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The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

By: ACT Dental
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Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide. At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else. Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth. Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community. Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs. In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice. By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry. So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time. Subscribe to The Best Practices Show on Apple Podcasts Join our community and start your journey towards a more innovative, more successful dental practice today!Copyright 2017-2025. All rights reserved. Economics
Episodes
  • 1063: Metric Mondays: Production Gaps Usually Start in the Schedule, Not the Operatory - Ariel Siegel

    1063: Metric Mondays: Production Gaps Usually Start in the Schedule, Not the Operatory - Ariel Siegel
    Jun 22 2026

    Production gaps are often blamed on low case acceptance or insufficient diagnosis, but the real issue may begin with how the schedule is structured, protected, and maintained. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with dental practice coach Ariel Siegel about identifying whether lost production begins in the schedule or the operatory. You will learn how reappointment systems, downtime monitoring, intentional scheduling, and future schedule protection can create more consistent production and smoother clinical days.

    To understand where production gaps begin and what your team can do about them, listen to Episode 1063 of The Best Practices Show!

    Main Takeaways

    • Production problems may result from scheduling systems even when diagnosis and treatment acceptance remain strong.
    • Constantly filling last-minute openings prevents administrative team members from completing other production-building activities.
    • Filling schedule gaps with unsuitable appointments can disrupt the intended flow and energy of the clinical day.
    • Strong reappointment systems help patients understand why they are returning and reduce future cancellations.
    • Protecting the future schedule allows the team to maintain production goals and minimize bottlenecks.
    • Monitoring doctor and hygiene downtime reveals both large openings and smaller gaps that accumulate throughout the day.
    • Designing the schedule around provider energy and appointment type supports more consistent monthly production and revenue.

    Snippets:

    00:00 Metric Mondays Intro

    01:19 Schedule vs Operatory

    02:20 Why Gaps Happen

    03:28 When It Goes Wrong

    04:26 Scramble Fill Trap

    06:51 Getting It Right

    07:57 Protect Future Schedule

    09:17 Design Around Energy

    10:07 Action Steps Today

    11:17 Resources and Wrap Up

    11:57 Final Thanks and Outro

    Guest Bio/Guest Resources:

    Ariel has a master’s in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process!

    Guest Resources:

    https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/

    More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

    • The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
    • Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
    • Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
    • Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com
    • Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com
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    12 mins
  • 1062: Solutions for the Front Office Bottleneck - Richard May

    1062: Solutions for the Front Office Bottleneck - Richard May
    Jun 19 2026
    Missed calls, staffing shortages, and phone fatigue can create a front office bottleneck that affects both the patient experience and practice production. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Richard May of Mango Voice about how modern VoIP systems and AI receptionists can help dental practices answer more calls, streamline scheduling, document patient conversations, and reduce administrative workload without eliminating the human relationships patients need.Learn where AI is most useful, which conversations should remain with team members, and how practices can evaluate these tools responsibly. To improve your phone workflow and reduce pressure on your front office, listen to Episode 1062 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Front office bottlenecks occur when team members must manage ringing phones, arriving patients, scheduling requests, insurance questions, and payments at the same time.Missed calls can represent lost new-patient opportunities and make it difficult for practices to measure the production they are losing.An AI receptionist can answer simultaneous calls, schedule selected appointments, respond to common questions, and filter spam or irrelevant calls.AI tools should be customized with accurate practice information and used as an extension of the team rather than a replacement for every human interaction.Phone integrations with practice management software can identify callers, open patient profiles, create conversation summaries, and reduce manual documentation.Payment disputes, detailed insurance questions, sensitive family concerns, and treatment conversations still require human judgment and empathy.Modern VoIP systems can use mobile applications and cellular data to keep business calls operating during an internet outage.Snippets:00:00 The front office bottleneck in dental practices.01:27 Meet Richard May04:18 How competing front office demands create workflow bottlenecks.06:21 Phone fatigue and the impact of missed calls.08:33 How an AI receptionist handles simultaneous and after-hours calls.10:09 Addressing concerns about AI representing the practice.15:09 Why dentists underestimate the importance of their phone systems.16:39 How patient expectations influence which dental practice they choose.19:10 Using transcripts, keyword searches, and automated patient notes.21:21 The staffing crisis and AI-supported administrative work.23:26 Which tasks should remain human.26:40 How AI can triage after-hours and emergency calls.29:20 How VoIP reliability and mobile applications have improved.31:32 Final considerations for adopting AI in the dental practice.34:24 How to test Margo and schedule a Mango Voice demonstration.Guest Bio/Guest ResourcesRichard has had a fulfilling career in public health, where he spent a decade dedicated to improving community wellness, health education, and preventive care. His work in public health allowed him to make a tangible difference, positively impacting lives and communities, a passion that continues to drive him.Following his public health career, Richard joined Mango, bringing his dedication to health and wellness into a new professional chapter. His role at Mango is a perfect fit, aligning with his values of teamwork, community engagement, and continuous improvement.Mango Voice: https://www.mangovoice.com/More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 1061: Who’s In Your Corner? Why Community Matters in Practice Ownership - Miranda Beeson

    1061: Who’s In Your Corner? Why Community Matters in Practice Ownership - Miranda Beeson
    Jun 17 2026
    Building, growing, and owning an independent dental practice can feel isolating, especially when decisions, team challenges, and long-term vision fall on the practice owner. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT coach and dental practice leader, to explain why community matters in practice ownership and how the right support system can help dentists and their teams make better decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes, build confidence, and grow with greater clarity. To learn how to find the right people in your corner, listen to Episode 1061 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Independent practice owners do not have to solve every challenge alone.A strong professional community provides shared learning, support, accountability, and practical perspective.The right community helps dentists shorten the learning curve by learning from others’ real-world experiences.Community should align with the practice owner’s values and avoid judgment, toxicity, or hidden agendas.Team members also need community and role-specific support to grow in confidence and leadership.The Community Hub provides forums, study clubs, clinical education, resources, and vendor connections for dentists and their teams.Community is a strategic advantage because it helps practice owners think better, lead better, and grow faster.Snippets:00:00 Who Is In Your Corner01:19 Meet Miranda Beeson02:15 Why Dentists Feel Alone04:09 Tribe Stories And Patterns07:41 Isolation And Negative Self Talk08:34 What Community Really Means10:59 Avoid Toxic Communities13:31 Real Benefits For Owners15:25 Belief And Accountability18:15 Community For The Whole Team23:20 Inside The Community Hub26:43 Forum Wins And AI Examples32:19 More Questions Solved Fast37:56 Final Takeaways And Invite40:33 How To Get Started42:32 Closing And Call To ActionGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.Resources mentioned in this episode:To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt/ ACT Dental resources: https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/For more information about the community, contact gina@actdental.comMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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