On today’s first episode of a two-part series, we continue our conversation with Bob Spiel, founder of Dentist Partner Pros, discussing strategies for building successful partnerships and resolving conflicts in dental practices. Bob provides actionable advice on selecting the right partners, fostering strong communication, and setting clear expectations to ensure long-term success. He also shares his unique hiring approach that boasts an 85% associate dentist retention rate, along with practical insights for managing the current HR challenges facing the dental industry. With a focus on leadership, culture, and creating meaningful partnerships with hygienists, Bob emphasizes the importance of developing teams that align with practice goals. Listeners will gain valuable tools to strengthen relationships, improve team dynamics, and navigate hiring obstacles in today's dental landscape.
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On today’s first episode of a two-part series, we welcome Bob Spiel, founder of Dentist Partner Pros and Spiel Consulting, to discuss leadership, teamwork, and efficiency in dental practices. With over 25 years of business experience, including as a hospital CEO, Bob shares how he transitioned from healthcare to dentistry, offering insights into the unique challenges dental professionals face. Mark and Bob dive into the mental health challenges of the profession, highlighting how stress can build from running a business and managing patient expectations. They explore strategies to avoid the “sandlot dentistry” trap, emphasize the importance of leadership and culture, and discuss the benefits of offsite meetings for practice alignment. Tune in to discover practical tips on building a resilient dental practice, fostering teamwork, and achieving more with less stress.
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On today’s second episode of a two-part series from the October Mastermind in Frisco, TX, Dr. Bill Keith dives into strategies for boosting production per appointment, including offering fluoride treatments, diagnosing periodontal disease, and pursuing comprehensive cosmetic cases. He emphasizes the importance of tracking and managing appointments effectively. Dr. Keith also highlights key KPIs for various teams, such as diagnosis rates, treatment acceptance percentages, and hygiene metrics. Additionally, he discusses the importance of following industry trends and managing patient expectations to ensure long-term success.
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On today’s first episode of a two-part series from the October Mastermind in Frisco, TX, Dr. Bill Keith presents Rhino Finance at the recent mastermind event. He explores the essential role of KPIs in tracking both past and future performance, addressing how these metrics can feel overwhelming but remain crucial for success. Dr. Keith reflects on his personal journey into dentistry, initially resisting his father’s career path while pursuing ventures in finance, business management, and property rentals. He stresses the importance of tracking phone call data and appointment patterns, offering insights into balancing production metrics with forecasting. Dr. Keith highlights how monitoring production numbers helps predict growth needs, such as adding more rooms or hiring associates.
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On today’s first episode of a three-part series from the October Mastermind in Frisco, TX, Dr. Mark Costes dives into the challenges of balancing hustle culture and knowing when to transition out of it. He explores the difficulty many leaders face when shifting their focus from day-to-day tasks to strategic leadership and planning. Mark also addresses the dangers of burnout and reactivity, offering insights on setting non-negotiables and recognizing the different seasons of life and business. Tune in for practical tips to manage time effectively and maintain momentum without sacrificing well-being.
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On today’s episode, Mark catches up with Ashlee Hirschfeld, COO of the Dental Success Network (DSN). They discuss exciting developments, including DSN’s upcoming transition to the Work Vivo platform, making member interactions more seamless and engaging. Ashlee also provides updates on Smile Outreach International’s latest mission trips and plans for a permanent clinic in Mexico. Mark & Ashlee reflect on personal growth, gratitude, and the power of connection—both within their professional network and in global outreach. Tune in for insights, laughter, and some exciting announcements for DSN members and beyond!
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On today’s episode, we sit down with Holli Perez, co-founder, CMO, and lead recruiter of Direct Dental. With extensive experience as a regional manager for DSOs, Holli shares her journey from outside sales to building a nationwide staffing platform tailored to dental practices. They explore how Direct Dental connects practices with qualified professionals, the evolving challenges in dental staffing post-2020, and the importance of onboarding, retention, and workplace culture. Holli offers insights into generational workplace dynamics and strategies for recruiting in competitive markets. Tune in to learn actionable tips for maintaining a well-staffed, thriving practice.
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On today’s two-part episode, we continue with JD Folz, who takes the opportunity to ask Mark some insightful questions about his long-term vision and current projects, including his work with a DSO and Smile Outreach International. Mark shares his thoughts on the importance of having a clear direction, leveraging opportunities, and balancing personal and professional fulfillment. The discussion also touches on the sacrifices required for success, the challenges of over-committing, and the evolution of Mark’s career and business philosophy. Tune in for an engaging and reflective conversation about the next chapter in Mark’s journey.
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On today’s two-part episode, we have JD Folz, a third-year dental student from Ohio State University, where he is also a finance graduate. JD shares his journey into dentistry, his experiences in dental school, and his passion for cosmetic dentistry. He discusses the importance of balancing academics with hands-on clinical experience, building leadership within a dental practice, and creating a scalable business. JD also touches on the value of mentorship, community, and learning from established dental professionals, providing insightful advice for fellow students and aspiring dentists.
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On today’s episode of the "Lady Leader" series within the Dental Success Network, Ashlee Hirschfeld, Dr. Addison Killeen, Dr. Summer Kassmel, and Jake Conway dive into the complexities of team bonuses and incentive systems. They explore the pros and cons of various structures, emphasizing that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The conversation covers key considerations such as metrics, culture alignment, team-wide vs. individual bonuses, and the importance of avoiding unintended consequences like entitlement or silos. They also discuss alternative approaches—like tiered pay systems and personalized incentives—that foster motivation and retain top talent. If you’ve ever struggled with implementing a bonus system or want ideas on how to align incentives with your team’s values, this episode offers practical advice, real-life examples, and the wisdom of experienced practice owners.
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On today’s two-part episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Jaren Argyle, founder of The Elevated Dentist. Dr. Argyle dives deeper into the challenges perfectionism poses for dentists and shares actionable steps to overcome this mindset, such as embracing "B+ work" and focusing on continuous growth rather than perfection. They also discuss the importance of living in the "gain" rather than the "gap," a concept from Dan Sullivan's work, which encourages dentists to reflect on their progress rather than constantly chasing an unattainable ideal. Dr. Argyle emphasizes self-awareness, defining personal and professional goals, and using coaching to help dentists achieve fulfillment in their practices and lives.
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On today’s two-part episode, we have Dr. Jaren Argyle, founder of The Elevated Dentist and a seasoned dental practice owner with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Argyle shares his journey from medical school aspirations to a successful dental career, his approach to building a fulfilling practice, and how he balances work with personal interests. He highlights the importance of understanding emotional intelligence, creating systems that support personal well-being, and coaching dentists to find happiness and fulfillment in their professional lives. Dr. Argyle's unique insights into the dental profession offer valuable advice for achieving success both in and out of the practice.
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On today’s episode, we welcome back Dr. Taher Dhoon, co-founder of the Colorado Surgical Institute and a DSI Black Belt coach. They discuss the growth and evolution of the Colorado Surgical Institute, which recently hosted its largest course to date with over 100 attendees. Dr. Dhoon shares insights into the unique procedural focus of the course, from full-arch implants to IV sedation, and the facility’s expansion to accommodate its growing community. The conversation dives into leadership, handling surgical complications, and the importance of maintaining composure in high-stress situations. Dr. Dhoon also highlights the upcoming full-arch course in November, offering advanced training for doctors seeking to improve their efficiency and surgical outcomes.
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On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Summer Kassmel, DSI coach and entrepreneur, to discuss bad or irrelevant advice often received in dentistry. They share their personal experiences of receiving and giving advice, highlighting the importance of flexibility and evolution in dental practice management. Dr. Kassmel emphasizes how advice, such as striving for perfection or increasing new patient numbers, can sometimes be detrimental if taken too literally. Instead, they focus on balancing efficiency with creativity, and the importance of retaining patients and building a positive culture rather than simply expanding for growth's sake. This insightful conversation sheds light on how the nuances of leadership and patient care often outweigh one-size-fits-all advice.
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On today’s episode, we have Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson-Myers, a transformational speaker, coach, and member of the John C. Maxwell Leadership Team. With over 36 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Lawson-Myers shares her journey from private practice in Jamaica to becoming a leadership coach for dental teams. She discusses the importance of emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and aligning strengths to foster high-performance dental practices. Dr. Lawson-Myers also dives into her online training programs for dental assistants, emphasizing the need for adaptability and continual growth in today’s evolving dental landscape. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, personal development, and creating cohesive, efficient dental teams.
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On today’s episode, Mark interviews Tommy Morales, the founder and CEO of 2SIXL Dental Builders. With over 30 years of construction experience, Tommy has completed more than 1,000 dental-specific projects, giving him unmatched expertise in the field. They discuss the unique challenges of dental practice construction, including the importance of vetting contractors, managing project timelines, and reducing costs through value engineering. Tommy also shares insights on how to avoid common construction pitfalls and offers advice on managing dental practice builds efficiently.
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On today’s episode, we have Brenda McNulty, owner of DSO FACTS, who shares her journey from dental assisting in the military to becoming a leader in business-side consulting for dental practices. Brenda discusses the evolution of her role into a fractional training officer, helping dental teams implement systems and hold themselves accountable to drive productivity and profitability. She highlights key challenges dental practices face, including revenue cycle management, team buy-in, and schedule management, while emphasizing the importance of training, accountability, and leadership in overcoming these obstacles.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Ben Kacos, Dr. Addison Killeen, and Ryan Gross discuss strategies for navigating economic uncertainty in dental practices. Drawing on lessons from the 2007-2009 Great Recession, they explore trends such as the shift towards emergency-based visits and the decline in high-value cases. The conversation covers maximizing hygiene department efficiency, maintaining marketing efforts during downturns to capture market share, and expanding in-house services like IV sedation and socket grafting to increase production. This insightful discussion provides practical strategies for surviving and thriving during a recession.
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On today’s episode, we are joined by Sydney Robinson, Executive Director of the Dental Success Network and Founder of the Front Office Academy coaching. They dive into the unique advantages of in-office dental coaching versus virtual coaching, discussing how being on-site helps uncover real-time challenges and solutions. Sydney shares insights on empowering dental teams, addressing leadership gaps, and creating clear roles and expectations within the practice. Tune in to hear key strategies for improving communication, team efficiency, and overall practice growth from one of the top experts in the field.
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On today’s two-part episode, we continue our interview with Dr. Dennis Hartlieb, diving deeper into the challenges of managing patient expectations in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Hartlieb shares stories about working with patients, including adolescents with missing or malformed teeth, and the rewarding impact of transforming their confidence. He also discusses the complexities of working with demanding aesthetics patients and the importance of clear communication and customized care. The conversation shifts to the balance between clinical practice and teaching, as Dr. Hartlieb reflects on his mentorship role and the challenges of transitioning out of full-time clinical dentistry while continuing to educate and inspire the next generation. Tune in for valuable tips on handling patient expectations and navigating the balance between clinical work and teaching.
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On today’s two-part episode, we have Dr. Dennis Hartlieb, a leading cosmetic dentist with over 30 years of experience based in Glenview, Illinois. Dr. Hartlieb is the founder of Dental Online Training (DOT) and an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Throughout the conversation, they discuss Dr. Hartlieb’s extensive experience in aesthetic dentistry, his passion for teaching, and the mentorship program at Marquette University, where Dr. Hartlieb guides D1, D2, and D3 dental students. He also shares pivotal moments in his career, including his journey into direct bonding techniques and the valuable influence of mentors. Tune in to gain insights into the importance of mentorship, hands-on learning, and how mastering clinical skills shaped Dr. Hartlieb’s practice and teaching philosophy.
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On today’s episode, we have Steve Hollingsworth, founder of Enlightning Media, the media mastermind behind Dental Success Institute’s podcast and events. Steve shares his journey from producing skateboarding videos in a rural town to managing a global media production company. The conversation dives into their travel adventures for Smile Outreach International, highlights of working together, and Steve’s recent exciting experience attending a movie premiere in Hollywood. Tune in for fascinating stories from behind the scenes of DSI’s content creation and Steve's media career.
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On today’s episode, we continue our conversation with Julieanne O'Connor, diving deeper into strategies for managing burnout and maintaining personal well-being. Julieanne discusses the importance of being present, implementing tactical strategies to prevent overwhelm, and using pattern interruption to break unhealthy habits. They also touch on high achiever syndrome and how to honor personal preferences in relaxation while balancing relationships. Julieanne shares insights from her coaching experience and talks about her upcoming book, Healing Happiness, as well as her new podcast, Elevate Dentistry. Tune in for actionable tips on creating lasting change and overcoming burnout in the demanding world of dentistry.
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