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In this episode of Practice on Fire, Graham tackles the all-too-familiar patient question: “Can’t you just fill it, doc?” and shows how to turn moments of resistance into opportunities for trust, clarity, and case acceptance. You’ll learn how to reframe crowns as good news—not a financial burden—by helping patients understand what not needing a root canal or implant really means. Plus, Graham responds to a YouTube critic who accuses this strategy of being an “upsell,” and explains why strong case acceptance actually makes you more ethical—not less.

From flipping the treatment script to navigating the economics of PPOs, overhead, and out-of-control hygiene wages, this episode dives deep into the hidden traps of the old family dentistry model—and what it really takes to build a high-performing, high-integrity private practice. If you’re ready to attract patients with real problems, escape the hygiene hamster wheel, and finally take control of your practice and your income, this episode will fire you up.

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Free Resources and Downloads including our Escape Hygiene Hell e-book:  stan.store/escapehygienehell

What if I told you that the fact that 50% of people don’t go to the dentist might actually be the best news for your practice? In this episode of Practice on Fire, Graham dives into a conversation sparked by a hot Dentaltown thread—and even gets a shoutout from Howard Farran himself. Most dentists see the non-dental half of the population as unreachable. But what if they’re not unreachable… just waiting for the right dentist to speak their language?

While DSOs and traditional practices fight over the same pool of hygiene-driven patients, Graham makes the case for turning your attention to a group that’s often overlooked: patients with serious dental problems who aren’t part of the six-month recall machine. These patients aren’t coming in for a cleaning—but when they do come in, they’re motivated, ready, and often in need of thousands of dollars in treatment. And best of all? They’re grateful.

This episode breaks down why the hygiene-heavy family model is increasingly unsustainable, how private practice owners can leverage their unique position, and why marketing to the 50% of “invisible” patients could be the key to building a more profitable, fulfilling, and future-proof practice. If you’re ready to stop fighting over cleanings and start building something different, this is the episode for you.

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Free Resources and Downloads including our Escape Hygiene Hell e-book:  stan.store/escapehygienehell

Are we heading toward a future where most dentists spend their entire careers as corporate employees? Sadly, the answer might be yes—unless we do something about it. In this episode of Escape Hygiene Hell, Graham Dersley breaks down the quiet but dangerous trend pulling more and more dentists away from ownership and into the arms of DSOs. Inspired by a “doomscrolling” moment and a Facebook post about retirement savings, Graham unpacks why owning your practice isn’t just a good idea—it might be the only way to protect your income, your autonomy, and your sanity.

We’ll dig into why the traditional family dental model is bleeding practices dry, how hygiene has become a black hole for profitability, and why marketing for free cleanings is one of the most backwards strategies you could run in 2025. Plus, Graham shares how dentists can unlock their income potential by becoming both clinical powerhouses and business-savvy owners. (Spoiler: That $5M retirement plan doesn’t look so great when you’ve handed your whole career over to “the man.”)

If you’re ready to ditch the hygiene hamster wheel, stop giving DSOs all the leverage, and finally take control of your dental future, this episode is your wake-up call. It’s not too late to build a smarter, leaner, more profitable practice—and we’re here to help you do it.

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👉 Download your FREE copy of the “Million Dollar Patient Conversation”:  Stan.store/escapehygienehell

• "Can you just fill it, doc?"  We reveal the secret to never hear this question again.

• Discover why traditional “value-building” conversations often lead to patient resistance and awkward dynamics.

• Learn Practice on Fire's proven system to naturally increase case acceptance and attract motivated patients.

• Understand why real success comes from targeting patients who already recognize their dental issues and guiding them confidently to ideal solutions.

• Stop relying on hard-sell tactics, and start building a practice free from the stress of insurance battles, DSO competition, and student debt.

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Do Patients Really Prefer Dentists Doing Cleanings?

🔥 Welcome back to Escape Hygiene Hell! 🔥

In today’s episode, we tackle a controversial question swirling around dental forums lately: “Do patients prefer having their teeth cleaned by dentists?” Dentists are increasingly doing their own hygiene—but is this actually smart business, or are you unintentionally sabotaging your practice?

Join host Dr. Graham Dersley as he breaks down some viral Facebook comments on the topic, and explains why dentists cleaning teeth is:

•Hurting your authority as a dental expert

•Reducing your profitability by spending your valuable time on low-value tasks

•Undermining your ability to handle high-value, complex cases

We dive deep into common misconceptions, like the idea that dentist-performed cleanings lead to higher case acceptance. Graham reveals why this thinking can trap you in a cycle of busywork, limiting your growth, and keeping you from becoming the highly profitable, high-impact dentist you want to be.

Next, Graham explores a listener’s critical question: “How can I market my practice when my hygiene schedule is booked months out?” He shares a proven approach to breaking the hygiene bottleneck, including:

•Why you should bring new patients in on the doctor’s side first, prioritizing their urgent dental needs instead of routine cleanings.

•How to shift your marketing strategy to attract patients who are ready to invest in solving real dental problems—not just seeking free cleanings.

•Creating immediate connections with patients, dramatically increasing case acceptance and transforming your practice’s workflow.

Ready to escape the hygiene trap and reclaim your practice’s profitability, sanity, and growth?

Then let’s get started.

🎙️ Escape Hygiene Hell—the podcast that helps dentists break free from outdated models and thrive.

Hosted by Dr. Graham Dersley.

Let’s go! 🔥🦷

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🔥 Escape Hygiene Hell: Ditch the Broken System By Rewriting the Rules

Hygiene has become an absolute nightmare for many dentists: wages are skyrocketing, hygienists are impossible to find, and insurance reimbursements aren’t budging. Some dentists have even resorted to doing their own cleanings just to stay afloat—definitely not the dream they signed up for.

In this episode, Graham Dersley lays down the truth: if you’re stuck in “hygiene hell,” it’s time to stop complaining and start taking action. The solution? Shift your focus from tooth cleaning to tooth fixing. Graham dives into listener questions, tackling tough topics like:

•Neil’s Dilemma: Should dentists wait around for organized dentistry to rescue them from the hygiene shortage, or is the real issue the outdated “family dentistry” model that’s keeping practices trapped?

•Linda’s Wake-Up Call: After years as a bread-and-butter dentist, how do you start mastering high-value procedures like extractions, root canals, and implants—and completely transform your practice model for financial sustainability?

Listen in as Graham explains exactly how to free yourself from hygiene dependency, boost your income, lower stress, and finally build the profitable, fulfilling dental practice you’ve always wanted.

Are you ready to escape hygiene hell—or will you let the crisis control your future?

Tune in and find your way out.

www.PracticeOnFire.com

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In this episode of Practice on Fire, let's dive into three crucial listener questions that tackle some of the biggest challenges in dentistry today: hiring in a tough market, scheduling for efficiency, and making smart financial moves early in your career.

🔥 Finding a Hygienist in a Rural Area – Andrew has been searching for a hygienist for over five months with no luck. With no available hires and a full patient load, he’s struggling to balance productivity. I break down two approaches: creative hiring strategies vs. rethinking the traditional family practice model. Could shifting to an emergency-based, denture & implant, or out-of-network model be the game-changer?

⏳ Fixing an Overloaded Schedule – Gary is running behind despite carefully separating production and non-production tasks. The issue? Underestimating how small tasks add up. I break down why time buffers are essential, how to schedule smarter by spreading out non-productive procedures, and the key adjustments that will help you stop playing catch-up all day.

💰 Investing as a Young Dentist – Amy, a new grad, is wondering: Should she put extra cash toward a home down payment or her 401(k)? My take? Your biggest asset isn’t your savings—it’s your earning potential. I lay out a five-year CE roadmap designed to boost income exponentially, why early investments in skills and practice ownership will always outperform early debt payoff, and the mindset shift that separates high-earning dentists from those stuck in mediocrity.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you think bigger about your career. Don’t just work in your practice—start working on your future.

PracticeOnFire.com

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In this episode of Practice on Fire, we’re tackling listener questions and diving deep into two critical topics that could reshape how you run your dental career.

💥 First up: Managing Unreliable Patients.
One listener asks how to flag unreliable patients in their practice management software, but here’s the bigger question—should you even be keeping these patients? Instead of double-booking and scrambling to fill no-show gaps, learn how to upgrade your patient base over time, enforce firm attendance policies, and build a schedule that works for you instead of against you.

💰 Next: “I Make $350K as an Associate—Should I Buy a Practice?”
If you’re pulling in a solid paycheck, why take on the risk and responsibility of ownership? Simple: long-term wealth and control. As an associate, you’re trading time for money, with zero equity and limited autonomy. We break down why practice ownership is the fastest way to financial freedom—and how to prepare so you don’t just survive, but thrive.

Plus, I tackle one of the worst career tips I’ve ever heard—should associates work a fifth day as a hygienist to make an extra $75/hr? 🤯 Spoiler alert: NO. Instead, I explain why thinking bigger is the key to multiplying your income, escaping the time-for-money trap, and making career moves that actually matter.

If you’re ready to take control of your practice, your finances, and your future, this episode is for you. Let’s light this fire! 🔥

👉 Subscribe for more strategies to build a thriving, stress-free, and highly profitable practice.

🔥 Want to take the hot seat on our podcast? Apply here for a live practice evaluation and personalized strategy session: https://forms.gle/r36fzZRrvNqp5PaXA

💡 Resources & tools for your practice transformation: Visit PracticeOnFire.com for free downloads, guides, and more!

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Dr. Steve has achieved what many dentists dream of—running a 100% fee-for-service practice with a $600K net income. But instead of coasting, he’s ready for his next big transformation. In this episode of Dental Practice Rehab, we break down how he transitioned away from Medicaid and PPOs, built a strong hygiene program, and now faces a new challenge—shifting toward more complex, high-value dentistry while reducing his reliance on hygiene exams. Tune in to hear Steve’s strategy for attracting the right patients, refining case presentation, and creating a practice that’s both highly profitable and deeply fulfilling.

🔥 Want to take the hot seat on our podcast? Apply here for a live practice evaluation and personalized strategy session: https://forms.gle/r36fzZRrvNqp5PaXA

💡 Resources & tools for your practice transformation: Visit PracticeOnFire.com for free downloads, guides, and more!

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Tired of patients ghosting after you recommend treatment? It’s not just about “building value”—your entire business model impacts case acceptance more than you think. In this episode of Practice on Fire, Dr. Graham Dersley exposes why the traditional hygiene-driven model sets you up for failure—and how to attract patients who actually want the treatment you love to provide.

🚀 What You’ll Discover:
✅ Why insurance-driven hygiene patients resist comprehensive treatment
✅ How to attract motivated patients who are ready to say YES
✅ The secret to presenting treatment in a way that reduces resistance
✅ A step-by-step approach to mastering case acceptance—so you stop losing patients at the finish line

Visit PracticeOnFire.com to find resources such as our No Show Ninja protocol and more.

Would you like to take the hot seat on our podcast?  Apply here, to have the chance to discuss your challenges on the show and receive actionable steps to achieve your goals.  
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