Dental Success: Beyond Chairside

In this episode, Michelle Pritchard speaks with Dr Sugz Mahalingam, a general dentist and communication strategist, about the critical role of patient trust in dental practice. Dr Sugz emphasises that while patients may not remember every detail of their visit, they will always recall how they felt during their appointment. He shares insights from his experience in both clinical dentistry and persuasive psychology, highlighting the...

In this episode, Julie Parker discusses the critical role of effective communication in dental practices, particularly during the first patient interaction. She emphasises the importance of building trust, enhancing phone interactions, and training receptionists to improve patient engagement. Key strategies include increasing energy when answering calls, speaking slowly for clarity, and actively listening to patient needs. The conv...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard interviews Jurgen Kuhefuss, the Director of Bio Hygiene, about the importance of sustainable infection control in dental practices. They discuss the impact of chemicals used in dental hygiene, the benefits of biodegradable products, and the health risks associated with traditional disinfectants. Jürgen emphasises the need for dental teams to be aware of the prod...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Dr Ash Shah discusses the integration of sustainability into dental practices. From reducing waste through innovative materials to creating eco-friendly patient care packs, Dr Shah shares her journey and the positive impact on both the environment and her practice's bottom line. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning business values with environmental responsibilit...

In this episode, Michelle interviews Brad Potter, a seasoned business broker specialising in healthcare practices. They discuss the essential steps practice owners should take to maximise the value of their dental practice before selling. Key topics include understanding buyer preferences, the importance of practice presentation and equipment, systemising operations for smooth transitions, and navigating relationships with associat...

In this episode, Michelle Pritchard interviews Craig Keegan from M&A Profits, who discusses innovative exit strategies for dental practices, particularly focusing on a cooperative model that allows dentists to maintain control and trust while preparing for a successful exit. Craig outlines the importance of building a scalable business with 13 essential pillars. He explores various exit strategies, emphasising the need for plan...

In this episode of Dental Success: Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard chats with James Mani from Carestack about the key role practice management systems play in running a modern dental practice. James shares lessons from his journey in the dental tech space, showing how well-integrated digital tools can improve patient care and streamline daily operations. They also discuss how AI is helping practices strengthen communication, b...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard interviews Sunil Purba, Founder of the Integrated Executive, a chartered accountant and healthcare executive, about the financial metrics that orthodontic practices should analyse to ensure growth and sustainability. Sunil shares his journey in the industry, the challenges faced by practices post-COVID, and the importance of understanding key performance indicat...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard and Kelly King discuss the importance of intentional financial planning for dental practice owners. They explore how the right business structure can minimise taxes and support long-term growth, the significance of proactive tax planning and superannuation strategies, and the various options for generating passive income. The conversation emphasises the need for...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard speaks with Arthur Addinall, a chartered accountant specialising in helping dental professionals understand their financials. They discuss the importance of looking beyond tax time to manage a dental practice effectively, emphasising the need for strategic planning and the value of having a supportive team. Arthur shares insights on how to track key financial me...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard speaks with David McMullen, a commercial lawyer specialising in the dental sector. They discuss the critical importance of establishing solid legal foundations for dental practices, particularly for first-time buyers. David emphasises the need for formal agreements, understanding business structures, and the ongoing legal responsibilities that come with running ...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard and HR expert Kristy-Lee Billett discuss upcoming changes to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, particularly focusing on the classification and pay of dental assistants. They explore the implications of these changes, the importance of preparing for potential increases in staff costs, and the need for dental practices to enhance efficiency and ...

In this episode of Dental Success: Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard is joined by Ro Gorell, experienced change strategist and founder of Grow Talent Pty Ltd. Together, they explore why change efforts in dental practices often fall short and how to get your team on board from the start. Ro shares insights grounded in behavioural science, highlighting the importance of communication, context, and collaboration when implementing n...

In this conversation, Michelle Pritchard speaks with Dr Parul Bhatia about her journey as a dental practice owner, the challenges of balancing personal and professional life, and the importance of support systems in managing a successful practice. Parul shares her insights on sustainability, the need for business management, and how success can be defined differently for each practitioner. The discussion emphasises the significance...

In this episode of Dental Success Beyond Chairside, Michelle Pritchard interviews Lauren Cawthorne, a treatment coordinator from Harris Orthodontics, about the integration of AI scribes in dental practices. They discuss Lauren's journey into the dental field, the benefits of automating tasks to save time, and how AI technology enhances patient communication and care. Lauren shares her experiences with the AI platform Heidi Health, ...

Securing Your Practice: IT Vulnerabilities & Risk Management with Stuart Millington

In this episode of Dental Success: Beyond Chairside, I’m joined by Stuart Millington from Bluebird IT. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Stuart specialises in providing exceptional IT support, particularly for the healthcare sector. His expertise ensures that technology aligns seamlessly with his clients' unique business ...

In this episode of Dental Success: Beyond Chairside, I’m joined by Vicki Samios, founder of Above It. As a dentist, practice owner, and business coach, Vicki brings a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of practice ownership. She understands firsthand the balancing act of patient care, business decisions, and team management.

If running a practice ever feels overwhelming, this episode is full of practic...

In this episode of Dental Success: Beyond Chairside, I chat with Joe Chickerillo, founder of My Dental SOP—a service built for busy dental practices who know they need better systems but don’t have the time or energy to do it themselves.

Joe has over 15 years’ experience in SaaS, much of it in the dental space, and now helps practice owners get their sticky notes, mental checklists, and scattered processes ...

In this episode, Michelle Pritchard speaks with Tony Van Eyk, Managing Director of BirdEye Australia, about the challenges dental practices face in managing their online presence and customer engagement. They discuss how BirdEye's platform helps practices attract new patients, improve customer experience, and save time through automation and AI technology. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting to changing consumer ...