Back in 10

They said yes.
They understood the treatment.
They scheduled the appointment.
And then... they disappeared.
In this episode of Back in 10, we're tackling one of the most frustrating challenges in dentistry: patients who accept treatment and then never follow through. The surprising truth? It's often not a patient problem. It's a communication problem.
Jen shares her 4 Cs of Treatment Acceptance Framework and breaks down the common reasons patients say yes in the moment but ghost the practice later.
We talk about:• Why patients often say yes emotionally, then rethink everything at home• The role fear, confusion, and cost play in treatment acceptance• Why inconsistent messaging from your team creates uncertainty• The 4 Cs: Clarity, Confidence, Consistency, and Convenience• How to build value before the appointment ever happens• Why role-playing treatment conversations can dramatically improve results
Because patients don't move forward when they're confused.
They move forward when they're confident.
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!

What do you do when your top performer is also the person creating tension, drama, or negativity inside your practice?
Because high production does not always equal high value.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re tackling one of the hardest leadership situations in dentistry:how to handle a toxic team member when they’re also one of your strongest producers.
We talk about:• Why avoiding the conversation only reinforces the behavior• The difference between a high producer and a high-value team member• How toxic behavior impacts the rest of your team• Why leaders often wait too long to address it• How to approach the conversation with compassion and clarity• When to coach… and when it may be time to let someone go
Because protecting one toxic top performer can cost you your best people.
And leadership means being willing to have the courageous conversations before it’s too late.

Stepping into dental leadership can feel like one day you were just doing the job… and the next day everyone was looking at you for answers.
No playbook. No warning. Just vibes, responsibility, and a whole lot of “wait, how did I get here?”
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re talking about where to actually start when you’re new to dental admin leadership, whether you’re a new office manager, lead admin, lead assistant, lead hygienist, or stepping into a bigger role inside the practice.
We break down:• Why leadership starts with understanding your people• How community can accelerate your growth• Why foundational dental knowledge matters, even if you’re not doing every role• How to identify what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs your attention first• Why listening to your team is one of the smartest leadership moves you can make• The importance of finding mentors, peers, and people who get it
Because leadership doesn’t start with proving yourself.
It starts with listening, learning, and finding your people.
 

One year. Fifty episodes. Countless laughs, a few tears, some questionable language choices… and somehow, we’re still figuring it out.
In this special anniversary episode of Back in 10, we’re reflecting on what it’s really been like building this podcast over the last year, from sitting in a Boston coffee shop brainstorming logos to recording live in front of packed rooms of dental professionals.
We talk about:• How Back in 10 actually started• The fears we had before launching the podcast• What we’ve learned about authenticity, leadership, and vulnerability• Why friendship has been the foundation of this entire journey• The biggest surprises, wins, and emotional moments from year one• What’s coming in year two
This episode is messy, emotional, funny, grateful, and very us.
And honestly? That’s probably the whole point.
To everyone who has listened, supported us, laughed with us, cried with us, or stopped us at an event to say “I just heard your episode”…
Thank you.
Here’s to year two. 💙
 

AI in dentistry is everywhere right now… and honestly? Some people are spiraling.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re having a real conversation about what AI actually means inside a dental practice and why it should support your team, not replace them.
Because AI is not magic.It’s not a replacement for leadership, empathy, clinical judgment, or human connection.
We talk about:• How to identify where AI can actually help your practice• Why buying technology without a strategy is a mistake• The difference between automation and replacement• Clinical AI, admin AI, and where each one fits• Why your team’s pain points should guide your tech decisions• How to build an AI tech stack that actually works together
And yes… we also talk about the reality that some “all-in-one” solutions don’t actually do everything well.
If AI has felt overwhelming, confusing, or overhyped, this episode will help you think about it differently.
Because the goal isn’t to replace your people.
It’s to support them better.

“I’ll just do it myself.”
We’ve all said it… and it might be the exact reason you feel overwhelmed.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re talking about delegation, time, and the trap so many leaders fall into when they try to do everything on their own.
Because the problem usually isn’t your workload.It’s how you’re leading it.
We break down:• Why “I’ll just do it myself” is actually hurting your team• The difference between building a team and building dependency• A simple framework to decide what to keep, coach, and cut• Why delegation isn’t dumping (and how to do it right)• How to create growth opportunities for your team through delegation
Because if everything depends on you… you don’t really have a team.
You have a bottleneck.

Leader or manager?
The truth is… you don’t get to pick just one.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re breaking down the real difference between leading and managing — and why the most effective dental leaders know how to do both.
Because managing keeps the practice running.But leadership is what keeps your team engaged, growing, and staying.
We talk about:• The difference between focusing on tasks vs focusing on people• Why managing drives compliance, but leadership drives commitment• How to recognize where you fall on the spectrum• The impact of micromanaging (and why it pushes people out)• Simple ways to shift from managing harder to leading better
Because if you want better results, it’s not about doing more.
It’s about leading differently.

This episode is a little different… and it matters.
Ralf Tomandl of HR for Health joins us as we talk about the HR conversations that go beyond policies and procedures, the ones that require awareness, attention, and leadership.
Because sometimes, what you notice (or don’t) matters more than you think.
In recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the importance of paying attention to the people in your practice - your team and your patients - and not brushing off what feels off.
Inside this episode:• What HR really means in a leadership role• Why awareness is part of your responsibility• The conversations leaders tend to avoid• How to create a culture where people feel safe speaking up• Why small moments can have a bigger impact than you realize
We’re also proud to spotlight the Saving Faces Foundation and the work they’re doing to support patients and raise awareness around oral and facial cancers.
👉 Learn more: https://savingface.org/
Because leadership isn’t just about doing your job well…it’s about showing up when it matters most.

Stop waiting to feel ready. Here’s how to decide anyway.
In this episode, we’re answering a listener question:What decision-making framework helps leaders make confident choices under pressure?
And here’s the truth…
Most leaders don’t struggle to make decisions.They struggle to trust themselves enough to make one.
So instead of overcomplicating it, we break down a simple way to think through decisions so you can move faster, with more clarity and less second-guessing.
Inside this episode:• How to separate urgency from importance (because they’re not the same)• Why doing nothing is still a decision and often the most expensive one• A simple way to balance decisions between the patient, the practice, and the team• How to stop overthinking and start moving• Why confidence is built in motion, not before it
Because leadership isn’t about making perfect decisions.
It’s about making clear ones… and adjusting as you go.
If you’ve been stuck waiting for certainty, this will help you move.
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Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 

What does it actually look like to lead other leaders in a dental practice?
Especially when you don’t own the business… and you don’t sign the paychecks… but you’re still responsible for execution, alignment, and results.
In this episode, we’re getting into one of the most delicate dynamics in leadership: leading up and leading alongside other leaders.
We talk about:• Why alignment with your doctor matters more than anything• How to stop your team from “playing the parents”• What it looks like to lead with solutions instead of problems• Why weekly meetings are non-negotiable• How to communicate without emotion, ego, or gossip
Because the truth is… leading other leaders isn’t about control.It’s about clarity, trust, and having the conversations most people avoid.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between your team and your doctor, this episode will give you a better way to lead both.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/