Today, orthodontics goes beyond just straight teeth. With better technology and better imaging, we can now include joints and airway for more comprehensive care. To highlight the importance of imaging in the future of orthodontics, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Drew McDonald, instructor from the Chicago Study Club, who explains how it leads to better outcomes, especially for Class II patients. Stop going in blind into orthodontic cases! To learn how imaging drives treatment and what you could be...
Apr 22, 2024•46 min•Ep. 722
There is more than one way to design the “perfect” smile. Recently, two of the best dentists in the world, Dr. Michael Apa and Dr. Christian Coachman, debated these concepts at the Designing Smiles event in Miami. To share some of his key insights and takeaways, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christian Coachman, founder of Digital Smile Design, who explains how you can achieve great dentistry with digital or analog, and the importance of building a workflow that’s best for you. To hear more about...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 721
How do you know you're doing the right thing for your practice? There's an easy way to answer that, and it’s with two simple questions. To share what they are and how you can apply it to any dilemma you face, Kirk Behrendt brings back Debra Engelhardt-Nash, co-founder of The Nash Institute, with her expert advice for creating the best practice culture. Your practice is a Petri dish — so grow the culture you want! To learn how, listen to Episode 720 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About De...
Apr 17, 2024•47 min•Ep. 720
719: The Leadership Blueprint: Elevating Your Dental Practice Culture – Adriana Booth Are you feeling miserable in your practice? There's only one way to fix it, and that's by becoming a better leader. To help you achieve this, Kirk Behrendt brings back Adriana Booth, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, with a blueprint for creating a better culture in your practice. If you're unhappy at the place you work, don't stay stuck! To hit the reset button for your practice culture, listen to Episode 719 of T...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 719
718: It’s Time to Rethink TMD – Dr. Jim McKee Every area of dentistry has evolved — except TMD! It’s time to rethink it, and Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim McKee, founder of Chicago Study Club, to dispel the myths and fears around treating TMD patients. Many patients need this treatment — so stop referring them out! To learn about the opportunities that treating TMD can bring to your practice, listen to Episode 718 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About Dr. McKee: Send Dr. McKee an emai...
Apr 12, 2024•45 min•Ep. 718
717: 6 Steps to Leading Great Team Meetings – Robyn Theisen If you think you don't have time for team meetings — think again. You don't have time not to do them! To highlight the importance of consistent communication, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to explain why meeting with your team is critical and how to do it in a productive way. Start communicating better so you can function better! To learn how, listen to Episode 717 of The Best Practices Show! Lea...
Apr 10, 2024•30 min•Ep. 717
716: Increasing Confidence Through Personal Alignment & Self-Worth – Allison Lacoursiere Knowing yourself is the best thing you can do in life. It will lead to self-acceptance, self-love, and more confidence — soft skills that are vital to every business owner. To help you discover and increase your self-worth, Kirk Behrendt brings in Allison Lacoursiere, founder of Clear Coaching, to share the four steps to personal alignment and confidence. Value yourself so you can value your practice! If...
Apr 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 716
You need money to run your business. But your patients should always come first! To help you strike the balance of affordability, profitability, and quality care, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Marco Brindis, chairman of the Prosthodontics Department of Louisiana State University, to share his insight into a successful treatment planning process. Don't be a dentist just for the money! To learn the best ways to help patients while still making money, listen to Episode 715 of The Best Practices Sho...
Apr 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 715
Whether you like it or not, digital dentistry is the future. To help you embrace rather than fear this change, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. John Cranham, co-founder of Cranham Culp Digital Dental, to explain how he is doing the best dentistry of his career at the age of 63. High-level dentistry requires high-level technology! To learn how a digital workflow will improve your dentistry, listen to Episode 714 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About Dr. Cranham: Send Dr. Cranham an email: jcr...
Apr 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 714
713: 60 Minute Mastery: Time Efficiency for Hygienists – Miranda Beeson & Michelle Wakeman Do your hygienists complain about not having time? Are they constantly behind at every appointment? Don't blame them — blame your systems! To show that 60 minutes IS enough time, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson and Michelle Wakeman, two of ACT’s amazing coaches, with a framework to help you master the hygiene workflow. To learn how to take control of your time, listen to Episode 713 of The Bes...
Apr 01, 2024•41 min•Ep. 713
712: How Did This All Begin & How Did You Get Here? – Dr. Dennis Hartlieb In this special crossover episode, the tables are turned! Kirk Behrendt is interviewed on the Dental Online Training Sharecast, a podcast by Dr. Dennis Hartlieb, founder of Dental Online Training. Kirk shares everything from his early years, the origins of ACT Dental, and his thoughts on the current state of dentistry. To learn more about Kirk and hear his great advice on dentistry and life, listen to Episode 712 of Th...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 712
711: Why Gross Production is the Worst Metric for Dentists – Dr. Barrett Straub A big part of having a better practice and a better life is understanding your numbers. But if you focus on the wrong ones, it can destroy your business! Gross production is one of the worst metrics for dentists, and Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to explain why it doesn't tell the whole story of your practice. To learn about the metrics that truly matter and how to use them to plan your bes...
Mar 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 711
710: Mastering the Hand-Off; 1 Move With Big Impact – Michelle Wakeman Are you ever at the doctor’s office and feel like no one is listening? That could be happening in your own dental practice! One solution is the hand-off, an important element in your practice. Kirk Behrendt brings in Michelle Wakeman, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to explain what it is and how to do it right so that your patients have a great experience at each visit. To learn the recipe for an excellent hand-off, listen to E...
Mar 25, 2024•25 min•Ep. 710
709: The Why’s and Y’s of Zirconia – Dr. Shashikant Singhal How much do you know about zirconia? If zirconia is still a mystery, don't miss this episode! Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Shashikant Singhal, Director of Education & Professional Services at Ivoclar, to explain the different types of zirconia, its properties, and what dentists get wrong when using this material. To improve how you craft your dental masterpiece, listen to Episode 709 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About Dr. S...
Mar 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 709
708: PPO Independence: Turn ‘Do You Take My Insurance?’ Into a Winning Conversation! – Ariel Juday & Christina Byrne Whether you're fee-for-service or PPO, patients will ask the dreaded question, “Do you take my insurance?” If you're struggling to give a great answer, don't miss this episode! Kirk Behrendt brings back Ariel Juday and Christina Byrne, two of ACT’s amazing coaches, with tips to improve your communication, verbal skills, and understanding of dental insurance. To learn how to ha...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 708
707: Why the Road Ahead for Dentists is Amazing – Dr. Barrett Straub If you want a great life as a dentist, you need a great dental practice. To help you take your first steps toward a better life, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to showcase their new membership program, the Best Practices Association. Join today and transform your practice! To earn more, stress less, and start enjoying your days at work, listen to Episode 707 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About...
Mar 20, 2024•55 min•Ep. 707
706: Leading Beyond the Chair: 4 Key Pillars for Dental Team Success – Miranda Beeson If you're not good with people, you won't have a great business — or a great life! Your first step is to master the four domains of emotional intelligence, and Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to teach you how. Get good at people, not just dentistry! To become an emotionally intelligent leader for yourself, your team, and your family, listen to Episode 706 of The Best Prac...
Mar 18, 2024•43 min•Ep. 706
705: 3 Questions You Have to Answer on How Patients Enter Your Practice – Dr. Jim McKee How do patients enter your practice? It’s the most important question to consider as a dentist and business owner. To guide you through three main questions you need to answer, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jim McKee, founder of Chicago Study Club, to share a few critical lessons he’s learned over his professional career. To learn which questions to answer for the success of your practice, listen to Episode 7...
Mar 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 705
704: How I Discovered Happiness Through a Lot of Adversity – Dr. Kevin Groth We all want to avoid hardship. But hard times can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life. To share how adversity was important to his happiness, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Kevin Groth to highlight the important lessons and habits he learned that transformed his life. With the right mindset, adversity is the path to happiness! To hear how you can discover your happiest self, listen to Episode 704 of The Best Practi...
Mar 13, 2024•53 min•Ep. 704
703: The Profitable Hygiene Equation: Optimizing Workflow Services for Success – Miranda Beeson & Courtney Dalton Are your hygienists always running out of time? If they are, it’s not them — it’s your systems that need improvement! To help you optimize the hygiene workflow so you can be more profitable, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson and Courtney Dalton, two of ACT’s amazing coaches (and excellent hygienists), with a framework for making those 60 minutes more efficient. To learn th...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 703
Without a healthy partnership, your work life could be torture. If you want to increase your happiness at work, don't miss this episode! Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Jennifer Derse and Dr. Brett Levin, founders of Espire, to share their recipe for a healthy partnership that lasts. To learn how to stay aligned, navigate disagreements, and to disagree agreeably, listen to Episode 702 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About Dr. Derse and Dr. Levin: Follow Dr. Derse on Instagram: https://www.i...
Mar 08, 2024•42 min•Ep. 702
Do you have a hard time communicating with your team about insurance benefits? It's not easy. In this episode, Kirk and his guest, coach Robin Theisen, have some answers for you. Robin shares four tips for effectively talking about dental insurance benefits with patients. The conversation emphasizes the importance of educating the team about insurance, using the term 'benefits' instead of 'insurance', always saying 'yes' to patients, and making the patient the focus of the conversation. Listen t...
Mar 06, 2024•29 min•Ep. 701
In this episode, Kirk shares a recent webinar with ACT Director of Coaching, Christina Byrne, on case acceptance. They share a ton of secrets on how to improve case acceptance, like the importance of mindset, the role of the clinical team and the need for preclinical interviews to involve the patient, and the importance of customized care to differentiate a dental practice. They also discuss the need to address patient questions and concerns, handle objections effectively, and measure success us...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 700
Do you dream of having a high-performing team? You can make it happen with a few changes in your thinking. Kirk Behrendt brings back Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share the three essentials for creating a great team and practice. A great team starts with great leadership! To learn the secrets of every high-performing team, listen to Episode 699 of The Best Practices Show! Learn More About Heather: Send Heather an email: heather@actdental.com Join Heather on Facebook: https:/...
Mar 01, 2024•32 min•Ep. 699
Have you ever wondered about PPOs or struggled to understand them? Kirk welcomes Shelley DeGroff to shed some light on this complex relationship between dental practices and insurance. Shelley is the founder and CEO of PPO Advisors, a firm that helps dental practices turn their PPOs into profit. She talks about the trends of 2024, emphasizing the importance of understanding the percentage of write-offs and the need to evaluate fee schedules. The conversation concludes by encouraging dentists to ...
Feb 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 698
697: My Journey Into Wellness Dentistry - Dr. Katie To and Dr. Christian Coachman Have you ever wondered how you can incorporate wellness into your practice? On today’s episode, Kirk and Dr. Christian Coachman welcome Dr. Katie To, a pioneer in wellness dentistry. Dr. To shares her personal journey and explains the concept of wellness dentistry, which goes beyond traditional dentistry to treat the whole body. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals and ...
Feb 26, 2024•41 min•Ep. 697
696: Planning for the Unexpected – Dr. Wayne Kerr You plan for work, and you plan your vacations. But do you plan for the unexpected? Anything can happen at any time, and you need to be prepared! To help you think and plan for those unforeseen events, Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Wayne Kerr to share a framework that will protect you in future disruptions. Don't ever be caught off guard! To learn how to protect your practice, your loved ones, and your team, listen to Episode 696 of The Best Practi...
Feb 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 696
695: Treatment of the Edentulous Patient - Dr Marco Brindis Kirk welcomes prosthodontist Dr. Marco Brindis to discuss the treatment of the edentulous patient. They talk about the need for individualized treatment plans and the balance between saving teeth and providing optimal health and function. Dr. Brindis also highlights the importance of collaboration with other dental professionals, the importance of patient communication, treatment options for the edentulous patient, and material selectio...
Feb 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 695
694: Are Composite Resins for this Day and Age in Digital Dentistry? - Dr. Newton Fahl In this episode, Kirk welcomes a leading thinker, educator, and practicing dentist Dr. Newton Fahl to discuss the importance of composite resigns in an age of digital dentistry. Dr. Fahl sheds light on the ethical and financial aspects of using composite resins and highlights the artistry involved in creating natural-looking restorations. They discuss the advancements in composite resin materials and Dr. Fahl ...
Feb 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 694
693: New Year – Old You, With Some Tweaks! – Dr. Uche Odiatu Do you want a better year, but don't know where to start? With a few small tweaks, you can make it happen — and you don't have to change who you are! To help you achieve the year of your dreams, Kirk Behrendt returns with Dr. Uche Odiatu, one of ACT’s favorite health and wellness gurus, with tips to improve every dimension of your well-being. Small changes lead to big results! To start your journey to a better year, listen to Episode 6...
Feb 16, 2024•36 min•Ep. 693
