Just a Couple of Dentists

Don’t Get Caught With Your Pants Down...and other HR horror stories (ft. Kara Kelley)

👉 Want a better way to manage office checklists, accountability, and team follow-throughs? Join the Milo waitlist HERE
📝 Episode Notes
Eric’s first time firing someone didn’t go exactly how he expected…
He brought the employee in early, tried to handle it professionally and ended up getting called a “p****” to his face, having a keyboard slammed on his desk, and having to explain to a patient why his office manager was just called a "backstabbing b****" in front of everyone.
That’s the part of owning a practice no one really prepares you for.
We brought Kara Kelley, founder of Clinical HR, on to talk through situations like this and what you’re supposed to do when it happens.
We get into:
how to handle situations where employees cross the line
what actually counts as misconduct vs something that’s just awkward
why documenting things in the moment matters
how to approach firing someone (and what most people get wrong)
who to have in the room with you when letting someone go
🤝 Sponsor Support
If you’ve gotten anything from the podcast, checking these amazing sponsors out helps us keep doing it.
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What ACTUALLY Separates Average vs Profitable Dental Practices (ft. Dr. Spencer Greer)

👉 If you downloaded the front office checklists…this is the other half!
6 back office checklists Alex used to keep everything running smoothly.Download them Here!
https://bo.checklists.startmilo.com/
 
Most dentists think producing more just means doing more dentistry.
That’s not really how it works.
In this episode, Eric and Alex bring Spencer Greer back on to talk through what actually makes a practice run well and produce more without everything feeling chaotic.
Spencer runs multiple high-producing practices, and what’s interesting is he’s not tracking a million things or micromanaging every detail. He’s focused on a few core levers that actually move the needle.
They get into what changed for him as he went from being in the weeds to running offices that don’t need him there all day, the leadership mistakes he made early on, and how he thinks about managing a team now.
They also talk through bonuses, team buy-in, hygiene production, and why a lot of dentists are probably focusing on the wrong things.
What We Cover
• The difference between managing in the office vs from a distance• Why tracking everything usually backfires• The few numbers that actually matter• How Spencer structures bonuses (and what didn’t work at first)• Why bonuses can create tension in an office• The leadership mistakes most owners don’t realize they’re making• How to figure out what actually matters to your team• Simple ways to improve hygiene production• The difference between a “busy” day and a “crazy” day• Hiring people you actually want to work with
Sponsors
Darkhorse Tech
If you’ve ever had tech issues shut your office down for even half a day, you know how frustrating that is.
Darkhorse Tech handles IT and cybersecurity specifically for dental practices, so you’re not dealing with that kind of stuff in the middle of your day.
They’re offering the first month free for listeners of the podcast.
Learn more at:https://www.darkhorsetech.com
nadapayments
Most practices are paying more than they need to in credit card fees—they just don’t realize it.
Nadapayments is built specifically for dental offices and helps bring those costs down without making things more complicated for your team.
The offer for listeners:$25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No other fees.
Check them out here:https://www.nadapayments.com
If you enjoy the podcast, the best way to support us is simple:
Follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another dentist.

The EXACT Playbook We Used to Train New Hires in Our Practice

👉 Get the 7 checklists Alex used to keep her front office organized and in controlDownload them HERE!Hiring in dentistry is hard.
Training them might be even harder.
In this episode, Eric and Alex break down the exact system they used to train new team members inside their own practice. This is the same framework that helped them bring assistants and front office team members up to speed quickly while keeping the entire office running smoothly.
They walk through their 3-3-3 training system, what new hires should learn in the first 3 days, first 3 weeks, and first 3 months,  and the systems they used to make sure things actually stuck.
They also talk about why most dental offices struggle with training, how to avoid overwhelming new team members, and why tying raises to skill development completely changed how their team learned.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly starting over every time you hire someone new, this episode lays out a simple playbook that actually works.
What We Cover
• The 3-3-3 training system used in Eric and Alex’s practice• What every new hire should understand in their first 3 days• The key skills assistants should master by week 3• How to train assistants to support treatment acceptance• Why most dental practices overcomplicate training• The intraoral camera habit that helps patients say yes to treatment• How tying raises to skills instead of time improves team performance• Why systems make hiring and onboarding dramatically easier
Sponsors
Darkhorse Tech
If you’ve ever dealt with slow IT support, outdated computers, or random tech issues that shut your office down for the day, you know how frustrating dental technology can be.
Darkhorse Tech specializes in IT and cybersecurity specifically for dental practices, and they’ve built their entire company around helping dentists avoid the tech disasters that seem to happen at the worst possible time.
They’re offering the first month free for listeners of the podcast.
Learn more at:https://www.darkhorsetech.com
nadapayments
Most dental offices are still paying way too much in credit card processing fees.
Nadapayments is a payment platform built specifically for dental practices that helps reduce those costs while keeping things simple for your team.
The offer for listeners:$25 per month and 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction with no other fees.
Check them out here:https://www.nadapayments.com
If you enjoy the podcast, the best way to support us is simple:follow the show, leave a review, and share the episode with another dentist.
It helps more than you think.

Should You Give Your Team Equity to Scale Faster? (ft - Dr. Jason Tanoory)

Should you give associates equity in your dental practice?
Some owners think it’s crazy. Others think it’s the only way to scale.
In this episode, Eric and Alex sit down with Jason Tanoory, who has built an 8-practice dental group in upstate New York using a model that allows both associate dentists and key non-clinical staff to earn equity in the organization.
We break down how the model works, the mistakes Jason made along the way, and when something like this actually makes sense for a practice owner.
Topics we cover:
• Why Jason chose an equity model instead of traditional partnerships• How associates earn equity without writing a check• The production hurdle system used to allocate shares• Vesting schedules and how ownership grows over time• What happens if an associate leaves the organization• Why equity isn’t always the right incentive for team members• The difference between equity, phantom equity, and bonuses• How this model helped Jason grow to 8 practices and 25 associates
If you’ve ever wondered whether giving equity to associates or staff actually works, this episode walks through a real-world example of someone doing it.
Subscribe to the Podcast
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🎧 Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/5mxdS8Bx8zN7XxrKZ6QcZj
🍎 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-a-couple-of-dentists/id1782713047
Sponsors
nadapayments
Most dentists don’t realize how much they’re overpaying in credit card processing.
Nadapayments created a pricing model specifically for dental practices that’s simple and transparent.
The offer for JACD listeners is:
• $25 per month• 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction• No other fees
If you want to see how much your practice could save, check them out here:https://www.nadapayments.com
Darkhorse Tech
If your IT company only shows up when something breaks, you’re doing it wrong.
Darkhorse Tech specializes in dental-specific IT support, cybersecurity, backups, and compliance — all designed for how dental offices actually run.
JACD listeners get their first month of service free.
Learn more here:https://www.darkhorsetech.com

He Got Fired by a DSO for Doing Too Many Crowns (ft. Dr. Brett Kessler)

We randomly saw Brett Kessler like our Facebook page… so naturally Eric slid into his DMs.
Turns out he wasn’t just some dentist from Colorado.
He was the former President of the ADA.
In this episode we talk about:
• What it’s actually like running for ADA president (yes, it’s basically a political campaign)• Getting attacked publicly and how he handled it• Testifying in front of Congress about “meth mouth”• The real tension between private equity and dentist autonomy• The hygiene shortage and why it’s not as simple as “just pay more”
We also get into Olympic athletes, burnout, startup struggles, and what it really means to lead when everyone has an opinion.
Brett’s story goes from addiction recovery… to the White House… to shaping national policy around fluoride and oral health.
Big thanks to our sponsors who help keep this thing going:
Darkhorse TechIf your IT guy is still “a buddy who’s good with computers,” it’s time.These guys specialize in dental practices and actually understand what we deal with.They’re offering your first month free if you mention Just a Couple of Dentists.
👉 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
And
nadapaymentsIf you’re still overpaying on merchant fees, at least look at this.They do $25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No junk fees. No weird stuff.It’s one of those “why didn’t I switch earlier” things.
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If you want to support the podcast, check them out.

What Dental Suppliers Don’t Want You to Know (ft. Jay Glazer)

Jay Glazer from Crazy Dental Prices joins Eric and Alex to pull back the curtain on how dental supplies are priced, why “house brands” can be surprisingly legit, and what “export packaging” and gray market actually mean.
We get into why the same product can be wildly different prices depending on where you buy it, how private label products are made, and why dentists get trained to trust certain brands before they ever graduate. 
In this episode:
Why supply pricing feels random, and why it’s not
How house brand and private label products really get made
The truth about “export packaging” and gray market supplies
Why the “big distributor = safest” assumption isn’t always true
When generics make sense
Why dentists are picky, and why that’s not always a bad thing
The real reason reps and manufacturers hate gray market
Simple ways to test cheaper options without blowing up your workflow
Sponsors
Darkhorse TechWe use Darkhorse in our practices and they’ve been huge for keeping our tech from becoming a dumpster fire. Instead of waiting until something breaks and scrambling, they’re proactive. They help with security, backups, updates, all the stuff you don’t think about until it’s a problem.
If your office IT situation is basically “call someone when it explodes,” you should at least talk to them. Listeners get their first month of service free. www.darkhorsetech.com
nadapaymentsWe switched to nadapayments because we were tired of feeling like merchant services was this black box that just quietly took more every month. It’s simple: $25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No other random fees.
We’ve saved real money using them, and it’s one of those expenses that adds up way more than people realize. If you haven’t looked at your processing fees in a while, this is probably worth five minutes of your time. www.nadapayments.com

What ACTUALLY Happens After You Sell to a DSO

Everyone talks about the multiple.Nobody talks about what happens after the money hits your bank account.
In this episode with Deren Flesher, we break down what life actually looks like after you sell to a DSO:
• Minority ownership and what that really means• 2–5 year employment agreements• Recap cycles explained• What roles and responsibilities you can expect after selling• When your practice gets too big for a private buyer• How to build a practice that can run without you
If you’re thinking about selling at some point, make sure to listen!
Sponsors
Darkhorse TechYour dental office is most vulnerable when you’re not there — nights, weekends, holidays. That’s when hackers strike.
Darkhorse monitors your practice 24/7 — not just 9–5.
Mention Just a Couple of Dentists and get your first month free.
👉 darkhorsetech.com
NADA PaymentsWe switched after almost signing with the wrong company and it saved us over $20,000 in credit card fees.
Listeners get an exclusive deal:$25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No other hidden fees.
If you’re still paying traditional merchant rates, you’re just lighting money on fire.
👉 nadapayments.com

What You Want to Comment on Facebook (But Won’t) — So We Did (ft. Brennon Dean and Deren Flesher)

There are certain posts that blow up in dental Facebook groups.Lots of likes. Lots of agreement. And a lot of people quietly thinking… ehh, not sure about that.
In this episode, we talk about the stuff most dentists won’t comment publicly but definitely talk about offline.
We bounce around a few topics, including:
The hygiene pay debate and why it feels broken
Non-competes and why people freak out about them
Why so many dentists keep looking for a way “out”
Why celebrating staff birthdays doesn't REALLY improve culture
Thanks to our sponsors
Darkhorse TechIT and security built for dental offices.First month is free for listeners.
https://darkhorsetech.com
NadapaymentsPayment processing that helps practices cut credit card fees.
Listener offer:$25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction
https://nadapayments.com

The EASIEST Way to Save over $20,000 in 2026! (ft. nadapayments)

Merchant fees are one of the most ignored line items in a dental practice. In this episode, Eric and Alex bring on Roman and Steven from nadapayments to break down how credit card surcharging actually works, what’s legal, what’s sketchy, and how practices can eliminate most processing fees without upsetting patients or risking compliance issues. They walk through real numbers, common fears dentists have, and the exact front-desk scripting that makes this a non-issue in real life. No matter if you're doing $500k a year or $5 million, this is one of the simplest changes you can make to improve cash flow in your practice.
Sponsor shoutoutThis episode is sponsored by nadapayments, the merchant services provider Eric and Alex actually use in their own practices.Listener offer: $25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction, no other fees.Learn more or request a demo: https://nadapayments.com
Also sponsored by Darkhorse Tech — the dental IT team that helps protect practices from hacks, downtime, and security headaches.Listener offer: First month of service free.Learn more: https://darkhorsetech.com

How to Spot a Bad Investment Straight From a Former Federal Prosecutor (ft. Jason Covert)

Dentists get pitched a lot of “can’t-miss” investment opportunities.
Real estate. Private funds. Side deals. “Exclusive” opportunities that somehow always land in your inbox.
In this episode, we sit down with Jason Covert, an attorney who previously prosecuted fraud cases, to break down how bad deals actually work and what to look for before you wire money.
We talk through:
Why dentists are prime targets for alternative investments
The biggest red flags hidden inside private placement memorandums (PPMs)
Why the use of funds section really matters
How salespeople (not owners) often pitch investments
What questions you should always ask a sponsor
When it makes sense to hire a lawyer and when it probably doesn’t
How influencers and promoters end up getting sued
The difference between being named in a lawsuit and actually being liable
A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
Darkhorse TechDarkhorse Tech handles your IT — the stuff that has to work every day but usually doesn’t get attention until something breaks.
They help practices with:
IT support
Network setup
Security (without scare tactics)
Making sure your systems actually work the way they’re supposed to
And they explain things in plain English, not IT jargon.
👉 First month of service is free🔗 https://darkhorsetech.com
NADA PaymentsNADA Payments helps practices pass the credit card processing fee to the patient the right way, without sketchy contracts or surprise fees.
The practice pays:
$25/month
1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction
No other fees
That’s it.
If your merchant statement looks like it was designed to confuse you, this is worth a look.
🔗 https://nadapayments.com