Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Arias

From 'Fly the W' (subscribe here): Crawly and Dustin discuss all the latest news, including the Cubs losing out in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes and designating reliever Michael Arias for assignment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki has whittled his teams down and the Cubs are reportedly not on it. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down what it means for the Cubs and what comes next.Plus, the Cubs were busy late in December and early in January, adding the likes of Vidal Bruján, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar and Matt Festa to the team while parting ways with Matt Mervis, Miles Mastrobuoni and Michael Arias.The addition of Rea brings about several questions for the Cubs rotation while the bullpen is in a curious spot given the sheer number of players without minor-league options.Spring Training is still a month away but there are interesting roster decisions coming for this Cubs team.

Crawly and Dustin discuss all the latest news, including the Cubs losing out in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes and designating reliever Michael Arias for assignment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In season 4, episode 4, Crawly and Dustin get you ready for Cubs Convention! Crawly talks to Cubs senior vice president of marketing Jen Martindale about what awaits at the upcoming convention. Find out about the different sessions and experiences that will be offered and the great auction items that will raise money for Cubs Charities. Crawly and Dustin also discuss all the latest news, including the Cubs losing out in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes and designating reliever Michael Arias for assignment. Crawly also talks with former Cubs executive John McDonough, the founder of the Cubs Convention, about the evolution of the event over the years. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‍2024 is coming to a close! What learnings did you take from your practice this year?In this final episode of the year, we're diving into key lessons and insights shared by eight previous guests that they acquired in 2024 and plan to apply in 2025. Each speaker emphasizes a unique focus:Dr. Paul Goodman: Advocates for always being in hiring mode and building team redundancy to ensure business stability.Dr. Maggie Augustyn: Highlights the importance of accepting and adapting to unexpected changes, which can lead to unplanned blessings.Dr. Avi Patel: Stresses the significance of focus, particularly in balancing personal and professional life after becoming a parent.Dr. Brittany Dickinson: Plans to blend personal and professional lives on social media to build a stronger community and trust with patients.Dr. Fern White: Encourages investing in personal well-being and leadership skills to enhance professional effectiveness.Dr. Kyle Stanley: Advises prioritizing mental and relational health to improve patient care and team leadership.Dr. Milca Mendez-Ceballos: Reflects on the importance of celebrating milestones and being present in the moment throughout the startup journey.Kiera Dent: Emphasizes structuring practices to support personal well-being and fulfillment, endorsing a shift from merely surviving to thriving.Tune in now to gather transformative insights that will pave the way for your success in 2025!‍‍You can reach out to our guests here:‍Dr. Paul Goodman: Website: dentalnachos.comWebsite: dentistjobconnect.comDr. Maggie Augustyn: Website: maggieaugustyn.comPractice: myhappytooth.comDr. Avi Patel: Website: clearaligneradvisor.coDr. Brittany Dickinson: Website: drbrittanydickinson.comDr. Fern White: Website: drfern.coPractice: beaconcovedental.com.auDr. Kyle Stanley: Website: drkylestanley.comDr. Milca Mendez-Ceballos: Instagram: instagram.com/dr.milcaKiera Dent: Website: thedentalateam.com‍Other Mentions and Links:People:Tony Robbins‍Quotes:Tony Robbins - "Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure."‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Dr. Paul Goodman: This is Paul, Dr. Nacho Goodman. I'm the owner of two dental practices, also the founder of Dental Nachos and Dentist Job Connect. I love this exercise by Michael Arias. Awesome job. One of the things that will guide me in 2025 is remembering, reinforcing how important it is to have redundancy, another R word, with your team members.Life happens when you're making other treatment plans and dental practices and businesses are so vulnerable. by not having a bench of team members that can step in and fulfill roles, whether it's the lead dental assistant or a surgical prosthodontist, or it is a success coordinator in your business. So I want to focus on making sure I am always in a hiring mode.Always able to build my bench. Always knowing good people who can help me. It doesn't mean they need to be hired tomorrow, but just, ABC, always be connecting And I want to change that to ABH, always be hiring, always be looking for new talent. What we do is so complex as dental practice owners and things have happened in 2024 that have left my practices vulnerable, left them stressed.And I want to commit to always be hiring, always be looking for new talent. It's not easy to do in the midst of getting through your day to day, but it's so important to the long term success and sanity of your business, your dental practice, and you.Dr. Maggie Augustyn: Maggie Augustine, Happy Tooth Elmhurst, Illinois. This is a lesson that we keep learning every single year, and I am wondering, and actually I am praying, that this year the lesson sticks. And the lesson is that no matter how much We plan and plan over and recheck the plans that we make for both our personal life and our practice life.They don't always end up coming to fruition the way that we had hoped. And life, no matter which perspective we take, and no matter which way we look at it, and no matter whether it's our personal or professional life, we'll continue. to change and evolve. And we must learn to accept those changes, and we must be able to pivot with those changes.truth be told, some of those changes, despite not being planned for, end up truthfully. Becoming our greatest blessings. And I think that's what I look forward to the most next year.Dr. Avi Patel: So a key lesson from this year that will guide me in 2025 in my personal and professional life is the concept of focus. So I think now more than ever, I have clarity on terms of what I want to do and what I like to do. And after having new addition to our family this year, our daughter, she is eight months old. I'm focused as a dad to be the best version of myself, to have better boundaries with work and home life and with my business and supporting doctors. Learn about and implement clear liners in their practices. I am very clear on what I need to do. And one of those things is to be able to continue to support the ones who are currently in the program and to stay consistent with my messaging, to be sure that I'm getting in front of the doctors who are looking for this program as a solution.So that is what I'm taking in 2025. And I hope you will do the same cause focus is key for anything that you do.Dr. Brittany Dickinson: A key takeaway that I learned a bit from in 2024 that I really want to lean into in 2025 is marketing in terms of community building and almost pulling back a little bit from that technical branding. So what I mean by that is technical branding in terms of a perfectly curated Instagram feed with, colors that all flow together.And, it looks like it's almost been arranged, having a beautiful background for every single reel, things like that, and leaning into building a real sense of community. And what I mean by that is really blurring the lines between my personal life and my business life. When you think about it, dentistry really is a personal business.We work really up close with our patients, especially me as a cosmetic dentist. I am getting to know them really well, and in turn, they get to know me fairly well, also. And I want them to be choosing me because they trust me, they like my work, but they also like who I am as a person. And this is something that was brought up to me by some of my patients that came into my practice this year.They said that, one of them said a friend had recommended to me, one had just seen my business page on social media, and both of them noticed that my personal page was set public. And so they started watching who I was, what I do, and that's what really got them to come in, because they saw that we connected on certain things, besides the fact that they liked the dentistry that I did.And it made them trust me, because I was showcasing who I was. And not only did we say have a friend in common, we also had yoga in common. They could hear me talk through stories and things like that, that I'm more likely to do on my personal page. And they already felt like we had connected on that trust level.And when we came in, I felt that trust already and it made our first appointment go so, so well. So for me, what that's going to look like going forward is keeping up my business page, keeping it there so that people can find it at least, but really when, in terms of building my community, focusing on that through my personal page, doing a lot more on stories, doing a lot more.That's uncurated. just showing who I am, but also showing a lot of dentistry on my personal page, which I haven't done in the past, actually. Something that I've changed maybe in the last two or three months where I'm actually sharing some of my before and afters, which I never used to do. I used to be so terrified that my friends would be annoyed and that they didn't want to look at teeth.And some of them don't, and I'll show up less often in their feeds. But for those who do, it reminds them, Hey, my friend Brittany, she's a dentist. She can help you and they're more likely to talk you up to their co workers, their friends, things like that. So I'm making that little shift in 2025 and I'm really excited to just be able to show up as who I am all the time instead of arrange and make sure my makeup looks good, my hair looks good, the background looks good.It's so much less energy and I think it shows up much more authentically.Dr. Fern White: Hi there, it's Dr Fern White here from Beacon Cove Dental, Port Melbourne in Australia. Now after 21 years of being a dentist and 15 years now of practice ownership, I would have to say that the most important thing that you can invest in, in your practice, in your business, is yourself the CEO, as the owner, hopefully you're the owner and not the operator.So obviously it's so important to make sure that you're upskilled as a clinician and on top of all the technology and all the amazing things that are coming your way in the world of dentistry. But it is more important to into leadership by Practicing what you preach by actually spending time upgrading yourself emotionally, mentally, physically, so that you can have vitality, have energy, but also move away from the doing doing, doing, and allow yourself to flow and be in nature and just to rest your brain.away from those beta brainwaves and allow expansion and creativity where the new ideas come through. So really it's important to put yourself first and focus on some things every single day. The small incremental things that you put away will be the best for you. So you are your best investment.Dr. Kyle Stanley: Hi, this is Dr. Kyle Stanley, and my advice for the coming year would be to focus on your mental and relational health. I think so many doctors put all their focus on their patients, and that sounds very just, and it sounds very virtuous, but if you treat patients, or if you run a practice, you know that if you're not in a good state of mind, you're not doing your best.You're not efficient, you're not performing well, if you're tired, if you're going through depression or anxiety. So as the plane goes down, remember they say put your own oxygen mask on first. And sometimes we need to do that. It's not selfish, it's actually selfless. So when you're in a good place, you can lead your team, you can treat your patients better, you can be there for your family.And that is my. Biggest takeaway from the last few years, and that's why I think it's become one of my main focuses on teaching other doctors now. Thank you very much.Dr. Milca Mendez-Ceballos: This is Dr. Milca from Positive Pediatric Dentistry, and looking back at the year, something I'm taking away, and I wish I would have done a better job of, but I still hope to implement into next year, is really just celebrating each of the milestones of the startup journey. There's so many things that go on, and we worry about the next thing, and the next KPI, and the next way to improve collections, and the next way to improve our marketing, and How can we do more?But being more present in the now and celebrating the now and being more grateful in the now is something that I hope to implement starting now and taking further. So hope everyone had a great year.Kiera Dent: Hi, my name is Kiera Dent, and I am the owner and founder of the Dental A Team Consulting, and something that I noticed as we head into 2025 of key lessons that I learned personally, but also from working with hundreds of offices across the nationI think we're in this new era of how we live and how we do our lives. And so really a lot of our offices this year, it was making sure that our practices are set up to fulfill our personal lives to make sure that we're forecasting this year going into 2025 of what vacations Am I going to take to spend that time with my family?What things do I need to do for my body and for my health to make sure that I am my best self for my practice? And it's been interesting because as we've consulted hundreds of these offices and talked to these doctors, when they start to shift to put themselves first, To make sure that their lives are there and then they're able to build their goals around what days off are we going to take?What vacations are we going to build in? What provider goals do we need to set? The practice actually comes together in an incredible way. And so really, really, really taking that into 2025 of you, need to have your practice set up to serve you, to serve your life. You took the risk. You went in, you built a practice.And if that practice is not serving you and allowing you to live that fulfilled highest level life with your family, with your friends, with your personal self, what are we doing and what do we need to change? And so really thinking about the doctors that have done this this year successfully, who are building their leadership teams, who are helping them to grow into this new area, I think is something really important to take.And I know that might sound a little woo woo. It might feel like, are you kidding me? But this year, personally for myself, I actually had a complete and total life breakdown in the end of June. And I took a month off in July for personal health reasons. And it was crazy because I felt like I actually had a forced reset of what are my priorities?What are the things that really matter to me? And I realized in that time. That life is my passion and dentistry is my platform and thinking about what are the lives that I'm helping the doctors that we coach and what are goals and ambitions that they want and are they really living this fulfilled life and doing that at their highest self to be able to then serve at the highest level of dentistry.And when I was able to get that 30, 000 foot view of my own personal life, it was crazy how much came into perspective. It was crazy to realize how Much I was exhausting rather than replenishing. when I started going to the gym again and when I started going to therapy and when I started spending time with friends and family, when I started doing hobbies that fulfill me, I started to become a better CEO and I watched hundreds of offices do the same thing.And so I really think as we head into 2025, set your intentions of the practice in the life that you want to have. And let's make sure that practice is fortifying you is growing. You is driving you. And it's something where I'm so excited because we're bringing dentists together in person next year to be able to share their tips of how they're doing this successfully.We're bringing leadership teams together to be able to help those doctors thrive and not just survive. I think a great quote from Tony Robbins is success without fulfillment is the greatest failure and you can have all the money in the world. You can have the production. You can have the things, but if you're not fulfilled and happy and healthy and having those incredible life relationships, what are we really doing here?as you head into 2025 we're not just going to survive in 2025, but we're actually going to thrive. And that's something I'm just so excited about with our online and our virtual consulting at Dental A team and helping you have that dream life with ease, helping you have that practice that grows you.So thinking of my own life, yeah, this year it's, building my own personal life, making sure I've got the time for the things that fuel me and inspire me so that way I can show up and be my best self. And I would encourage you to do the same.

Welcome to Dental Unscripted, a podcast hosted by Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn. This episode focuses on ground marketing, a strategy for building strong community connections and attracting new patients.Michael Arias, a guest expert, defines ground marketing as a sophisticated approach to building trust and relationships before focusing on profits. He emphasizes the importance of genuine interactions and providing value to potential patients.CHECK RESOURCES FROM MICHAEL ARIAS HERE!!!The Ground Marketing Coursehttps://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/The Dental Marketer Podcasthttps://thedentalmarketer.site/podcastMy Email List/ Newsletter: Unlock Guaranteed Growth - Rare Tactics & Deep Insights to Transform Your Practice, Every Weekhttps://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:Disarm sales tactics by being inquisitiveApproach businesses with genuine interest in their operations and offer assistance.ReciprocityProvide value to businesses, such as free whitening or exclusive offers, to encourage referrals.Building relationshipsFocus on building rapport with business owners and employees through consistent follow-up and genuine interactions.Targeting influencersIdentify key individuals in the community who can influence others and offer them special treatment to encourage positive word-of-mouth.Interacting at Community EventsUse interactive tactics like creating a spread of gifts to choose from or offering exclusive incentives to keep attendees engaged. Network with the Event VendorsOffer them exclusive deals and incentives. Collect their contact information for future follow-up as well. Effective follow-upImplement a robust follow-up system to convert leads and nurture relationships.This episode highlights the importance of consistency, persistence, and genuine care in building strong community relationships. By implementing these strategies, dental practices can effectively attract new patients and grow their business.ABOUT THE HOSTS:Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned dental professional, this podcast is your go-to resource for valuable insights and practical advice. Subscribe now to stay tuned for exciting new episodes!  Michael Dinsio is a dental startup coach and/or a dental practice buyer's representative. Paula Quinn is a dental practice management consultant. Together they can help docs at any phase of their professional dental practice ownership journey! Visit Michael & Paula's webiste at https://nxlevelconsultants.com/what-we-do

Listen in to Matt's recent appearance on The Dental Marketer podcast with our friend Michael Arias, and be sure to subscribe to TDM here on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dental-marketer/id1153836877 --- How can you thrive in the dental industry without it consuming your life and identity? In this episode, Dr. Matt Vogt returns to the podcast, sharing his incredible journey from a budding dentist to a successful coach with The Lifestyle Practice (TLP). We dive into Matt's experiences, exploring the evolution of his startup practice into a flourishing establishment with multiple staff members and a thriving culture. Matt candidly discusses the importance of hiring the right people, fostering a positive work atmosphere, and evolving as a leader to build a self-sustaining team. Matt also opens up about the challenges that come with practice ownership, including dealing with burnout and maintaining a positive mindset. He reveals how shifting his mindset played a crucial role in managing these hurdles, and emphasizes the significance of focusing on what can be controlled. Matt also touches on the insights and support provided by TLP, explaining how their coaching focuses on business systems, leadership, and mindset to ensure sustainable growth. Whether you're in the beginning of your startup journey or a multi-practice owner, this episode offers a wealth of advice and inspiration. What You'll Learn in This Episode: -How Dr. Matt Vogt built a thriving dental practice from scratch. -The key to creating a strong, positive work culture in your practice. -The impact of hiring the right people and fostering long-term employee loyalty. -Practical advice on decisive business decision-making. -Strategies to prevent burnout and maintain a positive mindset in practice ownership. -How to integrate dentistry into life without letting it consume your identity. -The role and benefits of The Lifestyle Practice (TLP) coaching in achieving personal and professional growth. Connect with us: • Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching • Get access to TLP Academy • Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the anime adaptations of two works by Taiyo Matsumoto: 'Tekkonkinkreet' and 'Ping Pong the Animation.' They discuss Matsumoto's career as a mangaka, including the broad range of topics he covers and how he crafts narratives that are simultaneously grounded in reality and remarkably imaginative. Then, they explore the themes and characters in two of his most well known stories through the lens of the movie directed by Michael Arias and the series directed by Masaaki Yuasa.

Hosts Greg Huss and Alex Cohen break down a whole host of prospects that currently call Iowa home: Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, Matt Shaw, James Triantos, Moises Ballesteros, Ed Howard, Brandon Birdsell, Connor Noland, and Michael Arias.

Could there be a better way to do dental implants? In this episode, we have Dr. Michael Lowe, the mastermind behind Tefball, a groundbreaking product for improving the dental implant experience for Doctors and patients. Dr. Lowe shares his compelling philosophy on success, where he underscores the necessity of vision and hard work over monetary ambitions. Dive into his fascinating story—from the hurdles of prototyping and selecting materials to his choice of VersaFlex, catapulting Tefball to the top tier of biocompatible elastomers in dentistry!Throughout our conversation, Dr. Lowe opens up about the reception of Tefball within the dental community, showcasing how it revolutionized practice procedures and positively impacted patient outcomes. Far beyond theory, this episode offers actionable insights and strong encouragement for listeners to cement their visions into realities. Tune in to absorb this blend of dental ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, and discover how you can elevate your own goals with persistence and innovation.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why a clear vision transcends financial motives in achieving successThe iterative journey of creating Tefball and selecting the right materialsChallenges faced and obstacles overcome during the product development of TefballTefball's reception by the dental community and its impact on both practice efficiency and patient careDr. Lowe's expert advice for aspiring innovators and those looking to bring their vision to lifeDon't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to both dentistry and your personal ambitions!‍‍Sponsors:‍Gusto: Dentist payroll for the modern practice. Gusto's cloud-based software provides all the payroll and HR tools you need to run your dental practice efficiently. Having it all on one platform keeps our prices low, and makes your job so much easier. Enjoy best-in-class support, benefits like health coverage for your team, and more. Visit or copy and paste the link here for a special offer! https://gusto.com/tdm‍You can reach out to Dr. Michael Lowe here:Website: https://tefball.com/ (TDM15 at Checkout for 15% off!)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tefball/‍Mentions and Links: ‍Products:VersaFlex‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael Arias: Hey, Michael. So talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning? Michael Lowe: I'd say you got to have a philosophy of what you're trying to do and stick with it. So it's kind of a vision of what you're trying to create. What you see that being and then just work really hard towards that I wouldn't look at it as a number.Michael Arias: Don't say oh I gotta have, 000, you know, da da da, Because I don't think that will get you the happiness at that point, but I think having an idea of what you wanted to create, that's the outcome? Perfect.So have the idea first instead of the logistics or the money behind it.Michael Lowe: Have the vision of what you want it to be. what you're trying to create, what you want it Michael Arias: to be, Michael Lowe: I think you got to have a vision and I don't think visions of money is necessarily going to get you there or be fulfilled when you get there. Michael Arias: Is that something you feel like happened when you created Teff ball?Michael Lowe: Kind of, I would say that it came out of like a problem because when you're restoring an implant. You have that cover screw in the abutment there, you got to cover it up before you restore with the crown and whether it was like cotton or Teflon tape or something of that nature is always, I found it really cumbersome to get in tricky to get in waste of your time.And then that was one problem, but the biggest thing was like the issue of it being like stinky, full of bacteria, retained moisture, just didn't make any sense that that was like a standard of care. and there was no reason for it. It was just the way it is. No one ever gave me a good reason why we did that, because it was like such a, the weakest link the whole process of restoring and implant dentistry because you have it's so sterile coming with the packages for the implant and then when you're placing it you got to make sure everything's clean and going all the way down the line and then this is it at the end And then you have this piece of garbage you're putting inside that you took off the shelf at a hardware store. It's like,it didn't make any sense. maybe the first time I saw it in schools like, this is like allowed, everything else was so controlled, I couldn't just go grab anything I wanted and use it, a store.But this was the one thing. that came out of the idea based off of just wanting to do something new. Better for my patients. So I guess took me a while to come up with the idea, but I had something in my head that I, I got to do better. So The vision process just took a long time to formulate years after I graduated, but same idea.Michael Arias: Yeah. Man, it must have really Really bothered you so given your background in likedental implants have you noticed any changes in post procedural healing or patient satisfaction related to its use of TIPL? Michael Lowe: they don't No, beyond just, does it feel good kind of scenario?Right. But what they always do know is if you ever have to take, say, tighten screw or replace it or any reason need to get in there later, they will always make comments like, well, that smelled bad, that is a very common thing I've heard through the years. So I would say that would be the one thing I've noticed is now I don't get that comment because this you know, it's anti microbial. It doesn't absorb moisture, so you don't have that same problem. if you took out any of those other materials before, it's like a nice black thing, but now it retains its original color because it doesn't absorb all that bacteria. is the only thing in the world right now I know of you can place in there that's anti microbial.Resistant to bacteria. Michael Arias: Yeah. So this is an interesting vision that you had, man, because like felt like from the beginning it was like, ah, this is the only thing we can go out and buy. when was the turning point in your mind where you decided I need to start making this happen because I don't see it anywhere else?Michael Lowe: Yeah. Yeah.I graduated and this is my 15th year now. five years after I graduated, I think it was when I came up with the first need to do this. I have an idea about it. Then I came up with like a very basic, idea of the shape and everything, but it wasn't until another, I would say two years later, I had the finalized shape, to go in there.Cause it needed to be something that would be able to put it in really quick and easy. And then also, be snug. And so you don't get composite or filling material flowing around it, contaminating that screw. and then also fast forward years after that, you have to go through prototypes.And get models made. Like, okay, does it work? Does it work? Okay. I like this. even simple things along the way, like the color, I used to have it clear 'cause I'm thinking everybody wants this clear in my head. But then after I test a few times, the remark was it needs to be like white, a solid white color.I'm like, okay. So that would be a change. why white? I think 'cause from an aesthetic, people like that color, so say. If you use a zirconia it would help with that color. I think I made it black at one point too before I did that So I think white because it's clean and because of the aesthetic.Michael Arias: Ah, okay. That's interesting. So then Were there any other materials considered? And how does this particular plastic enhance the durability and biocompatibility of the, product? Michael Lowe: Initially, I thought I was going to make it like a silicon Teflon kind of material because I didn't know.I thought that's just what it is. So when I initially had the prototypes done, that's what it was made out of. And as time moved on and I tried to do, like, say,make more than one every day. Cause if it was ever going to get to the point where I wanted people to use this, you can't make something that slow cause it costs too much money.So I had to think of a way that I could first of all, make it in a larger volume, so you need like a micro molding center, which I discovered. So that took me two odd years to find someone who could make it because it's so tiny. It's very small because you know, the diameter of that. Implant is roughly around one and a half millimeters, right?So it was through the manufacturing processes where I changed the material. And it was a good thing because I ended up with a better material because I ended up with this company that produces medical devices and they're like, this is what we use. It's called VersaFlex. So it's like a. Elastomer. I shouldn't be using the word plastic because implies, Oh yeah, like bottle, you know, or something plastic is a general term, but it's like the elastomer, I think is a better way to say it because it's biocompatible and it's something they would use and devices they would, Either be embedding or just in a hospital setting.So that's where this VersaFlex material came in. Because you also need it, to be produced at a volume that could help try to get the cost down, which is what I'm trying to do. that's the hardest part trying to get the cost down.Now, like you can make things. if you went out there tomorrow and tried to make a new widget, you'll find like, I can do this, butif the everything else people have been using is a fraction of the cost, it's really hard to get anybody to adopt to it. Even though it's we know it's better.probably pay for itself because how quick it is to put in and take out, your chair time savings will, Pay for itself over the course of a year and all those minutes that build up. So whole idea is about just doing likebetter service for patients, but someone told me along the way like, well, people aren't really going to care enough about that when we cost more.So you got to figure out another. people do this but I was just concerned with being better for the patient and glad it is because of that we can manufacture it And that's where I tried to get the cost down.So still it's four dollars a unit, Michael Arias: Yeah, okay. No, that's good. That's good. So then that's how it improves the efficiency in a practice, right? It's quicker. better for the patient to patient doesn't see that much But with somebody else who's doing this be like, oh, yeah This is way better Michael Lowe: I don't think so.I've said it to enough people now along the way that general consensus is it's better, I have had some testers that are blind and their name's not fixed, so I'll never know who it was and give me a feedback.So like, consensus is, They like it. my only, competitor is price, but it is better, it's not more money at the end of the day if you factor in everything I just talked about.Michael Arias: Yeah, okay. are there any misconceptions or resistance when introducing Teplot to other? Michael Lowe: One is the cost thing, because that's a comment.Why would I do that I can't argue that point because you're right. It's not the same price as a piece of plumber's tape, you can't solve modern problems with old pricing.But like I said, you can offset it with time savings. ultimately I think your end goal is going to be better anyways, because if it's a better material selected in there,you're better long term success.first of all, there'll be less micro leakage on the implants, not absorb that moisture. So you're going to have less. Bone loss healthier pockets associated with implants, which will increase the long term success of them and alsoI think dentists understand the relationship between oral health and systemic health So if you're introducing something, you know into thatenvironment that could potentially contribute 2 wouldn't matter, ask any patient, hey listen here,if you pay more, I can give you a better outcome long term unless potential stomachhealth issues.Yeah no, that's wonderful man. So then, any final words or pieces of advice that you'd like to give to our listeners? I tie it all back to the same thing. So it's your philosophy, so whether it's your practice development, growth of that aspect or a continuation of this kind of like, what do you want to do? What's your vision? So if you. feel like you're doing the right thing, the right vision for you.It'll turn out. And I just hope in regards to Teflon, I hope people in time give it a shot. try it out. Michael Arias: Awesome, Michael. I appreciate your time. And if anyone has further questions, you can find them on the Dental Marketer Society Facebook group.Or where can they reach out to directly? Where can they get more information on Tepal? Or are you also giving out like, if people are like, Hey, can I try it out first? Michael Lowe: best way to do that would be if you go to tefball. com, there's a contact page there, so you can send any inquiries there also, social medias, Instagram, and that And then to try it out, So right now it's 99 if I give you discount code, say 15%.that would the best way to try it out. Michael Arias: Nice. So that's going to be tepawright. com and then when you're ready for checkout, use the code TDM15 or if you want, it's going to be in the show notes below as well. Alrighty, Mike, man. I appreciate your time. Thank you so much for being with me on this Monday morning episode.Michael Lowe: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.‍

Jack McMullen, broadcaster for the Indianapolis Indians, joins the show with Greg Huss to talk...Moises Ballesteros' first week in IowaOwen Caissie at the plate and on defenseWhat Matt Mervis and Alexander Canario have to proveTriple-A relievers Hunter Bigge, Michael Arias, and Ethan Roberts

‍Are you looking to scale your practice from one location to multiple thriving offices? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Andrew Vallo to explore his incredible journey of expanding his practice to four busy locations, with plans for even more on the horizon. Andrew shares his secrets to success, including an innovative business model that combines different dental specialties and a clever strategy for cutting costs by sharing office spaces. You'll learn about his dynamic marketing approach, particularly how he managed to skyrocket his Invisalign services by making treatment more accessible and offering flexible payment options.Andrew opens up about the hurdles he faced, like dealing with substantial construction delays and how he maintained team morale in challenging times. He provides unique insights on fast-tracking the growth of a dental practice, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments in marketing and staffing right from the start. Andrew also delves into effective team management, stressing the pivotal role of the right personnel in the right positions and not shying away from turnover when necessary. By the end of our conversation, you'll understand why adopting an abundance mindset and being willing to take calculated risks are key to achieving rapid growth in the dental industry.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Andrew Vallo scaled his practice to four locations with more on the wayThe benefits and challenges of combining different dental specialties within a single practiceEffective cost-cutting measures, including shared office spacesProven marketing strategies for scaling Invisalign services rapidlyTailoring marketing efforts to different platforms and patient demographicsCoping with significant construction delays and maintaining team moraleAndrew's unconventional advice for rapid growth in dental practicesThe importance of strategic investments in marketing and staffingBest practices for team management and handling staff turnoverAdopting an abundance mindset and taking calculated risks for growthReady to unlock the secrets to fast-tracking your practice growth? Let's get right into it with, Dr. Andrew Vallo!‍‍Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍Guest: Dr. Andrew ValloPractice Name: The Dental Boutique WestchaseCheck out Andrew's Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.andrewvalloPodcast: https://www.dentalunfilteredpodcast.com/Facebook Pages:‍https://www.facebook.com/TheDentalBoutiqueWestchase‍‍https://www.facebook.com/BestValueDenturesPractice Websites:‍https://www.westchasedentalboutique.com/‍‍https://www.bestvaluedentures.com/Email: docvallodds@gmail.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Andrew's Past Episodes:MMM [STARTUPS] CUTTING FRICTION FOR SEAMLESS NEW PATIENT ONBOARDING IN YOUR PRACTICE – THE DENTAL MARKETER PODCAST406: DR. ANDREW VALLO | THE DENTAL BOUTIQUE WESTCHASE & BEST VALUE DENTURES – THE DENTAL MARKETER PODCAST‍Software/Services:Google AdsFacebook AdsClinCheck‍People:Dr. David Galler‍Brands/Products:Invisalign‍Organizations:AACA‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

Welcome the very first episode of Reusable Tips, a new podcast series from the Very Dental Podcast Network!  Do you have a quick tip that Very Dental people need to know about? Email me or contact me on Facebook or Instagram and we'll tell the world about it! Today's episode features a little trick I learned to make my already very slick digital workflow even quicker using Splashtop! Some links from the show: me on a recent episode of Michael Arias' "The Dental Marketer" podcast  Splashtop Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "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!  

‍Overwhelmed by the thought of buying or selling a practice? With the right help, finding the right listing price, prequalify prospective buyers, negotiations and financing options can all be a breeze! In this episode, I sit down with Greg Auerbach, a true veteran in the world of dental practice transitions, to uncover the ins and outs of buying or selling a dental practice. Drawing on his wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Greg reveals the critical steps to establishing value and expertly guiding both buyers and sellers through this once-in-a-career process. From the initial evaluation to the final handshake, you'll learn how he holds the hands of dentists, ensuring they are confident and well-prepared for each phase of the transition journey.We jump into the heated debate: starting a new practice versus acquiring an existing one. Greg discusses the unique challenges faced by newcomers, from building a patient base from scratch to financial burdens and staff hiring. On the flip side, he dismantles common fears around acquisitions and highlights their surprising advantages—like immediate cash flow and a quicker path to profitability. Our conversation also touches on why some practitioners still opt for startups, influenced by factors like the limited availability of practices for sale and the lure of creating a custom space. Plus, Greg shares strategic tips for increasing a practice's market value and ensuring a harmonious post-transition phase, debunking myths around staff and patient retention.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to establish the true value of a practice.The comparative advantages and challenges of starting up versus acquiring a practice.Key strategies to manage financial burdens and staff hiring in new practices.The benefits of acquisitions, including faster profitability and immediate cash flow.Common fears and misconceptions about practice acquisitions.Post-transition tips for maintaining harmony and continuity.The importance of gradual changes to ensure a smooth transition.How early engagement can significantly improve market value and streamline the process.Join us as we explore the inner workings of successful practice transitions with, Greg Auerbach!‍‍Guest: Greg AuerbachBusiness Name: Henry ScheinCheck out Greg's Media:Website: http://www.henryscheindpt.com/Email: greg.auerbach@henryschein.com2024 Guide to Dental Practice Valuation: How Much is Your Practice Worth? https://bit.ly/4braykp‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Tools:Dentrix Indeed‍Equipment:iTero‍TV:HGTV‍Organizations:FTCFDA‍Terms/Concepts:EBITDACapitalization of Earnings Methodology ‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍How can a dentist like you navigate a career spanning over three decades AND keep their practice fresh and innovative? In this engaging replay episode, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Valcarenghi, a seasoned dentist from Elmhurst, Illinois, to uncover the secrets behind his 36-year-long journey in the dental industry. Dr. Ivan reveals how the charm of Illinois seasons influenced his choice to stay rooted amidst an exodus to warmer climates. More importantly, Dr. Ivan shares his strategies for combating professional burnout by continuously reinventing his practice. From transitioning from public health service to establishing his own practice, and always opting for quality treatments like tooth-colored fillings, Dr. Ivan emphasizes the importance of standing out in the dental field.Dr. Ivan also shows us the business side of dentistry, which is often overlooked in traditional dental education. He recounts how learning business and marketing skills through consulting and attending business school played a pivotal role in growing his practice from a modest two-operatory office to a bustling, successful enterprise. Building strong patient relations through excellent communication, using digital technology to educate patients, and viewing dental care as a valuable investment are some of the key approaches discussed. Furthermore, Dr. Ivan's innovative move to combine dental care with facial aesthetics under one practice showcases his forward-thinking mindset, which has greatly attracted patients and added value to his services.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Ivan has avoided professional burnout over a 36-year careerThe significance of distinguishing oneself in the dental professionThe impact of quality treatments on building a solid practice reputationDr. Ivan's journey from public health service to his own dental practiceEssential business and marketing skills for growing a dental practiceThe importance of effective patient communication and educationIntegrating digital technology for better patient understanding and treatment acceptanceViewing and positioning dental care as a life-enhancing investmentAdding facial aesthetics to a dental practice and its benefitsNavigating economic downturns while maintaining practice growth and successTune in to hear Dr. Ivan's insightful journey and transformative tips for any dental professional seeking inspiration and practical advice!‍(This episode originally aired on 9/8/2022)‍‍Guest: Dr. Ivan ValcarenghiPractice Name: Radiante Facial & DentalCheck out Ivan's Media:Website: https://www.radiantedentalfacial.com/Email: drivan@radiantedentalspa.com‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍What does it take to successfully market a practice and bring in new patients in today's world? In this compelling episode I'm sitting down with, Karen Galley, the insightful co-owner and president of Patient News and Practice ZEBRA. With over 30 years of specialized experience in dental marketing, Karen takes us on a journey through the foundational elements of successful dental marketing strategies. She sheds light on the unique offerings of Practice ZEBRA, a versatile software product that enhances marketing efforts through comprehensive services like call tracking, scoring, and detailed KPIs for marketing success. Whether you are just starting out or looking to optimize your current marketing, Karen's vast knowledge provides a robust solution tailored precisely for dental practices.Throughout our conversation, Karen digs up the common marketing pitfalls that dental practices often encounter. Karen provides a magnifying glass into these errors, breaking them into three categories: strategic, operational, and executional. From the lack of clear differentiation in a practice's mission, to operational inefficiencies like poor call handling, each mistake is explored with an eye toward solutions and optimization. Karen's advice doesn't just stop at identifying problems though; she offers actionable strategies to improve your marketing approach by emphasizing consistent brand messaging, thorough market research, and effective budget allocation. This episode is an indispensable guide for dental professionals looking to enhance their marketing game.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to identify and correct strategic, operational, and executional marketing mistakes in your practice.The unique features of Practice ZEBRA and how it can streamline your marketing efforts.The importance of understanding your practice's unique selling proposition.Advice for aligning marketing strategies with your practice's vision and goals.Tips for efficient resource and budget allocation in dental marketing.How to analyze marketing attribution and channel ROI to maximize returns.Insights into refreshing your online presence with modern web design and SEO practices.Let's transform your practice's marketing efforts with, Karen Galley, today!‍‍Sponsors:‍Oryx: an all-in-one cloud-based dental software created by dentists for dentists.Patient engagement, clinical, and practice management software that helps your dental practice grow without compromise. Visit Oryx today for a special TDM offer! (Just click or copy and paste the link here) https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/oryx/‍Guest: Karen GalleyBusiness Name: Patient NewsCheck out Karen's Media:Website: http://patientnews.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Tools:Google AdsPractice ZEBRA‍Helpful Resources:Practice Growth Calculator‍Books:Understanding Dental Insurance: A Guide for Dentists and their Teams‍People:Dr. Shahin SafarianDr. Travis Campbell‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

‍How can an artist's creativity and eye for detail translate to success in the dental industry? Today we're diving into the journey of Dr. Jessica Pushee, an aspiring artist turned respected dentist, who shares her path from student to practice owner. Listen as Jessica unravels her realities – the challenges of shared ownership, the unexpected upheavals, the bounce back from failures, and the rekindling of her passion for ownership. Gain a unique understanding of her perspective on what it's like to construct one's own practice, from securing loans to pinpointing the perfect location.The episode continues with an emphasis on the powerful role of community engagement and specialist referrals in building a solid patient base. Not only can you sneak a peek into Jessica's secret, strategic playbook, but you can also get a personal perspective on the delicate art of maintaining work-life balance, creating something uniquely personal, and nurturing a business culture rooted in integrity. Jessica also shows her forward-looking aspirations for her practice, marking her place in a fascinating narrative, laced with fortitude, resilience, and tenacity.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The unique journey of an artist turned respected dentistThe challenges and nuances of shared ownership in a dental practiceThe rigors and rewards of building a dental practice from scratchArtistic touches that set apart Jessica's practiceMaintaining work-life balance as a successful dentist and business ownerThe significant role of community engagements and referrals in building a patient baseThe importance of business culture and integrity in growing a practiceLet's get into this episode with Dr. Jessica Pushee and witness the perfect blend of art and dentistry on her journey!‍‍Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/Guest: Dr. Jessica PusheeCheck out Jessica's Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpushee/Email: Jessicapusheedmd@gmail.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Google AdsIdeal PracticesCARRFacebook AdsLegalZoom‍Places/Establishments:Tufts University‍Banks:Bank of America‍Brands/Businesses:StarbucksSmoothie King‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍Do you have a passion for the entrepreneurial journey but don't know where to start? Dr. Ilona Casellini's exciting path from a budding veterinarian to a successful dentist might be the inspiration you need. Straying from the familiar path sparked by a chance encounter and mentorship from a prosthodontist, Ilona dives into details of starting her own dental practice right out of dental school. Amidst the numerous obstacles in her journey, the key to her success was the mentorship she received, her parents' support, and her pursuit of independence and entrepreneurship.Ilona sheds light on an area often overlooked by entrepreneurs. She discusses the pivotal role of staffing in her groundbreaking success. Facing the challenges of integrating a retiring dentist's staff into her practice, she transformed hurdles into opportunities. She ends the episode by narrating her boutique-like patient-centric approach that fuels her professional satisfaction and success.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How mentorship shaped Ilona's career in dentistry.Strategies and challenges of starting a dental practice immediately after school.The complexities of integrating staff in a dental practice.How Ilona's patient-centered approach leads to her fulfilling career and practice's success.The power of strong supportive outlets in the journey of entrepreneurship.Ready to delve deeper into the strength behind mentorship, a patient-centric approach, and important staffing decisions for entrepreneurial success? Let's jump into this captivating episode with Dr. Ilona Casellini!‍‍Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:Website: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍Guest: Dr. Ilona CaselliniPractice Name: Swiss Quality SmileCheck out Ilona's Media:Website: https://www.swissqualitysmile.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swissqualitysmile/‍‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Google AdwordsDarby (dental supplier)Dentrix (practice management software)Dexus (xray software)Sesame (texting/message software)‍Establishments:The University of VermontPenn State University‍Artists/Songs:Bill Withers - Just the Two of Us‍Communities:Dentaltown‍Sports:Pickle ball‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍‍

‍Today we're navigating the complex world of dentistry with authenticity, resilience, and an open heart. But, what does it take to embody these key values? In this episode, Dr. Maggie Augustyn takes us on her transformative journey from graduating dental school to becoming a successful, compassionate dentist. Overcoming initial challenges that nearly derailed her early career, Maggie offers an intimate window into her personal evolution, unpacking the layers of self-reflection and mentorship that led her to shed false identities and fully commit to her passion.Maggie dives deep into her professional trajectory, sharing her transition from working in less-than-ideal conditions to taking the formidable step of opening her own practice - a venture fraught with financial fears and management challenges. Throughout these enlightening windows into her growth, one element remains consistent: the dedication to becoming a better dentist and a better person. Exploring the internal tug-of-war of wanting to be liked and needing to deliver honest, sometimes hard-to-swallow treatment plans, Maggie emphasizes the supreme importance of empathy and genuine patient connections in her practice. Her reflections on battling cancer and the integral role of personal and professional integrity in managing her practice through these tough times offer an inspiring testament to her resilience.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The early challenges and misunderstandings that young practitioners face in their medical journey.The importance of shedding false identities and embracing authenticity in the field of dentistry.How to navigate the financial and leadership aspects of launching and managing a private practice.The value of compassion, empathy, and honest communication in patient care.How personal turmoil and struggles can impact and shape professional growth and perspective.Don't miss out on this insightful, heartwarming journey of transformation and growth in the world of dentistry! Tune in to share in Dr. Maggie's wisdom gathered from her diverse experiences.‍‍Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍Guest: Dr. Maggie AugustynPractice Name: Happy ToothCheck out Maggie's Media:Practice Website: https://myhappytooth.com/Personal Website: https://maggieaugustyn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.maggieaugustynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.maggieaugustyn/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maggie-augustyn-dds-faaip-ficoi-7a9502122/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Services:Productive Dentist Academy‍People:Dr. Talcott ParsonsDr. Bruce B. Baird & Dr. Victoria Peterson (Productive Dentist Academy)‍Dr. Augustyn Presentations:Lie to Me: The Destructive Nature of Self ComparisonBeyond The Drill: From Struggle to Success‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

Topics on this week's episode with Greg Huss and Bryan Smith:Pete Crow-Armstrong and Matt Mervis promotionsAlfonsin Rosario's first homerCade Horton to Iowa or Chicago?Luis Vazquez's on-base streakJefferson Rojas' hit streakBrennen Davis exit velosMax Bain on the call for South BendOver/under stat predictions for Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, Moises Ballesteros, Michael Arias, and Connor Noland

How does one navigate cultural and language barriers as an exile from their home country AND build a thriving practice? Welcome to this enlightening episode where we step into the unique journey of Dr. Monzer Shakally, a remarkable dentist with an extraordinary backdrop: born and raised in Damascus, Syria, yet carving out a stellar career in the U.S. His narrative winds from his comfortably privileged upbringing in a medical environment to a twist with the breakout of the Syrian revolution, leading him down a path of arrest, exile, and eventual resettlement in the U.S.In this episode, Monzer takes us along on his odyssey from the throes of revolution and exile to his pursuit of dentistry in Iowa, a step driven by his resolve to create a unique niche in the dental space. Listen in as he shares the challenges of early days in America, wrestling with language barriers and chipping away at cultural dissimilarities, through to his triumphant emergence from dental school and his thoughtfully decisive move to settle in the balanced charm of Scottsdale, Arizona. Monzer also delves into his professional journey, tracing his hard-earned lessons from a dissatisfying stint at Pacific Dental Services to his present status operating a thriving dental practice. This episode is more than an account of resilience and determination, it is a beacon for all those navigating their routes to success in the dental profession.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Monzer's intriguing journey from Syria to the United StatesThe cultural and educational challenges Dr. Shakally overcame in the pursuit of his careerHis experiences in corporate dentistry and the wisdom gained from itHow Shakally turned a new opportunity into a flourishing dental practiceStrategies for avoiding pitfalls such as insurance dependencyThe ethos that underpins Shakally's profession and personal journeyStrategies to ensure patient satisfaction and operational efficiency in your practiceDon't miss this episode full of valuable insights and inspiring tales of resilience. Start your journey to mastering the business side of dentistry by listening today!‍‍Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍Guest: Dr. Monzer ShakallyPractice Name: Southern SmilesCheck out Monzer's Media:Website: https://ssmilesdental.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshakally/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-monzer-shakally-dds-54945989/Email: meezdds@gmail.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Henry ScheinPPO ProfitsImplant PathwayQuickBooksKleerBooks/Publications:How to Buy a Dental Practice: A Step-by-step Guide to Finding, Analyzing, and Purchasing the Right Practice For YouDental Operations Manual: Detailed Systems to Run your Dental PracticeBusinesses/Brands:Pacific Dental ServicesSignature Dental PartnersAspen DentalHeartland DentalCerecVan Hook LabPeople:Dr. Farran (30 Day Dental MBA)Elon MuskPodcasts:Dental UnfilteredCommunities:DentaltownOrganizations:UNHuman Rights WatchUS Embassy in EgyptMusic:Frank Sinatra - My Way‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

‍‍Interested in making the big leap from associateship to private practice? Tune into this episode as we talk with Dr. Linda Nguyen, a passionate dentist with an inspiring tale of achieving her dreams despite facing adversities. Taken by surprise with challenges at her first glamorous job in downtown Denver, Linda had a reality check on ethical dilemmas that some practices may face. With the discord between promises made to patients and actual care delivered, she embarked on a journey that led her closer to owning the kind of practice she had always dreamed of - a place where patient-centric care is paramount.Linda's journey wasn't a smooth ride, but she conquered all odds with her never-give-up attitude and solidified her place in the dental space. She not only shares the authentic, often untold gritty realities of dentistry, but also offers key insights to navigate the startup phase and step up to the role of a private practice owner. Linda's story is a testament to how crucial it is to find your community, a trustworthy financial partner, and a dedicated team for thriving in the competitive world of dentistry.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why Linda transitioned from dental associateship to owning her own practiceThe challenges Linda faced in her first job and how that shaped her future decisionsHow she approached ethical dilemmas and navigated her way towards the dentistry she wanted to practiceThoughts on choosing financial partners and strategically building her teamThe importance of creating a patient-centric experience in a dental practiceHow to balance business and personal values in a saturated marketSo don't wait, hit the play button and join us as we walk through Dr. Linda Nguyen's inspiring journey!‍‍Sponsors:‍For DSO integrations, startup solutions, and all your dental IT needs, let our sponsors, Darkhorse Tech, help out so you can focus on providing the amazing care that you do. For 1 month of FREE service, visit their link today! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/‍Guest: Dr. Linda NguyenPractice Name: Sonder DentistryCheck out Linda's Media:Website: https://www.sonderdentistry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonderdentistry/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:IndeedCrimson MediaDentagraphicsIdeal PracticesCentriServe ITBurkhart Dental SupplyProducts/Brands:Almond JoyWingspanNintendo SwitchIt Takes Two (Switch Game)Banks:Bank of AmericaWells FargoPeople:Shane Simmons (Crimson Media)Stan Wiening (Burkhart Dental Supply)‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

‍Are you a budding dental professional wanting to venture into an independent practice? Well, this episode has everything you need to get started. Dr. Rebecca Bradley, who made the brave leap from a high-paced chain to starting her own dental clinic, hands out the roadmap to this transition in our conversation today. Rebecca's journey throws light not just on the operational and financial complexities involved, but also the personal endeavor that went into establishing her unique place in the world of dental care.In the midst of operational factors and strategic marketing efforts, Rebecca's firm belief in personalized patient care emerges powerfully. Rebecca's unwavering dedication, despite grappling with the daunting task of leaving a stable job and young kids at home, reflects a candid and inspiring narrative. If you're dreaming about creating a practice that truly marries your professional aspirations with a deep Impact on people's lives, this episode with Rebecca Bradley might just be the push you need.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The steps to transition from an employed dental professional to a private dental clinic ownerHow strategic marketing and community engagement helps in establishing a dental practiceThe importance of social media and local partnerships in attracting patientsThe financial considerations while operating a startupThe role of personal vision and a patient-centric approach in creating a successful practiceDon't wait any longer to kickstart your dream dental practice. Tune in to this episode now.‍‍Sponsors:‍For DSO integrations, startup solutions, and all your dental IT needs, let our sponsors, Darkhorse Tech, help out so you can focus on providing the amazing care that you do. For 1 month of FREE service, visit their link today! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/‍Guest: Dr. Rebecca BradleyPractice Name: QC South DentistryCheck out Rebecca's Media:Website: https://qcsouthdentistry.com/Email: smile@qcsouthdentistry.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/qcsouthdentistry/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Places/Establishments:UNC Adams School of DentistryInsurance Companies:Delta DentalProducts/Brands:iTeroInvisalignDentrix AscendMicrosoftSpectrumTransendental, LLCIdeal PracticesHDA AccountingOrganizations:HIPAAThe Beauty Boost‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

How do you successfully navigate the balance between starting a new career AND a new family? You'll want to tune in to this enlightening episode featuring Dr. Meagan Scarborough for the answer! Journey with her as she shares her gripping tale of beginning her dental career with a four-week-old baby in tow. Meagan paints a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs she encountered while running her dental practice and managing the high demands of being a freshly minted professional and a new mom. Going from Texas to Tennessee, she takes us into her journey of innovation and adaptability, opening up about the unique approaches she has introduced to her practices.But that's not all. Meagan takes us deeper into the world of dentistry with her candid discussion on the role of hygienists, the importance of good team dynamics in a practice, and the fine line between offering quantity and maintaining quality service. She brings in a completely novel approach to her practice, drawing inspiration from the service model of Chick-fil-A. She expands on how focusing on exceptional service and comprehensive patient care brings both success to her practice and satisfaction to her patients. All these in line with her core belief that treating people well remains the key to success, whether in dentistry or life.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to balance a starting career with motherhood.Insider knowledge about running a successful practice.The importance of team dynamics and partnership in the dental field.The role of hygienists and how they impact your practice.How you can adopt the Chick-fil-A model of service in your practice.Listen to this episode and discover the revolutionary ways to improve services and patient experience in the dental industry!‍‍Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍Guest: Dr. Meagan ScarboroughPractice Name: Steiner DentalCheck out Meagan's Media:Website: https://www.steinerdental.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arenovatedpurpose‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Books/Publications:Whale Done!: The Power of Positive RelationshipsPlaces/Establishments:Chick-fil-ABuc-ee'sCamp LonghornTV/Movies:Father of the BrideSchrute Bucks (The Office)‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

Do you get hung up on the "right way" to do something in your practice? Well, today I'm speaking with, Dr. LaRee Johnson, as she shares her journey of establishing a thriving dental practice from scratch, and how her flexible and resilient attitude made all the difference in her career fulfillment. She uncover how her Southern California origins influenced her professional growth, leading her to create a dental wellness oasis in sunny North Carolina.Striking a balance between work-life and home isn't as straightforward as it seems. Especially when you are a dental practitioner like LaRee, who, despite initially believing that her own practice would afford her more family time, quickly realized the reality was far different. Today we're gathering lessons from her experiences of juggling various responsibilities and managing multiple office locations. Get inspired by LaRee's commitment to quality care, the significance she places on effective communication, and the ways she prioritizes continuing education and community involvement.What You'll Learn In This Episode:How to start a dental practice from the ground upWhy to never say "always" and keep an open mindThe challenges involved in balancing work and family lifeThe importance of effective communication in the dental professionHow to manage multiple office locations successfullyThe significance of continuing education and community involvementDon't miss the opportunity to learn from Dr. LaRee's journey. Tune in to this episode and discover the blueprint for establishing and managing a successful dental practice.‍‍Guest: Dr. LaRee JohnsonPractice Name: Carolina Pediatric DentistryCheck out LaRee's Media:Website: https://www.carolinapedo.com/Email: drlaree@gmail.comPhone: 919-247-8706‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Tools:ExcelDentOpen DentalBrands/Products:Intraosseous Injection - dentalhitechCoronaEmergen-CBOPSInsurance Companies:Delta DentalTricareMetLifeBooks/Publications:If You Give a Mouse a CookiePlaces/Establishments:Raleigh Children's Surgery CenterUNC at Chapel HillResearch Triangle ParkKellogg School of Management ProgramsOrganizations:American Board of Pediatric DentistryHIPAAPeople:Dr. Larry Dempsey in Rocky Mount, North CarolinaDr. Clark morrisEvents: Tar Heel 10 Miler‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

‍What is it like to escape as a refugee, build a life from scratch, and eventually knock down the doors of dental success? In an honest, heart-to-heart conversation, Dr. Fern White doesn't hold back, unveiling her unique childhood, the influence of her hardworking parents, and her journey towards becoming a respected dentist in Australia. Her story is a testament to the extraordinary power of resilience, adaptability, and enduring passion.Yet, the road to success isn't typically linear, is it? There are detours of struggle, self-doubt, and immense pressure that often lead to a moment of crisis. Dr. Fern faced these challenges head-on, ultimately reevaluating her definition of success, and embracing a healthier, more balanced approach to life and work. This personal transformation not only improved her own life, but also ignited a passion within her to extend help to her peers. From pulling her siblings' teeth due to financial necessity, to leading a revolution of change within the dental profession, Dr. Fern's journey is nothing short of inspiring.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The inspiring journey of a Vietnamese refugee to a successful dentistHow struggles and setbacks can redefine your outlook towards successThe importance of self-care and a balanced approach to life and workInsights into the development of "Practice Your Passion" for dentistsRelatable advice for aspiring leaders and professionals in the dental industryTake a journey through Dr. Fern White's life, from a courageous refugee to a respected dentist, and how she's changing the face of dentistry and inspiring others!‍‍Guest: Dr. Fern WhiteBusiness Name: Practice Your PassionCheck out Fern's Media:Practice Your Passion: https://www.drfernwhite.com/learn-about-pypWebsite: https://www.drfern.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfernwhite/Email: fern@drfernwhite.com‍Get a head start in your community with the Ground Marketing Course and receive $419 off your purchase with the code "practicelaunchpad"! You can sign up here: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Tools:SlackProducts/Brands:Bulletproof CoffeeSnickersMars BarPeople:Brené BrownTony RobbinsWayne Dyer - "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."Wim HofBrendan BurchardBooks/Publications:Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater ThingsHamletThe Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly DepartingThe High Performance Planner‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍‍Have you taken the leap to embark on the challenging but fulfilling path of entrepreneurship? In this episode, our guests Dr. Vitaliya and Dr. Eddie, the successful owners of "Dental Bar," share their wins, missteps, and the lessons they learned while traversing the path of starting and managing a dental clinic. From Vitallya's incredible journey from Ukraine to the US and her transition to dentistry, to Eddie's application of his industrial psychology background in navigating their dental industry, the episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical tips to help you also take the leap.Our conversation gets intimate as they share the challenges of choosing the right location for a clinic, relocating due to unprecedented circumstances, and their resilience amidst these hurdles. They give an insider perspective on managing growth pains, from hiring the right people to vendor contract complexities. With a focus on cultivating a healthy work climate and a meticulous hiring process, their approach to building a strong team is enlightening. We also delve deep into the critical aspects of handling pricing and fees and responding to negative reviews with grace and tact, highlighting the importance of adaptability in a dental practice.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to set a solid foundation for a successful dental practice.Personal experiences and hurdles in starting a dental clinic.Hiring practices to build a strong, effective team.Importance of understanding your practice's culture and climate.Navigating the complexities of vendor contracts.The significance of meticulousness in handling fees.Turning negative reviews into positive experiences.Ready to unveil some business wisdom nuggets and set a solid foundation for your entrepreneurial venture? Plug in your headphones, hit play, and get ready to be inspired!‍‍Guest: Dr. Vitaliya & Dr. EddiePractice Name: Dental BarCheck out Vitaliya and Eddie's Media:Website: http://www.dentbar.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dental_bar/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dentbar?mibextid=eQY6clLinkedIn for Vitaliya Genieva, DDS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitaliya-genieva-85489634LinkedIn for Eddie Bitzer, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-bitzer-phd-a851991Phone: 703 214 7748‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Establishments/Brands:Deloitte ConsultingStarbucksPPO Profits‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

Greg Huss is joined by South Bend Cubs broadcasters Brendan King and Max Thoma to give a season preview of the Cubs' High-A affiliate. The guys give their thoughts on Jefferson Rojas, Drew Gray, Michael Arias, Brody McCullough, Ed Howard, and plenty more top prospects.

‍‍How did a small-town practice owner rise up to become a trailblazing figure in advanced dentistry? In this episode, we weave through the fascinating journey of Dr. BJ Moorhead, who started from modest roots to dominate the realm of patient-focused, anxiety-reducing dentistry. Discover how BJ nurtured his solo practice whilst teaching at an IV sedation program for dentists, embracing a forward-thinking dental care approach that centers on the patient's comfort and trust.Find out how Dr. Moorhead triumphs in managing fear-based patients, stressing the significance of open-ended dialogue and giving patients their rightful control over their treatment decisions. We venture into his effective marketing strategies, demystifying his utilization of Google Ads and shedding light on why benefits reign over technical jargon in his promotional handouts. Our discussion concludes with BJ disclosing his three revolutionary tools and a wealth of advice for dentists facing adversity. This episode encapsulates insights and practical tips to nurture a thriving practice in today's modern world.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The importance and implementation of open-ended patient dialogueCrafting marketing strategies that prioritize benefits over technicalitiesDr. BJ's unique path towards success in advanced dentistryInnovative tools and methodologies applied in Dr. Moorhead's practicesEngaging with fear-based patients and strategies to inspire their trustWisdom for overcoming hardships in your dental journeyFeel inspired? Don't miss out on this exciting journey! Tune in, uncover the secrets to growing a successful practice, and learn firsthand why patient comfort is the pinnacle of advanced dentistry.‍‍Guest: Dr. BJ MoorheadBusiness Name: StreamDentCheck out BJ's Media:Website: https://www.streamdent.com/Email: dr.m@streamdent.comPhone: 502-509-1570IV Sedation Training for Dentists: https://www.ivsedationtrainingfordentists.com/coaching‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software:WeaveDentrixDEXISGoogle VoiceEstablishments/Brands:Spear EducationInvisalignNuCalmTriazolamValiumApplebee'sHenry ScheinPeople/Public Figures:Walter Hailey's Dental Boot KampDr. Ted RaybouldDr. Rodger LevinSocratesGrace rizza - Chicago MarketerDr. Darren GreenwellDr. Jack Turbyfill (Branching Technique)Organizations:ADAKentucky Dental Association‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

How does one successfully launch a boutique dental practice in a saturated market like New York City? In this episode, we speak to, Dr. Arti Jagirdar, who shares her journey of establishing Flatiron Dental, a distinguished dental practice that offers more than just the basics. She offers a candid account of her decision to adopt a patient-centric, fee-for-service model and its subsequent impact on the practice. Dr. Jagirdar's unique offerings such as sleep apnea treatments and airway consultations have been key in differentiating Flatiron Dental in the bustling cityscape of New York.We also delve deeper into the nitty-gritty of setting up shop, from navigating lengthy lease negotiations to the vital role of legal consultations in contract signings. Dr. Jagirdar also recounts the unexpected challenge of a trademark battle over her practice's name, underlining the importance of resilience, legal advice, and the power of standing by your choices with integrity. Rounding up the conversation, we discuss the critical role of cultivating relationships and harnessing the power of word-of-mouth in attracting new patients to your practice, and how becoming a thought leader in the dental community can build a strong brand presence.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The importance of a unique service offering in a densely saturated marketInsights into the fee-for-service model in dentistryWhy never to sign a contract without a lawyer's approvalHow to handle unexpected challenge such as trademark disputesThe power of word-of-mouth and relationships in building a patient baseThe potential for thought leadership to strengthen your brandDon't miss this episode full of valuable insights from Dr. Jagirdar - it's brimming with lessons for anyone wanting to make their mark in a competitive market!‍‍Guest: Dr. Arti JagirdarPractice Name: Flatiron DentalCheck out Arti's Media:Website: https://www.flatirondentalnyc.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatirondental/Flatiron Dental Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qHLpjIikJHlEOVv3Y7dYY?si=5d09cbd507704653‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Podcasts:438: DR. AVI PATEL | CLEAR ALIGNER ADVISORBooks:Man's Search for MeaningThe Denial of DeathThe Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary EditionSoftware:Open DentalBusinesses/Brands:Henry ScheinWonderist AgencyHDA Accounting FirmMethod - Unified SmilesTend Offices in NYCIdeal PracticesBreakaway SeminarsInvisalignQueensboro Plaza Dental CareLocations/Establishments:NYUFordham LawMount KilimanjaroKois CenterBanks/Financial Institutions:First Citizens BankBank of America Wells FargoHuntington BankProvideOrganizations:HIPAAOSHASpear EducationPeople/Connections:Robert MontgomeryDr. Michael NguyenDr. Frank SpearDr. Alina Lane - all smiles DentistryAlan Withall - Henry ScheinDr. Scott LeuneJayme Amos - Ideal PracticesElizabeth Mulderig - Ideal PracticesReed Wrisley - Practice Real Estate GroupPatrick Black - Precision Contracting CorpJaclyn Ionin - Intellectual Property AttorneyMike Gharib - Ideal PracticesChrystle Cu - CocoflossOther:Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsMarfan Syndrome‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

‍‍What does it take to run a successful dental practice in a small town? Dive into today's episode, as I sit down with Dr. Kim Power, embracing the journey of owning and operating her bustling practice in a rural region of North Carolina. Through her resilience and determination, Dr. Kim navigates us through the challenges and triumphs, from staff shortages, to unexpected challenges, and even embezzlement - offering an incredibly honest take on what it takes to grow a thriving practice despite all odds. She goes beyond the surface, offering insider knowledge on efficient systems investments, hiring tenacious staff, and the significance of maintaining a supportive office culture while detailing her transition from orthodontics to general dentistry.This episode is filled to the brim with practical wisdom from someone who truly walked the talk. Whether you are thinking of running your own practice or just curious about what it takes to succeed in a challenging environment, Dr. Kim's experience is sure to leave you with meaningful insights and valuable lessons that can be applied in your practice.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Kim transitioned from Orthodontics to General Dentistry.Dealing with an unexpected path to owning a practice.The acquisition process and financial considerations.The importance of creating a positive work culture.How to overcome embezzlement within a practice.Managing a growing practice and delegating tasks.Dealing with personal challenges while managing a practice.Don't wait, tune in now, and gain valuable knowledge from Dr. Kim's unique journey and experiences in practice ownership!‍‍Guest: Dr. Kim PowerPractice Name: Smithfield Family DentistCheck out Kim's Media:Website: https://smithfieldfamilydentist.com/Email: kimpower9515@gmail.comPhone: 919-418-0538‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Open DentalNadapaymentsProsperidentCommunity/Groups:Triangle Dental Solutions GroupEstablishments/Brands:AmazonFirst Citizens BankSouthern First BankInsurance Companies:AetnaCignaMetLife‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍‍How does a dedicated dentist navigate her way to owning her own practice while facing an array of personal and professional challenges? This episode provides a close look at the journey of Dr. Ana Santana Guerrero, a fiercely resilient dentist who left her home country, dealt with educational re-equivalence, braved high-stake exams, grappled with intense competition, and still managed to realize her dream of owning a dental clinic. We dissect Ana's transition from an associate to an owner in depth, illuminating her unwavering focus on goal setting and how an "unfortunate event" acted as a catalyst for her to leap into the world of self-owned practice, offering a relatable, deeply inspiring tale.Navigating the nitty-gritty of running a practice isn't easy, even more so when it's in a foreign country. Learn the ropes as Dr. Ana Santana Guerrero shares her experiences on various aspects of managing a dental clinic - from selecting an optimal location to staff management, from dealing with financial nuances to creating a unique, patient-centered practice. We also delve into her marketing strategies and discuss how humanizing her approach and prioritizing personalized communication played a key role in patient retention.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to balance bills, staff salaries, and personal compensation in the early stages of practice.Importance of goal setting for personal and professional growth.Effective strategies for creating a patient-centric experience.The power of word-of-mouth and real-world interactions in marketing.How to navigate ethical dilemmas in the dental industry.Insights on dealing with companies in the dental arena.Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation packed with actionable insights and inspiration!‍‍Guest: Dr. Ana Santana GuerreroPractice Name: Astra DentalCheck out Ana's Media:Website: https://www.astradental.ca/Email: info@astradental.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/astra.dentalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASTRA.DENTAL.CLINIC‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Google AdsBusinesses/Vendors:Patterson DentalHenry ScheinMGEAlign TechnologyNobel Biocare3MProducts/Brands:MaciTeroInvisalignNaproxenMcDonaldsTV/Publications:Wheel of FortuneEstablishments:Dalhousie UniversityCentral University of Venezuela‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍‍

What if there was a way to optimize your work hours, boost morale, and increase productivity, all while making your employees happier than ever before? In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Paul Yoo, who's managed to shatter the conventions of the traditional 9-5 workday in his dental practice. Based in the beautiful Kauai, Paul attributes much of his practice's success to the unique "lifestyle hours" he has instituted, proving that when it comes to business, sometimes it pays to think outside the box.Starting off as a treatment coordinator with little knowledge of the industry, Paul's journey of building his successful practice hasn't been devoid of struggles. Yet, through sheer determination and a strong objection to unethical practices, he's not only built a thriving business but also fostered a work culture that champions trust, honesty, and independence. Stay tuned as we delve into how Paul encourages higher performance without resorting to micromanaging, cleverly implementing incentive programs and bonus structures. If you're on the lookout for groundbreaking tips on striking the perfect work-life balance in a business setting, this podcast episode is a must-listen!What You'll Learn in This Episode:Dr. Paul's unique approach to work hours and how it benefits his practiceThe importance of trust and honesty in building a successful businessHow to motivate a team to achieve higher performance without micromanagingThe advantages of implementing incentive programs and bonus structuresThe significant role of a balanced work-life structure in increased productivity and moraleDon't miss out on this unique insight into how breaking traditional work norms can propel your business to greater heights. Tune in now!(This episode originally aired 12/27/2021)‍‍Guest: Dr. Paul YooPractice Name: KAUAI DENTAL STUDIOCheck out Paul's Media:Website: https://kauaidentalstudio.com/‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍‍

‍Have you been searching for a consistent flow of patients to your practice? Ground marketing to local grocery stores may be just what you need. Dive into this episode where I share a detailed guideline on how you can approach Trader Joe's for a ground-breaking opportunity. I stress the significance of integrating dental services with Trader Joe's core values, advocating for staff well-being, and championing community engagement.Learn how to engage with Trader Joe's staff - from store managers to frontline workers - with confidence, and pitch exclusive dental care benefits that are sure to capture their interest. I unveil the importance of preparing effective phone scripts and in-person pitches that are straight to the point yet personable. Admittedly, you may encounter some tough questions and objections along the way, but fear not, with the right preparation, you'll be equipped to counter them with ease and gain the traction you seek. This episode not only stresses the art of conversation, but also the essence of internal team alignment, ensuring that your dental practice is primed for success. By the end of the episode, you'll appreciate the immense benefits this unique partnership with Trader Joe's can bring to your practice and the community at large.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to approach Trader Joe's for a unique partnership opportunityCrafting effective phone and in-person scriptsPreparation to anticipate potential objections or questionsThe importance of internal team alignmentThe benefits your dental practice and community could reap from this innovative ventureJoin us in this episode as we explore the exciting realm of innovative partnerships and deliberate on how your dental practice can leverage such opportunities with establishments like Trader Joe's.‍‍Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:Website: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:ZoomEstablishments/Brands:AmazonTrader Joe'sLA FitnessOrangetheory FitnessCold Stone CreameryBaskin-RobbinsOrganizations:YMCA‍‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍‍

‍Ever wondered what it takes to leap from the corporate dental sector into creating your own independent practice? This episode of The Dental Marketer dives deep into this brave transition through the enlightening journey of none other than Dr. Milca Mendez-Ceballos, founder of Pawsitive Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Milca candidly unravels her fascinating tale of disappointment in the corporate environment, and how it led her to prioritize quality care above all in her own practice.How did Dr. Milca seamlessly set up her practice, and which outreach methods worked wonders in attracting her target demographic? Listen in as she shares her unique strategies, from leveraging her community to engaging potential clients through platforms like YouTube and Instagram. You'll also hear about the various vendors and services that she incorporated along the way, including her commendable experience with Dark Horse Tech and Bank of America. Despite grappling with self-doubt and the steep balance between her roles as a dentist, business owner, and boss, Dr. Milca's resilient spirit powerfully shines through, inspiring all who are teetering on the edge of making a significant career transition.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to transition from the corporate dental sector to starting your own practice.The power of community and social media in establishing a dental practice.The role of various vendors in setting up a profitable dental practice.How to overcome self-doubt while making a significant career transition.Balancing the demanding roles of being a dentist, a business owner, and a boss.Don't miss out on Dr. Milca's inspiring journey and insightful lessons drawn from setting up her own ultra-successful dental practice – hit play now!‍‍‍Guest: Dr. Milca Mendez-CeballosPractice Name: Pawsitive Pedatric DentistryCheck out Milca's Media:Website: https://www.pawsitivepediatricdentistry.com/Milca's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.milca/Practice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsitivepediatricdentistry/‍I'm excited to announce that the Pediatric Dental Marketing Course is officially open for enrollment!This comprehensive course, developed by Minal Sampat and myself, is tailored specifically for pediatric practice owners and their teams. It is designed to turn your pain points into stepping stones for success, and to help you become the trusted dental home for countless children in your community. Head over to our site to enroll now! https://pediatricdentalmarketingcourse.com/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Ideal PracticesSmart TrainingHR for HealthKleerMovies/Shows/Characters: Sweet MagnoliasGilmore GirlsPrincess Poppy - TrollsEstablishments/Brands:Bank of AmericaTargetOrganizations:OSHAHIPAA‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

‍Ever wondered what it takes for a dental practice to thrive in a highly competitive market? Today's episode of The Dental Marketer gives you a golden opportunity to learn the nuts and bolts of exactly that. Our special guest, Dr. Liel Allon, uncovers how the strategic location of her practice, along with a personalized and patient-centred approach, propelled her dental office to success in Houston, Texas. The engaging discussion opens up avenues to understand how walking the extra mile in patient care - such as explicit signage inviting walk-ins and personalized follow-up calls - can remarkably resonate with the public and help attract new patients.However, it's not just about grabbing the attention of potential patients; the culture we cultivate within our practice plays a critical role in our success. Dr. Allon reveals the underpinnings of their practice's culture, firmly rooted in an ego-free environment. A space where it doesn't matter who you are or what your official role is, everyone pitches in where they're needed, making for a resilient, versatile team. Trudging through unchartered territory while setting up her practice, she shares the hurdles faced, articulating that there are no mistakes, only lessons in the journey of entrepreneurship.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The influence of strategic location and visibility in dental practice successThe impact of personalized follow-up calls on patient retentionThe necessity of a cohesive and ego-free culture within the practiceCombatting challenges in setting up a practiceLearning valuable lessons from seemingly "mistakes"So, take a step back, listen, and let Dr. Allon's wisdom and story help drive your dental practice to the next level!‍‍Guest: Dr. Liel AllonPractice Name: DentAllon DentistryCheck out Liel's Media:Website: https://www.dentallondentistry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentallon_dentistry/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:VistaprintEstablishments/Brands:NASAUniversity of Texas (UT)Products/Equipment:iTeroAutoclave‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍‍

‍‍Are you wearied by the low reimbursements from Dental PPOs and considering if there's a different, better way to improve your practice's profitability? Then you need to tune into this compelling episode of The Dental Marketer, as I interview Dr. Ben Burkitt, who's been in your shoes and emerged victorious. After implementing a revolutionary change in his own dental practice, Dr. Burkitt demystifies the process of dropping dental PPOs and its potential ripple effects to the bottom-line profitability of your dental practice. Learn how you can switch from being insurance driven to being patient-centric and multiplying your revenue in the process.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why dropping Dental PPOs may benefit your dental practiceHow to perform effective analysis of profitability for different proceduresThe significance of the 20 code collection score in this analysisHow dropping low-paying insurance plans won't necessarily lead to a loss of your existing patientsEvidence-based tips to attract patients from better paying insurance plansAnd not just that, Dr. Burkitt takes us through his own experiences - the reservations, the risks, and how he managed it all while driving remarkable growth in his practice's revenue. Queue this podcast episode up today and dive into a data-driven approach to revamp your dental practice!‍‍Guest: Dr. Benjamin BurkittPractice Name: We Care Dental CareCheck out Ben's Media:Website: https://www.raisingdentalincome.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.fowlerburkittEmail: ben@raisingdentalincome.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Dr. Burkitt's Other Podcast Episodes:MMM [INSURANCE] HOW TO STRATEGICALLY START DROPPING INSURANCES WHILE MAINTAINING A HIGH PRODUCTIONMMM [INSURANCE] BEHIND THE SCENES OF DROPPING PPOS AND DOUBLING YOUR PRACTICE'S PROFITABILITYWHAT IS HYBRID SCHEDULING AND WHY IT IS KEY TO MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIONHOW TO DROP PPO INSURANCES (SO YOU CAN GET PAID FAIRLY FOR YOUR SERVICES)226: DR. BENJAMIN BURKITT | DIGGING OUT OF THE "CORONA CRATER"‍Software/Services:Google AdsMeta AdsGoogle My Business‍Insurance Companies: CignaHumanaUnitedHealthcareConnection DentalUnitas DentalDelta Dental‍Books/Publications:The Dropping Dental PPOs Playbook: A Guide to Going Out of Network Without Going Out Of Your MindThe Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement‍Establishments/Brands:ToyotaInternational Brotherhood of TeamstersUPSCVS‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍Ever wondered how to navigate life's big challenges while single-handedly running a dental practice? In this episode of The Dental Marketer, Dr. Melissa Torres details her journey from contemplation to execution and her eventual success in the realm of dentistry. Despite the weight of decisions, self-doubts, and life's unexpected turns, Melissa persisted, primarily banking on personal introspection and journaling for clarity and direction. She exposes her innovative approach of assembling a team with less experience but a profound willingness to learn, crediting social media as a primary platform for recruitment. ‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:How personal introspection and journaling can help gain clarity and purpose while facing significant decisions.Insights on how to effectively manage consultants and contractors for the success of your business.Melissa's unique approach to recruitment and why she chose to train newcomers instead of hiring experienced professionals.Strategies for coping with unforeseen setbacks and staff changes before and after launching your practice.Melissa's experiences and recommendations about different companies she associated with while setting up her dental practice.A personal story of managing a profound personal loss while still handling the daily operations of a thriving business.Harnessing the power of social media not just for brand visibility, but also as an recruitment tool.‍Listen as Melissa shares her riveting journey of ups and downs in the dental industry and her association with companies like Darkhorse Tech that helped play a pivotal role in actualizing her vision!‍‍Guest: Dr. Melissa TorresPractice Name: Miel Dental AestheticsCheck out Melissa's Media:Website: https://mieldentalaesthetics.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelissatorresEmail: inquiries@drmelissatorres.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Get a head start on 2024 with the Ground Marketing Course and receive $419 off your purchase with the code "practicelaunchpad"! You can sign up here: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍Companies/Software/Services: Open Dental Ideal PracticesIdentify DesignsDarkhorse TechCiscoCasperTranscendental, LLC (marketing company)Google AdsIndeed‍People/Communities: Dr. Ashley Dawson - Dawson Modern DentistryDr. Taher DhoonDr. Christopher Green‍Books/Publications:The Practice Launchpad: Insights From The Experts: Unraveling The Complexities Of Practice Ownership‍Establishments/Brands:Howard UniversityTargetStarbucks‍Products:StairMaster‍‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍

‍Are you ready to soar into a new year armed with wisdom from the experts and fellow doctors? Each guest from this year shares their unique take on various topics that encompass what it takes to run a successful dental practice. From honing your focus to understanding patient experience, it's a treasure trove of advice that you won't want to miss!What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why maintaining laser-like focus can enhance productivity and lead to successHow negotiating contracts can make or break your dental practiceTechniques to adapt to changes in the dentistry worldThe role kindness plays in a thriving dental practiceEssential financial planning strategies specifically for dental practicesHR tips for crafting a clear, effective handbookThe strong connection between professional boundaries and a successful dental practiceWhy patient experience is critical and how it can be the key to success in dentistry‍So gear up to gather the pearls of wisdom shared by our guests in the last episode of 2023. You've heard snippets of their advice throughout this year, and it's time to tie it all together as we bid farewell to the year and charge ahead into a promising future.Hit that play button and let's dive into a successful new year!‍Guests: Dr. Avi Patel, Dr. Eric Appelsies, Dr. Kristine Grazioso, Dr. Michael Sonick, Dr. Noel Liu, Dr. Sana Yusuf, Dr. Sundar Jagadeesan, Dr. Syed Shahabuddin, and Dr. Zhanna KonovalenkoCheck Out Their Media:Dr. Avi Patel:Website: https://www.clearaligneradvisor.co/Past Episodes:438: DR. AVI PATEL | CLEAR ALIGNER ADVISORDr. Eric Appelsies:Website: https://www.joinordo.com/Past Episodes:459: DR. ERIC APPELSIES | POWERFUL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES FROM CLINICAL WORK TO CEODr. Kristine Grazioso:Website: https://drgrazioso.com/Past Episodes:465: DR. KRISTINE GRAZIOSO | SOUTH SHORE CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY – THE DENTAL MARKETER PODCASTDr. Michael Sonick:Website: https://www.michaelsonick.com/Past Episodes:474: THE WOW EXPERIENCE: HOW CAN YOU EXCEED PATIENT EXPECTATIONS IN YOUR PRACTICE? | DR. MICHAEL SONICKDr. Noel Liu:Website: https://securedentalgroup.com/Past Episodes:461: DR. NOEL LIU | SECURE DENTAL GROUPDr. Sana Yusuf:Website: https://www.sanadentalstudio.com/Past Episodes:442: DR. SANA YUSUF | SANA DENTAL STUDIO & SPADr. Sundar Jagadeesan:Website: https://www.dentiq.nz/Past Episodes:460: DR. SUNDAR JAGADEESAN | DENTIQDr. Syed Shahabuddin:Website: http://www.311dental.com/Past Episodes:462: DR. SYED SHAHABUDDIN | 311 DENTALDr. Zhanna Konovalenko:Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zhanna-konovalenko-the-dentist-coach-board-certified-orthodontist-1a4a3910a/Past Episodes:441: DR. ZHANNA KONOVALENKO | BURNOUT AND SELF-DOUBT IN DENTISTRY AND HOW TO BUILD TO A FULL FUTURE‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.

Today we're going to introduce a game changer in the dental practice management software world...‍‍This is an innovative, all-in-one, cloud-based practice management software, and it offers an array of powerful features that are custom built for dentists by dentists ready to revolutionize the way you work. ‍If you are a start-up and decide to sign up with Oryx, they will NOT charge you a single dime, until you reached 200 active patients!⁠⁠They are partnering up with all startup practice owners and making sure you succeed, fast!⁠⁠ Click this link to schedule a FREE personalized demo and to see more on their exclusive deal!⁠‍‍In this gripping episode of The Dental Marketer, follow the journey of Dr. Preeya Genz, from her early dreams of becoming a dentist to becoming the proud owner of her own practice, "the Whole Tooth," in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Genz shares her experiences working in different environments, including high-stress Dental Services Organizations (DSOs), sharing their impact on her career, her values, and her life. Listen as she talks about her dream boutique practice, how it faltered, and the trials she faced while working in her second DSO. Gain insight into her attempt at a practice partnership, the reasons why it didn't pan out, and the leap of faith she took to win her dream by purchasing her own practice on a loan.Tune into The Dental Marketer today to hear Dr. Genz's journey navigating the highs and lows while pursuing her dental dream!‍Guest: Preeya GenzPractice Name: the Whole ToothCheck out Preeya's Media:Website: https://www.thewholetoothtexas.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewholetoothtexas/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWholeToothTexas‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:OryxDentrixEasy DentalEaglesoftLocations/Establishments:Kois CenterBusinesses/BrandsDoc In A BoxPeople/Communities:Dr. John Kois‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Genz's early exposure to dentistry shaped her career path.The struggles she encountered working in a high-stress DSO environment and how it influenced her values.The ride of running a boutique-style dental practice and the economic downturn that led to its demise.The impact of changing management practices and policies on overall work environment in her second experience with a DSO.The reason behind her decision to buy her own dental practice.The maneuvering skills needed to team build and set professional boundaries, inside and outside the office.How to strike a perfect balance between a career as a healthcare provider and a business owner.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Preeya Genz. Preeya, how's it going? Preeya: Going great December and we're making it so far, which is great. Michael: That's awesome. And in December you're in Dallas, you said, right? It's super cold out there. I know like in the past it's been frozen.Preeya: It's bipolar weather. So some days it's. It's 65. I think it was 85 last week, but then it was also like 33. Um, so the days will swing from super high to low and then everything in between. So at this moment, I think it's like 63 it's sunny. It's beautiful. But I think tomorrow there's an 80 percent chance of rain and it's going down to the forties.That's crazy. Michael: Last week it was eighties. Oh my gosh, it's all over the place for you out there. Interesting. Does that affect like your I don't know what you plan to do, for example, like practice or is it like, nope, rain or shine, snow or whatever, we're open all the time. Preeya: I mean, sometimes it does, especially if like we have patients who will travel from like East Texas or Oklahoma.And for them, obviously the, the weather matters a little bit more. Um, so there's either delays or they decide. Maybe not the best idea, um, when it's hot and sunny, everyone's just complaining that it's hot and sunny. And when it's cold and wet, everyone's complaining it's cold and wet. And so for the most part, we just deal with it, wear layers and hope for the best.Michael: Yeah. Okay. Nice. Nice. Awesome. So if you can tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are today? that's a fun Preeya: question. Um, okay. So I grew up in Canada, moved down to Texas halfway through high school, and then spent the next decade trying to leave Texas. So went to college in New Orleans.Um, Learned I wanted to become a dentist when I was in like 8th grade, did a career survey thing, loved artistic things, working with my hands, Loved the science and healthcare aspect of things and had a dentist across the street who I babysat for and he lived a great lifestyle. And I thought, Oh, this looks pretty easy.I like this. So went to college in New Orleans, then, um, went to dental school here in Dallas. And within, I think, a week of graduation, we had moved out to the DC area. I worked for Doc in a box for about eight months. I think I made it eight months and. Realized very quickly. It was not my favorite place to be for a variety of reasons.Um, and we ended up moving out to the West coast to Washington state where I, um, got to work in what I thought was my dream practice. It was like the dental office coffee shop. Like we had espresso for patients. We had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. All of the perks and benefits, um, super, super boutique, and it was owned by a clinical instructor at the Coyce Center. and so I learned about John Coyce and kind of Coyce centered dentistry a year out of dental school. And so my perspective has always been post grad has been looking at it from the perspective that John Coyce teaches at the Coyce Center. so I was there, I was in Washington for almost seven years.I worked for the first practice for about. Oh, like six months. And then the economy tanked. That was, uh, 2008 going like a bunch of employees, like everything went sideways. All the promises of what you can do as a dentist were kind of just shattered and broken. And, um, he found me a home at a practice that had four.Other dentists open 6 days a week, 12 hour days, and we all rotated through and the owner was a mentor at the voice center as well. So it was a very different form of voice dentistry. it was a much busier practice. The location was huge in terms of how everything worked. 3 days a week there and really got a sense of.The good, bad and ugly of how dentistry works. after that, I had a, we won and realized that 12 hour days were just not great when you have a newborn. And I ended up doing a start, like working for a startup that was. built by a denturist in Washington state denturists are, they can practice independently.They make dentures and, have a dental practice. So I worked for them for almost six months and it was somewhat disastrous, um, for a lot of reasons. Um, but learned a lot then moved into a practice that was more of like a very, very small DSO in Washington state that was. Privately owned, but he had like five practices along the Puget Sound and, um, did that time move back to Texas when we wanted sunshine, margaritas and grandparents to help with the two year old. worked for a DSO here for a couple of years, realized this was just not, it wasn't, it was a good way to like, get my lay of the land, learn more about. What dentistry is like in Dallas now and what I liked, didn't like location, all of that. And then, um, went into what was going to be a partnership with another colleague. but realized about a year and a half, two years in that I'd not bought into her practice, but. We had talked about doing it and I realized like our values just didn't quite align the way I wanted to practice was not the same as how she was running for practice and never was that going to actually work. ultimately ended up buying a, um, an existing practice that. Lived in a Victorian house where I'm sitting right now, and it was kind of the scaffolding of she had on the practice for 2025 years and really just needed someone to say, Hey, you need to retire. Let me buy your practice and and take over. So it ended up being kind of the scaffolding or building blocks for what I have.Now, so it's kind of like a glorified startup where I had, I had patients, so I had some cash flow, but I had to, you know, I changed out the flooring, took off the wallpaper, changed out the water lines, went from analog film processing to digital, all the things. And then we had to educate the patients in the value of.gums not be being inflamed and bloody and, um, look what we can see in these lovely big digital x rays. And, through this journey, I've always seen things from a risk based perspective where we're really looking at not just the teeth, but the whole person. What is the individual risk for each patient in terms of your. periodontal risk foundation, structural risk with carries and restorations, functional risk and airway.And, um, you know, aesthetically, what risks do we have in place? for me, I can't do that. And Two minutes or seven minutes. Like it's a, it's a conversation. Um, and so through this practice journey, everyone had always told me, like, you need to speed up, you need to talk less, you need to do more of the dentistry and more of the like selling, if you will.And it was always just like, I know, but like, how, how can I treat a stranger? How can I really get to the root of what's wrong with them if I don't take the time? And so. It was something that I mean, it's just been a recurrent theme to the point that when I left the practice, um, that I was going to buy into, I took like a six month sabbatical and really got into podcasts and all the different things learning like what, what do I need to be a business owner?Am I ready for this? What do I want to do? What does this look like? And really kind of getting into like, what would that be in real life as I worked on negotiating to buy this practice? and so a friend of mine was like, Oh, hey, by the way, I contacted the, uh, the dental. Director over at the DSO that I'd worked for for a couple of years just to see if maybe you could work there part time or something and I was like, no, you didn't.He's like, it's okay. He said, you're not a good fit for a DSO. And I was like, he's right. He's so right. I am not a DSO dog. Like I can't, I dance to my own tune. You can't tell me I have to sell a product. I don't believe in, you can't tell me I have to like meet these, Metrics, unless I believe in it, I want to do it.I want to do it for me. that was a big piece of kind of where me owning my own practice really came into play where I was like, I'm so broken. Like, no one does dentistry down here. Nobody does any of that stuff. Like, I need to do it myself and I need to create what it is that I want to practice in.And so that's really where we have landed. Um, circa about 2019, 2020, I realized And when I'm looking holistically at patients, and that's like holistically with a W, well, I also do care about what kind of materials, what kind of, you know, what toxins are residing in our oral environments and especially as dentists, like, what are we taking in as well? so like with my daughter, when she was born, we cloth diapered, you know, They're on organic, all the things like super much crunchier than I realized I was. I am one of those, like a kid has a fever. I'm not calling the doctor, like, let's figure out what's going on and you know, give it some time and see what we can do to heal before we medicate. and so that's my personal philosophy. And I realized like a lot of the patients I was attracting were those kinds of patients too, where they didn't trust a lot of the conventional things. They didn't necessarily, you know, they wanted to understand more than just like, Oh, I didn't brush and floss my teeth.And now I have these problems. Like what else is going on and do about it? That's not fluoride. What can I do about it? That's, you know, I'm doing everything that I should be doing otherwise. Why does this look like this? Why am I breaking down? And so really starting to cater to those patients. And, um, learn more about like what, what kind of dentistry does that was really where my practice, I think took a turn and, um, has allowed us to kind of get to where we are now, which is a biological or holistic dental practice, both with a W and just a straight up H.So crunch here, where we're looking at the whole person, we're looking at how do we detox? How do we reduce the toxic load for these patients, especially the ones who, I mean, they're just, they're sick. They've got Lyme. They've got, they're just more sensitive. They have other issues and everybody looks at them like they're crazy and dismisses them because they ask questions and they need somebody who can kind of be on their team.And even just listen, you know, a lot of what we do is the same as any other dentist stats, right? We're going to drill, we're going to fill, we're going to do local anesthetic, but. For some people, you know, the material matters a lot. for some people, they need to work a tooth at a time and then they need to.Beyond a detox protocol and they need to work with another provider who can help them to reduce the inflammation and just the response to any kind of trauma to their bodies. And so, it's been really interesting and eye opening and I probably learn more from my patients and they teach me at this point in time.Cause I'm like, oh, I don't know anything about that. Maybe I should find out. Um, so yeah. Interesting. Oh, and I guess the other piece of that is I did finish my voice. Center journey finished, but I did graduate like 10 years after I started at the center. And so that also factors big into the practice, um, in terms of how, I mean, it's a really good curriculum for merging, looking big picture, looking at the patient.And then also from a research evidence based perspective, factoring in the other parts and pieces of material safety, material science, biotoxicity, all of that stuff too. Michael: Yeah. No. Interesting. Okay. So real quick, tons of questions. But before we get into those questions, uh, how long have you, this acquisition started when and how long have you had Preeya: it?So I bought the practice in June of 2018, so we're at five and a half years. Okay. Five and a half years. Okay. Five and a half years. Cause COVID was in the middle of that, but you know. Does it count? Yeah. Just a bump in the road. No big deal. Michael: It's interesting. We rewind back. The lifestyle of the doctor you were, you said you were babysitting or you were, yeah, that's what attracted you.Are you, would you say, yeah, I'm living that lifestyle now?Preeya: No, I mean, it was a piece of it for me to it, but no, I mean, he, a, the lifestyle of a male dentist versus a female dentist is so different. I feel like. We need, we all need wives. I need a wife. Like my husband's super supportive. Thank goodness. Otherwise I wouldn't be here right this moment doing this thing. Um, but like, I think part of it too, is like, that was back in what the eighties nineties, how old am I? Oh, I'm going to say the nineties just for fun right now, early nineties, different lifestyle, right? Like the dentist lifestyle of, that era was You didn't have to work to market. people showed up, so you go to work, you do the dentistry and you leave and, like everybody caters to you at the office, right?Like For me, I feel like that's just not. The case, especiallyMichael: what, what, what is it different? And also if you can kind of like elaborate a little bit more on like male and female dentists, Preeya: there's so many things. Um, so I guess, what does it look like now for me? I, and it might just be because of who I am and how I practice and we're very tiny lean practice, but I go to work.I do the dentistry, but then when I leave work, there's more work to be done, right? There's always. At least for me, like, so whether it's chart notes and stuff, or it's some sort of marketing efforts, like, how does this look different? I think also, like, we started with kids later, which if you want to go into the female male dynamic, like, I didn't have children until I was 30. Largely because I wanted to get through dental school and then be married for a while. And then feel like we had a lifestyle established enough that we're ready to have kids.So we really did. We kind of push things out a good while before having children. but because of that, like the kids have been young for, for so much of. My practice now, even that, you know, trying to balance those things and as mom early childhood living child care, making sure they have all of their things requires a lot of me outside the office, but then also I'm required so much within the office.And as a female doctor, I feel like my female team. And I have a fantastic team now. So let me put that out there, but I feel like the team members don't necessarily coddle me as much as they would if I were a male doctor. they kind of, you know, they're like, well, you can do that yourself. Versus like, oh, here, doctor, let me go get this for you.There's just a little bit of a different mindset, um, and attitude. Or maybe I just give off the, like, I can do this myself. Leave me alone. I don't know. But I feel like I hear that amongst other women dentists as well. Yeah. Yeah. Michael: I get you. Do you feel like. Would you ever ask for it? Would you ever ask for like, guys, can you help me like kind of thing or Preeya: yeah, I mean, I would, but I think it's even just stuff like, Hey doc, you haven't eaten lunch.Do you want me to order something for you? even in a practice where I, my co doctor was with a male doctor, they just were asked or provided with more support than I was. And my female counterpart was. So I guess there's a contrast for you. and I don't feel like I necessarily need it, but it's nice.Michael: It's nice to like, to know that people are thinking of you like, Oh, they haven't eaten lunch. You know what I mean? Like, Preeya: yeah, I can have that more now with my team, but certainly there's been significant periods of time where it's like, Oh, I better eat something or I don't know.I think it, it's just a different dynamic. Michael: No, yeah. That's interesting. Especially from the nineties, but also like the male and female. I never thought about that. Yeah. You gave me something to think about. Yeah. That's really interesting. And then if we fast forward, you mentioned doc in a box. What is that?Preeya: It's a DSL. it was, you know, one of the larger internet or national corporations, um, very. I won't mention any names unless you want me to, but it was the very, you know, system from the, the practice management system was like the, it wasn't like DOS, but basically like you had to type everything in.Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Paper charts, um, not up to date anything. And I remember my first day there, I saw 30 patients. Michael: Wow. How did, what did you learn from that? Preeya: A lot. It was painful. Um, I mean, and it was paper charts. so I learned real quick how to template my notes and paper. Um, cause that was a big deal. It was interesting because.The two doctors that had been there previously, both left at the same time. And the only people left were like the support team. So the hygienist and the, the assistants and one of the doctors had, I mean, this man was. He produced a ton. He was top producer, but he was doing root canals and like anything he could access basically.So there'd be like 16 year old girl. Perfect. And Titian had a big old endo number 19 and a PFM and, and you're looking at her going, what happened here? saw a lot of that, which was. It was really interesting and challenging and it was an office where there'd been a lot of turnover. So one of the first things I think that I really had to learn was like, how do you finesse and create a relationship and trust quickly in an environment where there's been a ton of turnover and a ton of transition and, you know, trying to communicate to patients their needs, trying to establish that like, you're not just another doctor who's going to be in and out, which unfortunately I was, but, You know, in the meantime, I'm here.I'm here for you was a really interesting challenge, especially when you're 25 and look like you're not 25, like patients they don't view you as the doctor. And so it was a really interesting learning experience, especially where like, you literally have like two minutes to get through this person and, and be done with your exam and move on. Michael: Do you Preeya recommend like, cause I've heard this before where they're like, Hey. You're just getting out of residency, like, and you're looking for an associate, go to a DSL, get some grit under you and then, or do you recommend like, no, don't do that. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Preeya: I think it kind of depends on, on the individual company and the person.So there's. I feel like I've practiced in all different practice environments at this point over the past 15 years. And there's something to be gained from each and every one of those experiences. What I repeat them, probably not, but you know, from a DSO setting, what you do get is, I mean, they teach you a lot about how to present treatment.They teach you a lot about like standardizing some of the things you do. you don't have to worry about, you know, paying your assistance. You don't have to worry about, um, if someone doesn't show up, like, chances are someone from an office down the way might be able to pop in and and be there for you.So I think that is. There's some value to that, for sure. There's value to just having other people around you who've done it. although some DSOs, you are the sole doctor. So then you're really relying upon maybe a dental director or someone to mentor you. But I think ultimately, like,in today's world, I think it's hard to find a private practice. That you want and trust, you know, their patients and your care if you, you're just right out of school. And so that's a really tough, actually like your first five years of practice, right? It's like, Ooh. That's a little rough, skill wise or just the judgment.I feel like you don't really get that judgment until you're at like year five for me. Maybe I was a late limber, but like year five, when I was like, yeah, I really, I'm good. Like I, I have my mentors. I have people I can rely upon, but like, I feel like I got this. It was like, cool. Yeah, I'm, I'm good. And you're 15.I was like, Ooh, I have a lot more to learn. No, Michael: that's good. That's good that you have that mentality though. Then fast forward, you worked in your dream practice. Yeah. And so if the economy, if they kept you on, do you think you should be working there today? Or would you be like, Preeya: eventually I would have, I would have outgrown it.I think, um, largely because of where it was to, um, where Washington state, it was. We were trying to move to either Seattle or Portland, and we ended up in Puyallup, which is described as a bedroom community outside of Tacoma, or outside of Seattle, and it's like the exurbs, and it was very cool for almost seven years, but I would, the creature comforts of Dallas were better for me, or like maybe somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, but, um, outside of location, like it was a neat practice.It was neat to see I guess, especially going from the, the very corporate minded to this entirely different experience. Um, and I think ultimately I still would have wanted to do my own thing and spread my own wings and design the practice the way I wanted it to be. But, um, I mean, it really gave me real quick insight into like, how would I like to practice and guess why I don't have to see.30 patients in a day, I can see five, I could see three and it would be okay. And we can still be profitable and productive and make a difference and do what I want to do. And I think that was a big, yeah. Michael: Is there anything you took from that practice that you're currently utilizing, like any systems or anything like that, that you're doing today in your practice?Preeya: Um, Yeah. I think we've modernized them a little bit, but, um, So we, instead of serving, um, lattes and chocolate cookies, we do serve hot tea. I actually partnered with a tea maker in New Mexico to have like our own custom blend of smile tea. So, it is the signature tea that patients actually do come into, have a cup or take a bag home and enjoy.So that's kind of a similar, it's not coffee shop, but it's tea. Yeah. Um, and I think really just that concierge level of care, really knowing each of our patients pretty darn well, is also a big piece of what I took from that practice. Um, and then his, he was 1 of the 1st, so the owner of that practice, he was in, like, the inner circle, um, right at the very beginning with John Coyce when he did classes out of his office in 5th, Washington.So he's one of like the, the OG voice guys, everything I learned from him. I mean, I learned photography from him. I learned kind of just intake new patient protocols and that experience. And so I've taken that and I feel like I've elevated it some and modernized it some and added more to it, but that all started.way back when in that office, just in terms of really diving into the questions and really trying to get to know my patients and understand their motivations for being here and for seeking care to begin with. Michael: Gotcha. Okay. Interesting. And then fast forward, you worked for another practice, right? And a lot more dentistry.And then you moved back to, or you moved to Dallas because of it's interesting. What made you move back was a change of lifestyle too. Like you're like, Hey, my family lives there. Right. And then you're like, I wanted I want them to be around our child, right? So when you did that, you worked for a DSO again? Talk to me about that. How was, how was that knowing that you're like, Oh, I just got a good, good, a lot of highs. You know what I mean? Like, and then we're going to go back to. I was,Preeya: it was interesting. So, um. I was initially very even interviewing with them, I was like, Ugh, it's a DSO. Like this is not gonna go well. I don't wanna do this. But I was like, okay. It was, it was presented to me as like the best of the worst. Mm-Hmm. . Nothing against, best of the worst. That's, but for me, who was just not that person at this time or whatever.Um, it was, I was like, okay, so. It was a different experience from the get go. I, like, went to dinner with the dental director and, uh, the office manager of the practice I was interviewing to join somebody else as well. And so, number 1, like, having a dinner meeting as opposed to, like, uh, go into a clinical sterile environment was a neat way to introduce and learn about the practice and the people who are in the leadership.Part of it. Um, this particular DSO at that time, he didn't hire anybody who had less than five years of experience. Um, the tenure of most of their doctors in most of the offices, with the exception of, like, the redheaded stepchild out used to hear, um. Doctors stuck around for at least two plus years.My co doctor had been there for 10, 12 years already. The person I was replacing had been there for five and she was pregnant and didn't want to practice anymore. So I knew that there had been some longevity in the practice. The demographics of the office, the modern technology that was present there, those were all really good things.And I really clicked with the office manager right off the bat. So. Those were some key factors that I thought were important. Um, they seem to have a good commitment to training and, um, kind of allowing us to really do our own treatment plans and manage our own patient pool, which was great. so it was a neat experience that way. things kind of changed after about a year and a half, the, uh, the dental director got sick and there's some changes in the management and they started wanting to, uh, bring on HMOs, extend hours, do weekends. And those were all things that were kind of non negotiables for me. I had worked Saturdays for three and a half years.And, uh, after my last Saturday, I was like, I'm not. I'm not doing that anymore. know more. Um, and, um, I also won't do HMO dentistry because I just, I can't, I value my patients and me too much to, to do that. so that was a big non negotiable for me. And then evenings, I mean, you just don't want me working on your teeth at six, 7 PM.Like I'm Michael: not, you don't want me working on it. That's a good way to put it. You know what I mean? Okay. Okay. So all of these things cause you to eventually just say, Hey, I'm leaving. I'm going to go do a partnership, you said, was it a partnership that you wanted to? Why didn't that work out specifically? Preeya: it was a few different reasons.I always knew I wanted to do dentistry the Coyce way. I just, that's how I think that's how I've learned It's a very different way of practicing than. What we learn when we get out of dental school, a big piece of that is just being really committed to really high quality, continuing education, right?Like we're not done learning ever. the person that I was potentially working with was burnt out. Um, she was like, I feel like I've learned everything I need to learn. Like I'll keep up with magazines and stuff, but like, I'm good. I don't want to drop five, 10, 000 to, to go to a class. Like I. That's not what I want to do.And that's just not in alignment with one of my core values of really always trying to grow and educate and learn and provide the best for my patients and myself that way. Um, so that was a really, really big piece for me, at least in terms of like, when I realized we, that was never going to change for her that we can't be in business together.If we don't share that same, I guess, commitment to education, the other. Our management styles were also very different, which can work, I think, if they're synergistic, but I often felt like I got the blame for creating this, like, environment of chaos in the practice and that I just wasn't doing things.But I also really, I wasn't an owner in the practice. So, like, when you're an associate who might buy in. While you have a lot of, responsibility, you also can't do a lot of things because you're not the owner. You don't write the paychecks. Like, whether the employees are not going to listen to you, or if you do something, you're going to get in trouble potentially, because it's not what the owner would have done.Like, it's a tough dynamic. I think I,knowing now being in the seat of the owner, the decisions you make ultimately are, are yours.And like, I can't share those decisions with anybody else, unless I know that we have like an equal stake in the practice and that we both moving toward the same vision and goal. So like, even my husband, like he has, he'll periodically make suggestions and I'm like, yeah, cool. That's nice, honey. Like back to your Heidi hole.You're not the boss. This is not your Michael: past. You and Preeya: he's like, okay, it's your thing. I think it's kind of the same thing. Like when you have, it's hard, I mean, to do a buy in to partner, um, a friend of mine described it as a, you know, a loveless marriage with no sex, like you're in this together. It's a business relationship.You should like each other and mesh together and share similar, like and vision values. But at the end of the day, like. It's a business relationship. you can't like kiss and make amends. It's just, it's hard to find that person, I think, or people that you can really do that with, especially if you're very strong in, in what you think needs.To happen. Mm-Hmm. , if you like alpha females who think my way is a good way to do it. Like that can be tricky. Mm-Hmm. . But really it just was, compatibility wise, it wasn't, it wasn't gonna work. and this is not anything to speak negatively of that other person, but like I always felt less than, I felt like I just wasn't as good at doing the things, even though I wasn't.That wasn't really my role, and it was hard because there were things I was expected to do sometimes, but not always, and so not really knowing was expected of me as that associate to buy in was tough. Cause when you don't know what, what you're supposed to be doing, it's hard to do what you're supposed to be doing.Michael: Yeah. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. You need, that's why you need like the guidelines set systems, right. Rules to know like, okay, the more of you, the more principles you have, I guess, the more you can be guided of like, okay, this is what we're going to be doing kind of thing, but if you're just like, I don't know, sometimes I feel like partnerships sound like a good idea, but you know what I mean?Cause you don't want to make a sole decision on your own. You kind of want to go out on this risk together. I don't know. Preeya: I don't know. I, you know, I'd like to think that there's somebody out there that would work well with, you know, most people, but it's, I mean, again, like, like a marriage, like how hard is it to find that partner in life?And there's a lot of other things that certainly fall into that. But like, if it's hard to do that, then to find a partner as a business partner too, can be really challenging. I think it might be easier to find a partnership where like the delegation of responsibilities. significantly different.I mean, the partnerships I see that work are typically like, well, they make all the, like the clinical and HR decisions and they do more of the, like, you know, the admin. So you've got really that operational versus the, Michael: like the, yeah, like operations, CFO, CEO, right. COO kind of thing. Yeah, no, I get you.I get you. Interesting. So then we fast forward and now you have your practice acquisition for five years. how did you find your location? Preeya: Okay. So, um, when I was in dental school, I had a big brother in dental school and he has taken that role on as like his lifetime role for me.So. When I told him I was moving back to Dallas, he was like, cool, let me set you up with this interview. So that is how I ended up at the DSM. And then, um, when the partnership thing didn't work out, he's like, well, guess what? We're going to, uh, lunch with this lady. And actually even when I was first moving to Dallas, he's like, I have this practice in mind for you.And I was like, dude, I don't even know where the Metroplex we're living. Like, I don't know anything. I'm not buying anything. Let's table that. So fast forward, I guess, like four years. Yeah. About four years. That same name popped up again. He's like, okay, she needs to retire. You need to buy her practice. We are going to lunch on Thursday.You need to be here at this time. So I went to lunch with him and, um, this woman I bought the practice from, and we talked about her practice and dentistry and all the things. And then, um, I think later that week I came by to, to walk through, walk around. So she was not selling the practice. She was practicing, but she was taking at least two months off a year to travel and do things.She had one employee, and then a couple of temp hygienists who'd come in periodically to, to do hygiene. And that was it. And so, um, but she owned the building and the practice. So I was buying real assets.Michael: Okay. That's good. That's really, really good. So then from that moment on, what did you kind of change when you decided to take over the acquisition? Did you, does that one employee still working there? Preeya: she lasted about a month. yeah. Why? Michael: Why did she last only a month? I think Preeya: she realized. So, my initial plan wasn't to change a lot.I did a hygienist that I worked with at the DSO practice who followed me to the private practice who then followed me to this practice. So we worked together for about eight years, which was great. So she was my person. And so she came into the practice with me as a hygienist and assistant. so we came in and we started cleaning things out and, um, not only had this, the doctor I bought the practice from on the practice for like 20 years, she had.Uh, like merged to prior practices, one doctor had had a stroke and another had had a heart attack, like all their stuff. And so we had this, like, sort of, dentist or pack rats, right? We're going to keep this thing just in case. So every cabinet had, like, all the stuff, just full, crammed in there. So we had to start cleaning stuff out.We started, you know, working on equipment maintenance and stuff and ripped the carpets out, ripped the wallpaper off the walls, repainted all of that. We start looking at water lines and there's like, you know, you open the, the trap and you're supposed to have like the, the clean traps in there. Well, there's like a blue pill and like a thing of like a 2 by 2 and cotton roll shoved in there.And that was it. And so we were starting to ask questions like, what, what is this scenario here? Because then you take it out and it was like a layer of a black crud just inside the trap. Like we had to extricate that trap and like, we start looking a little deeper. And so there's just, we, we ended up changing out every single waterline because there's just stuff in the waterline.And so that was, One example of some things that just hadn't been well maintained while we were not imparting judgment, sterilization bags were being taped closed. And then when it got run through the autoclave, then they would open the bag, take the stuff out and then reuse the bag. and it was a chemical, if it wasn't even an autoclave like that, where we're like, so I know this is how we were doing it before, but this is how we're going to do it now kind of stuff.And I think she's like, Ooh. This is, this is a lot of stuff. And I think it was a lot to take that on. She'd been with the other doctor for 20 years. And so she found her way out. And yeah, so she was there for a month. Um, it was helpful. Actually, one really interesting thing we did was we printed out all the patients.Who were of record in the practice. And I had her go through because she'd been there for 20 years. I'm like, can you just like, write me a note about each of these patients that you know, so that like, I have a sense of who they are, if there's any like red flags or anything like that. So, you know, there'd be one that was like only comes in when something's falling out of her head or make sure you collect first on this patient.Otherwise, you're not going to see the money. So stuff like that, which was very helpful, um, as we did transition and I had a new team and we could not, you know, these patients were the salt of the earth. Like we've been coming here for years. Like we don't want to trust this new human being, let alone a new team who has changed the entire practice.Right. so she was there a month. patients asked about her for about a year like everything was fine after that. Did you Michael: lose a lot of the patient database or you did? Oh, wow. Preeya: It wasn't. I mean, we have like 300 patients to start with. Okay. So I really bought the building and.Michael: How did you feel about that, Preeya, where you're like, you're losing patients, you're losing patients. Does anything ever come to your mind, like, what the heck, like, what are we doing wrong or anything like Preeya: that or no? You know, the first couple, kind of, but then what was interesting is every time we lost a patient, the phone would ring, like we'd end up with a new patient.So it was like this really interesting dynamic of like, out goes one, in comes another, like, hey, okay. And, you know, They weren't my patients and they didn't see me. And they, a lot of them, we lost because we share, you know, we showed them like, Hey, you've been getting like healthy gum leanings for years, but your gums are bleeding.You have bone loss. There's stuff beneath the gums that needs to be removed. Like there's disease going on here and we need to treat that. And they didn't want that. And so, if my Job and my goal. And I'm here because I want you to be better and feel better and have improved health, systemically too.And you don't want what I have to offer, then this is not a good fit. And you need, you do need to find care elsewhere, but we sent out letters from myself and from the outgoing doctor, every single patient that was like a goodbye and a hello that we physically mailed out. but we'd have patients call and they'd be like, so the new doctor, is she from like Pakistan or India or like, where is she from? But in a way, like they were. I mean, they kind of racially profiled me and then they come in and see me and they're like, does she speak English? I'm like, yeah, yeah. my front desk person didn't tell me about it for like six months.And I was like, I don't remember how it came up in conversation. I was like, seriously, these patients were like. Questioning my race like here in Dallas in 2018. Like really? Yeah, but yeah, it was it was interesting Hmm, Michael: what city in Dallas are you located Interesting that that, that occurred though. You know what I mean? I mean, there's people like that though. You know what I mean? That's kind Preeya: of like an older, older population. And I guess they just, yeah. You know, they want to find a reason not to like you Michael: though. Yeah. I think they say like, you can be the ripest, juiciest peach ever, but you're always going to find that one person who's like, I don't like a peach.Right. And then that's what happens. So, but interesting. So then throughout this process, What's been some of the best companies you worked with and some of the worst or ones that just didn't fit with you? Preeya: So the first website I had made, I don't know, I was dumb, I guess. Like they, they touted it as like.They're going to make this video for me and they make a website like 6, 000 or something. It's like, okay, that's not bad. But it that did not just dental, they did all kinds of stuff, but it was like the most like canned website. which thankfully they were willing to change for me.Like we, I just had to give them all the content, all of the different parts and pieces. And it took like six months to get the website live because they just. Couldn't quite get it to where I wanted it to be. And then, they didn't tell me that there was like an annual fee on it, and they waived it the No, they don't waive it.It was not a fee until like two years in, which was like the end of the contract. And if I didn't pay that fee, they would wipe the website and they didn't really warn me. And then I had questions and they ended up just pulling the entire site gone. And so I had no website all of a sudden, I was like, uh, what do I do?So thankfully I actually had a friend who, um, does marketing and she, she made me a site. So So that was, I'd say that was one of the, the more negative experience side. Yeah. Um, yeah. And I mean, we all have our website and those media things, I think that are not always the best experiences.It's hard to, hard to know who to trust. Um, love my practice management software, which is Oryx O R Y X. Um, I spell it when I first started, everyone's like, excuse me, what is that? That's not Dentrix. No, no, no. Nope. It's none of those. but I was an earlier adopter of Oryx. So we transitioned in 2018.after I bought the practice, we had easy dental, which is like a spinoff of, I think it might be a baby dendrix even maybe. but. cloud based based on the principles that Jon Kois teaches, which was amazing because nothing out there is like that. Nothing is able to give you like this risk based profile broken into the four food groups.Like that is how my brain works and sees patients. And it was able to be created into this software that does the same thing. And it makes it easy to present to patients and communicate with patients when they see things in three colors. Which seems like such a simple thing, but in terms of just building credibility and trust right off the bat, having this system that has number one, it has, like, so many different things built into it.It's not just. Charting and, and treatment planning, but also like your communication with patients. So you can text and email them and, there's a review component and there's the easy auto confirmations. All that's built into 1 system, even how you enter the data, you're entering. Diagnostics first.What is the diagnosis? And then you're creating a treatment plan based on that diagnosis. You get to enter in, like, how big is that composite on number 19? Is it, less than a third of the isthmus width? Is it a third? Is it greater than half? And it shows on the, like, odontogram. Look at that big ass filling or like, Oh, that's pretty little.And so when patients see that, or even like your team sees that, if they're not super, dental savvy, like they're able to grasp real quick, like that's real big. what do we think is going to happen? And the system automatically then creates a risk profile based on what you enter in. And so it's very straightforward than to share with patients or even to, like, agree with yourself, right?Because some days you'll look at something and think one thing and the next day that sway kind of kicks in and you're like, we probably watch Yeah. No, look, criteria. We know the data supports this, therefore this is what we should be doing is a lot easier to ration with yourself even I feel like than, just the, the standard software that's out there where you're like, well, I'd see a fillings on that too.That's all I know about. Michael: Interesting. were you shopping around before that or did you immediately get it because of the Koi center? I Preeya: got it because of the Koi Center. I wanted that and I had multiple people tell me like, don't be an early adopter. Like that's. kind of daring my IT company who set everything up was like, we don't know anything about this.I'm like, that's okay. Just talk to them. They'll, talk to you. We'll figure it out. And they ended up, they're like, Oh my God, the backend on this system is amazing. Like the security is phenomenal. I was like, yay. Go me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me.You should have me. You should have me. Don't necessarily know. I just knew I had a lot of frustrations with Dendrix and Eaglesoft. Those were the two that I used primarily, uh, through my years prior to this and they're good systems, but like they didn't really leverage the power behind that risk based treatment planning.And even like the medical dental history to be able to have that in a system that just creates risk and allows people to actually look at it and own it and understand. The questions you're asking, so, like, when we have a new patient, they automatically get a link to submit all of their medical dental history forms the history.If every single question has a reason behind it. So, if I'm asking you about your level of dental fear, if the patient has a high level of fear, the little risk thing goes up and there's a little thing on the side that says, Hey, make sure you're asking patient about why they have fear. Like there's this little, little guy on your shoulder who's telling you like, Hey, This is might be important because of this, or if they have diabetes, like A1C, this is what you're looking at.If it's above this or below this, you should be concerned because we're considered cross reactions with whatever. And so, um, when the patients see it, there's pictures that go with, especially some of the dental things, like, is there notching on your teeth? And there's like a little diagram, a little video that'll show like where the notching might be.So the patients can be like. Huh? my gosh. Yeah, there is. And so it's awareness and ownership to some of the things that had, they have going on and then they can come in. A lot of tens are like, oh my gosh, you asked about this. And I never thought about that, but oh my goodness. Like, yeah, I snore when I sleep.should I be concerned about that? And so, Just that level of education that patients are coming in with has been a really big game changer for us Michael: Yeah. Nice. Awesome. That makes us happy. So then from that, throughout this whole process for you, we're coming to a close here, but let's talk about from the moment you decided in your mind, like, I want to, I want to, I want to practice.I'm going on my own. So today. What's been some of the biggest struggles, fails, or pitfalls you've encountered? Great Preeya: question. think like most people, I think finding your people, finding your team been an interesting struggle. I think we all love to love other people and support them. And, I've had kind of three versions of my team over the past five years.So I had the people I started with minus the person who lasted a month, my team. Then I had a version 2. 0 right after COVID and then version 3. 0 as of last March. And with each iteration, it's really actually aligned with like iterations of the practice too, where I feel like I need a change and lo and behold, guess what?A lot of the changes, the people who are part of my team right now. so the source of stress was also me in part, but also like. There was kind of a mismatch and where, where things were going. and so because of that, I think, like, knowing what I want, what my expectations are and being able to lead those people, I think is something that.I'm perpetually working on refining and improving and try to learn like, you know, more to do with that. and especially now, post COVID, all the different expectations people bring into the office when as employees, um, and managing those and managing their lives and their drama. I think that's. It's been a source of stress, but also very fortunate.I feel like all of the people I've employed have been really, really great employees. I have knock on wood, not had any of the crazy drama that you read about on social media and like hear your friends talking about and stuff too. and I think a lot of that has been like really trying to attract the people that I seek, whether that's just, you know, am I manifesting it and putting out there a And also just creating the vibe here that attracts a certain type of person as well, I think is a big piece of that. But I mean, it's a str

Dr. Andrew Vallo joins Michael Arias, host of The Dental Marketer, sharing key insights on dental marketing. Emphasizing the importance of mindset, budget allocation, patient follow-up, and effective hiring processes.

Today I want to tell you about our sponsor for this episode,  Olsen  Dental  Chairs!‍‍Imagine you're a dentist and you spend your whole day around the chair...   Well, Olsen has over  40 years of experience in making those long hours as comfortable as possible for both the dentist  and the patient! ‍If you're a dental professional looking for high quality, cost effective, dental equipment, check out Olson dental chairs!Click this link and mention this episode for a limited time FREE installation with your purchase!‍Guest: Rhonda KalashoPractice Name: TruGlow Mordern DentalCheck out Rhonda's Media:Practice Website: https://glomoderndental.com/Email: rhondakalasho@glomoderndental.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.rhondakalasho/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.rhondakalasho‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:HubSpotHubSpothttps://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjjuryZn42DAxXKB60GHWZzBfYYABAAGgJwdg&ase=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWSmA-wnuIpk3AgrP6Q4LOTx7tZpTWkt9X_vnRvjxA6TpHggzdgGerIaAoxFEALw_wcB&ei=6xJ6ZaSIDeGC0PEP-5GPaA&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESV-D2LJrATp36pfi4qgGRCTKgaEIqiHzgIfDNWGIzDXafM7fx84q8a9o3MfxOBrhzqXvVlJtKltzCsaJOIqike632B7HWKepVIukxm2wCNCtob28pZUpKag&sig=AOD64_0lSViVPzY6D95mLKOsmbn2Bwj18A&q&sqi=2&nis=4&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjkqbaZn42DAxVhATQIHfvIAw0Q0Qx6BAgJEAETrainualPearl (AI software)TurboTaxGoogle AdsCompanies/Brands:BBCMSNBCForbesZocDocInvisalignTerms:HMOMedi-CalROI - Return on InvestmentEBITDA - Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and AmortizationWet DentistryOL - Oral LeukoplakiaAI - Artificial IntelligenceSEO - Search Engine OptimizationPPC AdsLLC - Limited Liability CompanyS CorporationC CorporationW-2CavitronPiezoLocations/Establishments:UCLAUCSD‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:Dr. Kalasho's journey from graduate to successful entrepreneur owning multiple dental practices.Understanding contracts and the importance of developing sound business acumen.Insights into partnerships and dental practice acquisitions.Using dental insurance as a financial safeguard while maintaining quality care.Implementing AI in dental practices: from patient care to insurance dealings.The role of tax planning and smart investments in building wealth.Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Rhonda Kalasho. How's it Rhonda: going? Great. Excellent. I'm in Los Angeles. How can I, how can I fight this weather? We got sun. Michael: I know we got, sun yesterday Rhonda: Yeah. Oh yeah. You're, You're not far. got rain ever. There was car accidents everywhere. Cause nobody knows what to do. Yeah. Car accidents everywhere. Exactly. There's traffic. There's like a little splatter of rain and suddenly we don't have driver's license. Did it rain a lot in San Diego or no?Yeah. It rained a lot. It rained a lot. My parents live out there. I live in Los Angeles, but I mean, we had a lot of rain yesterday, but we love it. I love it. I eat it Michael: up. like a nice change of pace of everything. We all feel like we, what do we do? We got to shut down and everything like Rhonda: that.I'm that person that puts up the Christmas decorations the day after Halloween. So now it matches the weather. Michael: That's awesome. So if you can tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are Rhonda: today? Yeah, absolutely. I own, uh, multiple practices under one brand called True Glow Modern Dental.Uh, I did end up owning, uh, an HMO practice straight out of residency, which I loved a lot, but, uh, I ended up, it was a partnership that didn't go well. And it's because I didn't really understand contracts at the time and, So I ended up, uh, just selling my shares of that and then purchasing my first office in Hollywood, in 2018, in 2020 I opened up my, uh, Beverly Hills location and now I'm opening up my Calabasas location. I'm pretty busy right now. I have two little ones at home. But what got me into practice ownership is, uh, I really thought that there was a market deficit in dentistry where it's essentially affordable care, but also at the same time, high quality. and I wanted to utilize some of my business background because I was an undergrad as an undergrad major, I was a business administration, major.And then I picked up some of the prereqs before UCLA to finish up. To get into dental school, but I had a good business acumen before I began my dental journey. And I knew that there was, a really great market for potential of membership style dental offices, which don't operate like an insurance, but more like how you would see traditional memberships, businesses operating where you have a fixed monthly amount, and then you are given, Reduce fees or whatever for a service.And so we were able to do that. Um, I also own my own dental laboratory. So my costs are, fixed in a way where I can produce high quality care, but at the same time, affordably for my patients as well. so we're, uh, kind of a niche brand of dentistry. we do have patients that still come in with insurance.We concierge bill their insurance and the patient gets billed or gets paid directly. Um, that's part of my brand. I just wanted to grow and develop this, business perspective that I had even as an undergrad. and now, lo and behold, I actually really love dentistry. I'm still a wet handed dentist, so I do practice all the time. and you can see that on my Instagram page. I do some, uh, pretty crazy video, full mouth rehab cases. I learned that at my residency, which I did at UCSD. And I recommend everybody actually do a residency. Super important. All my, colleagues and associates that work under our brand have done residencies. that's what got me here. I love. Not only the practice of dentistry, but the business, of dentistry as well. Michael: Nice. Okay. So it's good. Let's rewind a little bit. You said you immediately out of residency, you jumped into practice ownership. You owned HMO. Crazy me. Yeah. Why, Why did you do that?Well, I Rhonda: did go into, office kind of thing a little bit. I did that for like two months and it just didn't fit my style. I wanted certain equipment, I wanted certain things when I would work and it was just the bare bones. I remember being asked to do endo without a rubber dam and without all of a sudden it was just like, I was just kind of.Especially when you're out of dental school you're, you're kind of still into the standard of care and you're really wanting to make sure that you're practicing that as such. And I remember the corporate setting was very much a patient push and making sure that they finish the treatment, make sure that they get the treatment done, make sure that you hit your quotas and all that.And it's all respectable. That's fine. Everybody needs to be aware of numbers, but it became more of less. Quality of and more of just pushing dental treatment out. Um, I quickly ran away from that, but found a great office that I liked a lot. They did accept HMOs and HMO style Cal office. was nice and you can still be very profitable in that market. It's not like you need to be all fee for service to be profitable as a medical or HMO dental practice. It's just a different practice setting. but they're still very profitable practices. And so if people are out there looking at maybe buying in or buying, only a fee for service office.Fee for service offices are incredibly difficult to maintain and hold because as soon as a patient gets insurance, they may leave you, um, as opposed to an insurance based practice, even in the worst times of economic issues But for fee for service, you may find that if you're just collecting free for service, you'll have a lot of waxing and waning of the times and then you'll have these tides of Being really busy and then not being really busy.and that could be really detrimental, but I got into the HMO practice, and then I was offered a partnership, um, because I expressed actually my, my goal of practice ownership. So that's how I got in so quickly. Um, so I, expressed that during my business, meetings with them that I wanted to get involved in as being a practice owner.Um, so I quickly got into that. but the, the way that it was laid out was of course, I just kind of went and read the contract myself. I didn't have a lawyer read it over. I didn't. And so what ended up happening at the end is I put a lot of my own equity in it, but didn't get a good return.and that's a pro, I mean, I always. Call my career as a, constant trajectory of falling forward because I'm constantly making mistakes. And I don't know everything that I'm doing every day. That is a hundred percent. This is the right way of doing it, but a part of building yourself as a professional and an entrepreneur is making mistakes and being okay with that, but you have to learn and learn why it was done and not reproduce the same mistakes.Michael: Interesting. Okay. And it's interesting your, point on fee for service and insurance. I feel like right now, a lot of the practices we're trying to kind of transition out of insurance, right? We're saying, Hey, I want to drop all that because I can't, you know, they're, judging our, work, when we do that.But when it comes to the other way around, how you mentioned it, Hey, if you start off fee for, so what do you recommend Rhonda? lot of the times we want to just start off hitting the ground running fee for service, and a lot of the times. Some people recommend, hey, get some assurances, then slowly drop them off.And then completely go fee for service. Rhonda: Yeah. Absolutely. I think if you build it, they will come depending on how you're going to build it. If you want to build it as a fee for service practice, you may want to just stick to it. It does create a fire under your butt to make sure that you're keeping your practice going.Because if you kind of get into this. The cushion of insurance and insurance does offer cushion, although sometimes we deem them as being, subpar and they're not paying us or reimbursing as well at the end of the day. if it is an 800 crown, if you're taking two hours to do that, yeah, that's.And this is for the new dentists. your, your chair time should be a thousand dollars an hour. If that's what you want to see it as. And that's just basic, right? Like just if you think about how much you're going to have to spend in overhead, dental overhead is incredibly expensive because hygienists get paid a lot.Dental office managers get paid a lot. Dental assistants nowadays, especially in Los Angeles, their average salary is 23 an hour. That's average. So that's a lot. And by the way, they're very accustomed to getting, full benefits. So they do have our, in our practices, they have health insurance, they have gym memberships.They have a lot of stuff that, that is given. 401ks. They have dependents that can get health insurance in our practice. We run it like a corporation and people are very accustomed to that. Even if you're a small dental office, you have to offer these kinds of things. So to that, you have to say that the overhead clearly is very expensive and a lot of your, third party payers, like your dental laboratory is a cost.And the equipment and supplies is also a cost. So yeah, insurance paying you 800 is very low, but if you are, able to do a very nice quality prep, remove all the decay and all that in like 30 minutes, it's not that bad. And that's better than making, not making no money in that time.there is a misconception also that. being really busy means that you are making more money. And those sometimes those HMO practices who are super, super busy, they're pumping out patients left and right. At the end of the day, the fee for service person who saw two patients as opposed to 15 patients is still making the same amount.So it doesn't mean that you have to be very busy, but you just have to create this niche brand or a market for someone to want to pay a fee for service as opposed to going out with insurance. But if you're going to do insurance, a couple things it's good to build the practice, with insurance, if you have nothing there, but if your intention is to drop those insurances, then maybe not sign up for a lot of them because a lot of the times patients will.Leave you as much as you are a great dentist and all of us love to pat ourselves on the backs and they'll go, we're so amazing. No, one's going to leave us, but I'll tell you, they'll leave you so fast. So as soon as you tell them, okay, so your copay is not 300 anymore, you gotta pay 2, 500 for this crown.They're going to run like the wind, right? So like they're going to go to, they'll look to Yelp or something and try to get. Something better, but I'm saying that they're what you have to understand is if you're going to be a fee for service office, you have to provide a service that is very much, reflective of the amount you're asking this person to pay.So you have for every beck and call, you have to offer 24 hour concierge service. You have to talk to them. you have to understand these people, 2, 500 for a lot of people for many people is a lot of money. And that's one crown, right? So if you're going to offer this kind of service to them and your fee for service and not offering any other benefits to them, even if it's payments that you're offering, they are paying this whole dollar amount rather than going through their insurance, which may be paid through their employer.So you have to create your business models are completely different. So you have to be okay with it. You can meet the same bottom line. You can meet the same profits, but when your HMO got to go faster, you got to move faster. You can't just dilly dally, talk to the patients too long, blah, blah, blah. But you also need to treat them like people.It's very important. People also don't want to be treated like cattle, right? they're still paying whatever they're paying for that. So they're going to come in and they want to be respected in the time, but you have to be mindful of your time if you're doing HMO and even PPO.But even PPO insurances don't pay well either, some of them do, some of them pay well, but you still have to. Make sure that you are being aware of you almost have a calculator in your head that your should not be wasted because the overhead is too much and you'll find yourself in a very bad zone your PNL statements where you're seeing your profits kind of dwindle.So just making sure that you're aware of that and speed it up if you're HMO PPO fee for service you can kind of create a little bit more of a pampering effect. Yeah. Michael: Interesting. So then, fee for service, like you said, pampering effect, HMO, or like Medi Cal, right? You'd really, or not Medi Cal, you'd really have to hone in on your efficiency.Oh, yeah, Rhonda: especially when they're first out of dental school, like you got, I remember three hours to do a crown nowhere in private practice is three hours for a crown going to be efficient for anybody, like anybody, not the practice, not the patient. The patient's experience is going to suddenly start to, I remember numbing the patient so many times in dental school because it would fade.I would like, you know, and then they're like, ah, they're constantly moving. It's, It's just, you don't want to. You have to make sure that their experience and what they're feeling in that moment, all that is always in your mind. And this is, that's why dentistry is so hard. You're like a psychologist.You're like a business owner. You're like their friend, but then also their doctor. And then you're sitting with multiple hats and still trying to work. in a kind of a bloody messy environment and work at the millimeter, you know, like, so is a tough job, but it's a, it's also one of the best fields, to be in.Michael: Yeah. Yeah. Interesting. Okay. So then if we fast forward a little bit more, you talked about your partnership, how it did not go well. and you mentioned that you put a lot of equity, but you didn't get a good ROI out of it. Right. Specifically, where did you feel like you missed the mark? Where you're like, yeah, if I would have seen that and you want to kind of give us advice or warn us about that.Rhonda: Yeah. I think I wouldn't, what ended up happening is it was. I was the only one working there. Okay. So there was nobody else there. And so as I was building up this practice and bringing in all the things that I have done for my own brand, I was, buying dental equipment.And leasing it out under my name and doing all this others and not under the corporation and not under the partnership. It was only for me. I was putting in all this dollars, all this money marketing was spent through me. I started my own Instagram page. I started the own Facebook page. I was doing so much and then bringing up this practice and its value.And then when I was, uh, told to. Buy in, I was bought in at the practice value that I brought in. Right. so I put in the money and then bought myself back. Right. And so It didn't work when I got paid out because I got paid out before the money I put in.So it was, I had built it up to what it was and it was just the way that it was laid out. It was really laid out in an unfair way. definitely just kind of taking advantage of a person just. That is maybe not of the nuances of contracts, especially between partners, but just as a pearl to people is that you have to make sure that you have a lawyer reading any agreement that you sign and that they can kind of give you the ins and outs of that and understand that even, you know, you're going to Google and all that kind of stuff.it may be true because especially when you're first out of school, you don't have a lot of money to hire a lawyer or somebody to help you out with that. But even if you have maybe family member that may help you out for your charge to read some of the contracts is going to help. I just got a little, you know, I got a little too pompous and said, Oh, this is, it sounds great.I can have 40 percent ownership and you never get really majority, but, uh, no, I didn't have, I actually had 11%. but I'm saying that sometimes it could be offered You're never really going to be offered a majority. Anybody who owns a practice should not give actually majority.To a colleague or an associate, this is still your baby. This is still your brand and your corporation. you don't want to give a majority because you still want to hold, a lot of the, um, the voting rights and all that would fall ultimately onto you. You don't want your brand to be carried on by someone else, if you want somebody invested.Into your practice because you never wash rental car, right? And you never put glass in a rental car. You kind of just give it to them as all beat up. But if somebody is going to invest in your practice and they've been with you for many years, giving them some sort of equity or practice ownership in the practice itself or in the corporation is actually a great idea. but, uh, they have to also be vested with you, uh, financially and in time, both monetarily and in time. Michael: Okay. Gotcha. Interesting. So then right after that, you decided, all right, let's see, I'm going to start my own thing or were you, you worked for a private, right? You worked for a private practice?I worked for Rhonda: a private practice, uh, for a little bit, maybe like two months. And then I did for like another three, all together, maybe six months after graduating, I, uh, ended up getting into this partnership. but then as soon as my partnership was settled out and I got whatever I could get out of it, I used that money to buy a practice that wasn't doing well at all.It was actually a bankrupt practice, a beautiful location, what I noticed about that practice is they had a really. Robust hygiene department, their patients were coming in regularly. They were seeing about, you know, six patients a day in hygiene and they had four hygiene days. but I noticed the doctor's schedule was dead because the doctor wasn't there.So they had this essentially just a sitting body of water it's like, well, if you have a good hygiene department, there's no reason why a restorative. section of that practice should not be thriving as well because those patients are coming in regularly. You should be doing exams.You should be following up with their care, but they were just coming in for cleanings and then just being off on their way and coming back in another six months. But was no doctor to sometimes even treatment plan them in that day. It's because that just that doctor does. Felt like dentistry was not for them.they didn't like practice ownership at all. And, um, I, at that time had met a broker at a convention at the CDA conference. And he was, uh, like, you know, kind of kept in contact with me, gave me all these, uh, potential offices. This one was just cheap because of its, uh, you know, annual, salary that it was receiving and it's was very low.Or even it wasn't, wasn't good at all, but it was a practice that I could buy relatively dirt cheap. And, but when I got in there, they had carpet, hate carpet in a dental office. If you guys have it, maybe get rid of it, but. it's so gross.Okay. But, but the, the lobby, I remember the chairs are like these dental, these like not dental school. They were like school, like schoolyard chairs. And then they were like propped up by magazines and, um, the front desk person didn't even acknowledge when I walked in there and it was like, just like the walls were blue.It was just like such a. ugly thing. But I, had a vision and I had a goal in mind. I wanted to buy a practice. So this was for all intents and purposes, a great find. It had a great hygiene department. It needed a pick me up. and it's slowly, but surely over the years. And I went from, uh, that office 2018 to 2020 in the middle of a pandemic opening another one.So it's fully doable to ramp up even a shitty practice, but you can still ramp it up if you have the vision in mind there. But so it was considered an acquisition, there's build outs and there's an acquisition. that one was an acquisition because it was still owned by someone.But When I got in there, you have an option of actually keeping on the staff or you can, find new ones, right? Or you don't have to keep everybody on when you actually find yourself on the first day of an acquisition, you present everybody there with a letter. And generally they're not knowledgeable that the practice was even being sold. that's common practice, uh, that. we don't spook people out, right? When sometimes when even patients hear that there is a new practice that's coming in or owner that's coming in, they may leave you're acquiring a practice, a lot of the times they don't inform them until the practice is acquired and then you can send out a bunch of, emails or letters out to the patient and then to the staff.So in my case, when I came in, I was not in love with the staff. I didn't like. That the front person didn't acknowledge that I was there, didn't even look up from her computer. I didn't like that the hygienist, uh, was not using cavitrons or was just basically using prophy cups. It wasn't like scaling or any of that.I ended up just firing everybody and starting fresh. again I had a vision of someone when you walk the room, they're bubbly, they're happy. They are the first introduction to your practice before they even, even on the phone, you can hear them. You know, you want somebody that is going to drive in patients and that.really somber person in the front plays a damper on the mood everywhere. It's like, try to DMV. Do you, everyone look happy? No, it's like you just, everyone's pissed because the person in the front is not the Walmart reader. Like I walk in and I love it. Right. I'm like, yeah, we're here. Okay. Like that's right.Yeah. You're at a shop. Like That's what you want. And what I felt like this is definitely a branding issue. And when you're building a brand, this is stuff that you have to think about. You have to think about the smell. You have to think about the sights. You have to think about the colors.These are all very much, uh, part of even dentistry, because dentistry is a small little business. So you have to know, you can't just pop in with ugly carpet and propped up, uh, chairs. Michael: Yeah, it's interesting that you did that though, because I guess like advise, it's like, yeah, you know, here's the thing.When you do an acquisition, a lot of the times the team may feel betrayed by their original doctor and saying, how come you didn't let us know this, we've been with you forever. We would have understood this. Right. so there's that trust that kind of like deteriorates. Then they kind of start having the fear, like, oh my gosh.Who's this doctor? Who's this young doctor? I know more than her, right? Especially those older office managers. Like they're like, Oh no, no, no, no, sweetie, please can tell you how to do this. Right. And then they try to run it. But letting go everybody at once, how'd you do that? or could you have coached anybody like, cause the hygienist sounded like they were still really good cause they were keeping people on.Rhonda: Yeah. so, for the front person, honestly, I just felt like she didn't even their AR reports cause you do a due diligence on the practice when you're acquiring it their. AR, which is accounts receivable, was very high. So they were collecting zero copay and just kind of letting the person know.I mean, I did, I'll say this, I did give them a chance, right? Like talking to them, um, about maybe collecting copays before the patient comes in, talking about deposits and immediately they shut it down. If someone is not on. your same mindscape and they're not, actually thinking on your level and that they want to build this practice, they're going to be a plague on the practice.So you should immediately just squash it, right? Because if that person is not like. Excited. Oh yeah. There's a new person here with all this energy wants to ramp it up and they're feeling it. They're like, yeah, okay, let's do it. Yeah, we definitely. there, and when you bring up, a report to someone cause I remember sitting next to this, the front office person was also there.It wasn't, she didn't have an office manager. It was a very small skeleton practice. Actually it had no dental assistant. Um, so the person in the front actually, uh, worked as the dental assistant and the person in the front. So I wouldn't say I fired, but everybody, I mean, there wasn't really much of anybody.There was an associate that popped up and did like an OL every 10 months, right? Um, like, which is a. You guys all know dental ever. You're on. Well, like a little tiny filling like every day and then didn't even take out all the amalgam. It was just like, I don't know what the hell I was looking at, but it didn't have a huge, practice.It wasn't like I fired 11 people. I fired three people that were unnecessary. Right. That didn't meet the. And then when I, if I talked to the hygienist and I told, you know, look at the, there are studies on. arrest in their studies on laser. Do you? I'm going to pay for you to take some of these courses. I want you to learn how to do a laser debridement.I want you to use the air polisher or whatever, all these other things that you can provide rather than a prophy cup. Maybe just learn how to scale a little bit, right? Because there's all this plasma this person's tooth. Use the cabotron, use the piezo. And oh, you know, I don't know, you know, I'm really good with this tool and literally how it holds one tool for every surface of the tooth.And it's like, okay, if you're not ready, To change and be part of this, essentially look at where we are now. I had a goal in mind, right? If you weren't ready to hop on my back and I, and fly with me, I'm going to leave you on the ground. You're done. Right? Because then you're going to be a plague on my practice.You're going to be a splinter and I can't move on. Right. I can't get to where I need to be. if you're trying to get from here to there with the same people it's not going to happen. And even when you get to there, you grow, you get more people So my practice has grown significantly from those three people I fired.I now I'm 50 employees deep, right? And every one of them is very much attuned to our mission and our practice philosophy. And we, we really spend a lot of time in making sure that everyone is on the same page. Michael: Okay. So that's interesting. That's really, really good then. So. I know you mentioned that, oh, how long have you been in practice Rhonda: ownership for?Uh, 2018. Michael: How many years? 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Five? Five years. Five years. Man, how many practices do you have currently? Like working and running? Rhonda: Uh, now three. Yeah. Three. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. No. Oh, well, Beverly Hills. They're all in Los Angeles. So I just stick in this area. Um, they're Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Calabasas.Jeez. Michael: And that's such a saturated. So how did you do it? Why? here? Like Rhonda: why? I like torture. It's nice. It was, It was terrible. Yes. You said saturated. Absolutely. In my building alone on the same floor, I have four dentists. Michael: Yeah. It was great. So then me ask you, why did you decide to do that? How did you make it grow so much so fast to where you're like, we're three and I think you're on another build out, you said, right?Rhonda: I'm on another build out and then, yeah, I'm on a build out right now. I'm actually in the middle. I got permits for it yesterday, so I'm super excited. So that I have a team that's going to come in and just do our same look. We have a systems always we try to reproduce it and then I have a projection for 2025 is an acquisition.So I'm currently just looking at potential acquisitions as well. Michael: these aren't build outs like ground Rhonda: up. No, they're not The next one is going to be an acquisition because, uh, these buildouts in Los Angeles, the thing is that you can't really own buildings in Los Angeles. They're either grandfathered in, they're incredibly expensive.Like we're not talking about like, I'm sure Nebraska parts of it is expensive, but like, you know, there's some parts like Arkansas, whatever people are going to buy these massive buildings. Right. And that's amazing. I love that. I'm married to this city. Okay. Because I married my husband's out here.My family's out here. I would love to get into more of a less saturated environment. I bet you, I can kill it somewhere else. Right. But I am now getting tortured and killed here, but I've grown to realize, um, what is needed in this kind of market and facilitate a growth.Um, and a lot of it has to do with. front loading, a lot of marketing right off the bat and then getting a good SEO, doing PPC ads, um, doing even mail marketing campaigns. You're kind of just throwing everything out there and then seeing what sticks because a lot of times you may have mail marketing not work out, but in some locations it works out because the demographics still checks her mail in Hollywood.Mail marketing for me does not work. Right. But PPC campaigns and local ad campaigns with Google works out for me, having my, website, really honed in on keywords and all that kind of stuff and having good SEO that's going to manage. the traffic that's coming in is really important for Hollywood for Beverly Hills.There's an older demographic there's a bunch of homes around there. these male marketing campaigns and even being in magazines or whatever it is, those tend to actually work. we still, of course, run our Google. Everybody still uses Google or we're going to, uh, aside that we're talking about other things.Facebook. It's still working with that. Calabasas is the same. These locations are, if they're mostly have homes around you rather than apartments and stuff like that, because I think the apartments, it's a very transient, uh, living situation. You may have some people coming in for a couple of months and leaving mail marketing campaigns don't always work out. these, uh, physical, uh, news articles and whatever it is, may not be working out, but, uh, I also have found, um, being in Hollywood, I was reached out a couple of times by magazines, right? And so like our lure, BBC, MSNBC, I was on Forbes for Hollywood's, they called me the most stylish dentist.I don't know. Okay. But I think it sounds like I was a stylish dentist, but I think they were talking about practice when you were getting into the article, but like the style, the brand was there and it was recognized by Forbes, um, as being a nice office, a nice dental office, and then offering some services to patients that were.Really high tech. But anyhow, we digress on that. But I'm saying that these are some things that I was reached out to. And then my online presence grew because they put me in online articles, right? So they kind of all just fueled each other. And it, and sometimes some people Are not as lucky in that area to find out what works right away.But you want to try different marketing strategies. Um, not every practice is going to feel a good strategy with one as opposed to another. I remember when I was in Orange County. So my first, uh, practice location was up there. HMO one, but That one did really well with like those, but this was a couple of years ago.I don't know, but those apps where you can kind of make your own appointment like ZocDoc and, Oh yeah. Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah. So they were doing really well there with that. Same with Hollywood because there's are like techie, uh, younger generations, right? Like, so you may want to look, put yourself on one of those platforms where they can get onto your, appointment scheduler and put themselves in there because people don't want to call.Some demographics don't want to call you. Right. And so like there's a younger generation who completely functions a hundred percent on their phone. They emailed a text. They don't even have laptops, right? They're all, everything's on their phone. So even optimizing your website to look good on a cell phone is also incredibly important.You can hop onto different dental offices and you'll see that maybe their website for the phone is not easy. It's like a mess. You have to shrink it really low, move it up this way. It's like, you can't find their number because it hasn't been optimized for mobile. these are some things that you definitely want to look into your practice to make sure that you are marketing to the right group.Who's your demographic that you're trying to aim for? And, uh, what keywords are you using for your SEO? If you're doing primarily Invisalign, where do you rank on the Invisalign when somebody puts Invisalign in? I'm picking on Arkansas. I don't know, but there's a line Arkansas, right?Like I want to go to Arkansas too. Michael: You're like, man. Okay. So that's interesting. When it comes to this, you said you front load a lot at the beginning of marketing. I guess specifically, how much did you front? Rhonda: Yeah. A lot, uh, 15, 000, um, in marketing the first month. Michael: Uh, every month for or just the first month, Rhonda: every month for almost like a year.But now in terms of marketing, we're way past that. We're at like 30, 000. It's still going to grow. It's not going to get smaller, but you have to think about it as your ROI. You're spending that much and you have to think, okay, how much am I spending per patient to come in? if you spent a 15, 000 and let's say that the person, the patient came in and the price on their head was 150, but they came in.And they spent 2000, they spend a thousand, whatever it is, you have to be able to know your, your numbers of the practice and, and be able to decipher if some of those marketing campaigns are helpful. And you have to also make sure you train your staff and be part of your systems to ask the patient, whoever is calling, how did you hear about us?Because that is going to be key for you not to overspend marketing. Oh, Google. Okay. Well, let's put a tick on Google. website referrals. At this juncture, I'm actually now, this is what also people need to understand. You can get really high in marketing, but you don't need to spend that amount every single month.Right? There's some points where you're noticing you're getting 50 new patients. Okay. That's amazing. A month for practice is great. 50 new patients is wonderful. Should I fall back on my marketing? Maybe not. Just don't spend more. Okay. And then what we found is we're getting new patients, but mostly now it's referrals.So I'm actually haven't spent more on marketing in the last year. It's just been kind of the same. So over time, when your brand develops and your practice develops, you may not need to spend this money all the time. You may not need to add more fuel to the fire. it can carry on in itself by creating the environment that a patient will want to come back and see you guys and maybe refer a family member because referrals are above all the best.They are the best. That's why reviews. You always want to make sure your reviews are very good. you really want to get everyone involved and gamify your reviews and gamify your practice so that everybody in the practice is aiming towards making sure that your ratings online is always at its best.and it's because this unfortunately in our society will hurt you the most. And it doesn't matter who you are, what your name is, blah, blah, blah. one time I referred, I know he's an excellent doctor. He's amazing actually. he's on a study club with me and does all this stuff. I was referring him over to someone and I went on his Yelp and I'm like, Oh no. I know. He's really good. What are these on there? Right. And then like, I was like, Oh my God, that's his reviews. And then it makes you even question if this guy is good. Right.And you're like, no, he's awesome. What is that? And then, uh, you know, that's going to make your practice suffer. And it's also going to, uh, definitely create a taste in someone's mouth when they come into your practice that they immediately think you're going to be bad, but have to always maintain those reviews.You always have to put a positive, self out there, even if you're having super crappy day, which a lot of us do, obviously we, this is why also this practice lifestyle is stressful because you can have a crappy day, but you have to walk in and be all smiles. It is good. No one is dying next door. You know, like, Oh, like, you know, you want to be really, I didn't come inand, and give that kind of persona.And it really helps build up those reviews and just make sure that you are constantly also asking for them. You don't want to just assume they're going to leave you a review because the person who's going to leave you the reviews that when you don't want leaving a review, but the person who was like, you guys are awesome.You should ask them. Even as the dentist, I don't know why we think we're above that. We're not above that. This is still, this is your practice, right? this is what you spent your money and your time and your blood and your self, your all that on. And if someone is, saying, wow, and giving you some credence on your practice, they love it.Then ask them, you know, I know it's going to take a lot of time out of your day. I really appreciate if you just do that. Um, if you don't want to, no problem, but I just like, it really helps us out and humble yourself. you should always humble yourself in life and in your practice and in your chair is nothing that glorified you above anybody else.You know, stoop down to always look at the patient when they're talking to you, not at their mouth, but in their eyes. sit at their level. Don't stand above them, bring them up when you're talking to them, not lay them down. You, these, this is never have a opinion of yourself.You certainly just always to just level yourself up with your staff and with your patient. And I parent promise you, these reviews are going to read for themselves because now you are. You're real. you're not fakely asking, Hey, you want to leave us a review?And like you were just a dick to them the whole time. Now you're asking for, right? so make sure you keep up with that the whole time. Michael: Yeah, I like that authenticity, right? So then when it comes to, you mentioned there's something, you do, you have a system that you like to reproduce. When it comes to these practices, what is it? Rhonda: Yeah, so the systems are and they can vary between different offices, but systems it's such a word that's so loaded because a lot of times like we have systems and what does that mean? Right? What is the system? So a systems is. the time a patient calls your office and even before that, how did you get that call?How did that call get intercepted? how did the person answering the phone answer that phone? How are they put into your scheduler? How are they followed up with? These are systems. So the step by step by step by step of getting a patient ultimately in the chair in your office.going over your treatment plan and now appointing them for the treatment because you have to appoint them. You can't just say, I got you in the chair. I did a profi and now you're gone. That's not how you need to reappoint them. an order for that patient to be successful and in your chair and having, and I don't want to, I'm going to just divert a little bit, a patient. value comes from their recare and recall and reemergence of them back into your system. One person comes in and you never see them again. That was not a successful new patient encounter. That patient goes on an inactive list. That patient is essentially Lost. You spent marketing dollars on them.You spent all the time on them. You paid the hygienists to see them. You did saw the assistant. You spent the time with them and it's lost, right? You need to create a systems. where a patient that sits in the chair reappoints themselves for either follow up cleaning or follow up care or whatever it is and stays within your practice, right?And so they stay within your active patient pool. Uh, we consider like active patients, someone who's been at least in within the year or 18 months or whatever it is. So keep mindful of that. This patient needs to be seen for recare. don't call it recall because recall sounds like something's wrong with you, right?So I would recommend that you say recare appointment rather than a recall appointment. and then I give that that's credit to UCLA's Dr. Goldstein practice management class, because I remember that was a, one of the slides on his, uh, I never appreciated that until practice where I remember saying, we'll see you on recall.And then the patient was like, Is it like, wrong, like something is wrong, like it's recalled, like, right? So, like, no, no, we just need to re carry, right? And so it's re carrying, the vocabulary is also important. Anyways, these are all part of systems, right? The vocabulary, the way you speak, the way you point them, the way you follow up with them.And it needs to be laid out. in a way where it's not printed and in a binder and put somewhere collecting dust. Welcome to 2023. Everything is online, right? Everything is online. Choose whatever system you want to do, but make sure it's accessible to everyone and that everybody knows your systems from the front office to the back office.Everyone needs to be aware of the way that your practice runs and how you would handle certain situations. Because once you, as a business owner, Leaves or moves away or whatever not leaves like physically leaves this practice and now comes into a perspective where I'm at where I'm mostly Managing I need to make sure people are aware of how to handle a situation without calling me a hundred times, Michael: right?Yeah, gotcha. So you created this systems how like you just record every single thing you're doing and you're like, what's working? And then pivot To do better and better and better, or? Rhonda: Absolutely. And how many times I've been asked, like, can I have a layout of your manual?And I would say, honestly you need to look at your practice, from a specific, It's, not subjective, it's really objective the way that you should be looking at your, practice. Like, so you need to handle each and every practice needs to be done differently. And so if one thing works in one practice may not work in another, but make sure you are understanding what worked.What marketing tactics worked, uh, how your systems are, the way that you walk a patient to the back, do you have a routing slip, because that's part of our system. Some people don't have routing slips, where it says next visit, where it says when the last cleaning was. These are part of systems.Does a routing slip work for you? Do you want your assistant to write your notes? If they want to write your notes, you have templates for them. These are specific things that may work for practice to practice, but see what works for you and get that written down somewhere. That's accessible. And not only in your head, it needs to be transcribed because it's going to be ultimately in order to scale and not only to scale, you can remain in your own practice, but maybe over a couple of years, add more dental chairs, maybe by the building, whatever it is, you don't have to go into multiple practices.There is some dentists. that are very near and dear to me, which I love, and they're killing it with one practice, giant location, like one location. It's huge. Right there. They see as many patients as I do, but just in one location. And so they've scaled. their practice, their one practice to an extraordinary size and they have, worked their systems to what works for them.Michael: Gotcha. Interesting. Okay. So then the systems is tailored to like the practice, obviously, right. But at the same time. I guess it's more like we have to start documenting everything right now and then kind of continue to pivot and pivot. Yeah. Rhonda: There's a lot of like, HubSpot may have something, but like also there's something called training all that also has like an online app, um, that you can do.There's a lot of sites that you can actually create, uh, like leaderboards. For your practice, and that's really good because you can put quizzes on there, like when you're training someone, how do you train them? Do you physically have to train them? Like, because some people learn differently, you may need to, um, Train them, physically show them, show them pictures, show them video, and then maybe take a quiz at the end, like, you know, so yeah, there is a lot of systems that you can look into that may fit your practice, different pricing and all that kind of stuff, but I would recommend is online stuff, app, you can even right now, you can find a bunch of developers that can develop stuff just for you. I utilize a lot of AI in my practice. and, with the development of AI, I've utilized AI where a lot of people have never even thought to use AI, but I've gotten people who develop AI to specifically build stuff for my practice that I think that has helped. I've paid them out and it's just mine. It's not anybody else's. You can't actually go buy it, but I thought this is what I need. And with the cloud based systems, like, so I used to have All my practices were on a server and we were using, but they're now cloud based systems, like, I'll use a different word besides systems but practice management systems, So practice management systems, sometimes it used to be on a server. Now you'll find a lot of them on the cloud. The cloud based servers are a lot better because you can really build. softwares within them that can function for your practice and specifically for them. And you can get the coding and all that kind of stuff.You can find them on like squad help or whatever. Um, but you'll, you can find people who are really good in development and build stuff for your practice. Um, and then that goes into even apps. Maybe you can make an app for all your videos and your, web, information, like your employee handbook and stuff can be on there too.Michael: What have you created with, so far Rhonda: for your practice? So far I have a robot that calls all the dental insurances that are, because we're out of network and we still have concierge dental. So the concierge style. So even if they have dental insurance, we tell them, sure we'll get a breakdown for you and send it out.Ri

‍Guest: Michelle JorgensenPractice Name: Total Care Dental and WellnessCheck out Michelle's Media:Practice Website: https://www.totalcaredental.com/Living Well with Dr. Michelle Website: https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithdrmichelle/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:IAOMT - The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology‍Companies/Brands:UPSDelta DentalMetLifeNuCalm‍Terms:IVF - In Vitro FertilizationChlorella‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:The real reason behind Dr. Jorgensen's transition from associate dentist to leading her own practice.How she navigated her mysterious health issues and the valuable lessons she learned along the way.The impact of her health journey on her approach to dentistry, in particular safe procedures for mercury filling removal.How unexpected challenges fueled her decision to shift to a fee-for-service model, and why this could be a game-changer for patient care.The power of joining trend topics in mommy groups on Facebook as a marketing strategy and how to optimize the promotion of your practice.Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen. Michelle, how's it Michelle: going? Great. Thanks for having me today. Michael: No, thank you so much for coming on and being part of the podcast. If you don't want me asking, tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are Michelle: today?Yeah, so mine's definitely an interesting story and I know you shared with me, you know, largely part of your audience are people who are starting out and I was a lot like them, you know, I was a lot like all of the, all of you who are listening right now. My father is actually a dentist. So I was an associate for four years in a practice where I learned a lot, but I wasn't a very good associate and that I really like to be in charge and I like to call the shots and I like to, you know, do my own thing.And so. Uh, my father and I actually started a new practice together and all we had were a few patients that came from my associateship. So it was definitely, uh, um, you know, starting from ground zero and, and building it up from there with two practitioners. So we started building and our focus was really on extreme care.That was, this was in the early two thousands and, uh, the kind of the spa dentistry and all those things were really the focus. And the practice group, it grew well and it grew quickly and people liked what we were doing. And thing was, things were great. You know, I, I just thought I would probably practice like that for my forever.My father's still practicing in his seventies. And unfortunately, that's not what happened for me. So at about eight years or so in, I started getting really sick. And I didn't know what it was and I had, uh, really, I started looking for answers everywhere, everywhere, you know, doctors, chiropractors, MRIs, physical therapists, you know, I just went everywhere and my big ones, really, that was it. we're, uh, career ending, potentially, is my memory. I literally couldn't remember a patient's name from room to room. Didn't know why. I've always had a really good memory. And the second one was numbness. I had such numbness in my hands, I was actually not able to even change my burrs anymore. So I didn't have the dexterity to even push the back of the handpiece and pop a burr out.I'd have to hand my handpiece to my assistant. She would change the burr out. And then I thought, Maybe I shouldn't be doing dentistry. You know, if I can't, I can't actually change a bird or perhaps I'm not doing my best work here. So I actually had the practice for sale, my portion of the practice for sale.And I didn't know what I was going to do. I was in my mid thirties and I was the sole breadwinner for my family. My husband was actually working for the practice too, at the time. And we had four little kids and it just looked really bad about that time. So I started reaching out to a whole bunch of different practitioners and finding out You know, what else could I do in dentistry?Could I coach or consult or, you know, all the different options. And finally, one of them just said, you know, have you ever, have you ever thought about mercury? Could it, could that be your problem? And I said, well, I don't know what you mean. I don't have any amalgam fillings. And he said, no, it's not the ones you have.It's the ones you've been drilling out. For the last, you know, decade between dental school and practice, and I'd never given it a second thought ever had never been told that that could be a problem for a dentist ever, but I didn't have anything to lose at this point. You know, the practice was already for sale.So I got tested and that's what it was. There's mercury toxicity off the charts. So all of a sudden, all of my symptoms made sense because mercury is a neurotoxin. And so all of a sudden, my brain issues, my memory issues, my nerve, my hands, everything. Made sense. And the doctors just said, listen, if you're going to keep being a dentist, you can't keep putting this in because it's what's making you sick.Finally, we have an answer for you. You have to figure out, can you do it in a different way? So I had to find out, was there a different way? Was there a different way inside of dentistry? And I'm really glad I'm actually sharing this with young practitioners because I didn't know. That this could be a problem, that this could be a, you know, a hazard in this, in this profession, but it's a very, very real hazard and there's a certain genetic predisposition to not being able to detox things well, and I have that.My dad has one. My mom has one. I have two. So how many of us have that? Well, research is showing 30 to 40 percent of the population. So 30 to 40 percent of the dentists that are listening could also have the same genetic variant that doesn't allow you to dump mercury very easily. So I figured out I could remove this with certain precautions.There was an organization I found that was already doing this. I didn't even know they existed. And I just started doing it for my patient or for me, I started doing it for me, you know, for my own health. And, but patients started saying, What are you doing? Like, this is, you know, this is a little different here.You've covered me up, and you're wearing a different mask, and we've got a big vacuum by my chin, and you know, what's happening here? And so I would share my story, and they were very intrigued, and started saying things like, you know, my doctor might be interested in that. So they started sharing what we were doing with doctors, and all of a sudden doctors started reaching out saying, You know, I've been looking for someone that does this, because I have patients that are looking for it.Can I send them your way? So the practice started growing in a very unusual, unexpected way. All of a sudden, people were coming and asking for this procedure that I was doing just because of my own health. So then they started asking, well, if you do this, do you also do this? And they would ask me other things.Do you do ozone? Do you do PRF? Do you do, you know, and they were asking things that I had never heard of. Again, these doctors were more educated than I was. So I would have to go to some course somewhere and find how to do the thing they were asking about. And then I could start saying, yeah, that's what we do now.We do that now. And the practice continued to grow and continue to grow as we started offering more of these services. And now I have six doctors. And we're multi specialty. We have a full time periodontist, a full time sleep specialist, two full time restorative specialists, a pediatric dentist, all working under the same roof, providing care that's focused on how does the dentistry affect your health?And the practice has grown exponentially because of this. We're one location, but we have Three kind of standalone offices all in one campus, we call it. So, uh, we have, uh, we're just working on building our 19th operatory right now. big location, big office, all focused on one thing. And it's basically a practice I never intended to have.you know, I didn't come out of dental school thinking I would do this. And now I found that this is an incredible opportunity for dentists to talk about health. Yeah. All because Michael: of Really interesting. Yeah, what, what happened? So look, if we could rewind a little bit, um, rewind a lot of it when you decide to be an associate, right?And then you're like, okay, I'm gonna, I'm looking at it. And I'm like, I'm not a good associate. How did you know you weren't a good associate? How did you know you just didn't have to be consistent and stick with it? Michelle: Because I was the one that was now doing all of the staff meetings. I was, uh, I was organizing the supply cabinet.I was doing, I was like setting up all of our off site meetings. I was doing all of those things. I remember I was pregnant with twins and I was sitting in a staff meeting and had like this Big old belly out here and I'm the one running the show and I'm thinking, wait a minute, I don't even own this practice.I should be home sitting in bed right now. Why am I, why do I have so much ownership in this when I don't have ownership in this? And that really was the, the answer for me. Like, all right, you're, you're, you're owning too much to not own here. And that's just my personality. You know, that's just who I am.I'm super bossy. You know, I'm the oldest of five children. I have four younger brothers. I'm used to telling people what to do. it didn't work for me to, to not do, you know, to not be the one that was calling the shots. And I had grown up inside of dentistry too. In fact, I joke that, um, I knew all of only old timers are going to know this, but Linda miles and Paul homily were two practice consultants that were in the, in the eighties and I would ride to school with my dad.And all the way on the way to school, he would listen to Paul Homily and Linda Miles on cassette tapes on my way to school, on my way to high school. And it was a half an hour drive, we lived a long way from the high school, so I could run a dental practice by the time I graduated from high school.Because I had listened to all of those consultant cassette tapes for two years or three years, you know, driving to high school every morning. So I knew what should happen, and I was in this practice, and it wasn't. And it was really hard for me because I was always trying to change things and do things, but I wasn't the one that was really in charge.So that's how I learned. That's how I figured it out. Michael: Did they ever sign with you, like an agreement, like, Hey, stick around and you'll be a partner or anything like that? I don't know. Michelle: No, wasn't something I wanted to do either. I knew that I would have my own practice. I knew that I wanted to be able to practice the way that I wanted to practice.And I didn't see that practice ever going that direction. Michael: Okay. And then we fast forward a little bit. You said, y'all, you and your dad wanted to focus on extreme care. Mm hmm. What, what is Michelle: that? So, what we decided is we said, what are all of the reasons people don't like going to the dentist? Like, list them off.So we just started listing them off. What are they all? Well, pain. Uh, it's expensive. It smells bad. You know, people will say, Oh gosh, it smells like a dental office in here. The noise. You know, all of these things. The chairs are uncomfortable. Our mouths are uncomfortable holding open. We listed off everything.Your hair's messed up when you're done. I mean, even this. My makeup's all washed off when I'm done, you know. Even just little things like that. We listed everything and we said, okay, how can we reverse that? How can we reverse those concerns? So we did things like massage chair pads on the chairs. We had, you know, mouth props all the time for anybody.We used all sorts of, uh, new columns called new calm, kind of a natural sedation. We had. Headphones, you know, noise canceling headphones. We had makeup and hairspray in the bathroom so that people could freshen up after. We had cookies, we were giving away cookies every single day, and fresh bread. We have, and we still have to this day, silver platters with hot towels and chapstick and a mint that goes to every single patient after care. just things like that, that you would get at a high end we're a high end restaurant or high end spa. We incorporated all of those pieces into the dental practice. And this is kind of cool. Actually, we applied or were nominated. I think we were nominated to, for something called best of state in the state that I live in, which is Utah.And we were in the category, I think of healthcare and we actually won in the category of healthcare, which was really cool. But then we were invited to a, an awards banquet. It was televised. I mean, that was in the days when television was like a thing, you know, and, uh, you know, there was, there was a real like, like the newscaster that everybody knew because people watch the news, you know, they were the ones that were running the whole show and we were at this big banquet and it was so cool.And we didn't know, but there were overall categories for also best of state things. So we were under the category of consumer services. So we're in the same category as hotels, um, car lots, like, you know, car sales place, hospitals, everything that served the consumer. So we didn't realize that we were going to get our, you know, our little healthcare award, but that we were also in the running for these bigger awards.And we laughed when we looked on this, the program, because we saw we were against an enormous, very high end hotel in Salt Lake City. We were up against a huge car dealership, a huge hospital, like all these things, we were up against them. And we were like, well, we'll never win. We did. We won. We won the entire category for the state of Utah that year.Because this was so revolutionary. Because this was something that no one was doing. No one was talking about it. No one had seen it before. It was so cool. And so, we really figured out that you can make a difference inside of your Inside of your profession by just being different, just saying, what do people want and how can we actually do it?And so we did that and we have since carried on. We don't make cookies anymore. That's one thing we did give up, unfortunately. But, um, we, we, we went through, I can't even tell you, probably hundreds of thousands of cookies over the, over the span of time that we were making cookies. Even, you know, the UPS guy would pick up his cookie on the, on the drop off his boxes.But, um, we've kept a lot of those high touch services in the practice. And it enabled us, this is a whole different thing. I never even talk about it enabled us to go fee for service about five years into that practice, into that startup practice, we completely went off all insurance, everything. And it's because people were coming to us for a reason and it wasn't because we were on their plan.So years and years ago, that was a long time ago. We made that switch because there was a reason to come a reason other than we were just on their list. And we've continued that way. We're still fee for service today. So we've been that way for about 15 years. Michael: Interesting. So when you went into fee for service, did you have that?Like, okay, we're going to drop Delta now. And then we're going to drop next. Or were you more like, we got it. We can drop it all at once if we wanted Michelle: to. No, we took out the worst ones first, but you know, there was a day when I realized I had to do this. I'll always remember this day. I was treatment planning on a woman, and she wanted some cosmetic work.Well, I, at the time, and it probably still to this day, I don't know, MetLife, even if it wasn't a covered service, so Veneer wasn't a covered service under MetLife, but even if it wasn't a covered service, I was still required to adjust my feet. And I knew that. So even though, you know, let's say 1, 000, you know, it was 1, 000, I had to adjust my fee down to 700, even though they paid 0.So, I was treatment planning this woman, she wanted some veneers, and I knew she had MetLife insurance. And I was hesitant to actually treatment plan her. And that day I said, I cannot. Be true to who I am. I cannot be honest with my patients and myself if I'm treatment planning based on the dollar. I will not do this anymore.So that day was the day we decided we're going to start taking these down one at a time. So, you know, we took the one that we had the fewest patients on or was the worst compensation, you know, had the lowest compensation. That one went first. We kept building up everything, like everything we increased, we increased our service.We increased our high touch. We increased the, you know, we real huge focus on the way we cared for patients in the reception room, on the phone and everywhere. We just really ramped up the service as we started dropping those. And did we lose patients? Absolutely. But you know what? We kept the large majority.So we just started dropping them. And there's some studies, really interesting studies that show that. If you are adjusting off a certain amount, you know, of the fee, let's say you adjust off 30 percent of your fee and I don't, I'm going to just make up the numbers, but it's something like you can actually do like 40 percent less work and make the exact same dollar amount if you get full fee.So we could lose like 40 percent of our patients and not see one drop in our bottom line because we weren't giving the money to the insurance company. You know, we were giving the money to the insurance company at this point, and then we decided, well, let's just, like, give money to our patients instead, or give, you know, money to our team, and let's give it to somebody else.We could see a significantly fewer number of patients and make the same amount because we weren't writing off for every procedure. These are just things that we realized, and it was, it was really a practice changing thing for us. Michael: How did you, I guess, how did you tell your patients, and then how did you increase your high touch points at the same time?So for example, I know you said you dropped off the cookies, right? But like, what Michelle: else? Then we have the cookies.Michael: Yeah. Like right there, you up the cookies, which I was thinking like, it's pretty brilliant because it covers the smell too, you know what I mean? It's absolutely Michelle: right. That's exactly Michael: right. Yep.So what were you turning the knob on drastically? And then while you were kind of like turning the knob down on, or how were you telling your patients? Michelle: Yep, so we weren't telling them through a letter. We were just telling them as they would come in. And so it was a real honest conversation and I've really prided myself on just having those real honest conversations.I just say to the patient, you know what? I care about you. You're the one that I care for. And unfortunately, the way the insurance company has, has set themselves up as they are between you and I, and I don't want anything between you and I. I want to be your care provider. And so in order to do that, what we're going to do is be a out of network provider for your plan.So we didn't say we're dropping it. You can't come. You know, we just said you were an out of network provider for your plan. What does that mean for you? It means that if we were writing off previously to provide the care that we're going to provide for you. Then that will now be a charge that you will have.We're going to explain it ahead of time. We will help you know what that means. We're going to offer discounts, cash discounts, that sometimes it's all going to come out in the wash for you. So we'll give you a discount at the time of, you know, paying at the time of service and. We want to be the place you want to come for forever.So in order to be able to provide the kind of care that you've come to know and love, this is something that's going to be really important for us to do. So I just have that conversation, need a new patient. And you know, one of the things that I've really stood by is in this world, there are wanters and needers.This is kind of an interesting concept. So wanters and needers, and if you need this patient, they will feel it and it repels them. So if you need them to stay, you're going to, you're going to phrase it differently. You're going to come off differently, your energy is going to be different, you're going to feel very desperate.And typically patients are going to be like, I don't know why they're so desperate and so clingy and needy, or you know, I'm going to leave. So, versus wanters. A wanter is what do you want for your practice and what do you want for your patient? I wanted to be able to do better care for them. And that's how it came across.I don't need you to stay. I want you to stay you're not going to get better care than what you get here. So we, that was what we communicated is I want you to stay. So what are we going to do? Well, we are going to do some pretty dang cool things around here. If you haven't noticed, we're already pretty cool as it is, but we are even going to take better, you know, and so we would do things like every time a patient would leave, we would write a quick little note.They're going to Hawaii next week or, you know, whatever it is, and every patient before they got seated, the team member would check that note. They would sit them down. How was your trip to Hawaii? I'm sorry. But if you remember that next time they come, that 20 they have to pay in your office versus the guy down the street doesn't really matter as much anymore, because especially today, like this was, this was 15 years ago, especially today, who gives you customer service?Mm hmm. No one. Yeah, you're right. Like, it's AI anymore, you know, I mean, that's like, it's, nobody cares for you. Nobody gives you extraordinary service. If you do extraordinary service today, nobody, you have no competition. Zero. Michael: No, that's true. That's true. When, now, that's an interesting, uh, concept, the wanters and needers, because. I feel like especially at the beginning phase you're in so much debt and then you're like I need to break even I Need to do all these things right and so you're even Major discounting sometimes like your services and all these things. How do we fight that I guess, and change our mindset because waking up the next day, you're like, Oh crap, I need money.Right? Like I need income here coming in. Michelle: Have you ever heard the quote that says that those that have get more? Yeah. Why? Because they don't need it. Needing is a very negative emotion. And you know how when you walk into a room and you can tell somebody's been talking about you? You know how you can just feel like the energy?You're like, somebody's been talking about me. Or, you know, what's going on in this room? You can just tell. There's energy based around the way that we present ourselves to the world as well. If you present yourself as a needy person, you know, have you ever met a needy person? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Do you want to hang with them?No. No. Do want to give them what they want? Not really. So if you present yourself as needy, it's actually going to repel patients. So how do you avoid this? Do you need them? Change it to a want. What do you want for them? For them, not for you, for them. What do you want for them? Man, I want to provide the best crown I can get anywhere.Guess what patient, I am so excited you're here because that tooth is cracked and I do not want that happening when you are on a cruise. So the cool thing is, is we have the most amazing lab you're going to absolutely love. The crown that we're able to provide for you because no more emergencies on a, on a cruise.You don't have to worry about it anymore. So excited you're going to get scheduled for this. You know what? If you can get this in next week, that would be great. Does that sound needy? No, that's not. I want something for them. Michael: Yeah. It sounds very like nonchalant. Like you're like, okay, yeah, yeah. Thank you for thinking of my cruise.Right. Michelle: Kind of thing. Yep. You're wanting something for them. You're not needy. It's not about you. It's about them. You have to phrase things in a way that's wanting instead of needing. Michael: Okay. That's really good to keep in mind. Every time we're like treatment except, you know what I mean? Like planning and talking and checking out, handing off all that stuff.Awesome. Okay. Then if we fast forward a little bit more, the symptoms and how you got sick. So starting off here. And I'm sure like this can go real interesting, real quick, but like, how did you start realizing? Because I feel like we all kind of experienced that sometimes, Michelle, where we're like, Oh, I forgot.Oh, I don't know. I forgot. And you don't think about it. Right. But, and it can be something real quick. Like, okay, I got to remember the license plate. L2, And then you look at it and you're like, Oh, what was it again? What Michelle: was it? And I never Michael: think about it like it's, if it's a memory issue, numbness maybe, but anyway, so how did the symptoms, when did it start becoming alarming for you?Yeah. Michelle: So, again, good old days, we would have, traditional film x rays. And on occasion, in our charts, you new guys don't even have charts or film x rays, but in those days we did. I'm so, I sound so old, don't I? Uh, so we would have a real chart, and occasionally those film x rays would fall on the ground.And so you'd see a film x ray falling on the ground. My team would always bring it to me because they would say, who is this? I could look at that film and I would know which patient it was, like nine times out of 10. And they'd be like, what? How do you know? You're right. How do you know this patient? How do you know?Cause they didn't know which chart to put it back into. But I just had that kind of a memory. I have a very visual memory. If I see something, if I read it on a page, I know exactly where it is. If you know, that's just the way my brain works, which is I think why I'm a dentist. And I think a lot of dentists have the same gift.We're very visual, which is why we're good at what we do. We can reproduce. Something visually, you know, so I had a very good memory. I've always had a good memory and it got to the point where I would see a patient. I would go to a next room and somebody would come back and say, um, what do you want to do for the lab?You know how they come. Oh yeah. By the way, you know, what did you want to, what did you want to do for that crown? And I'd say what crown? I didn't even remember that. I just done a crown. Like it was bad. Yeah. So I got from, I could identify any x ray on the ground too. I couldn't even remember the procedure.I just did 10 minutes ago, but those were the bad, bad days. The semi bad days were just why can't I think, you know, and people use words like brain fog and, you know, in fact, or brain fart, you know, brain, but, you know, did you, or is your brain actually not working as well as it should. So I really do want to go to the mercury piece just for a minute because I didn't know.And I wish someone had told me when I was five years out of school. You know, I wish someone had told me we learn in dental materials, right? We learn that those fillings are 50 percent mercury. Well, they are. So when we drill them out, what you're doing is releasing mercury vapor. Well, where's your head?Right? Smack over the vapors, right? Vapors go up. So, mercury deposits, I like to think of it in neighborhoods. It goes to different neighborhoods. One of its favorite neighborhoods to go live in is the brain. So when you have mercury in the brain, I mean, when you, if you break a thermometer, you got a hazmat team coming to your house, right?We have mercury separators. We can't throw those away in just normal old places. But yet we can breathe it in just fine. They have no issues with us doing that. But you can't get rid of it when it goes down your suction. You can't just throw that away. That'd be terrible. It doesn't make sense. That we don't think of mercury the same way as it's being thrown up into the air and splattered all over.I mean, you know, when you've been doing dentistry, you're like, covered in your mask. I mean, you're gross when you're done. Why don't we think of it the same way? Why do we need a hazmat suit when we break a thermometer? But yeah, we can breathe it in all day long and it's not, no problem. There's no problem with that.There's no way that can make us sick. It makes no sense. So I think a lot of this comes from years ago when doctors were telling people, I'm going to be able to cure your MS. If I take out your mercury fillings, this was the talk I got in dental school was if you tell a patient that you'll lose your license.And that was the truth. Well, I don't tell people that I don't tell them that, you know, I'm going to cure their MS because I take out their mercury fillings. What I say is that those have fillings have mercury. Do you still want them? Well, no, I don't know. People know about mercury. They're not supposed to eat fish anymore, you know, because it could have mercury, but you're at, you're walking around with big old hunks of it sitting in your mouth.Really? So then. Do you really want to be breathing that in? I mean, really, do you want to really sacrifice your brain for that? I don't want to sacrifice my brain for that. And there's an interesting statistic that you've probably heard that dentists have one of the highest rates of suicide in any profession.Guess why I think it is? Because our brains are being fried by mercury. So we're not thinking right anymore. Really? I mean, is dentistry that much worse than other jobs? I can think of some other jobs that are way worse. Yeah. Why are we, you know, so why are we committing suicide over other people? Why are we doing it?Because our brains are fried. They're filled with a toxic neurotoxic substance. That's Michelle 101, but I lived through it, so I don't want anybody not to even have this little inkling of a thought in their head like, Oh wow, could that, could she be right? Michael: No, it's good. It's good that they're interesting because you're right.All that stuff is true in the sense of like you are over it, you are breathing it, there is precautions for everything else but that. Yep, and Michelle: guess what else? I never had a baby, naturally, never, in all my years. I was, I was able to have twins through in vitro and then I adopted two more children because I went through multiple, I mean years and years and years and years of fertility treatment.Guess what I think it was? Mercury. And how many women are sitting in our dental offices? Between the dentists, the dental assistants, the receptionists, the hygienists, and if mercury could potentially affect fertility. So my, partner, also a woman, she went for years without being able to have a baby. And she changed practices, stopped removing mercury fillings, was doing other, just other procedures, and was able to get pregnant.Then got back in, started removing a bunch of mercury, then she came to my practice, and, surprise, surprise, was able to get pregnant! Every single time she removed herself from mercury, all of a sudden, even though she'd had years. Uh, fertility issues. In fact, she just got pregnant again for the third time.Her baby's only a year old. She thought it would take forever, but because she has no mercury exposure anymore, surprise, real surprise. She's going to have babies a year apart now because she did not expect. That she would be able to get pregnant like that, but I strongly believe it was because she didn't, doesn't have mercury exposure anymore.So these are just little nuggets that I like to throw out to say, just think about it. Michael: That's so crazy you're talking about that right now. Literally two hours ago, I was talking to a friend about that, how they have to go through another version of a IVF because they All right. You know what I mean?They're just like trying and Michelle: I went three, one to get twins, two more failed. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The money, the emotion, the toll on your body, all of the above, it's not worth it. Especially because removing mercury safely, all you have to do is use that big vacuum you bought for, for COVID, you know, everybody bought the vacuum.Good. That's, that's what you're going to do. You're going to put that thing in front of you and all you're going to do is just put a few barriers and you're just going to put a higher filtration mask. Like it's nothing hard, literally it costs almost nothing to do this. Why would you risk it? Michael: So then let me ask you, Michelle, from the moment you started doing that.I guess from the moment you realized, Oh my God, it's mercury. And then the moment you started implementing all the procedures and protocols and right, like the vacuum and everything. How quickly did you see a Michelle: change? Oh, it took for a while. It took a long time to get a hundred percent back. Like it was like eight years before I went, I think my brain's back.But I started noticing incremental change immediately. You know, immediately I would, okay. You know, the numbness is a little better. Numbness is a little better. I'm able to, you know, do a little bit more fine detail work here now. And, and I was just so conscious about it as well. So if I was going to be removing mercury, we were like, man, we, you know, everything precautions.And I was working really hard systemically with my system to detox as well. So I was doing two things, making sure nothing was coming in, but also getting things out very, very, you know, vigorously. And I also think that's important for dentists to know is we are around, think of the, think of the toxins we are around, you know, it's not just mercury radiation.How much radiation? How many times do we just hold that x ray? Yeah, go ahead. Just go ahead. You know, how many times? All the time. Holding that x ray. Just go ahead. Yeah, just go ahead. Take it. It's fine. Um, you know, so radiation, mercury, nitrous. All the BPA stuff, all those chemicals, I mean, nothing stinks that we're using, does it at all?I mean, have you ever smelled porcelain etchant? My gosh. You know, any of those things. So all of those toxins are just swimming around in the world we're living in. Yeah, you ought to be probably working to get all that junk out. Michael: Interesting. Okay. So then, and now, does that, when you say getting it all out, does that also mean like, so for example, are you still eating fish and stuff like that or Michelle: no?Sure. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just, I'm conscious about it. You know, obviously I'm not going to eat all the, they talk about, you don't eat the big ones, you know, you don't eat the tuna very often. You eat the other stuff. So we, you know, salmon, we eat halibut. Yeah, we absolutely do. But getting it out is more about giving your body.So there's two things that you need. You need a grabber. It's called a chelator. That's the word that medicine uses. But it's basically a substance that'll go in and grab the toxin. Then you need somebody that escorts it out of the system. So really the detox component is those two things. So there's some chelators that are very simple.Chlorella, which is just like a little single cell green, you know, thing. You can throw it in a smoothie. Um, cilantro. Is a great one is a great help for detoxing. Mercury. Um, pectin, pectin is an apples. So apples and dates are phenomenal for helping to detox, you know, so there's just little things like this that I'm just real conscious pumpkin seeds that I'm just conscious about throwing into my diet and adding extra up.Now, actually, interestingly, when I was going through this, the doctor said, you need to have 97 Ivy chelation treatments, And I said, I don't have time. I've got four little kids. I've got to practice. It's like slowly sinking into the, into the, you know, the, the black sea right now because my health is suffering.And I don't have time to sit here for an hour, 97 times in a row. So you're going to have to give me another option. So there were other options that I took mostly oral, you know, pills and things that I was taking. I've since learned that those IV chelations didn't do what we thought they did. So I'm really glad I didn't get 97 hours of my life away.I'm actually quite, quite happy about that, but there are things to do. And I really recommend that you work with a functional medicine practitioner because they're going to find out, okay, are your elimination systems working? Basically, are your kidneys and your liver and your gut? Are they operating as they should be?Because that needs to happen first. Otherwise you're going to grab all this stuff and just dump it there and it's not going to go anywhere. And then you're just going to get sick in a different way. So they need to make sure everything's moving first and then they can help give you the supplements to actually grab and move it out.Michael: Gotcha. Interesting. Okay. So right now, if we're in year one to year five of our practice ownership, what precautions would you coach us with? It's Michelle: easy stuff, easy stuff. So that big COVID vacuum. You know what I'm talking about? The big like the elephant nose thingy. Yep, stick that in front of the patient's nose or patient's mouth.Why? It's just gonna suck the vapors, right? It's just gonna pull everything their direction. You can get a very simple mercury filtration mask and I can give you, uh, I'll give you the sites that you can put on show notes so people can check it out. But the I, I'll say it fast, they'll have to look it up probably, I A O M T.is the organization that I went and found. So I a o m t. org. That's the organization. If you go on there, they have so many resources for dentists. They have entire kits. You can buy, they have mercury filtration masks. I started out with like these giant crazy talk masks. I couldn't fit my loops over them.I couldn't even like get close enough to a patient to actually like. See what I was doing. It was terrible. So I, I backed off that. And so I wear a regular mask with this special mercury filter mask over the top. And it's just a cloth mask that fits right over the top, but it has, it has added filtration for mercury.Absolutely. Do that for the patient. Then that's really big one for those. Those are the two for you. Big vacuum mask. For the patient, use some coverings. do something to cover their body. Make sure you're using either an isolator or a rubber dam. Keep it out of their mouth. Make sure you're suctioning.Your assistants know, suction every single last bit of that junk when you're drilling those babies out of there. You know, just make sure that everybody's very, very conscious about what they're doing. It's easy. But here's the other thing I would do. I would talk about it. Because when you're year one to five, guess what?You need a market differentiator. You need a reason that people are going to find you because they're not going to find you because you have experience. They're not going to find you because you have, you know, 10, 000 Google reviews. They're not going to find you because, you know, they've been seeing you for 10 years.They're not going to find you for those reasons. So you have to find a reason. You have to create a reason that they can find you. There is an entire Subset of the population that's huge, that's looking for a more natural health focus in all of medicine. You know, you're probably talking about it too.Every single person on here has probably been hearing or thinking about this also. COVID switched this narrative. They switched this narrative where all of a sudden we all start questioning. Maybe everything that people tell us isn't exactly as it really is. And, um, are there things I could do to keep myself safe that wasn't?The vaccine or wasn't a pill or what? You know, people started looking and started asking these questions and A large portion of the population are still doing that saying, I kind of like that approach. Not just taking everything at face value that the medical, you know, world tells me. So what else could I be doing natural?This is why all these Instagram or influencers are taken off like crazy because they're all selling all this information and these products. You know, they're selling the natural, the no dyes, the no chemicals. I guarantee you, you know, it's. Mostly driven by women. I'll tell you that. So most women listening or most men listening have a wife that's also in this thing, you know, and women make health care decisions, right? You've probably been told this. Women make health care decisions and guess the health care, the health care decisions they're making right now are those that are better for their body. So if you can say we have health focused treatments here at our practice, then all of a sudden you're different than the guy down the road.There's a reason to come see you. Interesting. Michael: Okay. And is that what you're kind of, cause I know your Instagram Pretty big, or actually all your social medias are pretty big, well like your Instagram I want to say you're at over 100, 000, right? Michelle: Yeah, 146, 000 actually, as of yesterday. I know this. Yeah,Michael: do you just handle that or does that, you have a team Michelle: who handles that or how does that work?I did for a long time. I now have a social media coordinator that answers most of the things on there because it's a lot, all day long. Michael: Yeah, and what was the strategy behind that, I guess, to grow it that way? Michelle: I started talking about things that people were talking about. And for me, that's all marketing has been.So if you look even through my career, all of a sudden, you know, clear back at the very beginning, this high touch environment, people were talking about that. They were talking about why they hated dentists. Well, let's join the conversation. Then when the economy fell out of everything in 2008, all of a sudden, cosmetic dentistry was not the thing anymore, right?Because nobody had extra dollars. So what was the thing? We turned to disaster dentistry. So I said, well, gosh, if people don't want their teeth to be pretty, they at least want teeth. So let's start taking care of all these people who have a bombed out mouth because they will put their dollars towards that because they can't chew.So then we started, we joined that conversation. Now we've joined the conversation of health because it started in 2020, March of 2020, that conversation started. So we said, well, if that's the conversation, let's join. Let's be part of it. Let's say we can contribute. So that's what I do on my Instagram.That's what I do on all my social sites is I just contribute to what People are already talking about. If they're talking about health, I talk about how dentistry contributes to their health, either in a detrimental way or in a positive way. So I talk about all sorts of things. We talk about procedures, we talk about materials, um, we talk about, you know, things as far as growth and development and ways you can prevent things. all the crazy talk questions that, you know, dentists roll their eyes at, like, can you heal a tooth? You know, can you, can you, you can regrow, you can regrow a tooth. People roll their eyes and I'll say. Yeah, you can actually depends on the size of the cavity, but absolutely let's talk about how and let's talk about this product that you should use that I can sell to you that will help you do it.Yeah. Just join the conversation. Michael: Okay. So then how are you finding these conversations? Cause I feel like sometimes we, we, you know what I mean? Where you started up and you're like, should I just post a new patient special? Right? Like, or something like that. And then Michelle: what's different about that? That's so boring.Yeah. Everybody does that. So instead of a new patient special, what you should post instead is, did you know the mercury is a neurotoxin and that there's mercury in those fillings and here in our dental office of X, Y, Z, we know how to remove that safely. We'd love to talk to you, talk to you about it. And by the way, if you come in today, we will throw in that mercury removal fee for free. this is a huge one too, huge one. Don't discount your procedure, discount a thing. If you discount a procedure, they're never going to want to pay full fee for the procedure ever again. It's just like when you go to a restaurant and you use a coupon. You get 20 percent off to that, to that restaurant.Well, you don't ever want to pay full fee at that restaurant again. Cause it's like, Oh, I've got 20 percent off last time. I don't want to come unless I, it's 20 percent off. So don't discount your procedure discount a thing. So I'll say you get a free tube of toothpaste when you come in for your new patient appointment, or you get the mercury removal fee.That's like 25 bucks a tooth for free. If you come in on this, because they're not going to need that again. They're going to need a cleaning again. They're going to need an x ray again. And I don't want them to keep wanting a discount. I want them to pay the full price the first time. And I want them to keep paying the full price.I'll give them the free stuff. Come in and get free cookies. Get, you know, whatever. So discount a thing. Don't discount a procedure. That's always been my philosophy. Michael: Yeah. No, I love that. That's fantastic. And so I see now for you, especially on Instagram or on your social media, you're, you're starting a lot of these conversations, right?Uh, with that. But when you're starting out, how can, when nobody's watching or anybody's listening really, where do you find these conversations and how do you become like a part of it so where you start gaining traction? Mommy Michelle: groups, mommy Facebook groups, because remember we talked about the mommies are the ones that are talking about this.So mommies are talking about BPAs and sealants. What would you say if somebody came and said, do you have sealants? They're talking about it on their forums. So you go and join their forum, you find out what they're talking about, and then you comment now and then. You go, oh my gosh, we just found out that BPA, the sealant material we were using, did have BPAs.Good news, here at XXY Dental Office, we now have BPA free filling material. It is a low impact ad. Do you know what I mean? It's a free ad, basically. You're, you're doing a service. But you're also advertising your service. So get team members on those mommy Facebook groups. There's gonna be some in your, in your community, I guarantee.But also, if you just start talking about things on social media. So just put a camera in front of your face, or if you're not good at it. Somebody on your team is I guarantee you there's someone on your team who's on Instagram way too much. That's the person you want. That's the person you want. You say, okay, guess what?You're already on Instagram way too much. So I'm going to utilize that skill you've got right there. And what should we be talking about? Have them put it on Instagram. Is it, nobody's going to see it at the beginning, but that's when you use hashtags. So if you put hashtag BPA free sealant, dental sealants, kids dentistry, now when somebody searches that in your area, it's going to pop up. Michael: Interesting. So mommy Facebook groups, but have your team involved in it and so forth. I like that a lot. Okay. Michelle: They know how to use it. You don't know how to use it, but they do. Michael: Yeah. Yeah. And then, I mean, like, it's good to always chime in, right? And Michelle: in the comments.You should be on there. You should be doing it. But they are the ones who are going to tell you what to do. Because they know way better than you do. So they're going to tell you, you're going to talk about this. Yeah. Michael: Interesting. And then did your practice ever sell or no, you never decided because you said you put it up.I didn't Michelle: sell it. I stayed with it. So I stayed with it. Yep. Michael: Were you, were there buyers where you're like, I think I'm about Michelle: to or no? Yep. I actually had my practice for sale three times. That was time. Number one, time. Number two was when my dad sold his portion of the practice and I was going to just exit at that point as well.And again, didn't know what I was going to do. Third time is I had a DSO buyer. And we were a week away from sale and it fell through and it was the best thing that could have happened because the practice then doubled that next year and doubled again, the next. Michael: Wow. So the moments where you decided that you were thinking to sell, why?Michelle: This is actually a really important point, I think. And I love to talk to new dentists about this because a lot of times there's different personalities obviously in the world, but my personality is one that's a fast start, quick start. So I like to start stuff. I love to start stuff, new stuff. And um, when you do personality profiles and things, you can find, is this you?Well, quick starts. Aren't very good at finishing stuff. we typically would get to the point where I'd be real dissatisfied and I thought I was just dissatisfied with the practice. Like just dentistry in general. I just hate it. You know, I just hate this. I just want to get out. I'm so tired of it. I'm so burned out.You know, nobody's ever used any of those words before. You know what I found every single time? Is that it was because it wasn't anymore. It wasn't exciting anymore. I had nothing to start. Like it was so done and over. So, really for me now, this is a really interesting evolution that's happened inside of practice.I, I would go all in on something. So I would say, okay, I'm gonna bring Clear aligners into the practice, you know, whatever it might be. And I'm going to go all in and I'm going to learn all about this. And now all of a sudden, every single patient you see needs clear aligners. You didn't realize before you took the course, now they all need clear aligners, but that's exciting.And that's something new. And it's something that the whole team can get behind and change is good. And then you do that for a year or two or whatever it is. And then you need something else to kind of give you that little bit of a rocket boost, a little bit of, you know, to, to get you excited again.Where am I now? I'm at an entirely different place. I am only in the practice one and a half days a week now. All I do is see new patients and I have two businesses that I'm building on the outside of dentistry. They're still integrated, but they're really on the outside of dentistry. I still contribute and I still have a ton that I bring to my pract

Episode Summary: This episode of the Dental Practice Heroes podcast features Michael Arias, a renowned dental entrepreneur and the inventor of ground marketing. Known as the "Ground Marketing Guy," Michael shares his insights and experiences in the dental industry, focusing on innovative marketing strategies and personal development. About the Guest: Michael Arias is a repeat guest on the podcast, celebrated for his unique approach to marketing in the dental field. His expertise in ground marketing, a concept he pioneered, has made him a sought-after figure in dental entrepreneurship. Michael's approach is characterized by his ability to simplify complex concepts and apply them effectively in the dental practice setting. Key Takeaways: • Transforming Dental Practices through Personalized Relationships Building genuine, caring relationships with patients can significantly enhance the success of a dental practice. This approach goes beyond mere transactions, focusing on creating a personal connection with each patient.   • Navigating Online Reputation Challenges   The reality of managing a dental practice's online reputation in today's digital world. The discussion includes strategies for addressing negative feedback and the importance of maintaining a positive online presence.   • Storytelling as a Powerful Communication Tool   The use of storytelling in effectively communicating complex ideas. This involves crafting narratives that convey information and engage and resonate with the audience, making the message more impactful.   • Embracing Mistakes for Growth and Learning The perspective is that mistakes, especially in marketing and client interactions, are inevitable and valuable. These errors provide unique opportunities for learning and improvement, contributing to personal and professional growth.   • Commitment to Continuous Learning and Adaptation The importance of ongoing education and adapting new ideas in the ever-evolving marketing field. This includes staying updated with the latest trends, reading influential books, and continuously seeking knowledge to enhance marketing strategies.

Don't miss out on our upcoming live office hours on December 14th, 9:30 a.m. PST/12:30 p.m. EST, where we will delve into the tactics of ground marketing to Trader Joe's. You do NOT need to be a member of our ground marketing course to join, and this session will offer exclusive insights into scripts and strategies, plus a chance to interact directly with me. Click here to register and take your marketing game to the next level! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0rbNohCiRHO18qnwGUE6Hg#/registration‍Guest: Paul EtchisonBusiness Name: Dental Practice HeroesCheck out Paul's Media:Website: https://dentalpracticeheroes.com/Dental Practice Heroes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dental-practice-heroes-podcast/id1315253777DPH OmniPractice Total Team Success Program: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/offers/925o3Jgr/checkoutOther DPH Courses: https://dph.mykajabi.com/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Companies/Software: KajabiTrainualTrader Joe'sUdemy Leadership Course ‍People/Communities: Amy C. Edmondson - Harvard University‍Podcast Episodes:300: DR. PAUL ETCHISON | NELSON RIDGE FAMILY DENTALMMM [INTERNAL MARKETING] SMALL DETAILS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TEAM COMMUNICATION"WHAT IS 1 THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE YOU OPENED YOUR START-UP/ ACQUISITION?"455: DR. PAUL ETCHISON | ACHIEVING PEACE OF MIND: EMBRACING DELEGATION FOR A HARMONIOUS DENTAL TEAM‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to establish truly effective leadership within a dental practice.Strategies for managing your team effectively and efficiently.The importance of creating a psychologically safe and healthy working environment for your team.How to delegate roles and responsibilities that best suit your team members.Implementing effective communication systems to foster seamless workflows.The first steps to transitioning responsibilities to your team for better office management.Dr. Etchison's experience in specializing in only projects he loves and becoming a visionary for his practice.Learn how you can apply these strategies, regardless of the size or nature of your dental practice.Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Paul Etcheson. How's it going, Paul? Paul: Hey, it's going good, man. How you doing? Michael: Doing pretty good, man. You're, uh, this is, you've been on Monday Morning Marketing episodes and then we've also dived deep when you had your practice, right? Yeah, yeah. So, right now, remind me, how long has it been since you've...Been in Paul: practice ownership. So I have been in practice ownership since 2012 and in 2018, we expanded from five to 11 ops and then 2020 in December, that's when I partnered up with a DSO. I'm just wrapping up my third, my three year contract. It's over. And then I'm free, but I mean, the thing is I'm not leaving.I'm not planning on leaving. So that's pretty irrelevant when I think about it. But yeah, that's, that's the whole like short, brief summary of it. Michael: Yeah. Why aren't you Paul: leaving? Cause I like it. when, when I partnered up, I was like, man, I got to get out of here. I got to find something else to do.Maybe I'll be a fireman. I don't know. And through this whole process in the past three years, man, it's, uh, I've really just realized how much I do like being part of the team now. I don't like being there five days a week. I'm there about six days a month and I have a team that runs everything, but I'm just like the visionary.I'm the, I'm out of the noise. I'm out of the day to day. And I do get to do like my. Ortho, I do band and bracket on kids. I still like doing that, but I've had like I had one period where I took like five weeks off and it wasn't supposed to be five weeks. I got COVID right at the end of a three week vacation and I didn't like it and it was like, wow, like I feel really drained.I feel like I need to leave the house. I feel like I need a reason to go somewhere. I mean, I was going to, I was going grocery shopping when we just went grocery shopping just to go somewhere, you know? Yeah. I was like, well, this bread, this bread is probably going to expire in like maybe 10 more days. We should probably have some for those, you know, it was weird, man.It was, uh. I just noticed it. I, I just noticed, man, I don't, I'm not feeling the greatest about this. And when I went back to work after that, I was like, gosh, I really missed all you guys. This is great. I'm so happy to be back. So I, I do want it as part of my life. I don't want to leave it completely. I had to realize that through going through this process, but, um, I'm not ready and I'm never going to go back to like five days a week.I'm just not going to do that. Michael: So then looking back, do you think you could have done that? Just work somehow minimized it on your own to three, two days a week or something still been profitable, but Paul: good question. Yeah. Because you know, a lot of people say like, do you regret selling? Do you, you know, do you wish that you still had your baby and it was still all yours?Because I've sold 85 percent at this point. I will say. Through that process, I've, since I sold, I kind of backed off. I let my leads do a lot more and it was kind of part of it. I was more comfortable letting them do more because I was saying, well, dude, I only own 15 percent now, you know, it shouldn't be, I shouldn't, I don't have as much writing on it.So go ahead, do whatever you guys want. And what I realized is they were great at it it's been running better with them than it runs with me, you know? And I think that's one of the things I've kind of rolled into my coaching now with, with teams is that I had this epiphany that gosh, like your practice can grow and run so much better if you have teams running it.Um, now would I still have sold? Yeah, I'm still happy. I sold, I still got a whole bunch of capital. It's all invested into different assets and a bunch of real estate. And I've, I've reached a point where I can kind of chill and just do whatever I want because I want to do it. And I'm happy for that. So I am glad that I sold, but could I have had this kind of de stressed practice lifestyle?For sure. I think, um, I could have had this de stress, uh, just this, what I have now, and maybe I wouldn't have sold. I don't know. It's hard to say, but I'd have no regrets about doing it.Michael: Is the decisions that like decision fatigue, you're like, Oh my God, too many. I just don't want the weight of all these decisions because technically they're still looking for you at you for Paul: leadership, right? Yeah, yeah, there's, I mean, still to some extent, they're, they're pretty good leaders there and I've established a good team. I would say what bothered me, and this might be a personal thing, I know a lot of dentists go through this, so I know I'm not alone on this, is that I was trying so hard to make this an incredible place to work. And I really wanted to be, in my heart, I really do care about that, I want it to be a great place to work, I want people to love the job and love being there.And I think through seeing patients and trying to manage everything. I was just really overwhelmed with the amount of time and my lack of time to do so. And then when people would come with, come to me and say, Hey, like, you know, we got to do something about it. So I mean, the front desk is going, we really got to redo this front desk.It's just, it's just a mess up there. I would almost internalize that as. You are unappreciative of all the work I do. Like, why don't you appreciate I'm doing my best here and you're telling me it's not good enough. And it was just like constant frustration of giving all of myself to this practice, but at the same time having people still be upset.And I think there was a mindset shift that I had to make that I said, well, you know what, instead of them being completely 100 percent happy with the practice, they just have to be content. And I have 40 plus team members. There is no way they are all going to love it and just be like, this is the best place ever.100 percent of the time, 100 percent of them, it's just not possible. So I think I had unrealistic expectations there. But as I employed my leadership team and they started handling these interpersonal things, it just kind of the weight lifted and I didn't hear about these things anymore. And I have a clinical lead.And she has been my assistant for like, man, almost 12 years now, almost the whole practice lifetime. And she's the one who handles all this stuff now. If somebody's complaining and it got to the point where like, I check in with her, she'd be like, Hey, this happened. Do you want to hear about it?And I'd be like, if you don't want to tell me, I'm cool. She's like, I got it under control. Don't worry about it. And she doesn't really tell me. I mean, not that I'm in the dark, but I, I like how in the dark I am. I mean, she, she let somebody go like three weeks ago and she just shot me a text for like a blessing.Hey, cool. You cool. If I fire this person, I barely know that person go, you know, it was a new assistant and she was there for like maybe five weeks and it just like, it wasn't working out. So she let her go. I don't even have to do that anymore. I don't hire, I don't fire. People, I walk into practice, I see new faces.I say, hello. And I'm just doing like big vision stuff. Like we just dropped Delta. That's like our thing. We're, we're going out of insurance this year. So that's our big thing for this year, it's a good place to be. And, and yes, did I need to sell to a DSO to do it? No, not at all. And that's kind of what I'm teaching to my coaching clients is like, Hey, this is how you do it, because I wish I would have done it before I sold to a DSO.I mean, I owned this practice for nine years before I sold. it could have been a lot different nine years. So overall, Michael: you kind of don't wish that you sold. You wish you kind of, uh, worked on it on your own or what? Paul: No, no, no. I I'm still happy. I sold because I got the capital and I got it. I got a really great deal for my practice, you know, and it's to invest in the company that has bought my idea, bought my practice or partnered up with me.Like I just, I got so much for it. I don't know if I would have waited five years, if I still would've got what I got. I mean, as you know, private equity in dentistry right now is very, very hot. And this might be something like era that we look back in 20 years and be like, man, remember when that happened?Yeah. So I just didn't want, I didn't want to miss it. I'm not saying that it's going away. I don't know, but who knows, man, I, I'm really happy with the amount of God. And it's, it's gotten me to a point where just kind of can do whatever I want now. And I'm doing the things that I want because I want to.But there was also that period of in between like, wow, you can do whatever you want because you want to, what the hell do you want to do? and it kind of took me a little bit to kind of figure that out. Michael: you sign an NDA or anything like that? Or could you give us like a range of how much you Paul: got?Or I don't know if I could give you a range. I could get, yeah, they probably wouldn't want me to talk about it. Okay. Don't Michael: worry. You're like zero to 10 Paul: million. Okay. Yeah. We can go, we go zero to 10 million. I didn't get 10 million. Michael: Okay. Got you. Got you. Got you. But, but it was a good one. That was a good mouth. Yeah. Gotcha. Okay, man. So rewind a little bit. you talked about how now your team runs your practice. I mean, I think that's the dream for everybody, right? Like what you're making right now. So what are the first steps to making my team run my practice? I'm listening to this episode. Yeah. Day one. I'd love to get there.Can you give me the first steps to create this system? Paul: For sure. I think the, I mean, the first steps of any practices is we're trying to get it systematized. We're trying to get it organized. So we've got to start with checklist. That's like number one. So got to look at checklists, got to like just basic checklists, like.What do we do when we close? What do we do when we open? What do we do weekly, monthly, annually, like just making sure that everything that needs to get done is getting done. it's a whole process of systematizing your practice. But now, now that I have these leads. And this leadership team, what I realized is that they've created a lot of these systems without me now.So when I first opened the practice, and I first was doing this before I had the leadership team, it was kind of a slow process, even though in retrospect it felt like it was happening fast. Now, like, I'll look at things and I say, how do you, how do you guys do this? Show me. And I'm like, who came up with this?This is fantastic. And they're like, oh, we did. but I would say the first process is seeing who the leaders are on your team. And I have an office manager. I have a hygiene lead. I have my clinical lead, who is also my assistant lead, and then I have a front desk lead. So I have four people on my leadership team.I don't think everybody needs that many people, because I think if you have maybe 10, 12 people, you can pull it off like that. But sometimes smaller offices, I mean, if you've got seven employees, you can't make three leads. You know, it's, that's just like half the team's not lead to have the team as a lead, but it's picking who are, who the people are.And it's being really clear on the expectations of what you want them to do. And hopefully you're picking the right people. These are not people. These are not your best all star performers. Like, um, I don't want to say that my, my clinical is not my best assistant. She's fantastic. But she was not like my primary assistant, you know, she was, but she was the one who really was able to take things and run with it.She was really confident in herself. She was great with talking with people and she was a really good leader. So you got to find those people that want to take on more responsibility and they need to look at it from a way. And I've seen this happen in some of my coaching clients offices is they assign the leads and the people are like, I don't want to be the lead anymore.And they're like, well, why? Like it's just too much extra work and one of the things I realized when we had some issues with the leads you've got to give them scheduled time to work on their duties. Because when we started it, we said, okay, you know, you don't get a cancellation.You're in between patients. You could work on this stuff and you could sit down and talk with the other assistants and you could train them and find out what they need help with. And you could do like performance reviews and all this stuff. And the fact of the matter is, is when it's in between patients, when you get a cancellation, people aren't like, okay, cool.Cancellation. Let me work on this other stuff. They just want to chill sometimes, you know, we were running so much, they just want to like, you know, talk with their team members, talk with people they work with and just get to catch up and stuff. So that causes overwhelm is because we don't have time to do it.So you need to schedule time for these people to do it. And that's why I told every, every single person, like, I don't want to be the lead. I'm like, just try this. You've gotta do this. 'cause I always tell people I need to do it. But then, you know, dentist just don't listen. They don't , they don't like to listen.And I'm like, I'm telling you, you need to schedule time. They're like, no, no. Well, we'll just, we we're pretty slow a lot of time. Okay, cool, whatever. And um, as soon as you schedule 'em like maybe four hours a week to go in an office, shut a door and just work on stuff, they get it done. And they love that day.They all wake up that day and they go, man, this cool, this is the day I'm just in the office. This is awesome. Even, even when you make 'em try to do stuff in between patients. You might as well not have them at all. They're not doing it. They're just not going to do it. So if you want help in your practice from the leadership team, and you want to build a leadership team, you've got to find the right people, you got to pick the right people, and you've got to make sure that they have time, but then you also need to sit in front of your team and designate what is this relationship that you have with them?Because it's going to be hard for them to be almost like a boss to the people they've already worked with. And, and I'm saying like my leads. are kind of a boss to people that we've worked with that used to be their, their equals. Cause we've got a lot of long term team members and that relationship is okay.But I had to designate this like, Hey, they aren't, I am still your boss. You know, they are, they are for communication and they're for like, you know, training and stuff. They're here to help you. They're here to support you. This is what I want the leads to do. This is the person I'm going to go to, but I want to change something versus going to everybody.But I will tell you that the people that come into the practice now that are hired by the lead, that that's their only point of contact, they barely even talk to me. That's their boss and that's a completely different relationship than what they have from the people that they were in the same level with, but the people that they were on the same level with, and now there's the lead, they do respect them.So it's, it's, I think it's because you had to, you have to, as a leader, designate what is the role and what does this mean for everybody? You know, are we taking orders from five people now? What am I doing? You know, so, so pick the people, give them time to do it and designate with the team what exactly this means.And it's something that's just going to evolve over time for you. It's going to like, I didn't have my leads hiring right off the get go. It was just one day I was like, Hey, like these two people aren't getting along. I mean, can you handle it? They're like, yeah, I can handle it. You want, do you want me to help?Nah, I got it. And then it's like, do you ever think you could like call on these people, these resumes and just see if you like them? Yeah, sure. What do you want me to do? Call them. See if you like them. If you like them, get them in for a working interview. And then if you want to hire him, send it to me.And then it got to, Hey, if you want to hire him, here's your budget, figure out what to pay him, you know, and then, and then it was just like, you don't like him, do you feel comfortable firing him? Okay, cool. Off you go. And, um, you slowly give them more and more things, but what's cool about it is at first they're kind of like hesitant.And then when they start seeing that they, they, it's almost like they get confidence in their abilities. And they're like, I can do this. Yeah. I can do anything. I got this. And people just love that role. So when I hear someone say, I don't want to be the lead, it's too much work. I'm like, we're doing it wrong.They should love being the lead. It's an awesome place to be. It's a great place of autonomy, creativity. You get to be a big role in the practice. You get to make big decisions and how things change and everybody should like to do it, but you got to give them time to do it so they don't get overwhelmed.So I think that's, that's the biggest thing. Michael: Gotcha. Okay. So then you want to, and I like how you said, give them scheduled time to work on their duty. So one is you want to pick the right people, right? And then to schedule the time, this scheduled time is for them to work on their craft or is it scheduled time for specifically what?Like Paul: if it was front office. It's like office time. I mean, so like, for instance, like front office would be, this might be time for this person to give some one on one training. Some more one on one training to somebody that needs it. It might be time to do a performance review. It might be time to sit down and maybe come up with agenda for a team meeting that's coming up.You know, just whatever we're, whatever we're transitioning or whatever new things we're implementing, this is time to work on this. Get a system in writing so that we can present it to the whole team. It's not for, hey, I gotta get caught up on these insurance checks. Man, am I so behind on these insurance checks.Cause I mean, that's another thing that's happened to my front desk lead. Is we were like, why is this front desk like so crazy? Like what is going on? Like, and like, what are you doing in your lead time? It was like, I'm getting caught up. So then we were like, we gotta get, we gotta teach someone else how to do these insurance checks.Cause this, my lead was doing this. So we got that off her plate and it's been great. It gives her time. I said, I don't, I don't care if you're sitting behind somebody and just listening to the front desk. I need this place needs to be managed and you need time to manage it. And that needs needs to be time that you're not working with a patient or doing some other tasks.So it's just their time to be elite. Michael: Gotcha. So you schedule the time for them to be elite. You get specific, but you also specify the leads to everybody, right? Who's the leads and things and what their role is. And then the leads create systems. So would you say like, Hey guys, once a month, I need you to make me a protocol or system on something you're working on Paul: we used to have lead meetings with me and my four leads, we would do it every other week. Now we do it once a month. But we'll have a team meeting that's two hours long, and usually that's like 10 15 minutes of me talking about how things are going, trying to provide some little inspiration, a little gratitude, appreciation for what we've been doing.And then we break into departments. If you want to know what to work on at a practice, ask your team. I mean, they, they know exactly where the pain points are. So they'll break off and all the hygienists will go in one room and all the assistants in another room. It's like, Hey guys, what's going on? What do we need to work on?What's not working? And then that is where you find out where you come up with like a system or protocol. So it is a, it is a whole team collaboration. It is, for instance, say the assistantly talking down to the assistants and saying, Hey, this is something to happen.We go up to the front desk. Sometimes we walk up with a patient and nobody looks up and we don't know where to go. And it's awkward. we don't know, like, is there, is, can we designate, and this is what they came up with. Can we designate a priority of the four chairs at our front desk that this is the person that always gets gone to first?If they're not available, we go to this person, if they're not available, you go to this person. So we came up with that, and then we bought these little tap lights that change from red to green. And they just sit on the little desk next to the person. And if for some reason there's not a patient there, but they're still finishing something up, typing something into a computer, or like doing some correspondence to a patient, they tap the light that's red.So that person's priority is taken, you go to the next person. And that was completely come up by my assistant and, uh, and the team. So it's just like, they're just, you give them the autonomy to just invent and come up with solutions and it's awesome. I mean, you'd be amazed that when, whenever you drop the ball on a patient or whenever something goes wrong at your practice, that's the opportunity to create a system.And if you've got a leadership team to help you do it, you don't have to do it alone. And now you have somebody that's in on the front lines, that's working there. That understands that position a lot more than you. So it's, it just works on so many Michael: levels. Gotcha. Now, why did it go from every other week to a month, your meetings?Paul: So and that's why I tell everybody just about meetings. How often should we meet? I don't know. We were meeting every other week, or every, yeah, twice a month, and it was getting a little stale. We just felt like we didn't have a lot to talk about. So we're like, hey, what do you guys think? Things are running pretty smooth.What do you think about us going down to every, once a month? And that's been fine for now. Um, there was a time where we were doing some front desk training. We were doing phone skills training. And we were doing it, like, where we have two shifts. We have a night shift and a morning shift. So the morning shift would stay late.We'd meet with them, and the night shift would come in early. And we'd meet with them and go through phone calls. And we did that weekly for six, seven weeks. And then you just feel it at a certain point. We're like, okay, I think we've got this. Start flipping through phone calls as a team. And you're saying, I can't find much to critique here.These sound fantastic. You know, okay, we're good. let's just stop. And we stopped the meeting. And then at one point in the future, and when we listen to a phone call, if we start hearing a lot of, um, bad phone calls again, we're going to start meeting again. So you just play it by ear. So you'll just feel, nobody wants to go to meetings that are unproductive and boring.So if your meetings are being unproductive and boring, because there's not a lot to talk about, you might be meeting too much. Michael: Yeah. I like that, man. I like that a lot because a lot of the times we get so like, uh, I guess, It's dogmatic about like, we got to meet every week, like if not then, I mean? And then we get more of a, like, ah, we got to, but if it's a seasonal where it's like, Hey, this is a, it's, it's bad.We should be meeting about this stuff often. Right. So it can like get into, burn into their brain. That's good. So then I guess that kind of leads my next question. Like what if the leads say like every, everything's fine. Everything's good. I can't think of a system. I can't, month two comes around. Yeah. I can't think of a system.Like everything looks good. Are they like looking or Paul: how can we be sure? I would find that hard to believe that everything's ever good. There's always, there's always something. If, if my lead was saying that to me, I would say, when's the last time you did one on ones with your department? You know, that's what I would ask.When was the last time you did some one on one meetings with everybody in your department? Because, uh, do a round of one on ones with your team. You know, if you don't have a leadership team, sit down with everybody this week. You're gonna find stuff. It's never going to be everything's fine. They might say when you ask them. Everything's good. Yeah. Yeah, keep probing Everything is not fine. And I like the question when I asked when I used to do one on ones I used to ask people what is something that frustrates you when you're working here? No, I like it. Everything's great. Everything's great Well, there's got to be something we all get frustrated something.No, I don't care how minor it is What is something that frustrates you? and Everybody can always come up with something and then you can there's always truth to it It's just like when that crazy patient complains, we all want to dismiss it. We say, Oh, they're crazy. We don't care about them, but there is always truth to every complaint.If it comes from a crazy person, or if it's just a minor complaint from somebody on your team, there is some truth there that could be addressed. And that complaint is a gift that we should take and create something with it. So, um, there will never be a point that everything is good. I mean, things are running smooth right now.My practice, we haven't had a whole lot going on. Um, big stuff at least, but there's always stuff going on and there's always things that improve on. I could show you system after system and protocol after protocol. And I think our office is one of the greatest offices in the world. And I really do believe that, but we dropped the ball all the time.We have humans on our team and they make mistakes and they have bad days and sometimes they're tired and sometimes they're in a bad mood. Things happen. We are human. And that's okay. Like, we offer everybody grace. We understand that. But there is never a point where you will ever have a practice that is free of issues, stress, or problems.But you can just reduce them as much as possible and use them to make your practice a better place to be. And if that is the core of your being, that that's what you want for your team, a really nice place to work, it makes it easy to have, and it's a pretty, it's a nice, um, it's a great why. It's a really great why to kind of motivate you to really take this, this avenue and put on this hat for your practice.So. and it's, it's good for everybody. It's good for the patients. You know, when everybody's happy at work, the patients get taken care of really well. It's good for the community. It's, it's good for patients that are happy and tell more friends and family about you because now you're going to help more people.So it's really all coincides with your mission. If your mission is to help as many people as possible, all these things Michael: matter. Yeah, no, yeah. A hundred percent. Now, what would you recommend if like. We're starting out, and it's just me, front, one front office, one assistant. But we want to have this in place because we can see a vision, like, I would love, for whatever Paul's telling me right now, like, to have my team take over, I would love that.How can we start? Paul: So, I mean, with just two people, that'd be, that'd be a pretty small leadership team. Because your leadership team is your normal team, I guess. But I think when, I tell people for small offices, it's time for an office manager. You know, that's, that's the first one to do. And it needs to be an office manager that's not working at the front desk.And they go, what do they do? Well, they're gonna do your payroll. They're gonna do the 4 0 1 K reconciliation. They're gonna do all the credit card reconciliations at the end of the month. They're gonna be working through the ar. Just checking on all these things that you're checking on. 'cause you don't necessarily need a leadership team when you're a smaller office, but I do suggest that you, you don't need to be the only leader at the office.And it's just one of those things that. It's a matter of having somebody and you give them that title, you put them in that role, and you, and you tell them what to do and you get help. You're getting help growing this practice. Now, and I will say my leads were all my leads. Every single one of them was not my first person I hired in that position.They have been with me a long time, but they were not, you know, and if anyone's wondering how we did this, cause we were probably a team of. 16 to 18, when we incorporated this lead structure, we had everyone do ranked ballots. So where you would vote for who you want the lead to be, who your first choice is, your second choice and your third choice.And it was all anonymous. And then I took them home and counted them and everybody voted the way that I would have picked. And I don't know what I would did if they didn't, because I had the ballots at my house and I don't think I could have, I could have did whatever I want with that election.Um, But I didn't have to, I, I, I, I was able to not have to make the decision because they did pick the right people. And so I think your team knows who it is, but that's how we did it. Cause I didn't want anyone to think I was playing favorites. I wanted the team to play their favorites. And thankfully the, the team had the same favorites as me, I guess it's just worked out.Yeah. I Michael: like that. I like that the rank balance. So, okay. So that's how we kind of want to start it off as right. But we want to already start giving like, um, I guess the sense of authority to the people that we, we feel could be leads. Because I feel if we hired a front office and we're like, man, they're great at accounting, they're great at this.And then our assistant's great at that. What should we ask ourselves to be like, but are they a good, or are they not a good Paul: lead? Well, it's, it's, it's hard because like we always want to put the person in the leadership position. That's our best employee, our best front desk employee. Our best assistant, our best hygienist and, um, I mean, I'm not going to pick who's my best is, but I would say they're not always there's a different set of skills that is required for leadership and it's more of the soft skills.It's more of the personality and it's more of, um, if I had to look at my leadership structure now and say, who are the best ones? It is the people that are comfortable getting out of their comfort zone and having a weird conversation, having a difficult conversation. They're not afraid to go to somebody and say, Hey, I got to, I kind of got to talk to you about something, you know, can we go into the office?I got to talk to you about something that's going on and, and, um, yes, people have been telling me this. I want to hear your side of it. What's going on. People that can sort through conflict and you want to like hope that most people have these skills and they don't and that's like with one like I was mentioned like my program that I have that's like part of it like is.Part of my, I have this program coming. I'm just going to spend it. Can I just talk about it now? It's going to run it is like, so I got a seven month program. It's called the omni practice total team success program. And what this is, is what we do. We we've helped the doctor pick their leads and we help them take to that transition and then it's all online contents that is slowly leaked out to fully systematize the practice.So the first month is pick your leads, doctor. And then we bring the whole team into it. Now the team's looking at like, okay, the leadership team is watching leadership videos. How do I manage people? How do I, how do I engage people in conflict? How do I embrace and inspire people with a vision? So that they're getting that leadership and management training that first month.While the other team members, they're starting to kind of work on things like what is a brand? What is a touch point? Why does everything we do matter? And we take it through this, the whole office through this course, and there's scheduled things and assignments in our hope to get this office completely systematized and running with the leadership within seven months.And within that there is coaching. So I'm having monthly calls with the doctor. Every one of my leads is having a monthly call with the person on the, the, the client's leadership team. And it's been awesome, man. It's just been a game changer for these offices that are doing it right now. We've just rolled it out like three months ago.We're only like, we're getting on our third month now, but man, it's cool to see the changes. It's, it's just when you bring in the team, that's when things change. And that's what I noticed because I was doing coaching for about four years. I had a client that said, Hey man, can my hygiene lead just talk to your hygiene lead?I'm like, of course. And then it was like, do you mind if my front desk lead talks to your front desk lead? Yeah. And the office manager talking. And he's just like, I can't believe how helpful these calls are with your team. Cause one of the things that like my team does when they talk to other people, they can't believe how much my team does.And they're like, this is great. Like, yeah, I want to do that. But you do the hiring and the firing, like, wait, what did you build? This is so cool. And it's, it's a lot different coming from somebody who's in that same position versus me telling another doctor, Hey, you should have your leads do this. And then they go to their lead and say, Hey, my Dr.Edgerton says his lead does this. You should do it. Can you do this? That's what you're supposed to be doing. It's just a completely different way of motivation and implementation. That's it. It was like, it was a game changer for that one client. That's why we created this program. But yeah, it's like I was saying is people don't have that leadership skills.They just, they don't have it in doctors. We don't have it a lot of times either. So it's, it's a game changer to give this to your team and, and my team has picked it up for me, but now that they're, my team leads are part of this program, they've watched these videos. They're like, these are great. Thank Man, why didn't we ever talk about this?I'm like, we did, we talk about it all the time. They're like, no, no, not like this. And I'm like, well, okay. Well, I'm glad it, I'm glad it was beneficial. I kind of wish we would have done this earlier with you guys, you know, it's just training, man. It's just like, can we optimize every area of this practice?And make everything the best it can be. And all it takes is a little intentionality and a little bit of time. But that's, that's the, that's the challenge. Is we don't have the time. Or we don't make the time. We don't think it's valuable time. And, and when we shut down our practice and do these things.Officers, doctors say, Well, ah man, we just risked out on 3, 000 of production by shutting down. You know, they, they think of the negative and the opportunity cost. They don't think about what are you gaining. And I assure you, you're gaining way more value when you shut down your practice. And have some dedicated time.Try to get your team to come in on a Saturday when they're supposed to be off. Yeah. Good luck with that. They don't want to do that. They're not going to bring their best self to that meeting. You know, it's gotta be when they're scheduled time. So, yeah, that was right. But that's answering your question.Yeah. That's, uh, I don't even remember what the question Michael: was. No, no, no, it's good to you, Michael. It's, uh, when they're, I guess when they're like, you know, kind of dropping the ball, but it's hard to find, I think, cause you mentioned, uh, you want to find people who can sort through conflict, leads. because sometimes we don't know how it is, if that person would be a good leader, they're just a good employee.Right. At the very beginning. Um, but sometimes I feel it's hard to find people who can sort through conflict because sometimes I feel like I'm thinking, are you someone who wants to sort through the conflict and you were, Hey, tell me why you got fired. Or are you just wanting to know the gossip? Like you just want the drama.You're like, Hey, why did they fire you? What's going on? Right. Like kind of thing. Right. Right. So. I guess, would it take more leadership training? On the owner to, to like know about themselves to be like, okay, uh, how can I make sure I do a good hire? Paul: Yeah, absolutely. And I think what's really worked out in my practice as well is it's like the, the team is going to model the leader and my leads are going to model me as a leader.So And I feel like I've always just kind of set a good example. Naturally, I've been very engaged in leadership training, leadership books, and just things like that stuff online. And Udemy is a great course. That's had got some good stuff on there. There's, there's so many cool things that you could do for like leadership training, but, um, if you don't have it yourself, it's going to be hard to get it in your team.It's gonna be hard to recognize it. And I think like, just to give you like a nugget, like the big one for me is safety is, is, and I'm not talking about physical safety, like, and your team needs to feel safe, like psychologically, they need to feel that they can screw things up. They need to feel that they can come to you and ask you for help.They need to feel that they can come to you and let you know when things aren't working out or things are going wrong or somebody's doing something. And they need to know that when they tell you that you're not going to get defensive and you're not going to make them feel guilty. You're not going to shame them.You're not going to criticize them. You're going to be like, Oh, I thank you for, thank you for sharing that for me. That probably was a little hard to share. And that I think is a huge thing in man. I would say so many people just completely screw that up. We want to be the boss that we were taught on TV and growing up, how the boss is supposed to be.And it's the big fat cat in the, in the chair with his feet up Boston, everywhere on telling people what to do. And that's not how good leadership works. It's about a collaboration. It's about leading with everybody. And it's not about scolding people, and, and that's leadership by intimidation, and that doesn't work.You'll get the bare minimum out of your people if that's the way you lead, if they are scared of you. there's just certain things, like, if, if you have this open line of communication and your team feels safe. They will come to you and let you know what the problems are. And when you have a team member that's like, I'm getting really frustrated with this, nothing is, nothing is changing.I think I'm going to go look for a new, new job. They don't ever get to that point. Because when they're frustrated, they come and let you know about it. And they, they don't have a reason to leave your practice. Now, am I saying I don't have any turnover? I absolutely do. Yeah, I'm just like everybody else.But I, we, we keep good team members. And there's been a number of times where somebody has, I've done this one on one. I said, Hey, tell me what frustrates you. I say, have you ever thought of quitting? Is I just curious. I feel this from you. I feel its vibe. I can feel its energy that like you're not liking being here and people have been like, yeah, I have been.It's weird that you noticed that. Tell me about that. Tell me more about that. And they tell you about it. And one, you now have a certain something that you have to fix something. You need to come up with a solution for, but to this person now feels validated and heard and appreciated. And wow, this person cares about me and my wellbeing.I mean, if you don't want your team members to leave, that's the way you need to lead. If you don't want them to leave. it's a lot and it starts at the top, just like everything. The doctor needs to be the first one to be trained. So everybody needs it. Everybody needs it. I mean, it's not just for work.It's for life. These are life skills. These are not just work stuff. Yeah. Michael: No. Yeah. You know what, Paul? I never thought about that when it came to safety. How, like, you got to be okay with it because I feel like we were always, you know, we Just in general, in school, everywhere, we're always brought up to like, never disappoint, right?Like, never disappoint, you gotta get the good stuff, like, all the time and everything like that. And so when you did, remember you'd like, go home and your report card was like, CCD or whatever, right? Maybe like an F or whatever, and you're like, how can I forge my parents signature, right? Like, you're like, how can I escape this?So you're thinking that. I feel like throughout the whole process, especially when you're an employee and even when you're an owner to your employees, I feel like that you're like, I don't want this point, but I got to look like a leader, but you're really just looking like a boss. You know what I mean?Instead of a leader, like you said, interesting. So that's what it would be called safety. They have to feel safer than that. Paul: It's a, it's an idea from Harvard business, uh, maybe psychologist. I don't know what she's doing. Her name's Amy Edmondson. She's the one who coined that.And she got that from, she did a study on hospitals. And they looked at like really well communicating teams and really poor communicating teams. And they said, which one of these teams is going to have more adverse events at the hospital, meaning Which one's going to give the wrong medication and give the wrong dosage to a patient.They're like, well, it's got to be the poor communicating team. It's definitely going to be that. It ended up being the better communicating team that made more mistakes. And like, whoa, what's that about? That is not what we thought was going to happen. And then they dug into it deeper and it wasn't. It was the bad team that was making more mistakes, but they weren't reporting them.They were hiding them. Because they weren't safe to report. And there was no safety in making a mistake. It was not, let's learn from this. It was, you're in big trouble. So they didn't tell anybody. The Michael: bad communication team, or? Paul: Yeah, so it was the bad communication team that actually made more mistakes.But in the study, they just weren't reporting them. They didn't feel safe to report them. So they came back and they, she came back and did some more studies and more surveys and stuff. And that's what they found out. They're like, oh my gosh. this is all about safety. They don't feel safe admitting to the failures.So it's because of the leadership. It's because of the dynamic created on this team. So that she wrote a whole book about it. It's really interesting. Michael: Yeah. So then how can we like, I guess, mention that to our team at the very beginning, like you got hired on like. Without telling them like, yeah, make a ton of mistakes.It's cool. You know, but like, Hey, it's okay to make. Yeah. How would you say that? Paul: That's something I do with my team. I do. We have, we have onboarding videos that do it now, but I used to sit down with everybody. I said, Hey, this is my, this is what I want you to know about me in this practice. I do understand that everybody is human and we all make mistakes.I want you to 100 percent always be comfortable telling me if you make a mistake, if you need some more training, if there's something you're not understanding, or if you're seeing somebody do something that you think I should know about. I want you to feel comfortable telling me about it and the only way that we can do that is we, we have this mantra here and we call it grace over guilt is that something goes wrong.You drop the ball on a patient. I don't care who did it. I don't care how it happened. Okay, this happened guys. What do you guys think? What can we do so this doesn't happen again? We are not shaming that person because if you shame that person. You're not going to find out about it and you're never going to be able to address it.So we always just say grace over guilt. And that's hard sometimes, especially when, um, somebody is coming after you as a leader telling it's you, Hey, you, this is your fault. You got to go. Yeah, you're right. You know what it is. Even if deep down in your heart, you're like, this is not my fault. You, you gotta, you gotta look at how you respond because psychological safety, it's, it's a lot like, It's like trust in a relationship, you know, you can break that in one dumb mistake.You can break that trust, years of trust that you built and same thing with psychological safety. You could blow up on a team member or get really, really critical and really make them feel bad. And you just broke that whole thing. They are never going to share with you ever again. Because you now have made it unsafe and when the team is unsafe, the only way to stay safe in that kind of environment is just to be quiet.And that's the whole thing with quiet with when people are quiet, we don't know because it's silence. It's an invisible act. We don't see it. And it's one of those things that it's just somebody comes and quits and you're like, wow, I can't believe they quit. They're like my best team member. Why did you quit?And then they say, I don't know. I just might, I just ready for something new or just, I think I need less hours because they're not going to tell you the truth. You've trained them not to because you, the way that you've approached them as a leadership, as a leadership style. So it's, that's the problem is you miss out on all that collaboration, all that good stuff that can come out of your practice, because you're getting upset and mad with people with their decisions.And what I see in most offices, man, people will get mad at their teams for doing things, not the right way. They have never designated what the right way is. They have never made a system or protocol around it, yet they're upset. You know, should I address this with a team member? I can't believe he or she did this.And I always say to them, I say, well, what's the way they're supposed to do it? Well, I think they should do it like this. I'm like, well, do they know that? Yeah, everybody knows that. Well, how do they know that? Have you ever like put in a document? Have you ever trained? Have you ever talked about it? No. Do you think I should do that?Yeah. I do. I think you should do that before you, before you start getting critical of their performance. Why don't you just, why don't you make the rules, make the rules of the game before you're telling somebody they're losing at it. we don't do that. We expect everyone to know what we know and do everything in our way.And that's just our natural human perspective that we think everybody thinks like us and has the same values as us. And I think part of getting older and becoming wiser as you realize that we're all different and that's cool. We can all be different. Michael: Yeah. Uh, sure, man. And our memories. All right. You can tell him like, yeah, I told him to do that three years ago.And you're like, you sure? I think so. Like, you know, I don't even remember, like, how can I remember it kind of thing, you know? Interesting. So real quick, if you can, man, break, I know you did already, but break down to us your program that you have, or this, it's a whole Paul: training course. Yeah. So it's a seven month training course where we've, we've come up away with me and my leads.How can we implement this in somebody's office? And this is for, um, if you have a larger, I'm saying larger office, if you've got a team that's large enough for a few leads, it's a great program for you. If it's something where you've got a really small team, we do have a program that's just, there's no coaching involved.It's still got all the videos. You still get to have all these different, there's eight different tracks for different positions in the office. Um, that would be like doctor associate, the four leads, the office manager. And front desk hygienist and leaving somebody out assistance them. We didn't forget you guys.We like you assistance. there's eight different tracks, but every month. There's a set of videos to watch, there's some worksheets, and there's assignments. And I can just tell you, like, for the first month, it's all about leads, it's leadership for the doctor, let's decide your lead system, let's talk about your goals, let's figure out where you're going long term.Second month, the team comes in, and we're talking about how do we stay on time, how do we implement this scheduling protocol that I like to do, it's called block scheduling, it works great, everybody can follow it, and it makes nice, easy days that are produc

Today's episode is proudly sponsored by Darkhorse Tech, your go-to Dental-driven IT solutions company!‍‍‍Picture this: You're running a dental practice, and your patients' trust and data are your top priority. Enter Darkhorse Tech, the guardians of your patients' information, the solution to your IT headaches, and the force behind your seamless tech integrations.Your practice deserves the best, and Darkhorse Tech delivers.Click this link for an exclusive offer: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/AND if you're listening before November 27th, 2023, take advantage of their Black Friday deal! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkorse-black-friday-deal/‍Guest: Reuben KampBusiness Name: Darkhorse TechCheck out Reuben's Media:Website: https://www.darkhorsetech.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkhorseTechInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkhorsetech/Email: admin@darkhorsetech.com‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Companies/Software: Benco Open Dental Microsoft Azure Flex Mango Dentrix Ascend Eaglesoft CareStack Oryx Archy DEXIS Carestream‍Useful Terms: DHCP - service that hands out IP addressesDNS - how devices resolve internet addressesGateway - how you get to the internetHIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act‍People/Communities: Howard Farran (podcaster + blogger)‍Dentistry Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran (podcast)‍Dental Town (blog/website/community)‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍My Key Takeaways:I'm moving to cloud based software. Do I still need IT support?How to spot out IT companies that may be dishonest.How does your IT company help with HIPAA compliance?The basics on IT with firewalls, antivirus, and internet connectivity. Why do we need reliable options for these?Why the D.I.Y. mentality is often not the right call with your IT solutions.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guests. Beloved person. Everybody adores him. Ruben Camp. How's Reuben: it going, man? You know how hard it is to be beloved and an IT guy at the same time. So, I'm doing great. Thanks, Michael. I've been doing this 11 years and just happy to be talking to you today.Michael: No, man. We appreciate it. We appreciate everything you're doing. I know you guys have, um, done a lot for the dental community, also startup community as well. Just practices in general. Um, at the same time, this is not your first episode with us. You've been with us, you've guided us through some processes.And at the same time, we're going to answer some of the most major questions today. But before we do that, if you can kind of give us a gist or a rundown, been doing this for Reuben: 11 years. That's right. Well, this is in Dark Horse. Um, Dark Horse is something that I started. It was, it was just me, you know, back in 2012.And, uh, we we've grown throughout the years. We got about 65 employees, about 1000 clients, uh, that are in the dental space. That's pretty much all we focus on is dental. So, uh, how I got into that is I used to be a Benco technician. So I used to do corporate it for, you know, the bad guys and, uh, you know, they really love selling birds and bibs and all that stuff.But it was kind of an afterthought. So I really wanted to. Um, you know, start a company where service was the, uh, the main forward, not selling consumables. So, Mm-Hmm. Uh, other Interesting. My dad was a dentist. That's how I got into this industry. I think everyone has a really interesting path about how you found dental.I know you do Michael as well. Right? We all kind of get dragged in somehow. Yeah. Um, you know, went to school, uh, at Chapel Hill to, to be a dentist and decided I didn't wanna do that. So, uh, yeah. Benco dark horse. Here we are. So you Michael: left Benco mainly because you were not seeing what you wanted to see, or what was the reason?Reuben: Yeah. So, I mean, there are a sales. Company first, right? So they're, you know, all the meetings and all the messaging and everything like that. It was, it was about how do we sell more product? How do we sell more CBCTs? How do we, you know, get more accounts and sell them consumables? You know, I call it burrs, bibs and everything else.and they had I. T. Because you know what? They didn't want shine or Patterson to be in that office. they almost like they had I. T. As a defensive mechanism, but not as like a core, something that they were putting a lot of resources in to develop. So, you know, I'm very passionate about what I do, uh, customer service and dental.That's kind of like, that's my niche. So, you know, let's say if Benco was 80, 20 sales to service, right? We have three people in sales out of 65 people. So you can see just by the demographics of our, you know, how we're made up. Most of our people are in places to support our clients, not to sell, you know, to shove something down their throat.So that was very important to me just as a service technician that started a company versus You know, we have a lot of competitors out there that have just either, you know, either bought an IT company and they're just trying to squeeze it for profits or, you know, someone who does not understand customer service, but hey, they're really good at a P& L statement.Yeah, yeah. Michael: Did you specialize that in Chapel Hill IT? Reuben: No, I had biochemistry because I was, uh, that's pre dental based. Anything that's in the sciences basically is pre dental. So that's, uh, computers. that's just been kind of my thing for, you know, for as long as I can remember, you know, nine, 10, 12, got into building computers and fixing them and started a company in high school called it's good computer solutions with and we run around and.Anybody that knows Ithaca, it's Cornell. So we fix it in Cornell professors at all hours of the day. And anyway, so it's just kind of been a passion self taught passion Michael: of mine. Yeah. Cause I was going to ask you out of all the. Things you were doing in Benco. Why did you pick to hone in on IT? Reuben: Uh, for that solution?You know, they wanted me to be a dual trained tech, right? They wanted me not only to go into an office install a computer system, sensors mount a CVCT, calibrate it, do all that stuff. But they were like, you know it would be really great if while you're there someone's, you know Cuspidor doesn't work if you could also be crushing on the mechanicals, you know, suction, all that stuff, you know, amalgam separators.And I was, uh, I was just so, I was so talented at the I. T. side of things that I never really got that opportunity to learn on it. And that's fine because that's not really a passion of mine. Um, You know, those, those systems are kind of gross. What goes down the drain when they get clogged up. Uh, so, uh, there's some very talented, we call them core service technicians, right?The core equipment in the office. and we'll leave it up to the professionals, but, Michael: Gotcha. Okay, man. Interesting. So then fast forward, you started Dark Horse Tech and this is where you're at now. Now, I know we're going to kind of talk about, and let's kind of jump into that if we can. A lot of people do have.Open dental, right? and so break it down to me. What are the confusions when it comes to having that and then I. Reuben: T. Absolutely. So kind of how we got here is, you know, dark horse version 1. 0 was we were a small regional upstate New York company. I mean, it's good. New York, small town, 30, 000 people, 30, 000 college students.And, you know, that was the old way of doing things. And then, you know, we got a break and Howard for and hired me. And Howard was in Phoenix, so that was our first, I can't drive to your office, right? And we nailed it. he was running Open Dental, in his office. And that really gave us the confidence, uh, and exposure, right?Went on his podcast, got a, got a forum to, introduce myself to the dental community, which at that time was still. Dental town now about a year after that interview, it's like everyone fled to Facebook groups and then I followed, them over there. so dark horse version 2. 0 is not just, you know, we're five minutes from your office.It's. Hey, we're dental specific. That's our edge. If you're in Hawaii, if you're in Alaska, if you're in rural Nebraska, we'll support you. No problem. You know, we'll make it work. And Dark Horse version 3. 0 has been cloud. Right? So, and that's kind of where we're segwaying in here today. Is open dentals, you know, great company.They're well known for their customer service. That's what I care about. Right? So when you hear me singing companies phrases, that means when you pick up the phone and call them, they treat you well, and they solve your problem. so we've always loved open dental. and so the confusion has come up just recently.So cloud. Open that up. There's two versions. There's the one you just that everyone pretty much has right now, which is you call them up. You buy a license key and you put it on your server. And right. It's a local system. And then there is. Open Dental's internal cloud offering, like literally they hosted at their HQ in Oregon, and that is a separate version.So there are only 2 versions of Open Dental. However, this is where the confusion comes in, like professionals like us, right? We use Microsoft and Azure as their cloud platform. We take the first version, the normal version, the one that works with, you know, Flex and Mango and Medento and Swell, all your third party integrations.We take the one that you've been running on your local server, and we put it in the cloud. So same version, integrations all work. that's still version 1. Version 2 is the one that OpenNL offers, and they have a pricing sheet online that you can look at, but it does not have integrations with third party.Which is tough for me because that's when I hear feedback about OpenDental, the products, right, the support's great, but people really love using all the third party integrations and they love the ability to switch, right? If something's not working for them, uh, there's nine other paperless companies you can go to, right?Um, you know, or like, you know, Flex is a great example, right? Flex is only written for OpenDental. And they do a really good job of what they do, right? Does not exist in any other practice management software. Cannot, cannot replicate it. But let's say the owner general manager flex pissed you off. You can switch software.So you can't do that with any other platform out there. So to break it down really simply. There's the off the shelf open dental, and that's the one that, you know, that we're in large part supporting putting in the cloud, um, creating awesome solutions for single practices, multi site practices and D.S. O. S. And then there's the internal open dental cloud offering. We honestly across our, you know, we have right now 1050 clients. We have zero people on that second version. So Mhm. that is where most of the confusion has come in the space when you try to have a conversation like over Facebook, over text. It's really hard to parse that out, and then when people call Open Dental, it gets even more confusing. Really? Michael: Okay. let me ask you, when it comes to cloud, do you still need IT for that? You still need Reuben: IT. So, HIPAA compliance are just, they're linked together, right? It's just like, alright, you read the, you know, what you need to do to, you know, to protect your patient's health information.Need to have a firewall? That doesn't go away. Uh, you need to have the antivirus software that does not go away. you need to have a backup system that does go away as long as you don't have 3D images, right? Those don't go to the cloud yet. Those stay local, right? this is something that a conversation needs to happen.It's really hard for me to like text somebody back and forth and explain all this. I'm glad this podcast exists because I can now cite it. Like, hey, before you even talk to me, listen to our conversation here. IT is absolutely reduced by going to Open Dental Cloud. Again, the first one, the off the shelf one I'm talking about, it is not erased, right?Michael: Open Dental will help you with Open Dental. Anything else in your practice, printers, security cameras, internal cameras, sensors, CVCTs, PCI compliance, all that is, is traditionally still on the company. Gotcha. Okay. So then what are the frustrations when trying to explain this then I guess, do people still understand it or they're more like.What, Reuben: you know, it's I. T. there's like, I can't give my full explanation because it crosses the border into I. T. jargon and the three letter, you know, acronyms start coming out and everyone's lost. So what we typically do we share our screen, right? We say, Hey, this is exactly how it's going to work on your office.Okay. Okay. Okay. Um, take the example of somebody that is on a server based open dental solution. Right now. We say, hey, you know what? It's the same version. We're going to put it in the cloud. Your staff is going to walk in the morning. They're going to see an open dental icon. They're double click on it and they're not even going to know what's in the cloud.Execution is actually very simple, right? from the customer's point of view, right? There's some expertise that goes into, migrating to the clouds, you know, getting the cloud server where it needs to be security. All that stuff takes technical expertise, but the staff walking in the morning, double clicking on open dental that does not change.So, um, that's why it's been such a successful implementation is because it's like it's still open dental that people know and love. Uh, it's just not on a local server in your office. And, you know, historically, the cloud has been slower, right? But with Microsoft's, you know, recent introduction of a couple of different protocols that are again, here comes the three letter acronyms.RDP is now AVD, which as a virtual desktop, we're seeing now that the cloud is faster than a local server. So it's not only that it's it's 2023. Of course, this should be in the cloud, is actually, just as fast or even faster than a local server. So it's, uh, you know, a really great time to talk about.This is when you're looking to replace your server. It's like, hey, do you want to, you know, do you want to write a check every 5 years? Right? And maintain that hardware. And when you replace it, there's downtime to transfer it, or you go to the cloud. You know, it's a really great time to, to talk to your IT company about, um, options.So you don't have to buy one time, part of our cost. Michael: Gotcha. So then it's easy. I guess, how often should you replace the server then? And then what really does cloud based I guess servers or softwares kind of cover, right? If you were to give us like bullet points of this is what it covers easily. Boom. And then how often should we replace the server?You're like, Nope, I'm still sticking with what I know. Trying to Reuben: servers five to seven years is a pretty safe, um, window of time, right? It is. If your server goes down, that means your patients are waiting. So, that is not worth something cheaping out on, right? It's kind of the brains of the operation.Now, if you go to the cloud now, you don't have to work at hardware anymore, right? And you look at Microsoft's data the industry. This is this is true for voiceover I. P. As it is for any cloud service. They talk about nines, right? They talk about what is your uptime? How many nines are there past the 99 percent point, right?And Microsoft has four nines. So that means you have about a minute and a half downtime a year. I've never seen it go down, but technically I guess it's gone down for a minute and a half on average every year. 99. 9999 percent uptime, which cannot be replicated at all by a local because all these services, you have Amazon, you have Google, you have Microsoft, just to name three.There's competition part, you know, the cost of storage is going down. The cost of servers is going down. It used to be, it didn't make a lot of sense for a single practice to go cloud, uh, only for multi site and now it's just, everyone should go cloud because it's, more cost effective. Hmm. Michael: So that's the key most cost effective then, right?Especially if people are trying to. Gotcha. Okay. So then going with that to you, Ruben, because you've, you've worked with hundreds of practices or you are working with hundreds of practices. Reuben: Hundreds of practices that use Open Dental and more, you know, more practices that use Dentrix and Eaglesoft and CareStack and Oryx and all those software.So, you know, I, I see the entire industry. We're kind of focusing here on Open Dental, but, um, I mean, Open Dental, it's no secret is, My favorite software, I don't know if I've still ever seen a negative comment about open dental. Michael: So then to you, what would be, if you're trying to be super cost.Effective, but efficient to start off, what would it be the best kind of like formula or stack to use for this? Reuben: So it all goes to fit, right? What makes, if we're, we're saying everything is equal, it's an easy answer. Right. but the problem is certain softwares are better suited for dentists. Right.There's, of course, the feature set standpoint, and you can only find this out by talking to these companies and doing demos. Is this going to work for my practice and how I manage and bill and all that stuff? Um, you know, and the other side of this is you want? Do you want something that's all inclusive, right?Let's let's take dentrics ascend. Uh, for example, you pay a higher bill, right? Then you would pay to open down, but you get every single service that you could want. The problem is you have to use all those services, right? There is no alternative. if you're a dentist that wants to use the best software, that's why open dental still exists, right?It may look, it's from like, it's from the 1990s and they haven't updated it, but you know, what makes it so powerful is. honestly, it's like the app store on, on Apple, right? It's a, it's a great phone, but you know, what's great about it? The app store, you can download whatever you want.It's got the best ecosystem out there. So you go into open now and you're like, you know, flex is a really great example. that program alone It's just so incredibly powerful, right? You don't have those options with an all inclusive software, but maybe you're a dentist and you're just like, you know, I don't want to worry about having to sign up for Open Dental and then Flex and then, you know, Practice by Numbers and then Mango Voice.I don't want to have to do all that. Right. Which is, you know, why companies like Archie exists because they'll, they'll say, Hey, we'll give you practice management. We'll give you phones through mango. It's included in your bill. We'll give you patient communication. We'll give you all this stuff. So you kind of have to ask the question of what kind of person are you?Are you justlet me sign up for 1 thing and I'll just use whatever they have. Or do you want to be able to be like. I want to work with the best, patient communication company. I want to work with the best clearinghouse. I want to work with the best, patient portal company, credit card company.That's who I am. That's what a lot of dentists are out there. I mean, Open Dental is still the number one software for startups. Um, when we see people have all the choice in the world, Open Dental is still being... over 50 percent of start up practices are still going open nettle. and that's why, it's more of an ease, uh, question, right? Single pane of glass, it's all here. Freedom of choice is on the other Michael: side. Gotcha. So one is more like all one subscription type. Yeah, like for example, like Oryx, right? If you were to just go with Oryx, all in one, exclusive, you know what I mean?Inclusive everything, Reuben: I'm going to get Oryx, uh, and I'm going to get phones. I'm done. Yeah. Michael: It's easy. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. But if you want the, like the other side, right? The freedom to choose. Reuben: So we have opened 400 startups. I've talked to most of these people and then, even, even more people, right.Because the ones that didn't go with us. Right. I, and I hear their story. And like, I think the reason Open Dental is appealing. Is because, let's go back to the 2012, you know, I'm leaving Benco, I'm risking, that's, that's a health insurance for our family that's half the income for our family and I'm leaving with nothing and I'm saying, like, you know, I have a dream to create a great it company and I'm, I'm going for it.Right. and that's who the startup people are, plus a million and a half dollars in debt, which I do not have. that's a whole nother layer. So, you know, when you talk to these people, they're like, this is my dream practice. I want it to be freaking awesome, right? And I'm not sure those companies can, can meet that standard, right?They're, they're trying to be the jack of all trades. because when you peel back the layer. You know, let's again, just let's go back to Ascend. That's like 10 different companies, right? They've stitched the software all together to make it all look and feel like a cohesive interface.But the practice management module is different than the image, right? That's a separate software, right? So you're talking about one company who's trying to develop and, you know, and push forward 10 different platforms. It's really hard to do, right? And it's one reason why we're like, Hey, mango, do your thing.Just frickin nail the phones, right? And a lot of I. T. companies do do phones. We just feel like it distracts from our core purpose, which is like. All right, we're going to be awesome at support. We're gonna be awesome at startups, which is basically support as well, you know, and we're gonna be great at the cloud, right?let's just focus on these three things. That is our competitive advantage. When you try to broaden in any segment, I mean, Dennis probably know this from trying to bring in, let's bring in ortho, let's bring in oral surgery in house, and you try to be A plus at all these different things, it's really hard.It's the same thing with software companies. Everything in the startup, it's a conversation. I listen to what people want and, you know, anytime they're just like, this has to work. I want this practice to be the, you know, the best patient experience. It can be it usually inevitably points to, to a single software company.Michael: Yeah. Okay, cool, man. That's awesome. And then, so with that kind of being said, I know cost kind of comes in the mind. That's the question that a lot of people really ask is how can they start cutting down on their I. T. or how can they minimize that I. T. bill or have you seen this? Where people are like, Hey, I just got like new fees on my it bill or something like that.What, what is up with that? Reuben: The new fees thing? Uh, well, I mean, if you add computers, it just depends how your IT is set up, right? there's. Uh, on the back end, I can tell you, as somebody who runs an I. T. company, we get charged per device, right? So it's natural for your I. T. company to then bill you. It's the fairest way to do it.We get charged for ten, you know, antivirus agents. You have nine servers, nine workstations and a server. That's ten. Lines up. So usually when you see I. T. bills go up office ads, a computer office ads, email services. It's, it's stuff like that. I mean, unless you're just working with, you know, shady folks that just move numbers, you don't notice, um, you know, we do price increases, uh, annually because we give our staff raises.Guess where the price increase comes from. what we hear from our clients, we want to work with the same people again and again. That's retention. And that means you got to give people a reason to stay here. Besides like, Hey. You like ribbon, you should stay here, but usually that means promotions and raises and all that good stuff.let's pivot to how do you cut down on IT costs, right? not someone who is, let's say, there's a lot of IT companies out there that prevent their clients from going to the cloud because they so fear, like, oh no, it's not ready yet, it can't do what you want to do. But they're really protecting their butts, right?They're like, oh, my client goes to the cloud. I'm going to lose revenue. So let's talk about that. Let's talk about how to lose IT companies revenue. so think about, any software out there. Dentrix. Uh, Eaglesoft open, right? We have a server uh, we have to back up that server and the office says, you know what?If that server goes down, I don't wanna be downed at all. Alright? So then we need a backup and disaster recovery system. So when we go cloud, let's just make it very, very simple. Let's leave three D out of it. Let's, let's treat it like it's a pediatric office and everything is two d imaging. I'll pick on Oryx for now, right? I know it's a good partner of ours. I know Rania. I love the products. When you go, or let's say you're on Open Dental and DEXIS imaging locally, you go Oryx, what goes away on the IT side? Well, I don't have to manage your server anymore. That is one of the highest costs on there.That goes away. I don't have to back up that server that I'm not managing anymore. So that goes away. So what does that leave? That leaves how much support you want, right? And so that's either you pay as needed or you want unlimited support for your practice. A firewall that is still a HIPAA requirement in antivirus software.I'm just trying to keep it as simple as possible, like there's patch management and all this stuff you have to keep your computers up to date that should, go along with the antivirus and all that stuff. But, some big stuff comes off, but you still have a lot of requirements, and things to protect on the network.Gotcha. Michael: Okay. So the requirements still stay, but now when you say the biggest expense, which is the servers, right? That kind of comes off, how much are we looking to shave off when that happens? Reuben: Yeah, so I mean, I can only talk about myself. Right. And our company. so again, the two biggest costs are support.Let's say you're paying for unlimited support. We call that our gold plan, right? Unlimited phone support and server management. So let's say an office is on a 600 a month plan with us unlimited support, and they go to a cloud based agreement. You could be looking at 150 a month in savings. Okay, Michael: but server management, right?Or the Reuben: server? Server, yeah, the server in the backup system going away, you could go down to 450. Michael: Okay, but everything else, the bare bones requirement. Reuben: Percent savings. Michael: So when it comes to like the, let's just say they did that and they went with the works, they did all that and they're like, Ruben, help me out here, man.Like I need, give me the bare bones that what we can do. How does that look? And, and is that feasible for the long run? And they're like, I want to grow, Reuben: but give me the bare bones. Well, depends on how much your staff calls in, right? If your staff doesn't call in. You should be on a bare bones plan, right?You shouldn't be on just like, Hey, cover me for HIPAA compliance, cybersecurity, make sure I don't get hacked. Let's go. the thing is most of our clients call in, they use the service they pay for. So it's, it's completely up to the client. I think it's a really. Smart decision as, uh, as a business owner, not to put a barrier between your staff needing help and like, Oh, you know, Dr.Clark's going to get a bill. If I pick up the phone, right? Things are broken. Your staff doesn't hesitate. It gets fixed done, right? That's the stuff that, you know, the dentist doesn't see while they're in the treatment room is like, you know, the scanner doesn't work. So your staff is so much less efficient because they had to, you know, create a workaround.Right. Because they know if they call, you know, Dr. Clarkson and get you know, bill in the mail 10 days from now, he's going to be like, Hey, Nancy, what the heck? Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're right. You know, it's uh, you know, And Michael: I feel like that kind of creates like more, uh, you're scared. You won't even tell the doctor, you know what I mean?You're like, oops, I pray, tell her you'll lie about it or something, right? In order to not feel, you're creating some type of weird environment in your office when you do that. Right, Reuben: right. I can't imagine how much stuff. Wouldn't get done if I was the bottleneck at my company, it's like, Oh, no, we can't reach out to that company until Ruben approves it.It's like, Oh, my God, I wouldn't get anything done. Um, but to answer your question, like, if you, let's say it's a, it's a medium or sized or smaller office. You stripped out the unlimited service and you're just like, Hey, I'm going to Oryx and I want no frills, right? Just give me, compliant and protected.You could easily be in the 200 to 300 range. Yeah. Yeah. Michael: But the unlimited, like give me an example, like why, or from your experience, if you can give me like the top three, why does staff call in a lot? Let me Reuben: just pull up our service board right now and just list off what people calling about your PCS compliance scan a PCI compliance scan, it's a test for I. T. Professionals. It's like, you know, what settings do you have on on your firewall? Do you have antivirus software? When were the last? So it's basically a test for I. T. People. That's a really great thing to offload to us because that thing takes like 30 minutes to complete.Right? questionnaire and then you have to schedule the scan. You have to know your internal IP address that spectrum gave you to run. Anyway, uh, that's one example. let's see. Questions about switching a panoramic PC to server PC. So this office, they have a imaging database on their pan PC and they want to.They want to talk to us about what it would take to move that to the server PC to consolidate that, um, create remote access, right? That's something that's included with all of our plans. Great remote access for, my new remote employee, uh, so that they can log into a lab computer, let's see, install remixes on computers that were just installed, uh, by the office.uh, workstation two cannot print, create new windows user on consultation computer. and then, oh, this one's great. Uh, shout out to Becky Scott from Lincoln Children's Dentistry. Help my son get fortnight to work on our office Wi Fi. So, you guys, you guys cover all kinds of help my son get fortnight to work.Yeah, I mean, there's... You cover everything. IT companies, uh, you know, we're, again, we're dental specific. We coach our people to call us on anything. There's, there's really two setups. There is the like IT company that say, Hey, that's a vendor problem. You need to call them directly. And then there's us, right.And, and some other really good companies in the space who have vendor management built in, and that's the expectation that like your staff. Is taking care of patients. They're not like waiting on hold with Carestream or, you know, gen X or Dexus, you know, they're, they gotta take care of patients. Like, yeah, wait on hold while, you know, while we're, you know, working at home or, or at hq.So, but Michael: that, I, I think that's really good to have though, because I feel like, uh, a lot of the times you waste time looking for it, right? When we can just go to you and then you give us the solution. Hey, it's a vendor, Hey, it's this. And so I'm sure you've heard of this a lot, and this is a question when I asked and the Dental Market Society Facebook group, like in other places, they send us this one a lot, uh, when VoIP, right?So they're saying kind of like we're having an issue with our phones and then VoIP says there is no issue or it can be any other vendor, right? That says there is no issue on our end. So then it falls back on you or what, what happens there? Reuben: Yeah. So, you know, in the example of the bad it company that says call your vendor, you're stuck in the middle as the client, that's the worst, you know, you feel helpless, kind of feel a little pissed off and you're like, what, and so our clients never have to feel like that anymore because we're just, we are them.In that scenario, we're hunting down the solution the ticket will not get closed until the issue is resolved. So let's talk about voiceover IP, right? A lot of, you know, a lot of people that is the standard. Now, of course, you should have it. It's really great if you have a hybrid, you want to offer jobs that are hybrid or even full remote, right?Voiceover IP is like the only way to pull that off. So you install your new phone system and you're having call quality issues. the number one most likely culprit is going to be your firewall. Okay, so if the phone company says, Hey, our servers are great. Everything looks really good until it hits your office.And so let's assume they're right. Yeah, you know, let's assume AWS is not having an issue. Firewall is gonna be number one. Internet quality is going to be number two. And number three is going to be the device that controls your network. Sometimes that's the server. Sometimes that's the firewall. But basically, you know, my, when you, when you go to Starbucks and you join the wifi, you're getting an IP address from something, right?You're not just, just magically connecting to the internet. Something is handing you an address. Okay, so those are the three things that again, if you have an I. T. Company, they're going to be able to diagnose that stuff pretty quickly. They're going to be able to run, let's say, in the Internet stability.They're going to be able to run a ping test. Let's say you spectrum. They can see is your Internet like a D. C. Current. Is it just flat? Or is it like, is it just Jerry? And it's all over the place. You know, voice needs a very, consistent connection to work well, not a lot of traffic, but just needs a stable connection.Firewall. Well, if you just leave the firewall stock unconfigured, it's just going to be constantly scanning that phone traffic, and then you're going to call quality issues. So, what we do is after the office let's say they get mango, they plug their, uh, yelling phones in, they show up on the network.we do a couple different things, but just to keep it simple, we whitelist them, right? we tell the firewall. These devices are safe. Don't hammer them. Right? Don't constantly bombard them with internal threat protection stuff. there's a couple other tips and tricks you could do, but it's more kind of for your, your I.T than like a D. I. Y. Stuff. So we won't talk about that. Yeah. And then there's the device that hands out I. P. Addresses. Right? So you could be out of I. P. Addresses, right? You have such a large office. You've maxed out. You plug that phone in. It doesn't even connect to the Internet. you could have I. P.Address conflicts, right? So, uh, you let's say, the phone's working great. You connect your laptop, That router gives, uh, your laptop the same address as the phone. One of those devices is going to win. Okay, uh huh. Right, so there could be an IP address conflict. Um, and I'll just throw out some, some other words if people are taking notes here and they're going to send it to their IT company.DHCP, that's what, that's the service that hands out IP addresses. DNS, that's how devices resolve internet addresses, right? Google. com is actually 8. 8. 8. 8. Okay, right. So when you type in google. com, it's touching a DNS server and it's saying, what is this? And it goes, Oh yeah, that's 8. Of course. Well, here you go.You don't know that's happening, but DHCP, DNS, and lastly, gateway. Gateway is just how you get to the internet. So I know that's, that's a lot of technical jargon, but you know, for the, for those of you who are DIY er, like furiously writing your, your IT company to email right now, just put all those words in there.Michael: Wait, quick question, leaving firewall stock? What does that mean? Like you said, if you just leave your firewall stock. Reuben: Okay. So let's say you get a firewall. Plug it in out of the box. You don't do anything. All right. What you're going, you're going to have phone issues. You're going to have issues with anything that is internal that needs to broadcast external.Okay. So think, think about. Open dental e services thing about, credit card, right? You have a credit card reader that thing needs to authenticate their credit card and come back if you leave it stock. It's going to turn off access to all of these devices that you rely on your practice to work on. Now, it's not going to not work 100 percent of the time.but these are the things that your I. T. commission should be doing. They should be whitelisting these known good devices. Um, so there are no issues and you don't have to worry about this stuff at all. Gotcha. Michael: Okay. Interesting. So this is basically why we hear all the time where they might be like, hey, it's not us.Call your IT company. Reuben: It's not us. It's you. Um, yeah. Uh, It's usually, it's also usually the firewall and, and not to get into a soapbox here. IT is, it's really hard because there's not like a set of standards. So again, anybody, including me, I should say, You know, self taught, just have a lot of experience, can be an IT person, right?So, you know, you come along and someone's like, Oh yeah, I can do all of that for half the price. Right. And it's just like, okay, but what are you getting? And it's like, uh, none of this stuff is HIPAA compliant. It's like, no wonder it's half price because it's not actually protecting your office. You know, you, do want to work honestly with folks that care about their patient's data.Right. Because that's what I care about doing a good job. but I tease one of those tough industries, right? There's not a lot of regulation in terms of, who can, um, be an I. T. person, if you're an I. T. person that's working with a dentist, you have their trust and you breach that trust by selling them something that is not HIPAA compliant.There are no ramifications for you. So it's, somewhat of a wild, like I'm in this, this position where, you know, I've been around long enough and I have the respects, uh, of a lot of people out there and there are other companies like medics dental, that, that do a really good job in this space. And, you know, we like to say we're the good guys, right?We don't cut corners. We do the right thing. We take care of our clients. But then there's the rest of the market and it's, really hard to have, conversations because the dentist is always stuck in the middle, right? They're hearing one thing like from a colleague. Oh, this endodontist who has five offices in Illinois uses this guy and pays him, pays him 40 bucks a month and that's everything you do.I'm like, yeah, okay. You know, it's half of these, like, okay. I want to fight to keep the client. The other half is like, this person has been fed a load of, you know, BS. And I'm not going to be the one that's going to be able to convince them that they were given wrong information by their endodontist friend.So it's like, yeah, it's just, mistake. In that scenario. Michael: No, that's good. Because in that scenario, what would be like the, I guess in your terms, like the BS, like the stuff where you're like, Ruben, I see that all the time, man, where I'm like, Oh, look, your fellow it person here just wants to let you know.And then they give you like a list of everything or whatever. And you're like. What? You know what I mean? it looks like they pretty much are saying like, we can do the same thing, but like, 40 bucks a month Reuben: I'll the name, but I'll give you a real example.So we had, we had a dentist that recently left us, right? Um, and they, they were under a, a one year startup deal. Right. So we give folks lower pricing, on the startup price. they just have to sign a one, just a one year term, uh, initial term. Then it's month to month after that. So it was like month six in this, dentist, uh, was struggling, right?Her practice wasn't growing as fast as she wanted to. So she was making calls to vendors to be like, Hey, what can you do for me? and this is was kind of alluding to the endodontist. This is, that's kind of the story, right? She talked to a colleague who used a guy, um, for his practices and was like, Hey, I'm really struggling, but I'm not going to hold somebody to a contract if I'm affecting their business. Yeah, yeah, that's not why I got into this industry, right? Is to make every single dollar I could from a dentist, and it's like, tell you what, let's make a deal here. Send me what they sent you if they are truly matching what we are providing.Like, just let's, let's part ways, right? Go there, save some money and, you know, let's part as friends. so got an email a week later and they're like, the plan is we're going to take your HIPAA compliant firewall and we're going to replace it with a home router for Best Buy. It's like, okay.And then we're going to take your HIPAA compliant backup system and we're going to install a free Dropbox. I'm like, okay, so I didn't even read the rest of the email. I just stopped there and I was like, all right, so let's let's figure out how to work together. They're not giving you a HIPAA compliant solution.You know, like, if I can help you in any way, take some pressure off your business, let's do it. And that email came back with basically, I was the bad guy for pointing out that they had been given bad advice. So I have two choices in this moment. I can keep continuing to try to work with this person or I can just let them go.And I chose to let them go. I don't want to have to be bad guy. I don't do high pressure sales. I don't do scare tactics. or if you trust another person. More than me if by all means, please go work with them, but you know, peace of mind sleep at night I told the doctor everything that they were not getting you know They were literally compromising their patients health information.can't work with that person, you know Michael: yeah, so they were more upset that you didn't agree with the other IT companies like Janky solutions, you know what I mean? Like, Oh, like, Hey, we're Reuben: just like a perfect they're doing what we're doing for less money, show me, cause I would love to know how to be more efficient.Just, I'm curious, like, how did, how is this possible? And it turns out the solution was, we're just going to pull stuff off a Best Buy that belongs in someone's home. And so you're good.Michael: That, that story really gets into the essence of the complexity of being an IT professional in healthcare.Yeah. Yeah. And we got to go one of these days, we got to do an episode about how important it is to be HIPAA compliant. Cause I know we kind of touched that. Well, we touched that in this episode, but we kind of touched that in previous ones of, it's mega important, you know.Um, in order to do that. So Reuben: it should be like car insurance, right? It should not be opt in, opt out. it's like, yeah, I kind of want to be a little compliant, but then I want to ignore all this stuff, you know, that actually costs a little compliant and like, who's safe. Henry Schein got hacked twice, Aspen Dental.And this is just this year, Aspen Dental had over a thousand practices get hacked. I don't know what it's going to take, and I try not to, you know, worry about all the dentists that didn't take my advice went down a different pathway, but. This is what I talk about. I want to work with people that care about protecting their patient.is a passion of mine. I want you to care about protecting your patient's health information. Yeah, Michael: and I like that about you, man. It's because, like, your transition... Every time I think Dark Horse has been running, you guys have been... Moving the needle closer and closer to quality, right? Over like, we got to get more sales, more people, more things.and every time you guys have ever sponsored, right? You're never like, how many leads are we getting or anything like that? It's more like, Hey man, like let's, let's. Let them know about this. Let's let the people know about that, right? important Reuben: stuff. My marketing strategy can be distilled down into two words.Good vibes. I just want, like, good vibes that kind of, you know, reverberate throughout the anals of the internet, right? Just like, uh, you know, someone has a question on, uh, you know, dental marketer group about imaging software. Whatever. We'll jump in. I'm not gonna solicit you. Here's an answer. Great.If you look me up and you want to reach out, that's awesome. But that has been for 11 years all organic growth. And why? Like, we love partnering with with you. Michael's just like, here's a podcast that is just about let's get as much information. Let's clear up confusion in the industry.I'm not asking you to work with me. Take all this information back to your IT company and protect yourself. And if you love your IT guy, keep working with him. I'm here if you want an option, but like, I really hope you care about compliance before you call. Michael: Yeah. And if you guys want to know how to get Fortnite to start working in your office.Reuben: That's the Michael: firewall. Yeah. I remember, uh,Ashley one time caught you, right? Like about a fridge or something Reuben: like that? so actually once called me when her power went out.Hey, my, uh, you know, my, uh, computers aren't turning on, I was like, can you call your electric company and that goes back to just like we, again, when we train our clients calls for anything, sometimes they do. Yeah. And no, no, no. Yeah. Call NYSEG or, you know, call your local power company.Uh, happy to help out and pick up the phone and all that. But yeah, no. Michael: That's awesome. Ruben, we appreciate your time, but before we say goodbye, can you tell our listeners where they can find you? Reuben: Oh, yeah. Um, I'm all over the internet. So you'll see me just popping around in and out of Facebook groups. Uh, my direct email is admin at dark horse tech.com and go right on our website and hit contact us. And that will, uh, generate a little, link to schedule a call with us. DM me on Facebook, you can DM me on Instagram. You'll see. Instagram, if you want to follow us at dark horse tech, that's where I post, you know, anytime we're doing a startup. I post all the pictures out there.Right? So if you're interested in working with us, or just interested in like, what are the newest latest startups looking like? we're, we're pretty much doing one or two startups a week, right? So we did about 87 just last year. and so yeah, follow along. that makes me feel good.Cause I'm the one doing all that posting. So please like, like my photos. Michael: Please like my photos. Awesome guys. So that's all going to be in the show notes below. So definitely go check it out. Follow Dark Horse Tech on their social media. And at the same time. Click on the first link in the show notes below to check out the exclusive deal that dark horse tech is giving you go ahead and do that.And Ruben, thank you so much for being with us. It's been a pleasure and we'll hear from you soon. Appreciate it, Michael.‍

Today I want to tell you about our sponsor for this episode,  Olsen  Dental  Chairs!‍‍Imagine you're a dentist and you spend your whole day around the chair...   Well, Olsen has over  40 years of experience in making those long hours as comfortable as possible for both the dentist  and the patient! ‍If you're a dental professional looking for high quality, cost effective, dental equipment, check out Olson dental chairs!Click this link and mention this episode for a limited time FREE installation with your purchase!‍‍Guest: Camila RegisBusiness Name: OlsenCheck out Camila's Media:Website: https://olsenna.com/‍‍Other Mentions and Links:Oscar WildeBert Decker - 3 Second Rule‍‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍My Key Takeaways:How much do first impressions really matter with patients?What are some common barriers that are keeping patients from coming in?Does high quality and modern equipment really make a difference?Some of the psychology behind dental anxiety and first impressions.The benefits of patient comfort and an inviting staff.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guests, Camila Regis. Camila, how's it going? I'm Camila: doing great today, Michael. And what about you? Michael: I'm doing pretty good. Thanks for asking. If you don't mind letting our listeners know where are you located Camila: right now? I'm located at the South of Brazil right now in a city called Bailosa, where is the headquarter of Olsen, uh, USA.Dental equipment. Michael: Nice. So all the way in Brazil, which is only according to PST time, California time, four hours different. So that's pretty awesome. But if you can tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are today? Camila: So, um, I was always in love with different cultures when I was a little kid, um, my biggest dream was to be a dentist. I'm not a dentist nowadays, but I work with that. I work with dental equipments. So since I was always interested on different cultures, I try it and I directed the lead of my, um, career to something I could be able to work with different cultures and different countries.So, I am here today, working, uh, with this project of expanding Olsen that comes from Brazil to all of the world. we are over a hundred countries. And I am the responsible, uh, of the team that is, doing all of that. Michael: Nice. So in charge of like, the growth area. So you don't mind me asking, why did you always want to be a dentist?Camila: I don't know. I think it was, um, when I was a little kid, I had, um, some problems in my teeth. I usually go to, to the dentist and. This guy was so nice to me, and it was such a nice environment, and I can't remember, like... Every week going there and being familiar with everything. So I was kind of amused with that profession.And I was like, Oh, I want to be that. I want to be a dentist. Michael: Okay. So it was also like, the main thing was the pain point kind of thing, right? You were experiencing a problem and you saw how they fixed it really quick. Yeah, exactly. Okay. Interesting. Awesome. So let's dive into this. And for those listening on audio only in the podcast, you can scroll down in the show notes and look out on our YouTube channel.But this is going to be a presentation that Camila has, kind of like a webinar. And what we're going to dive into is marketing your practice through your dental office. And so what do first impressions have to do with that? Because I noticed that's the title here. Camila: So let's start with that. so first impression, uh, is something that we need to consider to everything.Like not only just for a business or dental practice, but for everything, for yourself as a professional. So why not think of that in your business when your business is a as Oscar White said, uh, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So you need to take advantage of knowing that from your consumers.So you need to be on that point where you are going to plan what is going to be the first impression they have from you. And that is like 100 percent true what Oscar Wilde said, initial impressions matters a lot in human psychology and it's exactly how people's perception are shaped.So when we talk about these, uh, it's not just of individuals, but also of business, locations, objects. Why are we not talking about that when we talk about dental office? So my question here for whoever is listening to us or, watching us, have you ever thought about these when you started your dental practice or when renewing it or when buying your equipments or planning the design or even hiring your staff?I I think what we are bringing today is going to be interesting for you to update that idea on your mind. And if you don't, I believe that you need to keep your eye on it. So Bert Ducker, one of the greatest experts in communication, did a research that says the brain takes only two seconds to form 50 percent of the image. About someone or something and the next four minutes to complete the rest of this idea. So, can you imagine having only 2 seconds to show someone what is your dental practice about what you are trying to show them or give them the experience at that point where they just walk in your dental office?Well, uh, this prejudgment will conditionate the interaction that this customer, this patient of yours, will interact with you or your dental office or even your staff, and will definitely define the approach that they will have. for example, when you're just walking in a store and someone from the staff is in a bad mood.That will definitely set the approach you have when you talk with that person. So that is something we need to consider for all the business environment. The power of the idea shaped at the moment that someone set the eyes on a person or on a place or on a Professional is so strong that not even the facts are capable of easily disproving them.So, it's like when someone, when you, you look to someone and you say, Oh, I didn't like that person. And then later on. You start to know them better and then it's hard for you to change that idea that you didn't like something on that person, even though the facts. Are showing you a completely different, um, position than your opinion.So usually, humans tend to conform our prejudgment because of this power that the ideas have, uh, among us. Michael: Gotcha. So right here, when it comes to the, this is the, basically the laws of the first impressions, right? You have two seconds, right. To form 50%. Of the image about someone or something. So if someone's walking into the practice, and they don't even acknowledge them, they don't even look at them or anything, that's more than two seconds.That's it. So you already kinda can feel the, the coldness in there, right? And then, um, the last part is interesting. Uh, how, not even facts are capable of easily disproving them. What would you say, Camila, how does that, how would you have witnessed that, or how do you notice this in a practice? Camila: I have a really good case here.So when we start to open the U. S. market, I visited some dental office in some schools. And when I walked in the first dental office, it wasn't a private dental office, it was a university one. And I was so shocked because I was expecting as the rest of the universe to look like. fantastic and everything perfect, everything in place.I was expecting a great practice, a great dental practice. And what I found out was some equipments that were already, um, really old and broke. And it was more because it's used by students. I get that, but it was the first impression I had. So the first impression I had was I don't think they are looking to these with care.I don't think they are giving the same attention. They are giving to the rest of the campus to these areas. That is exactly where the patient is going to be laying down for some hours, even. Some treatments take some days. They're not, of course, being there for days, but they are going to be back there day to day, and they need to feel home.They need to feel comfort and I was shocked and that made me feel a little bit, uh, Thinking, oh, I think we have a different culture here, but then I saw that it was only that case, it wasn't only that case, but I saw it was a case of a place that wasn't being properly, uh, cared off. And so this is a perfect example, we can compare that to what, to the experience I had when I was a kid in my dentist that I can remember, like, if it was yesterday, it was a nice place, a cozy place.I was always, uh, welcomed and I remember of all the equipments. that sounds crazy. But I remember of the equipment, because I remember of looking at the lights, I remember of looking at the hand pieces. And since, uh, my, my dream by that time was to be a dentist. I usually open the, the drawers and look what was inside.And the dentist showed me a lot of of stuffs and I remember of that being so perfect, so clean, so cared of. So there was a tension in each detail of that service that he was giving me. Michael: Gotcha. So a lot came into that besides the first, uh, two seconds, but it was the first two seconds where you were like, okay, this it's warm, it's cozy.I can feel it. Uh, and then it kind of gave you the rest of the picture of the facts. Right. Yeah, exactly. Interesting. Okay. Okay. So these are the laws. These are the crucial role of first impression. Camila: I'm trying here just to, uh, give some thoughts on what is first impressions so we can then, uh, go to how these first impressions, how we can apply, uh, that three laws into the dental office.So when one goes to any place that offers health care or even aesthetic care, what they are really looking for, Michael, is self care. They are looking for someone that can take care of them. So their expectations are going to be always high because no one wants to be cared off in a bad way.So dental office deal with an essential aspect of the human survival and well being. It's a place that. Will require a lot of, uh, excellent conditions and a sense that the person that is there is safe, it's in a good hand, it's in a professional environment. So will you ever look for a place to take care of you that shows you through their image that they don't care even about themselves, that they don't, they don't have a nice waiting room, that they have a staff that is rude, is not, uh, in a, um, in a good mood that doesn't say good morning to you and even if, um, You think that they are going to be comfortable in old equipment that is maybe losing some part of the ufostery.And so it's all about that. It's all about you need to show your patient that you care about your place because that place is going to take care of your patient. So I brought here some, Examples, and I would like, I know the audience is just listening. So I will say some words about the image I'm showing, but I want you to think, what is the feeling you get when you look at a dental office that looks like this?So I'm showing here a dental office. Uh, it is a old dental office. It's, it's not clean and it has all the wires showing here it's a closer look where the example I just gave that the upholstery is ripping off and some part of the equipment are broke and there is dust everywhere and it looks like a mess.And then now, how do you feel when you look and you walk into a dental office like this? That it's clean, it has a brand new equipment, it, the equipment looks like, modern, looks like comfortable, and when you sit at it, you feel the comfort, you feel the ergonomy, how do you feel looking at it, how will you feel looking at the, the dental space, broke equipment or the dental office that has everything clean, everything white and in colors that are sober and that brings the image of a safe environment. Yeah. Michael: You can, you can totally, when I feel like I get, think like I'm probably gonna not get a good job. Like, you know what I mean? Like it's probably, I just need to hurry up and get out of here kind of thing.But the other one, you feel more like you can, you can hang out, you know what I mean? You can be there. It feels more comforting. You know, you're going to get a good job. Yeah. Camila: And so to start talking about, um, the first impressions in a dental office.How does this matter to the dental office? We should start talking about marketing, right? So that's why we are here with Michael. So the big picture is that the first impression is inside the big picture that marketing is. So it's how you see marketing. Marketing goes beyond the advertisement, digital presence.There's much more than just that. Uh, marketing is everything that is going to establish the awareness of your practice image in the market. The mind of your customers. So if you are taking care of your website, if you are taking care of your social medias, why are you not taking care of your dental office?Why are you not taking care of the design of it? Of the equipment that is there, of the staff you are hiring. First impressions are the meaning to establish your brand awareness. And when I say brand here, I definitely mean, brand as what you were building as a dental practice. So when customers are aware of a brand and associate it with positive things like quality, reliability, or value, they are more likely to choose that brand when they need related products or service than another ones.And they are more likely to tell their friends, to tell their family that they choose that brand because of those reasons. Therefore, I believe that building and straightening brand awareness are fundamental goals in marketing and in branding strategies. So the brand awareness, it's the degree of recognition and familiarity that the public has with that specific brand, and that brand is your dental practice, then your dental office, sometimes you have a clinic with much with more than 1 dentist. It's how the public will know your, uh, dental practice, how professional we were, how comfort they feel, how do they like you, do they don't, this is what you need to have in mind when you start to, Settle your goals, your marketing goals in your dental practice, because from the brand awareness is where you are going to start structuring your image.And, there is some trick elements, for a good impression, no 1st, the 2nd or the 3rd. And here talking specifically in the dental office, it's the design of it, the equipment that you have and the staff. So, when you think about those 3 pillars, design, equipment and staff, you need to keep in mind, what are you trying to communicate to your customer and what is the experience you are aiming to offer them?Am I trying to tell them that that is, um, a place that they are going to feel pain, that they are going to be afraid, or do you want to communicate that it's a dental office, that it's, uh, More like a place to play, to be fun, to have fun.so that is one thing that you need to keep in your mind. And when I know that talking about the, pediatric dental is very specific. But even though when you were talking about, um, dental office for adults, your Is exactly what is going to set what is the image you are, trying to show to your consumers.So if you are working in, I said it dental, you must have like a perfect dental office, everything in place, everything looking modern, nice, fancy. Because that's what you are trying to show them, that you are going to bring that image to their health. It's through the design of your dental office, and the equipment you have, and the staff that you are hiring, and how you are training them, that you can create this environment.This environment that we will present, what is your image as a professional or as a dental clinic, dental practice, and it's going to dictate the experience that you were about to offer to that consumer, to that patient that just walked in. Michael: Interesting. So real quick, uh, Camila, let's just say the practices.Hey, my brand is that we care, like we really care, right? Staff would have to show that they, they care. but how, in your opinion, how would design show that and equipment show that, okay. Camila: Talking about design, I think, um, that to show that you will need to have a nice waiting room, for example.it can be a waiting room for, uh, that supports like three people, but there is 100 people inside because you're not caring about them waiting and everyone there and it's not comfortable. For example, you need to think, I don't know where exactly, but if you are in Florida, you need to think about having a, an AC.Because everyone needs to feel comfortable while waiting, you need to have like television to have something to show them while they, they are there. Uh, you need to have a good way for them to go from the waiting room to your dental office. A nice, space for them to move and sit on the chair on the dental chair and feel comfortable there.So when talking about equipment, it's not going to be much different from that. You need to give them comfort. inequipment is not only that you need to have a modern equipment with technology and everything, but you need to show them that needs to be clean.It needs to be shining. always looking like new. So, I believe that is, uh. Two ways of thinking design is not much my, my area. but I believe that, uh, I know that in the U S there is a lot of companies that do the design for dental practice. And when finding someone like that.Bring them those ideas, tell them, I need, I want to show my consumer that my customer, my patient, that they are going to be care here. So that's what I'm trying to, show them through the design of my dental office. And the same when you are buying any new equipment or you are renewing your Michael: equipment.Gotcha. Okay. Okay. Interesting. Yeah. Interesting. So these are the three things, right, for a good, first good impression, design, equipment, and staff. Camila: Yeah, and when we talk about the equipment, there is one thing that, that we always do. I don't know if everyone knows here, I work in the Olsen, I know I said at the beginning, but we also sell the dental equipment.So the first thing we ask the doctor always is, what is more important for you in the equipment? Because it's that that is what is the best equipment for their practice. and it's funny because you will, uh, see a dentist that they care about colds. So that's what matters for them.want to pay the less possible. And there will be the doctors that say, I care about my patient. I want my patient to be in a comfortable chair. I want them to have the best of the market, or I want to have the best of the market in terms of equipment and technology. So knowing or not knowing, they already have on their mind, what are their, the image that they are trying to show to their patients.Michael: I was going to ask you, when it comes to all that, what have you seen the most popular one? Is it cost or is it more like ergonomics or what would it be? Camila: I think it depends a lot. I mean, in some countries, it's cost for sure. And in others, the comfort of the patient. Nowadays, I've been seeing much more.we have the premium chairs, so they are more comfortable. They have an extra layer of, foam, so it makes more, comfort for the patient. It has also a massage system that helps the anxiety that a lot of people have to go to a dentist. And I think they are starting to care more about the, the patient comfort and their ergonomy than about the cost. Because I can see clearly that they are moving from one, from these equipments to the premium equipments that are more focused on the comfort for for the dentist and also for the patient. Michael: Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. Interesting. Interesting. Okay. So these are the key elements Camila: then. Yeah, exactly. And usually when a business is, is setting what they are trying to present through their image, usually you will find, three things, the sophistication. So everyone wants a sophisticated practice, the credibility of their work, because It doesn't matter if you are the best doctor in the market, if you don't have the best dental office, that's not what you are going to, to show to your customer and the appealing of the dental office.of course the patient doesn't know much about the dental equipment. So what do they know? They know that they will notice that if they lay down equipment that makes a real difference, they will notice if they feel comfortable, if they feel like they were at home and how they feel during the treatment that is going to make the difference.I know they won't know that. Oh, this is the most expensive or the market or not, but they will know how they felt at that moment. Thanks. And they will definitely spread that word. So when talking about equipment and what is the points that you were trying to bring when you think about that, to the matter of your brand awareness. You will have competitive advantage because you show your, patient that you care that, uh, you are trying to give him the best experience, trying to reduce the dental anxiety. I was reading some articles for this webinar and 10 percent of the U. S. population has dental anxiety nowadays. So you can imagine how hard it is for that 10 percent of the population to go to the dentist because it's a place that they hate.why not thinking of that when you are thinking of your equipment, you know, Michael: interesting. Camila: Also, uh, the trade points that I brought earlier. Your image, you need to communicate the sophistication. You need to communicate the credibility. You need to communicate how appealing, uh, your business or in the experience, um, design equipment and stuff.They are the responsible for the experience. Your patient is going to have in your dental practice. You need to offer them a good aesthetic look, you need to offer them ergonomy. When I say ergonomy, I mean, they're okay, they're sitting on the chair, they have where to put the, they have places to put their arms on, or they are not in a good position.When you lay down your, chair to start your treatment, do your patient needs to, um, fit themselves in the chair? sometimes the doctor say, Oh, go a little bit, um, higher or move to one side to another side. You need to think of that when you are trying to give the best experience to your, to your patient and also the comfort that you are offering them because let's be honest.It's not comfortable to be with your mouth open for one hour and doing some procedures with that noisy. So you need to have, uh, things to distract them. And being in a comfortable equipment makes a lot of difference when talking about that. That's Michael: true. Interesting. And Camila: they will absolutely appreciate the fact that you have invested on something which helps them be more comfortable, to feel more cozy, to make their dental treatment less stressful.And they are quite likely to talk about it. And therefore they are marketing it for you, you Michael: it's true. And I guess you don't really ever think about that. Like the little movements in the ergonomics of like, well, we have to, you know, move a little bit. And then, you know, like as a patient, you just feel like, okay, I got to stay like this, uh, cause you never really experienced anything different or maybe you just never really experienced it at all.So you're just kind of in that uncomfortable position. And if you're uncomfortable for too long, that heightens the anxiety big time, big time. So it makes a lot of sense. Camila: Yeah, and all the points I mentioned here will help to form an overall impression of your practice. one that will stay with the patient and that they will also pass on to their friends, their family, their community.that's exactly what you were looking for. Um, given the original aim of marketing, which is to build a reputation and image that appeals to your target clients. since clear that your equipment must be an important part of it, um, because your dental practice is reflected in everything that you and your staff do each day and in everything that helps to build your image every day.Michael: Awesome. Wonderful. So then when it comes to this, you know, some people are saying like, what's affordability care. I want a really good chair that brings comfort. What would you recommend from the brands that you guys have? Olsen, if someone's looking for a little bit of blend of both, right.Where it's like I needed to be affordable. But at the same time, I got it. It gets to look amazing. Camila: So we have this unit that is one of the premium units is the logic dental unit. It's affordable and it's really comfortable. It has one of most comfortable chairs from our lines.another thing that this chair has. it's a curiosity that the movement of the chair goes with the movement of the body. So what I was talking earlier, when you lay down your patient to the treatment position. They don't need to fit themselves again into the chair because usually they stay in the same place because the chair will do the same movement and as their body are doing when laying down.So, definitely when thinking about affordable options comfort options to the patient and also to the dentist, I would say, logic dental unit is the best that you can find. Michael: Okay. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much Camila. So is there any other thing that follows up on this presentation or? No, there is Camila: not.So Michael: these right here are, what are these right here? These two chairs? Camila: So these two chairs is, uh, on the left side you can find Infinity. It's our premium chair, and on the right side you can find the performance procedure chair. So it's a chair that it's also for, doctors or for dentists for procedures that you need to do when standing up. So, it's a chair that goes really high and it goes all flat. Here in Brazil, um, mainly used for the harmonization that dentists are doing, the aesthetic, um, oral harmonization. So um, yeah, that's one of the, um, the biggest of our, uh, Michael: lines. Nice. Okay. And now I kind of want to ask you some questions that. are directed to someone who isn't totally involved on the clinical side of dentistry.Okay. from everything you've seen from working with dentists, working, walking inside their practice and everything right now, what do you currently love about dentistry?Camila: Right now? What I currently love is that I feel more in a safe environment when walking through a dental practice, then, uh, a doctor practice, I think they are becoming more specialist on the service of having someone there for an hour of giving a good experience, because nowadays we go to the doctor and it takes like 15 minutes, 10 minutes.You don't even have time to think. And when you go to dental office, you are usually going to be taken care of. And it's not something that is going to be in a rush. It's something that they are going to do with attention. They talk to you, they connect themselves to you. So I think that what I most love in dentistry is that this permission that the practice has, In a way that the professional can connect to the patient in a deep way. Michael: Gotcha. Gotcha. Interesting. so that's great.That's great that that's one of the main reasons, right? You can, you can feel a deeper connection with, uh, the practice compared to medical. You said. Okay. Yes. Compared to medical. Oh, interesting. Yeah. You feel more of a connection. And then right now, Camila, what's um, something you dislike or hate about dentistry that you've been noticing?Camila: the hand pieces, I don't know how we get so far in the dentist technology and we still don't have board that don't do any noise because that is freaking scary. So I think that's what I Michael: most hate. Ah, okay. Like the drill noises. Yes. Kind of nice. Okay. Why do you feel like that provides a lot of discomfort for you?Camila: I don't know. if it's something personal. I don't know I, I have something I relate to pain and relate that to pain because that was my experience during the adult life.Yeah, I Michael: don't like that. Yeah. Interesting. Awesome. Okay. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. And now if anybody wanted to reach out to you, contact you or anything like that, where can they find you? Camila: Okay. So they can find me at, Olsen at Olsen America. com. Michael: Awesome. Olsen America. com. And at the same time, guys, you know, Olsen is one of our partners. So everybody here gets an exclusive deal with them. If you go in the show notes below, click the first link in the show notes below, uh, to check out more and Camila, thank you so much for being with us.It's been a pleasure. And we'll hear from you soon. Thank you.‍

We get it — when it comes to your practice's IT, it can all get a little confusing. That's where Darkhorse comes in. With a laser focus on serving dental practices of all shapes and sizes, they are here to roll up their sleeves and tackle your IT needs, no matter how complex. Our listeners get their first 30 days FREE, so start your journey with Darkhorse today: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/‍‍Guest: Brady FrankBusiness Name: Freedom Dental PartnersCheck out Brady's Media:Website: https://freedomdentalpartners.com/Email: brady@freedomdentalpartners.comDr. Frank's Book DDSO Strategies: https://www.ddsostrategiesbook.com/ddso-bookDr. Frank's Free Real Estate Valuation: https://freedomdentalpartners.com/re‍Other Mentions and Links:Marquette UniversityRick WorkmanHeartland DentalPacific Dental ServicesAspen DentalREIT - Real Estate Investment TrustRick KushnerComfort DentalT. Harv EkerEscrowRE/MAXBlockbusterFixer Upper - Chip and Joanna GainesBRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat)Bank of AmericaCostco‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍My Key Takeaways:Why is it best to partner with other dentists and entrepreneurs?What makes a practice ready to sell at a profit?What is the current landscape of real estate and how does this affect the dental industry?How to maximize your ROI when purchasing a practice space.How to get into the cost to benefit mindset and spot a good deal.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: This is the dental marketer the podcast where we teach you how to effectively market and grow your dental practice My name is michael arias and my mission is to help you the practice owner attract new patients immediately And effectively market and grow your business so you can become the go to dental practice in your community Now, what is one of the best ways to grow wealth in the dental industry?Well, The answer, my friends, may surprise you. And we've got just the expert to break it all down for us. We're sitting down with Dr. Brady Frank, a third generation dentist who has not only carved out a successful career in dentistry, but has also ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. Invention and thought leadership.Now, Brady's journey is one filled with hard earned wisdom and expertise in various facets of the dental industry. So in this episode, we'll be exploring some key points that could revolutionize your understanding of wealth growth in the dental field. So grab a notepad because you won't want to miss this.First up, what we're going to be talking about is why it's often best to partner with other dentists and entrepreneurs, and Brady will shed light. On the advantages of opportunities that come with collaboration. Next we'll explore what makes a dental practice ready to sell at a profit. Now this is vital information for anyone looking to maximize their returns in the industry.And then we'll delve into the current landscape of real estate and how it affects the dental industry. Real estate is a crucial component of any dental practice and understanding the market dynamics. Is key. And then we're also going to learn how to maximize your return on investment when purchasing a practice space and Brady will share strategies to make your investment work smarter, not harder.And then finally, we'll discuss the cost to benefit mindset and how to spot a good deal in the dental industry. This financial perspective is essential for anyone aiming to achieve financial success. And Brady's extensive knowledge and experience in the dental industry, entrepreneurship, and real estate make him the perfect guide Through these topics.mean, He's not only a successful practitioner, but also a mentor and author, and he has co founded Freedom Dental Partners, a platform that brings his expertise to others. So if you're looking to grow your wealth, this episode is tailor made for you. And one critical question I wanted to ask you.What could your practice achieve if every technological aspect worked flawlessly? I mean, Have you ever thought about what your dental practice could achieve if tech headaches were a thing of the past? Well, sTick around for after the interview because I have something just for you. But for now, let's dive in with Dr.Brady Frank. Brady. How's it going? Brady: Doing great. Michael. So excited to be on your podcast now, Michael: man. We're excited to have you. If you can, give us a little bit of a rundown of your past, your present. How'd you get to where you are today?Brady: great question. I, uh, back in 1999, which means I'm an old guy, right? I, uh, I had a wrist injury in dental school. Um, they told me I wouldn't be able to practice dentistry. So I checked out a bunch of books at the Marquette Dental School Library, realized I'd probably have to own practices, but not practice in them to make a living and put two practices under contract as a senior in dental school, bought the building, Buildings and practices ended up owning seven practices in the first five years had 28 different associates and, um, made pretty much every mistake back in the early two thousands and really just got deeper and deeper into group practice than DSOs real estate ended up.having a bunch of patents in dental implants manufactured around the world and, uh, really had a big focus on implants through there and where I am today is really just helping dentist groups expand and kind of get to the next level in dentistry. Wow, man. Michael: So you did a lot. So then real quick, when it came to owning the practices and at the same time working with many associates and team members and everything like that, what were some of the If you can recall major mistakes that you felt like if only we did small pivots, it could have, could have made a huge Brady: difference.Yeah, so early on, um, I'd say the first decade of me owning group practices and other practices in real estate, I'll get my mistakes on the practice side and on the real estate side. On the practice side, I didn't create alignment. Or shared ownership or partnership or whatever we want to call it with the doctors in the practice.I just had them as associates or employees. And so that was probably my biggest mistake early. I ended up selling those practices to the doctors, But I could have created much larger groups with shared interests, with shared equity. And I just didn't understand that back then. Uh, my biggest mistake in real estate was.Probably just not buying enough real estate. I buy tons of real estate. Now I'm, I got 62 properties going to closing. the founder of Heartland, uh, Rick Workman, he's made billions of dollars on his DSO, but more billions on real estate and 80 percent less time with 80 percent less effort, Pacific dental services, they won't sell to private equity right now.Because they're doing so well in real estate. Aspen, another big BSO, they develop almost all of their own buildings, and then they sell them to REITs, and that's how they capitalize their growth. Rick Kushner, of Comfort Dental, was at a meeting at Marquette Dental School, my alma mater, and my friend organized it, and he said, he said, Rick, why, you've got, you know, 400 partners, all these locations, why are you still doing this?He said there's a secret, it's about real estate. So I didn't really leverage real estate to the full extent my first decade, but this last decade I've, made more money in real estate than group practices and I've done a, been very well with group practices. So that's where most of my teaching is and that's where I share on how to really crank it out with real estate and not make the mistakes that I did my first decade in Michael: it.Gotcha. Okay. So then real estate is primarily what you're teaching right now. Brady: So I would say my primary teaching is how dentists can expand like I did using real estate profits. To fund their expansion. Don't go to banks, don't get in debt. Go. Don't go to private equity. Mm-Hmm Use real estate profits to fund your expansion.So I mainly teach that, but what I also do is take doctors who have done very well and I clump them together. in dentist owned DSOs. In fact, I wrote a book about it, The DSO Strategy, Dentist Owned DSO Strategies. And I might just kind of look back a graph. I'll pull the page out, make it easier. This is kind of groups getting together.Forming one entity and getting a much higher multiple of sale. So I basically helped docs early, early, our team, I should say, uh, helps docs early phase growth, use real estate to fund their expansion. And then once they've gotten to a certain size. 368 12 locations, how to merge with other successful dentists and get a much higher valuation and then make a bunch of money and do it all over again, basically, and own a bunch of real estate through the process.So that's kind of my main thing is teaching on DSOs, MSOs, and then how that works with real estate and how it fits in with expansion. The reason 80 percent of my teaching is there is because real estate is actually really a simple investment. and so just a lot of my teaching is on the other stuff.And then the real estate kind of becomes the bedrock or the foundation of all the other components. Michael: can you give us like right now, like a step by step system or process on how to use real estate profits? Brady: Yeah. So going back to my mistakes early on, I would buy a building, a dental building. I would hold it for anywhere from three to 10 years and then I would sell it.During that time period that I held it, I had cash flow. And when I sold it, I got a big chunk of money. And someone said something, Canadian entrepreneur who did really well. His name's T Harv Ecker. And he said this in one of his seminars. Um, I've never made as much money operating a business. As I have selling a business and he said, same with real estate.And at that time I realized the longer I held on to a piece of real estate the more time I had into it. The more I had to manage that property, yes, I got monthly cash flow. But at the end of the day, you have to, as a dentist, you're at the top tax bracket, you've got to pay full taxes on that money.So the timeframe with which I held properties that I bought, went from three to 10 years down to like two or three years. Because of capital gains, you have to hold it over here. But then it got down to like a year and now in many cases, it's down to three hours, like literally I'll put a property under contract, I'll find a buyer.I'll get it filled and I won't even close on it. I'll close it, but I'll own it for three hours that the buyer comes in, might put 20 million into the escrow company, pay off the seller with 5 million of it, have 20 million of profit. and one of my mistakes was I did real estate alone without partnerships early on when you do big projects, you need partners, other people to go into the building with their businesses, and then we share the profits.so I would say that I used to do things. Solo, like I can do this. I'm entrepreneur. I can employ the dentist, right? I'll be the guy and I used to have kind of I didn't think so, but other people thought that I thought I was always right like 20 years ago But maybe looking back I did feel like I was right and I had to follow my face a few times to realize Oh, man, there's so many people smarter than I am.Let me be mentored by some of these billionaires who've done really well And since that time, I've done a lot more partnerships, a lot more collaborative work, and you know, I try to always believe, hey, if this is the amount of knowledge out there, hey, Brady, you're right here. So don't think of yourself as someone with all the answers.Realize that you're going to learn from each person that, that is an expert in that subject matter. And so, with real estate. I've focused less on buy and hold, more on flipping it, just like the big, the biggest, most successful DSOs and healthcare groups do. And then I have not, I've decided to do it in partnership with others, uh, rather than just trying to do it myself.So much more leverage with other people's time, other people's money, other people's Business growth. so that's where I am today is mainly doing collaborative work, partnering with a lot of different doctors, hundreds of them. and really, I'm adding value to others, helping them not go through the mistakes.I have and both real estate and growing groups too. Michael: Got, okay. So then if we wanted to right now use real estate profits, what are the first steps? Let's just say right now, okay. You know what? I do wanna do this. I do want to do that flip that you mentioned, or you know what I mean? I'm looking to acquire another practice, but I don't know if I should just expand it and keep it, or.What are the steps for Brady: this? Yeah. Um, there's kind of two categories of real estate. One category you already own it and you're figuring out what, what's, what's the best thing I can do with this asset, buy and hold it, sell it and get it, get a bunch of liquidity, pay off a bunch of my debt and then also real estate that you don't own yet.I'll go over both of those, really quickly. the first one with real estate that you do own, you would be like me, 10 years ago, buying it, holding it, getting some cash flow, paying on your debts. Right. And then having this big payday someday, whenever you sell it, I realized that entrepreneurs, which I think most of the people listening to this are are going to do a lot better.reducing their debt, getting a bunch of cash in their bank and doing more stuff than playing the 10 year game with that, real estate. So if you own a piece of real estate, I encourage you. And if you want, I can, um, even give a link to a software that shows you how much the value of your current property is.Yeah. I would encourage you to, to, look at what would life look like if I sold some or all of my real estate, what would I do with that cash? What would life look like with less debt and could I expand my practice or practices, um, in my main business? So, so that's number one. Number two is for those that also are like, Hey, I own real estate.I like it. I'd love to see what that looks like. If I had a liquidity event there, paid off debt, you know, use that to buy more locations. But I'd also like to know, all right, Brady, what does it look like? Buying real estate for the sole purpose of having a massive game, right? And so here's the strategy with that and we can come back into that later and I saw you nod your head I can I can do a qr code I'll hold it up in front of the screen or we can put it in the in the chat and you'll you can plug your Building information.It'll spit out of value. It's pretty awesome software. so the other component is, Hey, I don't own real estate. how do you make the most in real estate? So most dentists think that if I build a dental building and sell it, Hey, I built it starting to make a profit right now because of inflation, it costs on average 420 bucks a foot to build a dental building with the land and everything.420 bucks a foot. The buildings that I buy, I never pay over a hundred dollars a foot. Never. It's 30 bucks to 80 bucks a foot. and they call that, that's way below replacement cost. Meaning, if you were to build that today, it cost you 400 percent more. So here is why we're able to do that.The office and retail markets of real estate Started going down because there were more vacancies because e commerce Amazon went out there and no one, you know what I mean? People weren't buying designer jeans. So that affected then COVID hit and a lot of businesses went virtual. Another big hit to the commercial real estate markets.And now we've got AI that is supposed to replace 62 percent of task related jobs within three to five years, which means more of a hit to real estate. interest rates are higher now. So whenever interest rates go up, real estate market goes down. The only shining light in real estate right now is the healthcare real estate market.Anything backed with a dental lease or a healthcare lease. that real estate is skyrocketing. Office and retail is going way down. And that arbitrage is where we're playing. So we buy a building that's vacant, without any tenants. Dirt cheap. You move your business into there, just like Aspen does, or Heartland, or one of the others.Once you move your business into there, the building is now occupied. Okay. And, um, the software that I'll share, it actually picks out all these vacant buildings that you can choose from around America. Is that crazy? Yeah, that is cool. Yeah. So, so basically you could, and it matches it up. It's the AI component isn't complete yet, but the AI component watching match your, what you plug in to the buildings that are available.through 20 different databases of buildings, right? So it picks all these on loop net with a remax, all these, and it finds all those buildings, even the ones that are off market at auctions. Okay. So then you're, so then you make an offer on that building and an ideal world, it would already have a build out that is actually fits a dental practice.Like I did a, I bought a med spa for five 75, put a 15 operatory in there. Sold the building for 2. 4 million, like a year or two later. And that practice was a DeNovo, a startup. It did 503, 000 the first month. Cause I used partner dentists. And one month later I bought a strip mall, vacant strip mall and had a blockbuster in there that was gone.If you remember blockbuster. Yeah. Yeah. Blockbuster gone. Right. it had a blimpy sobs gone and some drive through coffee thing. And it was near a hospital. It had an oral surgeon near it, an endodontist. I bought it for 330 grand 10, 000 square feet. The seller was a physician because there was a hospital nearby.He said, I'll sell it to you. But only if you give me 10 percent down, cause I want the cashflow on the 330 grand. So I put 33 grand into it and then the rest was seller financing. And I sold that about two years later for just a little over 2. 4 million. Right. That was a thousand percent return and the tenants paid for their build outs in there.Right. so those buildings, those vacant buildings, that massive arbitrage of profit, that is what you can use to expand your business. So in that group that I owned in Southern Oregon grew from zero to eight million in less than four years. The group ended up having an eight figure exit with the DSO. And I grew that based on profits from real estate. Not only did I pay cash for everything. equipment, any build out stuff, but I actually had millions of dollars left over just on that arbitrage, buying real estate really low and selling it at market value, which happens to be really high compared to what you buy it for.So the key is, is this, Michael, Buying buildings dirt cheap that are perfect for dental practices or other health care and then occupying them with a practice, your new practice, a de novo, or moving an acquisition into there, like a merger from a three op guy into there. And then once you are occupying that building.The lease rate is what dictates the value. And then there's a whole world of buyers out there who buy real estate based on cashflow. Very easy to sell these for market value, but here's the deal. Nobody wants a vacant building. So owner users like us, Dennis are in a powerful position to occupy the building that we buy.And then basically flip that building, realize the profits. And, and, and the main point is the less and less time that you own the building from 10 years, all the way down to three hours, the greater your returns on an hourly rate, right? Meaning that profit explodes when you sell it.If you wait 10 years to sell it, you amortize your profit when you sell it all the way back over 10 years, incrementally per hour, your profit on that property is very low. Whereas if you buy a property and sell it a year later, right? Incrementally every hour you've owned that property is monetized based on the sale price.so that is in general kind of what I've done with real estate and we're in a great time right now. So much vacant dirt cheap real estate and so much opportunity. dentistry is exploding. Great opportunity for groups to expand and use real estate as their tool. Okay. Michael: Interesting. So how, I guess through all that, how easy is it to occupy one of these vacant buildings?Brady: So in some buildings, are very, set up for dental. Like that med spa that I bought and put 15 ops in it. Yeah, they had massage rooms. I just dropped dental chairs in each room. Very, very inexpensive. They had a waiting room already. It was gorgeous facility. very low, low, low costs for build out.The, um, strip mall that I had bought at that time, which kind of started this process for me of DeNovo's and real estate. Um, was a big open space and blockbuster and that took an actual build out inside. So that cost 400, 500 grand now, uh, bought the building for three 30 sold it for 2. 4 million, right? So even after 400, 000 in a buildout, that's still close to 2 million in profit, still worth it.But basically the buildings that you choose that are better suited to fit dental, the less you'll spend on TIs and the more retained profits you'll have, which can go into your retirement account. Which can pay off student debt, which can go into buying more practices, right? And recycle that. so, yeah, there is a kind of an art to that and the software really, uh, kind of, uh.Dovetails into what existing buildups look like you can kind of see what those look like and all that good stuff Michael: gotcha, and so you bought the You started this process without getting a loan from the bank or anything like that to be like, hey I'm going to expand I want to do this you you did it from your own Brady: or yes so so what happened is that was this was in 2010, which is 13, 14 years ago that I started this de novo and real estate component.But before then I already sold a couple of groups, owned other real estate, sold it. So I was doing well. So I just self funded. I didn't use debt. I just bought these properties and then occupied them and added other tenants to them, the strip mall. I had a chiropractor and a blood lab. got it 100 percent occupied and sold it to a 1031 buyer.Um, so for those that are like, Hey, have to take on debt and do that. So we have a big family office network. So doctors don't have to come up with money on the front end. They can be a tenant partner. In these projects, right? our team at Freedom, uh, Dental Partners, we've got a team that just teaches how to do the stuff.in fact, several of the projects of the 62 buildings going to closing right now are, are just that. One guy is a guy named Kevin up in Chicago. I actually partnered on this building to buy it. we bought it for two million and we're selling it for five million, right? Just a little bit of time later It's got 20 000 square feet.It's got a total of 40 dental laboratories in it Yeah, it's got perio and oral surgery and He's putting a big implant practice there and we're kind of teaming up on that. so not like you have to pay dirt cheap for them. I mean, you can pay two million for a building and still make three million dollars on it.So, so we do a lot of those, those as well. Michael: Okay. And then how, right now, if someone wants to sell, what should they do? What's like your recommendation if they're like, okay, I'm looking to sell. They know the common most way to sell. Right. Yep. Yeah. What are your recommendations? Brady: Yeah. So first of all, I would kind of assess your building.what is the, the value look like? And, I don't know if a lot of folks watch yours via video or it's audio, but do you mind if I share my screen and I can kind of... Yeah, Michael: Yeah. And if anybody right now, if you're listening, uh, definitely go in the show notes below and watch the video version of, especially of this portion Brady: right now.Yeah. And I'll just kind of go with this. There it is. So I just spoke, I don't know if anyone gets dental economics. I'm sure you get that magazine. And, uh, I've written a bunch of articles in there and they invited me to speak again in, in Las Vegas and this QR code, Freedom Dental Partners forward slash RE. So if you can't see it, it's just freedom dental partners. com forward slash RE. basically you just plug in, uh, the data on your building and we've got a whole team that basically figures out what the value is based on a few important factors.And those factors are your lease rate or what your lease rate could be. Um, the ability to have a corporate guarantee on the building, and then we work with several multi billion dollar REITs that then basically are buying a lot of the properties we put together, and we know the value of that. So we can, we'll email you back the value, um, it doesn't cost you anything obviously for that, but it's another example of how dentists can partner together to get higher value, because the average value a dentist can receive from selling their building as part of a group of other dental buildings is about 35 percent higher.So if a building is worth 500 grand on its own with these other factors, you're making whatever that is. So So that's that I'll unshare right now, but happy for anyone to use that resource and we had a bunch of people use that at the dental economics event and get back their values on their buildings and how that all works and with an explanation.But anyway, yeah, so that's that's Michael for those that already own their building that want to, you know, have some profit event from the real estate they own. But the biggest, I will say, the biggest profits are in taking these buildings, finding, you know, the ones that are easily, moved into a dental practice component, and then being able to turn those buildings, have a profit, and operate your dental practice there, and effectively expand without any debt and actually making money while you're expanding.Michael: Yeah. Okay. Okay. And I know, um, I guess, how do you know if a building is perfect? Because I think if you want something bad enough, you kind of can convince yourself like, this is perfect. But if Brady were to walk in there, you can tell us like, man, Michael, this is not perfect at all. This is, this is not a good building.So how can Brady: we tell? Yeah, yeah. So, so I look at it from, um, kind of an investment. Objective. If someone's going to do, let's say it's your second practice or your third or your 10th, you almost have to look up, look at it as a cost to benefit ratio. So I really don't look at any buildings or recommend any dentist look at a building unless they can make at least a half million dollars.if you can buy it and some of your costs are going to be X and you can still make a half million dollars. That's a great deal because now what you're doing is you're kind of getting your dental practice expansion going along for the ride But you're also being a real estate investor And and I think we all know that the majority of the world's wealth was gained or is held In real estate and and what we're doing here really is taking a undervalued asset class office and retail In our market today and just converting it to Basically healthcare, which dental fits in that mix, which is the most highly valued real estate right now.it's no different than I think Chip and Joanne Gaines that buy a house, fix it up and sell it for more. It's just a lot easier and more lucrative in this market right now because we can buy vacant buildings for such a low price. And sell them for such a high price. Michael: So this is kind of like, I've heard of this method.It's like the BRRR method, kind of like that BRRR method where you buy, right? Like rehab, refinance. Yeah, Brady: it totally is. So Michael, we should delve into that a little bit because I'm sure people don't know the acronym. Buy rehab, rent, refinance. So that's what it is. Now, here's the big cool part about it. Okay, we buy these vacant buildings, right? Rehab, well, you're gonna put your business in there or you might go with a bunch of other businesses and do it in partnership Which is some of my favorite way of doing it more profits than that offer.Okay, rent Your practice is gonna be renting it, right? Refi. Now there used to be a trend where, hey, I'll pull that money out and I'll just stack up my debt and keep getting more and more debt. and so I used to do that and I realized that the more debt that I had, The less I felt like I could go out there and pursue entrepreneurial stuff because I had a lot of debt.You know what I mean? Yeah. so the only difference is buy rehab rent and it's yourself as part of the tenant mix your, your own tenant. And then instead of refinancing, just selling, making a bunch of money, not having debt. And now you can focus on being productive, being an entrepreneur, and not kind of stacking up your debt as you go, even though refinancing is still a option in many cases.Michael: Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Okay. So yeah, it's buy, rehab, rent, refinance, and then repeat. Brady: Yeah. Yeah. and with these, this model. Absolutely. So, so the key is you need to know how to do a startup profitably. And with Freedom Dental Partners, we are launching a course very soon on how I just in Novos and grew from zero to 8 million.One was an acquisition, but three De Novos, zero to 8 million, no PPOs, believe it or not. Wow. How to, yeah. How for to market for that, how to add partners. How to get them off the ground, you know, most people say, Oh, you'll, you'll be profitable in two years. My first month on the second location did 503, 000 with 210 grand of profit, the first month, and that was that med spa.so I'm putting a program together that folks can follow a free program just to go over how that worked. then we got a done with you component where we can have our, four recruiters where you can recruit. a junior partner, who's gonna be there, how does the marketing tie in, you know, is there an implant bent to the practice, all that good stuff, but yeah, it, it, really.The de novo or startup fits in with the real estate strategy, unless you're going to merge an older docs practice into there. Um, but I found any money that you would have spent on that acquisition. If you just spend that on marketing and you know how many patients per dollar you're spending coming in is, and especially with your techniques, Michael, to have a team that's going to Costco and going to these bricks and mortar places around town doing lunch and It's an incredible way to build grassroots around that.And once you hit, once you at least break even on that, you know, if you follow the plan really well, you, you know, profit the first month, but let's say it takes you six months to break even. Great. Now you've got an incredible asset, you made money on the front end, and now you're going and doing another one of these things and you're literally growing without SBA loans. of America, right? Without needing to be backed by private equity. And when you do sell your group, now it's just all cash to you, right? You don't have to pay off debt and then have a profit. you're growing without debt. And, and I found you grow faster and you take more risks with your growth when you got money in the bank and you don't have debt.Then it's like, Oh, I can do this. Let's try this. Hey, it's no big deal if I try that. And, and those that have the freedom to try new things, And to get kind of aggressive in business, they're the ones that usually win because they're actually trying new things. hitting a single, a double, a homerun.Oh shoot, maybe they didn't do very well on this one, but it didn't affect them. So yeah. So anyway. Michael: No. Yeah. That's interesting. And then I think that's the tricky part there Brady. It's like, cause it sounds, I mean, to me at least it sounds easy, like, okay, let's be profitable. And then we can sell, right? But I feel like a lot of, um, especially like, you know, startups and acquisitions, they kind of get stuck in there where it's like, dude, it's been one year and I haven't even broken even yet.Like, you know what I mean? Kind of thing. Brady: Yeah. So here's kind of one of the secrets with this model. I marketed 30 grand a month, three months before I opened that location where we did 503, 000 the first month. most dentists put in their budget, like instead of 3 percent for marketing, I'll do 6 percent and it just never works.So you kind of have to do a marketing blitz to do it. I had 340 or so new patients that first month it was hundreds. And we did consults before opening it and treatment scheduled. So, so the key is you have to be able to do a massive marketing budget. And most people don't want to do that using debt, they're just backpedaling them, right? It's like, oh crap, I'm putting all this money into marketing. I don't know if the marketing is going to work. So with that, I had already done a real estate project before that made a bunch of money. And then I'm like, Oh, I've got several million in the bank.I don't mind dumping 30 grand in the marketing, right? From a variety of sources, radio, TV, postcards. You know, Google AdWords, Facebook ads, funnels, all that, even a local newspaper. And I went on radio and talked and did a little, I was on a radio talk show, they gave me the radio ads. So you kind of have to do anything and everything, and that creates this massive momentum where you get all this press coming in, right?And then the statistic ends up working out, which is, 80 percent of new patients that come into a practice, 80 percent of new patients, the internal referrals come from those that have been in the practice 12 months or less. So when you do external marketing, you're automatically building your internal referrals and people don't understand.They think, Oh, this 62 year old doc that's been in town for 30 years. He's getting all the referrals, right? Cause he's been there forever. Nope. He's getting four to six new patients a month. It's the new docs who are marketing heavy that are getting the internal referrals. Cause they're, they're bringing in fresh patients, right?And so you have to understand that external marketing begets what we all want, the internal referrals. And with a great campaign like what you do, Boots on the Ground, Lunch and Learns, that's huge because you're with folks, they're talking about it, you're in local businesses. So, so that is the key to market really heavily and, and do that.But, but when you do that, you know, you can, you can literally. take care of your financial future with just the real estate profits and grow a group Debt free. Michael: Gotcha, man. Okay, that's interesting. Good. That's good to know like kind of getting that momentum started right there. one of the final questions I wanted to ask is Right throughout everything you're kind of seeing and this is just to get into the head of someone who isn't totally involved on the clinical Side of dentistry, right?What do you dislike or hate about dentistry right now? Brady: I would say there's this kind of chasm between, private equity backed DSOs and then the rest of independent dentists and dentists getting together and, um, being funded. outside private equity. So private equity back DSOs. That simply means that some corporate body and institutional investor owns the majority of that entity, which means when it recaps what it sells, the majority of those profits Go to the private equity company or the institutional investor.Very little goes to the actual dentist doing the real work on the ground. On the other side of this equation are yes, individual dentists, but also dentist groups that are funded by their own debts, by their own sources of funding, like the real estate that we talked about. And it's kind of a battle right now.what I hate is that More dentists aren't doing enough research to understand that these big private equity backed groups are not investing in real estate. In 2016, they wrote something in a private equity journal that said don't invest in real estate, but the founders of those groups have formed exclusive arrangements.And they get to invest in all the real estate. They're making a killing billions of dollars. And all of these groups that kind of watch the big groups, they're saying, oh, we'll just lease. We won't own the real estate because they don't own it, but the founder is owning the real estate. So what I don't love is that there's not a ton of information being given out.over here with the huge groups that are private equity back. And there's a lot of dentists that aren't taking the time to research how that really works. And I think that's my goal is to, yes, certainly show a couple decades of failures and successes, but to also show, cause I've, I've looked deeply inside the innards of all these DSOs.I've helped a lot of them and consulted a lot of them and worked with the main attorney group who set them up. so I think what I don't love is that chasm between the two. And I think the individual dentists, the business folks that are working with dentists, those groups that are watching the big DSOs and emulating them and just leasing space, not realizing there's a huge real estate play there.and those that don't realize, Hey, we can clump together like at Freedom Dental Partners and have a big group with a big liquidity event and benefit our futures. you know, financially, just like the big boys do. I think it's that chasm that I hate the most. And that's I think what I'm here to do is educate, show how they're doing it and then interpret how that works and make it easy so that Dennis can flourish just like those big groups.And then I think what's gonna happen is if here's the big groups and here's Dennis and smaller It's going to equalize out because now we're using all the secret tools, techniques and protocols that they are. We leveled the playing field and we actually maybe even have an edge on our side, especially with kind of some of the real estate stuff we've talked about today.Michael: All right, man. Awesome. And then any final pieces of advice that you'd like to give to our listener? Brady: Um, I would say if you're young and you're just starting out your career and you did an acquisition or a startup, you're a business person involved with a small group, look at ways of collaborating more like, uh, you know, Freedom Dental Partners, we've got hundreds of dentists around the country who are building small groups together and getting involved, Google Freedom Dental Partners, see some of the deals we've done, some of the DSOs we've bought, we've bought a number of DSOs, and uh, just get involved and look for folks that are really, uh, kind of on the, on the forefront of doing this stuff, look for folks that are partnering with others, that are sharing, and uh, I would say just, look very closely at those that are banding together because those are the groups that are forging, ahead and really competing with each other.With the big boys. unfortunately it's not the one or two or three location groups that are kind of competing as the big boys. It's, it's those one, two or three location groups or 10 location groups that are banding together, creating a formidable force to elevate through partnerships that are, that are really making a difference out there today.Okay, man, Michael: that's good. So then if anyone had any questions or concerns, where can they find you? Brady: Yeah, just go to brady at freedom dental partners. com brady at freedom dental partners. com and I can I can get to where you need to go Michael: Awesome. So guys that's going to be in the show notes below. So definitely check it out And at the same time brady, thank you so much for being with us.It's been a pleasure and we'll hear from Brady: you soon Awesome, michael. Have a great one Michael: Thank you so much for tuning into that podcast. And Brady, thank you so much for being a part of the podcast. We really appreciate you coming on and sharing your wealth of knowledge. And at the same time, if you want to ask Brady any questions, go in the show notes below or the description below, and you can click on his links and reach out to him there.Definitely check out his website and see what he has to offer you as well. Along with any of the freebies that he mentioned in the episode, you can download them in the show notes below as well. So go ahead and do that now. Have you ever thought about what your dental practice could achieve if tech headaches were a thing of the past?That's where a fantastic IT company comes in. Now think about your day at your clinic strip away any worries about server crashes or data breaches. Man, if you can do that, that'd be amazing. With Dark Horse Tech, that's your new reality. They deliver IT solutions that align perfectly with the rhythm of a busy dental practice, so your attention never strays from patient care.Now, I wanted you to ask yourself that critical question. What could your practice achieve if every technological aspect worked flawlessly, because that's not a hypothetical anymore. It's a real possibility with dark horse tech and to make the decision even easier, dark horse tech is introducing a limited time offer.That's too good to pass up. If you start with dark horse tech today, your first month is a hundred percent free, that's right. Your initial 30 days of service are free of charge. It's their way of showing you the difference, the right it partner can make. So choose dark horse tech and take the first step towards a future where your dental practice can thrive uninterrupted by it concerns.It's time to let technology elevate your practice. Not complicated. So go in the show notes below, click the first link in the show notes below to check out the offer. And at the same time, you can see what other practice owners are saying about dark horse tech. And if you like what you see, then you can go with them. But remember the limited time offer is. First 30 days are completely free. So grab this opportunity and see what seamless it service feels like with dark horse tech. It's not just about managing it. It's about mastering your practices potential. So going to show notes below, click the first link in the show notes below to check out more, and that's going to do it for this episode.Thank you so much for tuning in and I'll talk to you in the next episode.‍

I'm excited to announce that the Pediatric Dental Marketing Course is officially open for enrollment!This comprehensive course, developed by Minal Sampat and myself, is tailored specifically for pediatric practice owners and their teams. It is designed to turn your pain points into stepping stones for success, and to help you become the trusted dental home for countless children in your community. Head over to our site to enroll now! https://pediatricdentalmarketingcourse.com/‍‍Guest: David MaloleyBusiness Name: Relentless DentistCheck out David's Media:Website: https://relentlessdentist.com/David's Podcast: https://relentlessdentist.com/podcasts/Reveal the Hidden Potential In Your Practice! https://app.tryinterface.io/s/64c79b5f-a27b-41b8-b3a0-ea9dfe3eeedf‍‍Other Mentions and Links:Voices of DentistryDavid's Past Episode: 198HGTVBuc-ee'sIn-N-Out BurgerKois CenterPeter DruckerDeion SandersMinal SampatCanva‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍My Key Takeaways:What are the key aspects to a high performance and self-driven team?The drawbacks to a top-down, authoritarian, leadership style and effective alternatives.How to build your patient experience around referrals, so patients can't help but refer their friends and family.The difference between self-managing team members, and those that need more guidance, and how to manage both.How to escape the tyranny of "urgent" tasks and ease your mind.How to manage a team that isn't fully on board with the plan.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: This is the Dental Marketer, the podcast where we teach you how to effectively market and grow your dental practice. And my name is Michael Adias, and my mission is to help you, the practice owner, attract new patients immediately, and effectively market and grow your business, so you can become the go to dental practice in your community.Now, today we're tackling a challenge. That you faced at one point or another, and that's how to build a thriving team culture when not everyone seems to be on board and joining us is a seasoned expert, second time guest, Dr. David Maloli. David was on episode 198, The Relentless Dentist, and in that episode, I'm going to put a link to it in the show notes below.Or you can go on the website and just search up episode 198. And in that episode, he talks about why having clarity is everything when starting a practice. The tough times you will face when you own a practice that you absolutely cannot avoid. And how to become a better leader for your team. And so that's what we discussed in that episode on 198.But in this episode, we dive miles deeper into a couple things. Specifically, a lot of those things that we talked about, but much, much deeper. For example, We discuss breaking down top notch teams. So have you ever wondered what it takes for a regular group of people, and what do you have to do to turn them into a supercharged team? Well, That's what we dive deep into in this episode. Into what pushes teams to the top. And lights that motivational fire under them. Then we also discussed the flip side of traditional leadership. And so we're going to chat about why the old school bossing around leadership might not be cutting it.We're diving into ways to lead that boost and inspire and not just boss around. Then we also talk about making your patient experience share worthy.So Dave's got the lowdown on crafting a patient experience that's so awesome, folks can't help but tell their friends about it. So get ready to learn how to make your patients your biggest fans. And then we're also talking about balancing self managing and guided team members. some teams they're a mix, right?Some people love their freedom, while others need a road map. And we're gonna chat about handling both kinds of team members, and letting everyone shine in their own way. And then, we'll discuss ditching the everything's urgent mindset. And Dave's got tips. to help you shake off that constant to do list pressure uh, that we all kind of feel like we have. So let's figure out how to take back your time and what really matters in this episode.That's what we're going to discover with Dr. Dave Maloli. But before that, I want to ask you, Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and noticed, the people you're following the pediatric dentist or pediatric practice, and they have thousands of followers, and you notice people are engaging with their content?They're creating content you love, that other people love, and you just know that they're attracting new patients every single day through Instagram. And you've thought to yourself, how incredible would that be if I had an Instagram account just like them? How fun would that be? Well Stick around after the interview to learn exactly how to do this, but for now, let's listen in to Dr.Dave Melloli. David, how's it going? Michael, David: I'm awesome. How about yourself? Michael: Doing pretty good, bud. Doing pretty good. It's been a minute. I think the last time we physically spoke was at Voices of Dentistry pre David: pandemic. Right. Yeah. I was going to say it's probably a different world that we're both walking in currently, relative to the last time we Michael: spoke.But since last time, and even in the episode, which I'll put in the show notes below, so, the listener can, you know what I mean, follow up and listen to it. But at the same time, you've always been really keen on leadership. You've always talked about it. Right now, currently, are you, are you working in a practice clinically or no?I'm David: not. I sold my practice literally right before the pandemic would have taken it from me. So I saw my last patient in March of 2020. Michael: Oh, nice. Okay. So then right now, what are you currently doing? David: I exclusively coach. Single location, dental practice owners. Um, I've done that one on a one on one basis for about five years.And I really focus on performance, which is to me, the people side of things, not only what's going on internally for the doctor, but how does that radiate as a force for good towards the teams? And I'm also building a platform called Dentist Ascend, and that's to really give that demographic, single location dental practice owners, every competitive edge, giving them, I've really analyzed the market once because I was in it for a long period of time.It's easy to see what are all the things that they need and what are all the things that would be nice, but create friction and getting them to progress from current state to desired state. Michael: Gotcha. So is it more monetary? Like, Hey, look, I'm trying to break even Dave. And I need to get me there. Right? Like I'm struggling.It's been two, three years. Right. Or is it more like, Hey, the team sucks. I hate coming to work. Money's good. I just, Mondays, when Mondays come around, I get sick, right? Which one is it kind of more? David: it's both. Um, I created a methodology called the dentist of sun methodology to make sure that, cause my background before I was in dentistry, I was really in performance working with elite athletes and my career kind of.Went full circle when I realized that I was kind of born to be a coach, that's what was allowing my practice to prosper was me coaching up my teams that led to, you know, one on one coaching engagements, but I think it's dangerous to separate one from the other because, you know, I call the top tier and enjoy cashflow, like how profitable are we, what are the business mechanics that are leading to that, but if you drill down.A layer below that, I call that enthused clients. So what sort of clinical care and patient experience are they getting? And then that's going to lend to. Enjoy cashflow, right? If we go a deeper layer than that, who's creating the experiences, the doctor and the team, I call it enhanced culture.And then the driver of all of that in my, with my clientele where they have one location and they're really masters of their craft, but they have to parallel their craft with. Leadership and business acumen. I call that elevate confidence. What's going on for that doctor? Or not going on for that doctor in some cases.To, that's inhibiting them from being at their best at work. Michael: Gotcha, okay. That make sense? Yeah, so this is a process, a system you've created, David: right? It is, it's an integration between business consulting and performance coaching. That, I've been around the block enough and I've I've been in the pit of despair as a practice owner myself for long periods of time, it helped me see what was genuinely high leverage for the doctor and also like what are the things that we're chasing and they're expensive, but they're not necessarily high yield.Michael: Okay, so you mentioned pit of despairs. What are some? Of the major pit of despairs that you remember where you were like, geez, my gosh, how am I going to get out of this? That maybe nowadays you see that coming back up or that's happening a lot with uh, some of the colleagues. Yeah, David: I think One of the phrases I go back to often is that we don't have business problems We have personal problems that manifest in our business and that really humanizes the process But for me in the first few years of my startup practice My wife was medevaced to have my son, that was a big trauma to me because I didn't know if either of them were going to come home, quite frankly, a few years after that, my wife had a stroke in my office again, medevaced to Denver to save her life.And the straw that broke the camel's back was about six months after that were half my team quit all in one week. it was more of a mutiny, kind of orchestrated by a toxic office Michael: manager. was that during the part where your wife had the David: stroke or no? It was like six months after, yeah.When, right when I was at my lowest and a shell of a man, and I really needed my team, it fractured. And... It was difficult financially, it was difficult emotionally. I remember having so much anxiety that I'd be bent over in the shower dry heaving before work some days. And so I had to crack the code because I knew that game wasn't sustainable at all.Michael: that, man, that is. So then what were some of the things that you started doing? Because honestly, Dave, if I was in, I'm just trying to think, trying to put myself in your shoes. I would kind of just say like, I'm just going to give it all up right now. Right. That's like priorities. My family team doesn't want to be here.Fine. I'm selling right. Like I don't, I don't care. I'll, I don't know, be an Amazon driver or something. But Yeah. Yeah. For you, what were the steps if you could pinpoint and kind of like break it down to us in a system, the first one to three steps that helped you to get out of there? David: Well, most of my work now is around flow.Like how do we find this optimal state of productivity where we feel good? Things kind of happen that feels magic, but we're putting effort into it. Just has all of our focus and attention. And now I can look back at those times and realize what wasn't working, where were the burnout triggers in my life?And also, where was I almost stumbling across flow triggers? And so the first one is purpose. I moved to this mountain town for a reason. And I had a little boy and I literally remember looking at him and his crib. He was sleeping one night and I was, I could feel my insides like quivering from all the anxiety.And I said to him, Bennett, I don't know how I'm going to figure this out, but I'm going to find a way. So in the flow continuum, you kind of need curiosity, passion, and purpose stacked really high when you get in those difficult situations. know that now. I didn't know that then, but I happen to have a little boy right in front of me that I didn't want to say, Hey, listen, it was a crash and burn.And we decided to move to Denver and gave up on the dream. So purpose was the big one. Um, the second one was. Accountability. I mean, when I look back at that moment of team unity, I don't know that I would want to work for me either. I wasn't, I was short. I didn't have much in the tank. I didn't sleep very well at night.and I'm sure they felt that and I'm sure when they left they felt somewhat guilty, but they were trying to preserve themselves. So I had to realize that everything that happened in these four walls was my responsibility, whether I liked it or not, whether I was prepared for it or not. And then the third one would be understanding what team building really means.I, my background was more from, I grew up on a farm and then I worked in high performance athletics for a long period of time. And those environments are very authoritarian. And I kind of thought, Hey, my name's on the door. It's my license we're working under. I signed the paychecks. So I point in that direction and you go in that direction, right?Well, not, not so much. It sounds good in theory, but. This isn't the military and my team always had other options and it created a lot of pain just because I didn't really know how to articulate, Hey, let's make this a meaningful, meaningful workplace for you. What gets you excited to come to work in the morning?What has you for feeling fulfilled at the end of the day and then chasing there, going back to curiosity, passion, and purpose, what are the things that you're interested in? What, how can we further educate and develop you? So. It was this top down management where we started into, we moved into a very horizontal management structure where everyone owned their zone.Now I know that it's self managing teams, but that's really what allowed me to not only survive. In a weird economic climate in a resort town that has nasty seasonal trends and end up being really proud of the product, meaning that patient experience, the reputation, but also all the outputs, all the things that happen when you run a smart business.Michael: Yeah, I like, I like that part at the end right now. So the product that you're trying to put out is the patient experience. David: Yeah, I, I believe. Again, I don't know that I could have articulated this as clearly then, but now I've got some separation and I coach clients on this. The idea that we were building into our patient experience was referral centricity.What if. The purpose of an appointment wasn't to get case acceptance. What if it wasn't to get them to reappoint? What if it was something higher and bigger, which would be give them an exceeding expectations experience where they couldn't help, but tell the next person they saw on the pickup line at school or when they went back to work.And when you build your. around a referral, you know, that people aren't just going to give it out, you have to earn it. And so that was the product you know, extends into reputation and ability. but that's what I always challenged my team is. We've got dozens of people on the schedule today, but that one in front of you right now, what can you do to make them feel like they're the only patient on our schedule today?Michael: I like that, man. That's super different. So how did you do that? How did you create that experience? So the end goal was always a David: referral.Well, if you don't mind, let's go into another flow trigger, a big flow trigger. We talked about purpose was a big one. Talk about curiosity. We talk about passion, but a massive one is autonomy. And when I started making my team, the CEO of whatever they were doing, it might be the schedule, it might be the finances.It might be the hygiene op. It might be one of my ops. That's when that really flourished. And I just. Decentralized operations, basically, although it was a small facility, I decentralized operations and task them to surprise and delight the patients on the schedule. And one patient might want to get in and out.So the surprise and delight was efficiency, but the other person might want, you know, if they're, if they have more time on their hands, they might want the additional touches like, Oh, I watch. HGTV when I came in last time and they remembered it and that program was up when I walked in the room. And it doesn't take much really to surprise and delight somebody because most customer experiences are pretty mediocre, right?Yeah. But it's all these little unexpected touches. It's nothing's going to blow you away. It's just that, wow, I got a birthday card from Dr. Maloli. Wow. We got a handwritten thank you after I was there one visit. Those little things compound like crazy. Michael: Interesting. So it's more of the, um, David: the details. Yeah.The details that seem trivial at first, that's a really good way to put it. If you didn't do it, nobody would miss it. And the fact that you are doing it, it doesn't take you five or 10 minutes. It takes you a moment, but just that little bit more eye contact, a little bit more conversation, remembering where they went to vacation last summer, because he put it in the notes, all those little things.And a small town or in a big town where people, they want, they feel ignored and they want to feel like they're valued. If you just put a few little deposits on that emotional bank account each time, it really adds up and it's that emotional connection. Now, more than ever, that people are really longing for.Michael: Yeah, I remember, I think that was in, and for anybody, for, for you, you're listening, I'm going to put it in the show notes below to Dave's, uh, newsletter, because I think today you sent something like about the three points to, to ponder and, and one of them was to rethink. Touch points, It was where can you inject and genuine care into the um, I guess this part of it, right?is this something that you recommend like everybody on the team should ask themselves this? David: Everybody on the team, every appointment, every day. Every day. It's a moving target, you're trying to customize it, you're trying to make it unique and personalized and unexpected, and there's different strokes for different folks, and somebody might love all your reminders and somebody might hate all your reminders, so you have to customize the experience, and I think, you know, there's a lot of people that are scared about this corporate takeover or what you want to talk about, um, I don't think it's real, I think Yes.It's a, just a different model. And if you want to win at your own model, you get excellent at your craft, which is dentistry, and you package that in a incredible experience. And you can run circles around anybody because it's so rare. I mean, I live in a high end area and I can go to an expensive restaurant and the steak might be good, but then the service is mediocre or I might go into retail and the same thing.So if you can surround yourself with a handful of engaged, creative people, they don't have to be trained in dentistry. In fact, sometimes I think it's a liability for them to have spent a long time in dentistry because then you have to take them through this unlearning process. That experience goes beyond the golden rule of, let me give you the dental experience I would want.It's upgraded into, let me understand the experience that you want and make sure that I give you that, and then nudge it up just one more rung and say, wow. Like. You'll never believe what happened at Malovi's office today. Michael: I like that. Well, have you ever experienced a day where, I mean, somebody's expressing this.They're wanting it. They're like, yeah, okay, guys, we're all gonna, what, where are the touch points we can add? And then there's like that one team member that just all the time, right? They're there, they get excited, then they bring it down and they get excited and then bring it down. what do we do with that?David: it's a big question. I mean, there's 80 percent of the workforce that are disengaged right now. some people are just risk averse and any change feels like a threat to their day. And so they need a little bit more coaching and nurturing and reminders. Most leaders get sick of saying the same thing over and over, but it's important that.We find the things that are precious and valuable to us, and we never stop talking about it because people will drift. Right. So there's that well intentioned person. And then there's the other person who might be like, Hmm, sounds good, but it's also a lot of work. Let's just see if we can let this blow over.And then you have that other insidious person. That's like, no way I ain't doing that. And then they start to kind of toxify and contaminate the others. So I really believe the future of leadership is. Understanding how to coach and develop your people, not just in dentistry, but in the workplace, because if you don't invest in them, they're always going to be looking for their next best.And so you have to, almost like what we just talked about with the patient experience, you have to customize the employee experience as well. Because some people are already self managing. If you start over managing them, you're going to run them off. Other people are used to being dependent on somebody else for making all the decisions.And if you don't nurture them to be decisive and confident and develop their skills and mindset, then you're going to run the top team member off too, right? So it's... Understanding how to build teams and grow people it used to be a, would be nice to have that skill, but now it's mission critical.Cause you're just going to have churn if you don't figure it out. So, that's a bit of a tangent of what we were just talking about, but to anchor that or bring that back home full cycle, I think understanding. How to get the best out of your people and making sure that your people understand, they really have three jobs, right?first job is to be good at their job, whatever that is, scheduler again, financial arrangements, dental assisting. The second job is to be a great teammate because if you're really productive and a toxic team member, then it's a no go. You're going to make the other people worse at their job. Like we were just talking about.And the third part is to grow. And it's the interesting thing about leadership is it's good for all people to grow. It feels fulfilling when we're expanding our capacities and capabilities. But that said, even though it's good for us, that most people will dig their heels in a little bit. So you have to build that into the culture of what are you going to focus on in the next 90 days?How are you going to get better? How can I support that? How can I be. How can I provide you the tools and training to get there? because if you get in any signs of status quo in this radically changing world, then it'll start to pass you by. And to me, that's the most dangerous thing of all is thinking what got us here will get us there.The big word that's getting kicked around in corporate circles is radically adaptable. And then there's like the laws of physics involved, right? An object in motion tends to stay in motion. The object at rest tends to stay at rest. And if you let your people rest on their heels and aren't telling them, like, part of your job is to get better at your job, then bad things happen.The consequences are too great for me. Michael: Yeah. So then. In, in this time where you're, if you can recall, like when you're busy, right, you're dealing with an employee, you're dealing with the patient, you're dealing with your own CE, right? Your own family, all this stuff. How can we tell what are the like marks of, Oh, they've been status quo for a minute now.Like they've been just, I don't know if they're, they're going down or up. You know what I mean? Like they just kind of passed by the radar because you're so boggled down with everything else. David: I think what we're, if we go to the root cause here, I think we really have to focus on what are our priorities and I'll share with you my personal experience, um, kind of an extension of what we were talking about earlier.That was about. Almost 10 years ago, where I had the family incident and the team mutiny and had to rebuild and then found out that it was a team member that was staying that created all the mayhem. in that churn, I noticed as I was rehiring for those positions that I wasn't getting as many applications as I used to.And. It wasn't that we had a bad reputation. It was just when people left, they weren't leaving my practice to go to another practice. They were leaving town because of cost of living. So a lot of the supply and demand issues that are, people are experiencing now. I felt that a long time ago and. What I had to do was prioritize making, even over patient care, which is hard for me to say, but it was true.I realized that if I didn't have a great team, I wasn't going to have that great patient experience. So I had to take that workplace environment and move it to the top of the list. What do I have to do to ensure that this is one of the best workplaces in town, not in dentistry, but again, facing competitors and banking and retail and hospitality.And so we have to move that to the front. And if we've moved that to the front. To sustain this team and allow this team to grow and flourish. Then we make the time for immediate feedback each and every day. We build some of that feedback into the huddle system, so that they don't have a chance to drift.And if they start to drift, that's when you start coaching them harder. And it's not to be mean, it's actually an act of kindness for the rest of the team to not let somebody pull down on the bar, like lower the standard when everyone else is raising the standard. So it's really our duty as employees, but you have a point, like there's 10, 000 things that we.Can be doing, we just have to make sure we know what one, two, and three are. And then we never lose sight of those priorities because not doing it again means this cascade of turnover and drama and gossip and being on the reactive side of that I've experienced it. And I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend staying on the proactive side and really build a team, really a team building machine that has a communication cadence daily.Weekly, monthly, quarterly, uh, to make sure that people are always in momentum. Michael: Gotcha. Okay. Now, a lot of the times, Dave, how do you think we should handle this? Like when we're, we want to like, we're new, right? Maybe we've been open for a year or something. And we're looking to grow, but, you know, employees are scarce, right?Or, or just help is not as, uh, available as it used to. And you feel like you've created this beautiful workplace, but it's kind of like, they're like, oh, this is how much you can pay. Now I can get paid more at Bucky's, right? Or, oh, this is how much you're going to get paid. They're paying me more in and out or something.Right. and you're just thinking it's only monetary. Like there's no way I can pay you that much. That's it's just, I don't have it. What do we do in that David: scenario? It's funny. You say Bucky's cause I was just in Tennessee and they had this big sign out front, like 35 an hour for this 150, 000 for a night manager.And I was like, wow, this is competitive. Yeah. It's a big deal. again, something that I experienced in my local market where the cost of living is really high and I had to do a frame shift, meaning I couldn't see a team member as an expense ever. Cause I'd look at my payroll costs and I'd look at my overhead percentages and the payroll costs as a part of those overhead percentages.And I think, well, I'm way out of standard norms. But my alternative was also not having an employee and we have three columns full of hygiene and no hygienist. That's also a huge financial liability, not to mention a liability for your reputation and all these things you built up. So we have to look at them not to dehumanize people.I love people and I literally believe that all humans have unlimited potential. Some of them want to step into that and some of them don't clearly, but. if I got the feel during the interview process, that somebody was looking for something different, they were looking for a true culture.They were looking for more than just trading their time for my dollars. Then usually I was willing to invest in them and sometimes they came in really rough, meaning they didn't know a molar from a premolar They were rough around the edges, but they just didn't have any skills. And so we always started with customer service and said, the dental stuff will come from the reps.Right. And. So if I have to pay somebody 30 an hour or 35 an hour, my immediate question is, how do I make this person worth 90 an hour to the organization, either three times their wage or four times their wage and. It's like that ever seen those Peter Thiel questions, like he'll say, what if I had to accomplish my five year goals in six months, or it's something that's like so mind breaking.You're like, I, at first you're like, I can't, there's impossible, but if you sit with that for a while, you start to understand, like. Okay. If team overhead is say 33 percent and the rest of the overhead is 33%. So we're now at two thirds basically, right? And I'm getting 33%, which isn't an ideal dental practice.But when you're starting out, it's not uncommon for these numbers to skew like that. You start to realize an hour of the team's time is equivalent to an hour of my time. And so if I can save an hour a day by delegation, if they can prevent work and worry, if I can optimize this practice by only doing the things that.Require a dental license and then the high level CEU activities, you can hire all day. You just have to make sure that they're creating boundaries for you so that you're protected from decisions that you don't need to make. And then you, again, upskill them and train them up and up and up because the biggest risk in most of these situations is not having that person.Gotcha. So. You don't want to hire a knee jerk and get a, you always want to hire for culture fit and values alignment easier said than done, but you at least want to be screening for that, but the market will tell you what you need to pay for an employee and some sort of notion like this isn't sustainable is sometimes too quick of a reaction because what's not sustainable is.Bringing temps all the time and paying them 80 bucks an hour. What's not sustainable is your stress because you're onboarding a new person every two weeks. So there's a lot that goes into that, but I hope I've unpacked it enough that you have to like almost look at it like a fixer upper, like, okay, I'm getting this home for 260, 000.What do I have to do to make it worth 400, 000? That's easy to. To dehumanize it and put it in, into real estate forms. But if you're a good leader and a team builder, you can help that person see parts of themselves, the potential that no one's ever unpacked. So now you're serving yourself, you're serving the team member, you're serving the patient and you're serving the team.So that's the, we talk about a rare and valuable skill in this economy. It's that like being a builder of people and a unifier of teams. It almost solves for every other problem you have, your cashflow problems, your patient retention problems, your, I can't sleep tonight cause I'm too anxious problems.Like if you focus on that team dynamic, a lot of the other things take care of itself. It's especially in a, economy and a society now where people aren't as loyal, where they're more likely to skip work because there's. Eight inches of powder on the mountain, or they have something better to do. You really want to create a system and a machine, meaning this culture that attracts top talent, and then also helps them understand that you can go looking for greener pastures, but you're unlikely to find it.Michael: Interesting. I want to kind of rewind a little bit. You, you mentioned something with a team member. You said you don't want to overmanage them. How do you know when you are overmanaging someone? David: That's a really good question, Michael. I think you have to make sure technical term is psychological safety.That means no matter how long that you've spent at this practice, you No matter how much experience you have, no matter how loud you are or quiet, you are that all voices are need to be heard around here. So part of that, from a practice owner, you need to know, you need to ask them, like, what brings out the best in you.And sometimes you have to take them back to, like, who was a boss that you felt like didn't know how to bring out the best in you? And what were they doing? And then don't do that, right? Because the awareness sometimes isn't there, so you have to unpack it slowly. But you also have to make sure that there's an open dialogue, that if they feel like you're taking away some of that autonomy unnecessarily, that they let you know that, hey, Doc, it really makes me feel XYZ when you do this.And so it really has to be a dialogue and that psychological safety and. The open dialogue, the radical candor can only happen in an environment of high trust and high care. So the first job is to really give a damn about your people. And the second job is to make sure that they know that you have their best interests at heart.Now, where that gets complicated is where you have the radically independent person who's incompetent, who really needs guidance and coaching and management, right? So you have to be able to flex in and out, engage your Conviction based on somebody's level of competency, and there's graceful ways of doing that, right?It can be, uh, what's the marketing term? It can be a welcome guest or an annoying pest. Sometimes it's just a matter of your approach when you're managing those people. But it's not a one size fit all approach. And what happens sometimes is you have top performers that drift because they've got something going on at home with a spouse or a sick parent.So you always have to be on your toes as a leader because there is no checklist or prescription for this. It's you being hyper aware and knowing that your number one job first job is to, is to role model away. So who are you when you come to work? Are you representing the brand? And then you have to teach them how to think, giving them frameworks in which this is how we operate.This is how we take care of patients all from the surprise and delight thing to simple rules like No one sits in reception longer than five minutes or something like that with rare exception, and then you have to challenge them. And so that goes back full circle to what we were talking about earlier, about making sure that you're there for that graceful nudge to make sure that they're staying in momentum.And when you do this right, it starts to look like a flywheel at first. It takes a lot of effort going back to your young dentist. It's like, I'll never figure this out. I've been there, but over time. You start understanding how the mechanism really works, and it takes less and less management from you.You can't be hands off. Because all organizations will drift if there isn't somebody to tend to the belief system, the vision, the mission, but over time, it should get easier and people should be really good about getting work and worry off your plate. So you can focus on that coist training or the ortho training or all that stuff that really is going to pay the bills, but you're too busy doing 20 an hour stuff, cleaning up messes, putting out fires.Living in the tyranny of the urgent, all those sorts of things, that's, we have to evacuate the doctor from that so that they recover that freedom and realize, okay, now my career is what I thought it would be in the early stages. Gotcha. Michael: Awesome, David. I appreciate it. ask mainly that question because I feel like that's a lot of the times we... Maybe we do that and maybe we're giving too much autonomy to someone who doesn't need it. Right. It's like, Oh, you're not doing anything kind of thing. Right. But just looking busy. And then there's sometimes where it's like, cause of that, maybe we've been scarred.We do that with people who don't need it. Right. We're like, okay, wait, no, trust me. You're going to be, and we kind of push that on them. Like you need this type of guidance and all this stuff. Although they need guidance, everybody. Right. But it's more like. You're micromanaging now, right? And then that can be, heavy.You're just like, ah, you don't really believe me. You don't trust me or, I don't David: know, I can go further than that. Another component that really needs to be plugged in here that we should talk about is peer to peer coaching. You have to make sure that your environment is feedback rich and it's not just top down.It's not just the senior people down. It really is this environment where everyone's trying to get better. And they all are human and humble enough to know that there's blind spots. I remember one day... I have a pretty small space, less than 1200 square feet. And so the sterilization was right across from op two and we did the whole Disney thing.This is front stage. This is backstage. These are things that we only talk about backstage, but there was some personal stuff being talked about in hygiene and the hygienist with her patient, the chair heard it. And I didn't have to address it because she addressed it. She let it be known that, hey, it was really awkward for me being around that patient and hearing about that your Saturday night or whatever.And, and, uh, and sterilization. And she said, that's not how we do things around here. And so ultimately you need to set the standard, but it needs to be pleased by more than just you. In fact, with my clients now, I'm building out unity councils, which is an internal leadership team to make sure that, Hey, there's a keeper of the culture.Even when the doctor is heads down looking for another canal and an upper first molar for a root canal, there's keepers of the culture all the time, and it's not this environment where. when the cats away, the mice will play that's most environment. So you have to build in these fail safes and it all goes back to building trust and rapport one on one on one on one and making sure that you never take that for granted.Yeah, Michael: man. I think I'd feel like. If I wasn't in the office and I saw, dude, like maybe like a camera, I heard like one of my employees or somebody say, like, that's not how we do things around here, but oh my gosh, like, this is amazing, you know? David: Her name was Sam. I called her my sheriff. Yeah, that's good. There were certain standards, like we had our mission, our vision, our values, and then certain non negotiables.And if somebody crossed that line, I was rarely the person that had to move them and remind them. Um, usually the nudge was done by Sam or somebody else. Michael: Yeah. And so now today, how can someone introduce that peer to peer coaching, uh, within their team? Let's just say like somebody, one of our listeners are listening right now and they're like, I love this.I'm going to do it in our team meeting tomorrow. I'm going to say peer to peer coaching. Is that how it just kind of works or? David: No, no, it's a process, because this stuff is so valuable, it takes some time and this is where I kind of advocate playing favorites as a leader. Like you have to know the people who are committed organically to the practice.And the more of those people you get on board, the easier it is, but it's not going to be a all in type environment. It's just not how change typically works. I did a bunch of training and executive coaching. And if you go into a big organization, like say I bought your big company and I'm coming in as the new CEO or the turnaround guy or whatever it is, I.Immediately make the assumption that there are going to be a third of the team that's on board a third of the team. That's off board. They're going to be resistant. They're going to hate whatever ideas I come up with, even if it's good for them. And then there's the neutral third that could tip in either dimension.So I want to know always who are my loyalists who believe in what we're doing here? And I bring them in real close. I make sure I understand their ideas. I make sure that they're my feedback mechanism because I can't see or hear everything that happens in the practice. Not that they're informants, but they're the keepers of the flame, so to speak.If you get that rock solid, those people in the middle third will usually get on board because they they're not negative. They just aren't real leaders yet. And so what you're doing is understanding that. Leadership isn't about creating followers. It's about creating other leaders. And then that bottom third, they have an option to get on board or get out of the way.And sometimes you have to be that clear in the language where you start coaching them. And if coaching them isn't working, then you start telling them if they still don't maintain the standard, then you have to collide with them and say, Hey, listen, like, you know, either through your, verbal warning or written warning process.Like if you can't play at this level, you can't play this game. And so it's a tricky process, but you have to start infusing that into your culture. My, my team called it, uh, welcoming feedback. It was one of the core tenants of our operation and I didn't come up with it. They came up with it. So they wanted an environment where they felt like they could give me feedback.They could feel comfortable with me giving them feedback in real time on the fly. But. Hygienists would say, Hey, listen to the assistants. It would work better with the flow. If you did this or scheduling might give feedback because ultimately we're innovating all the time, right? Peter Drucker said that a business, because the purpose of a business is to create a customer, there are only two real functions, which are marketing and innovation.All the rest are just costs. So if you have that peer to peer coaching going on all the time, you're finding these little friction points, you're finding these little frustrations, and you're turning those into innovations. So that's the magic of what happens when you start doing peer to peer coaching, where everybody is a coach and also a, you know, a coachee. Um, but it's, I'm not, I'm not going to lie to you and say it's simple. We have to build it from the ground up. And that starts with. One on one conversations, make sure the standard is clear. Some of that standard is an obvious standard, like things that you can see, things that you can measure, but a lot of it is an emotional standard.Like what are the core values here? What is the behavioral standard emotionally here? And one of the things that my team came up with was, was out loud laughter. And when we put it on the board, I was like, okay, I'll concede. Like, that sounds good. And then I'd sit in the hallway and I could hear laughter from four operators and I'm like, Wow.Like that's creating trust. That's creating experience. That's creating value. So sometimes I don't think we really get the best ideas for our organization because we think we have all the ideas, but when you allow some of that, um, self managing team and stop trying to create followers and start to create leaders, Amazing stuff that you can't expect really starts to happen.Yeah. Michael: Nice, Dave. Awesome, man. I appreciate your time. Any final pieces of advice that you want to give to our listener? David: Yeah. if I were going to give an advice to listener, assuming that you're in a situation that's probably a little uncomfortable because most doctors are, one, know that it's normal.Because dentistry is hard. Being an entrepreneur is hard. Some of you are parents, that's hard. And you're never, ever, ever going to negotiate the standard. You want to be excellent at all of them. So you're probably feeling guilty that you don't exercise enough, or you don't sleep enough, or you don't socialize enough, or you don't spend enough time doing this or that.So my words of advice would be get rid of the guilt and shame. Um, and just get better because when I look around the landscape, dentistry is really a golden ticket. Meaning like if you can do a good job at dentistry, you can get a great associateship. If you can be a good entrepreneur and a great leader, you can create any lifestyle that you want.And that's, you know, to make what a dentist make, you might have to be a high level exec working 80 or 90 hours a week, flying all over the place. So don't lose sight of that golden ticket that you have. And also make sure that. Whatever path you're following isn't somebody else's vision and version of success.Because I see a lot of dentists want to be the next, this doc or that doc. And ultimately, you know what your path is. So don't be afraid to be an N of one and customize it completely to what you want. You can do whatever procedures you want. You can see whatever kind of patients you want. You can take. In network, out of network.Some of these things you can see it early, but you can build into it as you build up your reputation and skills. But the paralleling craft to your clinical craft will always be leadership. Because if you can lead yourself, you can lead a team. And if you can lead a team, you can lead your patients to better healthcare.So, that would be my parting shot for you. Michael: Awesome. So, if anyone has any further questions or concerns or wants to reach out to Dave, Dave, where can they find you? David: Well, I release a weekly podcast, it's called the Relentless Dentist. It's been around for about a decade now. Hard to say that. So there's lots of episodes and content free of charge there.If you want to get to know me better, I just created a dentist to send quiz. It's a video quiz. That's designed to help you reveal the hidden potential in your dental practice. I can give you a link to that or they can find it on my website and my social media on Instagram. Um, so I'm not as Deon Sanders would say, I'm not hard to find.Michael: Yeah, I know that's awesome. So that's all going to be in the show notes below. So definitely go check them out. And Dave, thank you so much for being with us. It's been a pleasure and we'll hear from you soon. David: Michael, thanks so much. You're a great host. Michael: Thank you so much for tuning into this episode and thank you Dave for being a part of the podcast. Again, really insightful, wonderful advice that you always bring to the audience, you the listener. So we really, really appreciate. If you want to ask him any questions or concerns, you can definitely do so by joining our free Facebook group, The Dental Marketer Society.And there you can talk with any of the guests that you've heard in the past or myself and, uh, interact with more of our listeners. Or if you want, you can go in the show notes below, look for Dave's name and click on the links and just reach out to him directly ask him any questions or concerns there. But we appreciate you tuning in and Dave, thank you so much again for being part of the podcast. Now, are you dreaming about having that wonderful, engaging Instagram, or it's Facebook or it's your TikTok presence, right? For your pediatric practice? Seriously, let's turn that into a reality.And one of the first steps you want to do is you want to start with understanding your patient's families. It's a game changer for your Instagram engagement. And in the Pediatric Dental Marketing course, which is a course created by Manal Sampat and myself, both of us, we teach you exactly how to create and grow with a purpose.your Instagram. Among many other things, that's one of the things we teach you. But lately we have received a lot of marketing questions on Instagram for pediatric practices. So I wanted to show you exactly what we cover. Now, when it comes to what's inside the Pediatric Dental Marketing course specifically for Instagram, we talk about Literally from the beginning to the end, how to get your bio getting started, your Instagram stories, the ideas you need to start implementing the insights that you need to look for on Instagram, the QR code and the saved content, how the algorithm works, what posts you need to do.And guys. She has you covered, Manal has you covered on how to schedule the post, what to post, 365 days out of the year. thinking is out of that, right? Like we got you covered. The type of hashtags, the reach you need to be looking for when it comes to hashtags, finding local influencer parents, and so forth.Then we dive into how to make the reels. And she dives into the training, finding trending audio all the time, scheduling your reels, download the Instagram reels checklist on the course all the ideas that we have for you. And so much more. Let me go even deeper and talk about team activity, how to get your team on board, the videos you need to start creating and so forth.The scheduling, how to create the content on Canva, which is a free platform, how to create custom templates, videos, flyers, worksheets, presentation templates, things like that for your Instagram. And also we cover the ads as well and how to specifically do the ads so that they can reach their maximum potential and obviously attract new patients.This is just a little sliver of what's covered. When it comes to Instagram in the pediatric dental marketing course, you'll dive into 30 plus units covering modern marketing basics, digital basics, digital marketing, social media marketing. And of course. I helped create the course. We also talk about ground marketing strategies, ensuring you're not just attracting, but deeply connecting with your community.I talk about how to get into daycare public schools, private schools, pediatric medical locations, chamber of commerce, businesses, learning centers, Uh, kumon Learning Center, small businesses, martial arts, Color Me Mine, indoor playgrounds, fitness facility.I cover an enormous amount of things on how to get into the community and other businesses when it comes to the pediatric dental marketing course. So you can check that out, but get your hands on these evergreen tactics, learn the art of engaging content creation, and even explore the magic of effective Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram marketing.Discover how enjoyable and rewarding marketing can be. And watch your pediatric dental practice flourish both online and in your community. So click the first link in the show notes below and see what this course has done and is doing for other pediatric practice owners. And at the same time, click the link If you just want to be nosy and see everything that's included inside of this course, which we continue to add to it, right? Every single month. And we have our monthly office hours where you, me and Manal sit together. Once a month, and we talk strategy and we talk how we can improve your practice. If you want to see all that, just click on the first link in the show notes below and you're able to look into the pediatric dental marketing course a little bit more.And if it's a good fit for you, we would love to see you in there. So click on the first link in the show notes below to check it out more for pediatric practices only. Awesome. So thank you so much for tuning into this episode. I really appreciate you and I'll talk to you in the next episode.‍

Are you looking to hit the ground running with powerful ground marketing strategies? Our ground marketing course offers a range of actionable steps utilizing local restaurants, gyms, corporate locations, and small businesses in your area! With step-by-step scripts, foolproof plans, and real-time video demonstrations, you'll master the art of effectively engaging with your local community to attract new patients effortlessly. Click this link to join the community! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍‍Guest: Michael SonickBusiness Name: Michael SonickCheck out Michael's Media:Website: https://www.michaelsonick.com/Michael's Book - Treating People Not Patients: https://a.co/d/gsHKkx3Email: mike@sonickdmd.comPhone: 203-209-7029Free Course Preview: https://www.michaelsonick.com/freepreview‍‍Other Mentions and Links:Dennis tarnowChristian CoachmanPeter DiamandisBroadway TheaterMonopolyUnreasonable Hospitality - Will GuidaraDanny Meyer Shake ShackEleven Madison ParkGramercy TavernUnion Square CafeZagat ModelAdam GrantThe Wizard of OzBlink - Malcolm GladwellHarvard UniversityInvisalignDavid GarberFrank Spear‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍My Key Takeaways:How can you really wow patients, going above and beyond their expectations?What are the keys to hiring, including personality, effective roles, and must-haves?What is the first, and most important step to bringing on effective team members?The 5 core values of Dr. Sonick's practice, and how he implements them.Human to human interaction is irreplaceable when it comes to connecting with patients.The secret sauce Dr. Sonick takes from the restaurant industry to apply to his practice.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael Arias: all right, it's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Michael Sonic. Michael, how's it going? Michael Sonick: It's going great. Thank you for having me on the show, Michael. Michael Arias: Yeah, definitely. Definitely. I appreciate you coming on. If you don't mind me asking right now, tell us a little bit about your past, your present.How did you get to where you are today? Michael Sonick: Well, I'm a perinatalist. I've been private practice since 1985 and I graduated dental school in 1979. So I'm probably than most of your audience. And I've had a true passion for, you know, working with my hands and also customer service. And so over the course of my 35, 40 years of building a practice, One of the things that resonated with me was really developing great connections with my patients.And my background was in the, not only the furniture business and woodworking, I was a lifeguard, but I also played cocktail piano. I did a lot of work in the restaurant business. So I waited on tables. I was a bartender. I was a busboy. Um, I even was a chef in the kitchen. So in college, every, every summer I would have a job, you know, when I wasn't lifeguarding, I moved over to hospitality. And that was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people and I realized the importance of connecting with, you know, my customers who are people in the restaurant. So for years, I always thought about the importance of really serving, people and we do that as dentists and also serving people in the restaurant business.So there were a lot of parallels between the restaurant business and my office. So when I first opened up my practice, I opened up in 1985 and for whatever reason I was sort of entrepreneurial. I didn't know it at the time, but I just decided I just wanted to work for myself. And, you know, today we have a lot of different choices.You can work for somebody else. You can work for a large corporation. You can open up your own practice. I still think there's a real strong need for people to be in their own practices and to connect with other human beings. But you're going to connect with other human beings, even if you're in a large corporation, or if you're working for somebody.That is critical. So in dental school. I did okay, you know, I liked it, but when I became a periodontist, you know, I was a general dentist for a few years, and then I went to my residency program, became a periodontist, and then I really just really enjoyed it, and I'd pull all nighters, and even though there weren't any grades, and it was a pass fail, I just really, really got into it, and I spent a lot of time the first 15 20 years of my, my, my career.Building my craft. And I think that's essential. You have to be really good at what you do. Most patients don't really know if you graduated first or last, or if you did a good crown prep or a bad ground prep, or you're good at dentures or extracting teeth, but what do they know? They know that you didn't hurt them.They know what your fees are and they know what the experience was like. Unless it's a front tooth, they're really not going to understand, the quality of your work. So. I still think it's real important to do great quality work, because it puts you in a niche, a top. So that's what I did. My first part of my career, I just studied, and I went to a lot of courses, and I spent a lot of time teaching, and I've been teaching for 40 years clinically.But I also realize it's real important to be able to connect with the people that you serve. And you have to do it by building a strong team. And that's by hiring the right people. And that's a whole different, you know, that's a whole different thing. How do you hire, how do you get the right people?How do you develop a culture? So there's a number of things that I believe you have to do to be a really successful dentist. One, you have to be great at your craft. Two, you have to have a nice looking office. It has to be clean. It has to be neat. You have to be clean and neat. And three, I can't say it's most importantly, but it's really important.And it's something that's not taught in dental schools. You have to have the ability to be able to give great superior customer service. Now, when I say customer service, it's not the stuff that's expected. It's the stuff that's not expected. It's the unexpected. It's going above and beyond. And, you know, Mike, I'm sure you remember those four or five great meals you had in restaurants or somewhere it could have been in someone's house.And you, if I asked you what was a great meal, you probably could think like, well, it's this meal. And what happened during that meal was the food was good, but there's also something very special that meal. Maybe it was the type of wine they opened. Maybe it was the way they. Gave you special attention.Maybe you didn't tell them that it was, you know, your friend's birthday. And then they came over with it and they did an over the top, you know, thing for them. Those are the things that, that we really remember. And I try to do that for my patients on every visit. We called it in our office, giving them the wow experience.Michael Arias: I really like how you pointed out these four things. You got to be great at your craft, nice looking office, ability to give great customer service. And I remember not that long ago, I read this book called Unreasonable Hospitality.And it provides... By William Godera. Michael Sonick: Yes, uh huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a classic. Michael Arias: Love that book. And I like how he said, service is black and white, but hospitality is color. Right. And so it is what you said, like you got to go above and beyond. So how do we do that in a practice? Because I know you're kind of a master at this.You wrote a book called Treating People, Not Patients. And so you dive deeper into this topic on just hospitality or what is that about? Michael Sonick: Yeah, that's a good question. Well, Will Guderia's mentor was Danny Meyer. I don't know if you know who that is. Danny Meyer. People know Danny Meyer because of Shake Shack, but Will Guderia, his restaurant, 11 Madison Park, was top restaurant in the world one year, voted.it's one of the best restaurants in Manhattan. Well, that was Danny restaurant, and Will Guderia bought that restaurant from him. Danny Meyer started Gramercy Tavern. And he started a union square cafe and he hunted 11 Madison park. He has about 50 restaurants in Manhattan, but he got put on the map financially because he started Shake Shack.And that's a, that's a whole nother story. that's what made him very wealthy, but he, he brought what we call hospitality to the restaurants. And we'll get there ran with that because, you know, he was a mentee of Danny Meyer and took it to the top. And in his book, he talks about the things that they do.They actually have somebody on staff there that's just there. I think it calls the director of customer experiences. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Great experiences there, buddy. He gives them those, those unique experiences. And in his book, he talks about. these like four people there. I think they were from Iowa and it was their last meal in Manhattan.And they're about to go back to Iowa. And he goes, what restaurants were you here? And I talked about it and, you know, a bunch of food. He used to talk about the same thing. And he probably a foodie if he read that book he says, well, what was your best experience? They go, we had a lot of good ones.He goes, anything you missed? He goes, yes. We never had a New York city hot dog. And so we'll get the era who's, you know, owns the restaurant. He goes outside in his suit in the middle of the day and he gets a couple of hot dogs in the street. brings to the kitchen and he asked them to cut them up.He says to serve and they play them with mustard and relish and, you know, some sauerkraut. And it comes out, of course, the chef didn't want to do that, you know, being a, chef in a, in a top restaurant, but he wanted to do it to give them that experience. Now, whatever kind of food they had, I think they had duck that night.It didn't really matter. They're going to be talking about the hot dog and the hot dog has nothing about food. So how do you do that? And in my book, I have 10 different chapters. I also have a series of videos that you can purchase that are specifically there to train the staff and there are different techniques you need.You need to be able be nice. It's basically four words, be nice to people. And when you have somebody in your chair. Or in your office, or in your waiting room, you know, are you nice to them? And how does your practice look to them? So the model of my practice is actually based on the restaurants, but it's called the Zagat model.Now, Zagat was a restaurant review book that was published by Tim and Nina Zagat out of Yale. It's no longer on the market. It was bought by Google, but they rated restaurants based upon three things, food, service, and decor. So I'm going to make an assumption that every dentist out there knows what they need to do to do good dentistry.So we don't serve food, we serve dentistry. But we still have to have good decor, and we still have to have good service in our practice. So how do you do the decor? Well, there's a whole series of checklists that we have, and we have a checklist for everything that we do in our practice. We have a checklist for the human being in our practice.Is your hair combed? Are you clean? Is your uniform pressed? Do you have a nice smile? Are your fingernails clean? you wear nice shoes? We have something in our office called the white sneakers. So in our practice, everybody wears white sneakers, and they're clean, and I buy them for everybody. And if they're not clean, they go out and buy a new pair, and they're had permission to do that.So when people join our practice, we tell them what our team is about, what our culture is about. And as one of one of the most important things in the dental practice is to be neat and clean because people are afraid of a couple of things in the office. They're afraid of pain. They're afraid of how much it's going to cost.afraid of the unknown, but they're also afraid of diseases and germs and cleanliness over the top clean office. You're going to stand out. Very few offices are like that. So we do a check and we go through it. We go through everything in the office and I do sort of, I'm sort of very picky when it comes to cleanliness and having everything run very smoothly.So I'll do little things like I'll unscrew a light bulb. I'll see how long it's going to take for somebody to realize that the light bulb is unscrewed. And I say, hey, how come nobody saw that light go? We used to have telephones with the cords that used to be raveled. I used to, if I saw a raveled phone cord, I said unravel it.And then when I unravel it, I'd unplug the phone and take the cord out. So people would answer the phone and there'd be nothing there because the cord would be unraveled. They go, Oh, Dr. Sonic was there doing that again. Sometimes I'll leave a piece of trash on the front lawn. I go, didn't anybody see that?and I do sort of games like, you know, with that, with, with the people want to practice. I say, bring it up, bring it up, bring it up. So I think to do that, you have to just make a decision early on. Are you going to be an excellent practitioner? Are you going to be someone who really wants to give great service to your patient?Do you realize that's important? Because I'm telling you it is. It makes such a difference with your patients if you are present for them. And I have a lot of different strategies for that. Cleanliness is one. Another one is giving everybody. On every visit, a phone call after their first visit there, whether it's surgery or not surgery from the team.And the next day, I will call a patient. So, a patient gets two phone calls from our office. Not many people get that from their dentists or their doctors. Another thing that I do that's really important and that I've recommended to every dentist, but nobody does it, is the patient letter. every first visit, Michael, if you came to see me as a new patient, let's say you had, you come in and you look like you have nice teeth, you have no disease or anything.Michael, it's a pleasure seeing you today. Today we did a diagnosis on you and a comprehensive examination. The good news is you have no periodontal disease, you have no decay. You don't grind your teeth. You don't need a bite guard. Okay. And, um, I'm very happy to say that if you get your teeth cleaned every four to six months and just brush and floss, you'll probably not need any dentistry for the rest of your life.Pleasure having you here. If you have any questions, feel free to call me on my cell phone, 203 209 7029, or email me at my private email, mikeatsonicdmd. com. Who gets that from their dentist or their doctor? Now, if you had a severe problem, you'd get a more detailed letter. And then I would say to you, go home, read this, discuss it with your, you know, loved one, or your friend, or maybe you know somebody else who's a dentist.Read it, and if you're not sure about whether you want to go through a treatment, come on back with your, you know, husband, your wife, your mother, whatever, your son, daughter, and let's have a consultation, we'll talk again, and share that letter. So what I do is a very specific strategies as I give information and I make it very easy for patients to communicate with me now.A lot of doctors. Now, I work with a lot of positions. It's really hard to communicate with positions. They want to communicate with faxes. They do not give you your personal email. You never get their cell phone. So if I'm going to meet somebody new, Michael, if you were a new person I'm working with, doctor Michael, what's your cell phone, what's your personal email.I get that all the time. And I have a database and I have a huge database so that I can call you directly when I want to communicate, as opposed to, I haven't heard back from him. I haven't heard back. So I'm very proactive about getting things done. I think my skill is I'm well known as a good surgeon, someone who does a lot of implants, et cetera, but my real skill is good communication.being very clear and direct with my patients. No ambiguity. You know, I don't know if you know about Adam Grant. I'm sure you've read his work as well, a psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania. He says what people find more and more challenging is not getting negative information or positive.It's that one in between. It's the ambiguity. When someone is ambiguous, It's confusing. And you've probably been with people, I mean, a lot of people do this. they don't do it advertently, but they may do it, you know, because it's just their habit. They use confusion to control you because they don't want to make a decision.So they'll start to say, you know, well, I could do this, this way. And you're talking with a patient, it's like, are you going to go through treatment or you're not going to go through treatment? What's the deal? So I find out, I go, you know, seem a little confused. I go, what is it? Is it the money? Are you fear of going through it?Have you had bad experiences? Do you not think you're worth it? Do you want to give the money to your children? Or do you have to pay for something else? Or do you just not trust me because you don't think I'm competent at what I'm doing? Here's what I can do. And I give patients all the information that I can.And I have, I can give it to him many ways. I can talk to him like I'm talking to you. I can write down the pictures. I can open up my website. This is another topic we can talk about. We should have over 1200 pages of content on my website. So they can go there. I've written six books, four of them picture books that are self published in the office.So this is a gum graph before, this is after. And we can all do this. We can just take a picture and do that. So I show them my work so they can say, this is my stuff. So you can look at it. Very few doctors will show you that. I don't know what that's like. Oh, you don't know what a bone wrap looks like?Here, here's a PowerPoint presentation. This is a flap reflector. This is the bone. This is the graft. This is what it looks like six months later. I will show them. I'll take away the mystery. I always say to patients, it's sort of like you're in the Wizard of Oz, and I'm the wizard, very omniscient, have all these powers, I'm behind a curtain.Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take back the curtain, I'm going to bring you into my world. I'm going to take you backstage. And I love going backstage in operations, but I'm going to take you to my backstage. And I'm going to show you what I actually do. And a lot of doctors are afraid to show the patients what they do.And then it becomes ambiguous because they don't trust you. And what's the most important thing you want to bring to a dentist or doctor or anybody that has a responsibility? You want to be able to trust them because you want to be able to feel love. cared for, nurtured. It's almost a spiritual experience when you're having that kind of a relationship.It's not an I it relationship where like you're an object and I'm just giving you a coin like I'm going to a toll. It's a really intimate relationship. and I try to break down those barriers. Now, I look, I've been practicing a long time. I couldn't do this when I was 30. I had developed confidence I was very arrogant as a young dentist, because you know, I was good.I was good. You know, I was good. I was good in my residency program. I had no experience, but I thought I was good. I thought I was smart. I thought it was cool. it was all basically a front because I was insecure. I realized I didn't know anything. I've been practicing one year. How do I talk to a patient with confidence?It's very hard to do that. what do you do as a young person? If you don't know how to, if you don't do that, you tell the patient what you can do. You tell the patients what you do know. You tell the patients what your experiences is. And you give them that great experience, you know, in that area. there are a lot of little hints that I can give you to do that.You know, from the simplest ones, to writing a letter, to cleanliness, to calling the patients, to developing a team. Now, developing a team is a very difficult thing to do. Most dentists say, Oh, I love the dentistry. I just hate my staff. Well, that's a problem. Okay, you want to be able to love your staff and you want your staff to support you.I get a lot of compliments on my staff. Most, actually, most people leave the dental practice not because of the quality of the dentist, but because of their relationship with the staff. before I even meet a patient, you know this 'cause, because this is what you do for a living before a doctor, before a patient even meets me.They probably have 15 to 20 different touchstones with our practice before the referral. The phone call, the website, the location, the outside of the building, the parking lot, what is the door squeak or not when you walk in, when it confirmed properly, did they say, or do you say hello? Hey, Michael, welcome or say, what's your name?they know it's at 11 o'clock. We've got one patient coming in. Might as well greet them by their name. How are you doing? The nurse meets them, they go in there. By the time I walk into that room, I got to really be bad to blow it, because they've already been sold. They've been sold because they've been treated well up until that point.And it's like, all of a sudden I walk in, it's like I'm a movie star walking into that room. Because they say, oh, a doctor's here. Yeah, but they've been treated well up until that point. And they often say, you know, well, Danielle or Amelia treat us really well. Whatever they say to do, we'll do, because our team is really what supports us and lifts us up.Michael Arias: Gotcha. And I feel Can you give us a little bit more insight on like how we can build the perfect team? I feel like there's a lot of people who feel like they get B players and they turn into C They get A players and then the B players are bringing them down kind of thing Michael Sonick: it really started, it starts with the, with the leader of your organization when dentistry, how do we become dentists?Well, you got to get good grades in school. It has nothing to do with clinical skills or building a team or being nice to people, right? it means you're good at multiple choice tests. I always say to some of my friends, you know, that are really smart.But they're not successful. I said, you know, the problem is you're too smart. you always the expression, the, uh, the A students work for the C students, you know, so it's a different skill set to build a team and it's, I have a whole chapter on hiring and how do you build a team?And we build it. First of all, you got to know what you want. And I think before you build a team, you got to figure out who you are and that sort of starts with developing a mission statement or a statement of purpose or whatever you want to call it. It starts like, well, what is it? What does your practice want to look like?does your practice want to look like someone who's just making money that just does high quality dentistry? Or does it want to look like someone who really. helps other people. So we developed our mission statement decades ago, and it's really, we've dumbed it down now. It's not really dumbed down, it's simplified.And it's really to improve the quality of patients lives. So when I hire people, I want people to be able to be similar to my mission. I want them to be able to help people. Now, I can't really train people to be nice. You know, I hire nice people. So that's, that's what I would hire you. You seem like a nice guy.No, you're, you're smiling. You're good. You connect with people. So you'd be great. You know, I would probably hire you based upon this, this podcast right now. you can really get, you know, Malcolm Gladwell, I'm sure you know, he talks about a blink, you know, it's like immediately you sort of know. So we develop our core values and I think every practice should look at their mission and their core values.And that's, that's a lot of self work and our core values are involved being servant hearted. So I want people to be servant hearted. I want them to be able to treat Patients. Well, I want them to have very high integrity. I want to be health oriented, and I want them to be teammates. I want them to be educational.So those are our five core values. So the most important ones, okay, are having integrity. That's, that's a, that's a non negotiable in our office. You know, if you don't have integrity, if you lie, if you steal, et cetera, that doesn't work. Um, and you have to be serving hearted. You have to want to serve the people.So everybody in my practice, I have 25 people in my practice. Everybody is there to serve. Okay, that's what we're there and also they should be good teammates. So we want to get along when you have 24, 25 people in the office, small office. It's not always easy, but we always talk about it. We talk about that and we're very transparent.No ambiguity, like I talked about earlier. So we're transparent and that there's a problem. we're going to bring it up and we can say, Hey, what's the problem here? Not make it personal, but talk about what the problem is. So once I find who I want, then we craft an ad and we, we interview people, but before we interview them, we get their resume, and you can tell a lot from resume, We get them to fill out a, um, employment application, you know, some basic information, but what's really important is we do something called a culture index. And not a lot of people know about this, but I do this on almost everybody in my life. What a culture index is, is, is a way that we can, I can look at somebody's personality and I look at them for seven different characteristics.Are they autonomous? Are they going to work on their own? Are they going to follow orders? Are they very social? Or are they very, are they not social? Are they very detail oriented? Something very important for dental assistant or they're not detail oriented. Do they have a sense of urgency or if they're really laid back and they'll just move at a slower pace.So those are the four major ones, but then it's like, how logical are they? I want people who are logical. Do they, are they creative? And do they have higher or lower energy? So I look at that and I'll tell you something. If I look, there's seven dots and I can look at these seven dots and I look at probably, probably look at 15 resumes and culture and disease a week.I can look at them and within about literally seven or eight seconds, I know what that person's like. Okay. I can, I don't know their integrity. I don't know if they're smart, but I know what kind of worker they're going to be. If they have the wrong culture index, they're not getting hired. And every time I don't follow the culture index, I hire the wrong person.Okay. I always try to fire it. So the culture index, the resume and the, um, appointment application. If I like the culture index and their resume, which is about one out of every 25, then they get a FaceTime interview with one of my office managers. If they like them after the FaceTime interview, they bring them in and then we do the blink and I look at them and within about three or four seconds, I know if they're a pretty good fit or not, if they know nothing about my practice, you know, if they haven't read the website, they're probably not very good.They're not curious, and they're probably not the right fit. If they don't stand up and look me in the eye and shake my hand with a firm handshake. They're not going to get hired. If they come in, they are looking terrible, disheveled, unwashed hair. If they're 15 minutes late, okay. If their fingernails are dirty and their shoes are all scuffed up, they're gone.So, I mean, it's just very quickly and it saves us a lot of time. We very rarely hire the wrong person anymore. It took me a long time to do this. And when I like, if I like them doing that blink, then the rest of my team interviews them. If they like that, they go home. Then if we like them at that point in time, we make them back for a working interview where they spend a full day with my team.And that's not for me. My team that makes the final decision. Are they a good teammate or not? We know very, very quickly. If I ever feel badly, sometimes people look great on paper and they, you know, and the other people like them, but they give me a knot in my stomach. They don't get hired. And I think, you know, that you either like it or it's a very, it's a chemical thing that happens.And once you're pretty perceptive and you become perceptive to this, and you can train yourself to become more perceptive, you start to see, because there's nothing worse than hiring the wrong person, and now they're there for four or five months. Now you got to let them go. It's stressful. their life. I'm doing somebody a favor if I don't hire them. you know, I don't want to have to hire somebody to fire them and we very rarely fire anybody. the reason people leave is because, um, usually, you know, the husband gets transferred or wife gets transferred, something like that, or, or they go back to school.We have a lot of people go back to school and, you know, better themselves. You know, I have like three or four people who went to medical school or dental school. So the hiring process is something I find very fascinating because I get to put the team together and I'm not hiring me. I'm hiring a teammates and it's like somebody doesn't work out one area.We have other jobs in the office where I can move them around to like, one of my best. One of my assistants is really social, but she's terrible with details. I mean, you know, I asked her to hand me the blue thing. She hands me the red thing. I know that about her. She's been with me for 11 years, always forgetting stuff.But she's the nicest person, and she always takes care of people who are nervous, and she'll do whatever it takes to really connect with people. She's the best connector, but she's the less detailed. So that's what we use her for, connecting with people, making people feel good. She's great, you know, and we love her.She's just a great, great human being. And I have other people that are really detailed, and really, and really persnickety. They're going to get everything right. great. Those are the people who do all my ordering and make sure everything is there. You know, so I'm not going to give my ordering to the person that's really nice, but not detail oriented and vice versa. I'm not going to put that person, uh, who's very detail oriented, not always that nice, you know, with a, with a disgruntled patient, something like that. very fascinating. How do you put the team, the teams together, stress when I have a good team. Michael Arias: you built like a, a system here to do that. You know what I mean?Especially tailored to you, or I think you can kind of like create this, uh, system and put it in literally any practice, but then they can kind of tailor to their mission statement and stuff like that. Right. and it's very strict in the sense of like, or not strict, I guess, but it's more like, Hey, this is the requirements because every, everything has to have a requirement.Right. In order to, to function well, even if you have, if you play Monopoly, right, you can't just, if I were to play Monopoly with you and I decided to do my own rules, you're going to be like, this is not fun no more. Right. I don't like doing this, but if I were to go by the rules, we can all enjoy it. And it's fun.And, uh, Michael Sonick: nobody in my life is perfect and I'm certainly not perfect. So we're all different. We all know, like my partner, I have two partners and my, partner, Ray Ma, he has a very different personality than I do, but I don't expect him to have my personality he's not a visionary.He's very good surgeon. And he's very detailed and he likes to look at numbers now. I'm good with numbers, but I don't like numbers. I don't like to look at him. I don't like to look at the pros and cons. I give it to somebody else. I make money, but I don't, do the spreadsheets. I don't even know how to use a spreadsheet.I mean, that's, that's not what my, where my brain is. So, like, we said, you know, can you teach me numbers? Yeah, I can teach you numbers. You know, if you make money. And then you have this much, this much debt, you subtract your debt from the money. What's left over is the number that you got. That's your, that's your net worth.I just really simplify it, but he's great at that. And we work out very well because we do different things. So I try to get everybody into their own lane in the practice. So my lane is very clear. You know, I'm the visionary and a marketing person and I do surgery and I try to keep the call and I try to keep to culture.Running well. So when I'm not there, because right now I only work two days a week, I work Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So the rest of my time is either teaching or, um, you know, writing which I love to do too. So I, well, I'm there Tuesday, Wednesday.So I come in Tuesday morning. I'll be frank with you. It's not the same as when I leave on Wednesday night and, you know, boxes may be out. This is here. I go, what's going on? And I just come through and they know it, they know what's coming on. I go. That's right. Dad's back in the house. Okay, get in line, man.I know it. I know it. But I buy him lunch too. And I'm real nice to him during the day, but they know exactly what I want, when I want it. last night we had a, uh, we had a meeting with a group of dentists. We do a lot of education in the office. We have a study club and last night, The other dentists were going, man, they really treat you well.they're putting a cup of coffee down for me. They're cleaning up my area. I go, yeah, they are. They are treating me well. It's not because I beat them. It's because they have certain roles to do. So do I, if I have to entertain 30 dentists, do I need to go down and make a cup of coffee at that time?Isn't my time better spent up there running that room and doing the education, doing everything else. And I make sure that they're all. They're all rewarded for that. they don't know this yet, but we do a bonus system. this month, each of my staff is getting a 2, 000 bonus because based upon what we do, I don't push them to make money because they're not, they're not on this bonus system.Like the more we do, because I don't want to do that. But you know, when we, when their office does better and we're above a certain percentage, you know, they, they get the share in It's always like a gift that they never expect, but nobody would do that.So nobody's on like a percentage there or anything like that. There are hourly employees, including my hygienist, and some people like to bonus them for doing more, but they don't have to do any selling for me. They just go in there and work. then when they work hard, you know, sometimes they get, they get rewarded.So we haven't told him that. I just found that out last night, my partner, because he doesn't. Michael Arias: That's fantastic. And it's good to do that, you know what I mean? To see the team achieve it and everything like that. Michael Sonick: Yeah, and we buy them lunch. We do a lot of nice things for the staff. We go to a Danny Meyers restaurant every year.we rent out the back room. This year we rented out the back room at Gramercy Tavern, which is an unbelievable room. And a lot of my team members have never been to New York City. They've never been to a Broadway play. You know, we'll We spend nine o'clock in the morning until probably midnight every summer, you know, taking the team to New York with four or five events, staying in great restaurants and having a really, really nice time.And so they talk about it to the patients, and then they bring back the same culture from Danny Meyer's restaurant to our office. And they know that we're running Meyer's restaurant. On the cover of my book, my blurb is Mike's deeper calling is to use hospitality gifts to make people feel better as lessons applied in a customer facing business.And it's Danny Myers. he gave me a blog top of the book, which was a big deal. I mean, that meant a lot to me. He, for me, is my role model for hospitality. And Will Guderian. Of course, I mean, you know, he's, he's phenomenal what he does, you know, we call it a wild experience.You know, he tries to do that for everybody in his, in his place. And that's how he became number one restaurant in the world. If you read his book, you know, he, the first time he was, he was invited to Europe. I think it was London. And, uh, they were going to give him an award for being one of the top 50 restaurants.He goes, yeah, great. One of the top 50, but they didn't know where he was. He was number 50. Okay, so one of the top 50, but I'm 50, it bothered him and that was the night he went back to his hotel room with his, um, partner, the chef, and he wrote down on a piece of paper because we're going to be number one, you know, within the next five years.And I think it took two years later. And then he wrote down unreasonable hospitality and that's what he wanted to do. Every time a patient comes in, I want to give them something that they're going to think about. It could be, like, if you want the best restaurants in my area, I have a list. If you want a place to walk, I have a list.If you want the top neurologist, I have that number. You want to go to hospital special surgery, you need knee replacement surgery, I have a list of doctors down there. I have a periodontist in L. A., I know who to send you to out in L. A. So, we make sure that our patients always are well taken care of, and I connect with other people that are similar.And so you end up building a network of like minded people, you know, so if you want to be great, you want to run a really successful practice, look at other successful people and ask them, how can you help me? Call me. I don't do consulting, you know, I just do teaching and, you know, lectures, that's what I don't have a consulting business.But if you have a question, send me an email, mikeatsonicdmd. com. I'm happy to give you some advice. I have it in a direct you to the right place. Oh, you're you're, you're in Idaho. I know somebody out there. That's pretty good that you can look at. You're in Columbus, Ohio. I know a great guy there that you can talk to, find other people to mentor you because great people love to mentor others.I mean, that's what you do. You like to help people. I mean, that's sort of what the core value of your business is making the people that you work with more successful. And that's a, it's a pretty cool way of living that every day I get to go to work and be the gift to my patients, which basically, you know, they always say giving is better than receiving.It is. It is. I mean, it definitely, it definitely is. it's, it's just a great, and you get paid for doing it too. I mean, we, we have a great job. We get to help people get paid for it, do clinical things, meet all these great people. I mean, you know, and improve the quality of people's lives. Yeah, I could be better than that.Michael Arias: Yeah, a thousand percent. So then where can we, cause I know right now we kind of just talked parts of the book, right? Where can we go get this book? Michael Sonick: Well, you can buy it on Amazon, so it's, uh, it's called Treating People, Not Patients. You can go to my website, which is my name, michaelsonic. com, and, uh, on my website, you can see courses that we teach.you can download videos, uh, there's a video series that, that is, uh, I think very powerful. It's three and a half hours videos that you, that are in segments, 15 minute segments. So once a week, you sit down with your team. And you look at the segment comes with a workbook, a course workbook, you can have your whole team right through the course workbook.And there's a series of questions and you get to evaluate your office. You know, there's a bunch of series in there. Like, how do patients want to be cared for? Are you good at telling a story? You know, do you do comprehensive examination? We haven't talked about that, but that being comprehensive is really important.most doctors, most dentists do not do a comprehensive examination. They look for procedures to do Most dentists are pothole fillers and they don't treat people comprehensively because they think they got to fill their book and they got to make money. Bottom line is you treat people comprehensively.Even if they don't need any treatment, they're going to refer you to other people that want the same thing. And going to be waiting around the corner to get into your office, you know, I mean, I booked until January and I don't do any. I mean, I don't do any real marketing.My marketing is all internal. I just started to do some external marketing because I have two partners, my younger one to build their practice and I was just playing around with it, and I take no insurance, so I've never taken insurance. And, uh, 4 to 7 percent of the population, dentists don't take insurance.My partner who joined me 10 years ago, wanted to take insurance to get busy. I go, no, wait, just treat people. And it took him a couple of years. He got busy. It's slower to build a practice if you don't take insurance, but you can do it, but you can't do it by being mediocre. You've got to be exceptional, not as a dentist, but as a human being to your patients, and if you want to do that, you can do that.That's a lot more fun. and my, my youngest partner, you know, she's been with me two years. She thinks no insurance either. So I'm booked. Uh, I'm booked until January. My mid range partner who's middle age, she's 40. He's booked until I don't know, he's booked like six weeks. And, uh, my youngest person, she's out on pregnancy leave now, but she's got a full schedule.not the waiting list, but she's on me when I have 2 years, but in 2 more years, you're not going to get into her schedule either. So, yeah, you know, I always say to my partner. the way, I'm an American I practice in my hometown, 200 yards from where I went to high school.Ray Ma is from, China. communist border of North Korea. Uh, Soo Jin Yoo is from, Korea, Seoul. So, I mean, you know, and I have five, six people from Europe here. I have a very international practice and it doesn't really matter. It doesn't really matter where you're from. The same principles apply.I, I said to my partner, he goes, well, you know, I can't really do what you do. Cause I'm not from Fairfield. I said, I can open up a practice in downtown Beijing and be busier than you. I said, as an American, he goes, what are you talking about? I said, because I'm going to treat people well. And the joke was, cause he's Chinese, all the Chinese patients came in and wanted to see me.Not him, I didn't realize at the time that it was like a, status to see an American dentist, as opposed to a Chinese dentist. It's like everybody in Korea wants to go to Harvard, Yeah. Yeah. Michael Arias: Gotcha. Interesting. My, my Korean Michael Sonick: partner did go to Harvard. So, Michael Arias: yeah, yeah, no, that's interesting.you're doing a lot, man. The seminars, study clubs and the book, right. And then your practice that you're running. It's a lot. So if you could, uh, one of the final pieces of advice that you can give our listeners right now, that would kind of help them move the needle towards where they want to go.Michael Sonick: first of all, I'd take two days. Go to a hotel room by yourself, or somewhere by yourself, and start to write. And write what your practice would look like, if you could do whatever you wanted. If you could take a magic wand and wave it in front of you, what would you like that to look like?And then, I mean, spend some time doing it. Do you want to be a restorative dentist? Do you want to do a lot of Invisalign? Do you want to do a multi specialty practice? Do you want to be, you know, you want to own a group of practices? Because there's so many different options. You know, if you feel like you're entrepreneurial, you want to buy practices, you don't really want to work, but you want them, and create them.And then find mentors and role models that have done that. And hang out with them. I remember when I was in my Early thirties, I said to a friend of mine, I said, in 25 years, this is what I want to do. I want to teach all over the world. I want to be well known nationally and internationally, and I want to be an educator, and I want to write articles, and I want to be well known like these people.And the people at the time were David Garber, who a lot of people know, and Frank Spear. And I said, I, that's where I that's a lofty way to be. I said, and I said, that's what I want. And so what I did was I started to meet those people. And all the well known people in our field. I know, you know, I wouldn't say they're friends of mine, but I have all their cell numbers and I talk to them all the time the sharing that goes on is really, really magical.So create a network of people. One of the things that a lot of people do today, especially your younger audience, is they do things on their own with social media and they learn from Instagram and they see other people and they text, that is a way to do it. I'm not saying it's wrong. But it's not a way to really connect with people.You don't build your practice by texting. You don't build it with social media only. it's a way to get people in front of you, but you really build it with human connectivity. All the work you do for your clients is useless if they come into a dirty office where the dentist doesn't care to them, doesn't spend the time looking in their eye, talking to them, and asking if they have any questions, and handing the business card with their cell phone number or personal email.You don't have to do that. By the way, my cell phone does not go off when a patient is calling me. They very rarely call me, but when they do, if I'm there for them to re cement a crown on it, like as I did last Sunday morning, before the patient flew off to Portugal for two weeks, because their front tooth fell out, you know, his dentist didn't, I'm a periodontist, his general dentist didn't pick up the phone, I did, and I re cemented it in with permanent cement, so he'll be okay in Portugal, and I gave him the name of a dentist I know in Lisbon, say call him if you have a problem.Giving it, not only cementing it, but give him a contact and then giving him my cell phone saying, if you're listening, the tooth falls out, call me. That's a wow experience. That's a hospitality that's over the top. And what did it cost me? I live a mile from my office. It cost me 25 minutes and a little bit of cement, and that is great marketing.Because that patient's going to be telling that story. And I said to him, I said, he goes, well, what do I leave for this? I go, nothing. He goes, nothing? What am I going to charge you? Can I make enough money for that one visit to get the marketing value? Then, not only was I there, I didn't charge him. I said, nothing.I said, you know why? I said, because you're going to be telling this story to people for the next 10 years about how nobody would call you back, but I came, your periodontist came in and re cement your tooth and gave you a cell phone number and a dentist and Lisbon. I told him exactly what I was doing for him.He happened to be a retired guy who was, who used to be in marketing himself. So I told him, and that's kind of transparency was pretty fun, you know? Yeah. Because you could say that I wasn't saying, well, oh, don't worry about, no, hey here, I'm doing it because I'm manipulating you to promote my practice and come back here.By the way, he's gonna need an implant there, so he's gonna be back in, you know, in, in and a few weeks, and I'll take care of him at that point in time. But that really gives great value to him and I, and I, by the way, I sent him a follow up letter to say, call me when you get back. Let's take a look and come up with a treatment plan.Okay? Not only did I see him, Did, did the service, gave 'em a contact number, gave 'em my cell phone. I sent them a letter. Okay, that's over the top and it's fun doing so. What do I do? Be nice to people. Be really nice to people. Connect with them. don't rush off. Be there. And the biggest way you can build your practice is when something goes wrong.Fix it. don't dismiss yourself in a part. That's a lot of younger people. I don't want this complication. Be there. If you can't fix it, find someone who can and develop relationships with those people. It's all about human connectivity and those will transform your relationships, you with everybody.Yeah. This is not about dentistry. This is just about, you know, connecting with people. Michael Arias: No, that's wonderful. Wonderful. So with that in mind, if anybody wanted to reach out to you. Call you or anything like that. Where can they reach out to you? Michael Sonick: Well, they can email me at Mike and Mike at sonic dmd. com. They can text me on my phone.Two Oh three, two Oh nine, seven Oh two nine. They can go to any of my websites, my name, michaelsonic. com. You can read my book, which I think you'll find very helpful, a lot of dentists have read it. I've had over 170 reviews from dentists from Dennis Tarnow to Christian Coachman to leaders in industry like Peter Diamandis and others.It's been really well received. Um, my goal is to get this book into every dental school so that we change the culture of how we treat people, you know, both dental and medical schools. and I'm, I'm talking to physicians as well about this. So it's my passion. I'm not hard to find. So nice, nice, Michael Arias: awesome.So guys, that's going to be in the show notes below. So definitely reach out to Michael and Michael, thank you so much for being with us. It's been a pleasure and we'll hear from you soon. Michael Sonick: Okay. Thank you, Michael. Thank you for having me.‍