Dental Unfiltered Episode 159 - Management Unfiltered | What Is A Sustainable Bonus System
Jan 15, 2026
Kirk Teachout, a dental practice management expert, joins to explore the intriguing world of bonus systems in dental practices. He emphasizes how structured incentives boost team motivation and practice profitability, using engaging analogies to illustrate their impact. Kirk shares creative bonus ideas tailored for different roles, like same-day procedures for assistants and follow-up rewards for treatment coordinators. He also highlights educational resources for office managers aiming to enhance their leadership skills, creating a win-win for staff and patient care.
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Tie Pay To Ownership
- Do tie team compensation to performance to create direct ownership and incentive to improve.
- Use bonuses so staff move beyond the bare minimum and pursue measurable practice goals.
Raking Leaves Versus Same-Day Crowns
- Kirk uses a leaf-raking example to show incentives change how people approach work.
- He describes same-day treatment bonuses (assistants earn per unit) to drive immediate production and efficiency.
Incentives Shift How Work Gets Done
- Incentives change behavior, not just output; people approach tasks differently when rewards are tied to specific outcomes.
- Small bonuses can pay for themselves many times over by capturing treatment opportunities already in the chair.