The Dental Lighthouse with Dr. Jason Tanoory

What do you do when the schedule starts opening up, new patient numbers dip, or production isn’t where you expected it to be? The answer probably isn’t to panic, blame the market, or immediately throw more money at marketing. In this episode, Dr. Jason is joined by Ryan Gross of CMO Share and Dr. Addison Killeen for an off-the-cuff conversation about navigating the inevitable ups and downs of dental practice ownership. They discuss how mindset can shape team performance, why practice owners need to understand their numbers before reacting to them, and how leading indicators like treatment presented, case acceptance, new patient conversion, and total appointments can reveal where the real problem lies. The conversation also gets tactical, covering hygiene cancellations, ASAP lists, patient scheduling, financial conversations, case acceptance, and why owners need to spend more time observing and coaching their teams instead of getting buried in low-value tasks. Ryan and Addison also share their perspectives on cancellation fees, same-day scheduling, ghost columns, and preparing for historically slower months before they arrive. If you’ve ever looked at a bad week or month and wondered whether you need to change everything, this episode is a reminder to get curious before getting reactive, look at the full picture, and focus your energy on the decisions that actually move the practice forward.

When you notice something feels off with a team member, is it better to give it time or address it before a small issue becomes a bigger one? In this episode of The Dental Lighthouse Podcast, Dr. Jason shares an excerpt from a recent coaching call with a practice owner who noticed a shift in the attitude and engagement of one of his strongest team members. Rather than assuming the problem would resolve itself, Jason encourages him to approach the situation with curiosity, care, and a willingness to have the conversation. Jason explains why changes in a team member’s energy, behavior, or demeanor should not automatically be viewed as performance problems. Sometimes the most effective leadership move is simply creating space to ask what is going on, listen without judgment, and make sure the person knows they are valued and supported. He also explores one of the most common leadership traps: knowing a conversation needs to happen but repeatedly putting it off because something else feels more urgent. While avoiding the conversation may be easier in the moment, the team member, the practice, and even the patients can ultimately pay the price. If you have ever noticed a team member disengaging, avoided a conversation because you were unsure how to approach it, or hoped an uncomfortable situation would simply work itself out, this episode is a reminder that strong leadership often starts with being willing to ask the question.

When hiring an associate dentist, what matters more: strong clinical skills or strong communication skills? In this episode of Ramblings with Jason and Dr. Nacho, Dr. Jason Tanoory and Dr. Paul Goodman tackle a question that sparked plenty of debate: Would you rather hire an associate with 8/10 clinical skills and 5/10 communication skills, or 5/10 clinical skills and 8/10 communication skills? While 73% of respondents chose the stronger communicator, Jason and Paul both landed on the less popular choice. They break down why improving communication may be easier than correcting clinical deficiencies, especially for practice owners who are already busy treating their own patients. From coaching associates on the language they use with patients to stepping into the operatory to troubleshoot crown preps, they discuss the very different demands each type of development places on an owner. Jason also shares a real example of having to provide hands-on clinical coaching to an associate and why those situations can quickly become difficult for owners who are still heavily tied to the chair. Jason and Paul explore how mentorship capacity, emotional intelligence, coachability, and the realities of running a busy practice should all factor into the decision. If you are hiring an associate or trying to develop the doctors already on your team, this conversation will challenge you to think about which skills you can realistically teach and where you need someone to be strong from day one.

Your hygiene department can be one of the most impactful parts of your practice, but without the right systems, communication, and accountability, it can also become a major source of stress. In this episode, Dr. Jason sits down with Amber Auger, RDH, international speaker, consultant, and fractional hygiene director, to talk about what it really takes to build a high-performing hygiene department. Amber shares the most common issues she sees inside dental practices, from rushed appointment times and inconsistent scheduling to weak handoffs, lack of accountability, and team members who are resistant to coaching. She also explains how better systems and clearer expectations can improve patient care, strengthen team culture, and create a more profitable department without making everything feel more complicated. They also dive into time management, verbal skills, new patient appointments, hygiene KPIs, team buy-in, and how practice owners can raise the standard without creating burnout or damaging morale. If you want your hygiene department to run more consistently, serve patients at a higher level, and become a stronger part of your practice, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can start applying right away. Interested in seeing Amber Auger speak in person in Upstate NY next month? Sign up here! https://jason-tanoory.mykajabi.com/offers/2i4YFJi7/checkout

Dental practices spend thousands on marketing, but too often, they’re left paying for clicks and leads that never become patients. What if you only paid when a new patient actually showed up? In this episode, Dr. Jason sits down with Cam, founder of OpenCare, to explore a smarter approach to patient acquisition. Cam explains how OpenCare matches patients with vetted dental practices, integrates with practice management systems, and uses online booking and AI-powered tools to help convert patient interest into scheduled appointments. They also discuss what practices should realistically spend to acquire a new patient, how to measure the return on marketing dollars, why fast response times matter, and the three changes every practice can make to improve patient growth. If you are tired of wondering whether your marketing is working, this conversation offers a more transparent, results-driven alternative. Dental Lighthouse listeners can visit opencare.com/lighthouse to learn more, book a demo, and receive 50% off OpenCare’s membership fee. You can also contact Cam directly at [email protected]