Growing A Dental Practice

By: Mike Hennan & Hazel Woodward
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  • Summary

  • Mike Hennan, Co-Founder of PatientBoost, and Hazel Woodward, Founder of Lift Social, interview successful practice owners, inspiring associates, renowned dental marketers & business consultants, standout suppliers, and many more. Mike & Hazel are on a mission to give new principals and aspiring practice owners the tools, knowledge, support, and confidence to build the dental business of their dreams.
    PatientBoost
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Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
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Episodes
  • EP80 Time Flies with Dr. Karl Walker-Finch

    EP80 Time Flies with Dr. Karl Walker-Finch
    Jan 19 2024
    In this episode of the Growing A Dental Practice podcast, host Mike Hennan welcomes back a special guest, Dr. Karl Walker-Finch. They discuss Karl's previous appearances on the show and the recognition he has received from other podcasts. They also touch on Karl's journey as a practice owner and his recent book launch. Tune in to learn more about Karl's experiences and insights in the dental industry. Timestamps [00:01:18] Jazz Gulati's inspiring podcast. [00:04:41] Expanding to new audiences. [00:09:22] Writing a book vs running a marathon. [00:13:04] Dealing with challenges in practice. [00:17:55-00:18:05] Cost of a non-working surgery chair. [00:22:04] Patients' loyalty and transition. [00:26:13] The benefits of digital dentistry. [00:33:46] Team member nominated for award. [00:35:22] Carbon footprint and sustainability. [00:40:13] Maximizing surgery utilization. [00:43:28] Challenges in learning process. Detailed Synopsis In this episode, the importance of being prepared for the challenges that come with embarking on a difficult endeavor is discussed. Whether it's starting a dental practice or writing a book, Dr. Karl Walker-Finch emphasizes the need to embrace the hard work and obstacles that may arise. He stresses the significance of being mentally and physically prepared, as well as the willingness to put in the necessary effort to overcome these challenges. Karl acknowledges that making the right decisions is easy when everything is going well, but it becomes more difficult when faced with stress. Therefore, taking care of oneself and being prepared is crucial in order to navigate through the difficulties and ultimately achieve success. Mike and Karl delve into the importance of self-care and being kind to oneself. While running a dental practice can be demanding and stressful, they highlight the need to prioritize personal well-being. They acknowledge that making the right choices is simple when things are going smoothly, but the true test of character arises when faced with challenging situations, such as equipment failures or unexpected setbacks. Managing these situations effectively can only be accomplished if one has taken the time to care for their physical and mental well-being. Listeners are advised to be prepared for the challenges and hard work that come with running a practice, while also remembering to be kind to themselves and prioritize their own well-being. Furthermore, the dentist in this episode mentions that investing in the practice and utilizing new equipment can serve as a marketing tool. Patients who visit the practice can see the dentist's commitment to improvement through these investments, such as acquiring new equipment. This not only creates a positive impression of the practice but also aids in patient education. For instance, the dentist explains how using scanning technology instead of traditional impressions allows them to show patients their own teeth on a screen, helping to illustrate the necessity of certain treatments like onlays. The dentist also expresses satisfaction in getting the rest of the team on board with using new equipment, even planning to train the nurses in scanning. Overall, investing in the practice and utilizing new equipment not only enhances the patient experience but also demonstrates the practice's dedication to providing quality care. Quotes 00:00:57-00:01:11 - "Yeah, no, it's really good to be back. I'm like, I'm wondering when, when do I get, is it like the World Cup where you do, you win it so many times and you get to keep like a trophy or something like that? Do I get like, is it five times?" 00:05:14-00:05:24 - "Yeah, good man. You should be proud. That's such a... Also, what a great combo of, like, life achievements." 00:06:33-00:06:44 - "And then it starts to get really, really hard because running a business and being a dentist is hard work." 00:11:17-00:11:28 - "How honest is honest? The reality is I am enjoying the challenge of it, and it is a challenge, but I'm enjoying the challenge." 00:13:25-00:13:36 - "You know I'm standing here moaning about people telling me when things are going wrong but at the same time I want people to tell me when things are going wrong because I want to be able to do things to put them right." 00:17:44-00:17:55 "Every day that we wouldn't, every day we're not able to use that chair would probably cost us around six, 700 pounds." 00:22:04-00:22:15 "Some of them travel for a couple of hours to come to see him, and they're not going to keep coming a couple of hours to pay privately." 00:23:08-00:23:19 - "they hadn't been told that the dentist was leaving or given the opportunity to understand why or what's going on it's just oh you're here today now you're seeing Carl you're not seeing Richard anymore" 00:27:17-00:27:27 - "they see that everything's moving forward and they love being able to have their teeth scanned instead of the impressions and being able to see their own teeth...
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    44 mins
  • EP79 Content in 10 Minutes with Hazel Woodward

    EP79 Content in 10 Minutes with Hazel Woodward
    Jan 5 2024
    In this episode of the Growing a Dental Practice podcast, hosts Mike Hennan and Hazel Woodward discuss various strategies and tactics for growing a dental practice using social media. Tune in to learn valuable tips for starting, running, and growing a successful dental practice. Timestamps [00:00:49] Shift in awareness around social media. [00:03:58] Disjointed marketing strategies. [00:10:29] Stock photos damaging your brand. [00:12:45] Reels and social media. [00:17:53] Trending audio explained. [00:19:22] Content creation for our listeners. Detailed Synopsis Over the years, dentists and dental practices have become increasingly aware of the significance of social media. In the past, many dentists would question the need for social media, asking "What is it?" or "Why do I need it for my practice?" However, they have now gained a better understanding of social media and its importance. Instead of questioning its necessity, they now raise objections related to content creation. One common objection is the time-consuming nature of content creation. Dentists may feel that they lack the necessary skills or resources to create engaging content. They may not have staff members who are knowledgeable about social media or skilled in content creation. To address these concerns, marketing agencies need to recognize these pain points and offer solutions that require minimal time and effort from the dental practice. For example, the podcast hosts mention that their agency can handle social media for clients with just 10 minutes of input per week. According to the episode, content creation for social media can be challenging and time-consuming for practice owners. The host mentions that many practice owners are busy and may not have the necessary skills or staff to create content for social media. They may struggle with determining what type of content to create, how to effectively use hashtags, or how to write engaging captions. The episode also discusses internal objections that practice owners may have, such as not feeling comfortable on camera or lacking enough time to create content. To address these challenges, the episode suggests that marketing agencies should recognize the pain points of practice owners and offer solutions. The host mentions that their agency has developed an internal process to make social media management easier for practice owners. They claim that they can handle social media with just 10 minutes of the practice owner's time per week. Additionally, the episode discusses various strategies to overcome the challenges of content creation. For practice owners who are not comfortable being on camera, the episode suggests alternative options such as over-the-shoulder images or first-person walkthroughs of the practice. The episode also mentions the possibility of introducing a content day where a team from the agency can visit the practice and capture content for them to use on social media. Furthermore, the episode highlights the importance of using personalized content, such as images from a practice's website or personalized photoshoots, rather than relying on stock photos. The episode suggests that personalized content can help practices stand out and gain more traction on social media compared to their competitors. Overall, the episode acknowledges the time-consuming and challenging nature of content creation for social media and provides strategies and solutions for practice owners to overcome these challenges. According to the podcast episode, marketing agencies can help alleviate the burden of social media by providing expertise and requiring only 10 minutes a week from the practice owner. The episode mentions that practice owners are often busy and may not have the skill set or resources to effectively manage their social media presence. Marketing agencies understand the pain points of practice owners and have developed internal processes to make social media management easier for them. The podcast emphasizes that marketing agencies pride themselves on being able to handle social media on behalf of the practice owner with minimal time commitment. They only require 10 minutes a week from the practice owner to provide necessary information or updates. This allows the practice owner to focus on their core responsibilities while still maintaining an active and effective social media presence. By outsourcing social media management to a marketing agency, practice owners can rely on the expertise and experience of professionals who understand the nuances of social media marketing. The agency can handle tasks such as content creation, including video editing, graphic design, and copywriting, ensuring that the practice's social media accounts are engaging and visually appealing. Overall, marketing agencies can help alleviate the burden of social media for practice owners by providing the necessary expertise and support, requiring only a minimal time commitment from the practice ...
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    20 mins
  • EP78 Platinum Dental Care with Dr. Sarika Shah & Rishi Shah

    EP78 Platinum Dental Care with Dr. Sarika Shah & Rishi Shah
    Dec 22 2023
    In this episode of the Growing a Dental Practice podcast, host Mike Hennan is joined by Dr. Sarika Shah and Rishi Shah, the owners of Platinum Dental Care in Canary Wharf, London. They discuss their unique partnership as a husband-wife team and share insights into running a successful dental practice. Dr. Sarika Shah has 17 years of experience as a dentist and holds an MSc in restorative dentistry, while Rishi Shah brings a different perspective as a non-dentist. Listen to learn more about their journey and the strategies they have used to grow their practice. Timestamps [00:00:59] Husband-wife dental practice partnership. [00:03:03] Choosing a career path. [00:07:47] Dentistry and business integration. [00:10:51] Running a dental business [00:13:11] Choosing Canary Wharf as Location. [00:19:49] Aesthetic transformation of the practice. [00:23:35] Inheriting an existing team. [00:25:10] Team changes and recruitment. [00:29:12] Working as a husband and wife duo. [00:32:56] Expanding to multiple locations. [00:36:14] Running your own dental practice. [00:40:05] Challenges of starting a practice. Detailed Synopsis In the episode, the hosts discuss the importance of balancing work and personal life for mental health and overall well-being. They emphasize that while running a dental practice can be challenging and time-consuming, it is essential to prioritize one's mental health and avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. The hosts share their own experiences of sleepless nights and late-night discussions about practice-related matters. They acknowledge that it is easy to get caught up in the demands of running a business, but they have learned the importance of balance. They highlight the significance of maintaining good mental health and reaching out for support or advice when needed. The hosts also mention the division of responsibilities between them and how their different skill sets and personalities complement each other. They recognize the need for open communication and managing disagreements in a constructive manner. They have learned to respect each other's roles and not intervene unnecessarily, allowing them to use their time wisely and focus on important discussions that require both of their inputs. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for dentists to prioritize their well-being and find a balance between work and personal life. They stress the importance of having a clear understanding of what running a dental practice entails, conducting thorough research, and having a robust business plan in place. Additionally, they highlight the significance of having a supportive team and mentors to help alleviate stress and ensure a successful practice. In the episode, the speakers mention the importance of having an ideas board during the buying process for their practice. They recall having a tiny flat in Canada Water with a massive whiteboard on one of the walls, where they would pin up all their ideas and thoughts. They explain that having an ideas board allows for visualizing and remembering creative ideas, as well as planning and strategizing for the future of the practice. The speakers also share their personal experience of discussing practice matters while lying in bed at 2 am, highlighting the level of dedication and commitment required. However, they also emphasize the importance of balance and not neglecting mental health. They suggest reaching out, sharing vulnerabilities, and asking for advice when needed. They believe that the more one shares and seeks help, the easier the journey becomes. Overall, the episode suggests that sharing vulnerabilities and seeking advice from others can provide valuable support and guidance when starting a practice. It emphasizes the importance of building a network of mentors and professionals who can offer insights and help navigate the challenges that come with starting a practice. Quotes 00:02:46 - "Never. No. Probably one of the best decisions we ever made together." 00:05:17 - "Being an entrepreneur is in my blood" 00:07:45 - "Dentistry itself was not my passion, let's be clear. It was first, it was business." 00:07:47 - "But I could see why they're not because time is so limited for the one person to do everything." 00:10:51 - "Yeah. And you know, as dentists, we don't, we're not really taught about finance. We're not taught about running a business, so much more to running a business than the financial side of it. And we're not taught any of those skills." 00:14:18 - "I was one of them, I could see what was important, I could see their working hours and having accessibility to a good quality service conveniently was important." 00:16:51 - "Yes, this, this is it. This is the one." 00:20:02 - "Yeah. Internal structural changes." 00:23:04 - "The more they bought into this change that's happening, and the more excited they got, the more they were likely to push through those tough times." 00:25:10 - "So many people are stuck in ...
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    43 mins

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