Dental Practice Heroes

You know what’s worse than not having an office manager? Having the wrong one. We all want that "perfect" hire, but perfect on paper rarely works in practice.This episode explores what really makes someone the right fit, whether you're promoting from within or hiring from the outside, and how to set them up for success in their new role. You'll learn three important things: the trade-offs of hiring internally vs. externally, what you need to do before handing over the reins, and how to keep your practice running smoothly — with or without a manager.Topics discussed in this episode:Why most outside hires failThe #1 onboarding mistakeHow to successfully promote internally vs. externallyHow to interview new office managersHow to “build your bench"This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.comJoin Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Feeling trapped on the dental treadmill? That plateau between $1-2 million in practice revenue isn't just common—it's a critical crossroads in your ownership journey.Dental practice owners typically hit this wall after establishing their core team (usually two hygienists, two assistants, and two front desk staff), then find themselves unable to push beyond despite working harder clinically. The fundamental problem isn't your clinical skills or work ethic—it's that you've reached the ceiling of what one dentist can physically produce while simultaneously trying to run a business.I experienced this firsthand when my practice hit $1.8 million back in 2015. Despite efficient systems and block scheduling, growth seemed impossible without clinical burnout. I was constantly trying to squeeze in one more same-day patient while lacking the energy to handle the essential business responsibilities. The breakthrough came when I realized that most dentists don't actually own a business—they have a really good job. A true business continues generating revenue when you're not physically present, while most dental practices stop producing the moment the owner stops performing dentistry.Breaking through requires four transformative mindset shifts: transitioning from dentist to owner, building a leadership team, systematizing operations, and developing problem-solvers within your team. By implementing these changes, I was able to bring on my first associate, reduce my clinical schedule, and unlock unprecedented freedom—taking 18 weeks off last year while my practice continued thriving.The path beyond $2 million isn't about working harder; it's about working differently. Ready to stop being trapped by your practice and start enjoying the freedom of true practice ownership? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com to schedule a strategy call and discover how our coaching can help you build the systems and leadership that create both profitability and freedom.Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Imagine losing a team member who's been with you for years. Beyond the obvious recruiting costs, you're facing a cascade of hidden consequences: the training burden on your remaining team, eroding morale as staff wonder if they should be looking elsewhere, and patients noticing unfamiliar faces at every visit. That's the reality of turnover, and it's far more costly than most dentists realize.Drawing from my own practice experience—nine years of remarkable stability followed by a challenging period of departures after COVID—I've discovered that reducing turnover doesn't require complex systems or extravagant perks. It comes down to three fundamental principles that are surprisingly easy to implement but transformative in their impact.Recognition sits at the heart of retention. When I committed to giving each team member two specific compliments weekly (what I call "filling buckets"), I was shocked to discover how many quiet contributors I'd been overlooking. Creating systematic appreciation—sharing patient reviews, implementing token recognition programs, celebrating achievements—transforms recognition from an occasional afterthought to a cultural cornerstone.Regular one-on-ones provide the psychological safety team members need to express concerns before they become resignation letters. These structured conversations aren't just problem-solving sessions; they're relationship-building opportunities that demonstrate you value each person's perspective. I've consistently found that periods of team unrest coincided with lapses in these critical meetings.Finally, investing in your team's growth and creating a workplace where people genuinely enjoy their colleagues builds remarkable loyalty. People will tolerate significant workplace challenges when they love the people they work with and feel they're continuously developing professionally.Ready to transform your practice into one where people want to stay? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com to schedule a strategy call. We'll discuss your specific challenges and explore how our coaching program can help you build the team-driven practice that gives you more freedom, profitability, and peace of mind.Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Not everyone should be a leader. Not even your star employee. The DPH Coaches learned this lesson the hard way, and this episode unpacks what can happen when you put the wrong person in charge. You'll hear how to be proactive and get the right people in the right roles, the signs you may have promoted the wrong person, and why an outside hire might be the best move. Leadership is too important to get wrong, so don’t miss this one!Topics discussed in this episode:Early signs Dr. Henry’s new manager wasn't a leaderWhat actually makes a good leaderInternal hires vs. external hiresWhy internal promotions don’t always workHow respect is earned in a practiceThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.comJoin Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Use the same marketing company as Dr. Etch!Get your free demo with Relevance Marketing by Clicking Here Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

The sinking feeling of spotting a one-star review for your dental practice is something most of us know all too well. That pit in your stomach, the immediate defensiveness, the late-night rumination—it's a universal experience for dental professionals who pour their hearts into patient care. But what if everything we believe about the impact of negative reviews is wrong?This eye-opening episode challenges conventional wisdom about online reviews by examining what actually happens when businesses face public backlash. Remember when everyone swore they'd never fly United Airlines again after the Dr. David Dao incident in 2017? The outrage was deafening—yet United's revenue actually increased that year. This surprising case study reveals a fundamental truth about consumer behavior: people care far more about their own experiences than someone else's story. Your patients judge you based on how you treat them, not on a stranger's angry review.We dive deep into practical strategies for handling negative reviews and preventing them in the first place. Since roughly 90% of dental practice complaints stem from financial misunderstandings, clear communication about costs becomes essential. You'll learn why sometimes the best response to an unhappy patient is simply offering a refund—the sleep you'll gain is worth far more than the money you might lose. We also cover proven de-escalation techniques, how to craft professional responses to negative reviews, and why measuring meaningful practice metrics matters more than obsessing over star ratings. Whether you're currently dealing with review anxiety or want to prepare for the inevitable criticism that comes with business ownership, this episode provides both the perspective and practical tools to transform how you handle patient feedback forever.Ready to create systems that ensure consistent, exceptional patient experiences? Visit dentalpracticeheroes.com for a free consultation on building a practice that runs smoothly, profitably, and can easily withstand the occasional negative review.Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Explore how mindset distinguishes successful dental practice owners from the rest. Top leaders refuse to tolerate ambiguity, tackling challenges head-on with high standards. They continually ask bold questions that propel their growth, moving beyond basic operations to transformative leadership. Emphasizing the importance of finding mentors and coaches, they multiply their growth through collaboration. With strategies for building a problem-solving culture, this discussion offers actionable insights for continuous improvement in dental practices.

Ever wonder why you're constantly busy but your practice isn't growing? The answer lies in understanding the critical difference between maintenance work and true business building.As dental practice owners, we often mistake activity for productivity. We spend countless hours handling payroll, ordering supplies, managing schedules, and answering endless staff questions. These tasks give us the satisfaction of checking boxes, but they're merely keeping the lights on rather than creating growth or freedom. They're what I call "playing office" rather than working on your business.Join Etch, Steve, Henry, and 14 other growth minded practice owners at this exclusive beachfront masterminding opportunity November 7 and 8 in Destin Florida.  Apply by setting up a strategy call HERE Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

Dr. Henry Ernst, owner of an 18-provider practice, shares his $50 deposit policy that effectively cuts down on cancellations and no-shows. Dr. Steve Markowitz, a multi-practice owner, discusses strategies to improve patient accountability and manage high-risk patients. Together, they explore the importance of clear communication, setting firm cancellation rules, and empowering teams to enforce policies. Their insights on framing deposit discussions and consequences for missed appointments provide actionable tips for dental practices looking to maximize efficiency.

Discover how small, strategic changes can transform your dental practice dramatically. Learn about the Butterfly Effect and how tiny adjustments can lead to significant profitability. Find out how a simple phone script shift attracted out-of-network patients and why focusing on small levers is crucial. Explore the importance of effective communication to improve case acceptance and strategies to reduce cancellations. Gain insights into empowering your team and investing time in system audits for lasting impact.

Discover how to dramatically increase your dental practice's profitability without putting in extra hours! Explore the concept of dollar-per-hour production and learn why it’s crucial to track. Find out how procedure mix affects income, with a focus on high-revenue procedures like crowns. Gain insights into efficient scheduling, delegation, and team empowerment. Plus, learn strategies to optimize every procedure, boost hygiene productivity, and transform your work-life balance. Unleash the power of systems and teamwork for sustainable growth!