The Shared Practices Podcast - Archives

Richard and Caitlin tackle one of the biggest challenges dental practices face—retention. They talk about how practices often feel they’re doing well in this area, only to discover a huge gap between perception and reality. Richard shares a story of a doctor completely overwhelmed by rapid growth, losing patients out the backdoor as quickly as they came in. Caitlin answers with the importance of tracking key metrics, like hygiene and new patient reappointment rates, and how a lack of urgency can sabotage long-term success.

Dr. Richard Low and I talk about evaluating associateship opportunities--the importance of networking, understanding practice dynamics, and making informed decisions based on personal and professional goals. I also share my own recent experience navigating the job market,.  Shared Practices Buyer Representation 👈

I sit down with the inspiring Dr. Colleen Bullard and her coach Danielle, while she shares her incredible success story. With her trademark modesty, Dr. Bullard reveals how she increased her practice's production by $20K a month—40% growth. What did our coaching have to do with it? Did Dr. Bullard do it all herself? Can anyone just up and almost double their production in under 6 months? Listen in.

My father, Murray Low, is a world-renowned coach to executives. I'm having him on the show today for this special episode talking about how self-doubt can be transformed into a powerful tool for growth. We get into the delicate balance between projecting confidence and showing vulnerability, sharing straight from our own experience, and the critical element in all of it: decisiveness.

Merlin here. I have our very own Dr. Richard Low back on the show. He's asking me some pointed questions about my transition from dental school SF to practicing dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina. We're talking about the excitement of moving across the country, my clinical preparedness, and how much experience I want before owning a practice. I also talk about my proactive approach to finding the right practice, including sending mailers and building professional relationships, and my flexible timeline for achieving ownership. Here's what we talk about: 00:00 - Introduction and Merlin's Transition 00:00:50 - Missing San Francisco 00:01:45 - Dental School Experience and Preparedness 00:03:30 - Goals and Next Steps Post-Graduation 00:07:15 - Decision to Delay Ownership 00:11:50 - Open-Minded Approach to Career 00:15:45 - Response to Mailers and Networking 00:21:20 - Evaluating Practice Opportunities 00:25:30 - Building Relationships and Professional Growth 00:31:45 - Final Thoughts and Advice for New Graduates

I'm sharing how I learned to navigate seasonal slow downs in practices.  Shared Practices Coach Danielle Kramer and I talk about the common issue of slow patient flow in September and October (AKA Sucktember). Danielle talks about using this downtime for crucial office tasks like inventory management and team training.   Danielle and I talk about: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Danielle’s Unique Recording Setup 00:00:40 - Understanding the September Slowdown 00:01:31 - Danielle’s Insights on Seasonal Slowdowns 00:02:26 - Richard's Personal Experience with Seasonal Dips 00:05:19 - Proactive Strategies for Retention and Reactivation 00:09:58 - Importance of Marketing Ahead of Slow Seasons 00:13:21 - Balancing Time Off and Office Productivity 00:18:39 - Creating Effective SOPs and Training Protocols 00:24:30 - Organizing Inventory and Office Maintenance 00:28:50 - Wrapping Up: Collaborative Planning for Success

Richard and George talk about the critical legal needs every dentist faces. Everywhere from acquiring a practice to exiting (and even what we learned forming a DSO). Joined by Hunter Altvater, the lead attorney at Shared Practices, they talk about the importance of clear legal documents, understanding the intricacies of associate agreements, and the value of fixed fee legal services.

Dr. Scott Smith shares his journey from associate to successful practice owner. Our original episode with Dr. Smith aired February 8, 2012. It was Season 6 episode 26. In this follow-up two-parter, Dr. Smith shares his insights on rural dentistry, maximizing profitability, and balancing work with personal life. Learn about the challenges of staffing, managing multiple practices, and the importance of strategic financial planning.  Dr. Scott Smith: 801-529-6121

Richard asks George about associate compensation and equity. They talk about different compensation models, managing expectations, and--this part is important--the entrepreneurial spectrum of associates. They cover how market conditions and practice size influence strategies, the importance of guaranteed compensation, retention strategies, and finally, the reality of ultimately replacing associates.  Leave a note for Richard to ask George something: [email protected]

Caitlin and Richard talk about evaluating and improving leadership skills. Today we're emphasizing self-reflection, personal development, and nurturing future leaders. We'll hit on practical strategies like using checklists, encouraging team feedback, and managing team dynamics.

Dr. Scott Smith shares his journey from associate to successful practice owner. Our original episode with Dr. Smith aired February 8, 2012. It was Season 6 episode 26. In this follow-up two-parter, Dr. Smith shares his insights on rural dentistry, maximizing profitability, and balancing work with personal life. Learn about the challenges of staffing, managing multiple practices, and the importance of strategic financial planning.  Dr. Scott Smith: 801-529-6121

Richard and George talk about marketing your practice. The do's and the don't's. George would know. He's spent an inordinate amount of money trying out different marketing tactics for his own practice in Phoenix. Learn how to maximize your marketing ROI, choose the right marketing firm, and understand the importance of patient reviews, Google ads, and strategic direct mail campaigns.

Richard and Traci are joined by Dr. Amanda Reimer Chang. She just went from an associate to being the proud owner of a rapidly growing practice. Discover how Amanda (and Traci) made it happen.

Merlin Erickson and Dr. Richard Low team up on The Pursuit of Ownership. Today we dig into the challenges of being an executive with ADHD. Richard shares his personal journey, revealing how he turned an executive function disorder into a strength. From practical tips to surprising insights, learn how to turn potential setbacks into strengths and achieve success in leadership and dental practice ownership. Truly a candid discussion on thriving with ADHD in the professional world.

Dr. Matt Ford is joined by dental students (and Analytics-based Pre-ownership attendees) Mohammed and Santino in Scottsdale, Arizona. We talk about the steps to transitioning from dental school to practice ownership. Mohammed and Santino talk about their firsthand experiences, financial literacy, team culture, and strategic planning.

Richard Low and Caitlin dig into the metrics that matter when assessing a dentist's performance. We're looking at the often-overlooked topic of self-evaluation and identifying, one of our favorite works here at Shared Practices: bottlenecks that may be messing up your growth.

Our very own Dr. Matt Ford and soon-to-be Dr. Merlin Erickson talk with special guest Nik. They talk about the grueling (but worth it) road from dental school straight to practice ownership. Learn financing specifics, the importance of building a stable patient base, and probably most of all: strategic patience.

Ask George is back again! Today's all about practice reinvestment. Richard and George talk about the strategies and nuances of maximizing returns with your practice. This is for solos, those transitioning to a group, or those running a large group already. You'll learn where to put your money for the best ROI. From marketing and team development to technology upgrades and coaching, discover how to make smart, impactful decisions where it matters most.

Richard and Caitlin talk about the transformative power of the Analytics-Based Office Management (ABOM) course. Today we're going deep on: insights on team development, hiring strategies, and the qualities of an effective office manager. Take notes - today you're getting practical and tactical tips for getting better leadership within your team.

Merlin Erickson continues his exploration of the cutting-edge of dental financing with Steve Steinbrunner from Provide. Discover how fintech is transforming the way dentists secure loans, the importance of peer support, and the strategic insights on navigating financial challenges in the dental industry.

Richard and George reunite to dissect the financial intricacies of growing dental practices. Scaling hurts. It's painful. Just don't make it more painful that it has to be. From transitioning from a solo practitioner to managing a multi-provider enterprise, there's a balance between production-driven strategies and cost-effective management.  Listen up and get the secrets--straight from George.

Do you have an appetite for expansion? Do you really, actually want it? Our anonymous guest "Dr. Brown" shares his experience with ownership, whether he actually wants to expand, and the key aspects Richard digs into to find out exactly how Dr. Brown can make it happen.

Merlin Erickson explores the cutting-edge of dental financing with Steve Steinbrunner from Provide. Discover how fintech is transforming the way dentists secure loans, the importance of peer support, and the strategic insights on navigating financial challenges in the dental industry.

This is a packed episode--all about Analytics-based Practice Management. George interviews former host Dr. Andrew Clingan and super-listener Dr. Graham Beard. Most dentists starting out spend years trudging through stupid, avoidable problems. Not Andrew. Not Graham. Why? Find out how they embrace analytics to run a practice--the right way. This is the new, proven way to run a practice.   LINKS: Come to Analytics-based Practice Management Listen to the Billion Dollar Podcast Listen to the first Ask George episode

You've heard his journey so far, with his first decision to expand. In Part 1, we set the stage for Dr. Chad Christiansen's next opportunity. He might be expanding to an entirely new location. So will he add a startup loan on top of his acquisition loan?

Pre-owner Under Water is back! Our anonymous guest "Dr. Hoss" joins Matt Ford and Merlin Erickson. Dr. Hoss has his sites set on a practice doing about $750k. He's not sure. But Matt loves it. We'll see if he jumps on this opportunity, or waits for the next one to come around.

The when, how, and why of expanding your practice. Our guest Dr. Chad Christiansen talks about his original expansion from five to seven operatories. But he's also hitting that point where he knows he can't grow in his current space. Richard and Caitlin coach him through exactly how to do this.

There's an intricate dance between aggressively pursuing financial freedom and staying physically, mentally, and even spiritually healthy. Richard and Ryan Isaac talk about this nuanced debate of wealth versus health within our profession

Dr. Steven Beard and Caitlin Embree continue their conversation about practice systemization, focusing on the art of patient flow in the dental office. Strategies for scheduling, the impact of first impressions, and the tactical use of diagnostics to enhance treatment acceptance, and more.

From graduation, to associateship, to rural Missouri, Dr. Aubrie Evans tells us about her rocky, wild journey as a productive solo practice owner. Unexpected departures of key staff members and embracing the complexities of insurance, Dr. Evans tells all.

George and Suzanne answer pointed questions about practice expansion, giving us rare glimpses into their first-hand experience during this inaugural episode of Ask George.

Dr. Steven Beard and our very own Caitlin Embree talk about efficient office systems, mastering the balance between productivity and busyness, and the art of insurance negotiations.

We continue our conversation with Dr. Erica Stokke in the midst of a critical decision: whether to expand her inherited Montana practice or optimize her current space. With a rich family legacy and a bustling patient base, Dr. Stokke is forced to weigh the benefits and challenges of remodeling against completely new construction. With our coach Caitlin Embree and Dr. Richard Low, we're gonna peel back the layers of strategy, patient demographics, and the personal quest for a practice that truly reflects Dr. Stokke's own identity.

We join Dr. Erica Stokke in the midst of a critical decision: whether to expand her inherited Montana practice or optimize her current space. With a rich family legacy and a bustling patient base, Dr. Stokke is forced to weigh the benefits and challenges of remodeling against completely new construction. With our coach Caitlin Embree and Dr. Richard Low, we're gonna peel back the layers of strategy, patient demographics, and the personal quest for a practice that truly reflects Dr. Stokke's own identity.

Dr. Steven Beard and Danielle Kramer continue their conversation about the crucial role of systemization in dental practices. From the interplay between front and back office tasks to the subtleties of scheduling, they unpack how accountability and strategic reappointments fuel practice growth.

It's not a trick question. Our coaches Caitlin Embree, Traci Roland, and Lori Williams reveal the pivotal relationship between practice owners and office manager. Want to learn why this partnership can dramatically enhance your practice's efficiency, culture, and bottom line? Listen in.

Dr. Andrew Clingan joins Richard today as they talk about Andrew's time podcasting in the past, and his time hustling; building his practice now. Because he's been involved in Shared Practices since his D2 year, Andrew is the perfect case study for success from implementing Shared Practices' philosophies.  Take a listen as Andrew justifiably rests on his laurels, and sets out to go win even more.

Dr. Steven Beard and our very own Danielle Kramer school us on having ironclad insurance claims strategies, seamless reappointments, and the importance of having an experienced and credible coach to help you through all of it.

https://ProfitablePPOs.com/SP👈take the next step now. We're asking the hard questions today. We look at the critical yet often overlooked aspects of dental practice management that might lead patients to perceive your services as just 'average.' Founder and CEO of ProfitablePPOs.com Clint Johnson joins us today. He and Suzanne talk about the nuanced world of insurance, fee strategies, and the impact of PPOs on your practice's profitability--and image. We'd love to help you out 👉 [email protected]

Richard and Caitlin talk about the challenging phase when a dental practice outgrows its space (file under: great problems). Are you outgrowing your space? Your next steps are crucial. Today we talk the nuances of managing space constraints, evaluating financial implications, and making strategic decisions to facilitate growth.

Join Merlin, Andrew, and Steven as they dive into the realities of dental practice beyond the classroom. We talk about the essentials of goal setting, navigating career shifts, and finding the right balance in the dental world. It's a practical, real-life conversation about the challenges and triumphs during life after dental school.

Richard and DentistAdvisor.com's Ryan Isaac simulcast this episode to both their platforms. Richard talks candidly about the challenges and triumphs of growing the Shared Practices podcast, his own dental practices, and the Shared Practices Group. From being a technician at heart to embracing the chaos of entrepreneurship, they each share their personal experiences from their years in our industry.

Shared Practices' very own coaches Caitlin and Danielle continue our series on dental assistants. What strategies can you employ to establish core values that resonate with your entire team? How can you approach uncomfortable conversations and foster effective communication within your team? We're diving into what a good dental assistant (and the rest of your team) does day in and day out. Talk to our Coaches 👉 https://forms.gle/h97r1MHqi8pSp8zV7

Merlin continues his conversation with Richard about the current season of his dental entrepreneur journey. They talk about owning and scaling a dental practice, the realities versus expectations in dental entrepreneurship, and exploring adjacent business opportunities.

Suzanne and Ali Oromchian, CEO of HR for Health, discuss crucial 2024 HR updates for dental practices. They cover new laws like the Stericycle ruling and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, plus state-specific non-compete changes. Ali provides tips on employee manuals and remote work compliance. This episode is absolutely essential for dental professionals navigating 2024's HR challenges.   Not sure where to start? 👉Download HR for Health's 2024 HR Law Updates Guide http://bit.ly/41ytObk

In the final part of this series, Richard Low and guest Brannon Moncrief of McLarren + Associates delve into the pitfalls dentists often encounter when considering a sale to a Dental Service Organization (DSO). We illuminate key mistakes, from responding to unsolicited offers to failing to create a competitive environment for their practice. You have to understand DSO deal structures and the critical need for dentists to ask the right questions to ensure they partner with a DSO that aligns with their goals and values. We'll help you maximize the benefits of a DSO transition while avoiding common traps that can lead to regrettable outcomes. Talk to our Coaches 👉 https://forms.gle/h97r1MHqi8pSp8zV7

Merlin interviews Richard about the current season of his dental entrepreneur journey. They talk about owning and scaling a dental practice, the realities versus expectations in dental entrepreneurship, and exploring adjacent business opportunities.

Richard and Caitlin talk about integrating personal goal-setting with professional dental practice management, emphasizing the Quadrant Approach for achieving success in both areas.

Join Richard Low and George Hariri in this special episode. They delve into the crucial process of setting goals and intentions for dental practices in the new year, and the importance of aligning goals with personal vision. Whether it's transitioning from solo to group practice or scaling new heights--we'll cover it here today.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, the conversation pivots to the essential elements of effective leadership in dental practices. Alex Sharp shares his experiences and insights on how to lead with humility, develop a positive practice culture, and handle the complexities of team management.