Dental Practice Heroes
Where dentists learn how to cut clinical days while increasing profits - without sacrificing patient care, cutting corners, or cranking volume. We teach you how to grow a scalable practice through communication, leadership, and effective management. Hosted by Dr. Paul Etchison, author of two books on dental practice management, dental coach, and owner of a $6M collections group practice in the south suburbs of Chicago, we provide actionable advice for practice owners who want to intentionally create more time to enjoy their families, wealth, and deep personal fulfillment. If you want to build a scalable practice framework that no longer str...
How to Get Your Team to Diagnose, Treat, and Communicate Consistently
Case acceptance is down. Patients are confused. Your team is frustrated. Sound familiar? These are all signs your practice is out of alignment. Whether you own one practice or multiple locations, this episode will help you get everyone on the same page clinically — from the front office to hygienists, assistants, and doctors.
You’ll learn how to run effective calibration meetings that set clear clinical standards, get your team on board, and guide them without conflict. These tips will improve communication and cut out the chaos in your practice!
Topics discussed in this episode:
The...AI Tools That Will Actually Help Your Practice w/ Dr. David Amador
What’s your opinion on AI? It can transform your team, systems, and improve case acceptance — but ONLY if you know how to use it. That’s why we're talking to Dr. David Amador, who’s built real systems with AI that make his practice more profitable and efficient.
In this episode, he shares three AI tools he uses to diagnose patients, train team members, get more insurance claims approved, and streamline operations. Tune in to learn how to make AI work for your practice instead of slowing things down!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why yo...Lazy and Loving It: My Secret to Practice Growth
The myth of discipline has perpetuated an enormous lie about what drives success in dental practices. Drawing from personal experience, I reveal why traditional definitions of discipline aren't necessary for extraordinary practice growth. Through vulnerable admissions about my own "undisciplined" habits (25 years of smoking, late-morning wake-ups, nightly cereal binges), I unpack what actually drove my success building a large group practice.
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Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life
We help dentists take more time off while making more...
Selling vs. Staying: The Eight-Figure Practice Decision
Your practice is thriving, so why not sell? DPH coach Dr. Steve Markowitz owns a six-practice dental group and seriously considered cashing out, but he realized he wasn't ready to let go.
In this episode, he shares why he decided not to sell even after hitting his $10M revenue goal and what changed about his approach to ownership. You'll hear the changes that helped him become a better leader, shift out of burnout, and redefine his purpose. Learn why selling isn't always the best move!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why Steve didn’t se...Stop Problem-Solving, Start Validating: A Gamechanger
Validation might be the most powerful leadership tool you're not using. This often-overlooked skill—distinct from praise, problem-solving, or agreement—has the remarkable ability to transform your dental practice from the inside out.
When team members bring concerns or patients express frustration, our instinct as dentists and practice owners is to jump straight to solutions. But this approach misses a crucial step that neuroscience shows is essential for creating real change. Validation—the simple act of acknowledging someone's feelings by showing you understand their perspective—activates reward centers in the brain, creating psychological safety and opening people to feedb...
How to Fix the 3 Biggest Ownership Stressors
Ever feel like your dental practice is an endless cycle of putting out fires, managing team drama, and squeezing in "just one more patient"? That overwhelming weight on your shoulders isn't just in your head—and you're definitely not alone in feeling it.
Dr. Paul Etchison breaks down the three fundamental stressors that make practice ownership feel impossibly heavy: team management challenges, operational overwhelm, and the crushing clinical demands that keep you trapped chairside. But rather than offering quick fixes or motivational platitudes, he provides concrete, tested solutions that have transformed practices across the country.
Te...
Playing The Dental Insurance Game: How To Slash Your Denial Rate
Claims keep getting denied? Here’s a hard truth: it’s probably your fault. But in this episode, Dr. Travis Campbell shares everything he's learned about how to master the insurance game, get your denial rate under 2% and stop wasting hours on appeals.
His insights cover everything from the common reasons SRP claims get denied to the simple step that makes crown approvals almost automatic. We also talk about what insurance reviewers actually want to see in claims, how to avoid surprise patient bills, and what every out-of-network practice should have in their office.
Topics disc...
Beyond Words: When Your Actions Contradict Your Values
Leadership's echo effect shapes dental practice culture far more than we realize. As practice owners, even when we're not actively leading, our behavior creates rippling effects that influence team dynamics long after we've left the building.
True practice culture isn't what you declare in mission statements or team meetings—it's the accumulation of every feeling your team members have about working in your practice. These feelings develop through countless small interactions where your actual behaviors either reinforce or contradict your stated values. A deep sigh when interrupted, multitasking during conversations, or inconsistently holding people accountable all send po...
How to Mentally Shut Off the Practice
You get it, you need to let go. But how do you actually step back, stop micromanaging and see what your team can really do?
In this episode, we share actionable ways to reduce your workload, delegate the right tasks, and leave work stress at the office. Learn how you might be getting in your own way and why letting your practice fail is the first step to real growth!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why letting go is so hard for practice ownersHow to manage the guilt of letting goExercises to redefine your...Why Patients Start Treatment But Never Finish: Understanding the Psychology of Momentum
Discover the psychological key that unlocks patient follow-through with the endowed progress effect—a powerful concept that transforms how dental professionals communicate about treatment plans. This game-changing approach doesn't require changing your fees, procedures, or recommendations—just the way you frame patient progress.
Through a fascinating car wash punch card study, we explore why patients who feel they've already made progress are dramatically more likely to complete their treatment. Rather than overwhelming patients with everything that needs to be done, learn to recognize and celebrate the steps they've already taken. For new patients with extensive needs, acknowledge that...
Making Multi-Doctor Practices Work: Partnership Risks and Rewards
Thinking about making your associate a partner? This episode will help you decide if it’s the right move for you and what other options you have to keep associates in your practice without giving up equity.
You'll learn the must-haves of a successful partnership, the common reasons they fail, and what to look for in a potential partner. Listen now to hear the benefits of partnership and why you might want to stay solo!
Topics discussed in this episode:
The first step to partnershipThe benefits of partnershipWhy Dr. Henry chose to stay soloWhy pa...How to Make your Membership Plan Win-Win for Everyone
There’s an easy solution for patients who can’t afford treatment: membership plans. In this episode, you’ll learn how to structure your plan, price it so patients sign up, and get your team on board.
The DPH coaches share what’s worked in their practices and easy mistakes you can avoid, whether you're creating a plan or revamping one you already have. Tune in for tips to build a plan that keeps patients coming back and feels like a win for everyone!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why membership plans are good for your...Leaving Clinical to Mentor Doctors Into Partners w/ Dr. Sten Erickson
Most owners manage the day-to-day; Dr. Sten Erickson is turning doctors into partners. He joins me in this episode to share how he stepped into a true leadership role and expanded his practice after leaving clinical work behind.
From scheduling weekly meetings across multiple practices to case reviews, we talk about the strategies and systems that help him get doctors ready to lead, drive culture, and grow a multi-location practice without micromanaging or seeing patients. Tune in to hear how he structures his time to mentor doctors and scale without burning out!
Topics discussed in...
The Hybrid Ownership Model for Ultimate Work-Life Balance w/ Dr. Jennifer Haddad
Practice ownership doesn’t have to mean running an office or signing a lease. Dr. Jennifer Haddad designed her practice around a hybrid model that keeps her schedule and clinical decisions all within her control. In this episode, she shares how it works inside an existing practice, the benefits of this non-traditional path, and how she began building a brand before ownership. Tune in to find out if this model is right for the career and lifestyle you want!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Struggling with work-life balance as a new motherLogistics of the co-working hybrid mo...5 Scheduling Hacks that Allow you to Easily Cut Clinical Days
Feeling trapped in the operatory five days a week? Imagine reclaiming an entire workday without sacrificing income or patient care. That's exactly what today's episode delivers—a practical blueprint for dental practice owners who want to work smarter, not harder.
I break down five seemingly small schedule adjustments that combine to create massive efficiency gains. From the simple act of staggering assistant lunches (yes, you can eat quickly!) to training your team to handle crown deliveries up to the final cementation, these strategies address the hidden time thieves lurking in your daily operations. By implementing these changes, yo...
Why Your Practice Keeps Taking From You
Ever felt that mounting frustration when someone keeps crossing a line you never actually drew? That's exactly what happens in dental practices without clear boundaries. When you're constantly putting out fires, feeling resentful toward team members, or watching work bleed relentlessly into your personal time, it's not just about difficult people—it's about undefined limits.
The truth is uncomfortable but liberating: your practice will take whatever you allow it to take. Those late-night texts from team members, patients who expect weekend emergency care despite ignoring your treatment recommendations for years, staff who consistently arrive late to morning hu...
Why Are DSO's Failing? What's Happening Inside Dentistry with Jake Berry
Why have dozens of DSOs collapsed? What’s the impact on the dental industry? And how can you protect yourself, even if you never plan to sell? Tune in to learn what’s really happening in the DSO market, and what YOU should look for if you're considering a DSO!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why so many DSOs are failingWhat investors look for in DSOs today3 characteristics of an ideal partnerRisks of the DSO business modelBenefits of partnering with a DSO_________________________________
****To learn more about MB2 and get a fr...
Built to Sell: Increasing the Value of Your Practice
A sellable practice runs smoother, earns more, and stresses you less. But what does it mean to have a sellable practice? In this episode, the DPH coaches share the seven signs your practice is sellable and explain why you should build a sellable practice even if you never plan to sell. Learn how to increase the value of your practice, what metrics matter to buyers, and how long it takes to make a practice sellable. Tune in to find out if your practice checks all the boxes of a sellable practice!
Topics discussed in this episode:
...The Drinking Game that Taught Me Practice Culture
Ever have one of those nights where you're exhausted but someone talks you into staying up anyway—and it turns into the most fun night ever? That's exactly what happened when my family convinced me to play our ridiculous Italian-themed drinking game called "Garlic and Oil" at the lake house.
The truth is that strong practice cultures aren't built through mission statements—they're created through shared experiences, inside jokes, and rituals that bond your team together. People connect through experiences more than tasks. In my practice, we've developed unique cultural elements like our appreciation token system, morning hudd...
Practice Policies: Cell Phones, Tattoos, and Staff Discounts
When’s the last time you reviewed your office policies? Regular check-ins keep your practice running smoothly and your team on the same page. In this episode, the DPH coaches share how they've updated their own policies to reflect today’s workplace, cut down stress, and avoid playing favorites.
Get tips on managing cell phone use, stopping patients who start recording in the chair, and creating policies that are fair to all employees. Plus, find out how staff discounts can strengthen your team and grow your practice!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Evolving cell phon...What If Your Entire Team Quit Tomorrow?
What would happen if your entire dental team quit tomorrow? Rather than just a nightmare scenario, this thought experiment reveals critical insights about your practice's foundation. I share the story of a dentist who actually experienced this situation—when he laid out his vision for the practice and gave his team of seven the option to leave if they didn't align with it, five walked out. Surprisingly, this became one of the best things that ever happened to his practice.
Ready to transform your practice with proven systems and leadership strategies? Visit dentalpracticheroes.com to explore our on...
Beyond the Operatory: Why Some Dentists Make Millions
You can be a great dentist and still struggle to grow — and here's why: your mindset. It's what keeps some practice owners stuck and helps others build the type of practice they want.
In this episode, find out how to shift out of "survival mode" and run your business instead of just working in it. From perfectionism and fear to day-to-day fundamentals, we discuss common mindset traps and habits that stall growth and how you can move past them. Tune in for tips to build a strong team and become a better leader!
Topics discussed in...
Eliminate Hygiene Cancellations with This Simple Policy
Ever struggled with hygiene cancellations while simultaneously facing a backlog of patients desperate for appointments? You're not alone, and there's a brilliant solution hiding in plain sight.
What makes this approach so powerful is its triple benefit structure. Your practice maintains a more predictable schedule and improves productivity. Your patients gain more consistent access to care when they need it. And your local community organizations receive much-needed support. It's a win-win-win that aligns perfectly with modern dental practices that aim to be forces for good beyond their clinical contributions.
Ready to transform your practice's cancellation...
Managing Stress and Finding Fulfillment in Dental Practice with Chelsea Myers
Ever feel like the stress of dental practice is overwhelming? Join us on Dental Practice Heroes as we sit down with the insightful dental life coach Chelsea Myers to explore how dentists can manage stress and avoid feeling trapped in their profession. Chelsea offers practical advice on setting boundaries between work and home life and emphasizes the importance of personal and professional growth. Discover how taking control of your own happiness, instead of relying on external factors, can lead to a more fulfilling career and personal life.
In our deep-dive discussion, Chelsea also sheds light on achieving...
How Cutting Clinical Days Can Help You Grow Faster & Lead Better w/ Dr. Ryan Bradley
How can you keep your team, grow your practice, AND reclaim your time? Discover how Dr. Ryan Bradley did all three without burnout, spending big on marketing, or micromanaging his team. We talk about what worked to reduce turnover through a merger, create work-life balance, and scale while cutting back clinical days. Tune in to learn how working less can actually help you grow your practice faster!
Topics discussed in this episode:
How to successfully take over a practiceBuilding a culture that reduces turnoverChallenges expanding from 4 to 8 opsMaintaining low turnover through a mergerStrategies to achieve work-life...Burnout to Balance: A Dentist's Journey to Wellbeing w/ Dr. Peter Dinh
What does “biohacking” have to do with dentistry? For Dr. Peter Dinh, figuring out the root cause of his low energy and burnout changed the way he felt in his body and in his practice.
In our conversation, he shares how functional medicine helped him heal hidden issues like leaky gut and low dopamine, improve his mental and physical health, and show up better for his team, his family, and himself. We also talk about the stress of practice ownership and how biohacking can help you treat common problems like anxiety, apathy, and trouble sleeping — making it possib...
The REAL Profit from the Hygiene Department
Dental practice owners across the country face a mounting challenge—skyrocketing hygienist wages that strain traditional production-focused models. But what if obsessing over hourly production metrics is actually holding your practice back from its true potential?
In this transformative episode, I reveal why the real value of your hygiene department extends far beyond cleaning teeth and covering overhead. Your hygienists aren't just maintenance workers—they're relationship architects creating memorable patient experiences, treatment acceptance facilitators preparing patients for necessary care, and health consultants offering solutions that improve lives.
When patients spend 40-60 minutes with your hygienists but...
How to Stay In Control When Things Go Wrong w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
Nothing throws off your day like a surprise complication. When a surgical or dental emergency hits, how you respond is what matters most. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon joins me to share how we approach emergencies to keep our cool, make smart decisions, and lead our teams.
We dive into emergency protocols, critical mindset shifts, and how to avoid unnecessary risk. Discover new ways to reset in high-stress situations and grow through the tough cases—not just get through them!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Mastering your mind during emergenciesThe Dunning-Kruger effect in de...Tax Hacks Your Regular Accountant Won't Tell You w/ Mike Bark
You might be missing out on tens of thousands in tax savings and not even know it. But all that can change with the help of a dental CPA. Mike Bark of Bull Moose Financial joins me today to talk profitability, tax mistakes and strategies that dentists overlook far too often.
We dive into the tax landscape of dentistry, explore what a good dental CPA can do for your practice, and unpack how shifting your tax entity could be the smartest move you make this year. If you want to save more next tax season or find...
Growing with Less Hygienists: New Models for the Age of Hygiene Scarcity
Dental practice owners across the country are facing a critical challenge: how to continue growing when hygienists seem impossible to find. This shortage creates a frustrating bottleneck - you've got the new patients flowing in, your clinical skills are sharp, your systems are solid, but without adequate hygiene capacity, your practice hits a growth ceiling that feels impenetrable.
The mathematics behind this problem are straightforward but concerning. A full-time hygienist seeing seven patients daily for four days weekly can accommodate 672 patients on a six-month recall schedule. For practices bringing in 80-100 new patients monthly with strong reappointment...
You Can Grow Without PPO's with Dr. Andrew Kokabi
Big growth isn’t reserved for in-network practices. Dr. Andrew Kokabi has built more than just a thriving fee-for-service practice — he’s built a reputation as a trusted business that gives back.
In this episode, he explains what it means to be a community-driven practice and how this approach has helped him grow without relying on insurance. He also shares his best community initiatives, including one that cost nothing to launch but continues to generate trust and referrals. Don't miss this one — he’s got some ideas on service and leadership that you’ll want to try!
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Lessons from a Lawsuit w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
Every dentist dreads it: the day a case turns into a lawsuit. And often, it’s not the actual dentistry that gets you.
In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon gets candid about a worst-case scenario he’s facing in real time. He shares what mistakes opened the door to litigation, and the steps every dentist can take to avoid the same fate. You’ll learn best practices for case management, tools for documenting consent, and how to use the CANDOR process to resolve issues before they escalate.
Don’t wait for a lawsuit to test your sys...
5 Keys to High-Performance Meetings
Great dental practices share one essential quality: exceptional team communication. Yet many offices struggle with ineffective meetings that drain energy rather than build momentum. Drawing from 13 years of practice management experience, I reveal how my team transformed frustrating, head-spinning meetings into productive sessions that actually strengthen our culture.
Remember when your practice was small and communication seemed effortless? Those casual, unstructured catch-ups worked beautifully until your team grew beyond 7-8 people. Suddenly, meetings became chaotic—discussions wandered aimlessly, people disengaged, and you left feeling more confused than when you started. Sound familiar?
Through years of tr...
Beyond Clinical Skills: The Trust Factor in Dental Practice Success
Trust should be the plan before the treatment plan. It’s the foundation behind case acceptance, retention, and referrals — the things that actually grow your practice.
In this episode, we dive into strategies for building trust in the day-to-day, common mistakes new dentists make, and how to ease patients into seeing a new provider without losing them. You’ll learn how to make a great first impression, discover a hack for stress-free follow-up calls, and hear what really keeps patients coming back!
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Sign...
What Makes You Lose Sleep: Business or Clinical?
One bad case can haunt you longer than a bad hire. But what’s really more unpredictable — the patient in the chair or people in your practice? This episode debates what causes more stress: clinical work or the business of running a dental practice. The DPH coaches share their experiences on both sides of dentistry and how they reduce stress in clinical procedures and day-to-day operations. This is a practical listen for building more confidence and predictability into your day!
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Ta...
Two Day Clinical Weeks with Dr. David Maconi
What if working less could actually make your practice more profitable? Dr. David Maconi proves it's not just possible—it's achievable for committed practice owners willing to challenge conventional wisdom.
Whether you're burning out from too many clinical days or simply curious about creating more flexibility in your practice, this conversation provides actionable strategies for working smarter, not harder. Join us to discover how strategic staffing, targeted marketing, and a willingness to challenge dental practice norms can transform both your business and your life.
Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this ch...
More Staff, or More Efficiency? How to Tell with Dr. Paul Etchison
Are your front desk team members constantly asking for more help? In this revealing episode, I tackle the challenging question every dental practice owner faces: when should you hire more administrative staff versus improving your systems?
I walk through practical solutions I implemented during COVID when my team was drowning in new protocols and administrative burdens. Rather than immediately hiring additional staff, we automated patient check-ins, digitized forms, and streamlined communication processes. The results were transformative - not only did we handle the increased workload without adding headcount, but we created a less stressful environment for our...
Thick Skin & Thin Schedules: The Surprising Burnout Solution
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real problem in dentistry. But why? Join us as we dive into the growing issue of burnout and how you can find joy in your career again. You'll get strategies for combatting burnout, learn how to manage the stress of practice ownership, and understand the key mindset shifts that make all the difference in your workweek. These insights will help you step back from the chaos and make changes that reduce stress and prevent burnout!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why is burnout on the rise?Mindset shifts...The Million-Dollar Associate: How to Help Associates Succeed from Day One w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
We all know how game-changing it is to have the right associate on board — and how costly it can be when you hire the wrong one. Too many owners hire quickly, don’t provide enough guidance, and end up paying the price. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon shares how to avoid these mistakes and mentor million-dollar associates in your practice.
From structuring a strong onboarding process to improving case acceptance, this conversation is packed with advice to help owners and associates thrive together. Plus, find out how to hire associates ready to hit the ground running. If y...
Mastering Nonverbals for Case Acceptance
Your body language might be sabotaging your case acceptance without you even realizing it. Imagine presenting the perfect treatment plan with flawless explanation—only to have patients hesitate and "think about it." What went wrong?
The answer lies in the subtle realm of nonverbal communication. Research shows our brains are 12.5 times more likely to believe body language over words, and a staggering 82% of first impressions depend entirely on nonverbal cues. These hidden signals determine whether patients perceive you as trustworthy and competent—or not.
Drawing from Vanessa Van Edwards' groundbreaking book "Cues," this episode breaks down...
