T-bone Speaks Dentistry

What 2020 brought our industry and our lives was not exactly what we all thought a year ago, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom, either. We’ve seen a lot of innovations in the past few months, many of which were likely forced early on, but people have since adapted to this “new normal,” and we’ll very likely take it with us as we enter 2021. How did our practice adjust to the abrupt changes? What were the adjustments we needed to spearhead? How did the pandemic affect us professionally and personally? Today, I discuss how the pandemic has forced our industry to innovate and what our practice did to not just keep our doors open, but to try to hit as many of the goals we set out a year ago. I share why we needed to shuffle our team amidst the pandemic and explain why I can’t fully get rid of insurance in my practice. I describe the lessons we learned as a team and how we’re not better prepared when it comes to anything virtual. I also share how the pandemic personally hit me and my family and explain why, despite

We all have different ways to run our practice. Some opt to partner with another entrepreneur and work on their own; others buy an old practice and go from there. Regardless of how you start, what matters is as the practice grows, so should the time you have for yourself. The more profitable your practice becomes, the more it should be run like a business. In today’s episode, I share a replay of my guest appearance on the Dental Hacks podcast, where I discuss what sets a practice apart from a business and why I believe dentists should all be business owners. I discuss how my practice has evolved over the last few years, the new services I offer, and what to expect in the future. I explain the financial side of owning a practice and how to determine if you should continue running it or if you should sell it. I also describe some of the reasons why I’m not a fan of DSOs and why dentists should stop doing fillings and crowns. “The most expensive overhead you have in your practice is time.” This week on T-Bone

Many, if not all, dentists consider fillings and crowns as their bread and butter. It can feel rather mundane and repetitive, but it’s one of the most in-demand services in our practice. However, there is so much more to our profession than to simply fill holes and gaps all day. This is why, in an interview for the Dental Guys podcast, I advocated for the reduction of fillings and crowns.  In today’s episode, I share a replay of my guest appearance on the Dental Guys podcast. I discuss why I decided to reduce the number of crowns and fillings in my practice. I explain other services you can use as a substitute and how you can still offer crowns and fillings without doing it yourself. I also describe what my savings plan looks like, how I handle medical billing, and how we should seek to disrupt our industry. “At the end of the day, if you’re a dentist that only does restorative dentistry… you’re a mechanic.” - T-Bone This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast: Why I decided to stop doing fillings a

No man is an island, and it’s the same with running a dental practice. In order for your business to function at its most efficient and be profitable, you need the help of a few key team members. These are your champions, and it would do well for you to invest in developing champion team members, so the practice can run without you having to micromanage everything.  How do you train champion team members? What are some of the services you need a champion for? Today, I share how I developed my champion team members and the roles they fill. I describe how I’ve grown my practice, my patients, and services. I introduce my key team members to share their Champion stories, discuss what it’s like to work for me, and describe how they have adjusted to the kind of system I’ve established. I also explain how you can have your team members committed to the goals you want for the practice and why sometimes you have to slow down to speed up. "Success has to be something specific, it can't be more. It has to be a num

Dimple Tejani is the owner of The Heights Dental Gallery, a dental clinic in Arlington Heights, Illinois. They make use of CEREC as part of their 3-D dental services which allows them to design, create, and place numerous ceramic restorations in one visit. Born in Pennsylvania, her family moved to Illinois when she was 5. She went on to pursue a career in dentistry through the University of Illinois at Chicago. Today, Dimple specializes in crowns, inlays and onlays, as well procedures that use CEREC technology.  Dimple joins me today to share the goals she sets out for herself in 2021 and what she wants to accomplish by the time she retires. She describes how her mother inspired her to become a dentist and explains how important online reviews are for modern practices. She also discusses some of her greatest struggles in her career, explains why she feels burned out, and describes what she thinks she needs to feel excited about the profession again. "In this day and age, reviews are where you get a lot o

When you have a dental practice, it can be easy to overlook the fact that you are also a business owner. As a dentist, you have the choice to either stay stagnant or to elevate your practice by viewing your work through a more strategic mindset. By focusing your energy on the right activities, you will find your private practice to be more profitable and more professionally fulfilling. In today’s episode, I share a replay of my time on the Thriving Dentist Show. I share some practice growth strategies that helped me grow my business, increase my professional satisfaction, empower my team, and renew my love of dentistry. I share insights on aspects of dentistry such as crowns, implants, and orthodontics and my thoughts on the role they should have in your business.  I also highlight how to be more productive with what you take on in your practice and how you can make more money in your practice without seeing new patients. “Our fundamental philosophy is going beyond the basics.” -T-Bone This week on T-Bon

Shivi Gupta is a dental practitioner at Scripps Rock Dental, a practice in San Diego that offers whitening, Invisalign, bridges, and implants among other services. She has been practicing for over 10 years, with a focus on cosmetic and family dentistry. Shivi applies a patient-first approach by reviewing photos and X-rays together with the patients. Originally a Canadian dentistry graduate, Shivi completed her residency in Texas and has since preferred the sunny weather of San Diego.  Today, Shivi joins us to share why she moved from Canada to San Diego and her experiences as a young dentist. She describes her responsibilities in her practice and what makes their brand of dentistry fun and unique. She explains how headsets can improve the team experience and how it can boost workflow and productivity. Shivi also discusses why their team is considering moving away from being part of an insurance network and answers some fun questions about life. "There are so many ways to expand what we already have, and

Kris Aadland is the owner of Aadland Dental, a full-service, state-of-the-art dental practice in the Vancouver, Washington area. They take pride in matching their dental services with the latest technologies for restorative, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry. Kris always dreamed of running her own dental practice and she took action to build one in 2009, a time when many practices were struggling. Much like her practice, Kris’ skills in dentistry and business management are based on the latest research and tech, and this was rewarded when she was presented the “Accomplished and Under 40 Class” distinction by the Vancouver Community in 2011. Today, Kris joins us to share where she is right now in her career and how she got out of her career plateau. She explains why she wanted a focus on technology for her practice and the different services it allows her to offer. She discusses some of the struggles she’s encountering today and the plans she has to overcome them. Kris also shares her plans for 2021 with rega

Dr. Adam Woll is part of the team behind DownTown Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina. DownTown Dental offers high-quality dental care ranging from advanced procedures like dental implants and cosmetics to simple routine cleanings. Adam attended Ohio State University and graduated with degrees in Biology and Spanish, and later attended the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Baltimore. Adam joined DownTown Dental shortly after moving to Raleigh. In today’s episode, Adam shares his experience with my Day of Mentoring program. He describes how he learned about me, his thoughts on the podcast, and what my practice and team was like. We discuss some of the principles I apply every day in my practice, especially when it comes to setting your goals to not be about money. We also discuss the importance of letting your team members commit to how soon they want to improve their skills. "Good human beings have an innate desire to support." - T-Bone This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast: Who Adam Woll i

More than just an amazing dentist, Dr. Sully Sullivan is also a speaker, mentor, and host of the popular Millennial Dentist Podcast. He’s a 4th generation dentist and is helping his father manage their practice in Nashville, Tennessee. As a millennial, he believes in the idea of working smarter and not harder and applies this principle by using technology to not only offer more services, but also provide efficient patient care. When he’s not practicing, he travels the country lecturing on Cone Beam Technology, sleep apnea, and practice management. In today’s episode, Sully and I discuss the ins and out of the Millennial Mastermind event and what the audience can expect from it. We share the highs and lows of being a dentist in America, and why you’re almost guaranteed a successful career. We describe the importance of chasing your own goals instead of your peers or partners. We also discuss why the Millennial Mastermind event is not for everybody in the industry. "If you want to be that person who just shows

Running a dental business isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Despite the clean offices, the amazing staff, and the high-tech looking equipment, there’s a lot of work behind the curtains. From paperwork and systems efficiencies all the way to fees and dealing with insurance companies, owning a successful dental practice is by no means easy work. Most may consider our management tasks as ‘first world problems’, but they’re problems nonetheless. Today, I discuss what I call first world dentistry problems and how I deal with mine. I share how attending a sedation seminar disrupted my daily routine and the scheduling changes I had to get used to. I describe how I am still productive despite working only 20-hour weeks. I explain how I promote a culture of accountability in my practice. I also share some of the reasons why being busy can be good for your health and why I don’t recommend running a dental practice by yourself. "No one should be practicing dentistry alone in 2020 and beyond. No one. There's just no re

I attended an IV sedation program and to say that I learned a lot is an understatement. From knowing how it can attract more patients to how it positively affects the dentist’s work, most practices will definitely benefit from offering IV sedation services. However, there are some points to consider before you add IV sedation to your standard practice procedure. If you have oral sedation already, do you still need to add IV? Can IV sedation boost profit?  Today, I share my funny and humbling experience in an IV sedation program. I describe some of the facts I learned from my own 3D Dentists members regarding sedation and why I think all dentists should consider sedation services. I explain the benefits of sedation from both patient and dentist’s viewpoint and how it can make your practice more attractive overall. I also discuss some of the cons of sedation services as well as some of the must-haves before a practice should add them. "For general dentistry, oral sedation is fantastic but as we get into mo

This episode is a replay of a webinar I did with Dr. Brett Wells of DentalHQ with special guests Sandy Pardue and Roger Levin on how to overcome the hygiene challenge we are facing in October and November from being closed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

We all start out working five or six days a week, but the end goal of every business owner should be to work as little as possible without losing business efficiency. Making yourself be more replaceable means you have more time to work on yourself and the business. This is why I am following a 3-day workweek schedule, as it lets me be more productive in projects that not only will improve my business, but also my skills and knowledge as a dentist.   Today, I am interviewed by my friends at the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast on how you can structure a 3-day clinical work week. I share my weekly routine and how strict I am with my schedule. I explain how you can reverse engineer your end goals, especially when it comes to your finances. I also discuss some of the struggles we encounter in our business and an important lesson I learned from my dad after a disappointing experience with a business partner.   "The biggest and most important investment you’ll ever make… is you.” - T-Bone   This week o

Dr. Joc Jernigan is part of the team behind Denture Care and Implant Solutions, a practice in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The practice specializes in dentures and implants, but also offers extractions and jaw bone services. He has over 500 hours of dental implant continuing education and focuses on implant treatment, prosthetics, and surgery. Joc also hosts a YouTube channel called Ask Doc Joc, where he shares patient testimonies as well as other information about their clinic.   Today, Joc joins us to share why having denture services in your practice isn’t as bad as we thought. He explains why most dentists would advise against offering denture services in their practice and some of the reasons why you should consider it. He discusses how their practice has evolved since COVID-19 and how they plan to move forward. Joc also describes why he isn’t a fan of how social media portrays the dentistry industry.   "Patients might have different economic means, but their expectations could be the exact sam

Chuck McKee is a Sales Representative for Patterson Dental, a dental supplies, equipment, and technology business that serves dentists and dental labs. He has over 20 years of experience in the dental industry and specializes in practice modernization. His clients range from fresh graduates to seasoned veterans in the industry. Chuck’s goal is to help practices integrate new technologies without tearing a hole on their budget.   Today, Chuck joins us to discuss what dental practices should expect from dental suppliers now that we’re living in a post-COVID society. He shares what he’s been up to and what the quarantine has made him realize about himself. He explains trending supply equipment in the dental industry that weren’t in demand before the pandemic. Chuck also shares how you can get the best sales representative for your team’s needs.   "Be patient with your distributor." - Chuck McKee   This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast: ●      Chuck's reflections on what the p

Dr. Matt Standridge is an Associate Instructor for Gerety Orthodontic Seminars, a platform that aims to provide continuing education for pediatric and general dentists as well as help with expanding practices. Matt is also known as the Ketodontist, a blog where he shares why he transitioned towards the ketogenic diet and how he currently maintains it. Some of Matt’s specialties include dental implants and orthodontics.    Today, Matt joins us to discuss how to efficiently implement advanced dental services into your practice. He shares what it’s like being a dentist in a rural county and how he managed to attract patients who want orthodontics. He describes what made him pursue a career in dentistry, and some of his regrets after graduation. Matt also explains the key ideas dentists need to understand if they want to make an expensive service affordable without losing profitability.   "Especially with orthodontics, if you can make it affordable, people want to do it." - Matt Standridge   T

Dr. Sully Sullivan is a fourth-generation dentist and practices at Sullivan Dental Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the host of the Millennial Dentist podcast, a show where he interviews other dentists as well as give actionable advice for those who are new to running a dental practice. He specializes in adult orthodontics, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea. Sully also lectures on cone beam technology and practice management across the country.   Today, Sully joins me to discuss the benefits of having 3D printing technology in your practice. He shares his personal experience with using 3D printers, the models he’s printed, and how it made his business more self-sufficient. He describes the 3D printing programs and software his practice uses on a daily basis. Sully also explains how 3D printing can provide additional support without hiring more staff.   "3D printing has really nice workflows that you can use and implement on a day to day basis in your practi

Jared Ottley is one of the dentists at Ottley Smiles Dental Center, a dental practice in Navarre, Florida. Their services include bleaching, cosmetic dentistry, full-mouth restoration, implants, and sleep apnea. Jared comes from a long line of dentists, with his father, uncle, and siblings. He is also a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, and this designation means he is seen as a leader in the dental industry.    Today, Jared joins us to share why he became a dentist and how his family inspired him to pursue this type of career. He describes how his family ran a dental practice and how he found his practice’s dental philosophy. He discusses the importance of joining programs that can elevate the way you do business. Jared also explains why dentistry is universal regardless of whether you’re practicing in a small town or in the big city.   "You save money with the knowledge that you gain. You avoid the disasters." - Jared Ottley   This week on T-Bone Speaks Dentistry Podcast: ●&nbs

Our patients trust us to make sure they walk out smiling and happy with the experience we provide, and I’m not just talking about the actual dental procedures. Having the good word of mouth is of paramount importance in any kind of business, so it’s always a good idea to make sure every person who walks inside our practice gets a lasting impression that would make them want to use our services again.   What are some of the best ways to enhance the patient experience? How much should you invest to make your practice more appealing?   Today, I discuss some of the strategies we employ in my practice when it comes to giving patients quality services beyond dental procedures. I share the importance of having proper training for your front office and explain why adding a few unique touches to your practice doesn’t have to bankrupt you. I also describe some of the possible scenarios that could happen if you treat patients like their guests.    "Customer service equals patient experience." - TBone