In this powerful episode of The Authentic Dentist podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas tackle one of the most challenging aspects of authentic leadership: finding the courage to speak truth when it's uncomfortable. Drawing from Dr. House's real experiences confronting unethical practices in dental associations, they explore the tension between our natural desire for agreeableness and the moral imperative to stand up for what's right.

The conversation reveals how Dr. House's willingness to question a confusing budget report at an Arizona Dental Association meeting—despite her fear of conflict—ultimately launched her leadership career and led to meaningful systemic change. They discuss the modern paradox of online courage versus real-world accountability, and how avoiding difficult conversations provides short-term relief but ensures long-term suffering.

Through vulnerable storytelling, both hosts examine the price of silence and the power of asking difficult questions with respect and integrity. This episode offers practical wisdom for dental professionals navigating ethical dilemmas while maintaining their authentic voice in an increasingly polarized world.

In this enlightening episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas explore the multifaceted nature of risk-taking throughout different life and career stages. They examine how our relationship with risk evolves over time—from the bold, physical risks of youth to the calculated professional and emotional risks of maturity.

The hosts share personal experiences to illustrate how authentic leadership often requires stepping beyond comfort zones, whether opening a practice, starting a new venture, or making emotional connections. Dr. House emphasizes that perfection is a myth that paralyzes progress, while Shawn highlights that the greatest risk might be not taking any risks at all.

Their conversation illuminates how dentists can differentiate themselves by embracing their authentic approach to risk, creating sustainable success models that honor their values while acknowledging the inevitability of failure as part of growth. This episode offers wisdom for the whole practitioner—addressing not just clinical decisions, but who dentists are and how they show up in their practice and life when faced with uncertainty.

In this emotionally powerful episode, Dr. Allison House shares the recent tragedy of a dental school classmate whose practice was destroyed in an accident that left him severely burned and hospitalized. This unfortunate event serves as a catalyst for an authentic and vulnerable conversation about the critical importance of proper insurance planning for dental professionals.

Dr. House and Shawn examine the complex challenges facing dental practices during unexpected tragedies - from patient care continuity to team member employment, from insurance claims to practice data recovery. They highlight the importance of own occupation disability insurance for sole providers, offsite data backups, and forming disability coverage groups within dental communities.

Through sharing this real-world example, Dr. House demonstrates how proper preparation can provide a safety net during life's most challenging moments, balancing professional responsibilities with personal wellbeing. The episode offers wisdom for the whole practitioner by addressing not just technical practice management aspects but the human realities of vulnerability and interdependence within dental communities.

In this thoughtful exploration of professional identity, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas revisit the foundational topic of authenticity in dental practice. They examine how cookie-cutter practice models and standardized expectations create a confining "box" that leads many practitioners to imposter syndrome and burnout.

Dr. House shares her personal journey of breaking free from professional constraints, revealing how the 2008 recession became a pivotal moment for discovering the power of vulnerability with patients. This authentic connection not only transformed her practice dynamics but led to one of her most successful years following the economic downturn.

The hosts explore how aligning your practice with your authentic self creates resonance with patients who can intuitively sense when someone isn't being genuine. They discuss the importance of creating systems that allow you to practice according to your values and natural tendencies rather than forcing yourself into a model that isn't sustainable for your wellbeing.

The conversation bridges clinical excellence with personal fulfillment by addressing the courage required to deviate from perceived "best practices" and embrace your unique approach to dentistry. Dr. House shares how bringing her team into her home for annual planning meetings—against conventional wisdom—strengthened connections and created a more meaningful work environment.

This episode offers wisdom for the whole practitioner by emphasizing that authenticity isn't just a buzzword but a practical strategy for creating a sustainable, fulfilling career and meaningful patient relationships in dentistry.

In this episode of The Authentic Dentist podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas discuss the challenging topic of embezzlement in dental practices. Dr. House shares her personal experience with a trusted employee who stole approximately $100,000 over an 18-month period. The conversation begins with Dr. House recounting a call from a young dentist who recently purchased a practice and noticed discrepancies in the financial records, with an office manager behaving secretively.

Dr. House explains how she discovered her own embezzlement situation during COVID when money was taken from a stimulus check, and how she ultimately hired professional help from Susan Gunn to conduct a thorough investigation. She emphasizes that many dental professionals face similar situations, and that it's important to have proper systems in place to detect financial irregularities.

The hosts also discuss the challenges of trusting employees, especially in the era of remote work, and the difficulty of balancing trust with appropriate oversight. Dr. House mentions the frequency of calls she receives from other dentists facing similar issues, and her ability to provide resources and guidance based on her 25 years of experience.

Toward the end of the episode, Shawn mentions Dr. House's recent honor of hosting a live podcast at the UOP alumni meeting, where she interviewed influential graduates, including Brian Harris.

Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas, discuss the uncomfortable relationship many healthcare providers have with "sales" and why it's actually a moral obligation to effectively communicate treatment options to patients. She explores how dentists must overcome their aversion to being perceived as "salespeople" while recognizing their responsibility to help patients understand possibilities they may not know exist. The conversation delves into pricing psychology, the importance of genuine belief in what you're offering, and how proper value communication leads to better patient outcomes. Dr. House emphasizes that effective "selling" in healthcare isn't about manipulation but about helping patients envision and achieve better health outcomes they might not realize are possible.

Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas explore the evolution of branding in dentistry, moving beyond traditional visual elements like logos to focus on authentic storytelling and human connection. They discuss how modern branding requires dentists to align their practice with their true identity rather than performing to market expectations. Using examples from consumer brands like Power Bar versus Cliff Bar, they illustrate how authentic storytelling builds trust and attracts the right patients. The conversation emphasizes that successful dental branding isn't about following trends or implementing systems, but rather about clearly communicating who you are and building genuine connections with patients who resonate with your approach.

In this episode, Shawn Zajas and Dr. Allison House dive deep into the challenges and strategies of transitioning away from dental insurance to a fee-for-service model. Drawing from years of experience, Dr House shares the critical steps to analyzing patient data, understanding financial implications, and communicating with patients to ensure a smooth transition. She also discusses the emotional challenges of letting go of beloved patients and how to balance profitability with patient care. Whether you’re considering dropping an insurance provider or simply curious about optimizing your practice, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-life examples.