The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt ACT Dental

763: Leadership for the Restorative Dentist – Kirk Behrendt DOT Fest Exclusive
In this special episode, Kirk Behrendt shares his exclusive presentation from the Dental Online Training Fest. He shares some of the basic principles that will elevate your leadership skills and help you create the practice you dream of. To learn the blueprint for a better practice and better life, listen to Episode 763 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Kirk and Dental Online Training:
Send Kirk an email: kirk@actdental.com Follow Kirk on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalLearn more about Dental Online Training: https://www.dothandson.com/homeJoin Dental Online Training on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dothandsonFollow Dental Online Training on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalonlinetraining
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the video version of Episode 763: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosLearn more about yourself with DiSC: https://www.everythingdisc.comTake the Kolbe A Index assessment: https://www.kolbe.comDiscover your natural gifts with Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.comTry the Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com
Main Takeaways:
Keep work in a container. Know who you are as early as possible.Find the right people and get them in the right seats.Dentistry is a sport. Take care of your mind and body.As a leader, you are responsible for your team culture.Go all-chips-in on building an amazing team and practice.Consistently perform huddles and check-ins with your team.Prioritize your core values

What is the number-one enemy of teeth? Sometimes, it’s the dentist! Esthetic dentistry is rising in popularity — and harming many patients. To highlight the difference between esthetic and healthcare dentistry, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christian Coachman, founder of Digital Smile Design, to explain why esthetics has its place, but shouldn't be the priority. Cosmetic dental procedures won't improve your patients’ health! To change the way you think about cosmetic and healthcare dentistry, listen to Episode 762 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Coachman:
Join Dr. Coachman on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christiancoachmanFollow Dr. Coachman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscoachmanLearn more about Digital Smile Design: https://digitalsmiledesign.comRegister for the DSD Provider course (October 7, 2024, and November 11, 2024): https://digitalsmiledesign.com/dsd-providerRegister for DSD Residency 1 On Demand: https://digitalsmiledesign.com/dsd-residency-1-on-demandListen to Dr. Coachman’s podcast, Coffee Break with Coachman: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ADCrWhqsUKbHmZtkhhgoB
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the video version of Episode 762: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
Main Takeaways:
Esthetics should be the byproduct of great dentistry, not the priority.There is nothing better than having your own dentition in your mouth.Teeth are the key to longevity. Esthetic procedures destroy good teeth.Stop pretending that esthetic dentistry is healthcare dentistry — it’s not.Dentists play a big role in shaping the perception of beauty and esthetics.A nose job won't improve heart function. Veneers won't improve your bite.Cosmetic dentistry is camouflage dentistry. It won't treat underlying...

761: The Energy Quotient & How Many Days You Work for Free as a Dentist – Dr. Barrett Straub
You've put a ton of time, money, and effort into becoming a dentist. You deserve to make a profit! If that sounds impossible, keep listening. Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to explain why working harder isn't making you more money, and how understanding the energy quotient will help you gain ultimate control over your practice. It’s time to stop working harder for less! To learn how, listen to Episode 761 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Straub:
Send Dr. Straub an email: barrett@actdental.com Join Dr. Straub on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrett.d.straubRegister for Dr. Straub’s live workshop (August 23, 2024): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/act-dental-gaps-method-the-formula-for-financial-freedom-tickets-776572418007
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the video version of Episode 761: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
Main Takeaways:
Understand the importance of the energy quotient.Calculate how many days you're working for free. Lower that number!Your energy quotient doesn't need to be zero — it’s okay to be charitable.When you manage your energy levels right, your quality of care will increase.You don't need to work more hours and have more operatories to make more money.If you increase patient volume, you will have less control over your practice and your life.It’s not just about the money. Lowering your energy quotient will lead to a better practice. 
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:28 Gross production and the effort gap, explained.
8:43 The energy quotient, explained.
15:39 Manage your energy levels.
18:29 Time is the new rich.
20:55 Money gives you options.
23:38 What your dental accountants don't know.
26:06 More about ACT’s GAPs webinar.
29:35 Final thoughts.
Dr. Barrett Straub Bio:
Dr. Barrett Straub practices general and sedation dentistry in Port...

Collecting 95% sounds great — until you do the math. That missing five percent of your net production is a lot of money! To help you understand what's picking your pockets and how to put a stop to it, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, with some strategies to eliminate the silent killer of your profit. To learn the quickest, easiest way to add cash flow back into your practice, listen to Episode 760 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. Straub:
Send Dr. Straub an email: barrett@actdental.com Join Dr. Straub on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrett.d.straubRegister for Dr. Straub’s live workshop (August 23, 2024): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/act-dental-gaps-method-the-formula-for-financial-freedom-tickets-776572418007
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the video version of Episode 760: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister for Miranda Beeson’s Beyond the Front Desk workshop: https://www.actdental.com/213
Main Takeaways:
Collecting 95% seems great — until you do the math.Have systems for collections so you can focus on doing dentistry.Understand how not collecting 100% negatively impacts your business.“Doing more” and “producing more” is not the solution to increasing cash flow.Collecting what you're owed is the fastest and easiest way to increase cash flow.Your financial coordinator must be comfortable and confident collecting from patients.Collecting from patients is a form of art. Train yourself to embrace the awkward pause.Stop teaching patients that not paying is acceptable behavior. Collect what you're owed.It’s not okay to have a month’s worth in AR. That money should be in your bank account.
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:05 The four gaps, explained.
2:36 The collections gap, explained.
4:04 What collecting 95% truly means.
10:26 The quickest way to add cash flow.
13:18 Mindset is important.
18:19 Embrace the awkward

Whether it’s preventing burnout, maximizing profitability, or enhancing your patients’ experience, you need data. Knowing your numbers will empower your team, and Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, and Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to help you identify the data you should be tracking to elevate your practice. To learn about the metrics that matter to boost your business, listen to Episode 759 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Miranda & Heather:
Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com Send Heather an email: heather@actdental.com Join Heather on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.r.crockettFollow Miranda and Heather on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalSend Gina an email: gina@actdental.com 
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the entire webinar here: https://www.actdental.com/117Watch the video version of Episode 759: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosDownload ACT’s Capacity Tracker: https://23476641.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23476641/ACT%20Dental%20Capacity%20Tracker%20Tool%20(1).pdfDownload ACT’s 10 Best Practices for Reducing Cancellations: https://23476641.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23476641/10%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Reducing%20Cancellations.pdfDownload ACT’s Say This, Not That:...

In dental school, you're taught to be the answer for everyone. But who are you really the answer for? To help you answer this critical question, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim McKee, founder of Chicago Study Club, to explain why you don't need to be everyone’s dentist, and how to be selective with the patients you see. To learn how to build a sustainable practice with an ideal patient base, listen to Episode 758 of The Best Practices Show!
Learn More About Dr. McKee:
Send Dr. McKee an email: jim@mckeedds.com Join Dr. McKee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.mckee.104Register for Dr. McKee’s Advanced Occlusion workshop (July 25-27, 2024): https://campus.speareducation.com/workshops/advanced-occlusion/details/syllabusRegister for Dr. McKee’s TMD course: https://courses.phelandentalseminars.com/tmd-pdsLearn about Chicago Study Club: https://chicagostudyclub.com
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218
Episode Resources:
Watch the video version of Episode 758: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosLearn more about Dental Online Training: https://www.dothandson.com/home
Main Takeaways:
Become the answer for “above-the-line” patients.Understand the class one, two, and three classification system.Remember that not everyone values dentistry the way that you do.Figure out how much your patients value quality or comprehensive dentistry.Be aware of your patients’ ability to pay for quality or comprehensive dentistry.Don't do “wallet biopsies”. Never assume how much someone can or can't pay.There are many other patients besides crown-and-bridge patients that need help.
Snippets:
0:00 Introduction.
1:30 Who are you the answer for?
5:39 The dental demographics have changed.
8:36 $1,500 doesn't go as far today.
10:38 How much do your patients appreciate