Dental Drills Bits

In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, hosts Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue go beyond the surface of the interview process to reveal the deeper intentions that should guide your hiring conversations. Whether you are fresh out of dental school or a seasoned practice owner, this conversation will help you build a more intentional, compliant, and effective approach to interviewing. Sandy and Dana share real world examples, cautionary tales, and the subtle cues they watch for that a resume will never reveal. They cover how to avoid common pitfalls like skipping the interview entirely, how to keep interviews consistent and bias-free, and why you should think twice about hiring family or close friends without a proper process. You will learn how to set the right tone from the very first question, uncover hidden red flags, and balance gut instinct with consistent standards. And yes — the broccoli salad that Dana could not stop raving about makes an appearance. As promised, you can grab Sandy’s go to Broccoli Salad Recipe here: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/broccoli-salad/. It is healthy, easy, and a hit with the whole family, even the kids. Key Takeaways Set a clear purpose before you ask the first interview question Keep the process consistent to protect your team culture and reduce bias Spot hidden red flags in tone, word choice, and body language Avoid the risks of working interviews and use skill-based tests instead Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7 Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills. Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized). Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels. Episode Sponsors A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week: Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. https://www.planforward.io/ Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. https://mangovoice.com/ Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. https://identitydental.com/

Episode Description: In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue continue the Hiring Series with a proven time-saving strategy: the group interview. Sandy shares her step-by-step process for getting every qualified applicant in front of you at once, identifying the best candidates quickly, and avoiding the weeks-long cycle of one-on-one interviews. From creating the right environment, using a “plant” in the room, and testing retention skills, to gracefully dismissing non-hires, this episode is packed with actionable tips to streamline your hiring process and build a stronger team—fast. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why group interviews can save you hours and improve hiring decisions How to structure the perfect group interview from start to finish How to test candidates’ listening and retention skills on the spot The importance of graciously handling declined candidates How to narrow down your applicant pool in just 90 minutes  Episode Sponsors: Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again  www.mangovoice.com Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert  www.identitydental.com Plan Forward The number one membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient friendly  www.planforward.io

Exploring Dental Membership Plans: A Smarter Alternative to Insurance In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue are joined by Meg Lohman from Plan Forward to unpack why in-house membership plans are becoming a go-to solution for dental practices looking to grow and better serve their patients. They discuss how these plans help identify patients who are overpaying for insurance, simplify preventive care, and strengthen patient loyalty. The trio also explores the power of proactive marketing and the importance of educating patients ahead of open enrollment season. Whether you're new to membership plans or looking to refine your strategy, this episode offers a practical roadmap to create a win-win for both your patients and your practice. Key Takeaways: Use your PMS to identify patients who may be overpaying for insurance. Target groups like retirees, young adults, and those with limited coverage. Membership plans foster loyalty by offering bundled, preventive care services. Promote your plan with short, clear messaging via email, text, and social media. Start outreach early to stay ahead of open enrollment. Implement systems that simplify plan management and reduce admin errors. ️ Sponsored By: Plan Forward — Empowering dental practices with simple, automated membership plans. Start today at www.planforward.io

Episode Summary: In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy Pardue and Dana Salisbury tackle one of the most underestimated tools in the hiring process—your job ad. They explain why hiring should be treated like a marketing campaign and how your job postings either attract or repel the very people you are trying to hire. From crafting compelling headlines and utilizing creative job titles to understanding hiring psychology, Sandy and Dana share strategies to elevate your job ads and recruit with intention. They also explore the power of nontraditional hiring sources and the importance of keeping your energy positive throughout the hiring process. Whether you are actively hiring or just building your team, this conversation is packed with must-use tips to help you find and retain great talent. Takeaways: If you are having trouble hiring, check your job ads first Always accept resumes even when you are not actively hiring Make sure job ads reflect your practice's values and culture Use creative job titles to capture attention and stand out Women apply when they meet 80 percent of requirements; men at 20 percent Treat hiring like a marketing campaign, not just an HR task Track where your applicants come from to measure effectiveness Consider nontraditional candidates from service-oriented industries Stay positive throughout the process—your mindset matters Great employees are often already employed—go find them Episode Sponsors: Mango Voice VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again www.mangovoice.com Identity Dental Marketing Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert www.identitydental.com Plan Forward The number one membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient friendly www.planforward.io