In this episode Ash sits down sits down with Zane from MyDentalForce at the SWDC show to discuss practical strategies for dental practices aiming to improve their operations and collections. Zane, a software engineer with hands-on experience as a technology director in a dental group, shares how leveraging existing patient databases can unlock significant revenue without increasing marketing spend or overloading staff with multiple software platforms.

The conversation focuses on how MyDentalForce’s solution prioritizes actionable patient outreach, task management, and integrations with phone systems to help offices reactivate patients, monitor staff productivity, and manage accounts receivable more effectively. Ash and Zane talk about the importance of human touch in patient communications and how real-time analytics and AI-supported summaries can help owners and managers see tangible improvements within two to three months, all while consolidating software costs.

To learn more, visit: https://mydentalforce.com/

Key topics discussed:

• Using data from existing patient databases to drive revenue
• Simplifying and consolidating software tools for staff productivity
• Understanding unscheduled treatment plan value and patient reactivation
• Real-time task lists and prioritization for front desk teams
• Integration with phone systems for tracking staff performance
• Human vs. AI-automated patient communication
• Managing accounts receivable through targeted patient outreach
• Flat-rate pricing and implementation details
• The practical role of AI features in dental office operations

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, recorded live from the Southwest Dental Conference, Herb Ford from Brown and Brown (formerly Wallace Specialty) joins Ash to discuss the common misconceptions about insurance coverage for dental practices. They discuss the critical differences between general liability, cyber, and professional liability insurance, emphasizing that many practice owners may be less protected than they realize. Herb offers real-world examples of how insufficient or misunderstood coverage can leave practices exposed to significant risks, especially with increasing cyber-attacks and the complexities around group benefits and business operations.

Herb also talks about the role of umbrella insurance and how it offers additional liability protection—but not for every type of coverage, such as property damage. The episode provides practical advice on how and why dental professionals should consider group policies, disability insurance for staff, and key person coverage to maintain practice continuity. The discussion wraps up with tips for protecting both personal and business assets and recommendations for addressing gaps in current insurance strategies.

To connect with Herb, you can call him at: 972-663-5195

Or email him at herb {at} bbrown.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• General liability, cyber, and professional liability insurance: what’s covered and what isn’t
• Cybersecurity, cyber insurance, and why IT providers are not a substitute for insurance
• The purpose and limits of umbrella insurance for dental practices and individuals
• Group benefits for dental practice staff, including health, disability, and life insurance
• Disability, business overhead, and payroll protection insurance to maintain business continuity
• The importance of entity professional liability coverage for practices with multiple associates
• Business interruption and extra expense insurance for property-related disruptions
• Employee dishonesty and theft coverage
• Practical advice for practice owners on assessing and improving current insurance coverage

Ash welcomes Dr. Corey Malnikof, and they discuss his journey from struggling clinic owner to leader of 24 successful healthcare practices. They talk about the early challenges he faced, including serious financial setbacks, and how critical moments and strong mentorship led to a major shift in his mindset and business approach. Dr. Malnikof explains that personal development, intentional leadership, and a focus on systems are key factors in rapid growth.

He examines how lessons from outside the healthcare industry, including companies like Starbucks and Ritz-Carlton, helped him build a distinct culture and training structure within his clinics. Dr. Malnikof also talks about the importance of discipline, consistency, and ongoing self-improvement, not just for practice owners but across the entire team. He also outlines practical steps for healthcare professionals who feel stuck, including tracking statistics, understand key business metrics, and seeking out mentors or peers who are already achieving your desired results.

To connect with Dr. Corey, visit: https://www.coreymalnikof.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Corey Malnikof’s early business challenges and financial struggles
• The importance of mentorship and mindset shifts
• Applying lessons from industries like Starbucks and Ritz-Carlton
• Building intentional culture and training within clinics
• The role of discipline and consistency in business growth
• Practical approaches to developing and implementing systems
• Tracking and analyzing practice statistics for growth
• The value of ongoing staff reviews and open communication
• Seeking guidance from mentors and outside high performers
• How a leader’s behavior is reflected in the team and practice