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 on the screen"

• 00:29:16-00:29:28 - "And as much as anything else, It shows our dental patients that we care about them holistically"

• 00:34:07-00:34:18 - "I believe in what we're doing. I really like what we're doing and just nominated us for that award."

• 00:37:45-00:37:56 - "That honestly, that's I think that's a that's actually a big that's a big milestone. I think like when the the team use their own initiative to do things to benefit the practice. I mean, that's really cool, man."

• 00:42:01-00:42:11 - "But when the stress starts kicking in, it's easy to do well on a good day. Anyone can make the right decision when everything's going well."

• 00:42:33-00:42:43 - "And the real test of character is how you handle those situations. when the chips are down, you know, when your back's to the wall, how are you going to deal with those situations?"