Practice Pulse Podcast by PbN

The Secret to Retaining Top Hygiene Talent | Rachel Wall, CEO Inspired Hygiene

What does it really take to attract and keep top hygiene talent in today's dental practice? In this episode of the Practice Pulse Podcast, Dr. Aditi Agarwal, Co-founder of Practice by Numbers, sits down with Rachel Wall, CEO of Inspired Hygiene and one of the Top 10 Content Creators Shaking Up the Dental Industry in 2026 (AGD Impact Magazine). Together they unpack: → The "secret sauce" for retaining hygienists and why compensation alone isn't enough → How autonomy and clinical standards can coexist → The 3 hygiene KPIs every practice owner should be tracking (and what they really tell you) → Why the perio percentage is a barometer for the entire hygiene department → DSO vs private practice: who should have the hard compensation conversations → A real coaching story about 12 hygienists, a simple tracker, and the power of awareness → Why losing a long-tenured team member can be the start of something better Whether you're a private practice dentist, office manager, or DSO leader, this is an honest conversation about culture, systems, and the people behind the practice. Hosted by: Dr. Aditi Agarwal, Co-founder, Practice by Numbers Guest: Rachel Wall, CEO, Inspired Hygiene Learn more: https://inspiredhygiene.com/ [https://inspiredhygiene.com/] Website: https://practicenumbers.com/ [https://practicenumbers.com/]

How Executive Coaching Elevates Leaders to the Next Level w/ Thomas Passalacqua

Description: Leadership isn’t just about strategy. It’s about clarity, confidence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. In this episode, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with Executive Coach Thomas Passalacqua, Ascend Professional Pathways, LLC to discuss what it really takes to grow as a leader in today’s fast-evolving dental landscape. Thomas shares how executive coaching helps dentists and business leaders move beyond surface-level tactics and address the internal challenges that often hold them back. From overcoming doubt and decision paralysis to building stronger self-awareness, this conversation dives into the personal side of leadership that directly impacts business growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain about your next move, or ready to step into a bigger leadership role, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:10 – Thomas Passalacqua’s journey from being a teacher to executive coach 04:50 – What executive coaching really is (and how it’s different from consulting) 06:05 – Common challenges leaders face when stepping into bigger roles 08:10 – The emotional side of leadership and why it matters 11:57 – The cost of doing nothing: how to know if coaching is right for you 13:47 – Real breakthroughs: what happens when clients discover their own solutions 15:07 – Strategies leaders can use to move through fear and make confident decisions 18:07 – What the coaching actually looks like and how fast you can see results 21:14 – Overcoming resistance and breaking through self-inflicted barriers 24:48 – How to connect with Thomas and access the exclusive listener offer About the Speaker Thomas Passalacqua is a certified Executive Coach who specializes in customized professional & leadership development. With a master’s in education, Thomas started his career as a founding teacher in New York City. He then transitioned into dental manufacturing sales, where he was an award-winning consultant who trained and mentored other sales professionals. Transitioning again, Thomas was the director of business development for a growing dental group practice in the Northeast where he led sales and marketing for mergers & acquisitions. In his executive coaching and professional training platform, Ascend Professional Pathways LLC, he enables various industry leaders to gain clarity and improve their business leadership skills. His clients are empowered to reach the next level in their businesses and careers by overcoming doubts, fears, and uncertainty and making strategic decisions to better align with their goals. Exclusive Listener Offer Podcast listeners receive 5% off on any Executive Coaching program with Thomas Passalacqua. If you’re looking to gain clarity, strengthen your leadership, and make more confident decisions in your business or career, this is a great opportunity to take the next step. Don’t miss it, this is a limited offer!

The CEO Mindset Every Dental Practice Owner Needs w/ Rehan Shahid

Running a successful dental practice requires more than great clinical skills. Leadership, systems, and strategy are what ultimately determine whether a practice grows or becomes overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with Dr. Rehan Shahid, a practicing dentist, entrepreneur, and co-CEO of a multi-practice dental group, to discuss how dentists can transition from day-to-day operators into confident CEOs. Dr. Rehan shares the mindset shifts, systems, and leadership strategies that helped him scale multiple practices while avoiding the burnout that many practice owners experience. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the daily grind of dentistry, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth, delegation, and building a practice that runs beyond you. About the Speaker Dr. Rehan Shahid is a practicing dentist, entrepreneur, and co-CEO of a multi-practice dental group. He is the founder of Practice Success Academy, where he helps dentists buy back their time and scale their practice through transitioning from being day-to-day operators into confident CEOs by building strong leadership, scalable systems, and data-driven accountability. Drawing from real-world experience leading multiple offices, Dr. Rehan is passionate about helping dentists create profitable, predictable practices that thrive without owner burnout. Exclusive Listener Offer Podcast listeners are invited to a complimentary 30-minute CEO Strategy Call where we’ll review leadership structure, key performance metrics, and the primary bottleneck preventing their practice from scaling. The goal is to provide clarity and actionable next steps, whether or not we work together. Don’t miss it, this is a limited offer! If you found this podcast helpful, 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway or 2026 goal 🔔 Subscribe to the Practice Pulse Podcast for more real, practical conversations on modern dentistry

Why Team Conflict Hurts Dental Practices w/ Dina Lynch Eisenberg

In this episode, we sit down with Dina Lynch Eisenberg, JD, EMBA, CEO and Founder of Talkola, to unpack a problem many dental practices feel but rarely name: shadow friction. Dina brings over 30 years of experience as a mediator, organizational ombuds, and former healthcare attorney, having resolved more than 6,000 workplace conflicts for organizations like Bank of America, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Coca-Cola, and Twitter. Now, through Talkola, she’s helping leaders use science-backed AI to practice difficult conversations before tension quietly erodes culture, performance, and profitability. Together, we explore: → What “shadow friction” looks like inside dental practices, even when things seem “mostly fine” → Why dentists struggle with hard conversations and what really happens when issues are avoided → How unspoken tension impacts patient experience, front-desk flow, hygiene schedules, and team morale → The real financial cost of unresolved conflict, from turnover to lost production → Dina’s FACTS framework for navigating tough conversations without HR training or a psychology degree → Why practicing difficult conversations builds confidence and transforms leadership effectiveness 🎁 Bonus for listeners: Dina is offering her Preamble Guide, a practical resource to help dentists start difficult conversations clearly and confidently. Reach out to Dina directly to receive it. Contact Dina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dina.eisenberg [https://www.facebook.com/dina.eisenberg] This episode is a must-listen for dentists who want stronger teams, better communication, and a healthier practice culture without burnout or drama.

Elevating Dentistry, One Hire at a Time with Wendy Aldhamen

Hiring feels more complex than it should, especially in dentistry. Short-staffed teams. Rushed interviews. Costly mis-hires. In this episode, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with Wendy Aldhamen, Founder of Career Elevation, to break down how dental practices can hire better, faster, and more intentionally without burning out their teams or compromising culture. Whether you’re a practice owner, associate dentist, or team leader, this conversation will change how you think about recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding in today’s competitive market. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:03 – Wendy’s journey: from dental assistant to hiring leader. 04:27 – How dental hiring has changed over the last 5 years (and in 2025). 06:42 – The most common hiring mistakes dentists make under pressure. 09:52 – What a strong, effective dental interview really looks like. 11:53 – Must-ask interview questions to assess culture fit and accountability. 14:57 – What associate dentists should be asking during interviews. 22:08 – High-impact onboarding strategies that work, even in busy practices. 25:25 – Building repeatable hiring systems without losing the human touch. 34:55 – How to connect with Wendy. About the Speaker Wendy Aldhamen has been in dentistry for over a decade, starting as a dental assistant in 2010 and growing into an office manager and hiring leader by 2014. Experiencing both toxic and thriving practice cultures firsthand shaped her passion for helping dental teams get hiring right. In 2019, she founded Career Elevation, where she has since helped place hundreds of dental professionals by aligning the right people with the right practices. Today, Wendy is a CEO, speaker, and coach dedicated to making recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding easier and more human for dentistry. Exclusive Listener Offer Wendy is offering something special to our listeners. The first three people who reach out will receive either 1. A free, professionally written resume (for candidates exploring new opportunities), or 2. A complimentary 1-hour recruiting coaching session (for practice owners or leaders) Don’t miss it, this is a limited offer! Stay Connected with Practice Pulse! If you found this podcast helpful, 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway or 2026 goal 🔔 Subscribe to the Practice Pulse Podcast for more real, practical conversations on modern dentistry