AI is showing up everywhere in dentistry, but how far should you go with it in HR—and where does it create risk? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Alan Twigg, HR professional and leader at Bent Ericksen, to unpack practical, low-risk ways to use AI in a private dental practice, where it can backfire,…
Turnover is expensive, disruptive, and often blamed on “the staffing market”—but what if the real issue is your internal culture and leadership systems? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with coach Heather Crockett to explain why turnover isn’t a staffing problem—it’s a culture problem—and to walk you through the practical framework that attracts the…
Are you producing at a high level but still feeling tight on cash? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Carlie Einarson, ACT Dental coach, to explain why strong production doesn’t automatically mean strong cash flow. You’ll learn the two metrics that reveal what’s really happening—collections percentage and AR days—plus the practical steps to tighten…
Building an amazing dental team is hard when everyone is “busy” but daily friction, miscommunication, and inconsistent expectations keep getting in the way. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with coach Jenni Poulos to explain how written team agreements create alignment, reduce conflict, and make accountability easier. You’ll learn why individual, unwritten expectations create…
AI is moving fast, but most dentists still don’t know what to use, what to ignore, or how to avoid wasting time on tools that don’t help the practice. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Travis Wentworth, an AI and cybersecurity expert (with a doctorate in chemical engineering and a background in data…
When patients don’t say yes to treatment, it’s easy to assume the problem is fees, timing, or motivation—but the first place to look is your data. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with ACT coach Carlie Einarson to break down two key performance indicators that reveal where case acceptance is actually breaking down: diagnostic…
Dentistry is full of big-ticket purchases, but many clinicians overlook the most expensive and valuable “equipment” they own: their body. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Dr. Uche Odiatu to reframe the equipment conversation around physical health, and to lay out practical, sustainable habits that protect performance over a long career. You’ll learn…
Hiring in dentistry is harder than ever, especially when you hire for skill and end up firing for attitude. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with coach Heather Crockett about how to hire for culture fit using a structured system, including four essential types of interview questions that reveal credentials, technical ability, experience, and behaviors…
Metrics don’t create pressure—unclear expectations do. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Robyn Theisen, coach at ACT Dental, about how role-specific KPIs reduce stress by creating clarity, ownership, and accountability. You’ll learn why teams feel pressured when success isn’t defined, how to use metrics as a “scoreboard” for standard of care and performance, and…
Most practices spend thousands each month on supplies but still don’t have a documented ordering system—so spending becomes reactive, inconsistent, and hard to control. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with co-host Miranda Beeson, Director of Education at ACT Dental, about what a GPO (group purchasing organization) is, where it fits in your ordering system,…