Ted Osterer returns to the show to discuss recent bankruptcies and sales in our industry. Large companies are experiencing shifts and they have teams of advisors. How can a smaller dental business learn from these mistakes and strategize for their own success? Ted shares how understanding key financial metrics like EBITDA, cost of goods, and margin…

In this episode of Nobody Told Me That!, I sit down with HR expert Alan Twigg from Bent Erickson and Associates to discuss HR policies and how they can make or break a dental practice. From avoiding legal pitfalls with proper documentation to navigating the National Labor Relations Act, we cover items you need to know to safeguard your practice. It…

Not every patient is a good fit for your practice. Life is actually easier when you prune the bad ones. If you've dealt with patients who miss appointments, delay payments, or even compromise your team's safety, this episode is for you. This episode breaks down when and why patient termination may be necessary. You'll need a well-documented process…

Being a new manager is scary and challenging. Everything is different now. You are juggling your work friendships and building trust with your doctor. You're managing different personalities all while leading by example, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. Plus, it can be lonely at the top. I’ll share personal stories—like a lesson learned…

These are excerpts from two fun episodes of my other podcast Chew on This. Have you ever wondered how treatment in space would happen? Of course you have! My co-host Kevin Henry and I explore the challenges of space dentistry, including how microgravity affects oral care and the innovations being developed for astronauts. We also discuss Minnesota'…

What's the big deal with the AADOM Conference? New attendees are often surprised by the event so let me share what to expect. The AADOM Conference offers networking and educational sessions plus key opportunities for dental office managers to elevate their careers. ‘Recharged’ is a common way to describe how you'll feel after the sessions. I'll cov…

I'm sharing a recent podcast episode I recorded with my friends at A Breath of Fresh Air. Their podcast focuses on dental billing and they wanted my thoughts on our industry’s future. We talked about the surprising ways dental and medical billing might start to merge, and why having top-notch training and qualifications isn't just a good idea — it'…

Dealing with out-of-control claims can feel overwhelming but I’m here to help you get a handle on it. We’ll break down actionable steps to bring order to the chaos and make sure your dental aging report cleans up nicely. I’ll walk you through essential steps like setting up separate bank accounts to keep things organized, running insurance aging re…

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@odysseymgmt You should know a few facts about leaving a network before you make any big decisions. In this solo episode, I share tidbits from my hundreds of strategy calls with dentists and managers on this topic. Typically the call starts out with a focus on how much revenue can be generated and patient reactions. I’m…

My Mid-Year Insurance Update webinar generated a lot of questions (as usual!). I couldn’t answer them all so I thought I’d share them with you. The webinar touched on Open Season, Medicare Advantage, audits, materials upgrades and participation considerations. This mixed bag of questions was fun to answer and I hope you are able to utilize the info…

In this episode I was able to hang out with Sean Hamel, the brain behind the Art of Dental Marketing. He believes strongly in personalized, emotionally engaging marketing and gave us lots of examples. He talked about using killer videos and photos to rock Google My Business and then shared super creative ways to get your practice noticed in your co…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! My friend Brant Herman joins me to talk about virtual clinical dentistry. It's not a stretch to call him a dental visionary. His Mouthwatch camera enabled low cost intraoral imaging at a time when documentation needs increased tremendously. It was a foray into teledentistry that led to our top…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! In this special mini edition of “Nobody Told Me That!” I turned the reins over to Rita Zamora of Connect 90 to share her expertise in social media content. Social media fatigue is real, but Rita has solutions. Bonus Tip – Get Some Help: If social media still feels too daunting, Rita advises co…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! In this episode of "Nobody Told Me That!" we explore how modern solutions like virtual assistants are transforming dental practices. Joined by industry experts Rita Zamora and Rebecca Herring, expect thought-provoking insights on the rise of virtual front desk teams and how they're revolutioni…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Mike Barniv who has impressive street cred in the AI, carrier and clinical arenas. He’s currently the VP of Clinical Affairs at Pearl. Dr. Barniv shared AI’s role in treatment case acceptance. Hint - it helps tremendously! We had a frank talk about how the ca…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! In this episode, we tackle the financial challenges of operating a dental practice, with a special focus on managing supply costs and leveraging vendor relationships. Joining us is Ted Osterer, my friend from Synergy Dental Partners, who shares great advice to optimize dental practice operatio…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! Lisa Greer is the California Dental Association’s dental benefit expert (and repeat guest!). We talked about quite a few topics including Change Healthcare and advice that can get you audited. We both firmly believe that the insurance coordinator is a key player in protecting the doctor’s lice…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! Join us for a candid conversation about financial management and team development. I’m thrilled to welcome back my close friend, Dayna Johnson, a dental consultant who's made a name for herself in the world of digital workflows and accounts receivable wizardry. We tackled these topics: Why col…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! Understanding the impact of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) is critical for every office manager and dentist. My friend Dr. Tony Stefanou - the founder of Connect the Dents - is a solid resource in this area. Even if you’re not planning to join one soon you should know how they operate and…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! Great employees are worth their weight in gold. Managing them is usually the most taxing part of the job. Different personalities, different ages - all of it comes with pros and cons. My guests - Michelle Coker and Matt Nelson from the California Dental Association - help offices with these ch…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! It’s always fun to have Rachel Wall back for hygiene updates. She’s the founder and president of Inspired Hygiene and is my go-to for shedding light on the latest trends and products in dental hygiene. We tackled these topics: The challenges of the various hygiene compensation models How a kno…

SHOW NOTES: Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! Returning guest India Chance joined me for another infection control, bug-filled episode! She's the founder of Learn to Prevent and always teaches me something new. Sometimes I wish I didn't know it but it's important for our patients and practices. Some highlights from our talk: I…

Don't forget to check out the video episode on YouTube! In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Bryan Laskin – a dental tech entrepreneur, an author and a good friend. He's been on before (Ep 76) and just like last time, the conversation flowed. Dentistry is changing behind the scenes. We think of progress as materials updates and faster scans. But wh…

In this episode, I was joined by Andrew Johnston, co-founder of “A Tale of Two Hygienists,” and the man responsible for The Dental Podcast Network at Dental Economics. He's also a restorative hygienist. Also making an appearance was Editor-In-Chief at Dr. Bicuspid and my Chew On This Podcast co-host, Kevin Henry. We discussed some of the noticeable…

In this episode, we dive deep into the concerning issue of workplace violence in dental offices. I was joined by my friend Duane Tinker, a compliance consultant and former investigator for the Texas Dental Board. This episode is a bit more serious than usual but oh so important. Dental Office Safety: We discuss the duty of business owners to provid…

In this episode, I was joined by Gary Bird, founder and managing partner of SMC National, to discuss changes in dental marketing strategies. We talked about many topics but really became animated when these came up: Video Marketing: Gary emphasized the importance of video in marketing, especially for promoting larger dental treatments. He discusses…

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In this episode, I took a deep dive into the world of cyber attacks and cybersecurity in the dental industry. My guests Teresa Pichay of the California Dental Association and Colette Johnson of The Dentists Insurance Company shared how phishing, vishing (it’s a thing!), and other forms of cyber attacks take…

It's a beautiful situation when a manager and dentist truly co-pilot the practice! It takes work to reach that balance though. For this deep dive into the manager-dentist dynamic, I gathered three dentists in different stages of their careers. They shared what worked and - more importantly - what didn't work. They also shared how they show apprecia…

It's not often I can fangirl over one of my guests! Dr. Addison Killeen joined me to discuss the importance of systemization in dental practices and how it can transform the way we run our businesses. I've listened to him speak on these topics and am thrilled to share this knowledge with you. He believes that high levels of systemization and consis…

This one is for you, my fellow insurance nerds! Outsourcing and insurance are two hot topics in most dental groups. Many offices choose to outsource to lessen strain on and burnout of their valued team members. This strong demand has resulted in many brave entrepreneurs offering this service. I asked three successful remote billing company owners t…

My guests are Matt Nelson and Lisa Greer from the California Dental Association. They handle practice management and benefits issues from their member dentists. Between the two of them they've heard some stories! They share so many tips on this episode. Just a few critical topics facing owners and practice leaders: Non-covered services Leased netwo…

Another fun panel discussion! My two guests have helped offices grow by advising or facilitating the changes. Malika Azargoon and Jennifer Steadman shared their thoughts on these topics: the importance of signage due diligence and how non-contractual items can kill a deal who you want on your transition team Lots of laughs, stories and advice. I ho…

What I love about my conversations with Dr. Gerilyn Alfe is how candid she is. She talks about her unexpected experience switch from dentistry to coaching. We then dish a bit about working with different dental team types. A conversation about muddy dental vision (not the eyes) and how to prioritize our many office systems rounds out the episode. L…

Expansion, sales, associates - all this growth can be hard on a practice. We tend to think of growth as a positive experience and usually, it is. However the financial health of the practice can be threatened by over-leveraging, participation decisions and team changes. Perrin DesPortes shed a lot of light on these topics and shared strategies to s…

Hiring associates can be such a pain BUT it's beautiful when it works. I gathered a smart group of managers who have spent years hiring and training associates in their practices. I hope their knowledge can help you anticipate any upcoming transitions for your office. Some highlights: Which traits are a hard pass when interviewing associates? Are n…

What an enlightening episode! Elvis Dahl and Barb Warner from Voices from the Bench Podcast spoke openly about the business of dental labs. I definitely learned a good amount. Imagine your lab comes in and shows you how to up your scan game. What about if they helped you to be more confident with larger restorations? This means more revenue. We cov…

It’s wild that Amanda and I actually worked together years ago! We take a quick trip down memory lane but then we dive into some really gross but fascinating topics. Infection control is no laughing matter but we couldn’t help it. Biofilm, cultures, water testing, fake nails - we went through it all. Enjoy! Article Amanda referenced: Waterline warn…

Dental billing is evolving but it seems like our systems are always slow to change. Listen in as I talk with a group of dental nerds (like us!) about what they see out there. Some highlights: Faster billing cycles are the way to go. Passing credit card fees to the patient. You may change your mind with this one. Is it easier to ask for money nowada…

Full show notes/links on the podcast home page! https://nobodytoldmethat.libsyn.com Rachel Wall is back on the podcast to share more periodontal wisdom! For 2023 she turned parts of Inspired Hygiene’s coaching into a Perio Protocol Online Bootcamp. I love a good deep dive! Periodontal programs will need real attention in the coming year. You won’t …

CORRECTION: Thanks to Dr. W for letting me know that local factors are plaque and calculus. I had localized in my head. Sorry for the confusion! On Election Day, Question #2 in Massachusetts easily passed. Medical loss ratio (MLR) is a hot topic right now but what is it and will the bill have the desired effect on the market? Time will tell. Debrid…

My long-time friend Ann Marie DePalma joins me to shed more light on the provider-side usage of AI. She's a Customer Success Manager with Pearl. Case presentation tips flowed! We discussed a variety of related topics including: How you can use AI to train your team and calibrate clinician diagnostic instincts. Yes, carriers utilize it but we are th…

Fellow insurance enthusiast Colleen Huff joins me to dish on trends we’re seeing. We sprinkled in some compliance and Medicare Advantage discussion. Enjoy! Full show notes on the podcast home page! https://nobodytoldmethat.libsyn.com/ Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast! Connect with Colleen: Colleen’s Website…

Ryan is one of those guys that loves to build and turn around businesses. It’s fascinating to talk about strategies and industry trends with him. The generations and their particular consumer behaviors are important to him and so he keeps up with all the studies. Lucky us because he shares them with us! We also talk about his recent acquisition of …

Oops - I nerded out again. Brian Phillips was my partner in insurance geekdom this time. He knows so much about leased networks and provider credentialing. Sometimes it’s the people behind the scenes that can give you the most information - Brian fits that category to a tee. Listen in to a deep dive into the behind the scenes of contract management…

Another Hinman Lounge podcast! This time I sat with Drs. Kaplan and Gans to discuss implant care and sensitivity. That sounds very formal but they’re very fun and smart ladies, promise! I needed to ask about sensitivity because I’m now a pitiful baby during my cleanings. Shout out to my hygienists Camilla and Katie for putting up with my sensitive …

Earlier this year I spoke at the Hinman Dental meeting and was able to be a part of their Podcast Lounge. Very cool - hope more shows do this! I asked a few guests to stop by and Brad James was kind enough to make a 2nd podcast appearance. We talked about consumer behavior and what to expect with an uncertain economy. A few highlights: Employer cho…

Kim McGuire of Fortune Management is one of my favorite people to talk business with. Not just ‘what’s up with you?’ business but the business of dentistry, numbers and strategy. It felt good to deep dive into current conditions and how we can flex to succeed. We talked about these topics and more: Where did the critical thinking go? Her practical …

What if you could put new or unsure employees through a bootcamp? The culture shock in dentistry is real - the hard truth is that our new stars need more direction than a manual and some webinars. Our busy offices sometimes don’t allow us that luxury but what if that’s a cycle to be broken? Michelle Affanato has worked with hundreds of offices lear…

Have you heard of Log4Shell? Well, that’s why you need to stay up to speed on security issues. Most offices have ‘the IT company’ or as I called him ‘the IT guy.’ Nowadays you need help managing the CBCT, patient communication, phone system and practice management system. My guest is Dan De Steno from NOVA Computer Solutions - a managed services pr…

Infection control may seem boring but I’m telling you, my guest makes it interesting! For example - what do coffee and fake nails have in common? They don’t belong in your clinical area! Infection control expert and auditor India Chance joins me to discuss this and so much more. My main takeaway from this: someone actually thought to use their beef…