The Dental Practice Heroes Podcast With Dr. Paul Etchison

A 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 matter to buyers, and how long it takes to make a practice sellable. Tune in to find out if your practice checks all the boxes of a sellable practice!Topics discussed in this episode:The benefits of building a sellable practiceWhat healthy businesses have in commonCharacteristics of sellable practiceHow long it takes to build a sellable practiceIncreasing the value of your practiceWhen to sell vs. keep building Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Use the same marketing company as Dr. Etch!Get your free demo with Relevance Marketing by Clicking HereTake Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time off

Ever 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 through mission statements—they're created through shared experiences, inside jokes, and rituals that bond your team together. People connect through experiences more than tasks. In my practice, we've developed unique cultural elements like our appreciation token system, morning huddle rituals, and our notorious "P2P" feedback approach where team members literally ask, "Can I pee on you for a second?" before offering constructive feedback. These might sound silly, but they create our identity.WText us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Use the same marketing company as Dr. Etch!Ge

When’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 who start recording in the chair, and creating policies that are fair to all employees. Plus, find out how staff discounts can strengthen your team and grow your practice!Topics discussed in this episode:Evolving cell phone policiesHow to handle cell phone use by patientsAppearance policies: tattoos, piercings, and apparelCreating fair, consistent policiesThe benefits of employee discountsWhy you need updated policies in your practiceText us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Join our Online Mastermind Community with All the Training, Systems, and Plug and Play Protocols for you and your team.  https://www.dentalpracticehe

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 they didn't align with it, five walked out. Surprisingly, this became one of the best things that ever happened to his practice.Ready to transform your practice with proven systems and leadership strategies? Visit dentalpracticheroes.com to explore our one-on-one coaching opportunities and work with someone who's been exactly where you are.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Join our Online Mastermind Community with All the Training, Systems, and Plug and Play Protocols for you and your team.  https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/DPHcoaching Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take m

You 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 fundamentals, we discuss common mindset traps and habits that stall growth and how you can move past them. Tune in for tips to build a strong team and become a better leader!Topics discussed in this episode:The mindset of successful practice ownersFundamentals of an efficient dental practiceCommon mental roadblocks to growthTips to accelerate growth and lead more effectivelyWhy you should stress test your practiceText us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Join our Online Mastermind Community with All the Training, Systems, and Plug and Play Protocols for you and your team.  https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/DPHcoac

Ever 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 patients gain more consistent access to care when they need it. And your local community organizations receive much-needed support. It's a win-win-win that aligns perfectly with modern dental practices that aim to be forces for good beyond their clinical contributions.Ready to transform your practice's cancellation policy while making a real difference in your community? Try this approach and email us at dentalpracticeheroes@gmail.com to share your results. For more innovative practice management solutions and to join our community of growth-minded dental professionals, visit dentalpracticeheroes.com and become part of the DPH Hero Collective today.

Ever 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 the importance of personal and professional growth. Discover how taking control of your own happiness, instead of relying on external factors, can lead to a more fulfilling career and personal life.In our deep-dive discussion, Chelsea also sheds light on achieving flow and authenticity in dentistry. She explains how practices like writing, meditation, and structured routines can uncover personal insights and alleviate stress. Learn how traits that contribute to professional excellence, like perfectionism, can be managed to improve personal relationships. Chelsea also shares about her one-on-one and group coaching, her foundation supporting families in need, and how yo

How 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 less can actually help you grow your practice faster!Topics discussed in this episode:How to successfully take over a practiceBuilding a culture that reduces turnoverChallenges expanding from 4 to 8 opsMaintaining low turnover through a mergerStrategies to achieve work-life balanceAvoid these common growth mistakesWhat it takes to be a good leader and practice owner Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch.  Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time

What 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 show up better for his team, his family, and himself. We also talk about the stress of practice ownership and how biohacking can help you treat common problems like anxiety, apathy, and trouble sleeping — making it possible to lead without burnout and build a healthier, happier practice.Topics discussed in this episode:The hidden health effects of practice ownershipUnderlying causes of fatigue, mood imbalance, and burnoutHealing through functional medicineReframing work, stress, and successUnexpected benefits of biohackingHow personal healing makes you a better leaderBalancing practice ownership and personal healthConnect with Dr. Peter Dinh:Website: https://www.guthorm

Dental 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 department extends far beyond cleaning teeth and covering overhead. Your hygienists aren't just maintenance workers—they're relationship architects creating memorable patient experiences, treatment acceptance facilitators preparing patients for necessary care, and health consultants offering solutions that improve lives.When patients spend 40-60 minutes with your hygienists but only 2-5 minutes with you as the doctor, those hygiene appointments become the defining experience of your practice. Patients form their strongest impressions and build their trusting relationships during hygiene visits. The loyalty this creates drives retention and word-of-mouth referrals th

Nothing 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 avoid unnecessary risk. Discover new ways to reset in high-stress situations and grow through the tough cases—not just get through them!Topics discussed in this episode:Mastering your mind during emergenciesThe Dunning-Kruger effect in dentistryLeveraging mentors and learning opportunitiesCrisis recovery and surgical timeoutsKnowing when to pass on difficult casesExplore hands-on training programs and mentorship opportunities at Colorado Surgical Institute: https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com/You can also contact Chris Richards at (970) 410-6148 or chris@legacydentalinc.com for more information.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this ch

You 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 CPA can do for your practice, and unpack how shifting your tax entity could be the smartest move you make this year. If you want to save more next tax season or find out how to benchmark your practice’s performance, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!Topics discussed in this episode:Why you should hire a dental CPACommon tax mistakes in dental practicesS corporation vs. C corporation vs. LLC Rising staff costs and labor shortagesBusiness deductions: home office, vehicles kids on payrollBull Moose Financial’s approach to dental servicesConnect with Mike Bark:https://www.bullmoosefinancial.com/mbark@bullmoosefinancial.com(414)-759-9629Special off

Dental 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 growth ceiling that feels impenetrable.The mathematics behind this problem are straightforward but concerning. A full-time hygienist seeing seven patients daily for four days weekly can accommodate 672 patients on a six-month recall schedule. For practices bringing in 80-100 new patients monthly with strong reappointment rates, a single hygienist reaches capacity within just eight months. This reality forces practice owners to make difficult decisions about resource allocation.Beyond simply raising compensation to attract scarce hygiene talent (though that may be necessary), savvy practice owners are deploying creative solutions: becoming more selective about recall

Big 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 also shares his best community initiatives, including one that cost nothing to launch but continues to generate trust and referrals. Don't miss this one — he’s got some ideas on service and leadership that you’ll want to try!Topics discussed in this episode:Why Dr. Kokabi wanted a fee-for-service practiceEarly challenges and hiring lessonsGrowing from 3 to 11 operatoriesHow they became a community-driven practiceStrategies to build up your reputationThe mindset that will hold you backLearn more in Dr. Andrew Kokabi’s book, The Community Focused Dentist!https://drandrewkokabi.com/bookConnect with Dr. Andrew Kokabi:https://drandrewkokabi.com/http://brookhavenfamilyd

Every 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 practices for case management, tools for documenting consent, and how to use the CANDOR process to resolve issues before they escalate.Don’t wait for a lawsuit to test your systems — find out what to fix now!Topics discussed in this episode:The missteps that lead to a lawsuitWhy relationships and follow-ups matterWhen and how to initiate the CANDOR processNavigating the CANDOR processHow to protect yourself from litigationGet more information on the Colorado Surgical Institute:https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com/For Taher's Informed Consent Forms mentioned in the episode.  Click HereText us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this chann

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 strengthen our culture.Remember when your practice was small and communication seemed effortless? Those casual, unstructured catch-ups worked beautifully until your team grew beyond 7-8 people. Suddenly, meetings became chaotic—discussions wandered aimlessly, people disengaged, and you left feeling more confused than when you started. Sound familiar?Through years of trial and error, we've discovered five game-changing elements that revolutionized our team meetings. These strategies have transformed our meetings from dreaded obligations into powerful tools for team alignment and practice improvement. The results speak for themselves: team members leave feeling conn

Trust 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 them. You’ll learn how to make a great first impression, discover a hack for stress-free follow-up calls, and hear what really keeps patients coming back!Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice: Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement. Live Q&A Sessions

One 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 clinical procedures and day-to-day operations. This is a practical listen for building more confidence and predictability into your day!Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice: Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement. Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized he

What 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 provides actionable strategies for working smarter, not harder. Join us to discover how strategic staffing, targeted marketing, and a willingness to challenge dental practice norms can transform both your business and your life.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice: Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management Compr

Are 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 administrative burdens. Rather than immediately hiring additional staff, we automated patient check-ins, digitized forms, and streamlined communication processes. The results were transformative - not only did we handle the increased workload without adding headcount, but we created a less stressful environment for our existing team.Ready to transform your front desk operations? This episode delivers actionable insights to help you build a more efficient, profitable practice without unnecessarily expanding your payroll. Your administrative team - and your bottom line - will thank you.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) Take Co