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Dental Economics Article: August 2026 on Specialist Referral KPIs
In this episode of the Dental Referral Marketing Podcast, we dive deep into a recent Dental Economics article, "The 5 big wins: why specialist practices need their own KPIs." While our friends over at Referral Lab correctly point out that specialist practices are bleeding revenue by tracking the wrong metrics, they miss the most critical piece of the puzzle: execution.
We break down the critical talking points from the article—tracking raw referral intake, More importantly, we reveal how you can use Referral Conduit to bridge the gap between knowing your numbers and automatically capturing every single referral before it leaks.
Key Takeaways
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Are you looking for data-proven frameworks to scale your dental specialty practice, eliminate referral leakage, and maximize your production? In this episode of the Dental Referral Marketing podcast, we sit down with industry veteran Michelle Stewart. With over 25 years of clinical and operational experience, Michelle pulls back the curtain on the exact referral marketing secrets that drive sustainable practice growth.
Whether you are looking to seamlessly onboard a new associate, optimize your team's strategic outreach, or bridge the gap between general dentists and specialists, this conversation delivers actionable strategies you can implement today.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
About Our Guest:
Michelle Stewart is an industry leader with a quarter-century of hands-on experience navigating complex specialty workflows, driving multi-million dollar clinical growth, and building robust interdisciplinary provider networks.
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Oral DNA Director of Clinical Education, Diane Larson, RDH, BSDH joins our podcast in today's guest interview episode where we discuss salivary testing, Integrated Care Summit from ADHA's recent event in Colorado and much more.
Listen in as we discuss the Medical to Dental connection for Oral Systemic health, how to bridge the education gap between the two industries and what has worked to faciliate change in whole body care.
You won't want to miss Diane's insights as she bring her clinical experience to the show.
If you would like to learn more about Oral DNA Salivary Diagnostic test kits, please check out their website at: OralDNA.com
As Diane shared:
Orange button: Create Account - no charge to begin
Client Success team available at 855-672-5362
Collection Kits are sent to you at no charge to begin. Only fee involved when specimen is returned for processing test results.
Let's bridge the Oral Systemic gap together between medical and dental! Salivary testing can be your tool to provide medical providers the data they speak.
The Future of Dentistry is Bright.
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Are you sending out your dental team members to visit your referring offices but not seeing results? Well, then this episode is for you!
In this episode of the Dental Referral Marketing podcast, we break down the top 3 mistakes dental team members make during referral outreach marketing—and exactly how you can fix them to grow your dental specialty practice. Learn how to transition away from basic "donut drops" and start building high-impact, data-driven professional relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Episode Timestamps:
Join the Community!
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, turn on your notifications, and leave us a review! We post fresh episodes every Monday morning at 8:00 AM Eastern, making referral marketing simple for dental teams who want real-world growt
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Are you tired of competing for dental patients?
Your highest-case-value, cash-paying patients might be sitting in the waiting rooms of your local functional medicine and primary care doctors. In this episode of the Dental Referral Marketing Podcast, host Michelle Hougland breaks down a clear marketing framework to turn local medical providers into your top referral sources. Learn how to step into a "Blue Ocean" of clinical opportunity by establishing a high-growth medical-dental referral ecosystem.
Key Takeaways:
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect With Michelle:
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Most specialty practices lose thousands of dollars in production each month not from a lack of referrals, but from leaky tracking systems that let existing patient leads slip through the cracks. In today's episode, we are diving deep into "Referral Tracking 101." While most endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and orthodontists believe they have a handle on where their patients come from, the vast majority are missing critical data points. Today, we will uncover three massive tracking blind spots that cost specialty practices growth and efficiency, and share a step-by-step framework to clean up your data, capture lost revenue, and protect your practice's livelihood.
A warm welcome to all the new listeners joining the community! It has been incredible getting out into the local community and meeting so many of you face-to-face at your specialty practices recently. Welcome to the show!
Housekeeping Call to Action: Before we dive in, make sure to follow the show, download your episodes, and if you are getting value from this podcast, please share it with a colleague or friend and leave a review. If you would like direct support for your dental practice’s referral marketing needs, check out my link in the show notes below. Ok, now let’s get into today’s episode.
3 Core Points Explained
1. Digital Referral Pads: Streamlining the Intake Pipeline
2. Practice Management Software (PMS) Clean-Up: Eradicating Ghost Data
3. The Paperwork Gatekeeper: Hardcoding "Referred By"
Links & Resources Mentioned
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Hiring a new dental specialty associate is the easy part. The hard part? Watching them sit idle while your referral network wonders who they are and your practice’s bank account feels the pain.
In this episode, host Michelle Hougland drops a goldmine of boots-on-the-ground operational experience from her years as a regional operations director managing over 30 specialty locations for a large DSO. Having personally managed the ramp-up of seven new dental specialty associates and spearheaded three major expansion projects, Michelle pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build a thriving specialty pipeline fast.
Tune in to discover the top three critical mistakes dental specialty practices make when onboarding a new doctor, the precise operational metrics you must hit before expanding, and the exact strategic playbook to transform an idle provider into a high-revenue clinical asset.
Key Points in today's episode:
Key Takeaways from This Episode
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Are Google, ChatGPT, and Apple Intelligence quietly hiding your dental clinic from local patients? In this episode of the Dental Referral Marketing Podcast, host Michelle Hougland breaks down how AI search tools act as "digital matchmakers" and why old marketing tricks are causing algorithmic doubt that pushes patients straight to your competitors.
Discover the exact mistakes making your digital footprint invisible and learn a simple, 3-step action plan to clean up your assets without needing to code.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Resources & Links Mentioned:
About the Show:
The Dental Referral Marketing Podcast with Michelle Hougland makes referral marketing simple for dental teams who want to grow.
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right with your dental practice marketing, but the referral numbers keep dipping? You’ve may have a beautiful, newly remodeled office and a top-notch website, yet the phone isn't ringing like it used to. It’s a frustrating, invisible problem that leaves most practice owners guessing. If you are ready to stop burning cash and start growing, this episode is your blueprint.
Imagine navigating a boat through dark, muddy, crocodile-infested waters like Jeremy Wade on River Monsters—totally blind to the hidden dangers right beneath you. Believe it or not, that is exactly what it's like running your dental specialty practice using dirty data and broken referral source reports.
In this episode, Michelle pulls back the curtain on why so many practices hit a wall. You'll discover how duplicate doctor entries and unarchived offices act like an anchor dragging your business down. But what happens when you clear the water? Imagine beautiful, crystal-clear Belize turquoise waters where you can spot opportunities instantly.
Michelle shares how to transition your practice from an outdated "donut-drop" marketing strategy to a highly effective, reverse-engineered plan fueled by an optimized marketing budget and a dedicated Practice Relations Coordinator (PRC).
Inside this episode, you’ll learn the exact 3-Step Framework to plug the leaks and accelerate your practice growth like a speedboat:
Episode Timestamps
Resources & Links Mentioned
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Are empty chairs in your schedule dragging down your revenue?
When the "Summer Slowdown" hits your practice, those vacant slots are more than just a missed financial milestone—they are a critical warning sign that your referral network and internal marketing systems need an immediate overhaul.
In this episode of the Summer Slowdown Series, we shift your approach from reactive referral tracking to proactive pipeline building. Learn how to find hidden scheduling opportunities right inside your current practice data without spending a single dollar on new marketing campaigns.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Stop relying on stressful, reactive marketing that makes your referral sources feel like a commodity. Take control of your practice growth today!
Connect & Grow With Us:
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
Let's Connect! Have questions or need assistance for your practice?
Ready to Scale Your Specialty Practice Footprint?
Ramping up new doctors and protecting your referral pipeline requires systematic execution. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level. Reach out today for dedicated, expert support in:
[Click here to schedule a strategy session with Michelle and the Referral Conduit team.]
Thanks for Listening!
See you in the next weekly episode, posted Monday mornings at 8am est. time. "Referral Marketing made simple for Dental teams who want to grow!"
Michelle Hougland
Host - Dental Referral Marketing Podcast
CEO/Founder - Referral Conduit Software
https://stan.store/dentalreferralmarketingpodcast
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