The Real Talk of Dental

046: Think ChatGPT Is Your HR Department? Think Again. | Kara Kelley

Think AI is helping you make smarter HR decisions? It might actually be creating evidence against you. In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, Brandi sits down with HR compliance expert Kara Kelley for a candid conversation about the growing risks of using AI for hiring, firing, employee relations, and workplace compliance. From AI-generated employee handbooks and employment law advice to the legal implications of what practice owners type into ChatGPT, Kara breaks down where AI can help, where it absolutely cannot, and why relying on it for HR decisions could put your business at serious risk. The conversation also explores leadership, recruiting, workplace culture, employee retention, and the common mistakes dental practices make when trying to shortcut complex people problems. If you've ever used AI to write a policy, navigate a difficult employee situation, or help make hiring decisions, this episode may completely change the way you think about compliance. You’ll learn: * Why AI should never replace HR expertise * How AI-generated employee handbooks can create compliance risks * What employers need to know about AI chats becoming legal evidence * The hidden dangers of using ChatGPT for employment decisions * Why hiring and leadership are often confused in dental practices * The biggest recruiting mistakes dental offices make * Why working interviews can expose practices to legal liability * How to evaluate candidates more effectively * The role of self-awareness in leadership success * What dental practice owners should focus on before scaling their teams 🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com [https://www.therealtalkofdental.com] 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] 🔗 Boundary Boss GPT: https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss [https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss] We talk about: 0:00 Why AI is creating new HR risks for employers 4:45 The legal reality of AI prompts and employment decisions 9:15 How AI-generated policies and handbooks go wrong 13:10 Leadership, self-awareness, and team turnover 17:45 Why Kara disagrees with working interviews 22:40 Hiring mistakes dental practices continue to make 27:15 Recruiting, reference checks, and candidate evaluation 31:10 The limits of DIY HR solutions 34:00 Why expert guidance matters more than ever Connect with Kara LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karadkelley/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karadkelley/] Website: http://www.clinicalhr.com [http://www.clinicalhr.com/] Connect with me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/] https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ [https://courageandjoyatwork.com/] https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] Phone: 616-682-6222 #DentalLeadership #AuthenticityInDentistry #DentalIndustry

045: Why “Pick Me” Thirsty Energy Is Hurting Dentistry More Than Helping It | Beverly Wilburn

What happens when influence becomes more important than integrity? In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, Brandi sits down with Beverly Wilburn, longtime dental leader, practice owner, and former ADOM Office Manager of the Year, for a brutally honest conversation about authenticity, scarcity, and the “pick me” culture taking over dentistry. From speakers and consultants chasing visibility, to social media performativity and AI-generated content that all sounds the same, Beverly shares why trust, reciprocity, and genuine connection matter more than ever in today’s dental industry. This conversation dives deep into leadership, entrepreneurship, burnout, influence, and why people can instantly feel the difference between someone who wants to serve… and someone who just wants attention. If you’ve ever struggled with authenticity, comparison, visibility, or building a name for yourself in dentistry without losing who you are in the process, this episode will hit home. You’ll learn: * Why “pick me” energy is becoming a problem in dentistry * The difference between authentic leadership and performative influence * How scarcity mindset impacts business, speaking, and consulting * Why trust matters more than visibility * How AI is affecting authenticity online * The dangers of unvetted experts and transactional networking * Why entrepreneurship is harder than most people expect * What real leadership and reciprocity actually look like 🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com [https://www.therealtalkofdental.com] 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] 🔗 Boundary Boss GPT: https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss [https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss] We talk about: 0:00 The “taker” culture happening in dentistry 5:20 Authenticity, trust, and transactional relationships 11:10 Why AI content is making everyone sound the same 17:30 The obsession with influence and visibility 24:15 The rise of unvetted experts in dentistry 30:40 Entrepreneurship, burnout, and scarcity mindset 36:00 Beverly’s advice for future leaders in dentistry Connect with Beverly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlywilburn/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlywilburn/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearbevvie_/ [https://www.instagram.com/dearbevvie_/] Website: https://dentalspousesinbusiness.com/ [https://dentalspousesinbusiness.com/] Connect with me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/] https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ [https://courageandjoyatwork.com/] https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] Phone: 616-682-6222 #DentalLeadership #AuthenticityInDentistry #DentalIndustry

044: The AI Tool Changing Dentistry Forever (And Why Human Connection Matters More Than Ever) | Danny Bessonov

AI is not replacing dentistry. It’s exposing where dentistry has been overwhelmed all along. In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, Brandi sits down with Danny Bessonov, founder of Avora, the voice AI platform helping dental practices automate documentation, improve patient communication, and create more human-centered experiences inside the operatory. But this conversation is about much more than technology. Danny shares how growing up in Silicon Valley, teaching himself to code as a child, and building viral apps as a teenager eventually led him into healthcare, where he realized one major thing: The biggest problem in dentistry is not a lack of skill. It’s cognitive overload. Because when providers are balancing notes, treatment planning, patient education, scheduling issues, handoffs, and constant interruptions… connection starts to disappear. And patients feel that. Danny breaks down how voice AI can eliminate administrative friction, improve coaching and communication inside practices, and allow dental teams to become more present, more effective, and less burned out. This episode challenges the fear around AI and reframes it as something much more powerful: A tool that gives people their attention back. If you’ve ever wondered where dentistry is headed, how AI is changing patient experience, or what the future of leadership and communication inside practices could look like… this conversation is going to shift your perspective. You’ll learn: * Why dental teams are overwhelmed even when they love what they do * How AI can improve patient experience instead of replacing human connection * The hidden impact documentation has on burnout and communication * Why most practices are sitting on valuable patient data they never use * How voice AI helps improve coaching, handoffs, and case acceptance * The real reason communication consistency matters in dental practices * Why leadership visibility becomes easier with AI-supported systems * How Avora automates documentation and supports operational efficiency * The difference between good technology and technology that actually gets adopted * Why the future of dentistry will belong to practices that embrace both innovation and humanity * What Danny believes most tech companies still misunderstand about dentistry * How AI can help practices create better experiences for both teams and patients 🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com [https://www.therealtalkofdental.com] 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] 🔗 Boundary Boss GPT: https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss [https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss] We talk about: 0:00 Danny’s unbelievable Alcatraz swim story at nine years old 3:00 Growing up in Silicon Valley and learning to code as a child 8:00 Building viral apps as a teenager and early entrepreneurship 12:00 Working in voice technology and discovering AI’s potential 15:00 Why Danny and his co-founder chose healthcare and dentistry 19:00 The real problem Avora was built to solve inside practices 22:00 How AI improves human connection instead of replacing it 25:00 Using voice AI to coach communication and improve patient experience 28:00 Why leadership and coaching in dentistry are evolving 31:00 The biggest mistakes tech companies make in dental 34:00 What dental practices misunderstand about AI adoption 36:00 Burnout, business building, and what keeps Danny motivated 37:30 The future of dentistry, voice technology, and human-centered care Connect with Danny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbessonov [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbessonov] Website: https://getavora.ai/ [https://getavora.ai/] Website: https://danielb.co/ [https://danielb.co/] Connect with me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/] https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ [https://courageandjoyatwork.com/] https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] Phone: 616-682-6222 #DentalAI #AIInDentistry #DentalTechnology

043: She Turned Dental Hygiene Into a $40K/Month Business (And Rewrote the Rules) | Sade Morel

Most hygienists aren’t underpaid because they lack skill. They’re underpaid because they don’t understand the numbers. And once you see it… you can’t unsee it. In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, Sade Morel shares how she went from working inside corporate dentistry to building a multi-provider hygiene business that generates tens of thousands per month, on her terms. This is not just a conversation about money. It’s about autonomy, ownership, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start understanding your value. Because here’s the truth most people avoid: you can be incredible at your job and still be operating inside a system that was never designed to reward you properly. Sade breaks down exactly how she learned to read production numbers, take control of her schedule, and eventually step into independent practice, creating a model that blends hygiene, wellness, and business in a way the industry hasn’t caught up to yet. If you’ve ever felt stuck, undervalued, or unsure of what’s actually possible for you in this field, this episode will shift something. You’ll learn: * Why hygienists are often underpaid, even when they’re producing high revenue * How understanding production numbers changes everything * The real reason your schedule determines your income * Why relying on the front desk can limit your earning potential * How to take ownership of your schedule and production * The mindset shift from employee to business owner * What it takes to open an independent hygiene practice * How Sade built a mobile service into a full wellness-based business * Why patient education directly impacts case acceptance and revenue * The truth about autonomy, burnout, and staying in dentistry long-term 🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com [https://www.therealtalkofdental.com] 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] 🔗 Boundary Boss GPT: https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss [https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss] We talk about: 0:00 The real state of dental hygiene and why the system feels broken 2:30 From corporate dentistry to questioning income and value 5:00 Production goals, tracking numbers, and what they really mean 8:00 How scheduling impacts hygiene revenue and daily production 11:00 Taking control of your schedule and eliminating “ghost appointments” 14:00 Knowing your worth through data, not feelings 17:00 Patient education strategies that increase treatment acceptance 20:00 Why avoiding money conversations holds hygienists back 22:30 The limitations of traditional dental practice structures 25:00 Discovering the RDHAP path and independent practice 28:00 Transitioning from employee to mobile hygiene business 30:30 Setting pricing, building demand, and replacing income 33:00 Opening a physical practice and navigating regulations 35:30 Scaling into a multi-provider wellness model 37:30 Redefining hygiene, autonomy, and what’s actually possible Connect with Sade TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saderdhap [https://www.tiktok.com/@saderdhap] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilesbysade_rdhap/ [https://www.instagram.com/smilesbysade_rdhap/] Website: https://www.saderdhap.com/ [https://www.saderdhap.com/] Connect with me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/] https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ [https://courageandjoyatwork.com/] https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] Phone: 616-682-6222 #DentalHygiene #DentalBusiness #WomenInDentistry

042: The Hidden Cost of Success, Panic Attacks, Pressure, and the Truth Dentists Don’t Say Out Loud | Dr. Eric Recker

Dentist burnout is real, and many high performers don’t see it until it’s already affecting their health, relationships, and work. If you’ve been feeling constant pressure, anxiety, or exhaustion in your career, this episode will hit close to home. In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, Dr. Eric Recker shares what burnout actually looks like behind the scenes of a successful career. After more than 20 years in dentistry, he found himself dealing with panic attacks, chronic stress, and the weight of always needing to be “on.” We talk about the patterns that drive high performers, the pressure to prove you’re enough, and why success doesn’t always feel the way you expected it would. Eric also shares how a forced pause during COVID changed everything, and how his “win the now” mindset helped him rebuild a more sustainable way of living and working. This conversation is a reminder that burnout isn’t just about workload, it’s about how you’re operating day to day, and what needs to shift if you want to keep going without burning out. You’ll learn: * Why high-performing dentists are more prone to burnout * What constant pressure and being “on” actually does to your mind and body * How the need to prove you’re enough drives overwork * Why Sunday anxiety never really goes away * What panic attacks can look like in high achievers * Why leaving your career won’t fix burnout on its own * The idea of “false urgency” and how it shows up daily * How to shift from focusing on problems to recognizing wins * A simple way to create more sustainability in your work and life 🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com [https://www.therealtalkofdental.com] 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] 🔗 Boundary Boss GPT: https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss [https://leadhershipexperience.com/boundaryboss] We talk about: 0:00 Dentist burnout and why success still feels overwhelming 3:30 High performer mindset and the need to prove you’re enough 7:00 The pressure of being “always on” in dentistry 10:00 Sunday anxiety and early signs of burnout 13:30 Dental practice growth and ignoring burnout warning signs 17:00 Stress symptoms, anxiety, and panic attacks in dentists 20:30 When burnout turns into emotional and physical exhaustion 23:30 COVID impact on dentists and forced burnout reset 26:30 Wanting to quit dentistry and career burnout thoughts 29:00 “Win the now” mindset for burnout recovery 32:00 Breaking the cycle of urgency and chronic stress 35:00 Losing the exit plan and staying in dentistry 38:00 Rebuilding a dental career after burnout 41:00 Creating work-life balance in dentistry 44:00 Identity, purpose, and life after burnout 46:30 Asking for help and mental health support for dentists Connect with Dr. Eric LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-recker-583849278/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-recker-583849278/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docrecker/ [https://www.instagram.com/docrecker/] Website: https://ericrecker.com/ [https://ericrecker.com/] Connect with me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/] https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ [https://courageandjoyatwork.com/] https://leadhershipexperience.com/ [https://leadhershipexperience.com/] Phone: 616-682-6222 #DentistBurnout #MentalHealthInDentistry #BurnoutRecovery