How do you know you're doing the right thing for your practice? There's an easy way to answer that, and it’s with two simple questions. To share what they are and how you can apply it to any dilemma you face, Kirk Behrendt brings back Debra Engelhardt-Nash, co-founder of The Nash Institute, with her expert advice for creating the best practice culture. Your practice is a Petri dish — so grow the culture you want! To learn how, listen to Episode 720 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Debra:

• Send Debra an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Debra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debraengnash
• Book Debra for speaking or consulting: https://debraengelhardtnash.com
• Register for Debra’s Dental Business School course: https://www.thenashinstitute.com/upcoming-events/dental-business-school
• Register for Debra’s Team Communication Skills course: https://www.thenashinstitute.com/upcoming-events/team-communication-skills

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 720: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• An important question to ask is, is X good for my practice?
• Another important question is, is X good for my patients?
• If you answer no to either of those questions, don't do it.
• Meet more with your team. Don't avoid conversations.
• Verbal skills matter. One word can make a difference.
• Change your beliefs to change your behaviors.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:09 Debra’s background.

7:36 Why this is important.

9:46 A dental practice is like a Petri dish.

15:05 Does your team endorse you?

16:36 Meet with your team more.

18:08 Stop tolerating behaviors you don't like.

19:25 The two important questions to ask.

23:15 Is a 30-minute hygiene appointment a good idea?

27:05 Keep updating your systems.

30:24 Verbal skills are critical.

33:32 Always debrief your team after a course.

36:01 You get what you give.

36:34 Don't nickel-and-dime your team.

37:50 One word can change everything.

39:32 Use the two questions to get your point across.

40:24 About Debra’s courses.

41:37 The belief cycle, explained.

Debra Engelhardt-Nash Bio:

Debra is a trainer, author, presenter, and consultant. Having been in dentistry for over 30 years, she engages organizations and study groups nationally and internationally. She is a continual presenter for the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. 

Debra is a founding member of The Nash Institute and past president of the National Academy of Dental Management Consultants. She is an active member of the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, and the Speakers Consulting Network. She has been repeatedly recognized by Dentistry Today as a leader in continuing dental education and as a leader in dental consulting. She is also a member of the American Dental Association’s Dental Practice Management Advisory Board, and recently became the president of the Academy for Private Dental Practice.

Debra is married to cosmetic dentist and dental educator, Dr. Ross Nash, of The Nash Institute for Dental Learning. She continues to work in his busy practice, doing exactly what she preaches.