Dr. Killeen shares lessons from Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog, the story of Nike’s early years and how the company managed to grow while constantly struggling with cash. He explains why dental practices can face the same problem: record production does not always mean a healthy bank account. New hires, equipment, and additional operatories all require cash before the financial return arrives. The key is to manage cash flow separately from revenue. We're challenging practice owners to look beyond production numbers and calculate their financial runway, or how long the practice could cover its expenses with the cash available. Before investing in the next big thing, make sure your business has enough cash to keep moving forward.

Today, Dr. Killeen challenges the common assumption that accepting Medicaid is never worth it for a dental practice. Drawing on his own experience as a Nebraska Medicaid provider, he explains how lower fees can still work within the right business model, especially when a practice is equipped to meet demand that other offices may not be serving. Medicaid is not the right fit for every practice, and success requires the right scheduling, staffing, and systems. Rather than relying on assumptions, this encourages practice owners to look at their actual margins and local demand to determine whether Medicaid makes sense for their business.