Dental Drills Bits

Sandy Pardue & Dana Salisbury

Sandy Pardue of Classic Practice Resources & Dana Salisbury discuss issues facing the dental practice owner of today. This is the podcast where you will want a pen and paper to take notes on every single procedure, system, step by step process, and lessons Sandy shares that she has accumulated in 40 years. Enjoy the fun, laid-back vibe as things get real. Sandy is an energetic lecturer and consultant in the area of dental practice management. She is Director of Consulting with Classic Practice Resources and has over 40 years of “hands-on” experience.

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Top 10 Dental Drills Bits Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Dental Drills Bits episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Dental Drills Bits for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Dental Drills Bits episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Front Desk Chaos to Clarity

Dental Drills Bits

02/17/25 • 21 min

Front Desk Chaos to Clarity Episode Description:

In this episode of The Dental Drill Bits Podcast, Sandy and Dana tackle one of the biggest front desk challenges in dental practices—how to maintain consistency and organization when multiple team members rotate through the same position. 🔄

One doctor from the Dental Drill Bits Facebook group asked: How do I streamline communication and documentation when different front desk employees work on different days? Sandy and Dana break it all down, sharing real-world strategies to bring clarity and structure to the front office.

They discuss the importance of detailed checklists, clear procedures, and training that eliminates confusion, ensures predictability, and keeps both doctors and teams stress-free. Plus, they dive into the hidden risks of poor communication—and how to fix them fast.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Why inconsistency in front desk processes causes frustration for both doctors and employees 😫 ✔️ How standard operating procedures (SOPs) create predictable and stress-free workflows 📋 ✔️ The must-have checklists that keep your front office running smoothly every day ✅ ✔️ How to prevent micromanagement while still ensuring accountability 🔄 ✔️ Why role clarity reduces conflict and improves team morale 🙌 ✔️ A step-by-step action plan to start organizing your front office today 🏁

Sandy also shares how Front Desk Pro attendees are already using these strategies to create smoother, more productive front desks!

🎟 SPECIAL OFFER:

Want to master front desk efficiency? Don’t miss Front Desk Pro! 📍 Burbank, CA – March 28, 2025 📍 Philadelphia, PA – May 9, 2025

Use promo code "Secret Sauce" for $100 off your registration! 👉 Register now at ClassicPractice.com

Sponsors:

✅ Plan Forward – The dental membership plan partner that helps your office thrive. Mention Dental Drill Bits for an exclusive offer! Learn more here.

Take Action Today:

Don’t let front desk chaos slow you down! Take Sandy’s challenge: ➡️ Sit down with your front office team and list everything that needs to happen daily ➡️ Create a simple checklist to ensure consistency ➡️ Store your SOPs in a digital folder or binder for easy training and accountability

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Trained to Thrive: Why This Boosts Your Profitability 11%+ Year Over Year

Dental Drills Bits

06/26/24 • 20 min

How transformative can employee training be for your practice? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy delve into the critical role of structured training programs and their immense benefits on profitability, employee satisfaction, and patient care. Sandy illuminates the stark contrast between trained and untrained employees, revealing how targeted investments in specialized programs can significantly enhance your practice’s performance and efficiency.

The duo also shares a wealth of practical advice on implementing effective training within your office, covering everything from verbal skills and role-playing exercises to comprehensive onboarding protocols. Sandy makes a compelling case for the necessity of consistent training, emphasizing how it leads to predictable outcomes, boosts employee retention, and propels overall practice success. They remind practice owners that despite budget challenges, investing in training is pivotal and suggest starting with free resources like podcasts to begin the journey toward excellence.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How structured training programs boost profitability and employee satisfaction.
The significant differences between trained and untrained employees.
Practical steps for effective employee training within a dental office.
The long-term benefits of consistent training and its impact on practice success.
How to utilize free resources like podcasts for initial training investments.

Ready to elevate your dental practice through strategic training? Don’t miss out on this episode of Dental Drill Bits!

Sponsors:

Elevate Patient Care with Automation: Are you looking for dental software that puts your patients first? From online scheduling to online forms, patient communication, and office coordination – Yapi simplifies every step of the patient experience. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://yapiapp.com/ Mentions and Links: Events: Front Desk Pro - Friday, August 23rd - Boston, MA - Use Promo Code: Secret Sauce Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Products: CEREC

Why Dental Membership Plans Are NOT Only for Low-Income Patients

Dental Drills Bits

06/05/24 • 34 min

Dental membership plans are only for low-income patients, right? Join Michael and Sandy in this episode of Dental Drill Bits as they sit down with Megan Lohman to debunk common myths surrounding dental membership plans. Megan dives into the core advantages of Plan Forward, a tool designed to streamline the creation and management of dental membership plans. She reveals how these plans are not just exclusive to low-income regions but can be effectively tailored to a wide range of demographics, including affluent areas and retirees without dental insurance. Megan busts myths and shares eye-opening statistics about the significant portion of Americans lacking dental insurance, shedding light on how transparent pricing through membership plans can promote better dental care. Addressing concerns about potential revenue reduction, Megan explains how offering discounts can actually lead to increased patient visits and higher treatment acceptance rates, ultimately boosting overall revenue. She provides actionable strategies to add substantial value to your membership plans, such as including emergency visits and fluoride treatments, and emphasizes the role of Plan Forward in enhancing efficiency. By the end of the episode, you'll understand why simplifying and tracking membership plans is crucial for your practice's success. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why dental membership plans are not just for low-income patients
How to tailor membership plans for various demographics
The significant number of Americans without dental insurance
Strategies for making dental pricing transparent and manageable
Debunking concerns about reduced revenue from membership plans
How offering discounts can boost patient visits and treatment acceptance
Value-added elements to include in membership plans
Strategies for tracking performance and gaining team support

Don’t miss out on this game-changing conversation! Tune in now to uncover the full potential of dental membership plans for your practice.

Sponsors:

Don’t just look ahead. Plan Forward. Discover the dental membership plan partner that empowers your entire office. Created by a team in your shoes. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://www.planforward.io/

Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group

Are You Asking the Right Questions While Interviewing?

Dental Drills Bits

05/29/24 • 34 min

Can you really find the perfect fit for your practice through better interviewing techniques? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy uncover effective hiring strategies that can transform how you build your team. They explore the essentials of preparation, from the types of questions that reveal a candidate’s true nature to the value of incorporating personality and intelligence tests. You'll learn how to uncover what candidates expect in terms of salary and work environment, and why having a comprehensive policy manual and organized systems are non-negotiable for running a smooth operation. But it’s not just about the mechanics of interviewing. This episode also sheds light on the softer side of hiring—like creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that retains top talent and the benefit of involving your team in hiring decisions. With practical advice tailored for dental practices, Michael and Sandy offer a masterclass in aligning your hiring practices with your practice’s culture and long-term goals. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Key strategies for effective interview preparation.
The types of interview questions that uncover a candidate's true nature.
Importance of personality and intelligence tests in the hiring process.
How to identify candidates' expectations about salary and work environment.
The role of a policy manual and organized systems in hiring.
Questions to ask (and avoid) to assess candidate fit.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment to retain staff.
Integrating team opinions in the hiring process.
Practical advice for improving your dental practice’s hiring process.

Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights—tune in to the full episode now!

Sponsors: Do you need a new website or marketing agency? Check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

Mentions and Links:

Communities/Groups:

Dental Gumbo Group

Events:

Boston 2024 Front Desk Pro Seminar

Tools/Resources:

Wonderlic Personality Test

Top Innovations in Dental Software? A Deep Dive into Powerful Yapi Tools

Dental Drills Bits

05/22/24 • 29 min

How can cutting-edge technology streamline the entire patient journey in your practice? In this episode, Michael and Sandy sit down with Dr. Gina Dorfman, the visionary founder of Yapi, to explore how this comprehensive dental software solution is transforming the industry. Dr. Dorfman passionately discusses the latest Yapi updates, such as a sleek new interface, enhanced appointment reminders, and innovative tools like insurance verification, credit card processing by text, and two-way patient texting. Each feature is designed to streamline practice management, improve patient care, and boost the efficiency of your front office. But that's not all—Dr. Dorfman shares her broader contributions to the dental community, including her active involvement in the Dental Gumbo Facebook group and a special offer for our listeners. Whether you're a dental professional eager to modernize your practice or someone intrigued by the latest advancements in healthcare technology, this episode is a goldmine. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

What new features are included in the latest Yapi update and how they benefit dental practices
How Yapi’s enhanced appointment reminders and internal communication tools work
The advantages of Yapi’s insurance verification and text-based credit card processing
How the two-way texting feature with patients can improve patient engagement

Ready to transform your dental practice with the latest technology? Listen in to discover how Yapi can elevate your practice to new heights!

Sponsors:

Elevate Patient Care with Automation: Are you looking for dental software that puts your patients first? From online scheduling to online forms, patient communication, and office coordination – Yapi simplifies every step of the patient experience. Find out more here, and be sure to mention Dental Drill Bits for a special offer! https://yapiapp.com/ Mentions and Links: Community/Groups: Dental Gumbo Group Dentaltown Terms: SAAS Insurance Companies: TDIC (The Dentists Insurance Company) Practice Management Software: Dentrix Open Dental Eaglesoft Products/Brands: Invisalign Starbucks Amazon

Juggling Patients: Balancing In-Person and Phone Interactions in Your Practice

Dental Drills Bits

04/08/23 • 21 min

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency, check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

In this episode, Sandy and Michael discuss the age-old question: "What comes first, the patient in front of you or the one on the phone?" They share insights on how to handle both effectively, with a focus on friendly and upbeat patient communication.

Gone are the days when callers took precedence simply because they couldn't see what was happening in the practice. In today's world, whoever grabs your attention first should be prioritized. Sandy and Michael share strategies for managing phone calls while checking out a patient, using specific verbiage that shows respect for both their time and emphasizes clear communication.

Don't miss this insightful episode on managing in-person and phone interactions in your dental practice!

Successful Patient Interactions Are The Key to a Happy Practice

Dental Drills Bits

03/29/23 • 24 min

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency, check out what Docsites can do for you: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

Did you know that up to 93% of communication is done non-verbally?

Well, it’s true, and it might be the key to handling tough patients in your practice...

Successful Patient Interactions will make or break your practice when trying to stand out from the crowd. To have these interactions, we need an upbeat, positive, and attentive team. If your team is really listening to the questions and concerns of patients, they will feel right at home.

It’s easy to write off an angry patient as rude, bad, or not worth your time, but you may find listening to what they have to say surprisingly beneficial! There is no excuse for treating your team poorly, but these “angry” patients have a legitimate reason to be angry more often than not.

Dive into this week’s conversation on successful patient interactions and how to create them!

The Importance of Acknowledging Team Members

Dental Drills Bits

03/21/23 • 24 min

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency, check out what Docsites can do for you:: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

It was "dental assistant" appreciation week not that long ago...did you feel like you HAD to do something instead of wanting to do something for your dental assistant?

You never really know what goes on in the private life of team members. Sometimes a little acknowledgement goes a long way.

Sandy shows us how to properly do this and gives us a system to make sure our team members feel appreciated weekly!

We also share what team members expect from their leaders/ managers/ practice owners.

Is Your Front Office Decreasing Your New Patient Flow?

Dental Drills Bits

03/09/23 • 35 min

Sponsors:

Do you need a new website or marketing agency, check out what Docsites can do for you:: https://www.docsites.com/landing-pages/ddb/

Does your front office understand your marketing? If they don’t then they are probably decreasing the amount of new patients you could and should be seeing!

Did you also know that your website and marketing campaigns, such as Google Ads, can decrease your case acceptance percentage?

In this episode we dive deep with Sandy and Ali from Docsites discuss how to increase case acceptance, new patient numbers and what could be hindering your marketing and how to fix it, and how to strengthen your front office through marketing.

Productivity Killers in Dentistry Unveiled | Part 1

Dental Drills Bits

10/16/24 • 35 min

Imagine transforming the daily chaos in your practice into a streamlined and efficient operation. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Michael and Sandy tackle some of the most disruptive productivity killers facing dental practices today—late patients, broken appointments, no-shows, and cancellations. Sandy brings her expert perspective by emphasizing the necessity of a dedicated scheduler who can artfully manage appointments to minimize chaos and boost productivity. They delve into actionable strategies, such as enhancing patient education, solidifying financial arrangements, and enhancing verbal skills, all designed to ensure patients respect and honor their scheduled times.

As they unravel the complexities behind missed appointments, Sandy challenges common misconceptions, like the idea of penalizing patients, by shifting the focus towards proactive solutions and realistic production goals. Michael and Sandy create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, inviting you to reflect on your current practices and consider new approaches.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: