Next Level Practice

NextLevel Practice

Overworked. Overwhelmed. And still not where you want to be? If you're a dental practice owner grinding 60+ hours a week, juggling patient care, team issues, and business chaos — this podcast is for you. Next Level Practice is the show where we don't just talk about the business side of dentistry — we fix it. Hosted by Kelly Dahmer, CEO of Next Level Practice, each episode gives you battle-tested frameworks to stop doing it all and start building a dental business that thrives without you being in every room, every moment, every decision. You'll learn how to: • Step into your dentist-CEO mindset • Build a high-performance team that actually takes ownership • Create systems that make your practice run without your constant oversight • Eliminate burnout while increasing profitability • Delegate, automate, and lead like the top 1% of practice owners Real strategies. Real case studies. No fluff. Visit nextlevelpractice.com for more information on scaling your practice.

  1. JAN 7

    What's Really Hiding in Every Dentist's Storage Closet?

    👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Every dental practice has one. A storage closet filled with outdated equipment, broken chairs, old monitors, random cables, and "we might need this someday" boxes. But here's the truth most practice owners never consider: That closet isn't just wasted space — it's a hidden revenue leak. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down how unused square footage quietly costs practices hundreds of thousands of dollars every year — and how a simple mindset shift can turn forgotten space into a powerful profit center. This conversation isn't about remodeling or expansion. It's about seeing your practice differently — through the lens of intention, workflow, and purpose-built profitability. You'll learn how clearing clutter unlocks more than space, why treatment conversations belong outside the operatory, and how one small room can dramatically increase case acceptance without adding stress, hours, or production pressure. 👉 What You'll Learn: ✅ The real (often invisible) cost of wasted space in your practice ✅ How clutter blocks growth — mentally, operationally, and financially ✅ Why every inch of your office is either making or costing you money ✅ How to convert a storage closet into a treatment coordination room ✅ Why patients say "yes" more often in calm, private decision spaces ✅ How practices boost case acceptance by 15–30% with one small change ✅ A real case study: how one converted closet added $400K in revenue ✅ The mindset shift that turns space into strategy — and profit 📍 Chapters 00:00 Unlocking Hidden Revenue in Your Practice 01:12 The Real Cost of Wasted Space 01:36 Transforming Clutter into Profit 02:11 Creating a Patient-Centered Decision Room 02:45 Training Your Team for Success 03:38 The Impact of a Dedicated Treatment Space 04:03 Success Story: Dr. N's Closet Conversion 05:03 Recap and Next Steps 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry  📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential 🌐 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    6 min
  2. 2025-12-09

    New Year, Same Results: Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fall Apart in Q1

    👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Every January, dental practices jump into goal-setting mode—production targets, new patient goals, efficiency goals, you name it. But here's the truth most practices don't realize: Goals don't create results. Systems do. Setting ambitious targets without building the structure to support them leads to the same pattern every year: initial excitement, mid-year stall, end-of-year disappointment. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down why most dental practices unintentionally sabotage their goals—and how to turn New Year intentions into consistent, measurable progress. You'll hear why traditional goal setting falls apart in the real world of dentistry, how to avoid the goals-versus-activity trap, and how one practice generated an extra $200,000 simply by shifting how they set and execute goals. 👉 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why traditional New Year goal-setting rarely works in dental practices  ✅ The hidden psychology behind goals that never get met ✅ How to transform vague yearly intentions into daily, actionable steps ✅ Why activity goals outperform outcome goals—and how to use both effectively ✅ A simple 3-step framework that turns goals into scalable systems ✅ A real case study: how Dr. D created a $200K turnaround without adding hours or stress ✅ How to motivate your team so they actually want to pursue the goals with you 📍 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Annual Goal-Setting Frenzy 00:22 Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails in Dentistry 01:02 Transforming Goals into Action 01:33 Understanding the Goal Setting Trap 02:43 Activity vs. Outcome Goals 03:28 Three-Step Framework for Effective Goals 05:12 Case Study: Dr. D's $200,000 Turnaround 06:57 Leadership and Team Motivation 07:28 Recap and Final Thoughts 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential 🌐Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    8 min
  3. 2025-11-18

    How Starbucks Built the Perfect Dental Practice (Without Knowing It)

    👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 What does a cup of coffee have to do with running a world-class dental practice? More than you think. Starbucks didn't become a global empire because of frothy lattes—they became one because they mastered culture: consistency, personalization, belonging, and a team empowered to create unforgettable experiences. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer reveals how dentists can borrow these exact principles to create a practice patients rave about—and a workplace your team never wants to leave. 👉 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why Starbucks became a loyalty machine—and what dental practice owners can learn from it ✅ How to create consistent patient experiences (so every visit feels seamless) ✅ The secret power of personalization—and how it skyrockets referrals ✅ How to build your practice into a "third place" patients actually enjoy ✅ What empowered teams can accomplish when they stop relying solely on the doctor ✅ Why culture—not marketing—is the true engine of patient loyalty ✅ A real-life case study showing how culture alone eliminated hiring ads and boosted team morale 📍 Chapters 00:00 A Latte to Learn: Why Coffee Belongs in Dentistry 00:43 Inside the Starbucks Machine: What They Really Sell 01:22 Consistency is King: The "Every Latte, Every Time"Lesson 02:46 Beyond the Cup: Personalization That Builds Loyalty 03:20 Becoming the Third Place: Designing a Practice Patients Love 04:20 Empowered Like a Barista: Letting Your Team Lead the Experience 04:51 Culture Over Coffee: The Real Product You're Selling 05:21 From Chaos to Culture: A Doctor E. Success Story 06:27 Your Next Sip: Steps to Build a Starbucks-Level Practice 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential 🌐 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    7 min
  4. 2025-10-31

    Why "We've Always Done It This Way" Is Always the Wrong Answer

    👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 You might think sticking with the familiar keeps your dental practice running smoothly—but in reality, "We've always done it this way" is the fastest way to stall growth, frustrate your team, and stay stuck in outdated systems. When processes drag, automation gets ignored, and your team clings to old habits, efficiency tanks—and your patient experience does too. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down why "the old way" doesn't get it done anymore—and how to lead your practice into smarter, faster, more modern systems without sparking a team revolt. 👉What You'll Learn: ✅ Why "We've always done it this way" is silently draining your time and profits ✅ The psychology behind resistance to change—especially in dental teams ✅ How to introduce new systems without overwhelming your staff ✅ What to do when old processes create bottlenecks, errors, and burnout ✅ Real-world examples of practices that upgraded their systems and transformed their workflows ✅ The mindset shift every doctor must make to become a change-ready leader 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Why the Old Way Doesn't Work Anymore 00:48 Why Teams Resist Change (and What They're Really Afraid Of) 01:51 The Hidden Cost of Outdated Systems 03:03 How to Roll Out New Processes Without Pushback 05:17 Real Practice Stories: Breaking the Old-System Cycle 06:48 Conclusion: Leading a Modern Dental Practice 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry  📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential 🌐 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/ 👉Watch The Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vL_vP9J0kj8

    8 min
  5. 2025-10-17

    Dental Cancellations Are Contagious: How one bad habit can infect your whole practice

    No-shows aren't just annoying—they're a signal. And how you respond determines whether your practice culture reinforces respect or quietly teaches chaos.  👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, host Kelly Dahmer unpacks what cancellation fees really mean for your schedule, your culture, and your bottom line—and why the smartest practices go beyond policy to build value-driven systems that prevent no-shows in the first place. What You'll Learn: ✅ The hidden cost of no-shows (it's more than lost production) ✅ When cancellation fees help—and when they backfire ✅ The scripts and rollout strategies that keep patients on your side ✅ Alternatives to fees that actually improve patient loyalty ✅ How one doctor cut no-shows by 60% and improved reviews in the process 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Problem with No-Shows 01:19 The True Cost of No-Shows 01:47 Do Cancellation Fees Work? 03:12 Implementing a Cancellation Fee 03:32 Communicating the Policy Effectively 04:45 Alternatives to Charging a Fee 06:31 Case Study: Dr. P's Success Story 08:09 Conclusion: Building a Respectful Practice 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential  🌐 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    9 min
  6. 2025-10-01

    The Cool Boss Trap — Why Trying to Be Liked Can Cost You Your Dental Practice

    You might think being the cool boss keeps your team happy—but in reality, it can quietly drain your profits and authority. When deadlines slide, accountability disappears, and your team treats "flexibility" as free rein, the culture suffers (and so does your bottom line). 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down why trying to be everyone's friend can backfire—and how to step into authentic leadership that inspires respect without killing trust. What you'll learn:  ✅ Why being "too nice" creates hidden resentment and chaos ✅ The Three C's of leadership that build trust and accountability ✅ How to shift from permissive boss to respected leader—without becoming a tyrant ✅ Scripts and systems to reset culture when lines have been crossed ✅ How to hold people accountable in a way that keeps great talent loyal 📍 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Cool Boss Trap 01:01 The Three C's of Leadership 01:51 Understanding the Dental Persona 03:09 The Pitfalls of the Cool Boss Persona 03:55 Building Trust Through Authentic Leadership 05:26 Conclusion: Embrace Your True Leadership Style 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV4QSxCbP8mVa2QSWpoPl3g 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential  🌐Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    6 min
  7. 2025-09-16

    The Millionaire Myth: What Your Team Really Thinks About Your Paycheck

    You might think your paycheck is your business—but to your team, it's the lens they use to judge every budget decision you make. If they think you're pocketing millions while cutting corners on coffee creamers, you don't just have a budget issue—you've got a culture problem brewing. 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer unpacks the Millionaire Myth: how your team's perception of your wealth impacts morale, productivity, and practice profitability. This isn't about oversharing your P&L—it's about giving your team the right context so they think like owners, not entitled employees. 👉What you'll learn: ✅ Why perception drives behavior more than reality does ✅ The hidden cultural cost of "They're rich, they'll figure it out" thinking ✅ How to talk about money without actually talking about your money ✅ The "line in the sand" conversation that reframes culture overnight ✅ How vision, values, and bonus systems align your team with your practice health ✅ Real-world scripts and systems that create ownership instead of entitlement 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and The Millionaire Myth 00:47 Understanding Perception vs. Reality 01:20 Personal Experience with Open Book Business 02:43 Impact of Perception on Team Culture 04:27 Reframing the Team-Business Relationship 06:01 Implementing a Bonus System 08:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe now for weekly conversations that help you master both the business and the human side of dentistry: / @nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 🌐 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/

    9 min
  8. 2025-09-01

    Your Morning Huddle: The 10 Most Valuable Minutes in Dentistry

    You think your morning huddle is "just another meeting"—but the real issue? Skipping it is costing you production, morale, and leadership every single day.  👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Learn how to transform your morning huddle into the heartbeat of your practice—one that boosts culture, accountability, and same-day treatment acceptance. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer shares why the morning huddle is the most underutilized leadership tool in dentistry—and exactly how to run it so your team shows up aligned, energized, and ready to win. From boosting case acceptance to igniting team ownership, this 10-minute reset is the simplest way to drive big results. ✅ Why skipping your huddle is costing you more than you think ✅ The 5-minute leadership reset that re-aligns your whole team ✅ What to say (and what not to say) to make huddles powerful, not painful ✅ How one practice raised same-day treatment acceptance from 30% to 57%—just by fixing their huddles ✅ The key elements of a "Gary Kadi style" huddle that build culture and profit 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Pop Quiz 00:14 The Importance of the Morning Huddle 00:33 Podcast Introduction and Episode Overview 01:10 Why Skipping the Huddle Costs You 01:29 Key Elements of a Great Huddle 02:14 Common Huddle Mistakes and Solutions 03:17 Gary Katy's Huddle Blueprint 04:12 Real-Life Success Story 04:55 Conclusion and Call to Action 💙 Love this episode? Hit subscribe now for weekly conversations that help you master both the business and the human side of dentistry 📌 Links & Resources 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/ #dentalleadership #MorningHuddle #practicegrowth #dentistrypodcast #caseacceptance #dentalteamculture

    6 min

About

Overworked. Overwhelmed. And still not where you want to be? If you're a dental practice owner grinding 60+ hours a week, juggling patient care, team issues, and business chaos — this podcast is for you. Next Level Practice is the show where we don't just talk about the business side of dentistry — we fix it. Hosted by Kelly Dahmer, CEO of Next Level Practice, each episode gives you battle-tested frameworks to stop doing it all and start building a dental business that thrives without you being in every room, every moment, every decision. You'll learn how to: • Step into your dentist-CEO mindset • Build a high-performance team that actually takes ownership • Create systems that make your practice run without your constant oversight • Eliminate burnout while increasing profitability • Delegate, automate, and lead like the top 1% of practice owners Real strategies. Real case studies. No fluff. Visit nextlevelpractice.com for more information on scaling your practice.