i3 Ignite

Scaling isn’t magic. But teamwork is. One of the fastest ways to lose momentum in a growing practice is assuming that “only the treatment coordinator” needs to be great at communication. Wrong. ❌ From the first ring at the front desk to the final hygiene visit—every patient touchpoint matters. ✅ Train everyone differently, based on what they need to know ✅ Build pass/fail testing into onboarding ✅ Celebrate team wins like you celebrate case acceptance The best teams aren’t just trained. They’re unified. And that shows up in every KPI.

If you want to scale, start by listening. One of the biggest mistakes practices make is assuming that treatment decisions are purely clinical. But in reality? Dental decisions are highly emotional. We’re talking about fear, finances, embarrassment, shame, hope, trust, and timing. If you want patients to say yes, start by turning strangers into friends. Your job is to build rapport from the first phone call to the final follow-up. That trust can’t be automated—but it can be trained. ➡️ Know why your patients want help ➡️ Know why now ➡️ Know your true advantages ➡️ And know how to ASK for the work with clarity and confidence Because great dentistry deserves great communication.

The older I get, the more I value leaders who listen first. There’s something profound about being truly heard—especially in a space where opinions fly fast. I’ve found that when people feel safe enough to share ideas without interruption, the quality of thinking goes up. Let people finish their thought. Don’t reward volume over value. And when in doubt: listen more than you speak.

For 20 years, Margaret McGuckin, MBA has been obsessed with one question: How do we scale exceptional patient care without losing the human touch? "At Clear Choice, we built systems to train every team member—from contact center reps to surgeons—on delivering life-changing full-arch care. We mapped every moment of the patient journey. We role-played high-stakes $20K+ conversations. We measured everything." But here's what kept me up at night: No matter how good our training manuals were, they couldn't be in the room during the actual consultation. We couldn't coach in real-time. We couldn't help a doctor navigate a patient's anxiety in the moment. Until now. "What I'm seeing with AI-powered solutions like Avora isn't about replacing clinicians it's about finally giving them the invisible support system we always wished existed." The future of dental care isn't choosing between technology and humanity. It's using technology to unlock more humanity. When Justin Zhou, Daniel B. and I thought about bringing on our Full Arch advisor everyone in the industry pointed to one person. Samantha Strain Christine Sison Melissa K. Turner Anne Duffy Regan Robertson Fabio Oliveira all shared their immense appreciation for Margaret's body of work. So, we are so excited to have her as an advisor and over the next few days, we will be sharing Margaret McGuckin, MBA full positioning statement on the Art and Science of Full-Arch care from patient psychology to business models to the tribal knowledge she has gathered building this industry. Stay tuned. #DentalInnovation #AIinDental #PatientExperience #FullArch #Avora cc Farhad Attaie

The leaders I admire most are calm in chaos. They don’t silence urgency, but they don’t amplify panic either. They bring grounded energy that creates space for people to think clearly—even when everything feels upside down. That’s what I’ve always tried to emulate: being someone others can trust to stay level when things get hard. There’s real power in being steady. Let’s stop underestimating the quiet strength of calm leadership. #DSOLeader #DentalLeadership #Dental #Dentistry #DSOGrowth

Not every strong leader is the loudest in the room—and thank goodness for that. Some of the most thoughtful, effective people I’ve worked with are quiet thinkers who lead with intention. It’s easy to overlook these voices if we only value charisma or fast responses. But when we slow down and make room for different communication styles, we gain access to new perspectives. In leadership, listening is more than a skill. It’s a strategy. What are you doing to create space for the quieter voices on your team? #DSOGrowth #Dental #Dentistry #DSO #DentalLeader #DSOLeader

In this season, I’m reminding myself that pace is personal. There are times to sprint and times to slow down. I’ve led in both—and I’ve learned that neither is “right” or “wrong.” The key is knowing when to shift gears and when to honor the gear you’re in. Whether you’re in a building phase or a breathing phase, give yourself grace. The impact you’ve made doesn’t disappear when you’re catching your breath. 💬 What pace are you leading at right now? #DentalLeadership #DSO #Dental #Dentistry #DSOGrowth

Every once in a while, I love asking: What’s something small I can do to bring fresh energy into this space? Whether it’s a quick story, a new voice in the room, or even just switching up how we approach the meeting—small shifts spark big momentum. The best ideas don’t always come from the top. And sometimes leadership is just about creating the conditions for creativity to thrive. 🌱 When’s the last time you invited new energy into your team? #DSOLeadership #Dental #Dentistry #DSO #DentalLeadership #DSOGrowth

Over the years, I’ve had to remind myself (more than once) that people don’t need me to be perfect—they need me to be present. We’re all juggling a thousand priorities. And sometimes the magic isn’t in delivering a flawless message—it’s in showing up with your full attention and human connection. Even if the strategy isn’t 100% polished. Even if the slide deck has a typo. Even if the day feels heavy. Real leadership is felt in presence, not performance. ✍️ What’s a time when presence mattered more than polish? #DentalLeadership #Dentistry #DSO #Dental #DSOGrowth

🚀 I'm thrilled to partner with the Thriving Dentist community and Gary Takacs to bring you a powerful live panel discussion: “Sustainable Practice Growth Without Burnout” This event is designed to help you grow your practice without sacrificing your energy, health, or team culture. You’ll hear from those of us who’ve guided practices of all sizes toward long-term, sustainable success: Carolyn S Dean – Marketing & AI Strategist Maritza Duran – Start-Up Dental Consultant 💡 What you’ll learn: ✅ Proven frameworks to scale sustainably ✅ How AI & automation fuel smart growth ✅ Avoiding burnout & common pitfalls in expansion ✅ Building a team that truly supports your vision 👉 Reserve your spot today: http://bit.ly/3JBMv96 Let’s grow smarter, not harder. 🌟 #DentalCE #Dentistry #DentalGrowth #ThrivingDentist #SustainableSuccess