Ash welcomes CJ Carroll from Dental Intelligence, a leading provider of dental analytics software. They discuss the pressing questions many dentists have about practice data—how to interpret analytics reports, which key performance indicators (KPIs) matter most, and whether investing in dental analytics is worth it for your practice.

CJ explains how Dental Intelligence integrates seamlessly with major practice management software like Dentrix, Eaglesoft, and Open Dental to transform complicated data into actionable insights. From tracking provider performance and hygiene reappointment rates to revealing untapped revenue hiding in unconverted treatment plans, CJ breaks down how analytics empower owners to make smarter management decisions. Whether you’re a new dental startup or a seasoned practice owner, this episode sheds light on the real-world benefits of embracing data-driven growth, streamlining workflow, and ultimately maximizing your practice’s potential.

To find out more about Dental Intelligence, visit: https://www.dentalintel.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Overview of Dental Intelligence and its analytics tools
• Key performance indicators for dental practices
• Importance of data accuracy and common mistakes
• Onboarding process and ongoing support
• Suitability of analytics for startups versus mature practices
• Capturing lost production and reactivating patients
• Tracking patient flow, attrition, and recaptured patients
• Integrating with practice management systems
• Using analytics for employee bonuses and performance plans

Ash is live at the Southwest Dental Conference, and he welcomes David Mitchell, a third-year dental student at Texas A&M with a background in accounting. David joins the show to ask key questions that many dental students have about transitioning from school to the business side of dentistry. Ash provides guidance on topics including choosing a practice location, building a team of professional advisors, exploring financing options, and the importance of reviewing associateship agreements.

The conversation covers practical steps dental students and new grads can take to better position themselves for professional and financial success. Ash discusses building relationships with legal, accounting, and insurance professionals, and emphasizes tailoring decisions to individual circumstances—whether deciding to open a practice, join a DSO, or remain an associate. Other important topics include managing personal finances, setting up retirement savings, and the differences between working in DSOs versus private practice.

Key Topics Discussed:

Transitioning from dental school to professional practice

• Choosing a practice location and its impact on personal life

• Importance of building a trusted team of legal, accounting, and financial advisors

• How to evaluate and negotiate associateship agreements

• Deciding between opening a practice, joining a DSO, or becoming an associate

• Understanding compensation structures and non-compete clauses

• Differences between DSO/corporate dentistry and private practice

• Managing personal finances and planning for taxes as a new dentist

• Retirement planning options such as IRAs, SEP, and 401k

• Recommended resources and strategies for gaining business knowledge in dentistry

Ash is joined by Kelly Majdan, VP at One Digital and founder of Power Through Wellness. Kelly brings a rare perspective to the conversation, combining retirement planning expertise with wellness coaching experience. The discussion centers on why balancing wealth and health is critical for dental practice owners, both for themselves and their teams.

Ash and Kelly talk through common misconceptions about 401k plans, especially among dental practice owners. They share practical information about the real costs of starting a retirement plan, available tax credits, and how offering benefits like a 401k can help practices stay competitive in today’s job market. The episode also covers how employee wellness connects to financial performance and how stress can impact long-term outcomes for dental teams. Finally, Kelly gives advice on preparing for retirement, outlining steps for dentists who are 10 to 15 years from transitioning out of their practice, including involving the right financial and health professionals.

To find out more and connect with Kelly, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellymajdan/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Connecting health and financial wellness for long-term success
• Misconceptions about starting a 401k in dental practices
• Costs, tax credits, and plan design flexibility for retirement plans
• Employee benefits as tools for recruitment and retention
• The increased awareness and value of 401k plans among Millennial and Gen Z employees
• Integrating wellness initiatives into dental practices
• Addressing burnout and chronic stress in dentistry
• The importance of team strategy and involving experts in planning retirement

Ash welcomes Michelle Griffin, CEO of Griffin Resources, to talk about the critical role of HR in dental practices and small healthcare businesses. Michelle shares her experiences working across multiple industries, emphasizing the unique HR needs and compliance challenges facing dental offices and other medical providers. She explains how proper HR processes, such as onboarding, documentation, and compliance with local and federal employment laws, can help mitigate risks and support practice growth.

They discuss common pitfalls like employee misclassification and the risks of manual payroll and onboarding processes. Michelle also addresses the importance of HR audits, especially during transitions and mergers, and provides examples of fraud discovered through poor internal controls. When it comes to attracting and retaining top talent, Michelle recommends leveraging culture, competitive advantages, and strong leadership traits focused on valuing team members. The episode wraps up with practical advice for dental practice owners considering a sale, and how to get support from experienced HR professionals.

To find out more or connect with Michelle, visit: https://griffin-resources.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

• HR’s role in dental and healthcare practices
• Compliance and employment law in HR
• Common HR mistakes in onboarding and employee classification
• The importance of internal controls and HR audits
• Talent acquisition and retention strategies for small practices
• Highlighting workplace culture to attract staff
• Leadership qualities for practice owners
• Preparing for practice transitions and sales

Ash welcomes Antoinette Bone, an estate planning attorney and founder of the Law Office of Antoinette Bone, PLLC. Antoinette shares her experience from a background in the Air Force JAG Corps to working with business owners and dentists on estate and trust planning. She breaks down the importance of having a comprehensive plan for dental practice owners, discussing why a trust is often more beneficial than just a will, especially for those looking to protect their practice, family, and legacy.

The conversation covers the basics of different types of trusts, how business structure ties into estate planning, and pitfalls like failing to have the right documents or mixing personal and business assets. Antoinette highlights the need for operating agreements, proper disability planning, and naming the right people to manage both personal and business affairs. She emphasizes that estate planning is an ongoing process, especially as life and business circumstances change. Additional resources for learning more about her work and estate planning are mentioned at the end of the episode.

To find out more or connect with Antoinette, visit: https://abonelaw.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Antoinette Bone’s career background and military service
• Why dental practice owners need estate and trust planning
• Types of trusts: revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, asset protection trusts
• Integrating your business structure with your estate plan
• Common red flags and mistakes in estate planning
• The role and importance of operating agreements
• Risks of using online legal templates versus working with professionals
• Disability and incapacity planning for practice owners
• Key estate planning documents required in Texas
• Handling blended families and unique family dynamics in estate planning
• Resources for further education on estate and trust planning

Ash welcomes Jennifer Christensen, co-founder and CMO of Beacon Media and Marketing, to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in modern marketing for dental professionals. Jennifer shares her journey as an early adopter of AI, highlighting how new technologies have reshaped client search behaviors and what this rapid shift means for dental practices that want to maintain and grow their online presence. She explains how practices can benefit from AI-powered insights, especially by personalizing content, building credibility, and targeting AI-driven search overviews.

Jennifer discusses practical strategies dental offices can use to become more visible in AI searches, such as focusing on author-driven, expert content and being transparent with information like pricing and service details. She also explores the changing landscape of consumer trust and how dental practices need to adapt to remain relevant, noting that small businesses now have a unique window of opportunity to compete with larger competitors. The episode wraps up with a conversation about AI's broader role in operational efficiency and the importance of businesses understanding and implementing these tools sooner rather than later.

To find out more and connect with Jennifer, visit: https://www.beaconmm.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Jennifer’s introduction and experience as an early adopter of AI

• The evolution from information age marketing to the age of intelligence

• How AI impacts SEO, search habits, and website visibility

• Importance of author-driven, expert, and personalized content

• Strategies to get dental practices featured in AI overviews

• The significance of transparency in pricing and service details

• Increasing consumer trust through detailed, credible information

• Using AI for operational efficiencies in practice management

• Adapting to changing consumer behavior and search trends

• The window of opportunity for small businesses in AI-driven marketing

In this episode, Ash welcomes David Herman, founder of Web Marketing for Dentists, who draws on over 20 years of dental marketing experience to explain how specialized marketing helps dental practices achieve real returns on investment. David discusses the unique challenges of dental marketing and how his agency uses data-driven strategies, including tracking PMS data and return on investment, to provide transparency and results for clients.

David shares examples of quick and significant marketing turnarounds, noting that dentists can expect to see a return on their investment in as little as 30 days. He emphasizes the importance of individualized marketing plans—understanding the dentist’s preferred procedures and leveraging patient reviews and targeted content for better SEO. The conversation also covers actionable tips for startups with limited budgets, such as optimizing websites for speed, building out procedure-specific content, and prioritizing Google reviews. David concludes with strategies for balancing pay-per-click and long-term SEO, ensuring dental practices can continue to grow despite rising digital marketing costs.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why dental-specific marketing expertise matters
• The challenge of educating dental consumers
• Ensuring HIPAA compliance in marketing efforts
• Using PMS data to track ROI accurately
• How quickly can dental practices expect results from digital marketing
• The agency’s unique 30-day contract and trial offer
• The importance of individualized marketing by dental procedure
• Value of video and audio for patient connection
• What dental procedures are easiest and most profitable to market
• Website optimization tips for startups
• Strategies for getting more Google reviews
• Differences between pay-per-click advertising and SEO
• Long-term digital marketing considerations for dental practices

Ash sits down with Mandy Madeline from Pay Proudly, a payment processing company with a unique understanding of dental practices. Drawing from her 18 years of experience in the dental field—from dental assisting to leadership and operations—Mandy shares how Pay Proudly is helping dental offices streamline payment systems, launch in-house membership programs, and ultimately improve patient experiences and practice profitability.

Ash and Mandy discuss the benefits of integrating payment processing with practice management software, ways to minimize manual entry errors, and solutions for managing recurring payments. They also explore the rising trend of surcharging fees, what it means for dental practices, and why transparency and compliance are key when implementing new payment models. Whether you’re an established practice or just starting out, you’ll hear practical tips on optimizing payment systems, retaining patients, and boosting your bottom line.

To find out more or connect with Mandy, visit: https://www.payproudly.com/.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mandy Madeline’s career in dental practice operations
• Pay Proudly’s integration with practice management systems
• Card vaulting and recurring payments
• Simplified in-house membership program setup
• Cost savings through surcharging and compliance considerations
• Detailed and simplified end-of-day reconciliation and reporting
• Transparent analysis of payment processing fees
• Importance of customer support and relationship building
• Migration timeline and training for switching systems