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What would you do differently if you had to start over? Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout answer that question for dental practice management. Kirk puts Zach in the hot seat with five rounds of tough questions, and both hosts answer each one.In this episode:The one hire they'd skip, and why outsourcing insurance and billing frees up your front officeThe investment that turned out to be a distraction: unused equipment, new procedures and tech tools with no plan to roll them out.What to do with your first $50,000 in profit, including the value of a rainy day fund.How to choose a consultant, coach or course that fits your goalsThe mindset to ditch: "busy equals productive" and toxic positivity.Why leadership has to come before systems.A bonus round on what new owners and office managers have today that Zach and Kirk didn't.If you're an owner or office manager who wants practical, honest takes, this one is for you. Follow the show, leave a five-star review and share it with your team.

Are your handpieces running smoothly, or are everyday habits quietly cutting their lifespan in half? Too many practices treat handpieces as disposable tools, resulting in sluggish performance, unexpected equipment failure, and thousands of dollars wasted on preventable replacements. In this episode, host Matt Brown sits down with Richard “Dicky” Ball, CEO of Summit Handpiece Express, to uncover what it really takes to protect your practice's most vital daily instruments. From simple PSI adjustments that prevent bearing burnout to common sterilization mistakes dental teams make without realizing it, Dicky breaks down five essential, cost-saving strategies every clinic should implement immediately. In this episode, Matt and Dicky discuss: The PSI Pitfall: Why running outside manufacturer pressure specs ruins bearings fast—and how to dial it in correctly. Autoclave Protocols: The vital pre-sterilization lubrication step you cannot afford to skip. Team Training & Common Traps: Why quick fixes like cooling hot handpieces under tap water introduce contaminants (and how simple laminated checklists protect your gear). Retire or Repair?: Critical warning signs—like slipping burs—that signal an instrument must be pulled from service before patient safety is compromised. The Power of the Manual: How adhering strictly to manufacturer guidelines can help your practice go an entire year or more without a single repair bill. Tune in to learn how shifting from a "replace when broken" mindset to proactive prevention will protect your overhead, keep your operatories on schedule, and safeguard your patients.

This episode of Dental Unfiltered features Matt Brown and Elijah Desmond discussing “human equity”, the trust and goodwill built through genuine relationships, generosity, and follow-through, beyond financial value. They talk about giving without expecting something in return, protecting your time by investing it in people who act on advice, and how vulnerability and an abundance mindset can strengthen both personal and professional communities. Elijah also shares how his life purpose, including motivational speaking for young people, shapes the way he serves others.

In this special crossover episode, our very own Dr. Andrew Vallo joins Dr. Blake Hamblin, Dr. Collin Myrick, and Gary Bird on My Dental Playbook for the grand finale of their 5-part Hygiene Crisis Series.Between soaring wages, staffing shortages, PPO reimbursement pressures, and climbing overhead, many practice owners have written hygiene off as a broken loss-leader. But what if the problem isn't hygiene itself, but how your practice model is designed?Together, the panel breaks down three completely different practice models—fee-for-service, PPO, multi-location, and rural—to reveal how top-performing practice owners build high-production hygiene departments that drive predictable, long-term practice growth.In this episode, you’ll learn:Profit Center vs. Patient Acquisition: Should hygiene make money directly or serve as a funnel?The #1 Growth Metric: The single KPI that predicts long-term practice health better than almost any other.Compensation & Incentives: How top practices structure hygienist pay and bonus plans to keep teams engaged and productive.Smart Hiring Strategy: Why leading practices hire hygienists before they feel the squeeze.Retention Over Volume: Why your reappointment rate matters far more than new patient volume.Practice Design: How three distinct business models tackle scheduling, retention, and leadership in hygiene.Whether you're struggling with empty schedules, rising payroll, or declining profitability, this conversation will challenge traditional dental dogma and leave you with actionable systems you can implement immediately.

This episode of Management Unfiltered is about addressing workplace issues early and fairly so they don’t become part of a dental practice’s culture. Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout discuss how to tell a people problem from a process problem, set clear expectations, invite staff feedback, and correct issues privately while recognizing good work publicly.

This episode of Dental Unfiltered is a “State of the Market” conversation between Matt Brown and dental-practice transition advisor Justin Klingshern. They discuss how higher interest rates and shifting buyer expectations are changing dental practice valuations and sale terms. The key theme is that buyers increasingly value practices that can grow and operate beyond the owner: diversified procedures and payer mix, strong hygiene and associate teams, and less dependence on one dentist. They also compare what A, B, and C practices may encounter when selling or partnering with a DSO, and why it’s useful to assess a practice’s value and plan years before an exit.

Mastering the Periosteal Sling Suture for Unshakeable Graft StabilityBone graft mobility is the enemy of successful ridge augmentation. In this episode of Clinical Unfiltered, Dr. Sasha breaks down the periosteal sling suture; a critical technique for securing grafts during advanced socket and ridge procedures. What you’ll learn in this episode: How the periosteal sling suture pairs with flap advancement to lock grafts in place Step-by-step pig jaw and live clinical case demonstrations Key principles for membrane selection, graft stability, and hands-on practice Tune in for a practical, step-by-step walkthrough that turns a complex surgical concept into a repeatable skill for your practice.

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, host Matt Brown is joined by Dr. Rehan Shahid to talk about his journey from a new dental graduate to owning four practices in about four years.They explore how Rehan moved quickly from his first acquisition to building a multi-practice group, why he favors action over waiting for perfect conditions, and how he approaches growth in rural markets. Matt and Rehan also discuss the challenges of scaling, including the “ugly duckling” stage, improving underperforming offices, and deciding when to expand existing locations rather than add new ones.The conversation goes beyond business growth to examine case acceptance and patient care. Rehan explains why he believes dentists should present comprehensive treatment ethically and give patients the information they need to make decisions about their care. He also shares how mentorship, business education, and learning from mistakes helped him build confidence and move forward.This episode is for dentists, associates, and practice owners thinking about ownership, acquisitions, growth, or how to lead a practice with greater confidence and purpose.

Dental Unfiltered host Matt Brown sits down with longtime dental leader and investor Dr. Jim Arnold to discuss what can happen behind the scenes of a DSO sale, recap, and equity rollover. Jim built and grew his practices, sold at a time that made sense for his goals, and experienced a first recap that returned 9.16 times his equity. Later, after rolling equity into another deal, he lost that investment when rapid expansion, heavy debt, the pandemic, and a failed recap converged. Together, Matt and Jim unpack why past private-equity multiples may no longer reflect current conditions, how the buyer pool can narrow as a practice grows, and why revenue alone doesn’t determine whether a practice is attractive to a buyer. Jim explains how a practice’s people, systems, profitability, and reliance on its owner can all affect its risk and value. They also discuss the importance of careful due diligence, experienced representation, and understanding what you’re agreeing to when equity is rolled into a deal. Jim reflects on what he would do differently, including seeking professional advice and resisting the assumption that a large buyer is automatically “too big to fail.” The conversation’s central lesson: don’t wait until you’re ready to sell to understand your practice’s value and what could make it more desirable. Start early, focus on what you can control, and build a business that can thrive without depending entirely on you. The episode also touches on oral surgery acquisitions and the potential role of medical billing in dental practices. If you own a practice—or may one day sell, partner, or transition it—this candid conversation offers a grounded perspective on preparing for that decision.

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, hosts Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo discuss how experience-based incentives can motivate dental teams, boost morale, and help drive stronger results. Dr. Vallo explains the monthly sales contests at Starlight Dental Management, where treatment coordinators compete based on first-half-of-the-month collections. Prizes have included a weekend cruise, sporting-event or concert tickets, restaurant gift cards, holiday shopping sprees, and a gas card. The contests also include collection thresholds and a financing application target, tying rewards to specific business goals. Matt and Dr. Vallo explore why memorable experiences may motivate employees differently than cash bonuses or routine rewards like pizza. They discuss how prizes can build team excitement, create shared memories, help employees feel appreciated, and support retention. They also look at how rewarding a strong start to the month can help offices build momentum toward their monthly goals.For dental leaders looking for practical ways to motivate treatment coordinators and recognize great work, this conversation offers a detailed look at designing incentives that combine measurable performance with meaningful rewards.

In this episode of Management Unfiltered, Zach Shelley is joined by Mike Nelson to discuss The Atlas Project, a new ecosystem designed to help dental professionals grow their businesses, relationships, health, and sense of adventure.Mike shares how his career in landscaping, dental implants, technology, and industry events revealed a major gap in dentistry: while professionals have access to plenty of resources for improving their practices, they often lack support for building a balanced and intentional life.Zach and Mike explore how business pressures can affect relationships, team culture, mental health, and family life. They also discuss the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, spending intentional time with loved ones, embracing outdoor adventures, and leading with joy instead of fear.You’ll learn how The Atlas Project uses assessments, resources, events, and customized adventures to help dental professionals focus on the areas of life that need the most attention. Whether you’re a dentist, practice owner, office manager, or dental leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on growing your career without sacrificing the rest of your life.

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, hosts Dr. Vallo and Matt Brown share firsthand stories about the nightmare scenarios that can derail a dental startup. From construction delays and unreliable contractor timelines to lease disputes, legal complications, and unexpected expenses, they unpack the challenges that can turn a promising practice launch into a costly and stressful experience. They discuss delayed openings, doctors relocating before their practices are ready, former tenants refusing to vacate, and the importance of clear communication between dentists, contractors, landlords, brokers, and attorneys. Matt and Dr. Vallo also explain why some dentists invest heavily in equipment, office design, websites, and SEO while underinvesting in the marketing needed to actually bring patients through the door. Whether you’re planning a dental startup, expanding your practice group, or considering buying an existing practice, this episode offers an honest look at what can go wrong, and how better planning, communication, capitalization, and expert guidance can help you avoid expensive mistakes.

In this episode of Management Unfiltered, hosts Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout explore the leadership balance every practice owner, office manager, and team leader needs to master: knowing when to step in, when to step back, and when helping may actually be holding your team back. They discuss how to address small issues early, hold people accountable in private, praise them in public, and gradually give team members the autonomy they need to grow. Zach and Kirk also share practical strategies for avoiding micromanagement, communicating new expectations, delegating outcomes instead of tasks, and developing future leaders who can solve problems without you. The conversation also covers the “apology meeting,” the dog-leash analogy for building trust and independence, and the rubber-versus-glass framework for deciding which situations your team can safely learn from and which require immediate intervention. Finally, Zach and Kirk examine how virtual assistants can help practices reduce administrative burdens, lower overhead, and reclaim valuable time. They cover common VA responsibilities, including insurance verification, patient communication, schedule audits, data collection, and content creation, while highlighting important compliance, privacy, and data-security considerations. If you want to build a stronger team, create a healthier practice, and stop being the bottleneck, this episode offers practical guidance for leading with clarity, trust, and intention.

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, hosts Matt Brown and Dr. Vallo discuss how dental practice leaders can protect their time, empower their teams, and create more effective meetings. They explore why executives shouldn’t attend every meeting, how a clear chain of command prevents unnecessary interruptions, and why leaders need to trust their teams to solve problems independently.They also explain how to structure productive executive meetings with a regular cadence and clear agenda, while giving emerging leaders the opportunity to develop, make mistakes, and grow. The key takeaway: strong leadership means knowing when to step in, and when to step back.

What if the fastest way to grow your practice is to stop treating sales, financing, and specialist referrals like separate problems?In this powerhouse episode of Dental Shark and Tell, Dr. Sausha sits down with a lineup of top clinicians and industry voices to break down the exact operational playbooks that move high-value cases forward. Inside this episode: Building a Front-Office Sales Department: Dr. Andrew Vallo reveals the exact KPIs, daily deposit tracking, and "2-2-2 follow-up system" his group uses to drive treatment acceptance and team accountability. Unlocking Big-Ticket Treatment Acceptance: Carla Vallo (Cherry) breaks down how smart third-party financing transforms checkout conversations, removes sticker shock, and prevents patients from walking out the door. B2B Growth & Digital Opportunities: How leveraging LinkedIn can open unexpected KOL, research, and B2B doors for clinicians.Bringing Specialty Procedures In-House: Advanced strategies covering photogrammetry, 3D printing, implant salvage, and full-arch workflows that lower lab costs and improve prosthetic accuracy. The Reality of Specialist-Led Expansion: Vanessa delivers a candid breakdown of safety, billing, sedation protocols, and crash cart requirements, answering the ultimate question: Is bringing a new procedure in-house worth the risk? Stop guessing and start scaling with repeatable systems. Whether you’re an associate, practice owner, or team lead, this episode is packed with immediate, high-impact strategies. 🎧 Stream the full episode now!