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. 17h ago

    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

  2. 2d ago

    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

  3. 4d ago

    1093: Metric Mondays: Average Daily Production Goal: Is Your Schedule Built to Win the Day? - Robyn Theisen

    A full schedule does not always mean a productive schedule. Without a clear average daily production goal, teams can stay busy, miss production targets, and spend their days reacting instead of intentionally building the schedule. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Robyn Theisen, ACT Dental coach, about using average daily production goals and ideal day scheduling to create a more predictable and productive practice. You will learn how to set daily targets, structure high-production procedures, monitor the schedule in advance, and help your team consistently work toward the same goal. To learn how to build your schedule to win the day, listen to Episode 1093 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: An average daily production goal should be used as an intentional scheduling target rather than an end-of-day report card.A schedule can be completely full while still failing to produce enough revenue to meet the practice’s goals.Every provider and team member should understand the daily production targets and how the schedule is designed to achieve them.Production should be monitored days and weeks in advance so the team can proactively address openings and protect high-value treatment.High-production procedures should be strategically placed throughout the day instead of being scheduled wherever space happens to be available.Daily production goals should be calculated from the practice’s annual production goal and the number of days worked each year.An ideal day schedule gives the team a framework for placing procedures, protecting capacity, and working toward production goals consistently. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Metric Mondays Intro 02:19 Why ideal day scheduling is an important practice management tool. 03:46 Using production goals as intentional targets instead of report cards. 05:01 What happens when a practice’s schedule is busy but not productive. 06:17 What a practice looks like when production goals and scheduling are aligned. 08:08 Using full fees, write-offs, and adjustments correctly within the scheduling process. 09:47 How to calculate daily goals and begin building an ideal day schedule. 11:11 Wrap Up And Resources Guest Bio: Robyn Theisen brings an entire life and legacy of dental experience to the team and every team with which she works as the daughter and sister of dentists. With almost 20 years of experience in dentistry, her roles ranged from practice management to operations at Patterson Dental to coaching teams. Robyn’s passion is empowering teams to realize that they can dramatically impact the lives of the people they serve by implementing skills and systems to remove barriers to life-changing dental treatment. She has done it for decades and does it every day with dental teams. Outside of coaching, she enjoys time with her husband, Rob, and two daughters, Emerson and Ruby. She loves traveling, music, fitness, and cheering on the Michigan State Spartans. Episode Resources: Ideal Day Scheduling and Block Scheduling Resource Guide: https://hub.smilesource.com/c/resources/color-coding-block-scheduling-and-ideal-day-scheduling 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

  4. Aug 28

    1092: The Truth About Practice Ownership, DSOs, and Retirement - Dr. John Cranham

    What should dentists understand about practice ownership, selling to a DSO, planning for retirement, and building a career that stays aligned with their values? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Dr. John Cranham, restorative dentist, educator, and former clinical director of the Dawson Academy, about the decisions and transitions that shaped his career as he prepares to step away from clinical practice. You will learn what dentists should consider before selling a practice, why giving up control can be difficult, how practice models affect the way dentists deliver care, why retirement requires something meaningful to transition toward, and what Dr. Cranham believes the future holds for comprehensive and fee-for-service dentistry. To hear his perspective from nearly four decades in dentistry, listen to Episode 1092 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Dentists should think about their eventual transition and end game early in their careers.Selling a practice to another dentist or a DSO involves tradeoffs, and every transition model carries potential risks.Dentists considering a DSO should carefully evaluate control, compensation, scheduling, practice philosophy, and the organization’s long-term stability.Practice environments become difficult when the dentist’s preferred style of care conflicts with the organization’s priorities or values.Dentists who want to provide relationship-based, comprehensive care need an environment that supports the time, training, and systems required to deliver it.Retirement is easier when dentists are transitioning toward meaningful work, relationships, service, or other activities rather than simply leaving clinical practice.Dr. Cranham believes fee-for-service dentistry remains viable for dentists who combine strong relationships, comprehensive treatment planning, technical excellence, and appropriate use of technology. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. John Cranham’s retirement and practice transition. 01:23 Dr. Cranham prepares to step away from clinical dentistry. 04:23 His path from dental school to comprehensive dentistry and education. 06:04 Building a general practice focused on aesthetic, implant, and complex care. 07:04 Why Dr. Cranham sold his practice to Heartland Dental. 09:55 Comparing transitions to another dentist, group practice, or DSO. 13:27 The challenge of giving up control after selling a practice. 17:21 His daughter’s decision to reconsider her future within the DSO model. 20:35 Benefits and limitations of high-volume DSO practice. 22:40 Financial promises, compensation, and risks when evaluating DSOs. 25:39 Finding a practice model that aligns with your values. 28:40 What Dr. Cranham would tell himself on his first day of practice. 29:52 Why behavioral skills, relationships, delegation, and financial planning matter. 31:58 Why retirement should be a transition to something meaningful. 33:56 How Dr. Cranham became involved with the Pankey Institute. 38:39 Dr. Cranham’s view of the future of dentistry. 41:01 Why fee-for-service dentistry is not dead. 42:21 The next chapter for Dr. Cranham and Dental Mastery. 44:22 Final thoughts on challenges, changing direction, and asking for help. 47:00 Time boundaries lesson 48:25 Closing Encouragement 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. Resources: Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Dental Mastery: https://dentalmastery.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

  5. Aug 26

    1091: How Do You Handle an Aging Employee Who Can't Meet Expectations? - Alan Twigg

    What should you do when a longtime team member can no longer meet the demands of their role? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Alan Twigg, president of Bent Eriksen & Associates and an HR professional with more than 20 years of experience, about how dental practice owners can address declining performance without making assumptions about age or medical conditions. You will learn how to establish objective job standards, document performance concerns, approach fitness-for-duty situations, involve an employee’s treating physician when appropriate, and navigate accommodations or transitions while reducing legal risk. For practical guidance on handling one of dentistry’s most difficult HR conversations, listen to Episode 1091 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Employers should address an employee’s job performance rather than attempt to diagnose or manage the employee’s medical condition.Current job descriptions, HR policies, and standard operating procedures provide objective benchmarks for evaluating whether an employee is meeting role expectations.Regular check-ins can uncover performance concerns and give employees an opportunity to explain challenges before problems escalate.Leaders should separate observable facts from assumptions about why an employee’s performance has changed.A fitness-for-duty process can involve the employee’s treating physician in determining whether the employee can perform essential job duties and what restrictions may be necessary.Employers may have legal obligations to engage in an accommodation or interactive process when an employee discloses a protected medical condition.Documentation of performance expectations, conversations, restrictions, and accommodations is important when a practice may ultimately need to end employment. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:11 Alan Twigg’s background and Bent Eriksen & Associates. 04:23 Medical, cognitive, physical, and medication-related factors that can affect job performance. 06:52 Why employers should not act as an employee’s treating physician. 08:03 Using policies, job descriptions, and standards to establish performance expectations. 11:56 Keeping job descriptions current as technology and practice needs change. 15:28 Reviewing changing expectations as a dental practice grows. 18:22 Understanding the fitness-for-duty process. 21:21 Focusing performance conversations on standards, patients, and the team. 22:45 Managing longtime employees who resist changes or plan to retire soon. 28:35 Protected medical conditions and employer responsibilities. 32:43 Why dental practices benefit from qualified HR guidance. 35:00 How Bent Eriksen & Associates supports dental practices with HR issues. Guest Bio: Alan Twigg is the president of Bent Ericksen & Associates. For over 10 years, he has guided thousands of clients and consultants through the ever-changing world of HR and employment compliance. He is a speaker, consultant, and author who is passionate about bringing education and peace of mind to such a confusing topic. As a strong proponent of symbiotic employer-employee relations, Alan is passionate about teamwork and positive work cultures, with an emphasis on long-term personnel retention and employment compliance, where his solutions-oriented outlook excels. Episode Resources: https://bentericksen.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

  6. Aug 24

    1090: Metric Mondays: Same-Day Collection Percentage:Are We Collecting When Care Happens? - Robyn Theisen

    Are your financial systems helping you collect what patients owe when care happens—or are unexpected balances creating extra work for your team later? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Robyn Theisen, ACT Dental coach, about same-day collection percentage and why clear financial arrangements matter for both cash flow and the patient experience. You’ll learn what this metric measures, what low same-day collections can reveal about your systems, how stronger financial conversations reduce accounts receivable, and what your team can do to improve financial clarity before treatment begins. For practical ways to strengthen your financial systems and create more predictable collections, listen to Episode 1090 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Same-day collection percentage measures how much of the patient portion owed for treatment is collected before the patient leaves the practice.Lower same-day collections often point to weaknesses in financial arrangements rather than a collections problem alone.Reviewing and signing treatment plans before appointments helps patients understand their financial responsibility in advance.Clear financial expectations reduce unexpected balances, collection calls, statements, and administrative follow-up.High-performing practices use consistent systems, payment options, and role-playing to help team members present financial arrangements confidently.A healthy same-day collection percentage can vary based on the practice model, including differences between fee-for-service and PPO-heavy practices.Teams can audit financial readiness during chart preparation by confirming that patients have signed financial arrangements and clear payment expectations. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to same-day collection percentage. 01:38 Why same-day collections matter as a practice metric. 05:08 Common signs that same-day collection systems are not working. 07:17 How prepared teams approach financial conversations. 10:17 Why collection benchmarks depend on the practice model. 12:39 Auditing financial expectations during daily chart preparation. 13:00 Final thoughts on improving financial systems. Guest Bio: Robyn Theisen brings an entire life and legacy of dental experience to the team and every team with which she works as the daughter and sister of dentists. With almost 20 years of experience in dentistry, her roles ranged from practice management to operations at Patterson Dental to coaching teams. Robyn’s passion is empowering teams to realize that they can dramatically impact the lives of the people they serve by implementing skills and systems to remove barriers to life-changing dental treatment. She has done it for decades and does it every day with dental teams. Outside of coaching, she enjoys time with her husband, Rob, and two daughters, Emerson and Ruby. She loves traveling, music, fitness, and cheering on the Michigan State Spartans. Episode Resources: Creating a Clear Financial Policy resource: https://hub.smilesource.com/c/resources/creating-a-clear-financial-policy-55-questions ACT Dental Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hub 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. Aug 21

    1089: What Are Your KPIs Telling you? - Adriana Booth

    You may be tracking KPIs in your dental practice, but do you know what those numbers are actually telling you? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Adriana Booth, an ACT Dental coach, about how key performance indicators reveal the health of your systems, team, patient care, and business. You’ll learn how to interpret KPIs as diagnostic tools, identify the systems influencing your numbers, focus your team on meaningful improvements, and make steady progress without chasing perfection. To understand what your practice data is really telling you, listen to Episode 1089 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Every KPI is influenced by multiple systems and should not be interpreted as having only one cause.KPIs can help measure both the health of the practice and the quality of patient care.Teams should ask which system produced a result instead of assigning blame to an individual.New patient growth can be affected by referrals, phone conversion, the first-visit experience, treatment presentation, and follow-up systems.High numbers of unscheduled active patients can indicate weaknesses in reappointment, recare, or other patient-retention systems.Tracking KPI trends over time provides more useful information than relying on assumptions or memory.Practices can create meaningful improvement by selecting a few important KPIs and improving the systems that influence them quarter over quarter. Episode Chapters: 00:00 What KPIs can reveal about a dental practice. 03:01 Using KPIs as feedback instead of judgment. 05:40 Why every KPI is influenced by multiple systems. 06:38 Systems that can affect new patient growth. 08:30 What unscheduled active patients can reveal about a practice. 09:32 KPIs as measures of practice health and patient health. 11:12 How periodontal percentages can reflect patient-care outcomes. 12:45 Stop asking who is responsible and start examining the system. 14:38 Using collection percentage to identify system improvements. 17:38 What a high broken appointment percentage can indicate. 22:44 Focusing on progress rather than perfection. 24:48 Choosing a few KPIs to improve each quarter. 26:34 Using the KPI analysis activity to better understand practice metrics. 28:50 Resources for KPI improvement and coaching support. Guest Bio: Adriana Booth is a Lead Practice Coach who partners with dentists and their teams to cultivate leadership skills, drive practice growth, and streamline business practices. With nearly three decades of experience in the dental industry, Adriana brings a deep passion for professional development, high-level training, and systems creation to her coaching. As a dental hygienist committed to continuing education and personal growth, she thrives on helping practices achieve their full potential. Adriana holds a BS in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty University/O'Hehir University and remains actively engaged in the dental community through study clubs and professional networks. Now based in Teays Valley, WV, Adriana enjoys fitness, reading, quality time with family, and exploring the outdoors with her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Beau Duke. Episode Resources: KPI Analysis Activity: https://join.actdental.com/c/resources/kpi-analysis-activity 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. Aug 19

    1088: Want a Stronger Team? Start With Self-Awareness - Michelle Wakeman

    What does it take to build a stronger team that can think, collaborate, and perform without the dentist stepping in for every decision? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Michelle Wakeman, ACT Dental coach, about why stronger leadership starts with self-awareness. They explain how your behavior affects team culture, the four leadership tendencies based on care and challenge, why clarity and accountability strengthen trust, and how pausing before reacting can help you lead more effectively. Learn how to recognize your leadership patterns, give clearer feedback, and create a healthier, more accountable team — listen to Episode 1088 of The Best Practices Show! Main Takeaways: Self-awareness requires understanding your strengths, shortcomings, and impact on other people.The leader’s behavior and emotional state influence the climate of the entire practice.High care with low challenge can lead leaders to avoid difficult conversations and over-function for their team.Low care with high challenge can reduce psychological safety and make team members afraid to speak up or make mistakes.High care with high challenge combines genuine support with clear expectations, honest feedback, and accountability.Pausing before responding under stress helps leaders choose a more effective response instead of reacting automatically.Consistent, proactive conversations prevent small performance issues from becoming larger cultural problems. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Why stronger teams start with self-awareness. 01:03 Building a team that can think and work together. 02:31 Why self-awareness starts with understanding your impact on others. 04:00 Using assessments and coaching to better understand yourself. 06:29 Balancing care and challenge as a leader. 09:19 The four leadership tendencies. 20:26 The power of pausing before responding. 23:18 Identifying your leadership tendency and practicing accountability. 24:00 Kirk’s “today’s the day” leadership story. 29:00 Final thoughts on self-awareness and leadership development. 30:00 To The Top Study Club and closing remarks. Guest Bio: Michelle Wakeman, BSDH brings nearly 20 years of clinical dental hygiene, administrative, managerial and sales experience to the table. She has a passion for people and a natural aptitude for communication that has led her to develop meaningful relationships throughout her career in dentistry. As a coach, she seeks to help dental practices develop systems that enable them to enhance their patient experience, leading to better relationships among owners, team members and patients along with profitable outcomes. In her off time, Michelle can usually be found at the ice rink supporting her son, Hunter in hockey, the ball field cheering on her son, Carter, or the gym, reliving her days as a gymnast with her daughter, Leighton. Episode Resources: Radical Candor: https://www.radicalcandor.com/DISC Assessment: https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-discTo The Top Study Club: http://actdental.com/ttt 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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About

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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