Shared Practices 2.0 | Your Dental Roadmap through Practice Ownership

In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Richard Low and Scott Leune explore the critical role of managing operations in a dental practice. They break down practical strategies for streamlining daily tasks, creating efficient systems, and developing leadership skills that allow you to run a more effective and profitable practice. Key Highlights: Creating Efficient Systems: Richard and Scott discuss how building consistent systems can reduce inefficiency, improve productivity, and ensure your practice runs smoothly, even when you're not directly involved. Delegation and Accountability: Learn the importance of delegating tasks and holding your team accountable. Scott shares insights on empowering your team while ensuring they take ownership of their roles. Leadership in Operations: The hosts discuss the key leadership skills needed to manage operations effectively, including communication, decision-making, and inspiring your team to perform at their best. Want to take control of your practice operations and lead with confidence? Tune in to this episode for actionable strategies and expert advice! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, George discusses the difference between hygiene-led growth and hygiene-led profit. He explores how to leverage hygiene as a growth tool rather than for immediate profitability and the impact each strategy has on a dental practice’s success. Key Highlights: Hygiene-Led Growth: George explains how focusing on growth through hygiene means expanding patient volume and creating opportunities for long-term production. This approach sets the stage for future profits but requires patience. Hygiene-Led Profit: The alternative strategy is maximizing profitability through hygiene in the short term. This approach focuses on immediate returns by optimizing hygiene production and collections. Which Strategy is Right for Your Practice? George offers insights on choosing between growth and profit depending on your practice’s goals, financial stability, and long-term vision. Curious about which approach will work best for your practice? Tune in now to discover how to leverage hygiene for either growth or profit! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Richard Low and Scott Leune dive into the essential task of building operations for dental practices. As a Dental CEO, mastering operations is key to running a smooth and profitable practice. Learn the strategies and systems that make a big difference in daily practice management. Key Highlights: Creating Efficient Systems: Richard and Scott discuss how building effective systems within your practice can streamline daily tasks, improve productivity, and free up your time for leadership responsibilities. Managing Operations for Growth: Learn the importance of scaling your operations to handle growth without losing control. Scott shares key insights into designing systems that grow with your practice. Delegating and Accountability: They break down how to delegate tasks effectively, creating a culture of accountability within your team to ensure that operations run smoothly even when you're not involved in every detail. Ready to build a successful operations system for your practice? Tune in now to learn from the experts and take the next step toward confidently leading your practice! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Richard and Caitlin dive into "metric blindness" in dental practices, focusing on how to understand and manage Accounts Receivable (AR) for financial health. Key Highlights: Understanding Accounts Receivable (AR): AR reflects the money owed for services provided but not yet collected. Learn how it can be a positive indicator when managed correctly. Key Metrics for AR Management: Metrics like the collections ratio, AR to production ratio, and aging categories provide a clear view of your practice’s financial health. Proactive AR Strategies: Discover proactive measures to keep cash flow healthy, like setting clear collection guidelines and accurate cost estimates. Don’t let metric blindness limit your practice's success. Find out how to manage AR effectively! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, the focus shifts to understanding the role of the Dental CEO and how practice owners can embrace a leadership mindset to drive growth and efficiency. Learn what it means to operate as a CEO and how this perspective can transform your practice’s success. Key Highlights: The CEO Mindset: Shifting from a clinician’s mindset to a CEO mindset allows practice owners to lead their business strategically, focusing on long-term goals and team development rather than day-to-day tasks. Building Systems for Growth: Discover the importance of creating systems that allow your practice to operate efficiently without your constant involvement. This is key to scaling and freeing up your time for leadership responsibilities. Leadership & Team Management: Leading as a Dental CEO means developing your team, fostering accountability, and empowering them to take ownership of their roles, which ultimately drives practice growth. Ready to step into the role of Dental CEO and take your practice to the next level? Tune in now to gain insights on leading your practice to success! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or our website at www.sharedpractices.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode, George discusses the crucial decision every dental practice owner faces: Should you prioritize profit or focus on growth? He breaks down the key differences between these strategies, explains how to assess which approach fits your practice, and shares the financial metrics that matter most. George also explores how practices can achieve both profit and growth through the right balance. Key Topics Covered: Profit vs. Growth Strategy: Understand the differences between maximizing profit (cutting costs, optimizing cash flow) and growth (reinvesting profits to expand). Key Metrics for Profit and Growth: Learn about the essential metrics to track, such as profit margin, overhead percentage, revenue growth, and patient acquisition. Choosing the Right Path: Get guidance on determining whether to prioritize profit or growth based on your practice's goals, financial health, and long-term vision. Balancing Profit and Growth: Discover strategies to balance both profit and growth by optimizing current operations while reinvesting for the future. Connect with Us: Website: Shared Practices Instagram: @sharedpracticespodcast

We continue our journey toward building a million-dollar practice, and we focus on one of the the final phases—scaling your business without sacrificing your well-being. Dr. Scott Leune and I discuss how to grow your practice responsibly, avoid all-too-common pitfalls, and get financial freedom, but also a balanced life. Watch the video version here.

Dr. Andrew Clingan shares his rollercoaster journey of purchasing a dental practice right out of school and transforming it into a million-dollar business within a year. He opens up about the brutal realities of the first few months, the importance of finding the right team, and a mix of luck and leadership. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more dental professionals like you. Visit our website for more episodes, join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Learn how to take home $1 million as a part-time dentist. Dr. Scott Leune talks about the strategic shift from full-time practice to working just a few days a week while maintaining a high income. Leverage your practice, minimize overhead, and focus on high-value procedures without the burden of exams. Watch the video version here.

Our new host Dr. Scott Leune talks about the strategies that take home $1 million as an owner-operator. Learn how to truly optimize your practice, from refining your fee schedule and getting better patient flow—all while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Watch the video version here. Welcome to the Shared Practices podcast 2.0, where we're rebooting everything from scratch—new hosts, new topics, and a fresh focus on what's relevant today. No more diluted content; we're separating pre-owner discussions into their own feed, so if you're here to grow a dental business, you're in the right place. If you're curious about how to get into practice ownership, check out "The Pursuit of Ownership" feed (once that feed link exists, we'll put it here for you, our listeners). For all the old Shared Practices content, you'll find it archived on its own feed. Search: 'shared practices archive' on your favorite podcast directory.

Welcome to the Shared Practices podcast 2.0, where we're rebooting everything from scratch—new hosts, new topics, and a fresh focus on what's relevant today. No more diluted content; we're separating pre-owner discussions into their own feed, so if you're here to grow a dental business, you're in the right place. Watch the video version here. In this kickoff episode, Dr. Richard Low, Dr. Scott Leune, and Dr. George Hariri dive into the concept of becoming a million-dollar take-home dentist without burnout. We talk about the smart solo practice, controlled growth, and the patient approach to building wealth. If you're curious about how to get into practice ownership, check out "The Pursuit of Ownership" feed (once that link exists, we'll put it here for you, our listeners). For all the old Shared Practices content, you'll find it archived here.

I am once again joined by Dr. Richard Low as we talk about the intersection of dental practice ownership and real estate investment. Should you actually buy the property, or is that a waste of time and resources? I share my journey from dental school to acquiring real estate licenses in two states, while Richard reflects on his own real estate [mis]adventures. He thinks it's generally a bad idea. I believe real estate investing has real potential for dentists. Who's right? Maybe neither of us. We'll lay it all out for you to decide for yourself.

George and I talk about burnout. Everyone experiences it; hardly anyone talks about it. And even less doctors actually address it. We talk about the telltale signs of burnout, how to uncover the root causes, and why a vacation might be more than just a quick fix—it could be an actual diagnostic tool. When you step away from work, you can rethink your practice to make it align better with your life goals.

Richard and Caitlin tackle one of the biggest challenges dental practices face—retention. They talk about how practices often feel they’re doing well in this area, only to discover a huge gap between perception and reality. Richard shares a story of a doctor completely overwhelmed by rapid growth, losing patients out the backdoor as quickly as they came in. Caitlin answers with the importance of tracking key metrics, like hygiene and new patient reappointment rates, and how a lack of urgency can sabotage long-term success.

Dr. Richard Low and I talk about evaluating associateship opportunities--the importance of networking, understanding practice dynamics, and making informed decisions based on personal and professional goals. I also share my own recent experience navigating the job market,. Shared Practices Buyer Representation 👈

I sit down with the inspiring Dr. Colleen Bullard and her coach Danielle, while she shares her incredible success story. With her trademark modesty, Dr. Bullard reveals how she increased her practice's production by $20K a month—40% growth. What did our coaching have to do with it? Did Dr. Bullard do it all herself? Can anyone just up and almost double their production in under 6 months? Listen in.

My father, Murray Low, is a world-renowned coach to executives. I'm having him on the show today for this special episode talking about how self-doubt can be transformed into a powerful tool for growth. We get into the delicate balance between projecting confidence and showing vulnerability, sharing straight from our own experience, and the critical element in all of it: decisiveness.

Merlin here. I have our very own Dr. Richard Low back on the show. He's asking me some pointed questions about my transition from dental school SF to practicing dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina. We're talking about the excitement of moving across the country, my clinical preparedness, and how much experience I want before owning a practice. I also talk about my proactive approach to finding the right practice, including sending mailers and building professional relationships, and my flexible timeline for achieving ownership. Here's what we talk about: 00:00 - Introduction and Merlin's Transition 00:00:50 - Missing San Francisco 00:01:45 - Dental School Experience and Preparedness 00:03:30 - Goals and Next Steps Post-Graduation 00:07:15 - Decision to Delay Ownership 00:11:50 - Open-Minded Approach to Career 00:15:45 - Response to Mailers and Networking 00:21:20 - Evaluating Practice Opportunities 00:25:30 - Building Relationships and Professional Growth 00:31:45 - Final Thoughts and Advice for New Graduates

I'm sharing how I learned to navigate seasonal slow downs in practices. Shared Practices Coach Danielle Kramer and I talk about the common issue of slow patient flow in September and October (AKA Sucktember). Danielle talks about using this downtime for crucial office tasks like inventory management and team training. Danielle and I talk about: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Danielle’s Unique Recording Setup 00:00:40 - Understanding the September Slowdown 00:01:31 - Danielle’s Insights on Seasonal Slowdowns 00:02:26 - Richard's Personal Experience with Seasonal Dips 00:05:19 - Proactive Strategies for Retention and Reactivation 00:09:58 - Importance of Marketing Ahead of Slow Seasons 00:13:21 - Balancing Time Off and Office Productivity 00:18:39 - Creating Effective SOPs and Training Protocols 00:24:30 - Organizing Inventory and Office Maintenance 00:28:50 - Wrapping Up: Collaborative Planning for Success

Richard and George talk about the critical legal needs every dentist faces. Everywhere from acquiring a practice to exiting (and even what we learned forming a DSO). Joined by Hunter Altvater, the lead attorney at Shared Practices, they talk about the importance of clear legal documents, understanding the intricacies of associate agreements, and the value of fixed fee legal services.