Patient Referrals Aren't Just Luck
Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury
Release Date: 01/19/2026
Patient Referrals Aren't Just Luck
Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury
Episode Summary Most dental practices don’t actually have a referral problem — they have a system problem. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury break down why referrals don’t happen by chance, how inconsistent service and communication quietly sabotage growth, and what simple systems practices can put in place to earn consistent, high-quality referrals. Through real-world service examples, team accountability strategies, and practical chairside scripts, this conversation shows why referrals are a byproduct of confidence, consistency, and gratitude — not...
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Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury
Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP for dental practices that want fewer missed calls, better patient communication, and stronger scheduling. 👉 📲 Join the conversation! Drop your favorite phone call tip or share a “worst call ever” moment in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—your post could inspire our next episode!
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[Replay] Wasted Time, Open Time, and Maximizing Your Schedule
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Episode Title: Wasted Time, Open Time, and Maximizing Your Schedule Episode Description: Welcome to another exciting episode of Dental Drill Bits! This week, Sandy Pardue is joined by a very special guest—Dana Pardue, the original co-host and HR business professional. Together, they kick off the new season with a deep dive into one of the most critical topics for dental practices: managing open time in your schedule. Discover actionable tips to identify, track, and eliminate wasted time in your practice. Whether you're dealing with broken appointments, patient no-shows, or...
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Annual Planning Power Moves: How to Build a Stronger Practice in 2026
Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury
Episode Summary In this strategic and energizing episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of practice stability and growth, your annual planning session. Together, they walk through the questions, metrics, team conversations, and leadership decisions that set the tone for a productive, organized, and profitable new year. Sandy shares her trusted framework for evaluating practice performance, identifying bottlenecks, and turning missed opportunities into measurable goals. Dana breaks down how to communicate the importance of an annual planning...
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info_outlineEpisode Summary
Most dental practices don’t actually have a referral problem — they have a system problem. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury break down why referrals don’t happen by chance, how inconsistent service and communication quietly sabotage growth, and what simple systems practices can put in place to earn consistent, high-quality referrals.
Through real-world service examples, team accountability strategies, and practical chairside scripts, this conversation shows why referrals are a byproduct of confidence, consistency, and gratitude — not hope.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why referrals are built through systems, not luck
• How phone experiences and follow-up impact word-of-mouth
• When and how team members should confidently ask for referrals
• The most natural moments in the patient journey to introduce referrals
• Why referred patients accept treatment and stay loyal longer
• Referral incentive considerations and state regulations to know
• A realistic referral benchmark every practice should aim for
• How gratitude systems drive repeat referral behavior
• Simple ways to track and celebrate referrals with your team
Key Takeaways
• Referred patients are more loyal and more likely to accept treatment
• Team confidence directly influences referral outcomes
• If team members aren’t referring their own friends and family, that’s a red flag
• Asking for referrals is not pushy when it’s genuine and well-timed
• Gratitude and follow-up multiply referral behavior
• Internal marketing delivers some of the highest ROI in a practice
Thank You to Our Show Sponsors
Identity Dental Marketing
Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert.
👉 www.IdentityDental.com
Plan Forward
The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly.
👉 www.PlanForward.io