The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

You might think you're great at multitasking — but you're really not! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings in Renae Graeff, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share how to maximize your dental assistants’ skills so you can fully utilize them to better your practice. Don't try to do it all! To learn how to empower your assistants so they become more capable, more fulfilled, and a better partner for patient care, listen to Episode 918 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Renae:

• Send Renae an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Renae on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 918: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849
• Register to ACT’s BPA for their 3-3-3 Onboarding Tool: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2F3-3-3-onboarding-model#email
• Register to ACT’s BPA for their Check-In Agenda: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fcheck-in-agenda-editable#email
• Register to ACT’s BPA for their Ideal Day Scheduling Guide: https://join.actdental.com/c/practice-coaching-tools/color-coding-block-scheduling-and-ideal-day-scheduling

Main Takeaways:

• When you empower dental assistants, the entire practice benefits.
• Proper delegation will allow dentists to focus on high-value procedures.
• Eliminate the “I can do it faster myself” mentality to start freeing up your time.
• Find out the full scope of what your dental assistants can legally do in your state.
• Your dental assistants are more than just “support staff”. They are key contributors.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:11 Why this is an important topic.

4:45 Why dentists don't fully utilize dental assistants.

7:30 Find out what dental assistants can legally do in your state.

9:19 The true value of a dental assistant.

12:20 How to utilize your dental assistants.

13:30 Dovetail scheduling, explained.

14:19 Final takeaways.

15:48 ACT’s BPA.

Renae Graeff Bio:

Renae Graeff is a lead practice coach who focuses on establishing trust and communication to help practice leaders and teams achieve their personal and professional goals. With over 18 years of combined clinical experience as an EFDA and office management, she understands the necessity for a healthy and aligned team firsthand. Over the years, she has worked with many doctors, specialists, hygienists, assistants, and admin teams with this in mind and has helped to improve communication and understanding in the office.

Renae resides in a suburb of Philadelphia with her long-term boyfriend and blended family of four children, Vivian, Lucy, Alex, and Aubrey. They all love spending time with their beloved family dog, Axel. She enjoys watching the Eagles and Phillies games, reading, and traveling to her summer "home away from home" outside of Cape May, New Jersey.

How you communicate will make or break your practice. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down the DiSC framework to help you better understand yourself and your team so you can improve communication and harmony in your practice. To take the first step to optimize your leadership style, listen to Episode 917 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 917: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849
• Register for ACT’s Guide to Engaging Your Team with Data: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fguide-to-engaging-your-team-with-data#email

Main Takeaways:

• Understanding your team isn't optional! It’s the foundation of trust.
• Study the four DiSC styles to effectively communicate and reduce conflict.
• DiSC is not about labeling people. It’s about connection and understanding.
• Knowing everyone’s DiSC styles removes misunderstandings and bad narratives.
• By understanding yourself and others, you can adapt how you speak to be heard.
• No one style is better than another. A little bit of everything creates a good balance.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:59 Why this is an important topic.

6:35 DiSC, explained.

19:05 Statistics on style population size.

22:29 What it means to “talk like a leader”.

33:48 Considerations for talking to D-styles (Dominance).

37:20 Considerations for talking to I-styles (Influence).

39:51 Considerations for talking to S-styles (Steadiness).

44:02 Considerations for talking to C-styles (Conscientiousness).

47:13 Final thoughts.

49:33 ACT’s BPA.

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. 

Cancellations and no-shows will always happen. But how well are you filling those gaps? In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down capacity percentage. They share the keys to maintaining a productive and efficient schedule even when your patients fall out. Don't settle for 84%! To learn how to proactively fill your schedule, listen to Episode 916 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 916: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• Your capacity percentage benchmark is 94% or higher.
• Pre-schedule your patients’ next appointments before they leave.
• Utilize ideal day or block scheduling. Protect your high-value time blocks.
• Have someone own and review your schedule two days to two weeks in advance.
• When you have cancellations and no-shows, quickly fill those gaps using priority lists.
• Utilize customized bulk texting to reach out to patients. At least one patient will say yes.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:49 Why this is an important metric.

3:33 Capacity percentage, explained.

6:34 How capacity percentage impacts the practice.

8:38 Indicators that this percentage is going well.

10:23 Indicators that this percentage is not going well.

12:24 Countermeasures.

15:15 ACT’s BPA.

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.

You love your spouse or partner. But is working with them a good idea? In this episode of the Best Practices Show, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Charlie Ward, visiting faculty member at The Pankey Institute, along with his wife and fellow dentist, Dr. Melody Ward, to share the benefits and challenges of working together and their secrets for making it work. To learn how they’ve done it for over a decade, listen to Episode 915 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Charlie Ward & Dr. Melody Ward:

• Send Dr. Charlie Ward an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Dr. Charlie Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcwarddds
• Watch Dr. Charlie Ward’s webinars: https://restorativenation.com
• Follow Dr. Melody Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwardperio
• Learn more about their practice: https://www.baltimoredentalarts.com

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 915: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Have the conversation about why you want to work together and your goals in doing so.
• Learn about each other’s personalities to improve understanding and communication.
• Make the time to get away from your practice and your family with your spouse.
• Be intentional about your time off. Going to CE doesn't count as vacation!
• Set clear rules and boundaries so you limit bringing work back home.
• Check in regularly with your spouse. Things are always changing.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:13 Dr. Charlie Ward’s background.

3:46 Dr. Melody Ward’s background.

5:04 How they make it work.

8:28 Rules for not bringing work home.

11:11 How the idea of working together came about.

15:12 Be intentional about time away.

18:22 Their philosophy on CE.

24:31 Handling team questions and conflict.

28:09 Know yourself, your spouse, and your team.

32:00 Adventuring through food.

36:50 Final thoughts.

Dr. Charlie Ward Bio:

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004, Dr. Charlie Ward 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.

When Dr. Ward isn’t spending time with Dr. Melody Ward and their two young boys, Cyrus and Lucas, he can often be found golfing or fishing. He also enjoys playing the guitar. While in dental school, he was actually in an all-dentist band called Incisal Edge! He even has his own guitar collection and has turned his basement into a music room.

Dr. Melody Ward Bio:

Dr. Melody Ward’s college career started at the University of California San Diego, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. She went on to earn her dental degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and continued at the same institution to obtain a Master of Science and Certificate in Periodontics.

Since then, she has fervently pursued continuing education. She currently runs a Spear Study Club and is taking a continuum of courses at the Pankey Institute. She is also part of a dental implant study club and has received training focused on treating infants with lip and tongue-ties.

Away from work, Dr. Ward enjoys primarily spending time with her family, Dr. Charlie Ward and their two young boys. They all try to spend plenty of time outdoors together, particularly bike riding. She has recently gotten into baking and has also planted a vegetable garden. She likes to incorporate the harvests into family meals whenever she can. 

When leadership isn't aligned, it will lead to chaos. So, how do you prevent conflict and the day-to-day struggles? In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Carlie Einarson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, with three keys to alignment and healthy partnerships. Misalignment is the root of all evil! To learn how to get in sync to gain trust and boost productivity, listen to Episode 914 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Carlie:

• Send Carlie an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Carlie on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 914: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Join ACT’s BPA for the Strategic Vision Creator tool: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fstrategic-vision-creator-tool#email
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• Many of your day-to-day struggles actually stem from misalignment.
• Alignment starts with a shared destination. Define how, when, and why.
• Make time to get on the same page. Alignment doesn't happen by accident!
• Display a united front to your team. Show them that you're all in this together.
• Weekly leadership meetings to get aligned is the best investment of your time.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:36 Why this is an important topic.

5:02 What happens when there's a lack of alignment.

9:09 The importance of alignment meetings.

10:10 Start with vision alignment.

13:21 Make time for alignment.

19:24 Show a united front to your team.

24:37 Final thoughts.

27:30 ACT’s BPA.

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. 

Do you start every month with an empty schedule? Is your team scrambling to fill your chairs? There's a better way to keep your practice full! In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down pre-appointment percentage and the missed opportunities when you don't schedule your patients’ next visits. To learn how to pre-appoint patients and keep them tethered to your practice, listen to Episode 913 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 913: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• Keep your pre-appointment percentage above 65% to reduce patient attrition.
• Set the expectation that every patient leaves with their next visit scheduled.
• Scheduling your patients’ next appointment is the default. It’s not optional!
• When patients cancel, reschedule the appointment in that moment.
• Tie patients’ appointments to their health goals to build value.
• Have a system to work your unscheduled patient list.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

0:37 Pre-appointment percentage, explained.

4:53 How this metric impacts your practice.

9:48 Favorite phrases for scheduling patients.

11:52 Countermeasures.

15:16 ACT’s BPA.

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.

You became a dentist for the freedom it provides. But PPOs are putting a chokehold on that freedom! In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to do a deep dive into how you can break free from PPOs for a better practice and better life. They share the tools you can use, what steps to take, and how to choose which PPOs to strategically drop first. If you're ready to reclaim your freedom, listen to Episode 912 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Straub:

• Send Dr. Straub an email: [email protected] 
• Join Dr. Straub on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrett.d.straub
• Send Gina an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 912: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• You give patients treatment plans before doing dentistry. Do the same for your practice.
• It doesn't have to be all or none with PPOs. Determine what's the right mix for you.
• Understand and shrink the different gaps you have to increase your profitability.
• Figure out which plans you're losing money on so you can drop them first.
• Eliminate your limiting beliefs. Not everyone will leave your practice.

Snippets:

0:00 ACT’s TTT, BPA, and Pro Coaching.

2:58 Why this is an important topic.

7:10 Know your gaps.

11:36 Know the basic metrics first.

18:22 Tools and resources in the BPA app.

20:04 The Patient Segment Scorecard.

22:47 Shrink the gap with less energy.

26:30 Know which plan to drop first.

33:21 Practice example: The treatment plan.

38:22 Q&A: Thoughts on a PPO that has a lot of patients and a high write-off.

42:11 Verbal skills matter.

43:29 A great tip from Dr. Christopher Mazzola.

45:27 Practice example: The treatment plan, continued.

48:23 Final takeaways.

49:53 Q&A: How to get ACT’s PPO Roadmap.

51:15 Q&A: Does APV include hygienists?

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.

Sometimes, you have a bad hire. But oftentimes, it’s bad onboarding! In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Adriana Booth, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to help you understand the importance of onboarding and how to do it right. To learn how to onboard — not waterboard — new team members, listen to Episode 911 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Adriana:

• Join Adriana on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriana.booth
• Follow Adriana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrimarieb
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 911: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849
• Become ACT’s BPA Premium Member for the 3-3-3 Onboarding Tool: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2F3-3-3-onboarding-model#email
• Become ACT’s BPA Premium Member for the Check-In Agenda: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fcheck-in-agenda-guide#email

Main Takeaways:

• When done right, onboarding builds trust, loyalty, and retention.
• Done poorly, new hires feel uncertain, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
• Start with purpose. Help new hires see your culture, values, and vision.
• Set clear expectations and attainable targets to build your team’s confidence.
• Create belonging and ownership. People stay where they are seen, heard, and valued.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:59 Why this is an important topic.

5:03 1) Start with purpose.

12:01 2) Set clear expectations.

17:20 3) Create belonging and ownership.

24:01 A crazy onboarding story.

26:35 ACT’s BPA and resources.

Adriana Booth, BS, RDH Bio:

Adriana Booth is a Lead Practice Coach who partners with dentists and their teams to cultivate leadership skills, build practice growth, and streamline business practices. After spending nearly two decades in the dental industry working with top-notch dental teams, Adriana came to ACT to share her passion for professional growth, high-level training, and systems creation with our clients. As a dental hygienist with a love for continuing education and personal growth, helping a practice become successful is at the heart of her passion for dentistry.

Adriana has a B.S. in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty University/O’Hehir University. By being involved in several Columbus, Ohio, study clubs, Adriana maintains strong relationships within her local dental community. She enjoys a variety of fitness activities, family time, good books, and at the top of her list, her fur babies.

Your patients might agree to full-case treatment. But how many schedule those appointments same-day? In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down treatment dollar amount acceptance percentage. By tracking this metric, you can see how much of your diagnosed care is turning into real dentistry. To learn how to get patients to accept and schedule higher value treatment, listen to Episode 910 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 910: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 18th, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-18-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205460116659
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• Show patients the full picture. Let them decide how much they want to do, and when.
• For a full case, schedule as many appointments as possible, not just the first one.
• Present the value before the price. Use visuals to show potential outcomes.
• Help patients plan for the dentistry they will need in their retirement.
• If you have a consult room, use it! Patients will say yes to more.
• Have financing or payment options available.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:15 Treatment dollar amount acceptance percentage, explained.

4:30 Why same-day scheduling is important.

7:04 How this metric impacts your practice.

9:14 What it looks like when it’s working well or not working well.

12:05 Countermeasures.

18:37 About ACT’s BPA, TTT, and Pro Coaching.

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.

When patients think of palatal expanders, they may think of torture devices. But with recent advancements and technology, they are more sophisticated than ever. In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Rebecca Bockow, instructor from Spear Education, to share where we are today with MARPEs and why now is the best time to offer it in your practice. To learn how you can “expand” the services you provide, listen to Episode 909 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Bockow:

• Join Dr. Bockow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredOrtho
• Follow Dr. Bockow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbockow
• Register for Dr. Bockow’s Healthy Growth - Healthy Faces course (September 25-27, 2025): https://www.arnettgunson.com/healthy-growth-healthy-faces-seattle

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 909: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• MARPE doesn't replace jaw surgery but is a less invasive solution for some patients.
• Age is no longer an impediment to MARPEs. Patients in their 60s can have it done.
• We can increase predictability and reduce complications with custom designs.
• Advancements have reduced the need for surgical intervention in adults.
• Educate patients. A MARPE is not a panacea for complex issues.
• Now is the best time to lean into MARPEs.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:23 Dr. Bockow’s background.

5:22 Why this is an important topic.

7:32 MARPEs, explained.

15:05 Where we are now with MARPEs.

18:35 The recovery process for patients.

19:31 Age is no longer an impediment.

21:04 What people get wrong about MARPEs.

22:45 The future of MARPEs.

25:00 Airway and periodontal implications of MARPEs.

26:10 Now is the perfect time to lean in.

27:19 How to get buy-in.

29:55 Final thoughts.

31:21 Dr. Bockow’s future course.

Dr. Rebecca Bockow Bio:

Dr. Rebecca Bockow is a dual-trained orthodontist and periodontist – the only dual-trained provider in Seattle and one of only a handful in the country.

Dr. Bockow grew up in the Greater Seattle area and attended University Prep for high school. She received a B.S. in Biology with Honors at Haverford College, where she also played soccer, squash, tennis, and ran cross-country and track. She completed her DDS training at the University of Washington Dental School in 2007. Dr. Bockow practiced as a general dentist in Seattle for two years while simultaneously teaching at the UW dental school.

Dr. Bockow completed a highly selective dual-specialty program combining Orthodontics and Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a board-certified orthodontist and periodontist. While simultaneously enrolled in two residency programs, she also received a Master of Science in Oral Biology, focusing on intranasal ketorolac for postoperative implant pain management.

Dr. Bockow lectures nationally on periodontics, orthodontics, interdisciplinary orthodontics, airway, and skeletal growth and development. She contributes to multiple professional journals as an author and editor, and she is also a resident faculty member at Spear Education.