Why Good People Leave Good Practices: The Graves Drives No One Talks About
Most practice toxicity has nothing to do with bad people and everything to do with mismatched values. The Graves Drives reveal why some teams thrive,…
Read more
A collection of articles, tips and guides, specifically made for dental practitioners
View allAssociates and Young dentistsCase StudiesCommunicationDental Practice management and GrowthDental TeamsDental ThinkingFemale PrincipalsFinance, Pricing, ProfitLeadershipPatient Journey and Customer ServicePractice ManagersPrincipalsRecruitment and TeamworkTime management, Appointment Books and MeetingsTreatment Plan ConversionsValues, Vision and CultureWork-Life Balance, Health and Mental Well-Being
Are your reception team filling your appointment book or emptying it?
When patients question your fees or hesitate to rebook, the problem is often not the dentistry. It is what they experience at reception. Your front…
Before You Can Improve Yourself or Your Practice, You Need to Know Where You Are Now
If you want a stronger, calmer, more successful practice in 2026, begin by looking honestly at where you are now. Reflection is the essential first…
When Is the Right Time to Start Coaching in Dentistry?
Coaching is not something you start when everything falls apart. It is the moment you pause, reflect, and realise that something in your work or…
The Seven Drives of a Dental Practice: How One Dentist Evolved Through Chaos, Control, Competition, and Community
Every dental practice grows through distinct phases, each shaped by a hidden motivational driver. This story follows one dentist’s complete journey through the Graves Drives,…
Why Smart Clinicians Set Aside Emergency Time: A Values-Led Approach to Patient Care, Team Harmony and Stress Reduction
Managing dental emergencies is far more than a scheduling exercise; it is a direct expression of your practice culture, values and commitment to patient care.…
Beyond Percentages and Pay Scales: Rethinking Remuneration and Motivation in Dental Teams
Many practices are struggling to recruit and motivate clinicians, cover fixed costs, and maintain high standards of care. The issue is rarely just the pay…
Developing and Motivating Dental Nurses
Running effective staff appraisals in dentistry requires far more than a tick-box review. When team members reflect honestly on their current state, define their desired…
Stop Thinking Like the NHS: The Private Dentistry Career Pathway Your Practice Needs
In the NHS, every clinician is paid the same UDA rate, regardless of experience or skill. But in private practice, that mindset limits growth, demotivates…
Self Employed? – What does that even mean?
Being self-employed in dentistry is about far more than filing invoices or setting your own hours. It means recognising that you are a business owner…
The Tale of the Three Paths: Lessons from Patients and Practice Owners
In Oldtown, Dr Solomon notices three ways patients seek care: those who prevent, those who act early, and those who wait until crisis strikes. A…
Riding Out a Recession: Guidance for Young Dental Clinicians
As household budgets tighten, many patients are delaying elective care, challenging young clinicians who have never worked through a recession. By strengthening core clinical skills,…
When Owning a Dental Practice Becomes Overwhelming – And How to Take Control Again
Many dental principals feel exhausted, financially stretched, and unsure how to lead their practice. If you are overwhelmed, struggling physically and emotionally, or watching your…
Overworked, Underpaid and Unsure? Understanding Your NHS Obligations Could Change Everything
Feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, and unsure where your NHS responsibilities really begin and end? You’re not alone. Many dentists and therapists are drowning in UDAs, fearful…
When Silence Becomes Expensive: What Every Dentist Must Know About Self-Employment
Too many dentists assume that being an associate automatically means being self-employed — until HMRC says otherwise. Across the UK, both clinicians and principals are…
Are you asking the wrong questions of the wrong people?Ask Better Questions, To Get Better Answers
In dentistry, the quality of the answers you get depends entirely on the quality of the questions you ask — and who you ask them…
The CIGAR Model: A Step-by-Step Framework for Problem Solving in Dentistry
Discover how the CIGAR model can help you, your dental team, and your practice move from challenges to clarity. Learn to define your current state,…
Turning on the Tap: How to Create a Steady Flow of Patients
If your appointment books feel a little dry, it’s not enough to simply turn the tap harder. You need to make sure the plumbing is…
Filling Empty Appointment Books: The Four Rs for Principals and Associates to Thrive Together
Empty appointment books are becoming more common as financial uncertainty grows. Rather than relying on quick fixes or automated systems, principals and associates can work…
When the “stress abscess” blows up
Dentistry teaches us that early assessment and timely intervention prevent pain, cost, and complexity. The same applies to your wellbeing and your business. Here is…
Appointment Lengths: Are You Allocating Enough Time for What Matters Most?
Many dental professionals feel overwhelmed by time pressures, but behind every rushed appointment lies a set of hidden compromises. By breaking appointments into four key…
Premier League Practices: Are You Playing as a Team or Just Turning Up?
In dentistry, teamwork is often spoken about but rarely fully lived. Just like a championship sports team, a high-performing dental team doesn’t simply turn up…
Why Knowing “How” Sets You Apart: Transforming Dental Practices Beyond the What to do
Many dentists know why their practice needs to change and what they need to do. The real transformation happens when they understand how. Discover why…
Are you on the hamster wheel?
Dentistry never stops. Patients, paperwork, compliance, family, and life’s demands keep us running from one wheel to the next. But real change begins when you…
Indemnity Fees Are Rising – But Are We Looking in the Right Place for the Cause?
Dentists across the UK are frustrated by rising indemnity fees — but are we looking in the right place for the cause? While it’s easy…
When Bonuses Breed Rats: What Dentists Can Learn from the Cobra Effect
From Hanoi’s rats to Delhi’s cobras, history shows us how incentives can backfire. In dentistry, bonuses for sign-ups, whitening, or Invisalign risk creating the same…
The Tale of Two Houses: Why Thoughtful Planning Builds Lifelong Success
Two neighbours set out to build their dream homes. One invested in an expert architect, creating a house that lasted a lifetime. The other cut…
The Hidden Gift in Patient Complaints (and How to Unwrap It)
When patients grumble, they don’t want procedures or paperwork — they want to be heard. Too often, feedback is escalated into a “complaint,” leaving dentists…
From ‘Perfect Smile’ to Complaints: How Language Shapes Patient Expectations in Dentistry
Dentists often create unnecessary complaints and stress by using the wrong names for treatments. Discover how changing a few words can prevent disappointment, build trust,…
Why Trust Takes Time: Rethinking the First Moments with Your Dental Patients
In dentistry, we often expect new patients to trust us instantly, yet trust is not something that can be rushed. From evolutionary instincts to human…