Deanna Otts-Whitfield is a Marine Corps veteran and dental professional with over 16 years of experience in hygiene, infection prevention, and compliance. She holds a bachelor's in dental hygiene, a master's in healthcare quality and safety, and is CDIPC certified. After serving one tour in Iraq as a heavy truck driver, Deanna transitioned to civilian life and discovered dental hygiene by literally going down a university program list. Her military background as a rule follower who appreciates black-and-white procedures naturally aligned with infection control compliance work. In 2019, feeling bored with clinical practice and seeking something bigger, she pursued her master's degree which opened doors to the consulting world. Now as owner of Copper Penny Consulting, Deanna empowers dental teams with practical strategies to enhance safety and compliance, serving on professional boards and passionately elevating patient care standards across the industry through virtual assessments, comprehensive training, and ongoing support.

In this episode....

Concerned about potential compliance violations hiding in plain sight at your practice, but not sure where to start or what you might be missing? Many dental practices operate under the dangerous assumption that following basic protocols learned in school is sufficient, while unknowingly exposing patients and staff to serious health risks through contaminated waterlines, improper sterilization procedures, and cross-contamination from everyday habits like keeping drinks in sterilization areas. What if the difference between a safe practice and a potential OSHA violation is simply not knowing what you don't know?

According to Deanna Otts-Whitfield, a Marine Corps veteran turned compliance consultant with 16 years of dental experience, most practices have good intentions but lack awareness of current safety standards that extend far beyond basic infection control. Her shocking revelations include dentists still practicing without gloves in rural communities, biofilm-contaminated water systems delivering microorganisms directly into patients' bloodstreams during procedures, and staff unknowingly creating cross-contamination by placing personal items near ultrasonic cleaners that aerosolize dangerous pathogens. Her military-trained eye for detail reveals that compliance isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about the ethical responsibility healthcare providers have to model safety behaviors and create protocols that protect everyone in the practice.

In this episode of The Marketing32 Show, host Brett Allen interviews Deanna Otts-Whitfield about the critical but often overlooked world of dental compliance and safety. They explore her unique journey from Marine Corps truck driver to dental compliance expert, discuss shocking real-world examples of practices unknowingly putting patients at risk, and dive into her comprehensive virtual assessment process that uncovers violations from sterilization areas to electrical panels. The conversation reveals how seemingly innocent habits like keeping drinks near ultrasonic cleaners can create serious health hazards, while providing practical insights into OSHA's expanding scope and the growing trend of whistleblower complaints that triggered over $100,000 in fines across dental offices in 2023.

Doug Fettig is a CPA and MBA who travels the country inspiring dentists to lead with an abundance mindset, think like a CEO, and plan for the retirement of their dreams. After dropping out of college and spending seven years traveling Europe doing odd jobs from blackjack dealer to encyclopedia salesman, Doug eventually found his way back to school and into accounting. Ten years ago, he transitioned from traditional CPA work to specializing in the dental industry when a retiring partner asked him to take over their dental niche. Since then, Doug has built a reputation for making financial and leadership education entertaining and actionable, speaking at major dental conferences, study clubs, and associations across the country. His unique approach combines practical financial wisdom with mindset transformation, helping dentists overcome the paradox of becoming CEOs without any business or leadership training while building the foundation for long-term wealth and personal fulfillment.

In this episode...

Feeling trapped on a hamster wheel despite clinical success, or struggling to lead a team without any formal business training? Many dentists face the unique paradox of becoming CEOs at 32 without ever learning leadership skills, creating a cycle of stress and reactive management that limits both personal fulfillment and practice potential. What if the key to breaking free isn't just about business systems, but fundamentally shifting how you view challenges, opportunities, and your role as a leader?

According to Doug Fettig, a CPA and mindset coach who specializes in the dental industry, most dentists operate from a scarcity mindset that treats every situation as a zero-sum game, limiting their ability to grow both personally and professionally. Drawing from his own profound loss of his son Parker, Doug demonstrates how choosing abundance over scarcity—celebrating life and helping others rather than becoming resentful—can transform not just your practice but your entire approach to challenges. His practical approach combines simple tools like gratitude and generosity journals with fundamental financial wisdom, emphasizing that building wealth requires starting early with consistent investing in broad market index funds, letting compound returns work their magic over decades.

In this episode of The Marketing32 Show, host Brett Allen interviews Doug Fettig about the critical mindset shifts that separate thriving dentists from those stuck in survival mode. They explore why dentists need leadership training as much as clinical training, discuss practical tools for developing an abundance mindset, and dive deep into retirement planning strategies that leverage the power of compound returns. The conversation covers everything from the importance of vulnerability in growth to why trying to time the stock market fails, while providing actionable steps for both personal development and long-term financial success.

Shelly VanEpps is the COO and an executive coach at All-Star Dental Academy where she helps dental practices elevate their performance through leadership development, streamlined systems, and exceptional patient experiences. With over 20 years of experience in both clinical and administrative roles, Shelly brings a unique blend of real-world insight and coaching expertise to her work empowering dental teams to communicate more effectively, run more efficiently, and grow with intention. At All-Star Dental Academy, she specializes in implementing their trademarked GREAT call process and comprehensive hiring services, helping practices bridge the critical gap between marketing leads and booked appointments while building high-performing teams that deliver consistent patient experiences from the first phone call through treatment completion.

In this episode...

Frustrated with low phone conversion rates despite investing in marketing? Many dental practices experience the painful disconnect between generating leads and actually booking appointments, often converting only 20-25% of incoming calls into scheduled patients. What if the solution isn't just about having someone answer the phone, but about fundamentally changing how your team approaches each interaction?

According to Shelly VanEpps, COO of All-Star Dental Academy, the key lies in moving from transactional to relational interactions through their trademarked GREAT call process. This systematic approach—Greeting, Rapport, Engage, Ask, Take information, and Thank—flips traditional phone handling on its head by building trust before asking for anything. Using her gum analogy, Shelly demonstrates that people won't accept offers from strangers, but will readily accept them from trusted friends. Since dental patients inherently distrust dentists and dental procedures, practices must earn trust from the very first phone interaction, which requires the entire team to be cross-trained in phone skills, not just the front desk.

In this episode of The Marketing32 Show, host Brett Allen interviews Shelly VanEpps about transforming dental practice phone performance and team building. They explore the GREAT call process methodology, discuss why 60-80% booking rates should be the standard rather than the exception, and dive into All-Star Dental Academy's comprehensive hiring services that help practices find qualified team members. The conversation covers practical strategies for handling multiple priorities at the front desk, the importance of asking for appointments, and Shelly's transformational philosophy of focusing on what's working well in your practice to amplify positive results.