If you want a great life as a dentist, you need a great dental practice. To help you take your first steps toward a better life, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to showcase their new membership program, the Best Practices Association. Join today and transform your practice! To earn more, stress less, and start enjoying your days at work, listen to Episode 707 of The Best Practices Show!
Language matters. It sets the tone for how we perceive and treat one another. If you’re still referring to the people are your practice as “staff,” it’s time to make a change. “Staff” is clinical, detached, and frankly, a bit infectious in how it undermines the true essence of your team. There’s a reason it sounds like “staph (as in, infection)!” Instead, let's call them what they truly are—your TEAM. Team (v): A group of people who work together in order to achieve something. Your team isn't just a collection of people clocking in and out; they're the heartbeat of your practice. They're your allies, your comrades-in-arms, your backbone. These are people you trust and who trust you—so why refer to them as mere "staff?” Letting your team know that you see them for everything they are will affirm everything they do. And the best part is that all you need to do is change one word in your vocabulary. Here’s a crash course for how to make mindful language part of your practice. It’s time to get rid of the staff infection at your practice!
If you're not good with people, you won't have a great business — or a great life! Your first step is to master the four domains of emotional intelligence, and Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to teach you how. Get good at people, not just dentistry! To become an emotionally intelligent leader for yourself, your team, and your family, listen to Episode 706 of The Best Practices Show!
How do patients enter your practice? It’s the most important question to consider as a dentist and business owner. To guide you through three main questions you need to answer, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim McKee, founder of Chicago Study Club, to share a few critical lessons he’s learned over his professional career. To learn which questions to answer for the success of your practice, listen to Episode 705 of The Best Practices Show!
People don’t leave jobs—they leave bosses, so in order to be someone that people want to follow, you must work to become a great leader. In fact, as the leader you have a responsibility to your team, because without your leadership, they will flounder and get off track. It’s like Kirk says: “As goes the leader, so
We all want to avoid hardship. But hard times can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life. To share how adversity was important to his happiness, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Kevin Groth to highlight the important lessons and habits he learned that transformed his life. With the right mindset, adversity is the path to happiness! To hear how you can discover your happiest self, listen to Episode 704 of The Best Practices Show!
The first time I fired someone, I had no idea what I was doing. I thought I did but looking back, I really didn’t. I was functioning well outside my comfort zone in an area I had little to no experience with, and I was figuring out this “being a boss” thing as I went. This was it. I was going to let a team member go. I recall the day in vivid detail.
Feeling that March Madness at your practice? No, I’m not talking about the NCAA tournament—I’m talking about the springtime rush of appointments that can quickly turn up the tension for you and your team. Just like on the basketball court, you need a moment to regroup, refocus, and come back stronger than ever. CALL A TIME OUT! Whether you’re on offense, driving towards your goals, or playing defense against challenges, it's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced game of running a successful practice. But remember, even the most successful teams take moments to pause, strategize, and adjust their game-plan. Blow the whistle and gather the team to talk strategy. Talk about what’s working and address any hurdles in front of you. This is your chance to gather energy, reignite momentum, and get back on a hot streak. To get you in the champion mindset, here’s me doing my best Bill Walton impression. Now get back out there and show some hustle!
Are your hygienists always running out of time? If they are, it’s not them — it’s your systems that need improvement! To help you optimize the hygiene workflow so you can be more profitable, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson and Courtney Dalton, two of ACT’s amazing coaches (and excellent hygienists), with a framework for making those 60 minutes more efficient. To learn the strategies to make your day flow smoother, listen to Episode 703 of The Best Practices Show!
Without a healthy partnership, your work life could be torture. If you want to increase your happiness at work, don't miss this episode! Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jennifer Derse and Dr. Brett Levin, founders of Espire, to share their recipe for a healthy partnership that lasts. To learn how to stay aligned, navigate disagreements, and to disagree agreeably, listen to Episode 702 of The Best Practices Show!
