In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, hosts Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue go beyond the surface of the interview process to reveal the deeper intentions that should guide your hiring conversations. Whether you are fresh out of dental school or a seasoned practice owner, this conversation will help you build a more intentional, compliant, and effective approach to interviewing.

Sandy and Dana share real world examples, cautionary tales, and the subtle cues they watch for that a resume will never reveal. They cover how to avoid common pitfalls like skipping the interview entirely, how to keep interviews consistent and bias-free, and why you should think twice about hiring family or close friends without a proper process. You will learn how to set the right tone from the very first question, uncover hidden red flags, and balance gut instinct with consistent standards.

And yes — the broccoli salad that Dana could not stop raving about makes an appearance. As promised, you can grab Sandy's go to Broccoli Salad Recipe here: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/broccoli-salad/. It is healthy, easy, and a hit with the whole family, even the kids.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Set a clear purpose before you ask the first interview question
• Keep the process consistent to protect your team culture and reduce bias
• Spot hidden red flags in tone, word choice, and body language
• Avoid the risks of working interviews and use skill-based tests instead

📅 Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7

Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills.

Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized). Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels.

💡 Episode Sponsors

A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week:

• Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. https://www.planforward.io/

• Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. https://mangovoice.com/

• Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. https://identitydental.com/