

Shared Practices | Your Dental Roadmap through Practice Ownership
Dr. Richard Low | Shared Practices Network
A bootcamp in small business ownership and practice management for dentists, giving the new graduate a roadmap to successful practice ownership. We interview the best dentists, experts, consultants and more on our weekly show. Here's the topics we will be covering in our 8 Seasons:
1. First Years as a Dentist
2. Think Like a Business Owner
3. Money and Numbers
4. Startups, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
5. Internal Systems
6. Marketing & Growth
7. Leadership, Vision and Culture
8. Beyond Dentistry
Go to SharedPractices.com to download the 8 Season Roadmap.
1. First Years as a Dentist
2. Think Like a Business Owner
3. Money and Numbers
4. Startups, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
5. Internal Systems
6. Marketing & Growth
7. Leadership, Vision and Culture
8. Beyond Dentistry
Go to SharedPractices.com to download the 8 Season Roadmap.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2025 • 30min
Ask George - THE BEST Startup vs Acquisition Episode Shared Practices Has Ever Done
The conversation centers around the pivotal choice between starting a new dental practice or acquiring an established one. Key insights highlight the pros and cons of each path, focusing on personal ownership goals and financial implications. Visibility and location emerge as crucial factors affecting patient attraction and retention. The discussion also touches on scaling practices, emphasizing strategic decisions to navigate growth in the dental industry. Listeners gain valuable perspectives to help shape their own practice ownership journey.

Dec 23, 2024 • 38min
Coaches Corner - Creating Self-Managed Teams
In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Dr. Richard Low and Caitlin Embree discuss the importance of checklists for creating self-managed dental teams. They cover how clearly defined roles, structured checklists, and accountability empower team members to work efficiently, reduce micromanagement, and prepare practices for sustainable growth.

Dec 9, 2024 • 43min
Ask George - Metrics Driven Growth Avatars
In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Dr. Richard Low is joined by longtime co-host Dr. George Hariri to explore the metrics-driven growth pathways for dental practices. Building on prior discussions, they revisit the foundational concept of practice "avatars" and unveil an updated framework shaped by insights from Dr. Scott Leune. This new approach offers dentists greater clarity and tailored options for growth at every stage of their career.Richard and George discuss the transitions between solo, productive solo, smart solo, and group practices, while diving into the critical metrics that drive growth, such as patient base size, hygiene columns, and retention rates. They address the challenges of balancing clinical and business-focused goals, and reveal strategies to navigate key transitions—like adding a second doctor—without common pitfalls. Additionally, they introduce new growth paths, including the "smart solo" and "pseudo specialist" avatars, designed to meet a range of professional priorities, from scaling income to optimizing operations.Packed with actionable insights, this episode serves as a roadmap for dentists looking to scale intelligently and achieve sustainable success. Whether you're building your first million-dollar practice or expanding into a profitable group, this conversation is sure to spark ideas and illuminate the path forward.

Nov 25, 2024 • 40min
The Multi-Doctor Practice - Year One
Jeff Casebier, a dentist and practice owner, shares his transformative first year managing a multi-doctor practice. He discusses the challenges of reshaping culture and modernizing systems while emphasizing the importance of trust and team empowerment. Jeff dives into the significance of co-diagnosis and how technology enhances patient communication. His insights on growth metrics reveal impressive financial increases and highlight strategies for patient retention and practice sustainability, providing a compelling look at the realities of dental practice ownership.

Nov 11, 2024 • 42min
"Ask George" - Precision Growth - Pathways to Profitability
Explore the art of precision growth in dental practices, where data-driven metrics steer evolution from solo to group operations. Discover the vital role of team empowerment in enhancing productivity and patient care. Uncover financial strategies that focus on long-term revenue over immediate costs, while navigating staffing levels to meet patient demands. The hosts share insights on optimizing operations and balancing growth with profitability, providing valuable tips for dental entrepreneurs aiming for sustainable success.

Oct 28, 2024 • 38min
Operations in Action
Tune in to discover how optimizing patient flow can transform practice efficiency and profitability. Learn about the crucial financial metrics every dentist should track to align their operations with goals. Explore the challenges of integrating AI and virtual assistance to enhance patient engagement. The conversation also tackles the issue of burnout, offering insights on support systems and personal coaching. Finally, it encourages a proactive approach to embracing change for professional growth.

Oct 21, 2024 • 36min
Bought the Right Practice with Dr. Jim Simpson
In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Dr. Jim Simpson shares his journey of buying the right dental practice. From his decision-making process to evaluating opportunities and making the best choice, Dr. Simpson dives into the key factors that helped him succeed. Whether you’re looking to purchase your first practice or planning future acquisitions, this episode offers valuable insights into what makes a practice the “right” one. Key Highlights: The Decision to Buy: Dr. Simpson talks about the importance of timing and preparation when buying a practice. He shares his personal journey of evaluating different opportunities and what helped him determine the right fit.Evaluating the Right Practice: Learn the crucial factors Dr. Simpson considered when choosing the practice, including location, patient base, and financial performance. His insights offer practical guidance for anyone in the process of purchasing a practice.Challenges and Successes: Dr. Simpson highlights his challenges after acquiring the practice and how he overcame them to ensure a smooth transition. He also shares the strategies that helped him turn the practice into a success. Curious about what it takes to find and buy the right practice? Tune in now for Dr. Simpson's expert insights! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Oct 7, 2024 • 27min
Hygiene Led Growth vs Hygiene Led Profit - Ask George
In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, George discusses the difference between hygiene-led growth and hygiene-led profit. He explores how to leverage hygiene as a growth tool rather than for immediate profitability and the impact each strategy has on a dental practice’s success.Key Highlights:Hygiene-Led Growth: George explains how focusing on growth through hygiene means expanding patient volume and creating opportunities for long-term production. This approach sets the stage for future profits but requires patience.Hygiene-Led Profit: The alternative strategy is maximizing profitability through hygiene in the short term. This approach focuses on immediate returns by optimizing hygiene production and collections.Which Strategy is Right for Your Practice? George offers insights on choosing between growth and profit depending on your practice’s goals, financial stability, and long-term vision. Curious about which approach will work best for your practice? Tune in now to discover how to leverage hygiene for either growth or profit! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Sep 23, 2024 • 33min
Coaches Corner: Metric Blindness
Richard and Caitlin dive into "metric blindness" in dental practices, focusing on how to understand and manage Accounts Receivable (AR) for financial health.Key Highlights:Understanding Accounts Receivable (AR):AR reflects the money owed for services provided but not yet collected. Learn how it can be a positive indicator when managed correctly.Key Metrics for AR Management:Metrics like the collections ratio, AR to production ratio, and aging categories provide a clear view of your practice’s financial health.Proactive AR Strategies:Discover proactive measures to keep cash flow healthy, like setting clear collection guidelines and accurate cost estimates.Don’t let metric blindness limit your practice's success. Find out how to manage AR effectively! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Sep 9, 2024 • 43min
Maximizing for Profit or Growth - Ask George - The Shared Practices Podcast
In this episode, George discusses every dental practice owner's crucial decision: Should you prioritize profit or focus on growth? He breaks down the key differences between these strategies, explains how to assess which approach fits your practice, and shares the financial metrics that matter most. George also explores how practices can achieve profit and growth through the right balance. Key Highlights: Profit vs. Growth Strategy: Understand the differences between maximizing profit (cutting costs, optimizing cash flow) and growth (reinvesting profits to expand).Critical Metrics for Profit and Growth: Learn about the essential metrics to track, such as profit margin, overhead percentage, revenue growth, and patient acquisition.Choosing the Right Path: Get guidance on prioritizing profit or growth based on your practice's goals, financial health, and long-term vision.Balancing Profit and Growth: Discover strategies to balance profit and growth by optimizing current operations while reinvesting for the future.Have a question or topic you want us to cover?Reach out to us on social media or leave a comment on our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!