Joining the show again is Dr. Jenny Perna! This round, Kiera discusses with Dr. Perna leading others without the formal title of a leadership position. They both share their own examples of letting go of egos and ways they’ve inspired others.  Regardless of your role, you can choose to lead and inspire and motivate others. Some people are natural leaders; other natural followers, and both are okay to be. Being the leader doesn’t always mean being the good guy. Let Kiera and Dr. Perna inspire the leader in you! Episode resources: Follow Dr. Perna on Instagram Listen to episode #261: Associate to Owner, Taking the Leap Listen to episode #320: Plans Derailed? Here’s What to Do. Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

It’s time for a tactical practical! Kiera has more tips for all you wannabe word ninjas out there, this time on the right questions to ask and how to ask them. If you want to be the best dental professional you can be, incorporating the right one or two words into how you’re interacting with your patients will go a long way. Bonus! At the end of this episode is a challenge for you to share with all your team members! Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Kiera is featured on The Biz Call podcast with Rob Frankel! This quick episode is a great dive into the who, what, when, and why of the Dental A-Team. Remember, we’re here to provide a full team approach to positively impact the world of dental. We believe we’re in the best industry and seek to help others grow. Episode resources: Connect with Rob Frankel Tune into The Biz Call podcast Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

It’s time to organize your life … with Tiffanie and Kiera! These two haven’t been as smart with their time lately, so a podcast episode dedicated to block scheduling and power hours was called for. What is block scheduling, and how can you incorporate it into your practice? Kiera and Tiffanie share what that looks like. It’s important to know your personal limitations and to be okay with them. Key takeaways from this episode: Block in your admin time and hold the block Consider the different pieces that need to be addressed and schedule them in during your power hour Incorporate block scheduling into your practice If you’re not scheduling items, they’re not going to get done (at least as fast as they need to).  Organization awaits with the pressing of play! Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera & Tiff Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

The ebb and flow in our lives and businesses is inevitable, and Kiera’s had some challenging bumps in the road lately. But the struggles allowed her to reset her priorities and understand that people are the greatest asset of the Dental A-Team. Join Kiera as she shares her latest journey through leadership, what her blind spots were, and the lessons she’s learned. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Kiera is a guest on Dr. Len Tau’s Raving Patients podcast! Together, the dental duo covers a broad swatch of important topics for your office, including… The 5-minute new patient phone call (download the form here!) How to measure and increase case acceptance Handling out-of-network insurance conversations  So what’s the result of implementing these tiny little actions in your practice? Loyal patients and confident dental staff. It’s a win-win! There’s also a fun game of Would You Rather at the end! Episode resources: Connect with Dr. Len Tau Tune into Raving Patients Podcast Learn more about Dr. Len Tau Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Austin Hair of the Commercial Real Estate Secrets podcast joins the DAT gang in this episode! Austin talks with Kiera about identifying the best situations for dental practices in terms of location, location, location. If you’re wanting to buy a practice soon or someday, or move to a new spot, this conversation will cover a lot of your most frequently asked questions like what to consider in seeking a spot, buying now or sitting and holding, and buying versus renting your own location. There’s also a discussion about spending capital or growing your business. So many questions, so many answers! Episode resources: Listen to Austin’s previous DAT podcast episode Check out Commercial Real Estate Secrets Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website

We could all use more yeses in our lives, right? And definitely from our patients! Kiera shares some tips that’ll boost how often your patients are saying yes to treatments. First, record your treatment coordinators’ pan presentations. Then … Listen back to them as a group, looking for areas of success and improvement Confirm the NDTR hand-off Schedule first Give time for questions Kiera also suggests ideas to overcome common excuses (both for yourself and the patient). These are tiny actions that’ll have big positives IF you implement them now. Episode resources: Listen to a related podcast: #161, Assume the Yes! Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

A listener recently wrote to the Dental A-Team podcast, curious about stopping the complaining among dental assistants. This is a VERY common problem in practices, and luckily, it’s pretty straight forward to fix. Kiera shares ideas for self reflection as a leader (what standards are you tolerating to take hold in your business?), how to respond to a complaint, and communicating over confronting. Being direct is scary, but it’s the most efficient form of communication in a practice like this. If you tolerate complaints, complaints will happen. This episode will help you tolerate only the best leadership standards. Episode resources: Listen to a related podcast: #232, Stop Tolerating Inefficiencies Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

It’s time for some time efficiency hacks on the Dental A-Team podcast! Kiera walks listeners through the process she uses to plan out her weeks, turning her schedule into a proactive rather than a reactive one. The perks of working with the DAT is that we help you clear out the clutter, and this episode provides a delicious taste of that. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Missed her last time? Dr. Rhonda Kalasho is back on the Dental A-Team pod! This time, she chats with Kiera about ways to maximize your role as a dentist for your patients. Dr. Kalasho shares three ways to get a grip on your practice: Know that there’s always an option for your patients Look for opportunity in hygiene exams Help your patients understand that insurance is a coupon Being a good dentist also means being a good business owner, and Dr. Kalasho talks tips on that, too. For example, dedicating time to your admin duties and taking care of yourself in your personal life (yes, you’re allowed to have one — and you should!). Implementing these tips will help you establish better ownership in your practice and in your life. Dr. Rhonda Kalasho is a dentist and patients see her for a host of reasons, including teeth bonding, bruxism, sleep apnea, sensitive teeth, and plaque. She is fluent in English as well as Arabic, which makes her culturally attuned to patients from various backgrounds. Dr. Kalasho earned her dental degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She presently runs her own practice located in Los Angeles. As a dental professional, she tries to stay updated on the latest advancements in dentistry to provide suitable treatment options to her patients. Dr. Kalasho recognizes that many patients may not be completely comfortable with visiting a dentist. She endeavors to make dental visits a low-stress experience with minimal discomfort.

Once upon a time … Kiera had a no-good, very bad day. It seems that a lot of people are filled with what we’ve dubbed the “Covid crank” these days — overall grumpiness. Kiera shares a recent experience where one person at the very end of an eventful couple of days made a huge difference in her life. The point? At the Dental A-Team, we want our friends and team members to show love and kindness to others, to stand out in someone’s life. Be the spark of compassion to help cure someone else’s crankiness. It’ll go a long way, and who knows, you might even end up being mentioned in a podcast episode! Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

It’s never fun to be uncomfortable in any aspect of your life, but sometimes it’s beneficial and can get you to a higher purpose. Kiera walks listeners through the different zones we must travel through to discover our purpose: comfort, fear, learning, and growth. Kiear’s own example is with prep for the Dental A-Team Summit! Discover more about the event, and get a discount by using coupon code PODCAST at check out. Visit summit.thedentalateam.com.  Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera or Suzanne Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Kiera is joined by Dental A-Team consultant Suzanne to talk about compliments — what they mean, where to give them, and how giving them positively affects an office. Giving compliments establishes an open and trustworthy relationship between you and your patients, your coworkers, and your supervisors. Kiera and Suzanne give examples of compliments and how you can start incorporating them into your practice this very day. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera or Suzanne Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Feeling a little uninspired in your work? We’ve all been there, and in this episode, Kiera’s going to help you climb out of it — now or later, when you need the advice. First, find your strengths (Kiera recommends StrengthsFinder 2.0) and be comfortable living within them. Then, have your team also discover their strengths and find their zones of genius. Third, delegate tasks to those who are best suited for them. Fill in the gaps in your office! Lastly, enjoy being part of a more efficient and happier team. Following these steps will break you out of the autopilot and uncover new opportunities that you are meant for. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Kiera joins Jeffrey Shaw of The Self Employed Life Podcast to talk about a lack of business education in trade sectors. Both Jeffrey and Kiera have noticed the same pattern: Though people are often highly skilled in what they do for a career, they don’t have the business skills to cope. That’s where consultants (like the Dental A-Team) come in! What’s the solution? Becoming business intrigued. You can’t get stuck in the cycle of only ever improving your skill set. Jeffrey and Kiera discuss the balance between passion in our work and harnessing business intrigue and how to excel in trade organizations. It’s an intelligent conversation full of inspiring takeaways. Episode resources: Connect with Jeffrey Shaw Tune into The Self Employed Life Podcast Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

We’ve got a great example for you today: A practice that Kiera’s visited twice this year went from 75% to 57% overhead in just two-and-a-half months. How in the world did they do it so fast? Press play and we’ll tell you. The spoiler alert, though you’ll have to listen up to hear more detail on what specific goals this practice set, is that the entire team was on the same page AND they tracked their progress throughout. When it comes to meeting goals, you don’t have to be 100%. This practice wasn’t, but they still got incredible results. Sure, the Dental A-Team helped, but remember, we can only lead a horse to water. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Kiera brings you some quick and easy ways to set up traction in your practice, regardless of its size. In this episode, she revisits the idea of traction — an incredibly important topic for offices who want to streamline efficiencies and work as a team. Tune in to hear the steps your practice needs to take to create short- and long-term goals, quarterly rocks, and even the little to-dos to get there. It’s an entire process that fuels success into your operations. This episode will not only give you ideas of goals to implement, but the Dental A-Team also provides the tools to get there. Episode resources: Reach out to Kiera Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Visit The Dental A-Team website Review the podcast on iTunes

Tiffanie is baaaaack! Dental A-Team fab road warrior Tiffanie Trader is in this episode to talk about her recent consulting journeys, what key tangibles are coming through, and the number one favorite thing she’s implemented over the past month. Kiera and Tiff are always a blast to have together in an episode, and this is a quick convo you won’t want to miss. Listen to past episodes with Tiffanie at www.TheDentalATeam.com. 

~*~ It’s a crossover episode with The Dental Brief! ~*~ Kiera joins Patrick Chavoustie on the Dental Brief podcast to give a quick recap on what’s top of mind for her at this moment: Getting your team on board and headed in the same direction. She shares insight on how to set one-, three- and 10-year goals, why keeping your team interwoven gets them extra-engaged, and how 75% of DAT offices surpass the goals they set. We love our crossover episodes. Want to find out other podcasts we’ve participated in? Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com/blog.  ________________________________ Question: How can I be more involved in what’s going on in my practice?

Grace Rizza, CEO of Identity Dental Marketing, is the star of today’s podcast episode. She joins Kiera to talk Kiera’s favorite topic: marketing ;) Marketing is a huge piece of a dental practice's success, so it’s important to take it seriously. Grace shares what her response is to a doctor who’s big goal is to get butts in seats, the most effective ways to build a practice over time, and, of course, three common marketing mistakes: Signing long contracts Giving up ownership of domain/website Not having realistic conversation expectations The bottom line: Marketing is a necessary part of a well-functioning business. Whether you’re comfortable or not in the topic, it’s time to face the music, and this episode is a great place to start. Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com to find other ways to launch your practice into success. To contact Grace, visit www.IdentityDental.com/grace.  More about Grace: Grace is the proud owner of Identity Dental Marketing where she has made it her personal mission to improve the business of each dental practice she works with by a measurable amount. In her first position as a marketing director for a multiple-location dental practice, she tripled the number of new patients seen on a monthly basis (in 3 short months, on the same marketing budget). From there, she created a variety of sales-focused training workshops, attended many marketing seminars, and became obsessed with dental marketing and branding as a whole. Grace has experience in the creation and execution of marketing strategies, public and community relations, networking, patient communications, staff sales training, phone scripting and training, advertising, internet/web presence, SEO (search engine optimization), direct mail programs, email newsletters, and much more. An accredited international speaker, Grace approaches every speaking engagement as an opportunity to educate, empower, and entertain her audience. She teaches dentists how to achieve practice growth in the most ethical and efficient ways. She inspires her audience to embrace change in order to grow. Whether connecting with an audience of 20 or 200, Grace's information can transform a surviving practice into a thriving practice.

Dr. Deren Flesher’s Royal Oak Family Dental is one of the most innovative and unique offices the Dental A Team has ever been part of. In this episode, Dr. Flesher joins Kiera to talk about the positives of outsourcing to software (like Modento, wink, wink). Now, you might think that utilizing software takes away personal approaches with your patients, but Dr. Flesher explains exactly why that isn’t the case. Rather, you’re letting technology tackle monotony and encouraging team members fill in the gaps that are actually missing in your practice. Modento is willing to waive their onboarding fee, give you voicemail credits, AND money off a monthly subscription. Visit modento.io to sign up. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Flesher at [email protected], or you can email US at [email protected]. Dr. Flesher has been here before, so make sure you’re caught up on his insight! Episode 112, Dental Gold Mine: Rotating Schedules, Assisted Hygiene, and Automated Voicemails; and episode 136, Deep Dive on Bonuses with Dr. Deren Flesher

Team culture is incredibly important and valuable in any workplace, and in this episode, Dr. Jenny Perna has returned to the Dental A-Team podcast to share her experiences in the dental world. Dr. Perna has been in toxic cultures before, where the wrong people sat in the wrong seat on the bus, so to speak, or they sat in the right seat, but didn’t have the right attitude. To fix the negative atmosphere, she focused on the following: Anyone can be a leader. Don’t be afraid to step up. Relate everything to your core values. Be committed. Fixing a toxic culture can take a while — years, even — but take heart from Dr. Perna’s advice. (Check out this accountability survey we have!) Be sure to listen to past episodes with Dr. Perna! 261: Associate to Owner, Taking the Leap 320: Plans Derailed? Here’s What to Do.

Dr. Sarah Zeh, an associate dentist out of Austin, Texas, is Kiera’s guest for this podcast episode, and she’s here to share tips on how to keep things healthy between associates and owners in the practice. For context, Dr. Zeh is in her third associateship, so she has some good experience to share. Kiera and Dr. Zeh chat about what makes an amazing owner — trusting an associate before they even come on board and setting time to communicate one-on-one — and what she looks for when seeking out practices to join. Like what you hear? Dr. Zeh is on Instagram at @thedaintydentist! Give her a follow (and make sure you’re following us at the same time, @DentalATeam)! 

Brad James, director of partner development at Kleer, is the star of this Dental A-Team episode! Brad talks about Kleer, which helps roll out membership plans effectively and successfully to uninsured patients, and its new program centered around small businesses and employee care. Did you know that roughly half of small businesses don’t offer dental benefits, but 82% of them want to do so in the future? Enter Kleer Employee Care, which connects small businesses with local dentist practices for membership programs. Brad and Kiera discuss all the details behind what this means for small businesses and practices, including cost, commitments, and more. This fully functional program is expected to roll out this May or June, so keep an eye out at www.kleer.com/kleer-employee-care!  Check out other Dental A-Team podcast episodes that incorporate Kleer: #204: You Need to Put This in Place #276: Get More Money Into Your Practice

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking OSHA and HIPAA compliance. The Dental A-Team welcomes Danielle McKinley, director of partner relations with PCIHIPAA, to talk about this crucial topic. It may not be the sexiest information, but it’s so integral to your practice (think potential fines of hundreds of thousands to over a millions dollars! Danielle shares some horror stories). Danielle breaks down the difference between OSHA and HIPAA, the actual costs of becoming compliant, and steps you can take to tackle the overwhelming topics: She suggests first performing a risk assessment, which you can find at www.pcihipaa.com/danielle. To learn more about the Dental A-Team, and have one of our consultants come to YOU, visit www.TheDentalATeam.com today!

Kiera is joined by fellow DAT consultant, Tiffanie Trader, and Dr. Sean O’Grady in this episode. Dr. O’Grady started a practice in 2019, and shares his journey through that practice ownership. He talks with Kiera and Tiffanie about trials faced as an urban dental practice, victories had (including up 90% in collections over two months), and how the Dental A-Team played a role. From a consultant’s point of view, Tiffanie shares the positives Dr. O’Grady has had, including: Prepared and growth-oriented Doesn’t jump and leap without knowing what result should be Waited to have the DAT come aboard until he had hired a team that was committed Join this trio as they talk the highs and lows of starting a new practice during Covid-19! Interested in having your own success story? Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com to start with us! About Dr. O’Grady: From a young age, Dr. O’Grady knew that he wanted a career in health care because he wanted to be able to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Dr. O’Grady is a people person, and one of his favorite things about dentistry is that it allows him to meet all different kinds of people, from all walks of life. Dr. O’Grady grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and was the first person in his family to go to college. After he graduated from the University of Arizona, he earned his DMD from Boston University and completed his residency in New York City at Metropolitan Hospital, where he honed his craft of treating dental emergencies and family dental care. Dr. O'Grady worked for 3 years in Chicago at an urgent dental office, using his skill set to become more efficient at same day treatment of dental emergencies and all aspects of dental care. Dr. O'Grady further advanced his skill set by receiving training in placing and restoring implants.   

It’s a Q&A episode from one of our Instagram followers! This episode’s topic: How to get referrals from your patients. Kiera gives two specific tips: Make sure your practice provides a good patient experience. Practice and role play with your staff how to ask for referrals. Taking these steps will personalize your patients’ visit to your practice, and show them how much you care — about their teeth and their opinion. Now, we get to ask you! Will you rate and review US? You can do so by visiting our podcast page on whatever app you use to listen.

Sameer Bhasin, vice president of alliances at CareCredit, shares the low-down on third-party financing and how to better-utilize companies like CareCredit. Kiera has her own experience with CareCredit, and used it religiously when she was a treatment coordinator, closing on $60,000 to $80,000 cases. Not everyone who wants to work with CareCredit is prepared and ready to make those moves, so Sameer has tips on where to start, and he explains them in more detail: Inventory your office. Are you utilizing CareCredit or another patient financing as a product or as part of a process? Pull up diagnosing and treatment plans. Understand why some treatments are still sitting on the to-do list. Kiera and Sameer also discuss how to talk to your patients about such finances, how credit scores come into play, and, of course, what the magic number is to know if your practice is healthy in terms of CareCredit/etc. applications. Want to reach your CareCredit practice rep? Visit www.carecredit.com/partnerportal/contactus. Sameer can be contacted at [email protected].

It’s time for a rundown of Dental A-Team events happening this year: all workshop-style, all CE, all virtual (until the world opens up again), and all available to sign up for at www.TheDentalATeam.com/events. Here’s what’s on the docket: March 26: Billing Mastery. How to set up billing, perform spot audits, run insurance verification, and more. May 14-15: Dental A-Team Summit. For the first time ever, we’re hosting a full team-training event. We’re talking team building, effective meetings, building financial freedom, setting goals, and a ton more. July 16: Getting the Yes! Maximized Case Acceptance. Treatment planning, tracking case acceptance, and understanding the psychology about why patients say no.  September 17: Operations Manual Creation. A full day of teaching principles behind creation on operations manual and having you and your full team take action. This event will give you a massive jumpstart on having the perfect ops manual! Stoked for these events? We are too! Email us with questions at [email protected].  Lastly, make sure you use the coupon code ‘podcast’ for an exclusive discount!

Today’s episode is all about how your practice can thrive. Kiera lays out the steps to do just that: Track KPIs (examples of what you can track included!) Set quarterly and annual goals Brainstorm dump and enact the three quick and easy things It’s easy and it goes a looooong way, and all we at the Dental A-Team ask is that you try the ideas out for a month to see what progress is made. Need a little nudge? We can do that too: Email us at [email protected]. 

Happy 2 Year Birthday to Dental A Team Podcast! This VERY podcast you’re listening to is two years old TODAY! To celebrate, we’re reflecting on the journey we’ve been on to get this far, and invite you to do the same! Reflect on your past two years. Who did you want to be and where did you want to go two years ago today? Are you on or off track? As Kiera’s therapist once said: Goals are stars to guide by, not sticks to beat ourselves with. Thank you for staying on this journey with us. Relive our best podcast moments at www.TheDentalATeam.com! And please subscribe and review as a birthday present to us :)  

Office autopsies are always a fan favorite, so we’re back with another! The low-down on this practice: 3 doctors, 5-6 hygienists, 4 front office staff, and a bunch of dental assistants; it’s a solo office that’s contemplating a second location; maxed out on operatories; and awesome associate doctors. So what were the concerns? This office reached out to the Dental A-Team to fix its front desk and develop its leadership team. How did that happen? Well, well, well, you’re just going to have to listen up to understand why! It wasn’t all sunshine and daisies in the journey to a better place, but the DAT worked with this team through it all, and now things are humming along better than it ever has been. Let us say that again: This practice is THE BEST it’s ever been in its history of ownership. Want your own practice to get there? We want to help! Email [email protected] to get started.

The event you’ve been searching for IS ALMOST HERE! That’s right, The Dental A-Team Summit is happening on May 14 and 15! This **virtual** event will absolutely revolutionize your practice’s teamwork and effectiveness; we’re talking team CE and swag boxes and lessons you can implement LIVE in your practice right then and there. Plus, hear from such stellar speakers as Mikel Michalowicz (on financial freedom), Dr. Erin Elliott (on sleep apnea), Paul Goodman (on onboarding an associate), and so many more! The DAT Summit is Kiera’s dream come true, so please attend with your entire team and experience a bond for life. And we’re not done yet! Before March 31, be sure to sign up and get the early bird discount. ALSO enter coupon code ‘podcast’ to get another surprise :) Visit summit.thedentalateam.com/ to sign up.

Dr. Josh Austin is back on the podcast, chatting with Kiera about a continuation of the topic of their last episode: mental health. Dr. Austin shares that since he started therapy, his practice has seen a 16% increase in profitability on average each month. Because he goes to therapy regularly, he feels he’s become a better communicator, more empathetic, more productive, and a better leader. To put it in dental terms: therapy is like hygiene; you’re never done with it. Thus, therapy is hygiene for your mind. Joshua Austin, DDS, FAGD, FACD, is a native San Antonian. After attending San Antonio's Health Careers High School and the University of Texas, San Antonio as an undergrad student, Dr. Austin graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School.  Dr. Austin is a member of the prestigious Seattle Study Club, which is a network of professional dental study groups dedicated to ideal comprehensive dental care. Dr. Austin's other professional memberships include the Academy of General Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Rotary Club of San Antonio. Dr. Austin is a published author and lectures nationally on restorative dentistry and reputation management. He has a monthly column and weekly e-newsletter in Dental Economics, the most read dental magazine in the world. Beginning in 2014, Dr. Austin has been named a Super Dentist in Texas Monthly Magazine.

It’s time to tackle the stuff you’ve been avoiding. Yup. In this episode, Kiera shares her experience with home buying and how it’s related to upkeep in dental practices. To sum it up: What is the deferred maintenance on your practice? Have you taken temperature checks on cancellations, AR, statements, how protocols have changed with COVID-19?  If you’re leaving these tiny items unfixed and unaddressed for too long, they stack up! Let the Dental A-Team help you. Take our quiz here to see how systematized you are. You can also email us at [email protected] to get a copy! Our challenge to you: Fix the deferred maintenance THIS QUARTER! We believe in you, and we’re also here to help. You can always reach us at www.TheDentalATeam.com. 

Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, one of Hollywood’s leading dental experts in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, is on the Dental A-Team podcast! With Kiera, Dr. Kalasho talks about COVID-19’s impacts on the cosmetic dentistry industry, learning not to operate on a margin, and how to put the patient first. And (!!!) she shares how her practice utilizes an actual robot with patients. Exciting times, people!  If you’re interested in gaining a clear vision for your practice and sticking to it, as well as how to create a blueprint for success, you’ll want to listen up to Dr. Kalasho’s insights. Dr. Rhonda Kalasho is a dentist and patients see her for a host of reasons, including teeth bonding, bruxism, sleep apnea, sensitive teeth, and plaque. She is fluent in English as well as Arabic, which makes her culturally attuned to patients from various backgrounds. Dr. Kalasho earned her dental degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She presently runs her own practice located in Los Angeles. As a dental professional, she tries to stay updated on the latest advancements in dentistry to provide suitable treatment options to her patients. Dr. Kalasho recognizes that many patients may not be completely comfortable with visiting a dentist. Hence, she endeavors to make dental visits a low-stress experience with minimal discomfort. Learn more about GLO Modern Dental at glomoderndental.com. 

Did you know that the stories you tell yourself are true? Oh, that patient is too poor to afford treatment or my doctor is a bad leader or I’m egotistical … If you think these things enough, they establish themselves in your mind and then it’s all you see! Kiera is here to fix that, encouraging listeners to change up their thought process. Stop making stumbling blocks where there should be stepping stones. Tell yourself stories that create a positive reality. Let us help you become the best dental team member you can be at www.TheDentalATeam.com! 

One of the many things COVID-19 did was put dental practices back on equal footing — everyone faced the same hurdles to overcome. In this episode, Kiera shares her recent experiences that caused her to switch loyalties from her beloved Southwest Airlines over to Delta (if you know Kiera, you know this is A HUGE DEAL). She talks about why Delta stood out to her, and then relates it to your practice. How is your practice standing out compared to all your competitors in terms of safety and service? The Dental A-Team encourages its family members to not scrimp and leave their patients’ concerns by the wayside. Today is the day to care, and see your practice rise to the top. Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com to discover other ways your practice can stand out!

Kiera is chatting with Amy Ells, regional manager for Finger Lakes Dental Care in New York! The two women just finished two days of meetings with the four Finger Lakes dental offices, and share their debrief in this episode. Topics discussed include… Successful team participation Running meetings on a cadence Inspiring a growth model Cruises vs. cookie cakes :) The underlying point to the huge success of Amy and her practice: traction! Like what you heard? Listen to Amy’s previous DAT episode, #95, Successful Leadership Teams of Multi-practices. Amy joined Finger Lakes Dental Care after completing her degree in communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in marketing from SUNY Fredonia. She has been a part of the Finger Lakes Dental Care team since 2008. Amy is a member of the American Association of Dental Office Managers and has been taking multiple classes over the past few years covering topics from inter-office communications to online marketing. In her spare time, Amy enjoys crafting, traveling, and reading. For more information and episodes, visit www.TheDentalATeam.com. 

Do you often think of your practice’s or company’s core value? We sure hope you do! They’re an important part of setting the culture at your place of work, and guideposts on the roadmap to success. The Dental A-Team is currently reworking its core values to attract better hires. Listen to this episode for a core value exercise to see where you stand with your current values, and then learn if they might need to be re-shifted. Also included are the eight attributes of teams and companies that succeeded over the past year! Check ‘em out: Candor Collaboration Teaming out Accountability Development Energy Relationship Outcomes This rework should be a team effort, so make sure you’re including the gang! If you want to hear more about core values, listen to episode 244, Workshop Wednesday: The Hardest Part.

We’re going to be honest with you: Hiring has been hard as of late. Just like many of the practices we visit, the Dental A-Team has experienced staff turnover. We might be desperate to fill these important positions in our practice, but THIS episode is about how we didn’t let that desperation take the driver’s seat to bring someone new aboard. Today’s new spin on hiring is all about how you write the job description. Hint: Be brutally honest when you fill it out; list exactly what you want out of your dream hire. Not so sure about that approach? Press play to hear how we did it. And! The DAT also has a hiring course to help you on this journey. Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com to sign up, and use code ‘hire7’ to get a sweet discount.  

You know those topics you just love to hear about? This throwback episode re-tackles the 2-2-2 follow-up, which will in turn help increase your case acceptance AND provide better patient care. The first rule: Every patient who leaves your practice should always leave with an appointment. If they don’t, it’s time to implement the 2-2-2 follow-up, meaning you’re reaching out two days after the appointment, two weeks, and two months. Check out the Dental A-Team’s treatment tracker to help you establish this in your practice!

It’s time to take a good look at your practice in the mirror: Are you assuming too much of your patients? Kiera shares an example of this at a Macy’s in Arizona where she was shipped from department to department without any helping hand. Don’t be like this Macy’s! Stop assuming your patients know what a crown is, or a root canal, or insurance verification. Stop sending your patients around in circles because you’re not on the same page as your fellow team members! This episode will encourage you to focus in on perfecting the patient experience in your practice. The good news, 95% of the changes you can make are free! By ensuring your patients are taken care of from start to finish, you’re showing the love and care they want to feel. But wait! There’s more! Are you looking for other ways to make your patients feel like VIPs? Visit www.TheDentalATeam.com to discover the path to perfection.

If you’re a Dental A-Team podcast listener, you KNOW Kiera is all about creating a word for each year. In this episode, she shares her 2021 word, invites listeners to do the same … and then encourages your PRACTICE to come up with a word for the year, too! For example: The DAT’s 2021 word? Maximization!  This topic is a great one for weekly meetings. Gather your team together to brainstorm word ideas that represent what your practice wants to accomplish this year. Then share them with us: [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear your words!

You need to start trusting the process, people! In this episode, Kiera talks through how to take hold of 2021 and reassert yourself professionally and personally. The steps to get there: Make the decision and take action Something holding you back? Dive in with both feet Leave behind the guilt Make the new year a good one by grabbing it by the horns. The Dental A-Team is here to help you along the way. Visit us at www.TheDentalATeam.com to take more action today.

Do you want to perfect your treatment plans? Organize schedule planning? Become the ultimate leader? It’s time to start doing just that. The Dental A-Team is here to inspire you to shift your mindset and start speaking the positive. What you focus on is what you achieve. You create what your professional life is, what your persona life is, and what 2021 will mean for you. Start today by listening to this episode. By the way, have you rated and reviewed us? Please do! You can do so on any place you’re streaming this podcast. We’ll love you forever :)

Let’s give a warm welcome to the returning Dr. Jenny Perna (Yogi Dentist)! Listen in as she and Kiera discuss Dr. Perna’s plans that went awry in 2020 — her attempts to acquire an office and work with moving parts, as well as the many lessons learned. What would Dr. Perna change, looking back? Assemble your transition team early Don’t be afraid to stray from recommendations Include as much in your Letter of Intent as possible Those are only a few of the many tips she provides, but you’ll need to press play to get the rest. More advice includes dealing with banks and what kind of mentor is imperative to have. Listen to our previous episode with Dr. Perna: #261, Associate to Owner, Taking the Leap! Dr. Jenny Perna grew up in Merritt Island, Florida, where she spent her early years performing as a dancer, singer, and actor. While attending the University of Florida for her undergraduate education, she worked as a dental assistant and saw how her two worlds of artistry and science could combine in a career in dentistry. Dr. Perna attended Nova Southeastern University and received her Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 2014. During her time in dental school, she participated in multiple dental missions trips and saw the life-changing impact that dentistry can have on her patients. After finishing dental school, Dr. Perna advanced her dental knowledge by completing her General Practice Residency in Asheville, NC.  Dr. Perna currently practices in Austin, TX. She aims for every patient to feel at ease and comfortable with a complete understanding of their dental needs during their dental visits. She runs a dental instagram blog, @yogi_dentist, where she educates, entertains, and attempts to break the barrier between doctor and patient. When she’s not thinking about teeth, Dr. Perna enjoys being active, yoga, traveling,cooking, and playing with her doberman, Gio.