The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

Marketing costs can easily drift without clear benchmarks, clear goals, or reliable data. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt continues the Metric Monday series with practice coach Ariel Siegel to break down marketing percentage as part of overall overhead. They explain what marketing percentage actually measures, why the benchmark matters, how internal and external marketing must align, and how to evaluate return on investment using real practice data. If you want to understand how much you should be spending on marketing and how to know whether it’s working, listen to Episode 1003 of The Best Practices Show!

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Poor communication can quietly undermine trust, case acceptance, and long-term relationships with patients — even when the clinical work is excellent. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Dr. Christian Coachman, dentist, dental technician, and founder of Digital Smile Design, to identify the most common communication mistakes dentists make with patients and teams. You’ll learn why context matters, how confidence and humility work together, why “selling” erodes trust, and how practicing communication changes outcomes. If you want patients to understand you, trust you, and move forward with care, listen to Episode 1002 of The Best Practices Show!

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Great dentistry doesn’t sell itself if patients can’t see it. Many dentists struggle to explain conditions, earn trust, and grow into the type of practice they want because their communication relies too heavily on words. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Dr. Zach Sisler, cosmetic dentist and educator, to break down the three lessons he learned the hard way about dental photography. You’ll learn how photography improves case acceptance, strengthens branding, sharpens clinical skills, and creates better communication with patients, labs, specialists, and your team. If you want photography to work for your practice instea...

When overhead is high, you buy cheaper supplies. But there's a better way! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Ariel Siegel, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to continue the series on overhead and break down supplies percentage. She shares why your numbers may be high, how that impacts your practice, and what you can do about it. For the treatment plan to reduce waste and overspending on supplies, listen to Episode 1000 of The Best Practices Show!

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Success isn't just about the medals. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Amanda Seay, president of the AACD, and Dr. Zach Sisler, board chair of the AACD, to share their journeys and lessons of the accreditation process and the importance of investing in yourself for your future. To learn what success could look like for you, listen to Episode 999 of The Best Practices Show!

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Your expenses go up year over year — and so should your fees! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to help you think better about your fees and provide tips for when and how to raise them. To learn how to start owning your value and charging what you're worth, listen to Episode 998 of The Best Practices Show!

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Your accountant says your practice is profitable. So, why doesn't it feel like it? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down the cash flow gap, what it is, and how not understanding it affects your practice. To learn how to close your cash flow gap so you can grow your practice, listen to Episode 997 of The Best Practices Show!

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Every year, you set goals to become healthier. But every year, you fall off the wagon! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Uche Odiatu, one of ACT’s favorite health and wellness gurus, to share three steps to stay on course to improve your health and life. To learn how to stop overthinking and just start doing, listen to Episode 996 of The Best Practices Show!

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Things happen that you don't plan for — and you want to be prepared! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Paul Sletten, founder of The Sletten Group, to share how to plan for the unplanned by creating a crisis coverage group to protect you and your practice. To learn how to plan smarter and have peace of mind, listen to Episode 995 of The Best Practices Show!

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Is your practice creating wealth, or is it just keeping you “busy”? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down production, why it’s important to understand, and how to start improving your numbers. To learn how to be more profitable so you have a better practice and better life, listen to Episode 994 of The Best Practices Show!

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Avoiding conflict is like ignoring a cavity — it will eventually become a crisis! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings in Michelle Wakeman, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share the right way to address conflict so your team and practice can function at their best. To learn how to proactively manage conflict as a leader, listen to Episode 993 of The Best Practices Show!

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Are you struggling to figure out shared network agreements? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Sandi Hudson, founder of Unlock the PPO, to help you navigate the complex world of PPOs with her expert advice. To learn everything you need to know about shared network agreements for the new year, listen to Episode 992 of The Best Practices Show!

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Are your lab costs a little too high? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to continue the series on overhead and break down lab percentage. They explain what it is, how it impacts your practice, and what to do to maintain a healthy lab percentage. To learn how to lower your lab costs the smart way, listen to Episode 991 of The Best Practices Show!

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Have you ever hired someone, then regretted it six months later? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Carlie Einarson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share four key types of interview questions that will help you prevent bad hires. To learn the most important step to finding the right people, listen to Episode 990 of The Best Practices Show!

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Numbers tell a story, and you can use them to change your practice. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share a few critical metrics that will make the biggest impact. To learn which data points to focus on to improve your practice, listen to Episode 989 of The Best Practices Show!

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Rent and equipment is a huge part of overhead. But there are other costs hidden in those categories! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to continue the series on overhead and break down facilities and equipment percentage. To find out where else your money is being spent and how you can improve your overhead, listen to Episode 988 of The Best Practices Show!

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Do you dream of running a successful practice? Then core values aren't optional! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share why core values are critical and how to do them the right way. Don't just paste your values on the walls! To learn how to keep them alive in your halls, listen to Episode 987 of The Best Practices Show!

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Everyone from your kids to your vet is using AI. But how should you use it in your dental practice? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Travis Wentworth, cybersecurity expert from Intelligence Quest, to share some best practices that you and your dental team should know when using AI. To learn about the precautions to take to keep your patients and practice safe, listen to Episode 986 of The Best Practices Show!

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You buy cheaper cotton rolls and the cheapest gloves. But your operational overhead is still too high! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to continue the series on overhead and break down operations percentage. Buying cheap supplies won't help your practice! To learn about the hidden costs that are impacting your overhead, listen to Episode 985 of The Best Practices Show!

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Things happen, and your team will be late or absent. But when does it become a problem, and what can you do about it? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Alan Twigg, president of Bent Ericksen & Associates, to help you navigate and address chronic attendance issues that are happening in your practice. To learn how to get your team to show up for you and your patients, listen to Episode 984 of The Best Practices Show!

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Insurance can be frustrating to figure out on your own. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Shelley DeGroff, founder of PPO Advisors, to decode some of the biggest changes in the PPO world and share two things you need to do to improve your reimbursements in the upcoming year. To stay up to date with PPO changes and prevent future revenue loss, listen to Episode 983 of The Best Practices Show!

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Running a business is expensive — and a large portion goes to your team. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to kick off a series on overhead with team compensation percentage. They break down what it is, how it impacts your practice, and what you can do to improve your numbers. To learn how to keep team compensation in a healthy range, listen to Episode 982 of The Best Practices Show!

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Are you truly a great leader? Or are you overestimating how good you are? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings in Michelle Wakeman, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to reframe what it means to be a leader, why it’s important, and to share some of the best leadership lessons from thriving practices. To learn how to lead with confidence to build a successful practice, listen to Episode 981 of The Best Practices Show!

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Dentists aren't just clinicians — they're also leaders and entrepreneurs! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share how to balance these three circles so you can gain control of your practice and reclaim your life. To start enjoying life in 2026 and beyond, listen to Episode 980 of The Best Practices Show!

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For the month of December, we look back at some favorite episodes of 2025. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to break down the one basic equation you need to know to produce more while working less. Stop spending 220 days at the office! To learn how to produce more the right way, listen to Episode 979 of The Best Practices Show!

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Healthcare isn't broken — it’s rigged against wellness and patient care! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Bryan Laskin, author of Unfair Care, to share his “why” behind this book and his mission to empower patients to get the best care possible in dentistry and medicine. To learn how you and your patients can make healthcare work better for you, listen to Episode 978 of The Best Practices Show!

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You feel like your team just doesn't “get it”. But maybe it’s you, the leader, that isn't getting it! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Jenni Poulos, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to reveal the two skills you need to build an aligned and committed team. Saying something once isn't communication! To learn how to inspire your team just by being clear, listen to Episode 977 of The Best Practices Show!

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For the month of December, we look back at some favorite episodes of 2025. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to break down your production story and explain why you don't need as many patients as you think. Stop the churn-and-burn dentistry that's burning you out! To learn how to rewrite and improve your production story, listen to Episode 976 of The Best Practices Show!

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Freedom is what drew you to dentistry. But somehow, you're stuck working harder, earning less, and with less control of your time and life. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share the key to impacting your freedom and profitability: understanding and mastering write-offs. To learn how to lower your write-offs so you can take back your time and money, listen to Episode 975 of The Best Practices Show!

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You're working hard, and you're super busy. So, why is your bank account empty? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Christina Byrne, ACT’s director of operations, to help you understand the different financial gaps where your profit may be hiding. Don't let your hard-earned money slip through the cracks! To learn how to keep more of what you produce, listen to Episode 974 of The Best Practices Show!

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You spend a ton of money on marketing to attract new patients. But how do you know if it’s working? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down new patient by referral source, what it reveals about your marketing strategies, and where to focus your time and energy. To learn how to market more to your ideal patients, listen to Episode 973 of The Best Practices Show!

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Sometimes, your “ideal dentistry” isn't ideal. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christopher Mazzola and Dr. Charlie Ward, faculty members at the Pankey Institute, to share what to do when things aren't black-and-white for your treatment plans. To learn the systems that will lead you to success, listen to Episode 972 of The Best Practices Show!

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Do you ever feel behind, inadequate, or unworthy of praise? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Charlie Ward and Dr. Rachel Ward, faculty members at The Pankey Institute, to share how to overcome the comparison trap in dentistry that is sabotaging your practice. If you're constantly questioning yourself, this episode is for you! To learn how to reframe your thinking and focus on the positives, listen to Episode 971 of The Best Practices Show!

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Do you have a plan, or do you just hope new patients show up for appointments? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down new patient cancellation and no-show percentage and what you can do to reduce those numbers. To learn how to create strong scheduling, confirmation, and communication systems so your patients commit to showing up, listen to Episode 970 of The Best Practices Show!

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You can thrive as a small practice — you just need to be strategic. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share how to differentiate and close your operational gaps so you attract the best patients and the best team in a changing market. To learn how to create and maintain a thriving private practice, listen to Episode 969 of The Best Practices Show!

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Do you want this year to end well? Do you want next year to be better for your practice? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share four questions to guide your year-end review so you can think beyond production and collections. To learn how to have thoughtful, intentional reflection and start building the practice you truly want, listen to Episode 968 of The Best Practices Show!

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Identifying and living your core values is the most important thing you will ever do. In this episode, Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, brings in ACT’s founder, Kirk Behrendt, to share the story behind their core values, how they came to be, and why core values matter to a dental practice. To gain insight and inspiration for your core values, listen to Episode 967 of The Best Practices Show!

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People want a longer lifespan. But it’s also important to focus on health span. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Uche Odiatu, one of ACT’s favorite health and wellness gurus, to share four keys to longevity that will help you live better, not just longer. To learn how you can sync up your health span to your lifespan, listen to Episode 966 of The Best Practices Show!

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Do too many of your patients owe you money? It’s a symptom of an even bigger problem! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to break down overdue accounts and share a four-step solution to eliminate it from your practice. To learn how to collect from patients before day 30, listen to Episode 965 of The Best Practices Show!

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Every healthy practice needs new patients. But you don't want to just have “more”. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down new patient count and new patient growth, how to calculate actual patient growth, and what you can do to improve your numbers. To learn how to keep a consistent active patient count that's right for your practice, listen to Episode 964 of The Best Practices Show!

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