Welcome to The My Practice My Business Dental Podcast. I'm Dr. Rob Thorup, Clinical Director at MPMB. In our podcast shows we help dentists profit and thrive with excerpts from The Clinical Business of Dentistry Training here at MPMB.This podcast is dedicated to helping dentists and their teams reclaim forgotten profitability in dentistry, and to learn business skills specifically designed for dental practices. We look forward to your subscription, and we hope you let your colleagues know ab ...
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Business Stupid vs Business Smart in the Dental Profession
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27:15I’ll never forget the first time I sat down with a dental insurance representative, and started asking questions. I began with questions based on all the “false information” that had been thrown at me through the years regarding PPO contracts, such as: “sending in fee-for-service (FFS) fees increases PPO reimbursement rates”, or “you can’t upgrade …
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Tracy was headed down to Utah County a few months ago, listening to one of our favorite talking heads interview an author, Annie Jacobsen, on a book she wrote titled, “Nuclear War.” She ended up buying the book for me to read, and it was very eye opening. I love reading books and finding what I call “crossovers” to what I see in our profession, and…
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Where is the sense of community in dentistry?
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19:06When I first started my dental practice, back in 1989, most dentists helped each other out. There existed a sense of community that was evident, even within our state dental association. They actually had a “new dentist” committee that was really helpful. The association leadership would assign someone as a mentor, which was also really helpful. Ba…
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The "Real" Top 10 Concerns Facing Dentists
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43:47We identify what the top ten concerns dentists face every day with running their dental practices, and where to find the answers to run their dental businesses profitably. Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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My Practice My Business and the UDA help Utah dentists score another big win with legislation. We cover what this bill means to dentists and the patients they serve, and our wish for all states to pass similar legislation. Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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Giving Your Dental Patients a Reason to Stay
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28:24It’s no mystery with all who know me that I love what Walt Disney created, especially when it comes to customer service. I grew up watching the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday at 6pm, eating dinner on a TV tray in front of an RCA 26-inch color television. I was so blessed… I am a Disney University Graduate, and we have incorporated their tra…
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Listen to what Tracy and I are working on this year, and it's almost complete. Other states are copying what we are accomplishing here in Utah, and it's benefiting their dentist/association members, and the patients they serve. Go through our business trainings here at My Practice My Business and experience applications of state dental laws, and mu…
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An Open Letter To The ADA, UDA, and All Dental Associations
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38:15Dear ADA, UDA, and All State Dental Associations, As many of you know, my wife and business partner, Tracy, and I have been strong advocates for both dentists and patients through our company, My Practice My Business (MPMB). Over the years, we’ve trained dental practices in Utah and across the nation on how to achieve profitability, even when parti…
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You’ve Missed The Mark Dental Association Leaders
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35:28I just saw an article stating the “Washington State Dental Association (WSDA) is coming for Delta Dental of Washington (DDOW).” The name of the article is called, “Putting patient Care First: Fixing Washington’s Broken Dental Benefits System.” They stated that it’s “the battle over dental benefits.” Well, they got it partially correct. When I read …
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With the beginning of a new year, I decided to Google what the top three concerns were for dentists in their practices. What resulted was interesting. The top three to five concerns tended to center around the business entity answering the questions on Google, and it’s worth reporting. The top concerns and solutions vary with who is being asked: co…
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I’m beginning to wonder if some dentists who serve in dental associations are just there for new plaque of recognition to hang on the wall. Don’t get me wrong, I know they put in time to serve, but are they effective leaders, or just going through the motions? Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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There's an old saying, "those who know the least always yell the loudest." In this episode we dissect a dental networking thread from FaceBook, and and invite the majority of commenters to the 2025 Utah Dental Association Convention on Friday from 11:45am to 1:45pm. In this presentation you will experience a live audience presentation of the My Pra…
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We hear the words “goals” and “purpose” used frequently in business classes and corporate leadership training, but do we really know what they mean and how they are the same or different? One might ask if lacking a goal means the same thing as lacking a purpose. The answer is no. It’s not the same at all. Support the show…
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If I had a dollar for every time a dentist has told me: “I believe in your training. I’ve talked with other docs who love what you’ve done for them. But, you need to convince my team that MPMB training is a good thing before I can sign up.” Dentists who do not take charge of their businesses have one thing in common. It simply comes down to a lack …
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I love how most of you tend to make business decisions about your dental business. Don’t deny it, you know how you are. You lick your finger, hold it high in the air, see which way the wind is blowing, give it some concentrated thought, and talk yourself right out of those things that could change your life for the better. I want to address some co…
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Bundling is defined by the ADA as "The systematic combining of distinct dental procedures by third-party payers that results in a reduced benefit for the patient/beneficiary." When Tracy and I met with the ADA last June, we pointed out how the ADA needs to quickly define the term “unbundling” because the dental insurance companies have been definin…
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Dentists need to stop being mislead. Challenge the status-quo, and be that leader you know you can be. I'm always asking myself, "am I embracing stupid" when it comes to everything in my life? Mitigating stupidity in life is my constant challenge. We all make mistakes, but limiting the stupid mistakes just makes life easier. Learning business princ…
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The Business Question No One Is Talking About…
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17:16At My Practice My Business, we don’t just talk about it, we teach it! We’re the only consulting company teaching it, with the right business protocols to do it. What is it that we teach that not one dental consulting company has picked up on? Procedural profitability! Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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The simple business question I have for all of you is this, “why in this world would you do MEPAT dentistry on any patient if the reimbursement is for the LEPAT? What business in this world follows that type of business mentality? I don’t believe there is any business in this world that has the same price point when there is a differential in cost …
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ADA pleads with Supreme Court for insurance reform
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13:55The ADA is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision from a lower appeals court on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that limits states’ traditional authority to regulate health care and insurance. This win would be big for all dentists who take PPO Plans. Go ADA! Support the show…
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Some exciting news from MPMB. Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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Dental Insurance: Obstacle or Opportunity?
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21:56We get asked this question all the time. Well, it's time to remove the obstacles. Say goodbye to providing free dental services, due in part to the confusing and often misleading EOB guidelines and contractual language from dental insurance companies. It’s also time to say goodbye to the dental consultants and other individuals who truly lack the e…
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Has anyone really looked at our wages lately? Does anyone know what the hourly minimums are for our team members to just survive, let alone live a normal life? If we are not financially stable in our dental practices, we certainly can not financially support our team members, let alone ourselves. Support the show…
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When is the last time you tested for leaks in your nitrous system? What is the danger level with leaks of nitrous when it comes to the child bearing years with our wonderful female employees? Check your system often! Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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I was asked to write an article on how to be profitable with PPO Plans, because that is our specialty here at My Practice My Business (MPMB). It’s honestly such a loaded request, as all of you who have been through our training here at MPMB understand, that I simply didn’t know where to start at first. However, I will be so bold in my old age as to…
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Why Can’t Dentists Accept Business Concepts?
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18:54What I want to address is what one doc said to one of our team members at our booth. When our team member asked the doc if he had heard about My Practice My Business, he said, “Oh yes, I’ve heard about MPMB, both good and bad.” Now I understand I might offend some people, truth always does. But my team member wanted to know what “bad” he has heard …
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After all that Tracy and I have seen, from the good to the ugly, it all comes down to one thing in dentistry: leadership! Here's to a fantastic 2024! Support the showBy Robert Thorup, DDS
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The "Dark Truth" about Delta Dental...and why Business HR Departments Should Go Elsewhere!
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40:12Before I start, let me be clear with what I do and why it matters to you. My husband and I work with dental insurance companies, insurance commissioners, state legislators, state dental associations, and representatives of the American Dental Association to ensure that both patients and their dental providers are protected against unfair and unethi…
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Titles and profits channel, or front-line advocacy channel? It’s time for the rose-colored glasses to come off, and either hold your state and national associations accountable to reality, or stop wasting your money on annual dues. May I suggest all of us stop taking a back seat, and put some pressure, a lot of pressure, on the ADA and your state d…
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Business Concepts Continue to Escape Dentistry: never be afraid to charge for what you do!
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21:52A few weeks ago, I had a fellow colleague ask us to run an analysis on his practice to see how much revenue he was losing each year. We do this for offices who are interested in our Team Training here at MPMB. After showing him the hundreds of thousands of dollars our training would bring to his practice, he asked the worst question possible. “Rob,…
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Everyone is Thinking the Same Thing, but No One Wants to Speak Out
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26:50In dentistry, dental team meetings can become unproductive, and ideas may not be conveyed effectively. This podcast aims to explore the reasons why individuals may choose not to speak up in meetings, the implications of this behavior, and possible solutions to overcome it. In today’s world, meetings have become an essential aspect of organizational…
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Understanding the Reasons Why Dentists Are Not In Charge
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24:56Dentistry is a field that requires not only clinical expertise but also strong managerial skills to run a successful dental practice. While many dentists excel in providing quality oral healthcare, there are so many instances, that Tracy and I have witnessed first-hand, where the Doc does not actively take charge of managing their dental office. I …
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No Doc, Low Reimbursement Rates are NOT Your Fault
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18:34As I was gathering my thoughts on this topic, my mind was racing in many directions as to where I should start with this one. Let me first begin by saying, contrary to what we read from our dental association leadership, it is definitely not your fault doc, by you signing up with PPO plans, that third-party payers have such low reimbursement rates.…
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Why are Dental Leaders Answering Questions no Dentist is Asking?
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23:32Dental leaders play an essential role in the dental industry, as they provide guidance and direction to dentists and other dental professionals. However, in recent years, some dental leaders have been answering questions that no dentist is asking, causing confusion and frustration among dental professionals. This report aims to explore why dental l…
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NO, ADA, You Should Not Report Full Fees To Payers
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43:47Let me be very clear from the start. Dental Insurance Companies, commonly called “third-party” payers, DO NOT SET THEIR REIMBURSEMENT FEES BASED UPON YOUR FEE-FOR-SERVICE FEES. For the ADA to imply this false statement is factual is unbelievable to me. They should know better. It’s articles like this that drive membership downward, because those of…
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The American Dental Associations leasing of CDT Codes to dental insurance companies
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20:47The American Dental Association (ADA) owns and licenses the use of Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes, which are a standardized set of codes used to describe dental procedures and services provided to patients. The CDT codes are used by dental insurance companies to process claims and reimburse dentists for services provided to patients. If the…
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Dentistry is an essential component of healthcare, and the dental industry is a significant contributor to the economy. In recent years, however, the economy has had a profound impact on the dental industry, particularly on the revenue of dental practices. This podcast aims to explore how the economy is affecting dentists in terms of their income, …
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Running a dental practice with critical business thinking vs. “how does this make me feel” strategies is something that Tracy and I deal with constantly. It’s where dentists and front office team members, and sometimes every team member, fail the business test. It’s what separates the average practice from the great practices. Here we go… Support t…
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Why are dentists afraid to speak out about dental insurance companies and the American Dental Association?
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19:48Dentists play a crucial role in ensuring the oral health of individuals. However, many dentists are hesitant to speak out about dental insurance companies and the American Dental Association (ADA) when it comes to policies that negatively affect patient care. This podcast aims to discuss the reasons why dentists may be afraid to speak out about the…
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One of the books that Tracy makes a required read for the Advanced OM/FO Business Training talks about “bottlenecks” in a manufacturing plant. It was an amazing business read, and I quickly understood why she requires it for all our attendees. The similarities to what dental practices experience became strikingly similar. Just like the bottlenecks …
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We’ve trained hundreds of practices here at MPMB, both in state and out of state, and I would say roughly forty percent or more of them are not members of the ADA and their state associations. When I ask them why they chose not to be members, the answers have a common ground. Another problem I believe is contributing to the decrease in ADA and Stat…
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Who Determines Generally Accepted Practice Standards?
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24:05Shouldn't it be licensed dentists who determine generally accepted practice standards? Dental Insurance companies are trying to fill that role and need to be stopped.Tracy and I attempted this one topic for legislation, which reads: “Generally accepted practice standards for dentistry, are to be determined by the majority of professionally licensed…
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Principles vs. Platitudes: the Dentist and PPO Plans
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28:01How often do we hear dental thought leaders tell us to drop dental plans, or at least the worst ones? Inevitably, someone will ask the question, “which ones are the worst ones?” Or better yet, they ask, “please define what is meant by the ‘worst’ ones, aren’t they all bad?” Then there are the grumblings from all of us on how bad the reimbursement r…
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Vision to Mission to Success: Revolving Door Closed!
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18:25So many thought leaders in our profession despise this very topic. They cringe at the thought someone like me would even suggest to you that your mission is to make money. But it’s called reality. The mission of any business should be to achieve success, and that success is accomplished by being profitable on all, or as many procedures as possible,…
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Is Periodontal Disease Curable? Asking for a friend…
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34:27In this discussion, I ask them some very important questions. Please allow me to just jump to their answers for now, I’m sure you can figure out the questions, and here are their answers: 1-We are maintaining infection, not eliminating it. This just doesn’t make sense… 2-I’ve always felt that periodontal disease can be eliminated, but not with our …
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PPO vs. FFS Dental Office: a business perspective
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18:02It seems like every week I see an advertisement from a dental consultant advocating the need to drop dental insurance and build a strictly fee-for-service (FFS) practice. Many of these dental consultants teach their clients what I call a very deceptive tactic, one that loses the patient’s trust right from the beginning every time, and we begin our …
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Solo vs. DSO: what corporate isn’t telling you…
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43:04Why do so many solo dentists take the stink bait offers of DSOs without investigating what they are really giving up when swallowing hook, line, and sinker to these predators? The main reason dentists give up their autonomy and business opportunities are because they don’t know what they don’t know. We are going to tell you what the corporate preda…
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The Confusion Between “Non-Covered Service" Laws and Balance Billing
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34:02I read a statement from a dentist on one of the dental networking groups that caught my eye. The comment, for some reason, made me feel bad for that dentist, and my heart really ached for him. That may sound a bit cheesy, but I care about all of you, and your teams. Tracy and I learned so much about the inner workings of dental insurance companies …
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What happens if the office manager croaks, the hygienist calls in sick, or the dental assistant runs off with prince charming? Does anyone see the need for some cross-training? Missing a team member for even one day can lead to chaos in a dental office. Team members feel overwhelmed, which could ultimately lead to a decline in the quality of patien…
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The majority of dental teams have been convinced that if dental insurance won’t pay for it, they have to write it off. Heaven forbid you actually charge the patient directly for services the PPO Plan won’t cover. Dental insurance plans don’t pay for tooth whitening, yet most dental offices charge the patient for it directly. The same applies to ele…
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