The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

2316: What Patients and Team Members Really Want From You

Aug 20, 2025
Ashlee Hirschfeld, COO of the Dental Success Network, joins Dr. Mark Costes for a lively discussion on pressing dental community questions. They explore innovative ways to motivate employees beyond paychecks, emphasizing recognition and culture. The duo tackles how to manage troublesome patients and the need for clear dental benefits to minimize team conflicts. They also discuss the importance of financial literacy among staff and share exciting news about upcoming webinars and a new book launch, promising fresh insights for dental professionals.
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ADVICE

Tailor Rewards To Individual Motivations

  • Learn what motivates each team member instead of defaulting to cash incentives.
  • Use personality conversations and recognition to design rewards that actually retain staff.
INSIGHT

Meaning Trumps Money For Many Employees

  • People crave meaning and alignment with purpose more than money in many practices.
  • Build a purpose-driven culture to make motivation easier and more durable.
ADVICE

Fire Problem Patients Before They Arrive

  • If a hygienist flags a patient as toxic, politely decline them before they enter your office.
  • Offer alternative local practices and prepare a response plan for any online backlash.
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