By Laura Mach
4.9
6565 ratings
The podcast currently has 95 episodes available.
In today's episode, we have a special guest - Dr. Kaitlin Haag, a general dentist and practice owner from rural Nebraska. Dr. Haag shares her remarkable journey from being a student in the Rural Health Opportunities Program to unexpectedly becoming a 50% owner of a dental practice right out of school.
She openly discusses the challenges that came with taking on significant responsibility early in her career, from managing substantial loans to dealing with the departure of senior partners who were expected to provide mentorship. Despite the obstacles, Dr. Haag found ways to keep her work engaging, like expanding into pediatric airway treatment.
However, as a young female dentist, Dr. Haag also struggled with feelings of inadequacy, negative self-talk, and the pressure to balance patient care with the business realities of insurance plans. She shares how learning to recognize and challenge her own limiting thought patterns was a turning point, enabling her to recommend ideal care more confidently and find greater satisfaction in her work.
Dr. Haag's story highlights the unique pressures faced by women in dentistry and the importance of seeking support rather than struggling in isolation. Her insights on managing self-doubt, communicating with patients, and finding work-life harmony will resonate with many listeners.
Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation about navigating the challenges and triumphs of building a rewarding dental practice as a woman. Dr. Haag's journey reminds us that who we are is truly enough.
Highlights from this episode:
Hurdles Dr. Haag faced
Insurance drama and self-doubt
Changing her outlook and tackling negative self-talk
Leveling up her practice and confidence
How coaching helped her personal and work life
Words of wisdom for women dentists
How Dr. Haag's work helps her patients
How self-doubt messed with her work and personal life
Turning to a dental-focused professional coach
Resources and links mentioned:
Watch Laura's podcasts on YouTube: Love Your Practice!
Laura’s email: [email protected]
Laura’s website: LoveYourPractice.net
Laura’s podcast: Love Your Practice!
Laura’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauramachdds/?hl=en
Dr. Haag’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkaitlinhaag/
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Love Your Practice with Dr. Laura Mach
Love Your Practice
Laura’s personal page
Podcast and promotion produced by Blue Dot Digital Marketing.
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
Welcome to another episode of Love Your Practice. I'm your host, Dr. Laura Mach. In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back a very special guest and dear friend, Dr. Erin Sheffield.
Erin and I go way back, having known each other for nearly 20 years. Our paths first crossed when I started a Yahoo group for pre-dental Mormon women, seeking to connect with like-minded individuals. Erin's leadership skills shone through early on as when she was the President of the Women in Dentistry Club at BYU. Recognizing her potential, I encouraged her to apply to the University of Iowa Dental School, where she thrived with a well-deserved scholarship.
Fast forward to today, and Erin has achieved remarkable success in a field where women are significantly underrepresented. As an oral surgeon, she is part of the mere 8% of women in this specialty, making her voice and experiences all the more valuable.
In our conversation, we delve into the challenges and barriers faced by women in medicine and dentistry. We explore the stark gender disparities in oral surgery and discuss how a lack of proactive initiatives to recruit and support women may contribute to this imbalance. Erin shares her insights on the societal privileges that can lead to a lack of awareness and initiative in addressing these issues.
So join us as we navigate the complexities of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and learn from Erin's inspiring journey.
Highlights from this episode:
Setting policies and boundaries
Adapting office schedules for better patient/staff outcomes
Mindset, gratitude and self-care
Delegating and systems
Economic impacts on the dental field
Gender bias in the medical field and the importance of female representation
Resources and links mentioned:
Watch Laura's podcasts on YouTube: Love Your Practice!
Laura’s email: [email protected]
Laura’s website: LoveYourPractice.net
Laura’s podcast: Love Your Practice!
Laura’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauramachdds/?hl=en
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Love Your Practice with Dr. Laura Mach
Love Your Practice
Laura’s personal page
Find Dr. Sheffield online:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drerinsheffield
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drerinsheffield
DM Dr. Shellfield if you’re interested in her February retreat. [a luxury wellness retreat for Women Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons] You can also learn more and sign up here to attend. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevate-summit-2025-tickets-1043083108657?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
Podcast and promotion produced by Blue Dot Digital Marketing.
In this podcast episode, I welcome Sarah Mueller, a dental hygienist with a unique career path, now working with Swish Bio on salivary testing. Sarah shares her journey from clinical practice to leadership roles and emphasizes the transformative potential of salivary testing in dentistry. She explains how this testing identifies specific pathogens, allowing for tailored patient care. Our discussion covers the challenges of implementing new technologies in dental practices and the importance of adaptability and strong leadership. Sarah also highlights educational initiatives and onboarding processes for practices interested in adopting salivary testing.
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
Podcast and promotion produced by Blue Dot Digital Marketing.
In this episode of "Love Your Practice," I interview Dr. Jennifer Stafford, a seasoned dentist specializing in TMJ, orthodontics, and sleep-related issues. Dr. Stafford shares her journey from general dentistry to her current specialties, driven by her personal experiences with migraines. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and mentorship. The episode also delves into the transformative power of coaching, highlighting how it helped Dr. Stafford shift her mindset, overcome feelings of inadequacy, and find greater fulfillment in her work. Our discussion underscores self-acceptance, intentional thinking, and the value of personal growth in professional success. Join us for this discussion of her life-changing journey.
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
In this podcast episode, I chat with Dr. Cori Morris about her unique path to becoming a dentist and her experiences running her own dental practice. Dr. Morris talks about how she made the switch from teaching to dentistry, motivated by a desire to help her husband with humanitarian dental work. Even though she faced some skepticism and challenges along the way, she managed to finish dental school and get her own practice. Dr. Morris opens up about the difficulties of taking over an outdated practice, the need to modernize the space, and how crucial it is to be confident in treatment planning. Her story is all about resilience, dedication, and finding both professional and personal fulfillment.
Highlights from this episode:
Dr. Cori Morris's journey to becoming a dentist
Her decision to pursue dentistry and the challenges she faced
Her motivation to help others and engage in humanitarian work
The process of owning and managing a dental practice
The acquisition of the practice and the challenges faced
The importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life
Renovation and modernization of the practice space
Incorporating modern dental technology for improved workflow
Overcoming personal challenges related to discussing costs with patients
The impact of coaching on gaining confidence in treatment planning skills
Resources and links mentioned:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
Podcast and promotion produced by Blue Dot Digital Marketing.
I'm thrilled to share the latest insights from the Love Your Practice podcast featuring a captivating discussion between myself and Brandi Hooker Evans. In this episode, we explored the essential aspects of elevating oral health care through a patient-focused and teamwork-oriented approach.
Brandi and I highlighted the importance of building strong relationships with patients in dental practice and the crucial role of hygienists in understanding and supporting patients' needs. We also delved into the potential consequences of patients making uninformed decisions about their oral health and the importance of a collaborative approach to serving patients.
Brandi, a seasoned hygienist and practice owner, offered valuable insights and tools for implementing her patient-focused approach, including a study club and her book, "Dentists, Hygienists, and Cows," available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The book provides practical advice on empowering patients in their health journey.
During the discussion, we explored the burden often carried by dentists in seeking validation from patients and how shifting the focus to offering the best care can alleviate this burden. We also emphasized the significance of teamwork, professionalism, and a commitment to elevating the standard of care in dental practices.
One of the most impactful insights involved approaching hygienists about expanding their responsibilities to provide better patient care. We discussed the potential benefits of this shift for both the hygienists and the practice, such as increased earnings and improved patient care. Brandi also highlighted the financial benefits of scheduling appropriately for hygienists, preventing them from feeling overworked and contributing to increased production and elevated care.
The episode also addressed the importance of involving hygienists in restorative treatment plans and recognizing their invaluable contributions.
We are thrilled to share these insights with you and hope you find them valuable and applicable to your practice.
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
Links for Brandi Hooker Evans:
Link for Laura:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see! ~ Laura
Podcast and promotion produced by Blue Dot Digital Marketing. www.bluedotdigitalmarketing.com.
Are you struggling to make important decisions to move your practice forward? This happens to all of us, and my guest on this episode, Dr. Seema Amin, opens up about her doubts and struggles with making necessary staffing changes in a timely manner. Dr. Amin has practiced dentistry for 26 years, starting in an associateship and then buying her own practice in 2011. She discusses her transition to practice owner and the challenges of moving into the “employer” side of managing the business, making decisions on her own, and managing people.
Buying her dental practice, Dr. Amin was scared but dreamt of how great it would be to be independent. She soon realized how difficult it was going to be when confronted with managing people. Hiring and retaining employees was the hardest part of growing the practice.
As we worked to develop her vision, she discovered her internal fears prevented staffing changes that needed to happen and learned that much of leadership is looking at the perspective of people we are leading. It’s so important to consider how our employees are thinking to understand their emotions and actions. This helps us set the stage for more productive communication.
If you feel that an employee is toxic to your practice even with your good leadership skills, follow your gut. As Dr. Amin says, “Never let a toxic employee make you feel any different or insecure in your own thoughts.” If you’re unhappy in your practice, something has to change. Don’t let the fear of what could happen stop you from making the decisions that need to be made. You will show up as a better caregiver for your patients.
Listen to this episode now for questions to ask yourself if you think an employee may need to be replaced and the necessity to overcome personal fears and doubts in facing the difficult changes needed to move your practice forward!
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
As female dental practice owners, we love helping others and putting others first. However, we often forget that we also need to set boundaries and take care of ourselves so we can serve our employees and patients in beneficial ways. In this episode, I welcome Dr. Laura Brenner who helps dental practice owners recognize what burnout looks like and make important decisions regarding continuing on their journey as a dental practice owner … or not.
As dental practice owners, we often create and carry great levels of stress which can lead to burnout! We sometimes compromise how we want to serve because we try to conform to how we believe others are viewing us. However, as leaders, it is essential to give ourselves permission to design our practices the way we want them to be. And this includes trusting others to do their jobs. Situations may arise that are beyond our control, but we have to give ourselves the grace to know that we can do things better in the future. Taking time to create boundaries and define how we want to serve others in our lives can create clarity and help us define how we, along with our employees and patients, can be winners.
Are you ready to design and plan your life right now according to where you are right now? Why wait? Listen to this episode so you can start living right now, and you may be surprised at what doors open to you because you are serving in the capacity you want!
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
Is your brain giving you a hard time? Is it telling you something is dangerous that really is not dangerous? If so, know that this happens to the best of us! In this episode, I look at some of my struggles as a dental practice owner of 15 years and discuss how coaching can help all of us who are female dental practice owners.
We all have many elements of our work lives that can cause stress. And our brains often feed into that stress and can cause us to spiral into worrying about things that, in reality, we may not need to be stressing over. This is natural because human brains have evolved into showing us potential dangers in our lives. However, we can choose to look at frightening situations in new ways. This changing of our perspectives can lift the weight of worry in profound ways.
What are you worrying about? Chances are that how you are looking at your situation could be changed! This episode will help you recognize ways to handle situations without the worry so you can enjoy your practice ownership in a more intentional way. Listen now, and put yourself on the best path to loving your practice!
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
To get my FREE class Love Your Employees, text Loveyouremployees (all one word) to 66866
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
When you went through dental school, did you have much training in endodontics? If you’re like most of us, you probably didn’t, and my guest today is on a mission to change that! Sonia Chopra, DDS became a board-certified endodontist as a result of her own personal dental experience and healing process. She is a TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and founder of Ballantyne Endodontics in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this episode, Dr. Chopra shares details of her path to endodontics and passion to improve endodontic education within dentistry.
Her mission of “helping dentists fully understand and fully embody and embrace endo as a critical part of dentistry and building their practice” is how her award-winning business, E-School: Everyday Endo Made Easy, was founded. This Online Endodontic Continuing Education for Dentists is revolutionizing continuing education through simple, tangible lessons so dentists can properly diagnose patients.
We need to offer the best care to patients, and there are many hidden ROIs on learning endodontic care. Dr. Chopra’s education program offers three primary iterations: an 8-10 week program with coaching calls, independent study, and E-school Live that incorporates in-person training for doctors to work under Dr. Chopra’s supervision on patients who receive their necessary treatments at extremely discounted prices.
As dental practice owners we carry an emotional burden. We absorb much of our patients’ energy through the contagious nature of human emotions. So, Dr. Chopra also offers a coaching program for current endodontists and general dentists to help us free up time so we can take better care of ourselves as well as our patients. It is time to change our culture so we can offer our best care to our patients! Listen to this episode now to hear about increasing your knowledge, improving your practice, and valuable information if you are considering selling your practice!
Highlights from this episode:
Resources and links mentioned:
To get my FREE class Love Your Employees, text Loveyouremployees (all one word) to 66866
Laura’s Facebook pages:
Thank you so much for tuning in to this podcast! I would love it if you would share it with others and leave a review for others to see!
~ Laura
The podcast currently has 95 episodes available.
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