Pivot Dental Solutions

Jennifer Paxton
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Succeed where we have struggled. Join us for weekly chats about some of the tactical tools we have incorporated in our businesses and how you might be able to benefit from using them in yours.

  1. Jun 30

    Episode 67: Toolbox Tuesday - Onboarding Exhaustion

    Struggling with training fatigue in your dental practice? You are not alone. In this episode of Toolbox Tuesday, we’re tackling one of the biggest complaints we hear from practice owners and team members alike: the exhausting cycle of onboarding new staff, answering the same questions repeatedly, and dealing with the burnout that comes when a new hire doesn't work out. Training is hard work, and when a team member leaves, it puts immense pressure on the staff who stay. Today, we discuss how to acknowledge that challenge, support your existing team, and fine-tune your systems so your business can withstand any staffing change. What we cover in this episode: The "First 400" Program: How we structure the first 8 weeks (400 hours) to give new hires a solid foundation. Creating a Cheat Sheet Culture: The power of having every system written down and searchable online. Managing the "Firehose" Phase: How to talk to overwhelmed new hires and encourage progress over perfection. Protecting Your Existing Staff: How to celebrate wins and prevent your current team from burning out during the onboarding process. The "Keys to the Kingdom" Trap: Why your practice must be built to recover from losing any single team member. The only way through it is through it—so let’s make your training process better, easier, and more sustainable! LET’S CONNECT! If your existing team is executing your training and you need better tools, checklists, or systems to support them, we’re here to help. Email us: connect@pivotdentalsolutions.com Website: https://pivotdentalsolutions.com Follow us on all social media platforms for more dental practice management tips! #DentalPracticeManagement #DentalTraining #TeamOnboarding #ToolboxTuesday #PivotDentalSolutions #DentalHiring #StaffRetention

    Episode 67: Toolbox Tuesday - Onboarding Exhaustion

  2. Jun 23

    Episode 66: Toolbox Tuesday - Team Talk: Finances Matter to the Whole Team

    Finances can be an uncomfortable topic, but here is the real deal: if the business doesn't make money, we don't have jobs! Welcome to Toolbox Tuesday, Team Talk! In this episode, Jennifer Paxton breaks down the reality of dental practice overhead expenses, why a $1,000 crown doesn't mean $1,000 in the doctor's pocket, and why every team member has a vested interest in the practice's profitability. What we cover in Episode 66: Fixed vs. Variable Overhead: What it actually costs just to turn the lights on. Why dental practice profit margins are tighter than you think. BAM vs. Stretch Goals. Your Challenge This Week: How to talk to your owner doctor about daily goals so you can feel empowered to make an impact. We are in business to make money, and when the practice wins, the whole team wins! Let’s get everyone rowing in the same direction. ‍♀️ ✨ WANT HELP SETTING UP YOUR TEAM GOALS? If your team doesn't know your overhead expenses, daily goals, or how to set up a profit-sharing plan, we are here to help! Connect with us today at: https://pivotdentalsolutions.com Follow Us on Social Media: Drop a comment below or visit our Instagram (https://instagram.com/pivotdentalsolutions_) to let us know what dental education topics you want us to cover next on Team Talk!

  3. Jun 2

    Episode 65: Toolbox Tuesday - Team Talk: Full-Mouth Restoration Options Explained

    Welcome to Toolbox Tuesday! ️ In Episode 65, Jennifer Paxton breaks down full-mouth restoration options to help dental team members confidently communicate with patients. Learn how to bridge training gaps, navigate financial conversations, and offer patients hope for a healthier smile! INSIDE THIS EPISODE: • Cost-effective route; upper suction vs. lower "floating" challenges. • Locator Dentures: Snap-in options using implants for a thinner, more stable fit. • All-On-X, permanent, screw-retained options and their maintenance realities. • Discussing financing and transitioning treatment plans over time. Connect with Pivot Dental Solutions CONNECT WITH US! Have a topic you want us to cover? Reach out below: • Email: connect@pivotdentalsolutions.com • Learn More: Check out our team training platform! https://pivotdentalsolutions.com

    Episode 65: Toolbox Tuesday - Team Talk: Full-Mouth Restoration Options Explained

  4. May 12

    Episode 64: Toolbox Tuesday - Team Talk: Crowns vs. Fillings

    In this episode of Toolbox Tuesday, Jennifer Paxton kicks off our new "Team Talk" series, a segment dedicated to dental education for both back-office and front-office team members. Often, busy doctors don't have the time to explain the "why" behind clinical decisions, leaving assistants and administrators to handle the tough questions once the doctor leaves the room. Today, we’re tackling one of the most common patient inquiries: "Why do I need a crown? Can't I just have a filling?" We break down the clinical differences using simple, patient-friendly analogies to help you communicate value and urgency effectively. We also dive into the risks of delaying treatment and why root canal-treated teeth require extra protection. Don’t miss these essential tips to help you feel more confident in your patient conversations! Want to learn more about we and how we can help? Visit https://pivotdentalsolutions.com/ or email us at connect@pivotdentalsolutions.com Need help with creating these protocols on your own practice? Book a 15-minute discovery call at https://www.pivotdentalsolutions.com/widget/bookings/pivotsolutionscall

  5. Jan 13

    Episode 63: Toolbox Tuesday - Your Assistants Are Messing Up... But It's Not Their Fault

    Book a Call: https://link.pathwaydentalsolutions.com/widget/bookings/pathwaysolutionscall Is the friction in your operatory slowing down production? In Episode 63 of Toolbox Tuesday, our COO Jennifer Paxton flies solo to tackle a "hot take" from a recent newsletter: Your assistants are messing it up, but it isn't their fault. When a "unicorn" hire starts to struggle by Day 126, it’s rarely due to a lack of effort. More often, it’s a breakdown in systems, lack of standardized "cheat sheets," or an onboarding process that was "set-it-and-forget-it." Jennifer discusses how to move past the blame game and create a training environment that supports your team—even in an industry where the average tenure is just 1.3 years. In this episode, we cover: Why placing judgment on assistants doesn't solve production delays. How to standardize setups for different doctors so your team can't fail. The First 400 Program: A look at how we jumpstart training during the first 8 weeks. Why you need a "plug-and-play" onboarding system in today’s hiring market. Why getting two great years out of an employee is a win. Connect with us: If you want to implement the "First 400" program or need help building cheat sheets for your practice, let’s talk! Website: pathwaydentalsolutions.com Email: connect@pathwaydentalsolutions.com

  6. Jan 13

    Episode 62: Toolbox Tuesday - Team Loyalty in Dentistry

    Is your dental practice overly reliant on one long-tenured team member? In this solo episode, Jennifer tackles the complex topic of team loyalty and the vital importance of having robust systems to protect your business when key people inevitably move on. We all want "unicorn" team members who are motivated, successful, and loyal. But loyalty often lasts only as long as it works for that person, whether due to a spouse's transfer, a new baby, or pursuing dental/hygiene school. It's an inevitability your business must be prepared for. Jennifer shares: Why hoping for perpetual loyalty can be a fear-based mindset. The danger of high-salaried, long-tenured staff who "hold the keys to the kingdom" because systems are lacking. How life events (medical issues, accidents) can suddenly remove a key person, and why you need a contingency plan. The origin and benefit of their "First 400 Program". The value of performing a red teaming exercise to test your current systems against the worst-case scenario. Stop living in fear of losing your one key person. Learn how to safeguard your business by relying on systems over individuals, so that you can quickly onboard new team members and keep the wheels turning with minimal interruption. Connect with Us: Ready to implement proven systems like The First 400 Program in your practice? Email: connect@PathwayDentalsolutions.com Website: pathwaydentalsolutions.com Book a Call: https://link.pathwaydentalsolutions.c...

  7. 11/19/2025

    Episode 61: Toolbox Tuesday - The Slow Dentist Myth

    Is your dental practice struggling with efficiency because your doctors are wearing long hours as a "badge of honor"? In this episode of Toolbox Tuesday, Sten Ericson and Jennifer Paxton conclude their series on Sten's recent return to clinical dentistry. They tackle the common challenge of coaching highly educated doctors—who are often "rugged individualists"—to shift from an employee's mindset (working hard) to an owner's mindset (being efficient and impactful). Key Takeaways from This Episode: ✅ Doctors confusing long hours (like spending an hour on notes after hours) with dedication. ✅ Why taking longer on a case does not equate to a better clinical result—it's just a worse patient experience. ✅ How the belief that "the longer you take, the better it is" impacts appointment times and productivity. ✅ A powerful lesson on why the best dentists are often the most efficient. ✅ Implementing hard stops to ensure your doctors wrap up their work and leave the office early. Are you ready to coach your associate dentists to be highly efficient, productive leaders? The doctor mentorship component discussed here is a huge part of our Doctor Success Program. ➡️ Connect with us to learn about our Private Client Program: connect@pathwaydentalsolutions.com Find us on social media!

  8. 11/11/2025

    Episode 60: Toolbox Tuesday - Stop Doing Non-Doctor Tasks

    Welcome back to Toolbox Tuesday! We continue our candid series where Dr. Sten Ericson shares his unexpected findings after returning to full-time clinical practice this past summer. Last week, we discussed doctor complaints about assistants. This week, we tackle the flip side: How doctors are actively enabling their teams to underperform and sabotaging their own efficiency. Dr. Ericson and Jennifer Paxton dive deep into the specific non-doctor tasks (like Slacking X-rays or emailing patients) that are stealing critical production time from associate doctors and why they hold onto this unnecessary control. The issue isn't a lack of team ability; it's a lack of doctor delegation. What We Discuss in This Episode: Why you should only be doing the tasks that require your license—and nothing else. How constantly taking over tasks (like sending lab cases or Slacking records) prevents your team from ever learning to do it properly. Why a doctor running late often correlates directly with the 20 minutes they spent doing non-clinical, administrative work. How rushing to do a non-doctor task at the end of the day (like post-processing a scan) actually lowers quality compared to a properly delegated task done by the team immediately. The "painful" reality of hearing doctors give excuses instead of simply letting go of control. Why the dental assistant should be the true "owner" of their op, and how doctors are just "invited guests" who need to be supported by their zone owner. Key Takeaway: When you expect more from your team and yourself, they rise up. When you enable the team, you hurt your production, your schedule, and their career growth. This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation! Join us next week for the final part as we discuss the pitfalls of the "rugged individualist" doctor mentality. Need Help Calibrating Your Team? If you're ready to stop making excuses and start building highly efficient systems, Pathway Dental Solutions can help you with leadership coaching, operational cheat sheets, and on-target tracking. Connect with Us: Reach out to us at: connected@pathwaydentalsolutions.com Find us on all social media platforms! Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and hit the notification bell so you don't miss Part 3!

    Episode 60: Toolbox Tuesday - Stop Doing Non-Doctor Tasks
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About

Succeed where we have struggled. Join us for weekly chats about some of the tactical tools we have incorporated in our businesses and how you might be able to benefit from using them in yours.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Paxton
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Pivot Dental Solutions