The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

Today, there are many ways to get information. So, how do you get good, accurate data about dental products and technology? In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Taiseer Sulaiman, associate professor from UNC, to share his thoughts on the challenges of finding reliable information on the products that will benefit your patients and your practice. To learn how to not be misled about the latest and greatest in dental innovation, listen to Episode 894 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Dr. Sulaiman:Send Dr. Sulaiman an email: dr.taiseer@gmail.com Send Dr. Sulaiman an email: sulaiman@unc.edu Join Dr. Sulaiman on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.taiseerFollow Dr. Sulaiman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taiseersulaimanMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 894: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosMain Takeaways:Remember that the literature can be biased.Slow down and do your research so you're not misled.Many products today have a less rigorous approval process.Keep an open mind, listen to all sides, and explore differing opinions.Being an early adopter can be important but so is sticking to what's tried and true.Don't get caught up in the hype about specific materials, techniques, or technology.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.2:58 Dr. Sulaiman’s background.5:38 Why this is an important topic.13:27 Keep an open mind and keep learning.20:07 Products in the clinical setting versus the trial setting.24:14 The speed of change in materials and technology.33:00 Final thoughts.36:34 More about Dr. Sulaiman and how to get in touch.Dr. Taiseer Sulaiman Bio:Dr. Taiseer Sulaiman is a tenured Associate Professor and the Director of the Advanced Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials Research at the Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his clinical certificate in Operative Dentistry, and his PhD in Dental Materials from the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomaterial Sciences from the University of Turku in Finland in collaboration with the Department of Operative Dentistry at UNC.Dr. Sulaiman is a wet-handed clinician and a researcher who is passionate about bridging the gap between dental research and clinical application. His research focus is on dental ceramics, adhesion, cements, color and appearance in dentistry, and biomimetics. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He is a member of many academies, including the Academy of Operative Dentistry, where he serves as councilor to the academy, the Society of Color and Appearance in Dentistry, IADR/AADR, and the American Dental Association. He has presented on numerous national and international stages and serves as a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals.

Is your schedule looking a little bit empty? It’s time to take back control! In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down the hidden reasons why your schedule isn't full and what you can do to fix it. Full schedules don't happen by accident! To learn the three keys to a consistently full schedule, listen to Episode 893 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Miranda:Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 893: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister 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-1205460116659Register 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-1205497959849Join ACT’s BPA for the Capacity Tracker: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fcapacity-tracker#emailJoin ACT’s BPA for the Ideal Day Scheduling Guide: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fcolor-coding-block-scheduling-and-ideal-day-scheduling#emailTry Second Opinion from Pearl: https://www.hellopearl.comMain Takeaways:Figure out how much you're diagnosing and if it’s enough.Identify how many patients are saying yes to treatment you present.Of the treatment you present, how much of that are patients saying yes to?A consistently full schedule only happens when you put clear systems in place.Use resources like Pearl to improve your patients’ understanding and to gain trust.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:42 Why this is an important topic.4:24 Figure out why people are cancelling.7:34 How much are you diagnosing?9:35 Revisit your treatment philosophy.17:11 Are enough patients saying yes to treatment?20:03 Dissect your treatment presentation system.22:37 Are patients saying yes to enough treatment?30:06 Final takeaways.33:41 ACT’s BPA and other resources.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.

Do you want a better practice without the extra hours? You can! In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down production per visit and help you stop filling time with single-tooth or no-charge dentistry. To learn how to better utilize appointment times, provide better care for patients, and earn more, listen to Episode 892 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Miranda:Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 892: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister 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-1205460116659Register 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-1205497959849Main Takeaways:Production per visit tells you how effectively you're using appointments.PPV measures whether you're just filling time or delivering meaningful care.Increasing PPV improves the patient experience with fewer appointment times.Identify what diagnosed treatment you can offer patients during morning huddle.Start evaluating your service mix. Have your hygiene team build in adjunct services.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:58 Production per visit, explained.4:21 The importance of creating an experience.9:05 Countermeasures.9:59 How are you serving patients?10:48 Higher PPV means better patient care.13:27 Evaluate your service mix.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.

Your hygienists are vital for the success of your practice — and you can help them measure their impact! In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Ariel Juday, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share five KPIs that will help improve efficiency, patient care, and even increase job satisfaction. To learn which metrics your hygienists should track for the health of your patients and practice, listen to Episode 891 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Ariel:Send Ariel an email: ariel@actdental.com Follow Ariel on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend the ACT Team your questions: info@actdental.com Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 891: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosSign up for ACT’s BPA to watch Katrina Sanders’s Hygiene Exam Essentials Part 1: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fvideo-recordings%2Fkatrina-sanders-hygiene-exam-essentials-part-1-innovations-in-periodontics#emailSign up for ACT’s BPA to watch Katrina Sanders’s Hygiene Exam Essentials Part 2: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fvideo-recordings%2Fkatrina-sanders-hygiene-exam-essentials-part-2-aap-staging-grading#emailMain Takeaways:By tracking these numbers, hygienists can be accountable for their role in patient care.Track periodontal diagnostic percentage to increase your case acceptance rate.Track treatment acceptance percentage to prevent disease progression.Track periodontal visit percentage to prevent underdiagnosing.Track production per visit so patients receive adjunctive care.Track hygiene reappointment to ensure patient retention.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:26 Why this is an important topic.3:47 1) Periodontal diagnostic percentage.5:12 Why periodontal diagnostic percentage is important.8:12 Periodontal diagnostic percentage benchmarks.8:49 2) Periodontal treatment acceptance.9:52 Why periodontal treatment acceptance is important.14:28 Periodontal treatment acceptance benchmarks.15:02 3) Periodontal visit percentage.17:27 Why periodontal visit percentage is important.19:54 Periodontal visit percentage benchmarks.20:17 Statistics on perio disease.21:36 4) Production per visit.22:06 Why production per visit is important.23:32 Production per visit benchmarks.25:44 5) Hygiene reappointment percentage.32:32 Hygiene reappointment percentage benchmarks.34:07 Final thoughts.35:17 Ways to track these five numbers.Ariel Juday Bio:Ariel has a master’s in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process!

HR challenges come with running a business. But not every challenge is a nightmare. In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Alan Twigg, co-owner of Bent Ericksen & Associates, to reveal the most common HR nightmares to worry about and the ones that aren't as bad as they seem. To learn how to prevent and overcome the worst HR nightmares, listen to Episode 890 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Alan:Give Alan a call: (800) 679-2760Send Alan an email: alan@bentericksen.com Join Bent Ericksen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BentEricksenAssociatesLearn more about Bent Ericksen: https://bentericksen.comTry Bent Ericksen’s HR Director package: https://bentericksen.com/product/hr-directorMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 890: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosMain Takeaways:Unemployment is not a big deal.Scary letters are usually just settlement attempts.Understand what a state labor board investigation entails.Do your due diligence with leave of absence. Don't let it run on.In civil cases, the standard of proof is 50/50. Anything can tip the scale.Document, document, document! It is your golden ticket out of situations.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:58 Alan’s background.3:42 Why this is an important topic.4:53 Unemployment isn't that big of a deal.11:33 Scary letters are just settlement attempts.15:58 In a civil case, it’s 50/50.18:00 The messiness of a labor board investigation.22:29 The importance of documentation.26:01 Final thoughts.27:42 About Bent Ericksen.Alan Twigg Bio:Alan Twigg is the co-owner of Bent Ericksen & Associates. For over 10 years, he has guided thousands of clients and consultants through the ever-changing world of HR and employment compliance. He is a speaker, consultant, and author who is passionate about bringing education and peace of mind to such a confusing topic.As a strong proponent of symbiotic employer-employee relations, Alan is passionate about teamwork and positive work cultures, with an emphasis on long-term personnel retention and employment compliance, where his solutions-oriented outlook excels.

Wouldn't it be great to predict how much you'll produce this year? There's a way to do it, and it’s by tracking this one metric. In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down production per day and how to use it to achieve your production goals. To learn how to stay on track with your daily and annual goals, listen to Episode 889 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Miranda:Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Gina an email for your Golden Ticket: gina@actdental.com Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 889: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister 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-1205460116659Register 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-1205497959849Read Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsMain Takeaways:PPD helps identify scheduling patterns and inefficiencies.Track PPD to know if your systems are turning into delivered treatment.By knowing how much to produce per day, you can design your ideal schedule.Huddle with your team to highlight production opportunities and address weak spots.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.2:40 Why this is an important metric.6:23 Make more money by working less.10:19 More producers and more ops isn't the answer.13:58 Countermeasures.16:42 Last 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. Learn More About Alan:Give Alan a call: (800) 679-2760Send Alan an email: alan@bentericksen.com Join Bent Ericksen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BentEricksenAssociatesLearn more about Bent Ericksen: https://bentericksen.comTry Bent Ericksen’s HR Director package: https://bentericksen.com/product/hr-directorMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 890: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosMain Takeaways:Unemployment is not a big deal.Scary letters are usually just settlement attempts.Understand what a state labor board investigation entails.Do your due diligence with leave of absence. Don't let it run on.In civil cases, the standard of proof is 50/50. Anything can tip the scale.Document, document, document! It is your golden ticket out of situations.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:58 Alan’s background.3:42 Why this is an important topic.4:53 Unemployment isn't that big of a deal.11:33 Scary letters are just settlement attempts.15:58 In a civil case, it’s 50/50.18:00 The messiness of a labor board investigation.22:29 The importance of documentation.26:01 Final thoughts.27:42 About Bent Ericksen.Alan Twigg Bio:Alan Twigg is the co-owner of Bent Ericksen & Associates. For over 10 years, he has guided thousands of clients and consultants through the ever-changing world of HR and employment compliance. He is a speaker, consultant, and author who is passionate about bringing education and peace of mind to such a confusing topic.As a strong proponent of symbiotic employer-employee relations, Alan is passionate about teamwork and positive work cultures, with an emphasis on long-term personnel retention and employment compliance, where his solutions-oriented outlook excels. 

Do you want an amazing life with the best work schedule? It can happen! You just need to take time to plan it out. In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share the secret to a better schedule and better days at the office. You have more control of your time than you think! To learn how to maximize your time by scheduling smarter, listen to Episode 888 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Miranda:Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Gina an email for your Golden Ticket: gina@actdental.com Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 888: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister 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-1205460116659Register 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-1205497959849Join ACT’s BPA to get the Ideal Day Scheduling Guide: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fcolor-coding-block-scheduling-and-ideal-day-scheduling#emailMain Takeaways:Align your schedule with your production goals.Complete 65% of daily production in the mornings.Have designated time blocked out for new patients.Schedule in 10-minute increments to maximize efficiency.Design your schedule around the type of practice you want.Strategically overlap procedures so your team can work efficiently.Use color coding as a visual scheduling system to improve coordination.Meet your patients’ needs. Know the types of procedures you need to block out.Regularly evaluate and adjust your schedule based on your practice’s evolving needs.Create a template for each operatory so the right procedures are assigned to each room.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.2:01 Why this is an important topic.7:57 ACT’s Ideal Day Scheduling Guide.14:14 Define your daily production goals.18:53 Success is measured by days worked.22:33 Determine what you want from your schedule.35:47 Analyze your patients’ needs.41:21 Honor the blocks!43:44 Q&A: Is there a picture of the ideal schedule?45:37 Scheduling tips and best practices.51:37 Final takeaways.54:23 ACT’s TTT and BPA.56:35 Q&A: Do a time analysis for new associate doctors.58:25 Q&A: Scheduling blocks for doctors struggling to keep up.1:00:33 New upcoming courses in ACT’s BPA Premium.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 you hire the wrong people, it costs you more than money. In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Michelle Wakeman, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to break down three of the biggest mistakes in hiring that you need to avoid. Start choosing the best candidates — not the least worst! To learn the best practices for effective filtering, listen to Episode 887 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Michelle:Send Michelle an email: michelle@actdental.com Follow Michelle on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 887: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosLearn more about Bent Ericksen: https://bentericksen.comHiring FAQ’s from Bent Ericksen: Bent Ericksen Hiring FAQ.pdfMain Takeaways:Have a clear vision of your ideal candidate.Always perform a pre-interview screening on applicants.Set up a documented, structured interview system for intentional hiring.Spend more time learning about your applicants instead of trying to sell yourself.Never rush to hire out of desperation. Wait for the person who is right for your practice.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.2:10 Why this is an important topic.3:36 Make sure you have a position that needs to be filled.4:59 Choose the best, not the least worst.6:34 Create an efficient system.7:53 One bad apple spoils the bunch.9:40 Perform pre-screenings on candidates.13:44 Pre-screen with a video submission.15:59 Pre-screen using a Google phone number.17:22 Have a documented interview system.19:49 Create defined roles in the interview process.20:48 Use a scorecard to make objective comparisons.21:39 Ask open-ended questions.23:04 Spend more time learning about your candidates.24:54 Pay attention to the quality of candidates’ questions.26:53 Final thoughts.31:38 Learn more about Bent Ericksen.Michelle Wakeman, BSDH, Bio:Michelle Wakeman, BSDH, brings nearly 20 years of clinical dental hygiene, administrative, managerial, and sales experience to the table. She has a passion for people and a natural aptitude for communication that has led her to develop meaningful relationships throughout her career in dentistry. As a coach, she seeks to help dental practices develop systems that enable them to enhance their patient experience, leading to better relationships among owners, team members, and patients, along with profitable outcomes.In her off time, Michelle can usually be found at the ice rink supporting her son, Hunter, in hockey, the ball field cheering on her son, Carter, or the gym, reliving her days as a gymnast with her daughter, Leighton.

Just because you're busy doesn't mean you're productive. In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to break down scheduled production. By tracking this leading metric, you will create a more strategic schedule that leads to more predictable revenue. Stop scrambling and start strategizing! To learn how to create smoother days for you and your team, listen to Episode 886 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Miranda:Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 886: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister 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-1205497959849Main Takeaways:Scheduled production is the first indicator of financial health.Track your future production schedule to strategically create a better week.Low scheduled production leads to last-minute scrambling and stressed-out teams.Run a quick unscheduled treatment report. Reach out to patients to fill high-value slots.Start looking at today and tomorrow’s production. It will help you to plan and stay ahead.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:11 Scheduled production, explained.2:07 Busy doesn't mean productive.4:04 How this metric impacts the practice.8:24 Countermeasures.11:19 Last 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.

Working with kids — and their parents — can be a nightmare. But it doesn't have to be! In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, ACT shares their Master Class with Dr. Carla Cohn, founder of Lit Smile Academy. She shares her proven techniques and strategies so you can manage the most difficult cases and effectively perform treatment. Start early, and turn difficult patients into easier, lifelong patients! To stop dreading and start enjoying the kids who come to your practice, listen to Episode 885 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Dr. Cohn:Send Dr. Cohn an email: drcohn@shaw.ca Follow Dr. Cohn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsdentistcarlaFollow Lit Smile Academy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litsmileacademyRegister for Dr. Cohn’s hands-on workshop (June 7, 2025): https://www.litsmileacademy.com/events/lit-smile-vancouverRegister for Lit Smile Cancun (November 15-22, 2025): https://www.litsmileacademy.com/events/litsmilecancunMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 885: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRead A Work on Operative Dentistry in Two Volumes by Greene Vardiman Black: https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Work_on_Operative_Dentistry_in_Two_Vol/qr9AAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1Read Wright’s Behavior Management in Dentistry for Children, Third Edition: https://engage.ada.org/p/phys/wrights-behavior-management-in-dentistry-for-children-third-edition-729Main Takeaways:Give yourself a time buffer when working with challenging children.Not all children are the same. Do a behavior risk assessment analysis.Don't take kids for granted. They are the key to a thriving adult practice.Ask questions and listen to assess a child’s anxiety level and coping ability.Know in advance whether you're working with a “dandelion” or “orchid” child.Learn to think outside the box with coping strategies for challenging children.Start behavior management early so difficult patients can become easy patients.Establishing a dental home as early as possible is part of behavior management.Fear is both objective and subjective. It can be passed on from parents and others.Understand the material choices that are appropriate for each child and their needs.Use age-appropriate language to explain your dental tools and how they will be used.Don't disregard children’s fears and reactions to pain. Address them and offer choices.Tell, show, and do. Children should know what will happen in advance, not right before.Manage expectations by communicating properly. Don't just talk at parents and children.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:08 Dr. Cohn’s background.3:30 Disclosures. 4:45 Kids are the life of your practice. 6:55 The parent/caregiver, child, and dental team triangle. 8:26 Balancing challenging children, challenging parents, and challenging clinical situations. 11:12 Behavior guidance and behavior management, explained. 17:11 Do a behavior risk assessment analysis. 18:50 Factors for a successful appointment: Patient age. 20:01 Factors for a successful appointment: Developmental and functional age. 20:46 Factors for a successful appointment: Temperament styles. 23:07 Dandelion children and orchid children, explained. 25:59 Signs of an orchid child.26:53 Orchid children with sensory processing challenges. 28:22 Establish a dental home for children as early as possible. 29:59 Provide comfort in your dental office. 30:33 Know the amount of treatment that is required. 31:37 Be mindful of the pain scale. 32:46 Challenges: Developmental delays. 33:50 Challenges: Language delays. 36:22 Challenges: Social insecurity. 38:40 Challenges: Parental anxiety. 41:03 Challenges: Previous bad experience. 42:39 Fear and white coat syndrome, explained. 44:53 Causes of dental fear and how to address them. 47:57 Coping mechanisms for various sensitivities. 52:22 Basic behavior guidance/management. 53:02 Tell, show, do. 54:16 Ask, tell, ask. 55:02 Distraction. 55:24 Desensitization. 56:24 Treatment deferral. 56:45 Local anesthetic. 58:08 Understand pediatric behavior types. 59:30 A structured approach to treatment planning. 1:00:54 Restorations on children do not perform the same way on all children. 1:02:20 Material choices for intra-coronal restorations for pediatric patients. 1:08:03 Material choices for extra-coronal restorations for pediatric patients. 1:09:13 Outliers: Silver fluoride and resin infiltration. 1:11:16 Material choices for intra-coronal restorations: Clinical examples. 1:30:18 About Dr. Cohn’s future courses and Lit Smile Academy. 1:35:21 Q&A: How to manage dandelions and orchids in your schedule. 1:38:04 Q&A: Dealing with pushback from parents. 1:39:28 Q&A: Using child-friendly language and the slow speed handpiece. Dr. Carla Cohn Bio:Dr. Carla Cohn is a general dentist devoted solely to the practice of dentistry for children. She maintains a private practice at Kids Sleep Dentistry Winnipeg at Western Surgery Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.Dr. Cohn has published several articles and hundreds of webinars and live courses. She enjoys teaching all aspects of children's dentistry to the general practitioner and has had the pleasure of doing so both nationally and internationally. She teaches in the clinical undergraduate pediatric program at her alma mater, the University of Manitoba Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. She is proud to be an active member of several dental organizations and societies and has served as president of the Manitoba Dental Association. She has been invited as a fellow to Pierre Fauchard Academy and International College of Dentists, and has been recognized as Dentistry Today's Leader in Continuing Education multiple years in a row as well as Top 100 Docs.