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Free Resources: stan.store/escapehygienehell

In this episode of Practice on Fire, Graham tackles the all-too-familiar patient question: “Can’t you just fill it, doc?” and shows how to turn moments of resistance into opportunities for trust, clarity, and case acceptance. You’ll learn how to reframe crowns as good news—not a financial burden—by helping patients understand what not needing a root canal or implant really means. Plus, Graham responds to a YouTube critic who accuses this strategy of being an “upsell,” and explains why strong case acceptance actually makes you more ethical—not less.

From flipping the treatment script to navigating the economics of PPOs, overhead, and out-of-control hygiene wages, this episode dives deep into the hidden traps of the old family dentistry model—and what it really takes to build a high-performing, high-integrity private practice. If you’re ready to attract patients with real problems, escape the hygiene hamster wheel, and finally take control of your practice and your income, this episode will fire you up.

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Free Resources and Downloads including our Escape Hygiene Hell e-book: stan.store/escapehygienehell

What if I told you that the fact that 50% of people don’t go to the dentist might actually be the best news for your practice? In this episode of Practice on Fire, Graham dives into a conversation sparked by a hot Dentaltown thread—and even gets a shoutout from Howard Farran himself. Most dentists see the non-dental half of the population as unreachable. But what if they’re not unreachable… just waiting for the right dentist to speak their language?

While DSOs and traditional practices fight over the same pool of hygiene-driven patients, Graham makes the case for turning your attention to a group that’s often overlooked: patients with serious dental problems who aren’t part of the six-month recall machine. These patients aren’t coming in for a cleaning—but when they do come in, they’re motivated, ready, and often in need of thousands of dollars in treatment. And best of all? They’re grateful.

This episode breaks down why the hygiene-heavy family model is increasingly unsustainable, how private practice owners can leverage their unique position, and why marketing to the 50% of “invisible” patients could be the key to building a more profitable, fulfilling, and future-proof practice. If you’re ready to stop fighting over cleanings and start building something different, this is the episode for you.

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Free Resources and Downloads including our Escape Hygiene Hell e-book: stan.store/escapehygienehell

Are we heading toward a future where most dentists spend their entire careers as corporate employees? Sadly, the answer might be yes—unless we do something about it. In this episode of Escape Hygiene Hell, Graham Dersley breaks down the quiet but dangerous trend pulling more and more dentists away from ownership and into the arms of DSOs. Inspired by a “doomscrolling” moment and a Facebook post about retirement savings, Graham unpacks why owning your practice isn’t just a good idea—it might be the only way to protect your income, your autonomy, and your sanity.

We’ll dig into why the traditional family dental model is bleeding practices dry, how hygiene has become a black hole for profitability, and why marketing for free cleanings is one of the most backwards strategies you could run in 2025. Plus, Graham shares how dentists can unlock their income potential by becoming both clinical powerhouses and business-savvy owners. (Spoiler: That $5M retirement plan doesn’t look so great when you’ve handed your whole career over to “the man.”)

If you’re ready to ditch the hygiene hamster wheel, stop giving DSOs all the leverage, and finally take control of your dental future, this episode is your wake-up call. It’s not too late to build a smarter, leaner, more profitable practice—and we’re here to help you do it.