Where dentists learn how to cut clinical days while increasing profits - without sacrificing patient care, cutting corners, or cranking volume. We teach you how to grow a scalable practice through communication, leadership, and effective management. Hosted by Dr. Paul Etchison, author of two books on dental practice management, dental coach, and owner of a $6M collections group practice in the south suburbs of Chicago, we provide actionable advice for practice owners who want to intentionall ...
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Dr Paul Etchison Podcasts

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How to Step Back Without Stepping Away w/ Dr. Mustafa Shah-Khan
27:16
27:16
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27:16Ready to get out of the operatory without leaving dentistry? If you’re mid-career and craving more, this episode will help you figure out your next move and how to get there. Dr. Mustafa Shah-Khan of Simplify Dentistry shares his tips for simplifying your systems, meeting production goals, and avoiding the common traps that keep dentists stuck. Lea…
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Building Your Practice Bridge: How Missing Systems Create Risk
13:14
13:14
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13:14The bridge you're walking across has missing planks. Every step feels uncertain, progress slows to a crawl, and you might even consider turning back. This perfectly captures what running a dental practice feels like when critical systems are missing or broken. Most dental practices struggle with five fundamental gaps: inadequate onboarding that nev…
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Your Practice Doesn't Have to Stay the Way You Bought It
33:02
33:02
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33:02Taking over a practice is hard, but a full overhaul is even harder. In this episode, hear how Dr. Rhonda Kalasho transformed a hygiene-only dental office into a modern, multi-location practice and retained most of the original patient base. She shares how she pulled it off — from building trust with skeptical patients and getting case acceptance, t…
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Confronting Underperformance: Why You Can't Always Be the Nice Boss
23:56
23:56
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23:56That dreaded, “I need to talk to you about something?” It’s a conversation no one looks forward to, but every owner has to deal with. Whether it's an underperforming employee or tension in the office, this episode will give you the tools to address issues that can make or break workplace culture. You’ll learn how to confront underperformance and te…
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Fun IS Profitable: How to Create a Practice You and Your Team Enjoy!
15:30
15:30
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15:30Have you ever noticed how some dental teams thrive even on the most challenging days? They laugh together, support each other, and somehow make even the toughest situations enjoyable. It's not magic—it's intentional leadership and genuine connection. The relationships within your dental team matter more than anything else—even more than compensatio…
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The Three Essential Conversations Every Dental Practice Owner Must Master
14:39
14:39
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14:39True leadership in dental practice means empowering your team through the right conversations rather than trying to be the answer person for everything. Mastering three key conversation types – vision, accountability, and problem-solving – can solve 95% of practice problems and prevent owner burnout. • Vision conversations connect daily tasks to me…
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Secrets to Keep Your Practice Running On Time
25:51
25:51
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25:51Running behind every day isn’t normal — it’s a systems problem. From scheduling to delayed exams, this episode explores what causes chaos in dental practices and simple fixes that can get the whole office running smoothly again. Our tips and tricks will help you time hygiene exams, handle emergencies, and create a culture that keeps everyone on tim…
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A Dentist's Embezzlement Nightmare and Recovery with Josh Cochran
35:18
35:18
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35:18Embezzlement usually starts with someone “you’d never suspect.” Dr. Josh Cochran thought he was building a strong team after opening his practice, but the financials told a different story. In this episode, he shares why it took him so long to realize his employee was embezzling, the red flags he missed, and how he would do things differently today…
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Is Your Team Lazy? or is it YOU? How to Drive Profits through Engagement
14:43
14:43
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14:43Tired of feeling like you're the only one who gives a crap? This week, Dr. Paul breaks down one of the real causes of burnout—not just for you, but for your team. It’s not about working too hard. It’s about feeling like none of it matters.Discover how powerlessness creates disengagement, resentment, and culture rot—and how a simple shift in leaders…
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How to Get Your Team to Diagnose, Treat, and Communicate Consistently
23:30
23:30
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23:30Case acceptance is down. Patients are confused. Your team is frustrated. Sound familiar? These are all signs your practice is out of alignment. Whether you own one practice or multiple locations, this episode will help you get everyone on the same page clinically — from the front office to hygienists, assistants, and doctors. You’ll learn how to ru…
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AI Tools That Will Actually Help Your Practice w/ Dr. David Amador
32:10
32:10
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32:10What’s your opinion on AI? It can transform your team, systems, and improve case acceptance — but ONLY if you know how to use it. That’s why we're talking to Dr. David Amador, who’s built real systems with AI that make his practice more profitable and efficient. In this episode, he shares three AI tools he uses to diagnose patients, train team memb…
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Lazy and Loving It: My Secret to Practice Growth
12:13
12:13
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12:13The myth of discipline has perpetuated an enormous lie about what drives success in dental practices. Drawing from personal experience, I reveal why traditional definitions of discipline aren't necessary for extraordinary practice growth. Through vulnerable admissions about my own "undisciplined" habits (25 years of smoking, late-morning wake-ups, …
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Selling vs. Staying: The Eight-Figure Practice Decision
37:46
37:46
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37:46Your practice is thriving, so why not sell? DPH coach Dr. Steve Markowitz owns a six-practice dental group and seriously considered cashing out, but he realized he wasn't ready to let go. In this episode, he shares why he decided not to sell even after hitting his $10M revenue goal and what changed about his approach to ownership. You'll hear the c…
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Stop Problem-Solving, Start Validating: A Gamechanger
10:08
10:08
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10:08Validation might be the most powerful leadership tool you're not using. This often-overlooked skill—distinct from praise, problem-solving, or agreement—has the remarkable ability to transform your dental practice from the inside out. When team members bring concerns or patients express frustration, our instinct as dentists and practice owners is to…
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How to Fix the 3 Biggest Ownership Stressors
13:22
13:22
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13:22Ever feel like your dental practice is an endless cycle of putting out fires, managing team drama, and squeezing in "just one more patient"? That overwhelming weight on your shoulders isn't just in your head—and you're definitely not alone in feeling it. Dr. Paul Etchison breaks down the three fundamental stressors that make practice ownership feel…
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Playing The Dental Insurance Game: How To Slash Your Denial Rate
37:47
37:47
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37:47Claims keep getting denied? Here’s a hard truth: it’s probably your fault. But in this episode, Dr. Travis Campbell shares everything he's learned about how to master the insurance game, get your denial rate under 2% and stop wasting hours on appeals. His insights cover everything from the common reasons SRP claims get denied to the simple step tha…
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Beyond Words: When Your Actions Contradict Your Values
11:34
11:34
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11:34Leadership's echo effect shapes dental practice culture far more than we realize. As practice owners, even when we're not actively leading, our behavior creates rippling effects that influence team dynamics long after we've left the building. True practice culture isn't what you declare in mission statements or team meetings—it's the accumulation o…
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You get it, you need to let go. But how do you actually step back, stop micromanaging and see what your team can really do? In this episode, we share actionable ways to reduce your workload, delegate the right tasks, and leave work stress at the office. Learn how you might be getting in your own way and why letting your practice fail is the first s…
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Why Patients Start Treatment But Never Finish: Understanding the Psychology of Momentum
8:47
8:47
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8:47Discover the psychological key that unlocks patient follow-through with the endowed progress effect—a powerful concept that transforms how dental professionals communicate about treatment plans. This game-changing approach doesn't require changing your fees, procedures, or recommendations—just the way you frame patient progress. Through a fascinati…
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Making Multi-Doctor Practices Work: Partnership Risks and Rewards
21:53
21:53
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21:53Thinking about making your associate a partner? This episode will help you decide if it’s the right move for you and what other options you have to keep associates in your practice without giving up equity. You'll learn the must-haves of a successful partnership, the common reasons they fail, and what to look for in a potential partner. Listen now …
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How to Make your Membership Plan Win-Win for Everyone
22:36
22:36
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22:36There’s an easy solution for patients who can’t afford treatment: membership plans. In this episode, you’ll learn how to structure your plan, price it so patients sign up, and get your team on board. The DPH coaches share what’s worked in their practices and easy mistakes you can avoid, whether you're creating a plan or revamping one you already ha…
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Leaving Clinical to Mentor Doctors Into Partners w/ Dr. Sten Erickson
33:18
33:18
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33:18Most owners manage the day-to-day; Dr. Sten Erickson is turning doctors into partners. He joins me in this episode to share how he stepped into a true leadership role and expanded his practice after leaving clinical work behind. From scheduling weekly meetings across multiple practices to case reviews, we talk about the strategies and systems that …
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The Hybrid Ownership Model for Ultimate Work-Life Balance w/ Dr. Jennifer Haddad
31:52
31:52
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31:52Practice ownership doesn’t have to mean running an office or signing a lease. Dr. Jennifer Haddad designed her practice around a hybrid model that keeps her schedule and clinical decisions all within her control. In this episode, she shares how it works inside an existing practice, the benefits of this non-traditional path, and how she began buildi…
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5 Scheduling Hacks that Allow you to Easily Cut Clinical Days
9:40
9:40
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9:40Feeling trapped in the operatory five days a week? Imagine reclaiming an entire workday without sacrificing income or patient care. That's exactly what today's episode delivers—a practical blueprint for dental practice owners who want to work smarter, not harder. I break down five seemingly small schedule adjustments that combine to create massive …
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Ever felt that mounting frustration when someone keeps crossing a line you never actually drew? That's exactly what happens in dental practices without clear boundaries. When you're constantly putting out fires, feeling resentful toward team members, or watching work bleed relentlessly into your personal time, it's not just about difficult people—i…
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Why Are DSO's Failing? What's Happening Inside Dentistry with Jake Berry
33:20
33:20
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33:20Why have dozens of DSOs collapsed? What’s the impact on the dental industry? And how can you protect yourself, even if you never plan to sell? Tune in to learn what’s really happening in the DSO market, and what YOU should look for if you're considering a DSO! Topics discussed in this episode: Why so many DSOs are failing What investors look for in…
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Built to Sell: Increasing the Value of Your Practice
21:29
21:29
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21:29A sellable practice runs smoother, earns more, and stresses you less. But what does it mean to have a sellable practice? In this episode, the DPH coaches share the seven signs your practice is sellable and explain why you should build a sellable practice even if you never plan to sell. Learn how to increase the value of your practice, what metrics …
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The Drinking Game that Taught Me Practice Culture
13:37
13:37
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13:37Ever have one of those nights where you're exhausted but someone talks you into staying up anyway—and it turns into the most fun night ever? That's exactly what happened when my family convinced me to play our ridiculous Italian-themed drinking game called "Garlic and Oil" at the lake house. The truth is that strong practice cultures aren't built t…
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Practice Policies: Cell Phones, Tattoos, and Staff Discounts
16:32
16:32
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16:32When’s the last time you reviewed your office policies? Regular check-ins keep your practice running smoothly and your team on the same page. In this episode, the DPH coaches share how they've updated their own policies to reflect today’s workplace, cut down stress, and avoid playing favorites. Get tips on managing cell phone use, stopping patients…
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What would happen if your entire dental team quit tomorrow? Rather than just a nightmare scenario, this thought experiment reveals critical insights about your practice's foundation. I share the story of a dentist who actually experienced this situation—when he laid out his vision for the practice and gave his team of seven the option to leave if t…
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Beyond the Operatory: Why Some Dentists Make Millions
25:04
25:04
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25:04You can be a great dentist and still struggle to grow — and here's why: your mindset. It's what keeps some practice owners stuck and helps others build the type of practice they want. In this episode, find out how to shift out of "survival mode" and run your business instead of just working in it. From perfectionism and fear to day-to-day fundament…
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Eliminate Hygiene Cancellations with This Simple Policy
10:59
10:59
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10:59Ever struggled with hygiene cancellations while simultaneously facing a backlog of patients desperate for appointments? You're not alone, and there's a brilliant solution hiding in plain sight. What makes this approach so powerful is its triple benefit structure. Your practice maintains a more predictable schedule and improves productivity. Your pa…
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Managing Stress and Finding Fulfillment in Dental Practice with Chelsea Myers
21:03
21:03
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21:03Ever feel like the stress of dental practice is overwhelming? Join us on Dental Practice Heroes as we sit down with the insightful dental life coach Chelsea Myers to explore how dentists can manage stress and avoid feeling trapped in their profession. Chelsea offers practical advice on setting boundaries between work and home life and emphasizes th…
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How Cutting Clinical Days Can Help You Grow Faster & Lead Better w/ Dr. Ryan Bradley
22:00
22:00
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22:00How can you keep your team, grow your practice, AND reclaim your time? Discover how Dr. Ryan Bradley did all three without burnout, spending big on marketing, or micromanaging his team. We talk about what worked to reduce turnover through a merger, create work-life balance, and scale while cutting back clinical days. Tune in to learn how working le…
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Burnout to Balance: A Dentist's Journey to Wellbeing w/ Dr. Peter Dinh
25:32
25:32
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25:32What does “biohacking” have to do with dentistry? For Dr. Peter Dinh, figuring out the root cause of his low energy and burnout changed the way he felt in his body and in his practice. In our conversation, he shares how functional medicine helped him heal hidden issues like leaky gut and low dopamine, improve his mental and physical health, and sho…
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The REAL Profit from the Hygiene Department
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14:13
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14:13Dental practice owners across the country face a mounting challenge—skyrocketing hygienist wages that strain traditional production-focused models. But what if obsessing over hourly production metrics is actually holding your practice back from its true potential? In this transformative episode, I reveal why the real value of your hygiene departmen…
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How to Stay In Control When Things Go Wrong w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
20:33
20:33
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20:33Nothing throws off your day like a surprise complication. When a surgical or dental emergency hits, how you respond is what matters most. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon joins me to share how we approach emergencies to keep our cool, make smart decisions, and lead our teams. We dive into emergency protocols, critical mindset shifts, and how to avo…
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Tax Hacks Your Regular Accountant Won't Tell You w/ Mike Bark
35:17
35:17
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35:17You might be missing out on tens of thousands in tax savings and not even know it. But all that can change with the help of a dental CPA. Mike Bark of Bull Moose Financial joins me today to talk profitability, tax mistakes and strategies that dentists overlook far too often. We dive into the tax landscape of dentistry, explore what a good dental CP…
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Growing with Less Hygienists: New Models for the Age of Hygiene Scarcity
15:04
15:04
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15:04Dental practice owners across the country are facing a critical challenge: how to continue growing when hygienists seem impossible to find. This shortage creates a frustrating bottleneck - you've got the new patients flowing in, your clinical skills are sharp, your systems are solid, but without adequate hygiene capacity, your practice hits a growt…
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You Can Grow Without PPO's with Dr. Andrew Kokabi
29:40
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29:40Big growth isn’t reserved for in-network practices. Dr. Andrew Kokabi has built more than just a thriving fee-for-service practice — he’s built a reputation as a trusted business that gives back. In this episode, he explains what it means to be a community-driven practice and how this approach has helped him grow without relying on insurance. He al…
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Lessons from a Lawsuit w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
22:37
22:37
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22:37Every dentist dreads it: the day a case turns into a lawsuit. And often, it’s not the actual dentistry that gets you. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon gets candid about a worst-case scenario he’s facing in real time. He shares what mistakes opened the door to litigation, and the steps every dentist can take to avoid the same fate. You’ll learn best…
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Great dental practices share one essential quality: exceptional team communication. Yet many offices struggle with ineffective meetings that drain energy rather than build momentum. Drawing from 13 years of practice management experience, I reveal how my team transformed frustrating, head-spinning meetings into productive sessions that actually str…
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Beyond Clinical Skills: The Trust Factor in Dental Practice Success
23:10
23:10
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23:10Trust should be the plan before the treatment plan. It’s the foundation behind case acceptance, retention, and referrals — the things that actually grow your practice. In this episode, we dive into strategies for building trust in the day-to-day, common mistakes new dentists make, and how to ease patients into seeing a new provider without losing t…
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What Makes You Lose Sleep: Business or Clinical?
19:17
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19:17One bad case can haunt you longer than a bad hire. But what’s really more unpredictable — the patient in the chair or people in your practice? This episode debates what causes more stress: clinical work or the business of running a dental practice. The DPH coaches share their experiences on both sides of dentistry and how they reduce stress in clin…
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Two Day Clinical Weeks with Dr. David Maconi
31:41
31:41
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31:41What if working less could actually make your practice more profitable? Dr. David Maconi proves it's not just possible—it's achievable for committed practice owners willing to challenge conventional wisdom. Whether you're burning out from too many clinical days or simply curious about creating more flexibility in your practice, this conversation pr…
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More Staff, or More Efficiency? How to Tell with Dr. Paul Etchison
17:25
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17:25Are your front desk team members constantly asking for more help? In this revealing episode, I tackle the challenging question every dental practice owner faces: when should you hire more administrative staff versus improving your systems? I walk through practical solutions I implemented during COVID when my team was drowning in new protocols and a…
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Thick Skin & Thin Schedules: The Surprising Burnout Solution
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21:10Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real problem in dentistry. But why? Join us as we dive into the growing issue of burnout and how you can find joy in your career again. You'll get strategies for combatting burnout, learn how to manage the stress of practice ownership, and understand the key mindset shifts that make all the difference in your wo…
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The Million-Dollar Associate: How to Help Associates Succeed from Day One w/ Dr. Taher Dhoon
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17:55We all know how game-changing it is to have the right associate on board — and how costly it can be when you hire the wrong one. Too many owners hire quickly, don’t provide enough guidance, and end up paying the price. In this episode, Dr. Taher Dhoon shares how to avoid these mistakes and mentor million-dollar associates in your practice. From str…
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Your body language might be sabotaging your case acceptance without you even realizing it. Imagine presenting the perfect treatment plan with flawless explanation—only to have patients hesitate and "think about it." What went wrong? The answer lies in the subtle realm of nonverbal communication. Research shows our brains are 12.5 times more likely …
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Big Time Numbers Without Burning Out w/ Spencer Greer
34:00
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34:00The secret to higher production? Better leadership, not just more patients. In this episode, Dr. Spencer Greer shares the biggest lessons he’s learned from scaling multiple practices, optimizing production, and keeping teams motivated—even when you're leading remotely. He reflects on the mistakes he made, what he’d do differently, and how partnerin…
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