Next Level Practice

Overworked. Overwhelmed. And still not where you want to be? If you're a dental practice owner grinding 60+ hours a week, juggling patient care, team issues, and business chaos — this podcast is for you. Next Level Practice is the show where we don’t just talk about the business side of dentistry — we fix it. Hosted by Kelly Dahmer, CEO of Next Level Practice, each episode gives you battle-tested frameworks to stop doing it all and start building a dental business that thrives without you being in every room, every moment, every decision. You’ll learn how to: • Step into your dentist-CEO mindset • Build a high-performance team that actually takes ownership • Create systems that make your practice run without your constant oversight • Eliminate burnout while increasing profitability • Delegate, automate, and lead like the top 1% of practice owners Real strategies. Real case studies. No fluff. Visit nextlevelpractice.com for more information on scaling your practice.

What’s Really Hiding in Every Dentist’s Storage Closet? 01/07/2026

What’s Really Hiding in Every Dentist’s Storage Closet? 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: Every dental practice has one. A storage closet filled with outdated equipment, broken chairs, old monitors, random cables, and “we might need this someday” boxes. But here’s the truth most practice owners never consider: That closet isn’t just wasted space — it’s a hidden revenue leak. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down how unused square footage quietly costs practices hundreds of thousands of dollars every year — and how a simple mindset shift can turn forgotten space into a powerful profit center. This conversation isn’t about remodeling or expansion. It’s about seeing your practice differently — through the lens of intention, workflow, and purpose-built profitability. You’ll learn how clearing clutter unlocks more than space, why treatment conversations belong outside the operatory, and how one small room can dramatically increase case acceptance without adding stress, hours, or production pressure. 👉 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The real (often invisible) cost of wasted space in your practice ✅ How clutter blocks growth — mentally, operationally, and financially ✅ Why every inch of your office is either making or costing you money ✅ How to convert a storage closet into a treatment coordination room ✅ Why patients say “yes” more often in calm, private decision spaces ✅ How practices boost case acceptance by 15–30% with one small change ✅ A real case study: how one converted closet added $400K in revenue ✅ The mindset shift that turns space into strategy — and profit 📍 Chapters 00:00 Unlocking Hidden Revenue in Your Practice 01:12 The Real Cost of Wasted Space 01:36 Transforming Clutter into Profit 02:11 Creating a Patient-Centered Decision Room 02:45 Training Your Team for Success 03:38 The Impact of a Dedicated Treatment Space 04:03 Success Story: Dr. N’s Closet Conversion 05:03 Recap and Next Steps 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: https://nextlevelpractice.outgrow.us/website-potential 🌐 Website: /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/39637630

New Year, Same Results: Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fall Apart in Q1 12/09/2025

New Year, Same Results: Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fall Apart in Q1 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: Every January, dental practices jump into goal-setting mode—production targets, new patient goals, efficiency goals, you name it. But here's the truth most practices don’t realize: Goals don’t create results. Systems do. Setting ambitious targets without building the structure to support them leads to the same pattern every year: initial excitement, mid-year stall, end-of-year disappointment. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down why most dental practices unintentionally sabotage their goals—and how to turn New Year intentions into consistent, measurable progress. You’ll hear why traditional goal setting falls apart in the real world of dentistry, how to avoid the goals-versus-activity trap, and how one practice generated an extra $200,000 simply by shifting how they set and execute goals. 👉 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why traditional New Year goal-setting rarely works in dental practices ✅ The hidden psychology behind goals that never get met ✅ How to transform vague yearly intentions into daily, actionable steps ✅ Why activity goals outperform outcome goals—and how to use both effectively ✅ A simple 3-step framework that turns goals into scalable systems ✅ A real case study: how Dr. D created a $200K turnaround without adding hours or stress ✅ How to motivate your team so they actually want to pursue the goals with you 📍 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Annual Goal-Setting Frenzy 00:22 Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails in Dentistry 01:02 Transforming Goals into Action 01:33 Understanding the Goal Setting Trap 02:43 Activity vs. Outcome Goals 03:28 Three-Step Framework for Effective Goals 05:12 Case Study: Dr. D's $200,000 Turnaround 06:57 Leadership and Team Motivation 07:28 Recap and Final Thoughts 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: 🌐Website: /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/39332270

How Starbucks Built the Perfect Dental Practice (Without Knowing It) 11/18/2025

How Starbucks Built the Perfect Dental Practice (Without Knowing It) 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: What does a cup of coffee have to do with running a world-class dental practice? More than you think. Starbucks didn’t become a global empire because of frothy lattes—they became one because they mastered culture: consistency, personalization, belonging, and a team empowered to create unforgettable experiences. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer reveals how dentists can borrow these exact principles to create a practice patients rave about—and a workplace your team never wants to leave. 👉 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why Starbucks became a loyalty machine—and what dental practice owners can learn from it ✅ How to create consistent patient experiences (so every visit feels seamless) ✅ The secret power of personalization—and how it skyrockets referrals ✅ How to build your practice into a “third place” patients actually enjoy ✅ What empowered teams can accomplish when they stop relying solely on the doctor ✅ Why culture—not marketing—is the true engine of patient loyalty ✅ A real-life case study showing how culture alone eliminated hiring ads and boosted team morale 📍 Chapters 00:00 A Latte to Learn: Why Coffee Belongs in Dentistry 00:43 Inside the Starbucks Machine: What They Really Sell 01:22 Consistency is King: The “Every Latte, Every Time”Lesson 02:46 Beyond the Cup: Personalization That Builds Loyalty 03:20 Becoming the Third Place: Designing a Practice Patients Love 04:20 Empowered Like a Barista: Letting Your Team Lead the Experience 04:51 Culture Over Coffee: The Real Product You’re Selling 05:21 From Chaos to Culture: A Doctor E. Success Story 06:27 Your Next Sip: Steps to Build a Starbucks-Level Practice 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: 🌐 Website: /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/39068595

Why “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Is Always the Wrong Answer 10/31/2025

Why “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Is Always the Wrong Answer 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: You might think sticking with the familiar keeps your dental practice running smoothly—but in reality, “We’ve always done it this way” is the fastest way to stall growth, frustrate your team, and stay stuck in outdated systems. When processes drag, automation gets ignored, and your team clings to old habits, efficiency tanks—and your patient experience does too. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer breaks down why “the old way” doesn’t get it done anymore—and how to lead your practice into smarter, faster, more modern systems without sparking a team revolt. 👉What You'll Learn: ✅ Why “We’ve always done it this way” is silently draining your time and profits ✅ The psychology behind resistance to change—especially in dental teams ✅ How to introduce new systems without overwhelming your staff ✅ What to do when old processes create bottlenecks, errors, and burnout ✅ Real-world examples of practices that upgraded their systems and transformed their workflows ✅ The mindset shift every doctor must make to become a change-ready leader 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Why the Old Way Doesn’t Work Anymore 00:48 Why Teams Resist Change (and What They’re Really Afraid Of) 01:51 The Hidden Cost of Outdated Systems 03:03 How to Roll Out New Processes Without Pushback 05:17 Real Practice Stories: Breaking the Old-System Cycle 06:48 Conclusion: Leading a Modern Dental Practice 💙 Love this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly conversations that help you master the business + human side of dentistry: /@nextlevelpracticedentistry 📌 Links & Resources: 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: 👉 Take the Revenue Potential Quiz: 🌐 Website: 👉Watch The Episode on YouTube: /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/38870715

Dental Cancellations Are Contagious: How one bad habit can infect your whole practice 10/17/2025

The Cool Boss Trap — Why Trying to Be Liked Can Cost You Your Dental Practice 10/01/2025

The Millionaire Myth: What Your Team Really Thinks About Your Paycheck 09/16/2025

Your Morning Huddle: The 10 Most Valuable Minutes in Dentistry 09/01/2025

Your Morning Huddle: The 10 Most Valuable Minutes in Dentistry You think your morning huddle is “just another meeting”—but the real issue? Skipping it is costing you production, morale, and leadership every single day. 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Learn how to transform your morning huddle into the heartbeat of your practice—one that boosts culture, accountability, and same-day treatment acceptance. In this episode of The NextLevel Practice Podcast, Kelly Dahmer shares why the morning huddle is the most underutilized leadership tool in dentistry—and exactly how to run it so your team shows up aligned, energized, and ready to win. From boosting case acceptance to igniting team ownership, this 10-minute reset is the simplest way to drive big results. ✅ Why skipping your huddle is costing you more than you think ✅ The 5-minute leadership reset that re-aligns your whole team✅ What to say (and what not to say) to make huddles powerful, not painful ✅ How one practice raised same-day treatment acceptance from 30% to 57%—just by fixing their huddles ✅ The key elements of a “Gary Kadi style” huddle that build culture and profit 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Pop Quiz 00:14 The Importance of the Morning Huddle 00:33 Podcast Introduction and Episode Overview 01:10 Why Skipping the Huddle Costs You 01:29 Key Elements of a Great Huddle 02:14 Common Huddle Mistakes and Solutions 03:17 Gary Katy's Huddle Blueprint 04:12 Real-Life Success Story 04:55 Conclusion and Call to Action 💙 Love this episode? Hit subscribe now for weekly conversations that help you master both the business and the human side of dentistry 📌 Links & Resources 👉 Book a free strategy call with Kelly: https://hubs.ly/Q03vy4k10 Website: https://nextlevelpractice.com/ #dentalleadership #MorningHuddle #practicegrowth #dentistrypodcast #caseacceptance #dentalteamculture /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/38024575

Why Dental Patient Communication is an Art—Not a Script 08/15/2025

Your Dental Practice Is Packed—Why Is Your Value So Low? 07/31/2025

Practice Value 101: The 3 Drivers Behind What Your Practice Is Worth 07/15/2025

Why Most Dental Practices Fail New Hires in 90 Days—And How to Fix It 07/01/2025

Hiring Isn’t Luck — It’s Leadership. Build Your Dental Dream Team with Strategy, Not Stress 06/17/2025

Is Your Dental Practice Quietly Falling Apart? Here’s Why 06/03/2025

How to Drop PPOs Without Losing Patients or Profit 05/20/2025

The Hidden Cost of New Patients: Is Your Practice Stuck on the Treadmill? 05/13/2025

Why Patients Don’t Accept Dental Treatment (And What To Do About It) 05/06/2025

Turn Every Dental Salary Into a Profit Machine (Without Micromanaging) 04/29/2025

Turn Every Dental Salary Into a Profit Machine (Without Micromanaging) Are you treating your team's salaries like an expense — or like the investment they truly are? In this episode of the Next Level Practice Podcast, CEO Kelly Dahmer shares why every salary in your dental practice needs a scorecard — and how shifting your mindset can transform your payroll from a cash drain into a profit-producing machine. If you've ever wondered why you're writing payroll checks without seeing results — or felt resentment every time you hit "submit" on payday — this episode is for you. 💥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why salaries aren't your real problem — unclear expectations are How to turn every role into a mini business that drives your practice's success A simple structure for tracking team performance without micromanaging How to calculate the ROI (Return on Investment) for each role in your dental office Why every team member needs written KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) tied directly to your practice goals How to reframe salaries as an investment in growth, not just a line item on your P&L How better role clarity leads to higher accountability, ownership, and team leadership Kelly also walks you through a real-life case study of "Dr. B" — a practice owner paying 51% of revenue toward salaries without a clear return — and how simple operational changes reignited her team's accountability, boosted production, and got her payroll working for her instead of draining her profits. Get Your Free Copy of Million Dollar Dentistry Want to know exactly where your practice is leaking time and resources? 📘 Download our book Million Dollar Dentistry FREE: It’s packed with systems and frameworks to boost production, improve efficiency, and reclaim your time. 🔗 Want a free strategy session to assess your practice’s team ROI? Book a time with us today: 👉 Subscribe to the Next Level Practice Podcast for weekly leadership, operations, and business growth strategies tailored for dental practices. /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/36339225

You Don’t Need More Patients—You Need THIS Hygiene System 04/22/2025

You Don’t Need More Patients—You Need THIS Hygiene System What if the key to transforming your dental practice’s profitability isn’t more new patients—but optimizing the team you already have? In this game-changing episode of the Next Level Practice Podcast, host and dental business strategist Kelly Dahmer reveals why most practices are overlooking their most powerful revenue generator: the hygiene department. While many dentists think hygiene is just “maintenance” or a break-even part of the schedule, the truth is it should be the engine that drives production, case acceptance, and long-term patient retention. If your hygiene department isn’t contributing at least 30% of your annual production, you’re leaving money—and patient outcomes—on the table. In This Episode You’ll Learn: ✅ Why hygiene is the most under-leveraged department in your dental office ✅ The 3 major shifts to turn hygiene into a case acceptance machine ✅ How to move from “cleanings” to co-diagnosis and patient advocacy ✅ What a Healthy Mouth Baseline is and how to implement one ✅ The truth about unscheduled active patients—and how to reactivate them fast ✅ Why new patient marketing isn’t always the answer to growth ✅ How Dr. H doubled hygiene production in 4 months with simple systems ✅ Why hygiene reactivation is your fastest ROI—without spending more on ads Action Steps for Practice Owners: Install a Healthy Mouth Baseline – Create a standard of care across your practice that your team can use for co-diagnosis and education. Train Your Hygienists as Co-Diagnosticians – Give your team scripts, tools, and confidence to advocate for treatment. Reactivate Unscheduled Patients – Build a system that re-engages overdue patients without more marketing spend. 🎁 Free Resource: Want Kelly’s Healthy Mouth Baseline Template? Curious about how your hygiene department stacks up? with Kelly’s team to assess your numbers and build a plan for growth. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly dental practice growth strategies 📤 Share this with your office manager or hygiene team! /episode/index/show/62202cbe-669f-4e4a-832a-38e20a22d071/id/36252220

Your Dental Team Should Run Without You—Here’s How to Make It Happen 04/15/2025

From ‘Maybe’ to ‘Yes’: Mastering Case Acceptance Without Selling 04/08/2025

Doing It All Is Killing Your Practice: How Smart Dentists Scale with Less Stress 04/01/2025

Profit-First Dentistry: Escaping the Production Hamster Wheel 04/01/2025

Next Level Practice

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