The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

ACT Dental

Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide. At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else. Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth. Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community. Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs. In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice. By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry. So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time. Subscribe to The Best Practices Show on Apple Podcasts Join our community and start your journey towards a more innovative, more successful dental practice today!

  1. 5h ago

    1101: The 4 Pillars Every Dentist Needs to Stay Sharp and Profitable - Dr. John Cranham

    How can dentists stay clinically sharp, adapt to digital dentistry, and maintain profitable workflows throughout their careers? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Dr. John Cranham, educator, mentor, and longtime student and faculty member of the Dawson philosophy, about the four pillars dentists need to continually develop: foundational principles, efficient and profitable workflows, ongoing education, and mentorship. They also discuss the different challenges facing emerging digital dentists and experienced clinicians transitioning into digital workflows, why technology must remain grounded in sound clinical principles, and how mentorship accelerates growth. To learn how to combine clinical fundamentals, technology, education, and feedback into a sustainable path toward excellence, listen to Episode 1101 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Strong foundational knowledge in aesthetics, occlusion, biology, and structural integrity guides effective diagnosis and treatment planning.Efficient and profitable workflows require repeatable systems that allow the entire dental team to understand how clinical procedures should progress.Dentists need ongoing education to stay current with evolving materials, software, technology, and treatment approaches.Mentorship provides a trusted feedback loop where dentists can share their work, receive constructive guidance, and continue improving.Emerging digital dentists often understand technology quickly but need deeper clinical principles to guide how they use it.Experienced dentists often have strong clinical foundations but need support incorporating scanners, software, digital design, printing, and other technologies into their workflows.Digital dentistry allows clinicians to move faster, but foundational principles determine whether they are moving in the right direction. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:19 Dr. John Cranham begins a new chapter after putting down the handpiece. 02:07 The four areas dentists need to develop throughout their careers. 08:27 Why mentorship requires transparency, feedback, and setting ego aside. 09:00 Applying knowledge and learning through repetition and experience. 12:03 The emerging digital dentist and the challenges this group faces. 16:35 Why technology must be combined with sound clinical principles. 21:03 The experienced dentist transitioning into digital dentistry. 23:58 Why Dr. Cranham remains committed to teaching and mentoring. 27:24 Why younger dentists need to actively seek mentors. 31:55 The evolution from Cranham Culp Digital Dental to Dental Mastery. 35:59 Goal setting, accountability, and access to mentorship. 36:00 How dentists can learn more about Dental Mastery. Guest Bio: Dr. John Cranham graduated from dental school in 1988 and built a general dental practice in Chesapeake, Virginia, with a focus on aesthetic dentistry, implant dentistry, TMD, and complex restorative care. Early in his career, he completed advanced education through the Dawson Academy, the Pankey Institute, and programs associated with Kois and Spear. His Cranham Dental Seminars organization merged with the Dawson Academy in 2004, and he served as clinical director of the Dawson Academy from 2004 to 2020. He later developed Cranham Culp Digital Dental and has continued teaching comprehensive dentists how to translate traditional restorative and occlusal principles into digital workflows. He is also involved with the Pankey Institute and its educational programs. Episode Resources: Dental Mastery: dentalmastery.com1092: The Truth About Practice Ownership, DSOs, and Retirement: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/1092-the-truth-about-practice-ownership-dsos/id1223838218?i=1000786495379 More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  2. 2d ago

    1100: What AEO Actually Means for Dentists (And Why It's Not a DIY Project) - Eric Hubbard

    AI is changing how prospective patients search for dentists, and traditional SEO tactics alone may no longer be enough to earn visibility or trust. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Eric Hubbard of Pain-Free Dental Marketing about answer engine optimization, or AEO, and what dental practices need to understand as AI platforms become part of the patient search process. Eric explains why reviews, consistent practice information, useful content, and a clear digital presence matter when AI systems assemble recommendations. You will learn where to focus your marketing efforts, which outdated tactics to reconsider, and how to create content that helps patients and AI platforms understand who you are, so listen to Episode 1100 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: AI platforms are increasingly appearing in patient conversations and are changing how prospective patients discover dental practices.Dentists are now competing for trusted AI recommendations rather than only competing for clicks in traditional search results.Reviews, consistent practice information, and clear demonstrations of clinical work are foundational investments that can remain valuable as AI models change.Dental websites should communicate who the dentist and practice are instead of relying on generic location-based language such as “dentist in [city].”Content should answer real patient questions and provide context about cases, patient concerns, treatment experiences, and the dentist’s approach.Dentists should avoid promises about hacking AI platforms because the underlying models are changing rapidly.A practice’s homepage, first-visit page, and about page should clearly reflect its values, personality, and ideal patients rather than using interchangeable copy. Episode Chapters: 00:00 What AEO means for dentists. 01:19 Meet Eric Hubbard 03:34 The misinformation and uncertainty surrounding AI in dental marketing. 04:30 How patients are beginning to use AI platforms for search. 07:01 Why traditional “dentist in [city]” website language is becoming less useful. 08:00 Website appearance does not guarantee strong technical performance. 09:35 Why dentists should be cautious about promises to hack AI search results. 14:24 How dentists can generate ideas for useful patient-focused content. 16:12 Why execution matters more than marketing ideas that never get implemented. 17:00 Pain-Free Dental Marketing’s focus on controllable, long-term investments. 19:16 Eric’s first action step for reviewing a dental practice’s digital presence. 20:00 The Bite-Sized Dental Marketing podcast and current marketing changes. 22:00 How dentists can learn more about Pain-Free Dental Marketing. Guest Bio: Eric Hubbard is a dental marketing professional with Pain-Free Dental Marketing. His marketing background includes experience with Procter & Gamble and GameStop, where he developed an approach centered on clearly identifying and communicating with an ideal customer. Today, he applies that discipline to dental practices, helping them improve their digital presence, attract the right prospective patients, and focus on sustainable practice growth. Episode Resources: Bite-Sized Dental Marketing podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bite-sized-dental-marketing/id1688425885Pain-Free Dental Marketing: https://www.painfreedentalmarketing.com/ More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  3. 4d ago

    1099: Metric Mondays: Treatment Presented Metrics: Are We Recommending Enough to Hit Our Goals? - Ariel Siegel

    Are your marketing dollars bringing in more new patients, or the right new patients? Without tracking referral sources, treatment presented, and treatment accepted, it is difficult to know which marketing efforts are actually producing value for your practice. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Ariel Siegel, an ACT Dental coach, about how to evaluate new patient source value and connect marketing activity to treatment opportunities and acceptance. You will learn which metrics to track, how to identify your strongest referral sources, and how a better new patient experience and consistent follow-through can improve the return on your marketing investment. To make smarter decisions about where to invest your time, energy, and marketing dollars, listen to Episode 1099 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Track new patients by referral source so you know which marketing efforts are bringing patients into your practice.Measure the dollar amount of treatment presented specifically to new patients rather than combining it with existing patient treatment.Track treatment accepted by new patients to determine whether a referral source is attracting patients who are a good fit for the practice.A high new patient count with low treatment presented may indicate that marketing is attracting patients whose needs do not align with the services the practice wants to provide.A lower new patient count with high treatment acceptance can indicate a valuable referral source even when patient volume is smaller.A strong new patient experience should begin with the first interaction and include questions, co-discovery, and a comprehensive exam tailored to the individual patient.Consistent follow-through helps practices continue treatment conversations with patients who are not ready to accept treatment on the day it is presented. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Why marketing ROI matters. 01:00 Introduction to Metric Mondays and new patient metrics. 02:20 Determine where new patients are coming from. 03:10 Track treatment presented and accepted by new patients. 03:45 Why the right new patients matter more than volume alone. 05:05 Know the return on every marketing dollar. 05:35 Common problems with referral source tracking. 06:45 Use revenue attribution to identify valuable sources. 07:35 High new patient count with low treatment presented. 08:25 Low new patient count with high treatment accepted. 09:15 The ideal combination of volume and treatment acceptance. 10:40 What effective referral source tracking looks like. 12:05 Create a strong new patient experience. 13:25 Improve treatment follow-through. 15:10 Use data trends to guide marketing decisions. 16:25 Steps practices can take today. 17:50 Invest more in marketing that supports the practice vision. Guest Bio: Ariel has a master’s in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process! More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.com The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  4. Sep 11

    1098: How Do We Take Care Of Those People Who Take Care of Us? - Katrina Sanders

    How are you supporting the hygienists who are committed to doing their best work, and does your practice give them the equipment, communication, and environment they need to succeed? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Katrina Sanders, a practicing periodontal hygienist, speaker, and consultant, about the other side of the dental hygiene shortage and why high-performing hygienists sometimes leave practices where they do not feel supported. You will learn how to create better clinical alignment, establish productive feedback systems, invest in the tools your hygiene team needs, and build an environment where licensed professionals can contribute solutions and do their best work. To learn how dentists and hygienists can work together to improve alignment and patient care, listen to Episode 1098 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Hygienists who are committed to high-level patient care need appropriate instruments, equipment, and support to perform their jobs effectively.Practice owners should create regular opportunities for hygienists to communicate what equipment and resources they need.Clinical calibration should happen intentionally rather than through disagreements or inconsistent decisions in front of patients.Dentists can undermine a hygienist's credibility when they contradict clinical concerns in front of patients without prior alignment.Practices should establish clear standards of excellence so dentists and hygienists understand how clinical decisions will be made.A 1-3-1 feedback system can help team members present one problem, three possible solutions, and one recommended solution instead of simply making complaints.Hygienists who do not feel encouraged to do their best work may choose to leave a practice even when compensation is not the primary issue. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Kirk introduces Katrina Sanders and the question of how practices take care of the people who take care of patients. 01:40 Katrina shares her background as a practicing periodontal hygienist, speaker, consultant, and advocate for committed dental hygienists. 02:42 Katrina explains why highly motivated hygienists may leave practices where they cannot practice to the top of their abilities. 05:37 Katrina discusses her keynote at RDH Under One Roof and the importance of hygienists practicing beyond simply cleaning teeth. 08:02 Katrina describes an instrument exercise that revealed how many hygienists continue using equipment that should be retired. 09:29 Hygienists share challenges with getting support for new equipment and protocols in their practices. 12:25 Kirk and Katrina discuss authentic dialogue, artificial harmony, and fear of workplace conflict. 15:22 Creating safe feedback loops 17:00 Why access to effective instruments matters clinically 20:58 Alignment in hiring and culture 23:37 Katrina discusses how the hygiene shortage gives practices an opportunity to create environments where hygienists can thrive. 25:21 Dentists and hygienists misalignment and how it can damage the hygienist's credibility 26:57 Katrina describes intentional clinical calibration and quality assurance processes used in her practice. 29:03 The importance of maintaining agreed-upon clinical standards and signaling support for the hygiene team. 31:57 The 1-3-1 feedback system for turning problems into solution-based conversations. 33:34 Katrina discusses data showing significant job movement among dental hygienists and why work environment matters. 37:08 How to create a structured, solution-based communication for the hygienist, dentist, practice, and patient. 41:49 Katrina shares an example of worn periodontal probes contributing to poor periodontal diagnosis and treatment numbers. 44:00 Resources & wrap up Guest Bio/Guest Resources: In the ever-changing world of dental science where research, technology, and techniques for patient care are constantly evolving, dental professionals look to continuing education to provide insight, deliver actionable steps, empower, and create a dramatic impact within their clinical practice. With wit, charm, and a dash of humor, Katrina Sanders enchants dental professionals with her course deliverables, insightful content, and delightful inspiration. Her message of empowerment rings mighty throughout her lectures and stirs a deep sense of motivation amongst course participants. Katrina is the Clinical Liaison for AZPerio, the country's largest periodontal practice. She performs clinically, working alongside Diplomates to the American Board of Periodontology in the surgical operatory. Katrina perfected techniques during L.A.N.A.P. surgery, suture placement, IV therapy, and blood draws. She instructs on collaborative professionalism and standard-of-care protocols while delivering education through hygiene boot camps and study clubs. Resources mentioned: Website: www.katrinasanders.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedentalwinegenist/Program: https://katrinasanders.com/speaking/https://smilesource.com/exchangeBuild your own kit with PDT!: https://pdtdental.com/pages/personalized-care?_pos=4&_sid=3d5b8ccfe&_ss=r More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  5. Sep 9

    1097: I'm Not Making As Much Money As I Thought I Would Being a Dentist! - Dr. Jim McKee

    Many dentists enter the profession expecting strong financial security, only to find that student loans, practice debt, insurance write-offs, and rising overhead can quickly reduce actual take-home income. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Dr. Jim McKee, dentist and educator, about why production numbers can be misleading and how dentists can create a more profitable, sustainable practice model. You’ll learn why actual collections matter more than stated production, how personal overhead affects financial pressure, what it takes to differentiate a practice beyond insurance participation, and why clinical expertise, communication, team training, and community positioning are critical to profitability. If you want greater control over your practice and financial future, listen to Episode 1097 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Actual practice profit is determined by actual collections and actual expenses, not stated production before insurance adjustments.Keeping personal overhead low and saving early can reduce financial pressure and give dentists greater flexibility in clinical decisions.Large insurance write-offs can significantly reduce profitability even when a practice reports strong production.Dentists can differentiate an out-of-network or fee-for-service practice by developing clinical services that patients have difficulty accessing elsewhere.Effective verbal skills help patients understand their problems and treatment options without being overwhelmed by dental terminology.Consistent team training can improve clinical preparation, communication, efficiency, and production throughout the practice.Positioning yourself as a helpful clinical resource for other dentists can create a strong referral network without relying on traditional marketing. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Why dentists may earn less than they expected. 02:00 Financial pressure from student loans and practice debt. 04:34 How limited financial margin creates stress for younger dentists. 06:40 Building financial security and avoiding unnecessary personal overhead. 09:48 How compound interest supports long-term financial independence. 13:01 Why production numbers can misrepresent actual practice income. 15:34 The financial impact of insurance write-offs. 19:23 Why growth does not automatically create profit. 21:03 Giving patients a reason to choose an out-of-network dentist. 24:27 Building a practice around jaw joint and bite diagnosis. 25:59 Developing verbal skills patients can understand. 28:42 How Dr. McKee built a referral-based restorative diagnostic practice. 32:27 The importance of investing in team training. 34:24 How weekly training sessions improved practice performance. 37:01 Using diagnostic records to expand team production. 38:51 Becoming a clinical resource within the dental community. 41:53 Positioning a practice instead of simply marketing it. 43:49 Building a restorative diagnostic practice around clinical interests. 46:08 Creating greater financial control through a fee-for-service model. 48:00 Final thoughts on building the practice you want. Guest Bio/Guest Resources Dr. Jim McKee is a restorative dentist and educator focused on occlusion, TMD, and restorative diagnosis. He is a member of the Spear Resident Faculty. He has maintained a private practice since 1984 in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he treats a wide variety of cases with a focus on predictable restorative dentistry. He is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and former president of the American Equilibration Society. He has lectured both nationally and internationally for over 25 years and directs several study clubs. Dr. McKee graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 and earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1984. Episode Resources: Spear Education: https://www.speareducation.com/LD Pankey Institute: https://pankey.org/ More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  6. Sep 7

    1096: Metric Mondays: Treatment Presented Metrics: Are We Recommending Enough to Hit Our Goals? - Ariel Siegel

    Are you presenting enough treatment to support your production goals, or are gaps in diagnosis and communication limiting what patients understand about their care? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with ACT Dental coach Ariel Siegel about treatment-presented metrics and how they can reveal whether your practice is having enough comprehensive clinical conversations. You’ll learn how to evaluate total and average treatment presented, avoid prejudging patients’ willingness to move forward, involve patients through co-discovery, and reverse engineer treatment-presented goals from your production targets. For a practical way to use this metric to improve accountability and comprehensive care, listen to Episode 1096 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Treatment-presented metrics help determine whether a practice is diagnosing and recommending enough care to support its production or collection goals.Practices should review both total treatment presented and average treatment presented to understand consistency and movement toward comprehensive care.Transactional, problem-focused exams can limit opportunities to identify and discuss broader patient needs.Dentists should avoid prejudging a patient’s ability or willingness to accept treatment before presenting the best clinical recommendation.Co-discovery helps patients connect clinical findings with what they are seeing, feeling, and trying to achieve with their dental health.Production goals should be reverse engineered using treatment acceptance rates to determine how much treatment must be presented.Peer accountability and regular review of treatment presented versus accepted can help dentists identify trends before they affect the schedule. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to treatment-presented metrics. 01:57 Using treatment presented to evaluate clinical conversations and recommendations. 03:50 Reviewing total and average treatment presented. 04:50 How transactional and problem-focused exams limit comprehensive care. 06:58 Using co-discovery to involve patients in the diagnostic process. 09:36 Putting patient goals first and discussing comprehensive care. 11:47 How communication style affects treatment presentation. 14:58 Reverse engineering treatment presented from production goals. 18:08 Creating consistent systems for diagnostic and treatment conversations. 19:37 Using team members for peer-to-peer accountability. 23:13 Closing thoughts and resources for dental practices. Guest Bio: Ariel has a master’s in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process! More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  7. Sep 4

    1095: How to Solve Problems in your Dental Practice? - Miranda Beeson

    Do your team meetings keep circling around the same problems without producing clear decisions or lasting change? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt and co-host Miranda Beeson, a dental practice coach, explain the IDS problem-solving framework and how dental teams can use it to identify root issues, discuss them efficiently, assign clear action items, and create accountability. You’ll learn how to structure an issues list, distinguish symptoms from underlying problems, keep discussions from getting derailed, and use weekly meetings to move problems toward resolution. For a practical framework to stop recycling the same issues in your practice, listen to Episode 1095 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: The IDS framework moves teams through identifying the real issue, discussing it efficiently, and solving it with documented action items.Team meetings should spend approximately 20% of their time addressing issues and 80% moving priorities, systems, processes, and alignment forward.Issues should be documented before the meeting and prioritized based on urgency and potential impact rather than addressed in the order they were added.A stated problem is often a symptom, so teams should identify the underlying root causes before discussing solutions.Productive discussion includes relevant information and different perspectives while limiting tangents, repetition, and unrelated issues.Every solution should define what happens next, who owns the action, when it will be completed, and how the team will know whether it worked.Weekly meetings provide consistent accountability and help prevent issues and unfinished action items from accumulating over several weeks. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to solving recurring dental practice problems. 02:17 The IDS issue-solving framework from Traction. 05:21 How much meeting time should be spent on issues. 08:11IDS overview 13:52 Identify: finding the real issue behind the symptom. 20:00 Discuss: keeping issue conversations efficient and productive. 24:30 Solve: turning discussion into decisions and action. 28:59 Why weekly meetings improve accountability. 34:02 Structuring meetings so issues do not consume the agenda. 36:00 Tools and resources for implementing the process. 39:00 Closing thoughts. Guest Bio: Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches. Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach. Episode Resources: Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-bookIssues Solving GuideTeam Meetings ToolVisit us at https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/ More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

  8. Sep 2

    1094: Hidden PPO Mistakes That Can Cost a Practice Seven Figures - Clinton Johnson

    PPO participation can quietly erode profitability when fees, network relationships, and write-offs are not regularly reviewed. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Clinton Johnson, founder of Profitable PPOs, about the hidden PPO mistakes that can cost dental practices seven figures over time. Clinton explains how PPO network structures work, why reimbursement has failed to keep pace with rising practice costs, how to evaluate the true financial impact of each plan, and why dentists should build a PPO strategy around their practice goals rather than making emotional decisions. Learn how to audit PPO participation, identify low-profit plans, improve reimbursement, and strategically move toward greater profitability and autonomy — listen to Episode 1094 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: PPO reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation and rising practice expenses, forcing many dentists to work harder to maintain previous income levels.Dentists can participate in PPOs through direct contracts, network share agreements, or umbrella companies, and those options can produce significantly different reimbursement levels.A PPO strategy should be designed around the practice’s priorities, including profitability, broad network coverage, and administrative simplicity.PPO write-off percentages can be misleading when a practice’s office fees are not appropriately set for its geographic market.Dentists should review EOBs and conduct a comprehensive PPO audit approximately every 18 to 24 months to verify network participation, fee schedules, and opportunities for improvement.Practices considering PPO reductions should use financial data and generally begin with smaller plans that have poor reimbursement rather than making large changes based on frustration.PPO optimization should include analysis, strategy development, financial modeling, implementation, and verification that insurers are paying the expected fees. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to hidden PPO mistakes that can cost a practice seven figures. 01:11 Kirk introduces Clinton Johnson and the complexity of PPO participation. 03:57 Why dentists are producing more without necessarily becoming more profitable. 05:58 Three ways dentists can participate in PPO networks. 09:51 Why PPO write-off percentages can be misleading. 12:08 Clinton explains the PPO profit ladder. 13:41 The long-term financial and practice-value impact of poor PPO reimbursement. 16:16 Why dentists need to monitor EOBs and identify missed upside opportunities. 21:03 How to evaluate which PPOs are helping or hurting the practice. 24:55 Why traditional PPO fee negotiation is less effective than it once was. 27:09 When dentists should stay in a PPO or consider leaving. 30:00 Risks of leaving a PPO without a structured plan. 31:41 How PPO strategy can support independent dentistry. 34:21 Which practices are and are not a good fit for PPO optimization. 37:28 Clinton explains the Profitable PPOs analysis and strategy process. 41:30 How to contact Profitable PPOs. 42:00 Closing thoughts on profitability, independence, and practice ownership. Guest Bio: Possessing over twenty years of experience working with dental offices, Clint Johnson is passionate about helping practice owners optimize their PPO plan participation and profits. As the founder of Phoenix-based Profitable PPOs, Clint has focused that passion by helping ensure dentists participate with the right PPOs, in the right way, and for maximum reimbursement. Hundreds of dental practices every year, across the United States, big and small, look to Profitable PPO to provide the insurance participation management needed to make the most of their profitability–both in the present and in years to come. For Clint, dentistry has always been a family matter, with his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all dentists. The experience of seeing both the benefits, and the challenges, in dentistry inspired him to help doctors optimize their practices. Clint knew there had to be a way to help those in the dental field deal with the challenges and costs associated with insurance participation… And that challenge was the impetus behind the creation of Profitable PPOs. In addition to his work with Profitable PPOs, Clint is also an author and a frequent presenter at dental conferences. In his free time, he enjoys reading, skiing, scuba diving, and traveling with his wife and three children. Episode Resources: Profitable PPOs: https://profitableppos.com/Phone: 855-PPO-GAIN More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life: Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

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Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide. At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else. Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth. Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community. Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs. In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice. By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry. So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time. Subscribe to The Best Practices Show on Apple Podcasts Join our community and start your journey towards a more innovative, more successful dental practice today!

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