Claim OwnershipDental Practice Heroes
Subscribed: 156Played: 7,505
Subscribe
© 2025 Dental Practice Heroes
Description
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 stresses, drains, or relies on you for every little thing, we will teach you how and share stories of other dentists who have done it!
603 Episodes
Reverse
Ever wonder why you're constantly busy but your practice isn't growing? The answer lies in understanding the critical difference between maintenance work and true business building. As dental practice owners, we often mistake activity for productivity. We spend countless hours handling payroll, ordering supplies, managing schedules, and answering endless staff questions. These tasks give us the satisfaction of checking boxes, but they're merely keeping the lights on rather than creating grow...
We all have those patients that call and say they’re “sick” at the last minute. When it keeps happening, you’ve got to ask: is your cancellation policy working, or just being ignored? In this episode, the DPH coaches share how they reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations, hold patients accountable, and get their team to follow through. From how much to charge (if anything) to getting patients to value your time, you’ll learn how to lower your cancellation rate without losing patients. T...
What if you could dramatically improve your dental practice without working harder or longer hours? The secret lies in understanding the butterfly effect – how small, strategic changes create massive ripple effects throughout your practice. Most dentists make the same critical mistake: believing that increased production requires more patients, more procedures, or more associates. They chase these "big wins" while overlooking dozens of small levers hiding in plain sight – levers that could m...
What if you could double or even triple your dental practice's profitability without working more hours? The secret lies in understanding and optimizing your dollar-per-hour production. Most dentists unknowingly operate practices that generate around $300 for every 40 minutes of work when they could be making $1,500 in that same time frame. This profound difference doesn't just impact your income—it transforms every aspect of practice ownership, from stress levels to management decisions to ...
Case acceptance often hinges on moments most dentists overlook. Do you follow-up with post-op patients? Does the front desk greet every patient? Is your office clean and welcoming? In this episode, we talk about the little things that improve patient experience and lead to more reviews, loyalty, and referrals. Tune in for creative ways to make your practice stand out and help your team provide consistent care! Topics discussed in this episode: Why patient experience mattersHow to make a good ...
Did you hire the wrong person… or is it your onboarding process? In this episode, learn how to figure out if it’s a hiring mistake or an onboarding issue, why coachability matters more than resumes, and what to do when your new hire isn’t meeting expectations. You'll hear about our own hiring mistakes and get tips for spotting red flags early, asking better interview questions, and knowing when it’s time to let someone go. Topics discussed in this episode: Why your office isn’t the right fit ...
Ready to get out of the operatory without leaving dentistry? If you’re mid-career and craving more, this episode will help you figure out your next move and how to get there. Dr. Mustafa Shah-Khan of Simplify Dentistry shares his tips for simplifying your systems, meeting production goals, and avoiding the common traps that keep dentists stuck. Learn how to get out of that mid-career burnout and build a practice that supports the lifestyle you want! Topics discussed in this episode: Practice ...
The bridge you're walking across has missing planks. Every step feels uncertain, progress slows to a crawl, and you might even consider turning back. This perfectly captures what running a dental practice feels like when critical systems are missing or broken. Most dental practices struggle with five fundamental gaps: inadequate onboarding that never fully integrates team members into the culture; collections and financing systems that allow money to leak through cracks; chaotic scheduling t...
Taking over a practice is hard, but a full overhaul is even harder. In this episode, hear how Dr. Rhonda Kalasho transformed a hygiene-only dental office into a modern, multi-location practice and retained most of the original patient base. She shares how she pulled it off — from building trust with skeptical patients and getting case acceptance, to rebranding the practice and creating a team culture that supports her vision. Tune in to hear her take on female leadership, why delegation isn’t...
That dreaded, “I need to talk to you about something?” It’s a conversation no one looks forward to, but every owner has to deal with. Whether it's an underperforming employee or tension in the office, this episode will give you the tools to address issues that can make or break workplace culture. You’ll learn how to confront underperformance and team conflict head-on, prevent problems before they spiral, and get your team back on track. Plus, we also share a quick test to help you decide if i...
Have you ever noticed how some dental teams thrive even on the most challenging days? They laugh together, support each other, and somehow make even the toughest situations enjoyable. It's not magic—it's intentional leadership and genuine connection. The relationships within your dental team matter more than anything else—even more than compensation or perks. When team members genuinely enjoy each other's company, they create a resilient culture that pulls together during stressful times. A...
True leadership in dental practice means empowering your team through the right conversations rather than trying to be the answer person for everything. Mastering three key conversation types – vision, accountability, and problem-solving – can solve 95% of practice problems and prevent owner burnout. • Vision conversations connect daily tasks to meaningful patient outcomes and team benefits • Creating purpose helps team members understand their work impacts patients' overall health and quali...
Running behind every day isn’t normal — it’s a systems problem. From scheduling to delayed exams, this episode explores what causes chaos in dental practices and simple fixes that can get the whole office running smoothly again. Our tips and tricks will help you time hygiene exams, handle emergencies, and create a culture that keeps everyone on time. If your days feel like a game of catch-up, this episode is for you! Topics discussed in this episode: How running behind impacts patients and yo...
Embezzlement usually starts with someone “you’d never suspect.” Dr. Josh Cochran thought he was building a strong team after opening his practice, but the financials told a different story. In this episode, he shares why it took him so long to realize his employee was embezzling, the red flags he missed, and how he would do things differently today. Learn what systems to put in place to protect your business and the most effective way to prevent embezzlement in your practice! Topics discussed...
Tired of feeling like you're the only one who gives a crap? This week, Dr. Paul breaks down one of the real causes of burnout—not just for you, but for your team. It’s not about working too hard. It’s about feeling like none of it matters.Discover how powerlessness creates disengagement, resentment, and culture rot—and how a simple shift in leadership style can turn your team from reactive employees to proactive owners.You'll learn:Why your team might be checking out (and it's not laziness)Ho...
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 improv...
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 thing...
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. Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We he...
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...
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...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States