By ACT Dental
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The podcast currently has 847 episodes available.
810: Building Your Dental Dream Team: Retention Through Shared Values – Heather Crockett
Dentistry isn't the hard part about being a dentist — it’s finding and keeping great people! To help you make it a little bit easier, Kirk Behrendt brings back Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share ACT’s tools and resources for developing and implementing your core values. To learn the secret to a successful practice, listen to Episode 810 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Heather:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
2:09 ACT’s TTT, BPA, and Pro Coaching.
5:34 Objectives.
7:27 Why this is an important topic.
13:45 Core values, explained.
15:29 Types of values, explained.
17:12 Values are verbs.
20:51 The role of core values in team culture.
23:23 Four steps to identify your core values.
30:29 Core values examples.
37:53 How to approach core values with prospective team members.
41:11 Right People Right Seat, explained.
45:14 GWC, explained.
46:11 Three questions to ask before you hire.
53:07 Consistency is crucial.
54:46 How to use this on a day-to-day basis.
59:52 Final takeaways.
1:03:37 Q&A: Does the leader come up with core values, or do you do it as a team?
1:07:12 Q&A: ACT’s scorecard.
1:07:50 ACT’s Napa Valley Mastery Summit.
Heather Crockett Bio:
Heather Crockett is a Lead Practice Coach who finds joy in not only improving practices but improving the lives of those she coaches as well. With over 20 years of combined experience in assisting, office management, and clinical dental hygiene, her awareness supports many aspects of the practice setting.
Heather received her dental hygiene degree from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in 2008. Networking in the dental community comes easy to her, and she loves to connect with like-minded colleagues on social media. Heather enjoys both attending and presenting continuing education to expand her knowledge and learn from her friends and colleagues.
She enjoys hanging out with her husband, three sons, and their dog, Moki, scrolling through social media, watching football, and traveling.
809: Why Would a Patient Choose You as a Dentist? – Dr. Jim Otten
There are over 200,000 dentists in the U.S. So, why would a patient choose your practice? To help you answer that question, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim Otten, co-instructor of Global Diagnosis Education, with advice for differentiating your business and giving patients an exceptional experience. To learn which areas to focus on to build an amazing practice, listen to Episode 809 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Otten:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:54 Dr. Otten’s background.
4:59 Go through your discovery process.
6:58 Don't fall victim to misinformation.
12:32 How to differentiate your practice.
14:18 Core values need to stem from your why.
18:01 How to get team buy-in.
21:58 Designing the exceptional experience.
29:08 About Global Diagnosis Education.
36:26 Final thoughts.
Dr. Jim Otten Bio:
Dr. James F. Otten is a 1981 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He completed a one-year residency in hospital dentistry with emphasis on advanced restoration of teeth and oral surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. He taught crown-and-bridge dentistry as an Associate Professor at UMKC before entering private practice in 1982, where he served as chief of staff of a large group practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas, before opening his practice in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1984.
Dr. Otten has pursued rigorous post-graduate education since 1986, accumulating thousands of hours in advanced continuing education that he has intentionally applied to his practice in order to develop its personalized care philosophy. He has completed the rigorous curriculum at two prestigious institutions, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Education. He lectures nationally and internationally and has recently been asked to join the faculty at the Newport Coast Orofacial Institute in Newport Beach, California.
808: Sharpen Your Vision: Defining Your Core Values – Part 3 – Robyn Theisen
To continue the series on sharpening your vision, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, with a framework to help you define, establish, and carry out your core values. It is one of the most important things you will ever do as a business owner — so let's do it right! To learn the third step to becoming happier at work, listen to Episode 808 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Robyn:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
0:57 Why defining your core values is important.
4:37 Core values, explained.
8:10 Core values are verbs, not nouns.
12:46 It isn't just about patients.
14:15 Let your core values bake.
15:10 How core values affect team culture.
22:19 How to define your core values.
26:07 Final takeaways.
Robyn Theisen Bio:
Robyn Theisen brings an entire life and legacy of dental experience to the team and every team with which she works as the daughter and sister of dentists. With almost 20 years of experience in dentistry, her roles ranged from practice management to operations at Patterson Dental to coaching teams. Robyn’s passion is empowering teams to realize that they can dramatically impact the lives of the people they serve by implementing skills and systems to remove barriers to life-changing dental treatment. She has done it for decades and does it every day with dental teams.
Outside of coaching, she enjoys time with her husband, Rob, and two daughters, Emerson and Ruby. She loves traveling, music, fitness, and cheering on the Michigan State Spartans.
807: Sharpen Your Vision: Defining Your Core Purpose – Part 2 – Carlie Einarson
In part two of this four-part series, Kirk Behrendt brings back Carlie Einarson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, with the next building blocks to sharpen your vision: defining your core purpose. She explains why crafting a strong core purpose is important, the steps to do it, and how it will improve your practice. To learn the next steps for a better practice and a better life, listen to Episode 807 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Carlie:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:08 Why defining your core purpose is important.
3:55 Consistency motivates team members.
8:49 Figure out your why.
11:25 Core purpose versus mission, explained.
14:10 The role of core purpose in team culture.
15:46 A strong core purpose will improve decision-making.
19:01 How to define your core purpose.
25:48 Your core purpose is internal and external.
26:46 Last thoughts.
Carlie Einarson Bio:
Carlie Einarson is a lead practice coach who has a passion for helping others succeed in the dental field. She loves helping to create a stable foundation for practices so both professionals and patients have a great experience every time they walk in the door!
Carlie graduated from Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She has ten years of experience in the dental field, including clinical dental hygiene, front office, and leading teams.
In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, traveling, skiing, playing volleyball, and golfing.
806: 6 Critical Questions to Sharpen Your Vision – Part 1 – Miranda Beeson
Directionless driving will get you stranded — and it’s the same for your business! In part one of a four-part series, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, with a strategic plan to help you get to where you want to go. Start answering these six critical questions, and you will be on your way to the practice of your dreams! To learn the first steps to get what you want out of your practice and your life, listen to Episode 806 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Miranda:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
2:31 Why this is an important topic.
8:44 Vision is important for your culture.
16:52 Six critical questions: Understand your whys.
26:21 Six critical questions: Align on your behaviors.
31:18 Six critical questions: What do you do that sets you apart?
35:58 Six critical questions: How will you succeed?
40:45 Six critical questions: What is most important right now?
50:10 Six critical questions: Who must do what?
54:48 Final takeaways.
Miranda Beeson, MS, BSDH Bio:
Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.
Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.
805: Answers to 3 of the Biggest Questions in Dentistry – Dr. Christian Coachman
How will dentistry be in the future? What should dentists today focus on? Is balance possible in this profession? To thoughtfully answer these three big questions, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christian Coachman, founder of Digital Smile Design, with his advice for navigating the personal and business side of being a dentist. Your best years and dentistry’s best years are still yet to come! To hear about what you can look forward to, listen to Episode 805 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Coachman:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:18 The current state of dentistry and the future of dentistry.
11:51 Dentistry is oftentimes too reactive.
16:08 The business of dentistry, explained.
23:24 Be aligned, smart, and healthy.
26:40 Focus on yourself.
28:47 Be kind, but not soft on yourself.
29:39 Build a clear vision.
35:24 Is balance attainable?
49:07 Final thoughts.
Dr. Christian Coachman Bio:
Combining his advanced skills, experience, and technology solutions, Dr. Christian Coachman pioneered the Digital Smile Design methodology and founded Digital Smile Design company (DSD). Since its inception, thousands of dentists worldwide have attended DSD courses and workshops, such as the renowned DSD Residency program.
Dr. Coachman is the developer of worldwide, well-known concepts such as the Digital Smile Design, the Pink Hybrid Implant Restoration, the Digital Planning Center, Emotional Dentistry, Interdisciplinary Treatment Simulation, and Digital Smile Donator. He regularly consults for dental industry companies, developing products, implementing concepts, and marketing strategies, such as the Facially Driven Digital Orthodontic Workflow developed in collaboration with Invisalign, Align Technology. He has lectured and published internationally in the fields of esthetic and digital dentistry, dental photography, oral rehabilitation, dental ceramics, implants, and communication strategies and marketing in dentistry.
804: Am I Overtreating My Patients? – Dr. Drew McDonald
Doctors treat diseases as soon as they see it. They don't wait until the final stage! So, why aren't dentists doing the same? To encourage you to start diagnosing more and treating patients early, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Drew McDonald from the Chicago Study Club to explain the consequences of waiting until it’s too late. Early diagnosis isn’t overtreating — you are setting patients up for a better, healthier, pain-free life. To learn the true value of orthodontics and how you can help more patients, listen to Episode 804 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. McDonald:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:28 Dr. McDonald’s background.
6:05 Why this is an important topic.
10:34 Imaging is not overdiagnosing.
14:24 The importance of early airway intervention.
18:20 Orthodontics, explained.
21:27 Challenges in understanding how to read and understand imaging.
22:54 What dentists get wrong about overtreating.
30:39 Final thoughts.
33:15 More about Dr. McDonald’s upcoming courses and Chicago Study Club.
Dr. Drew McDonald Bio:
Dr. Drew McDonald is a board-certified orthodontic specialist with a strong focus on airway and temporomandibular joint-focused treatment planning, surgically facilitated orthodontic treatment, and providing complex interdisciplinary care for patients. He lectures internationally on these topics and has contributed to literature and textbooks in these areas. He is dedicated to advancing the profession of orthodontics and dentistry as a whole.
Dr. McDonald attended dental school at the prestigious Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum and intense clinical training, he received many academic accolades while at Creighton, including inductions into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (National Dental Honor Society) and Alpha Sigma Nu (Honor Society of Jesuit Universities). He also served in leadership positions as class president and student body president, and on alumni relations committees.
After graduating cum laude from Creighton, Dr. McDonald was accepted as one of only three residents nationwide into the University of Missouri-Kansas City Orthodontics program, a renowned two-and-a-half-year, full-time residency known for its clinical excellence. He graduated in December of 2016 with his certificate in orthodontics and master’s degree in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences.
You're a dentist — not a hammer! Stop forcing treatment on patients and start guiding them toward it instead. To help you make that happen, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christopher Mazzola and Dr. Charlie Ward, visiting faculty from the Pankey Institute, to share what they’ve uncovered about the new patient process and how to find the things that matter to them most. To start decoding your patients’ minds to establish trust and improve retention, listen to Episode 803 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:40 Dr. Ward and Dr. Mazzola’s backgrounds.
3:56 Why this is an important topic.
5:42 Help new team members understand why this is important.
9:11 Show patients you truly care.
13:44 It all starts on the phone.
19:10 Critical patient information to collect in the pre-clinical interview.
22:59 The most memorable feedback from patients.
29:12 Challenge dogma.
44:42 Don't be a hammer.
50:07 Philosophies on connecting with patients.
1:06:31 Final thoughts.
1:09:55 More about Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward’s future courses.
Dr. Christopher Mazzola Bio:
Dr. Christopher Mazzola was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies where he graduated with honors with a Chemical Engineering Degree. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research with dental school faculty on materials to aid in patients’ healing after dental surgery. He then continued his education at Michigan where he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. While in dental school, he was awarded the University of Michigan American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Award for his research in the clinical application of CAD/CAM technology in dentistry.
Prior to joining Traverse Dental Associates, Dr. Mazzola owned a practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was named one of the area’s 2013 TopDentists™. He continued with education focusing on communication and technology in private practice. He has also served as an instructor and mentor for new graduates focusing on patient interactions and CEREC CAD/CAM Technology.
In his spare time, Dr. Mazzola enjoys spending time with his wife, Christina, his children, Baylor and Eliana, and his three dogs, Isabelle, Lola, and Aspen. He tries to stay active through competitive CrossFit, golfing, running, and skiing. He is looking forward to watching his family grow in the amazing community that is Traverse City!
Dr. Charlie Ward Bio:
After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004, he went straight into the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He earned his DDS degree in 2008, and since then he has completed the Essentials courses and many others at the esteemed Pankey Institute, where he now serves as visiting faculty. He is currently a member of the Maryland State Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.
802: From Metrics to Excellence: How to Make Your Data Work for You! – Dr. Barrett Straub
You care about your business more than anyone else. For that reason, it’s up to you to understand your numbers! To help you lean into the data you need, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to share the top key metrics to track in every aspect of your practice. There's no “easy button” for success, but data will make the path easier! To learn how to make your data work for you, listen to Episode 802 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Straub:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:40 About ACT’s TTT, BPA, and Pro Coaching.
4:42 Objectives.
6:06 Why this is an important topic.
9:20 Common pitfalls.
13:04 Clinical metrics: Patient treatment diagnosis percentage.
15:24 Clinical metrics: Patient treatment acceptance percentage.
23:39 Hygiene metrics: Periodontal data.
29:38 Operational metrics: Cancellation rates.
31:18 Operational metrics: Capacity.
37:20 New patient metrics: Acquisition and retention.
45:57 Financial metrics: Gross/net production, collections, accounts receivable, overhead.
48:45 Patient experience metrics: Reviews, Google ratings, and internal referrals.
50:01 Ways to collect the data you need.
51:59 Get your team aligned on what metrics mean to your practice.
55:23 Final takeaways.
Dr. Barrett Straub Bio:
Dr. Barrett Straub practices general and sedation dentistry in Port Washington, Wisconsin. He has worked hard to develop his practice into a top-performing, fee-for-service practice that focuses on improving the lives of patients through dentistry.
A graduate of Marquette Dental School, Dr. Straub’s advanced training and CE includes work at the Spear Institute, LVI, DOCS, and as a member of the Milwaukee Study Club. He is a past member of the Wisconsin Dental Association Board of Trustees and was awarded the Marquette Dental School 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year. As a former ACT coaching client that experienced first-hand the transformation that coaching can provide, he is passionate about helping other dentists create the practice they’ve always wanted.
Dr. Straub loves to hunt, golf, and spend winter on the ice, curling. He is married to Katie, with two daughters, Abby and Elizabeth.
801: Your Practice, Your Life: Unlock Freedom – Miranda Beeson
Dentistry can give you the life you want. So, why do you dread going into the office? Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to tell you it’s not the dentistry giving you the Sunday scaries — it’s how you're doing it. To help you overcome burnout and take control over your practice and life, they provide a framework for planning the life you want in and outside of your practice. It’s your life and your practice! To learn how to make it the best it can be, listen to Episode 801 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Miranda:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Episode Resources:
Main Takeaways:
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:39 Why this is an important topic.
5:42 Get clarity around your vision.
12:40 Four areas to focus on when building your vision.
14:36 Know yourself and what you want.
21:29 Analyze your gaps with ACT’s OGT Tool.
30:06 Share and build the vision with your team.
33:19 Create consistency and predictability for your practice.
39:58 Carve out time to think about what you want.
43:53 Final thoughts.
Miranda Beeson, MS, BSDH Bio:
Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.
Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.
The podcast currently has 847 episodes available.
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