, like Botox, lip fillers, but I've got...   Practices that are doing facial aesthetics, know having estheticians in the office We do have a lot of innovation when it comes to that space but something I think is truly innovating within the last few years is the understanding of a Dental practice and a dentist needing to have a brand. I don't think marketing Has been easy in the dental world. I don't think it's been understood and I don't think it's been super effective if I'm honest and the   Idea of innovating is really cool to me. I love innovation. That's one of our, I don't think it's innovate, it used to be innovate or die, a core value of ours. I hated that. But innovate is just something that we live by at the Dental A Team. We're constantly looking for, okay, well that didn't get us the result we wanted. Let's do something different. Let's try this. And changing things and marketing allows for that in so many really cool ways. But really looking at it and saying, what's my brand?   Who am I? Like how is my practice showing up in our community is something that I don't think that, Kristy, we've really ever spent a lot of time diving into within the dental world. And I think it's starting to come up. But what are you seeing, Kristy, even with the practices you're working with today, do you see a lot of practices really thinking, what's my brand?   DAT Kristy (04:25) Yeah, no, I think we are still behind the time in that regard for most other industries. They've kind of dialed this in. ⁓ It's definitely an area I believe that we can do better. mean, obviously, I just moved from Idaho and there's like, I don't know, three or five dentists on every corner almost. Do you think I'm exaggerating? finding out and   The Dental A Team (04:49) Literally.   DAT Kristy (04:54) And brand again can be such a broad word, but to simplify it, I just ask doctors, what's your purpose? What's your niche? What do you wanna be known for? Start asking yourself some of those questions to identify and set yourself apart. Here's the thing, dentistry, it goes back to what you said, Tiff, we only offer so many things.   And so how do we put ourselves apart? Like why do they want a filling from you versus your three neighbors next door? So yeah, again, one of those words brand, it's like, it's so broad. So narrow it down. What do you want to be known for? What's your purpose and what's your niche? And if you've been in dentistry for a while and you still haven't done this, go look at your reviews right now.   The Dental A Team (05:28) Yep, I totally agree.   DAT Kristy (05:48) and start highlighting some common words. If they're saying friendly or, I don't know, nice, kind, whatever it is, start highlighting them and see, does that fit you? Right?   The Dental A Team (06:00) Yeah, yeah, I   mean you could throw that into chat GPT. You could say chat GPT, go look at my reviews and find commonalities. Innovation guys, innovation. 2025 chat GPT, that's our best friend. No, I totally agree with you and ⁓ you said a few things there that I just totally resonate with and it made me think of a client, ⁓ actually a conversation I had with my financial advisor boyfriend who is just like,   DAT Kristy (06:07) There you go.   The Dental A Team (06:28) He works with a few dentists here locally in Arizona and Phoenix and he asks me a lot of questions and he's like, how is this possible? And I'm like, you know, he sees the profit and he sees the things that dentists are able to achieve and what they're able to achieve for their team members and being able to see like how, they're the 401ks and there's the different things that they're able to do and there he's not seen that in another industry.   right, through the work that he's done at least. And the conversation we had was, we were talking about a cosmetic practice and he, I think I upset him if I'm honest with you, we just at the gym, right? And he was just like, I just don't understand how it's possible that one, because I said, don't know, it could be, you know, for this specific cosmetic dentist, it's probably $2,500 of an year, okay?   DAT Kristy (07:11) ⁓   The Dental A Team (07:25) pretty average honestly for a cosmetic dentist like 2500 a veneer and his mind was blown right because he's looking at like cosmetic procedures um at a plastic surgeon right like you can get minor cosmetic procedures for similar amounts of money on your physical body right and not just one single tooth and i said well you know while i understand where you're coming from like let me tell you the hours it takes   to do a cause, like what it actually takes and what a lab cost of one of those crowns could be, et cetera, et cetera. But long story short, he just was mind blown and was just like, that is wild. And I thought to myself, this is it. Like this is the marketing and the branding because you do have to set yourself apart and you have to reach the people that want to be reached by you, right? My boyfriend, I love him to death. He is not.   DAT Kristy (08:14) Mm-hmm.   The Dental A Team (08:18) this he's not a cosmetic dentist avatar, it's not their dream, right? Because you're going to be convincing him. Like nobody wants that. if you want to you want that number nine implant crown replaced by a dentist who's going to make it look 100,000 times better than it does right now, honey. It's you're going to pay money for that, right? But if you're not concerned about it, then you're not going to care, right? Who you go to. So   My conversation with him yesterday made me really really think how important it is for practices to understand their brand and their avatar patient. So what is it that you want to do and within the capabilities of your surroundings I think is a good statement. I have practices that are like I want to do cosmetic dentistry and I'm like well you're in a like this you've got   20 miles around you of Medicaid. People aren't coming here for that, so we've gotta move your practice or change your avatar, right? So within the confinements of where you're at, of course, but what is it that you want to provide and then who are you providing it to? And Kristy, I think one piece that's missed in the branding conversation, one, we all wanna be like, I wanna do this, right? But it's like, okay, is that avatar here? So then looking at what your patient avatar   Who is your patient avatar? Who is the person you're speaking to? And then what do they need, right? In our company, Kiera and I love nothing more than to brainstorm and innovate. Like we want to innovate. We want to change the world, right? And we get on these tangents and then thank goodness we have like Britt and Shelbi on these calls with us because they're like, okay, cool guys, this sounds like an awesome product. It sounds like something that is gonna be really cool and that you will love doing.   Does it speak to our client's needs? And we're like, ⁓ yeah, that's right. We can innovate and we can do all of these cool things, but are we meeting a need of the people who need us, right? Of our client avatar. We know who we wanna work with. Are we just creating to create? Or are we creating something that meets a need of that avatar, of the person that we want to work with? And if it does, then fantastic, then let's move forward.   DAT Kristy (10:14) You   The Dental A Team (10:37) And so I think with the branding conversation, we're speaking to those needs. So who are we looking to work with? ⁓ Who do we want to inspire to have better dental health? And then what are their needs? And how can we show up and speak to that? Where our brand, Kristy, tell me if I'm totally off here, but we'll add to it as well. I think our brand...   really is how we're showing up to speak to those needs, right? And how we're showing up in a way that those people who need those things find us, right?   DAT Kristy (11:14) Yeah, I agree with you 100%. And to your point, I know people almost have a adverse reaction when we say buying dentistry or selling dentistry, but in the big scheme of things, guys, we are selling dentistry. what are they looking to buy? And it's usually they're not coming in saying, I want to buy a root canal, right? They're buying health or they're buying   The Dental A Team (11:39) Yeah. Yeah.   DAT Kristy (11:42) They're buying something it's going to give them. And so I think sometimes we miss the mark by speaking our language instead of the language they're looking for. Right.   The Dental A Team (11:54) Totally agree. I remember one of the first like all on four over dentures, whatever that we did in my practice. I was like, ⁓ my gosh, I get it because the guy bought because he was like, I just want to eat a steak again. And I was like, that is brilliant. So that became our brand of our all on fours. Like eat a steak again because it fit our target audience, our avatar and our demographic. We knew.   DAT Kristy (12:10) Hmm?   The Dental A Team (12:23) the area that we were in had that need and those were the patients that we wanted. And so we took that as a brand of our practice and we were like, do you want to eat steak again? So it's like that, now we're speaking to their need instead of selling a denture, right? Like people might call the denture places, right? And I'm not talking about prosthodontists, I'm talking about these big   you guys have seen the commercials, they might, those are not your avatar. Those patients are not the patients that you want. You want the patients that are emotionally tied to being able to eat a steak again. I had a patient that had regular dentures. I will never forget this lady. She was so sweet and so sweet. She just had dentures and she would not go for.   the lower support adventure and we're like totally fine, totally fine. She came in like once a month for quote unquote adjustments because   She couldn't eat lettuce. And she brought in a piece of lettuce and she put it in between her teeth and then pull it out. Her need was that she wanted to eat a salad again. And I get that, I eat a lot of salads, I eat a lot of steak. So it became the brand of that specific procedure. And it became one of our brands. Lettuce gets you healthy in all the ways. ⁓   speaking to what you said, right? So I think something action-wise that I have a lot of practices do is, and we do this in multifaceted, ⁓ is building that avatar. We help clients build the avatar of their ideal patient, and then, side-step, I love avatars, building the avatar of your ideal team member. Because within the brand conversation,   If you, I like to think of companies who have a really, really easy brand, right? And kind of match up with, I think, what a lot of the dentists that we work with are kind of looking for, their style, right? Everybody says the Ritz-Carlton, but nobody knows what that means anymore, doctors. Please just know your team members don't know what the Ritz-Carlton is or how they show up, so it doesn't work. ⁓ But brands that do resonate with a lot of team members, and it's easy for a lot of doctors to understand the importance of hiring,   DAT Kristy (14:44) Yeah.   The Dental A Team (14:57) And emanating the brand that you want and I think Lululemon is a very easy one, right? Everyone knows there's not a soul who does not know what Lululemon is. They've done a phenomenal job. When you walk into a Lululemon, same, you could copy and paste that person. I've been to Lululemon's all over the country. Sadly, don't tell my boyfriend. I've been to Lululemon's all over the country and you can duplicate the way that they show up.   They are a brand, they are a piece of that company and they are showing up that way. Dental A Team, we run the same way. We are speaking the company culture constantly and we all show up the same. Chick-fil-A is another one. Yeah, great training, but also they're hiring the personalities that fit within their culture that they can train. Same with Starbucks.   All of these different brands who have and companies who have branded themselves really well are ensuring that that messaging and that branding is in all of those spaces. And something I see doctors do is really come to the space of like ready to elevate where they're at, but they're not fully ready to innovate in all the different ways. And narrowing those avatars down helps bring light.   to situations that maybe is kind of sitting in the shadows. And I've seen sometimes where it's like maybe our main check-in gal who's been there forever and she loves the patients that she loves and she's a great human and she doesn't need to go anywhere, but is she right person, right seat? Is she exuding your brand awareness of like, my gosh, we are so excited to see you today. Thank you so much for coming to our practice. We love new patients.   Or, right, is she like, I really love the patients that I know, thank you for being here, fantastic human, again, I'm not saying people need to be let go, I'm saying do you have them in the seat that's appropriate for them? Or is there maybe a seat that, like I walked into a practice yesterday, we were consulting, holy amazing find for their check-in girl. And I am telling you right now, I went through this avatar, ⁓   assignment, whatever you want to call it, with them, this exercise, literally within a week, this girl walked into their office randomly, walked in, said, I don't know if you guys are hiring or not, if you need it. Like I am not really looking, but like, are you looking for somebody? She is amazing. Dental experience, beautiful, beautiful girl, so happy, and just is like,   loving everyone and she just wants to help everyone to a T. I remember the office manager calling like in tears, Tiffanie, you'll never guess what just happened. And it was because they had it, in my opinion, so narrowed down that it walked right in front of their face. Had they not known exactly what their avatar was, they might've been like, that was really weird, right? Like, I'll take your resume, but like, you're cute and all, like, maybe I'll call you. But they were so dialed in on exactly who they wanted at that check-in desk.   DAT Kristy (17:57) Thank you.   The Dental A Team (18:13) She walked in and they were like, yep, she's the one. And that I think happens with our avatar for our patients too, for marketing. And I think that's our brand awareness. Like that's how we stay relevant is knowing how we wanna show up, who we wanna show up for, and how do we help their needs and speaking to that from our brand. Lululemon is not here to serve everyone. That's totally fine.   DAT Kristy (18:17) Pass it.   The Dental A Team (18:42) Talk to, I use Lululemon branding as an example in a lot of different ways with a lot of offices and I've had team members that are like, I'm not spending money on Lululemon. I'm like, you're not their avatar. That's totally fine too because you're someone else's avatar. You are a different brand's avatar and they need you. So what they've done is they've made it easy for people to say yes or no. And if you're a cosmetic dentist who is branding, right, you've got your brand so wide.   that you're getting calls for people who only want to do what your insurance is going to cover, that's not your avatar. That is someone else's let them have that patient. They are working their tail off for new patients too. Let them have that patient. That's not your avatar, right? And I think we try, Kristy, to bend to what is coming. And we're like, well, we can do that. And we don't hold our boundaries of what we actually want.   and what our practice needs and what fits us that we end up confused. And then we get the calls of the doctors that are like, I need systems because it's not working and not something doesn't work for everyone. Right, Kristy, do you see where I'm going with that?   DAT Kristy (19:54) Yeah,   I sure do. I love where you're identifying and it's not just the who, but it's the how behaviors too, like how will they show up, right? Identifying who is the first step for sure, but then take it one step further and identify the characteristics of how they behave as well because then you'll bring that in. Yeah, I love   I love everything you're saying there. think it's kind of bringing me back. I believe I had this conversation with Kiera the other day about... ⁓   a doctor wanting to elevate his practice and should I offer this service? And I'm like, well, have you ever considered taking a poll with your patients to see are they looking for this type of service? Yes, it's fine to, I mean, do what you love for sure, but before you get frustrated, go take CE for this course and learn how to, I don't know, do Botox and none of your patients are wanting it. And then you get frustrated and   fizzle out, you know what I mean? Find out first. And another cool area of that tip is, you know, have your admin team keep track of ⁓ how many patients are calling and asking for something that maybe you aren't offering and see if that's, you know, see if it's in your wheelhouse or is it matching your avatar?   The Dental A Team (21:05) Yeah.   That's a great idea. ⁓   Yeah, yeah, and I think to speak to that too, if they're calling asking for that and it's not something that fits your avatar or that you want to do, is your branding reflective of your avatar because somehow they found you and they called you. So what messaging is out there within your marketing that has attracted the wrong avatar? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.   DAT Kristy (21:48) Yeah, 100%. So it works both ways, right? Yeah.   The Dental A Team (21:54) Love marketing. just it and I don't know I just I don't I truly don't know why I love marketing so much but it just gets me excited and the idea of being able to change something and really target in and achieve the result is really cool to me and the idea of being able to attract someone to something that they need and want by   saying things right by presenting right. Like that just gets me so giddy. So thank you for doing this podcast with me today is my point.   DAT Kristy (22:27) Yeah.   I was going to say to your point, you said something very poignant there that you have to be tracking it. You have to be paying attention to it and you have to be willing to test, track and adjust if it's not getting the results you want. Too many people start and they throw it out and then they stop there because they get frustrated that it's not bringing it. And it goes back to your innovation. You've got to be able to ⁓   try something different and it could be something very minute. A word, right, could make a big difference.   The Dental A Team (23:01) Yeah,   yeah, totally agree. I totally agree. And I think that's the most exciting space is what you just said. Like even the word, the one word in this sentence on this marketing, whatever this ad that's on Google or postcard that somebody's getting one word can totally change the outcome. And I think that's what gets me excited is like, okay, how can I, how can I get the result that I want with the words that I'm using? I love that. And when we can,   hone in on that, I think massive changes. I think there's a ton of takeaways here. think biggest action item, you guys, is really, really figuring out your patient avatar and your team avatar, honestly, your team member avatar, because I think that points you in the direction of your culture, how you want to show up in the world, what your brand is, and then start realizing and understanding that your culture, your core values, that is your brand, that is your brand awareness. And when we live and breathe,   By those, think you guys can, anyone who's listening and has listened before, anyone who's following the Dental A Team on Instagram, Facebook, clients of ours, coming to our webinars, we do free CE webinars every month, you guys, anyone who has experienced Dental A Team in the slightest, I think can agree that we emanate the Dental A Team. Every team member we have, as far as our virtual assistant,   Joe Ash, who we love and adore all the way in the Philippines. He emanates the Dental A Team because we understand that those pieces of our company, the mission, the vision, the core values, brand awareness, all of that is who we are. And we live, breathe it, we show up, we believe in it, we stand behind it and we're consistent. So it makes everything else kind of fall into place really easily. So.   Go do that, you guys, narrow it in. Don't let it feel so big. Just do one chunk. What is your avatar? Who is your avatar? How do they show up in life? What do they look like? What do they love to do? Narrow in your avatar of your patient and of your team members. Make sure your mission, vision, core values are in alignment with what you actually want. And then take a step back and look at it from bird's eye view of how you need to innovate your brand.   and how you can do that. And like I said, I love this stuff. The consultants loves this stuff. Kristy is fantastic with her clients. She's done this so many times and all of them have Dana, gosh, Monica, Trish, everybody, every single one of them have done these types of exercises with their clients and they're really good at it you guys. So reach out. If you're a client and you need this, you're like, need to innovate, reach out to your consultant. If you're not yet a client,   you're soon to be or you're just like, I'm just a podcast listener right now, that's okay too. Reach out you guys, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. We have the resources that you need, we're here to help you. Instagram, Facebook, wherever you can find us and then as always you guys leave us a five star review below. Let us know how helpful this was and if there's anything you've done to innovate your brand awareness that you think people could benefit from as well, people really do read those comments and it could be super beneficial. So, Kristy.   Thank you so much. I love taking the avatar roads with you, because I think you're just really good at it and you love people. So really keying in on parts that you love about people's personalities, I think opens you up. So thank you, Kristy, for being here today. Of course. All right, guys, go do the Things Five Star Review. Reach out, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. Follow us on social if you're not there yet, and we'll catch you next time. Bye-bye.   DAT Kristy (26:37) Thank you.

In this episode of Endo Voices, host Dr. Marcus Johnson sits down with Drs. Luca Moranzoni and Jon Cowie to explore the evolution of endodontic education and clinical practice. Known on Instagram as Contemporary Endodontics, a brilliant and enchantingly entertaining duo who balance the conversation as effortlessly as a reciprocating file. The duo reflects on their decade-long journey of building an educational platform that balances evidence, clinical pragmatism, and a touch of humor. Together, they unpack how workflow-based teaching, CBCT imaging, and restorative-minded approaches are shaping the future of endodontics.From candid conversations about failure and mentorship to insights on bioceramics, conservative access, and patient-centered outcomes, this episode highlights how modern endodontists can adapt, grow, and connect through both technology and community. Whether you're a seasoned clinician or an endo-enthusiast, you'll gain valuable perspective on embracing challenges, leveraging digital platforms, and, ultimately, delivering care that elevates both the patient experience and the profession.Episodes of Endo Voices may include opinion, speculation and other statements not verifiable in the scientific method and do not necessarily reflect the views of AAE or the sponsor(s). Listeners should use their best judgment in evaluating the merits of any content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should we be doing more to save questionable teeth? What if you could buy more time — without compromising patient care? Dr. Omar Ikram returns for a powerful episode diving into the real-world decision-making between endodontics and implants. Together with Jaz, they explore tough scenarios — like teeth with nasty cracks or minimal remaining structure — and ask the critical question: when is it truly time to extract? They break down concepts like retained roots, root burial, amputation, and a new term Jaz introduces — palliative endodontics. Because sometimes the best outcome isn't immediate replacement, but smart, strategic delay. https://youtu.be/5msP908JvuI Watch PDP238 on Youtube Protrusive Dental Pearl: When discussing treatment longevity with older patients, tailor your language to be more relatable. Instead of saying, “I plan my dentistry to age 100,” say, “I want this to last well into your eighties or nineties.” This makes the conversation more personal and realistic, helping patients better connect with the concept of long-term outcomes. Key Takeaways Understanding the limitations of implants compared to natural teeth is vital. Medical history significantly impacts dental treatment decisions. Managing patient expectations is crucial for satisfaction. Palliative endodontics can provide temporary relief and management. Reading and interpreting CBCT scans requires skill and experience. If it's not that five millimeter defect, it's up to you. The second molar is a good one because often second molars can't be replaced with an implant. Retaining roots is definitely a good way to go. You need to risk assess the patient before extraction. Palliative endo is technically always an option. Success in endo can be often difficult to achieve. Asymptomatic and functional is a good criteria. If endo is on the table, it's feasible. Highlights of this episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:35 Introduction 01:48 Protrusive Dental Pearl 04:15 Interview with Dr. Omar Ikram: Philosophy and Growth 10:17 Endodontics vs. Implants: Treatment Planning 16:35 Antidepressants and Dental Implant Failure 19:37 Managing External Cervical Resorption (ECR) 22:30 Patient Communication 24:16 Cracks and Complications in Endodontics 29:12 Endodontic Protocol 30:50 Challenges with CBCT and Cracks 32:07 Second Molars: Retain or Extract? 35:05 Retaining Roots for Future Implants 36:21 Root Burial and Special Cases 40:08 Root Amputation: A Niche Solution 40:57 Key Signs to Rethink Root Canal Treatment 43:17 Cracked Teeth: Poor Prognosis 47:08 Stained Crack Tooth 50:19 Success vs. Survival in Endodontics 56:02 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events Want to sharpen your endo game even further? Watch Stop Being Slow at Root Canals! Efficient RCTs with Dr Omar Ikram – PDP163 Check out Specialist Endo Crows Nest — led by Dr. Omar Ikram, offering expert care, hands-on courses, and practical tips for real-world endodontics. This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C. AGD Subject Code: 070 ENDODONTICS (Endodontic diagnosis) Aim: To help clinicians develop a deeper understanding of when to preserve a tooth through endodontic treatment versus when to consider extraction and implant placement. Dentists will be able to - Identify key red flags that may contraindicate definitive root canal treatment. Understand the concept of palliative endodontics and how it can be used to delay or defer implant placement responsibly. Recognize the value of retained roots in maintaining alveolar bone, particularly in medically compromised or high-risk patients. #PDPMainEpisodes #EndoRestorative #BreadandButterDentistry

Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Allie Frounfelter to discuss her innovative approach to cosmetic dentistry using Trial Smiles. Dr. Frounfelter shares her journey from a high-volume "bread and butter" dental practice to a more balanced and fulfilling one, emphasizing the importance of slowing down to speed up. The episode details the step-by-step process of creating and using a 3D-printed resin shell, or Trial Smile, to help patients visualize their potential new smile. Dr. Frounfelter also highlights the importance of incorporating the entire dental team in the process and discusses how this patient-centered approach, along with the right technology and systems, has transformed her practice. Key Takeaways Invest in Digital Technology: Dr. Frounfelter and her husband significantly transformed their practice by investing in digital tools, including a CBCT, intraoral scanner, and 3D printer. They initially sought a CBCT but came back from a conference with a full suite of digital tools. The Trial Smile Process: A Trial Smile is a thin, 3D-printed resin shell that fits over a patient's natural teeth, allowing them to try on a new smile. This is a crucial step in cosmetic dentistry consultations as it offers a tangible "try before you buy" experience. Difference from Traditional Wax-ups: Unlike a traditional bis-acryl wax-up, a Trial Smile is easily placed and removed, making it repeatable and mess-free. This allows patients to get a clear and instant before-and-after comparison. Team Involvement is Crucial: Allie stresses the importance of training and involving the entire team in the new workflow. Her clinical director, Brandon, handles the initial patient conversation, photos, and records, while a dental assistant, Emma, designs the smiles using specialized software like Exocad. Slowing Down to Speed Up: By implementing new systems and focusing on comprehensive cases, Allie and Adam were able to move away from a high-volume model that led to burnout. They now see fewer patients but generate more revenue from cosmetic and full-mouth cases. Outsourcing Options: If a practice lacks the necessary design software or a 3D printer, they can partner with a dental lab like Roe Dental Lab, which offers a cosmetic design service to create and even print the Trial Smile for them. Some links from the show: Roe Dental Lab: For dentists looking to outsource the design and printing of Trial Smiles. 3D Dentists: To learn more about Dr. Frounfelter's Trial Smile class and other dental continuing education courses. Dr. Allie Frounfelter's Instagram: A great resource to see examples of her dentistry and patient reactions to their Trial Smiles. Join the Very Clinical Facebook group! Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy," "Lipscomb" or "Gary!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

In this episode of the Nifty Thrifty Dentists Podcast, Dr. Glenn Vo sits down with Nathan Hudson of Renew Digital to break down one of the biggest myths in dentistry: why you don't have to buy brand new when it comes to CBCTs, digital pans, and scanners. Nathan shares how Renew Digital's certified refurbished process works, why it's safer than buying off a buddy or a dental garage sale group, and how dentists can save 30–60% without sacrificing quality, warranty, or support. They also cover: Why buying “cheap” can cost you more in the long run Regulatory issues most doctors forget when buying second-hand The upgrade and trade-in options Renew Digital offers Why startup practices and implant/restorative dentists benefit the most How Renew Digital helps you protect your time, money, and sanity

Snoring, sleep apnea, jaw tension, teeth grinding—these aren't just annoying habits. Dr. Kimberly Baer explains how they're actually red flags for deeper health issues in tied to airway dysfunction, oral ties, and stress overload. And yes, this is true for adults and kids! If you wake up tired or your partner sounds like a freight train at night, this one's for you. Timestamps:[1:43] Intro[4:42] conversation with Dr. Baer[6:30] What role does oral health really play in the longevity and aging process?[11:26] What is a CBCT scan, and what does it mean when you have a restricted airway?[14:12] What is sleep apnea? [19:00] How do you approach prevention in your practice when it comes to aging and preserving dental care? [22:24] What's the connection between your mouth being open and cavities? [25:11] What is airway dentistry and why is it being talked about it more? [30:55] where can oral ties happen and how they impact kids and adults? [37:02] Is it ever too late to get airway help?[38:11] Can you talk about palate expansion for adults? Is it possible?[46:33] What happens then when the teeth have all these spaces? [48:12] For kids, should you start with palate expanders or growth appliances before the adult teeth come in?[50:12] Thoughts on the tooth pillow? [51:30] How do you resolve sleep apnea and what does it look like?[59:41] If you need adult braces to correct your bite, and the dentist needs to pull a tooth, would you do it? [1:00:38] What are the best retainer options. Should we be concerned about plastic retainers? [1:03:17] I want to know about wisdom teeth - is this a right of passage. What options do we have for our teens when it's time to get the wisdom teeth removed? [1:06:01] We have insurance that will only pay for silver fillings and sealant for kids - is it low risk since it's on baby teeth? [1:08:07] Is there a problem with occasional snoring in adults and kids and if a kid intermittently sleeps with their mouth open? Episode Links:Natural Dentist Associates WebsiteGlobal Network of Biological DentistsFollow Natural Dentist Associates on Instagram Books:How to Train Your TongueMy Tongue is Stuck!  Let's Get Your Tongue Unstuck!Sponsors:Go to drinklmnt.com/wellfed and use code WELLFED to get a free 8-pack with any drink mix purchase!Go to mdlogichealth.com/defend and use coupon code WELLFED for 10% off.Go to wellminerals.us/chill and use code WELLFED to get 10% off your order.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Jordan Reiss, Senior Director of Clinical Strategic Development at DEXIS, live from the Thrive Live exhibition hall in Las Vegas. With a background that spans management consulting at KPMG to dental tech innovation, Jordan shares how he found his passion in dentistry and 3D imaging. The conversation explores how CBCT is transforming not just implantology, but also endodontics, orthodontics, and aligner therapy.   Jordan highlights the evolving need for clinician education in CBCT interpretation, the rise of AI-enhanced imaging workflows, and the comprehensive ecosystem DEXIS is building to support diagnostics and patient care. He also shares personal stories about parenting, mission work, and the unexpected roads that lead to a meaningful career. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://dexis.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Kiera and Dana offer a life raft for businesses struggling to keep cash flow in the green, including specific steps to help get your practice back on course. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript Kiera Dent (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera. And today I am jazzed. Dana, the one and only Dynamite Dana over there. She's on the podcast with me today. Dana, how are you today?   Dana (00:10) doing pretty good. It's a beautiful day here and so I'm just excited to be on the podcast with you.   Kiera Dent (00:15) Dana, I am so glad because you and I, feel like we're ships in the night. We see each other, we wave to each other. We love working together, but the reality of us like being on the same boat to talk to each other is few and far between, which is so ironic. But every time I see you in person, I'm like, Dana, we need to hang out more. Like, so it's fun to podcast, even though, I mean, it's a funny way to say hello. We're like here to do work, but at least we get to like have more interactions. So, ⁓ thanks for being on my ship today. I guess like welcome, welcome aboard, matey.   Dana (00:44) Yeah,   happy to be here, Gatton.   Kiera Dent (00:48) But today you guys, Dana and I, we were talking about like some burnout and cashflow row. So think about death row. We actually have a lot of clients that come to us. Thankfully, like once they become clients, they get off death row, cashflow row. But we thought about, think oftentimes burnout and cashflow row ⁓ go hand in hand. And so I figured, Dana, let's get into like, how do you get off of cashflow row? like death row,   you're about to go and like die like literally. ⁓ I feel it's becoming a bit more common than I've seen in the past. I'm super grateful and I just want to shout out and for all of you listening, if you're on cashflow row or you're on burnout row, ⁓ just like a huge hug, a huge hug of love, a huge hug of no judgment. Gosh, I get like emotional thinking about it I think it's so easy as a business owner to like just harp on yourself to just feel like   Like, why am I so dumb? Like, why can't I figure this out? Like, the mean girl or boy in your mind is just like vicious and wicked. And it makes me so angry that we're this way to ourselves as business owners. Cause I'm like, you know what? You're freaking strong. And like, you took these risks and like, you don't know what you're doing, but you know, you wanted to like build a great like culture for your team. You wanted to build this amazing life for your family. And yeah, it's hard. It's really hard to be a business owner. And I think I speak of this so candidly because   Like I've been on death row, like cashflow row. I've been on burnout row, like, and you just sit there and when you need to like have the most love and respect for yourself and grace, it's when we like punch ourselves and kick ourselves and yell at ourselves. And so ⁓ I thought it would be a really, ⁓ hopefully timely podcast for some of you listening of just love of no judgment, of encouragement, and maybe some like shining little stars when you need a North star right now, because   It can feel very daunting. And I want to tell you, you don't have to do it alone. ⁓ You telling yourself you're alone and on an island is your choice. And it's a choice that you don't have to stay with. There's so many ways we can help. I think even just like when we get clients that are on cashflow row, I feel like they feel they finally got a life raft sent to them when they didn't know it was even possible. And as consultants, think Dana and I and our whole consulting team are so passionate about getting you into cashflow positive and doing it with ease where it's not that hard. But   Like it wasn't overnight that you got here either. So it's not going to be overnight. get you out of there. We're to move you pretty quickly. Cause I think like, Hey, someone's like holding the lantern for you in this dark cave. Like, all right, here's the way out. can really, really help you. But really Dana, think like just again, I hope all of you listening know we come to you with love, with no judgment. You're not a terrible business owner. You're not dumb. You shouldn't have known this before. It's just, this is where we are kind of like a patient with perio, right? Like it's okay. Like this is where we are. And the great news is   There are solutions and there's a way out and there's a way to happiness again if you want. So Dana, that's kind of my like emotional pitch to start this off with. Any thoughts you have? Because I think you've seen quite a few come to you on Cash Flow Row from day one.   Dana (03:49) This is.   Yeah, yeah. And I love just your vulnerability there, Kiera, as a business owner, because I say it to doctors all the time, like, whether it's a dental office, whether it's a consulting company, whatever business it is, it doesn't come with an instruction manual. And so we get in there with the best of intentions, we're ready to work hard, we put everything you have into it. And there are ebbs and flows in business. And sometimes it gets really, really hard. And you're right, it is the self talk that   that you have to take a look at and the blame that you put on yourself for being the reason why you got there. And you know what, it's okay, we're gonna figure it out ⁓ and we're gonna stop the bleeding and we're gonna start focusing on the things that are going to matter and are going to move it forward. And you know what, as a coach, I get the pleasure of cheering you along the way and sometimes kicking your booty when it's needed. And ⁓ it is, we are seeing it more and more and I think   it comes down to two, like knowing what cash you need, knowing what you're spending your cash on, and sometimes making some hard decisions based on that too.   Kiera Dent (05:05) Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I think with that it's like awesome. Here we go Here's the blood like we're going to help you get out of that and I love that you said there's no instruction manual just like being a parent There's no instruction manual and so there are just different ways to do it So my big thing and in Dental A team, always like we are profitable We call it the yes model so you can say yes to everything you want in life and the Y stands for you as a person We're gonna focus on E stands for earnings and profitability   and S stands for systems and team development. So like those three things together are going to give you success with ease. So today, if you're on cashflow row or burnout row, I think oftentimes burnout comes because of cashflow. Like it is the scary piece to it. So with that, let's talk about like, what can we do if we're in cashflow row? What are some of the fastest things that will help people get out of cashflow? Dana, I'll let you take this. We're going to just kind of riff back and forth. Like you guys, this is unscripted. This is just from our knowledge of things that we do.   of like when we see offices and again this is coming from real life offices things we've actually done to get them off of cashflow row. Dana let's just riff because you've got a few that have just come and you've got a few that have been there and ⁓ they're doing well.   Dana (06:12) Yeah, yeah, yeah,   I think it is. It's a reviewing of expenses. Is there anything we can cut that we're not cutting ourselves too lean though that we can't continue to grow? And then also, what do need to produce and produce it consistently?   Kiera Dent (06:27) Yeah, I love that. So it's like we either need to increase our production or we need to decrease our expenses. And on the production, I will also say we need to make sure we're collecting. It's wild to me. I was talking to a doctor who's on quote unquote cashflow row and they said, Kiera, I have like $300,000 sitting in AR. And I was like, so you're really not on cashflow row. You've got the money. You just haven't collected it. So realizing that usually in dentistry, there's quite a few cashflow opportunities very quickly.   But I agree with you, Dana. Like step one is like, let's get our PNL and let's know our numbers. Is there anything on there? Like, and I'm talking like, you don't like, gosh, people get wild and they start cutting things that actually you need. Like I know your hygienists are expensive, but they also produce for you. I know billers can feel annoying, but they also collect money for you. I know your treatment coordinator can feel expensive, but they're putting money on your books. I know a consultant can feel like I'm going to cut. can do this on my own, but they're literally the only person holding you accountable and pushing you through and guiding you.   So it's one of those things of like, let's look to see like, what really is stuff to cut? And I'm talking like subscriptions that you're no longer using. This is one that it makes me wild. I don't understand this. It makes no sense to me. But when people are in cashflow row and the only thing I can come up with Dana is it's ego. That's all I can figure out. So I'm just saying to you like, Hey, I hear you. see you. Let's cut the ego and get you into cashflow positive. And then like rock on, do whatever you want from there is like holding onto equipment that you're not using. It's weird to me. Like,   Okay, so we're not like, we thought we were gonna do all these scans of the Itero. And if I look at the last six months, we literally have like taken three scans. Or I bought the CBCT, because I thought was gonna do all these implants, and I'm not doing implants. Or I have like multiple Iteros, but like we've cut back and we've scaled back like, so I only need one Itero instead of three Iteros. those are big expenses on your debt and your loan. Like, let's sell those, let's get rid of them. people, I don't know, it's like embarrassment or ego or like,   Maybe you're still like wishing for the good old glory day. I don't know what it is, but I'm like, get rid of that. Cut the cost. Like think in your own life. If you had a car that you had a car payment on, even though it's the nicest car and it's your dream car, but you can't afford food, you're going to get rid of that car. You're going to sell it and you're going to buy something more economical and affordable. Like let's just get rid of it. No one, no one cares. Like honestly, none of your colleagues know that you're selling the equipment off because you're freaking broke right now.   That's just you and it's okay. it truly like what can you get rid of? there equipment you're no longer using that you could sell that you could pawn off just to get you some cash flow quickly and cut some of that debt services? Like is there any debt service that we can get rid of for you? That's a question like but I think it's a very easy cut on the PNL. Dana thoughts on that.   Dana (09:02) Yeah, I agree with you. then and again, I can't, I can't really decipher where it comes from. But I do you do see offices wanting to hold on to those things. And maybe it is like, well, we'll turn it around, and then I'll use it. Great, then we can get another one down the line. Right. But right now, what the immediate relief from dispensing of it will far outweigh hanging on to it until down the road, maybe we'll need it again.   Kiera Dent (09:27) Exactly. Like it's okay. Like don't don't even stress about it. We're not we're not here for we're not here for that ego. So I think when we're looking at the PNL, let's look to see like go back to COVID days. If you were a business owner during COVID, I remember we scrubbed that PNL like, could we call the lenders? Could we put this on pause? Could we like get rid of this loan? Like those things I think are really important because that actually can free you up exponentially being buried in debt. I remember my husband when we were paying off his loans. Holy moly, he could not see outside of that debt for one second.   We can't get rid of our practice loan, but you could renegotiate your rent, like your lease. Those are things that you can do. I remember during COVID, people got very scrappy and I'm like, don't forget that scrap you just learned a few years ago. Like take those lessons and go through them. that's step one of, but be careful. Like Dana said, please don't cut things that are going, let's not cut the hygienist right away. Like I'm looking at what are the things that are nice to have, but not necessary to have. Let's cut those things.   ⁓ well, I put consulting in a must have. think if they're a great consultant and they're holding you accountable and they're moving you forward, yeah, you better believe it's one of the best dollars you'll ever spend. Now, if you are not, ⁓ if they're not moving you forward, if they're just having like rando conversations with you, probably a good thing to move on. But again, you also should go to your consultant. They work for you and say, I am in cashflow row, which hopefully if they're a good consultant, they would know that. And it's like, we have to make this happen. Now there's no other options.   So after we do that, next step is let's look at our AR. Doctors, if you don't know how to run your AR, that's your aging report. Let's just go see how much money is sitting out in our AR. And let's see if it's patient portion that we could collect or if it's insurance and also why and how much is in our 30, 60, 90 and over 90 buckets. Because that over 90, like this sounds awkward, but doctors like truly you can call patients and you can collect. We can send text messages. I know that feels awkward. I know that doesn't feel like what you want to do.   But these are ways like there is cash there. Also, like, let's look at the protocol of how are we getting there? Are we not collecting when they get into the practice? We can start collecting when they come in. I was in an office yesterday and they're like, gosh, our accounts are all funky. And I was like, sweet. As soon as they walk in, let's collect the money before they even go to the back. They're like, but that's different. We've never done that. And I'm like, think about a hospital. You do that. Like you show up, you pay the money and then you go back, like switch it. It's not weird. People don't think it's weird.   It's very normal. So like, let's collect the money. Let's put some systems into place. So we stop getting into an AR crunch. And really making sure that that is something that we are very proactive on. Do you know other thoughts on AR? AR to me, think is just like this like, I don't know. It's like an endless pit. And I think I have it because when I first started the business, I had this endless pit of AR and I didn't even know it existed. And I'm like, oh, no wonder I'm broke. It's just because we're not collecting the money. And then I was like,   Sweet, let's change the system. That's a system you should put into place. But what are some other thoughts or systems you have around AR to help people get this cash?   Dana (12:16) You   Yeah, I think AR it's it's kind of like culture. It's like a thing that you have to stay super super consistent on and work on all the time and I see it so oftentimes in practice. It's like well I pull it once a month and you know, like I that's when I work on it and I'm like no it's something that you have to set purposeful time aside. So whoever's responsibility it is making sure that every single week they have a chunk of time that can be dedicated solely to working on AR because it is also it can so   quickly grow when we haven't been paying attention to it. And so it's, I'd say, dedicated time for it and then find a cadence that works for you. Whether it's alternating patient and then insurance and then patient follow-up again and then more insurance follow-up, figure out however you can keep it super consistent and make sure you've got dedicated time every single week because it will quickly grow if we're not paying attention to it.   Kiera Dent (12:54) Yes.   Yeah, it's a wild zone that I'm like, okay, ⁓ it's so crazy how fast it will grow on you. so it's, and just so you know how insurance works, if you don't understand this, I'm here to like give you a quick like, all right, this is how the snapshot works. So what it is, is you actually have it where like,   These insurance claims don't fall in like, okay, it's the 30th of the month. So now we go and that's when our 30 days fall into 60 days. Every day, money is moving from the 30 to 60, 60 to 90, 90, because it's based on when that claim sent. So you have to realize this money kind of like interest is how I feel of AR. It's constantly moving on you. So you can call it winning Wednesday, you can call it like taking cash on Tuesday, Thursday, but like literally have days set up for your biller and   This is a position and this is a job responsibility that I am very sticky on. They have to do it. I don't care if we're busy. don't care if patients are calling like, dang, I'm so busy. I had a patient, I can't pay your paycheck. Like that's the reality. They have to collect money. I do not care. Those are non-negotiables for me. It's two hours, Tuesday and Thursday, non-negotiables period. The house will not burn down. The practice will not burn down. Get your dang money because oftentimes that's all it is. And it's just being consistent. So billers,   Doctors, if you need to send this to your bill, like, Hey, we're on cashflow row billers. I'm talking to you. You have a responsibility to your doctor and to this office. They have produced. You need to collect this money. So get the good insurance verification, get the statements, call the insurance companies, figure out why our claims aren't getting paid. That's your job, honey. That's your job. And yes, your responsibility. Like if you want a paycheck, collect the money because that's where your paycheck's coming from. And so   and it's nothing wrong. We're not doing anything wrong. We've done the work. We did great work. Let's collect the money and make sure that we don't get this out of control. It like breaks my heart when doctors have no money and it's because team members, we let our doctors down. They did the work and honestly, team members, it breaks my heart and I'm here to say like, tis tis, shame on you. Be better than that. You are better than that. Collect the money and if you need help, tell your doctor like, hey, hire the dental team. Like we have literally brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars.   just by helping some billers because honestly, doctors, like I say, tisks on the team, which truly it is our fault, but they might not know how to do it or how to do it effectively. There's a lot of ways where we can chunk it. We can break it down. We can make it so much faster and easier for them. We can help them get rid of some of the bad debt. It's running reports differently. It's tagging things differently so they can work it. It becomes so much easier. So again, like if you're billing is a struggle, great opportunity for you to get some help and billers, please don't be afraid to ask for that help too. So.   I say that with a giant hug as well. I know it was like a stern hug, but really you've got to collect that money. So we've got cut your expenses. Look at that. Like debt services. What on earth? Just get rid of the debt. Get rid of anything you can. Next is going to be that we're collecting the money in the AR. Let's figure out how much we have there. And then next is going to be producing. Now I will go on a rant again, clearly cash and burnout. Like let's just not get there. Like I hate this. Let's get you out of there fast. ⁓   I really hate when doctors come on to calls with me and they're like, yeah, I I produced a million last year. And I'm like, that's awesome. And they're like, yeah, but we had to write off 50%. So we were only produced like 500,000. And I'm like, why did you tell me a million that only served you like high five, but you did not produce a million. I don't care that that's your office fee that feeds your ego only, but it's not real. And what you're doing is you're actually hurting yourself because you're, you're elusive to the fact that you're not producing a million, but you think you are.   but you're living on 500 bucks, it'd be like, or 500,000. It's like, oh, Dana, I make a million a year, but I only have like 90,000. Well, why are you telling me you have a million? You don't actually, like that's not even real money. That's monopoly money. I'm so glad we gave you some paper money. Like I get it, but you're in insurance. So like, let's live on real numbers so you can produce real numbers. Cause this is often where cashflow happens because you're like, well, we're making a million.   No, you're not. You're making 500,000. So either get out of network, which I strongly would not recommend, but do a block schedule, figure out how to produce, make sure you're diagnosing. And also when I hear about these cashflow row offices, normally, and doctors, I'm not a dentist, so I'm not here to tell you how to do it. I'm just here to say, whatever number you want and need to produce, you need to be diagnosing three times that amount. That's a statistic that's proven. You've got to be diagnosing enough to get that money on your schedule.   And the next piece is treatment coordinators and doctors. We've got to make sure we're closing that treatment and getting it on the books and doing quadrant dentistry, not just solo tooth. If we're watching, what are we watching for? If you're a watcher, you're scared to diagnose, just diagnose one more thing that you would normally watch. Just put it on the books. That's going to help you. But the reality is you, you truly have a moral obligation to diagnose your patients, ⁓ to tell them what needs to happen and to not judge them based on what you think their bank account is. Your job is to be a comprehensive dentist.   All right, Dana, I'm off my soapbox. You should take it away from me now. What are your thoughts on that?   Dana (18:17) Thank   I love that and I do say yeah exactly we want to look at net numbers and if you're not happy with your adjustments then there are you know ways to tackle that through fee negotiations through you know looking at your numbers to see is it worth   changing some network status with one insurance company or making a little bit of a shift or do we just need to start, like you said, being strategic and block scheduling and maybe even one more step of, hey, yeah, we can block schedule and we've got to watch our insurance mix within our block schedule. All of those things are avenues. just kind of, you have to take a look at.   Kiera Dent (18:50) Mm-hmm.   Dana (18:55) the numbers and build it to be efficient, successful, get you to your goal and to also not cause burnout. I get so much pushback on block scheduling because it's like, well, my team knows how to schedule. Absolutely, right? But like, can I get you to goal with two, three crowns and a quadrant worth of fillings? Yes. Can I also get you to goal with 32, one surface fillings? Sure can. Those days feel super different.   Right? That's a lot of turnover, a lot of check in and check out and insurance verification and all of those things. And so when we build it more strategically, dang, those days feel really, really different to   Kiera Dent (19:23) They do.   And I say this often, I'll say it again, if we have a bad schedule, that was our fault. Like I know you're like, well, patients, can like, they just want to go here. And I'm like, no, you led them there. You guide them. Doctors, are like, you are a clinician. You are an amazing doctor. We get to pick our schedule. And so like Dana said, let's build this. Let's make this incredible for us. But I think those are hopefully three quick ways for you to figure out your cashflow. If you're on cashflow row.   ⁓ And please, the last thing I would say is bonus tip for you is cut the excuses. I think when people are on cashflow road, they like to sit here and excuse land. They like to sit here and blame land, which is normal. It's normal to be frustrated. It's normal to say, like it was this, it was that. was like, well, we can't hire people. Stop, stop. You're continuing this in a reality where it's like, it's just not true. I know it feels that way.   but we've got to stop the excuses. We've got to stop the blame and we've got to just say like, this is where we are. And the good news is this is what we're going to do to get out of it. It's hard. Like that takes mental discipline that you've got to have. But that's also where I think like a coach, a cheerleader, someone who's an ally with you. Like Dana said, sometimes it's a hug and sometimes it's a good like push because you need to be pushed. But hopefully these are a few things because I believe that the mental stress of cashflow row.   will create more burnout faster than anything else because you just sit here stressed out of your mind. So Dana, I hope you guys all like listen. I hope you take it. And if you are in cashflow row or you're on burnout row, please like reach out. We will do like a complimentary practice growth call with you. Like, let's see where your gaps are. Let's help you out. Let's get you out of this wildness because success with ease is very possible. And that's what I think Dana and Denali team in our.   whole company is passionate about is getting you the yes model, you as a human being so happy and fulfilled and having the life you want, getting the earnings and profit that you deserve that you are worthy of that you can totally have and getting the systems and team development to support those those top two things, just be able to say yes to whatever you want. So Dana, gosh, thanks for getting in this one. This is a solid and I just appreciate you loving our clients and getting them off of cashflow row and and into the happier land and for being on the podcast today.   Dana (21:49) Yeah, thank you so much for having me. And you know, I just love being able to see clients like win when they came in feeling so burnt out. So it just fills me too. So appreciate it.   Kiera Dent (22:00) ⁓   I love it. Let's get you guys the W's. Let's get you those wins when you didn't think it was possible I think that's my favorite thing is turning the impossible into possible and helping you take dreams into reality So reach out hello at the Dental A team calm and as always thanks for listening We'll catch you next time on the Dental A team podcast  

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Free Class II Masterclass - Click Here to Join Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram Dr. Drew McDonald is a board-certified orthodontic specialist renowned for his expertise in airway and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-focused treatment planning, surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy (SFOT), and complex interdisciplinary care. He is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he leads McDonald Orthodontics, a practice dedicated to comprehensive, patient-centered orthodontic solutions.