Special Episode: The Dental Billing Lie Everyone Believes
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
Release Date: 10/21/2025
EP 165 The Side of Dental Practice Management No One Talks About!
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Most dental practices don’t struggle because of dentistry but because of what happens behind the scenes. Practice management is rarely taught even though it controls profitability, team morale, and long-term growth. My friend Olivia Smith shares insight and stories of her clients’ misses and wins. The realities of running a successful dental practice include understanding KPIs (without drowning in numbers) to leading teams with clarity and accountability (without losing your mind!). We touched on so many...
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EP 164 How To Protect Your Dental License
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Did you know that throwing away a simple "education letter" from an insurance company could be the first step toward an audit seven years later? Or that hiring a team member without checking the exclusion list could label your practice "radioactive" and cut you off from federal funding? Many dental practice owners don't realize that common habits, like billing under a selling doctor's name during a transition are actually considered False Claims fraud. In this episode, I sit down with dental-specific attorney Justin Withrow to reveal...
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EP 163 Leadership Advice For New Managers
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Leading employees can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step and morale, productivity, or trust can explode. But great leaders are not born with the ability to navigate tough personalities. They learn the strategies, communication skills, and mindset shifts that turn conflict into constructive growth. My friends Ashley Bond and Lorie Streeter joined me to talk about leadership challenges new managers face every day. We tackled it all: resistant employees, navigating office politics, and owners who may not always...
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EP 162 #1 Cost Optimization Expert: Use My Tips to Cut Dental Costs by 28%
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Your practice might look efficient, but what if unnoticed expenses are quietly draining thousands from your bottom line each year? My friend Adam Smith talked with me about the hidden costs that most dental offices overlook and how small changes can make a big difference. Everyday expenses like merchant fees, internet contracts, and bundled tech services can quietly add up. Negotiating and reviewing your fees can bring real savings without cutting team members or quality. We dig into what indirect costs really mean, why checking...
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EP 161 The Real World of Dentistry No One Prepares You For
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Dental school prepares you to save teeth but not for the life that comes with it. The truth is, most dentists are blindsided by what happens once the drills are down: confusing insurance contracts, shrinking reimbursements, rising debt, and the daily challenges of managing people. In this conversation with my friend Dr. Amrita Patel, we unpacked the realities of practice ownership and associate life. Did you know that you'll need to know how to prevent accounts receivable nightmares? Or how to lead a team without burning out? Oh...
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Special Episode: The Dental Billing Lie Everyone Believes
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: In this special takeover episode, Ashley Bond shares why dental billing isn’t a solo job, it's a team sport. When hygienists, assistants, and front office staff work in sync, claims get paid on the first try. Clinical notes play a critical role here; detailed SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) ensure accuracy and prevent denials. Ashley shares how poor documentation and missing details like forgetting how old a crown is can cost practices thousands. She explains why “stock narratives” no longer cut it and how...
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EP 160 True Crime: California Dentist "Reign of Terror"
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
Dr. Bicuspid Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry joins me to discuss some crazy current events! A California dentist has been sentenced to 75 years to life in state prison after what prosecutors called a “reign of terror.” The man’s crimes included multiple sexual assaults against five female patients and an extern, with victims ranging in age from 19 to 73. Prosecutors said he treated the women “as his playthings,” committing the assaults while they were under anesthesia and alone in his office. What broke the case open was the courage of a dental assistant, who secretly filmed one of the...
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EP 159 My Takeaways From The NADP Meeting
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
Every year, I attend Converge, the annual conference of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). It’s where I explore the latest issues and challenges faced by carriers and providers. I’ve watched the evolving partnerships between carriers and DSOs and observed the increase in network leasing concerns, I wanted to share my observations with you. I listened to compliance updates, discussed the expanding role of Medicare Advantage, and other issues shaping the future of dental coverage. What am I sharing? My thoughts on the amount of audits and fraud in our industry. Are you at risk?...
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EP 158 Lessons Patients Taught Me The Hard Way
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Lessons Patients Taught Me The Hard Way Some of the most powerful lessons in dentistry don’t come from textbooks or training, but from real-life patient encounters that test your patience, humility, and adaptability. In this episode, I reflect on situations where patients pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. You’ll hear how these interactions shaped my approach to communication, accountability, and practice management. More importantly, you’ll discover why it’s okay...
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EP 157 The One Mistake That Could Wipe Out Your Dental Practice Overnight
Nobody Told Me That! A Dental Podcast with Teresa Duncan
More management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: Did you know a single ransomware attack can cost a dental office six figures or shut it down entirely? A small dental practice is an ideal target for a cyberattack easy to overlook, often underprotected, and rich with valuable patient data. Teresa Pichay (returning guest!) and Katie Fox from the California Dental Association joined me for a scary session. They shared how hackers use phishing emails, malware, and AI-powered scams to break into dental systems, steal information, and demand high ransoms. Many in dentistry assume...
info_outlineMore management and insurance knowledge in my newsletter: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/newsletter
In this special takeover episode, Ashley Bond shares why dental billing isn’t a solo job, it's a team sport. When hygienists, assistants, and front office staff work in sync, claims get paid on the first try. Clinical notes play a critical role here; detailed SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) ensure accuracy and prevent denials.
Ashley shares how poor documentation and missing details like forgetting how old a crown is can cost practices thousands. She explains why “stock narratives” no longer cut it and how patient-specific notes support both revenue and liability protection.
Using clinical note templates built around procedure codes, real-time communication, and tracking denials can dramatically reduce resubmissions. Ashley emphasizes that the administrative load on dental teams is heavier than ever and why outsourcing billing to specialists can free up time, restore patient trust, and prevent burnout.
Outsourcing isn’t just delegation, it's collaboration. With structured documentation, clear systems, and a trusted billing partner, every part of the practice works smarter, not harder.
Get your free Clinical Notes Blueprint and simplify how your team documents every procedure.
https://www.withwisdom.com/teresa
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I created Dental Revenue Network to foster collaboration and networking amongst RCM professionals. Billing company owners and billing professionals will have access to skill building sessions, current carrier news and insurance discussions beyond “what's the code?" Check it out - I hope you'll join! https://dentalrevenuenetwork.mn.co/
My insurance course Dental Insurance Design and Management is geared toward those who want to understand the how and why of insurance. As a loyal podcast listener, please use "NTMT" for a $75 courtesy toward your investment.
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Visit odysseymgmt.com to check out my book, webinars and courses.
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Don’t forget to check out my other podcast Chew on This - A Dental Podcast!
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