Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury

Sandy Pardue of Classic Practice Resources & Michael Arias of The Dental Marketer discuss issues facing the dental practice owner of today. This podcast show features the movers and shakers of the dental industry as well as opinion leaders. 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 36 years of “hands-on” experience.

[REPLAY] Job Descriptions Might Be Costing You Great Hires 12/22/2025

[REPLAY] Marketing Your Practice to Top Talent 12/16/2025

[REPLAY] Marketing Can't Save You From a Bad Phone Call 12/08/2025

[Replay] Wasted Time, Open Time, and Maximizing Your Schedule 12/03/2025

[Replay] Wasted Time, Open Time, and Maximizing Your Schedule 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 underutilized slots, this episode equips you with practical strategies to improve productivity, enhance patient care, and boost your bottom line. Plus, hear Dana’s unique perspective on the patient experience and why over-communicating about appointment changes can backfire. Stay tuned until the end for a game-changing resource that could revolutionize how you handle in-house membership plans! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Dana Salisbury's journey back to Dental Drill Bits and her insights on training and development for dental practices. The real cost of open time and why tracking it is crucial. How to calculate daily, hourly, and per-unit production goals. Strategies to reduce cancellations, no-shows, and last-minute reschedules. The importance of maintaining a reliable call list and leveraging patient interactions. Patient perspective: Why excessive appointment changes can harm patient satisfaction. The role of team meetings in addressing missed opportunities. An introduction to Plan Forward—a custom dental membership platform offering tools for automated billing, patient communication, and more. Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/39246585

Dental Christmas Parties of Christmas Past 11/24/2025

Annual Planning Power Moves: How to Build a Stronger Practice in 2026 11/17/2025

Annual Planning Power Moves: How to Build a Stronger Practice in 2026 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 meeting to your team—even if you haven’t done one in a few years. From KPI awareness and production forecasting to team agreements, CE planning, and SOP check-ins, this episode gives practices everything they need to create a clear, motivating roadmap for 2026. If you want to stop drifting into the new year and instead design it—this episode is your guide. Show Notes In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why most practices drift into the new year unprepared—and how to fix it The must-track KPIs for evaluating your year-end performance How to hold a productive annual planning meeting (without turning it into a gripe session) What your team really needs to contribute meaningful input How agreements, policies, and SOPs eliminate frustration and set expectations How to turn dropped statistics into 2026 wins Why tracking new patient sources matters more than ever How to anticipate “slow” months and outflow your way into a full schedule CE planning and skill inventories for every position The importance of setting daily and hourly production goals Updates your website and systems may be overdue for The role of communication in shaping team culture and patient experience Episode Sponsors Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 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. 👉 Episode Quotes Worth Sharing “Your success or your lack of it depends 100 percent on what happens within your own four walls.” “Annual planning isn’t paperwork—it’s the heartbeat of a stable growing practice.” “You can’t improve what you're not aware of. Stats tell the truth.” “Direction beats intention every single time.” Links & Resources Email Sandy for details on Front Desk Pro Virtual Training: Follow us on Facebook: Dental Drill Bits Share this episode with your office manager, dentist, or colleague! /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/39045535

Why Some Dentists Love Dentistry (and Others Can’t Wait to Leave) 11/10/2025

Why Some Dentists Love Dentistry (and Others Can’t Wait to Leave) In this eye-opening episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy Pardue tackle a topic few talk about openly — why some dentists genuinely love their profession while others can’t wait to get out. Drawing from Sandy’s experience consulting with over 600 dental practices, they reveal the defining difference: the dentists who thrive understand business and leadership, not just clinical care. Together, they unpack why mastering people skills, systems, and practice management can transform dentistry from stressful to deeply fulfilling. From learning how to manage money and motivate your team to leading with gratitude and balance, this episode is packed with mindset shifts to help you fall back in love with dentistry. If you’ve ever thought, “I hate being a dentist,” this episode will remind you—it’s not the dentistry, it’s the missing business tools. You can learn those. You can take control. And you can love your work again. Key Takeaways Business knowledge is the bridge between burnout and balance. Leadership and communication skills create calm, confident teams. Systems bring structure, and structure brings freedom. Appreciation and consistency are stronger than pay raises. Detachment and compassion prevent emotional exhaustion. A strong leader defines vision, sets expectations, and celebrates wins. You can’t buy culture—you build it through trust and gratitude. Reignite your love for dentistry by investing in your people and yourself. 🎧 Listen Now: 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38952030

Breaking Down Walls: Communicating Without Conflict 11/03/2025

The Pulse of the Practice: Balancing Team Energy and Measurable Success 10/20/2025

The Pulse of the Practice: Balancing Team Energy and Measurable Success In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy discuss the importance of measuring team energy and performance metrics in dental practices. They emphasize that while patient care is paramount, tracking statistics can enhance care quality and team morale. The conversation explores the concept of buy-in from team members, the significance of accountability, and how metrics can serve as tools for improvement rather than judgment. The episode concludes with actionable steps for practices to foster a positive culture through measurement and celebration of achievements. takeaways Your team's energy is crucial for productivity. Statistics can enhance patient care, not detract from it. Tracking metrics helps connect efforts to results. Buy-in from the team is essential for success. Purpose should always come before profit. Celebrating small wins boosts team morale. Metrics can reveal blind spots in practice management. Accountability fosters a culture of improvement. Positivity is contagious within a team. Consistent actions lead to predictable outcomes. 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 ✨ Upcoming Event – Don’t Miss Out! Want to take your front desk skills to the next level? Join Sandy Pardue and the Classic Practice team for Front Desk Pro in Las Vegas on Friday, November 7, 2025. This one-day seminar is packed with proven systems to reduce cancellations, boost treatment acceptance, and transform your patient experience. Register now at 👉 Save $100 with code SecretSauce /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38636735

When Negativity Spreads: How Complaining About Patients Hurts Your Practice Culture 10/13/2025

When Negativity Spreads: How Complaining About Patients Hurts Your Practice Culture 💡 Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Pardue and Sandy Pardue tackle a topic every dental team faces but rarely talks about — complaining about patients. What starts as harmless venting can quietly poison your team’s morale and even drive productivity down. Dana and Sandy unpack how negativity spreads through emotional contagion, why gossip never stops at patients, and how leaders can recognize when venting has crossed into toxicity. Sandy shares real-world examples from decades in consulting — from Dentaltown discussions to lessons learned working alongside Dr. Westerman — revealing how great teams turn patient frustrations into opportunities for better systems and stronger relationships. Dana adds insights from psychology studies, showing how negativity lowers initiative and innovation across teams. Together, they explore practical strategies to build a positive culture: using staff meetings as reset points, coaching through gossip, and creating team agreements rooted in empathy and gratitude. The episode closes with a challenge to listeners — smile first, meet people where they’re at, and watch how kindness changes the energy of your practice. 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices — simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 ✨ Upcoming Event – Don’t Miss Out! Want to take your front desk skills to the next level? Join Sandy Pardue and the Classic Practice team for Front Desk Pro in Las Vegas on Friday, November 7, 2025. This one-day seminar is packed with proven systems to reduce cancellations, boost treatment acceptance, and transform your patient experience. Register now at 👉 Save $100 with code SecretSauce /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38546945

Navigating the Complexities of Hiring Associate Dentists 10/06/2025

Rants, Reflections, and Real Customer Service Lessons 09/30/2025

Rants, Reflections, and Real Customer Service Lessons Episode Summary This week on Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy open up about real-world customer service experiences that prove just how important it is to put yourself in the patient's shoes. Dana kicks things off with her eye doctor visit, from tiny-font registration forms to confusing waiting rooms and perfume-passing that crossed the line. She then shares what her tire appointment taught her about easing patient anxiety and making sure customers leave with confidence. Sandy brings her own story to the table about trying to buy fireplace logs, only to be talked out of making the purchase by the very person answering the phone. Together, they explore what it means to honor the customer’s current concern, anticipate their questions, and create experiences that build trust. If you’ve ever wondered how the smallest details can make or break customer loyalty, this episode will make you rethink every touchpoint in your practice. Key Takeaways Always imagine yourself in the customer’s position—what feels confusing vs. reassuring? Honor the customer’s current concern, even if you think they need something else. Anticipate wants, questions, and needs before the customer even asks. Every interaction is an opportunity to build confidence—or lose it. 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 ✨ Upcoming Event – Don’t Miss Out! Want to take your front desk skills to the next level? Join Sandy Pardue and the Classic Practice team for Front Desk Pro in Las Vegas on Friday, November 7, 2025. This one-day seminar is packed with proven systems to reduce cancellations, boost treatment acceptance, and transform your patient experience. Register now at 👉 and save $100 with code Secret Sauce. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38374615

Hiring Series: The Job Offer Playbook 09/22/2025

Hiring Series: The Job Offer Playbook In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury continue their step-by-step Hiring Series with one of the most sensitive and risky steps: the job offer. Too many dental practices skip this or handle it haphazardly, leaving themselves open to misunderstandings, legal trouble, and even losing great candidates. Sandy and Dana walk you through why offer letters matter, what must be included, and how to avoid turning them into binding contracts. From conditional vs. unconditional offers, to pay pitfalls (why you should never state an annual salary), to the benefits and reporting structure every candidate deserves in writing—this episode is a playbook for clarity, compliance, and culture. You’ll also hear real stories from the field, red flags to watch for, and the right way to pair a congratulatory phone call with a solid written offer. If you want to protect your practice, set clear expectations, and welcome new team members the right way, this episode is a must-listen. Takeaways: Every job offer should be conditional on something, background checks, license verification, or I-9 documentation. Avoid stating annual salaries; use hourly, weekly, or monthly to stay compliant. Offer letters should spell out pay, benefits, start date, reporting structure, and expectations—clearly and concisely. Always include at-will employment language (where applicable by state). Never promise future raises or bonuses in writing—leave those for separate agreements. Give candidates a clear deadline to accept, so you don’t lose momentum with your second choice. 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 ✨ Upcoming Event – Don’t Miss Out! Want to take your front desk skills to the next level? Join Sandy Pardue and the Classic Practice team for Front Desk Pro in Las Vegas on Friday, November 7, 2025. This one-day seminar is packed with proven systems to reduce cancellations, boost treatment acceptance, and transform your patient experience. Register now at 👉 and save $100 with code Secret Sauce. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38268625

Hiring Series: Don’t Skip This Step—Reference Checks That Matter 09/15/2025

Hiring Series: Don’t Skip This Step—Reference Checks That Matter In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury continue their step-by-step Hiring Series with a focus on reference checks. Too many dental practices skip this step because it feels awkward or unnecessary, but failing to do so can cost you money, morale, and even legal trouble. Sandy and Dana share true stories from the field (including embezzlement cases that could have been avoided), compliance tips that keep you safe, and the exact questions that reveal whether your next hire is reliable or risky. From separating personal vs. professional references to knowing what you can ask—and what you should only confirm—you’ll leave this episode with a clear system for protecting your practice from a bad hire. Plus, they tackle a listener question about how to manage new hires who want to “change everything,” and why systems are the antidote to chaos. If you want to safeguard your hiring process and build a stronger team, this episode is a must-listen. Takeaways: Skipping reference checks exposes your practice to unnecessary risk. Always separate personal references from professional ones. Confirm dates, pay, and rehire eligibility when giving a reference; ask open-ended questions when checking references. New hires with “big ideas” need structure—systems first, suggestions second. Reference checks = protection for your million-dollar business. 🔊 Episode Sponsors: Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert. 👉 Plan Forward The #1 membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient-friendly. 👉 Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again. 👉 ✨ Upcoming Event – Don’t Miss Out! Want to take your front desk skills to the next level? Join Sandy Pardue and the Classic Practice team for Front Desk Pro in Las Vegas on Friday, November 7, 2025. This one-day seminar is packed with proven systems to reduce cancellations, boost treatment acceptance, and transform your patient experience. Register now at 👉 and save $100 with code Secret Sauce. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/38174355

From Sucktember to Success: How to Save Your September 09/02/2025

Hiring Detour: How Culture Shapes Every Hire 08/25/2025

Hiring Detour: How Culture Shapes Every Hire In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue discuss the challenges of hiring and retaining new employees in dental practices. They explore the reasons behind high turnover rates, the importance of effective onboarding, and creating a welcoming workplace culture. The conversation emphasizes the need for structured training plans and the impact of workplace bullying on employee retention. The hosts also highlight the financial costs associated with poor hiring practices and the significance of enhancing the candidate experience. Key Takeaways Stop blaming the applicant and look at your own processes Onboarding is crucial for employee retention A welcoming culture can significantly impact new hires The cost of hiring mistakes can be substantial Workplace bullying can drive new employees away Structured training plans are essential for new hires Communication during the hiring process is key Involve existing staff in the hiring process Always welcome potential candidates regardless of openings Evaluate your practices to improve employee satisfaction Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7 Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills. Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized). Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels. Episode Sponsors A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week: Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/37898150

Hiring Series: Interview Techniques that Work 08/18/2025

Hiring Series: Interview Techniques that Work In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, hosts Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue go beyond the surface of the interview process to reveal the deeper intentions that should guide your hiring conversations. Whether you are fresh out of dental school or a seasoned practice owner, this conversation will help you build a more intentional, compliant, and effective approach to interviewing. Sandy and Dana share real world examples, cautionary tales, and the subtle cues they watch for that a resume will never reveal. They cover how to avoid common pitfalls like skipping the interview entirely, how to keep interviews consistent and bias-free, and why you should think twice about hiring family or close friends without a proper process. You will learn how to set the right tone from the very first question, uncover hidden red flags, and balance gut instinct with consistent standards. And yes — the broccoli salad that Dana could not stop raving about makes an appearance. As promised, you can grab Sandy’s go to Broccoli Salad Recipe here: . It is healthy, easy, and a hit with the whole family, even the kids. 🎯 Key Takeaways Set a clear purpose before you ask the first interview question Keep the process consistent to protect your team culture and reduce bias Spot hidden red flags in tone, word choice, and body language Avoid the risks of working interviews and use skill-based tests instead 📅 Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7 Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills. Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized). Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels. 💡 Episode Sponsors A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week: Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/37803145

Hiring Series: Hiring Efficiently with a Group Interview 08/11/2025

Plan Forward: A Smarter Alternative to Insurance 07/28/2025

Marketing Your Practice to Top Talent 07/21/2025

Job Descriptions Might Be Costing You Great Hires (Part 3: Creating Job Descriptions) 07/14/2025

Why Working Interviews Don't Work 07/07/2025

RERUN: The Real Reason Your AR Is Out of Control (And It's Not Insurance) 06/30/2025

RERUN: The Real Reason Your AR Is Out of Control (And It's Not Insurance) In this eye-opening episode, Sandy digs into one of the most overlooked contributors to rising accounts receivable (AR) in dental practices—abandoning mailed statements too soon. You may be emailing and texting patients about balances, but do you actually know how many patients you're reaching? Sandy breaks down the data and shares real stats from dental dashboards, showing that many practices have incomplete contact info for 20–40% of their patients—and it’s costing them tens of thousands. Whether your AR is creeping past $100,000 or you’re trying to build a smarter collection system, this episode will help you understand the risks of relying too heavily on tech—and how to create a system that actually works. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Evaluate how many patient emails and cell numbers are actually in your system ✅ Set up a multi-step system for statements that includes email, text, and physical mail ✅ Use dashboards like Practice by Numbers to track and improve your data ✅ Minimize collection delays by acting faster and smarter—not cheaper ✅ Understand the real cost of “saving 60 cents” on postage 📓 Listener Challenge: Pull your AR report. Look at your 30-, 60-, and 90-day buckets. Then audit your system—do you know how many patients are unreachable by email or text? Key takeaways: 👉 Most practices don’t have complete contact data—and don’t realize it 👉 Text-to-pay consistently performs better than email-based statements 👉 Mailing a statement isn’t outdated—it's often necessary to get paid 👉 AR doesn’t shrink itself; assign ownership and follow a consistent process 👉 The longer you wait, the harder it is to collect—act at 30 days, not 90 🔊 Special thanks to our sponsors: 📞 Mango Voice – Smart, reliable phone systems designed for dental practices. Learn more at 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – Get strategic, ethical, and conversion-driven marketing from the pros who care. Visit 🦷 Plan Forward – Membership plans made simple for dental teams. Learn more at 📲 Join the conversation! What’s working (or failing) in your AR process? Share your experiences inside our Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—we’d love to hear from you, and you might be featured in a future episode! /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/37171590

The Truth About Dental Marketing 06/23/2025

Hiring or Hustling Backwards? (Part 2: Leadership, Metrics & the True Cost of Delay) 06/16/2025

Hiring or Hustling Backwards? (Part 2: Leadership, Metrics & the True Cost of Delay) Hiring is never just about plugging a hole. It’s a strategic leadership move—and when rushed or mismanaged, it can quietly sabotage your entire practice. In Part 2 of the Hiring Series, Dana and Sandy dive deep into what happens between identifying a hiring need and getting the green light to bring someone on board. From pecking orders to prep work, leadership courage to legal compliance, they unpack everything you should have in place before you hit “post job ad.” They also share formulas and benchmarks to help you bring data—not just emotion—into your hiring decisions. Because the right people in the right seats don’t just ease stress... they build your business. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Calculate attrition rate and turnover cost ✅ Know when leadership is lagging—and how to step up ✅ Use team dynamics and KPIs to confirm true staffing needs ✅ Spot red flags in candidates and existing team members ✅ Make confident decisions about who to keep, who to lose, and when to act fast 📓 Listener challenge: Pull out your team’s job descriptions and update them. Is everyone clear on their seat, their duties, and how success is measured? Key takeaways: Hiring starts with leadership. Don’t outsource what only you can model. Don’t ignore the front office. Patient flow is the clearest indicator you need more hands. Attrition above 25% is a red flag. Act on it, don’t ignore it. Turnover costs average 30% of annual salary. Every rushed hire costs more than you think. You must always accept resumes. Train your team and stay compliant. 🔊 Special thanks to our sponsors: 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – The industry’s go-to for branding, SEO, and growth. Discover how they can elevate your practice at 🦷 Plan Forward – Simplify and grow your dental membership plans with ease. Learn more at 📲 Join the conversation! What formulas or hiring benchmarks have helped you lead with confidence? Post your insights in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group. Your input might be featured in a future episode! /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/36957715

Hiring or Hustling Backwards? 06/11/2025

Meetings That Matter: Turning Staff Time Into Practice Power 06/03/2025

Meetings That Matter: Turning Staff Time Into Practice Power A dental team without effective meetings is like a GPS with no signal—lost, frustrated, and going in circles. In this episode, Dana and Sandy dive into the often-overlooked power of consistent, structured team meetings. From setting agendas and reviewing stats to celebrating birthdays and avoiding gum-chewing drama, they lay out the exact formula for turning “just another meeting” into a high-impact tool for team alignment, accountability, and growth. This episode is inspired by a post in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group (thanks, Heather!), and it answers all your questions about frequency, timing, food, and how to keep the meeting professional without turning it into a complaint fest. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Build consistency and trust through regular meetings ✅ Set a professional tone that encourages open communication ✅ Use stats to manage without micromanaging ✅ Create a clear agenda that respects everyone’s time ✅ Avoid common traps—like canceling because “one person’s out” 📓 Listener challenge: Pull out your calendar and mark team meetings for the rest of the year. Pro tip—choose the first Thursday (or another set day) of each month and make it a tradition! Key takeaways: Your calendar is your culture—pre-schedule meetings 12 months in advance. A great meeting starts with a plan, ends with accountability, and includes a little cake. Never use meetings to discipline—address policy violations 1-on-1. A facilitator keeps meetings on time and on topic. Phones off the table. Literally. Celebrating wins builds trust; structure builds momentum. 🔊 Special thanks to our sponsors: 🦷 Plan Forward – Simplify and grow your dental membership plans with ease. Learn more at 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – The industry’s go-to for branding, SEO, and growth. Discover how they can elevate your practice at 📲 Join the conversation! How do you run staff meetings at your office? Share your best tips or horror stories inside the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—we might just feature it in an upcoming episode! /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/36763850

Marketing Can't Save You From a Bad Phone Call 05/26/2025

Scoreboard Success: 10 Front Desk KPIs That Drive Production 05/19/2025

Scoreboard Success: 10 Front Desk KPIs That Drive Production We’re diving into a topic that separates struggling practices from high-performing ones—your front desk metrics. Dana and Sandy break down the most important KPIs your admin team should be tracking daily, weekly, and monthly. Spoiler alert: if you’re not measuring it, you can’t manage it! Whether you're brand new to tracking stats or need a refresh to re-energize your team, this episode gives you simple, actionable ways to bring structure and accountability to your schedule, collections, and patient flow. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Track leading and lagging indicators ✅ Set realistic goals that don’t overwhelm your team ✅ Empower employees to “own” their numbers ✅ Reduce cancellations and no-shows ✅ Create a consistent system for growth—without expensive software 📓 Listener challenge: Grab a notepad (or your phone) and follow along as Sandy walks through the 10 KPIs that every dental front desk should be tracking. Key takeaways: What gets measured gets managed. Metrics don’t remove the human touch—they improve it. New patients, calls out, and appointment conversion rates matter just as much as production. Use a physical binder to track schedule changes and spot patterns at a glance. Sharing goals consistently (not just when things go wrong) builds morale and accountability. 🔊 Special thanks to our sponsors: 🦷 Plan Forward – Simplify and grow your dental membership plans with ease. Learn more at 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – The industry’s go-to for branding, SEO, and growth. Discover how they can elevate your practice at 📞 Mango Voice – Smart, reliable phone systems designed for dental practices. Learn more at 📲 Join the conversation! Share your favorite KPI or ask a practice management question in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group — your question might inspire our next episode! /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/36571755

Making Membership Work: Clearing Up some of the Myths and Why It’s Reshaping Dentistry 05/12/2025

Making Membership Work: Clearing Up some of the Myths and Why It’s Reshaping Dentistry Membership Plans That Work: What Compliance Really Looks Like Dental membership plans aren’t new—but compliance around them is becoming more critical than ever. In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy and Dana are joined by Jane Levy, Co-founder and CEO of Plan Forward, to uncover how in-house dental plans can boost treatment acceptance, increase loyalty, and help practices navigate the complex world of legal compliance. They discuss real-world misconceptions, why membership plans aren’t just for fee-for-service practices, and how the right tools (and the right vendor) make all the difference. Jane also shares exciting KPIs from real clients and explains how Plan Forward’s intuitive software puts your membership program on autopilot. If you’ve been manually managing your plan—or wondering if one is worth the trouble—this conversation will change the way you look at in-house dental membership. In This Episode You’ll Learn How To: Boost Production: Find out how these plans can increase practice revenue by getting patients to say “yes” to treatment and cancel less. Keep Patients Coming Back: Learn the secret to turning patients into loyal members & an integral part of your dental community. Kiss No-Shows Goodbye: Hear how membership cuts down on those missed appointments, making your day less stressful. Make Life Easier: Get the scoop on Plan Forward’s easy-to-use software that handles payments, renewals, and is compliant with state regulations. Break Free from Insurance: Discover how to ditch PPOs and stand out when only 20–25% of practices are doing this. Grab a coffee and tune in—this episode’s a must for taking your practice to the next level! Upcoming Event: Front Desk Pro – Chicago August 1, 2025 Use promo code SECRETSAUCE (capital S in Secret and Sauce) to save $100 per person Seats are limited and these events always sell out! Thank You to Our Sponsors: Plan Forward Plan Forward makes membership plans easy. Their revolutionary platform helps you grow your dental practice, improve patient loyalty, and create predictable recurring revenue. Learn more at . Identity Dental Marketing Your marketing firm should tell you who’s landing on your website and what they’re doing there. Identity Dental Marketing does that—and more. From website strategy to SEO and patient attraction systems, they help you grow smart and stay visible. Explore at . Mango Voice Mango Voice is a cloud-based phone system built for dental offices. It’s packed with smart features that help your front desk perform at its best—from call recording and routing to texting and integrations. See it in action at . Subscribe & Share: Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share this episode with a dental friend who’s ready to level up their patient loyalty and revenue with a smarter membership plan. /episode/index/show/sandypardue/id/36480235

Dental Drill Bits with Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury

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