The Dental Practice Heroes Podcast With Dr. Paul Etchison

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

Burnout 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 workweek. These insights will help you step back from the chaos and make changes that reduce stress and prevent burnout!Topics discussed in this episode:Why is burnout on the rise?Mindset shifts to overcome burnoutBalancing roles as owner and clinicianStrategies to manage stress and avoid burnoutText 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 Do

We 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 structuring a strong onboarding process to improving case acceptance, this conversation is packed with advice to help owners and associates thrive together. Plus, find out how to hire associates ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve ever hired an associate only to watch them struggle — or worse, walk away — don’t miss this one!Topics discussed in this episode:What owners get wrong about bringing on associatesDr. Taher Dhoon’s Advanced Associates programHow to integrate associates into your practiceKey aspects of associate training and mentorshipBuilding confidence and improving case acceptanceText or call 970-420-6148 to learn more about the Advanced Associates pro

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 to believe body language over words, and a staggering 82% of first impressions depend entirely on nonverbal cues. These hidden signals determine whether patients perceive you as trustworthy and competent—or not.Drawing from Vanessa Van Edwards' groundbreaking book "Cues," this episode breaks down five powerful techniques to transform your patient interactions. You'll discover the critical link between open hand gestures and trust, learn the "shoulder-to-earlobe rule" for projecting confidence, master the perfect balance of eye contact, practice the engagement-signaling "lower lid flex," and understand the charisma-bui

The 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 partnering with a DSO has helped him step back from ownership stress and focus on a new chapter in his career. Learn what you can do to increase production and become a better leader!Topics discussed in this episode:How sales skills translate to dentistryBalancing leadership between multiple practicesWhy your team isn’t motivated (and how to fix it)Common mistakes in remote practice managementTransitioning to DSO partnership and work-life balanceThe power of coaching and professional investmentFind out how you can work with Dr. Spencer Greer at Big Time Dental Producers!Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) Take Control of Your Pr

This episode delves into the vital role of visual aids in enhancing patient understanding and acceptance in dental practices. We explore various methods and strategies that allow dental professionals to effectively communicate treatment options, ensuring clarity and confidence in patient decisions. • Discussing the cognitive advantages of visual aids in patient care • Sharing creative techniques for using visual aids in the office • Exploring the positive impact of visual aids on patient engagement and trust • Offering insights into common pitfalls of verbal communication • Challenging listeners to create customized visual tools for their practices Create visual aids for better patient understanding and watch your acceptance rates soar! 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 Coll

Feeling uncertain after a big dental purchase? You're not alone. This episode unpacks the phenomenon of buyer's remorse, especially regarding dental treatments. We delve into why patients harbor doubts about the necessity of their treatments, the high costs commonly associated with dental procedures, and how these factors can lead to feelings of regret.Throughout the episode, you'll find practical tips that can be easily implemented in your practice to enhance patient trust and satisfaction. Ultimately, addressing and mitigating buyer's remorse not only benefits your patients but also cultivates long-term relationships and encourages referrals. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your practice! Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with colleagues who may benefit from these insights.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 mone

Most new hire issues can be traced back to one thing: onboarding. In this episode, the hosts and their expert guests share proven strategies to effectively train, support, and integrate your new team members right from the beginning. You'll learn how to create a clear onboarding process that reduces turnover, minimizes training stress, and helps you build a culture where employees feel confident, prepared, and excited to grow in your practice.Topics discussed in this episode:Why onboarding is important in a dental practiceKey elements of an effective onboarding processOnboarding challenges and solutionsGrowth and career developmentAn exercise to transform your onboarding processText us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists create thriving practices that make more money, require less of their time, and empower their teams to run the office seamlessly—so they can focus on what matters most. Join the DPH Hero Collecti

One of the biggest leadership mistakes is making your "why" about you, not your team. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Do of Red Oak Family Dentistry returns to share hard-earned lessons on leadership, motivation, and creating a culture that makes your team want to stay. Learn how to become a leader people trust, find fulfillment in your career, and build a loyal team that's invested in the long-term success of your practice!Topics discussed in this episode:The truth about your “why”What true leadership looks likeA simple exercise to get real team buy-inText 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: B