The Dental HR Podcast

Unpaid Time Off Policies - Should You Have One? Oct 13, 2026 00:08:15 Today we have a quick episode about Unpaid Time Off policies. Alan breaks down some of the common reasons, upsides, and downsides. Join us to learn about this common policy addition! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Dr. Martin Mendelson - Powerful habits to change your life Sep 29, 2026 00:48:50 After a couple weeks off for speaking events, we're back! Today is a powerful episode with Dr. Martin Mendelson, a disabled dentist, author, speaker, and coach. Dr. Martin is one of our favorite colleagues for who he is and what he does! Today's topics include: the science behind gratitude, toxic positivity, happiness research, leadership, personality & communication assessments, the work of Vic

Positivity, Culture, Dream Practice, and much more with Kirk Behrendt! Sep 8, 2026 00:41:16 Get ready for a ton of positive practice wisdom! Kirk Behrendt is the founder of ACT Dental which has helped thousands of dentists find joy, growth, and fulfillment from their practices. With too much negativity in dentistry, we wanted to bring a healthy dose of positivity and have Kirk share some of his wisdom with us. Kirk and Alan discuss team recruiting, core values, choosing the practice l

Culture Catalyst with Marni Blythe! Aug 25, 2026 00:30:04 We're joined today by Marni Blythe to discuss practice culture! Marni Blythe is an author, fractional COO, speaker, and business strategist. She is passionate about delivering lasting transformation. Marni Blythe and Tiffany Wuebben are the authors of Culture Catalyst, a fantastic book that is absolutely stuffed with tips to make your practice better. Most business books have a couple good ide

Help! I have a pregnant applicant! What do I do? Aug 11, 2026 00:12:58 Today we have a listener question: "What do I do if an applicant tells me she's pregnant?" Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan Twigg to discuss this one. We break down what to say, what not to say, how to document it, what the rules are, and perspectives to consider. Enjoy! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an

New Practice Managers - how to navigate the transition to leadership Jul 28, 2026 00:19:32 Another listener question: "How do I navigate being a brand-new office manager?" Are you a new manager? Are you now overseeing your peers? How do you lead a team you were recently a part of? Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan Twigg to discuss this common topic. We discuss: The dynamics of middle management: stuck between owners and employees Job description nuances for managers Proper trainin

Accidents, Injuries, Worker's Comp - How to handle needlesticks? Jul 14, 2026 00:14:47 Today we have another listener question: an employee had an accidental needlestick, yikes! Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins us to discuss worker's comp, general accidents or workplace injuries, paperwork, etc. Learn how to properly handle all sorts of injuries in the workplace! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an

Listener Question: How Do I Talk to My Employee About Her Attendance Problem? Jun 30, 2026 00:31:46 Today we have a listener-submitted question: How Do I Talk to My Employee About Their Attendance Problem? Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP and Alan T. Twigg discuss how to talk to employees who have chronic attendance issues. They discuss what to say, how to differentiate between protected and non-protected Sick Leave, the impact on patients, and addressing common employee responses. In many cases, lead

Another epic Documentation topic! Tracking Wage and Job Changes over time Jun 16, 2026 00:12:31 You've done all the wonderful delightful new-hire paperwork, and now it's months or years later. Raises, classification changes, full vs part time, benefits, schedule changes....how should you document these things? Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan to discuss this (super exciting) topic. Documentation is EVERYONE's favorite topic! (Maybe just Trisha's.) Learn the downsides of failing to docum

HR + AI with Kara Kelley! How should you use AI in your practice? Jun 1, 2026 00:49:46 Joining us today is Kara Kelley SPHR, SHRM-SCP, a Fractional HR Business Partner and CEO of Clinical HR LLC. Kara is a friend and colleague who helps make sense of the crazy world of HR. This discussion focuses on Artificial Intelligence in HR: hallucinations, hiring risks, what AI does really well right now, and where we might be going. Also be sure to check out her podcast with Amy Wood: Com

Your Brand is Your Best Recruiter - a discussion with Abe Kasbo! May 19, 2026 00:31:33 We are honored to chat with Abe Kasbo, Founder and CEO of Verasoni Worldwide. If you haven't seen Abe's incredible piece on Recruiting & Branding, check it out: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-brand-best-recruiter-verasoni-2tv5e/ Today we discuss Abe's views on how to stand out in this tight labor market, and how your team plays the key role in that. This is a wonderful concept merging HR an

Scary Letters Part 2 - State Labor Board Investigations May 5, 2026 00:19:29 This episode continues our series on "Scary Letters" which are HR-related serious situations that often start with receiving a letter in the mail. Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins us to discuss scary letters from the state, or federal, labor boards. We discuss common reasons for these situations, how to respond, what the typical process looks like, and how these situations can easily spiral out to

Can you classify workers as 1099 Independent Contractors? Apr 21, 2026 00:23:33 Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan to break down 1099 contractor vs employee classification. We discuss the Dept of Labor and IRS criteria, why the word "independent" is so important in "independent contractor," and which dental positions might qualify as a contractor. What are the risks of misclassification? Could an associate dentist be a contractor? What about hygienists? For some light r

Temporary Employees - Hiring and Managing Temp Workers Apr 7, 2026 00:20:34 Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP discuss all the nuances of Temporary Employees. What paperwork to use, can you classify them as 1099 contractors, employees vs temp agencies, Uber-like temp systems, payroll stuff, what if you like the temp better than your employee on maternity leave? Navigate temp workers safely with today's episode! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR

Student Internships - What are the compliance considerations? Mar 26, 2026 00:17:53 Join Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP for a discussion of Job Shadowing vs Student Internships. Learn the considerations and compliance risks of internships, paperwork required, and your role in the school program. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://benter

DIY Employee Handbooks - the pros and cons of writing, editing, or updating handbooks in-house Mar 17, 2026 00:17:53 In today's episode Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP share their past experiences with writing, editing, and updating employee handbooks in previous jobs. Trisha was stuck in middle management with too many executives involved. Alan received a free policy manual and made his own updates. In both cases, they struggled with compliance updates, old outdated cringy language, and the time it took. T

Generational Differences - Navigating Challenges with Ryan Vet! Mar 3, 2026 00:33:22 Have you struggled with multiple generations in your practice? Are the young workers a different breed, super weird, and talk funny? We are honored to have Ryan Vet on the show to help navigate this world. Ryan is a globally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and podcaster. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, launched startups, and spoken at over 1,000+ events. Jo

Drug Testing Part 2 - Fun Stories & Reframing Performance Issues Feb 24, 2026 00:20:08 Did you hear the one about the fake penis at the drug testing facility? Or the pouch of pee under the employee's skirt? Join Trisha and Alan for Part 2 on Drug Testing in the workplace! Today we discuss fun stories of employees trying to fake their results. We also dive into the recommended process when you suspect something with an employee and you're not sure. We discuss the important reframing

Scary Letters - handling a threatening legal action Feb 11, 2026 00:17:45 Today we're discussing Scary Letters (no not unemployment, that's not scary). Real scary letters are from attorneys representing former employees, threatening lawsuits and legal action, demanding settlements, etc. Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan Twigg to break down where these scary letters come from, and the two common paths forward. Spoiler alert: if you have your HR stuff together, it's a

Our 2026 Predictions - The 4 HR Trends We See Coming Jan 27, 2026 00:11:44 Join us today for our 4 predictions for HR trends in 2026! Alan covers what he sees coming this year, including: 1. The impact of AI on employee awareness 2. The pace of HR legal changes 3. Hiring and onboarding people from outside dental 4. Mental Health in the workplace What trends do you see coming in 2026? We'd love to hear your thoughts: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/ To lear

Employees Not Following Policies Jan 14, 2026 00:25:05 Happy new year! To kick off 2026 we're discussing the common scenario of employees not following policies. We're joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP. Learn the steps and key management materials. Enjoy! Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/ To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: h

Holiday Parties! Paying wages, serving alcohol, should you serve marijuana? Dec 10, 2025 00:18:30 Join us to discuss holiday parties and paid holidays! We are joined by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to discuss whether holiday parties are paid/unpaid, reducing liability, how to serve alcohol, what if marijuana is legal, religious accommodations, and when holidays are paid. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director Management System and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/

Situation Leadership Skills with Olivia Smith! Nov 25, 2025 00:19:39 Today we're joined by Olivia Smith with OS Dental Consulting to discuss Situational Leadership! We discuss what it entails, how it helps you lead your team throughout the employment lifecycle, and how it relates to your big practice goals. This is great stuff for all practice leaders! Olivia Smith is a trusted consultant, coach, and national speaker with a passion for helping dental practices thr

Working Interviews & Skills Assessments - Pros and Cons Nov 11, 2025 00:17:50 Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins us again to discuss the common topic of Working Interviews and Skills Assessments. As more practices hire from within and from outside the dental world, assessing a candidate's abilities becomes super important. The resume and interview only tell us so much. While it's logical to want to see a candidate in action, we will explain the nuances of both methods, the pro

Stop Putting Out Fires - Go Upstream! Oct 27, 2025 00:08:39 Do you ever feel like you're just running from one crisis to the next? Today we explore the HR craziness of turnover using two analogies. Many practices struggle with turnover (both resignation and termination). With the costs of turnover painfully clear, how can we break the cycle and walk upstream to find the root cause? You can learn more about Bent Ericksen & Associates and our HR support

Pregnancy in the Dental Office - Part 3: Returning to Work Oct 14, 2025 00:20:52 Today we're concluding our 3-part series on Pregnancy! This episode focuses on the return-to-work phase, when our employee comes back to the practice after the birth and the leave of absence. We have our fantastic senior HR Specialist Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP back with us. Join us to learn about nursing, pumping, what if the employee doesn't want to return, or doesn't want to return full-time, and

Pregnancy in the Dental Office - Part 2: The Leave of Absence Sep 30, 2025 00:12:17 Today we're back with Part 2 in our series on pregnancy in the dental practice. We have Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP back with us to discuss the necessary steps right before, during, and after the leave of absence from your practice. Learn about terminology, including Baby Bonding vs Maternity Leave. Also learn general recommendations and some of the requirements in dentistry. You can learn more abou

Pregnancy in the Dental Office - Part 1: Before The Birth Sep 12, 2025 00:16:40 Today we kick off a 3 part series on Pregnancy with our fabulous HR Specialist Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP. We will cover all 3 phases of pregnancy: the first phase when the employee is pregnant and still working, the second while they are out on leave, and the third when they return to work. In Part 1 today we discuss radiographs, nitrous, accommodations, morning sickness, discrimination claims, pa

Business Partnerships - Topics to Discuss For Success Aug 28, 2025 00:13:09 Are you in a business partnership with one or more dentists? Are you considering this someday? We have seen several dental partnerships dissolve recently, including some for preventable reasons. Don't wait until there's a conflict, get ahead of things and proactively discuss your goals, beliefs, values, expectations, and more. Taking action now will make for a successful and rewarding partnershi

Discussion - The HR Survey Results from Incisal Edge Aug 20, 2025 00:17:03 Today we are joined by Chuck Cohen, Managing Director at Benco Dental, Abe Kasbo, CEO of Verasoni Worldwide, and Tim Twigg, Bent Ericksen guru extraordinaire. The recent issue of Incisal Edge included an HR Survey of dental practices. This episode is a debrief with Chuck, Abe, and Tim about the results. Join us for a fast-paced discussion about the dental labor market!

Gossip and Drama! What can you do? Aug 12, 2025 00:28:01 Today is all about drama, gossip, backstabbing, talking negatively about the practice, and more. We are joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to help us navigate this topic. Enjoy!

Workplace Violence Prevention w/ Joyce Weeks BS MSc Jul 31, 2025 00:33:26 It's a topic no one wants to think about: workplace violence. And yet we have to talk about it, and we should talk about it. Join us to learn more about what workplace violence is, how to prevent it, and the new CA requirements. Here is a free Violence Prevention Checklist from Joyce: https://www.dentaledinc.com/wvp-opt-in Joyce Weeks is the owner and lead educator at Dental Ed, Inc., where she

Questions Not to Ask in an Interview Jul 15, 2025 00:08:36 We talk about what to do, and today is all about what NOT to do. When you're interviewing, what are the questions to avoid? Are there questions you can't ask? Can you check an applicant's social media prior to hiring? Tune in to find out!

Lunches, Meal Periods, Rest Breaks - How do they work and what is paid or unpaid? Jun 26, 2025 00:20:03 Join us today for a deep dive on rest breaks, meal periods, lunches, etc. What are you required to provide? What is the difference between federal and state rules? What is paid or unpaid? Enjoy!

Job Posting Tips Jun 16, 2025 00:08:44 Today we have some quick tips on Job Postings. How can you stand out from the crowd? What are some compliance considerations? How can you craft your Unique Employment Proposition? Enjoy!

Attendance - How To Handle Chronic Issues May 28, 2025 00:27:34 Today we are joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP for a discussion about attendance issues. Let's say an employee is showing up late or chronically calling out, what can you do? What if some or all of the absences are protected? Join us today as we break down the variables and provide guidance on each area!

Cell Phone Usage in the Office May 14, 2025 00:16:26 Today is all about smartphone and smartwatch use in the practice. What can you do if an employee is always on their phone? What if your manager uses a phone for work? We're joined today by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to help us navigate this common topic. Enjoy!

HR Training Courses - "People Power" 1 Year Later May 7, 2025 00:07:40 Today we're revisiting "People Power", the HR Training course for dentists, spouses, and managers. There is a serious lack of comprehensive proper HR training in the dental field. On the podcast today are Michelle Allen and Adrienne Twigg, discussing this critical need. Join us today and learn how they are helping HR leaders gain confidence to handle the day-to-day HR challenges facing practic

Payroll Deductions - How they work and should you do them? Apr 28, 2025 00:18:47 Payroll Deductions in HR: this is a very common topic, especially at the end of employment. What if someone doesn't return their key or uniforms? Do you have to get something in writing to make a payroll deduction? Can you deduct as much as you want? Today we explore this important topic and dig into the state-specific nuances. At the end we discuss other perspectives on deductions and turnover.

Obligations vs Opportunities Apr 10, 2025 00:04:34 We were off last week for spring break, welcome back everyone! Today we have an episode on Obligations vs Opportunities. In HR we face both. Which is which and what do we do?

The Basics of Harassment Claims Mar 12, 2025 00:13:50 Today's episode covers the basics of handling a harassment claim. Harassment can come in many forms. How can you prevent it? What are your state requirements for training? How does everything unfold and in what order? Here is the Alerts page referenced: https://bentericksen.com/employment-compliance-alerts/ As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or need help. Our tea

Quick Overview of Final Paycheck Rules Feb 20, 2025 00:11:39 Today we have a short overview of state rules for final paychecks. When an employee leaves, how quickly do you have to pay them their final paycheck? What about direct deposit? Does it matter if they're fired or resigning? Listen to today's episode for all the answers!

Culture, Onboarding, and Leading Gen Z with Dr. Brad Chvatal Feb 12, 2025 00:55:02 Get ready for an epic discussion with Dr. Brad Chvatal, an amazing orthodontist in Eugene, Oregon. Dr. Brad has practiced and led a successful multi-location team for over 20 years. This is a fun and wide-ranging chat on many important HR topics: —Does anyone want to work anymore? —The dentist's role as a leader and their responsibility to their team —Hiring people from outside dentistry —Creati

Courageous Conversations with Katherine Eitel Belt! Jan 16, 2025 00:42:52 Today is all about employee onboarding and courageous conversations with the legendary coach Katherine Eitel Belt of LionSpeak Coaching! We cover employee conflict, Katherine's recommendations for onboarding new team members, and the basics of "Courageous Conversations." Katherine is offering our listeners a free gift: a packet of downloadable resources on these important topics. Check it out! h

Dental Bonus Systems Part 3 - Our Recommendations Dec 26, 2024 00:26:14 We are wrapping up our Bonus series today with our recommendations for how to set up a bonus system that actually works; one that motivates the team while increasing profit and paying for other expenses. Check it out! Here is a link to the tool mentioned in the show: https://bentericksen.com/bonus-pro/ If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to le

Dental Bonus Systems Part 2 Dec 6, 2024 00:08:25 Today we are continuing our series on Bonus Systems. This episode focuses on common reasons why bonus plans fail, or fail to motivate the team. Check out this quick episode to avoid making these mistakes! If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to learn more about our BonusPro system, give us a call at (800) 679-2760 or email us at: info@bentericks

Dental Bonus Systems Part 1 Nov 19, 2024 00:12:21 Today we begin a multi-part series on bonus & incentive systems in a dental practice. The focus today is why you should have a bonus system, what are the benefits, and how does a proper bonus system impact the team. If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to learn more about our BonusPro system, give us a call at (800) 679-2760 or email us at: in

Performance Reviews & Goal Setting Nov 7, 2024 00:23:14 The dreaded annual performance review! Today we're talking with Jennifer Dallas SHRM-CP about Performance Reviews. What are they, do we have to do them, what if we hate them, and what are the alternatives? If you're not a Bent Ericksen client and you'd like to receive a free copy of our Goal Setting & Progress Form, just click this link and let us know you're interested: https://bentericksen.com

Growth, Transitions, Acquisitions, and Buying Practices! Oct 22, 2024 00:31:54 Today we're joined by the powerhouse father/daughter duo of Paul & Pam Sletten with The Sletten Group. One of their mottos is "Transitions not Transactions." With the ongoing changes, consolidations, and retiring dentists, many practices are changing hands. This has the potential for both success and failure. Today we dive into the weeds about all things related to transitions and acquisitions,

Continuing Education (CE) 101 Sep 24, 2024 00:36:28 Today we're doing a deep dive into the basics of CE for dental practices. We all have to deal with CE, regardless of our practice type or speciality. How does the money work? Are employees paid for their time? What about expenses? Join Alan on this episode breaking down the requirements and recommendations!

Interview Questions - The Basic Categories and Examples Sep 6, 2024 00:14:25 When it comes time to interview, what questions should you ask? What are the different categories and types of questions? In this episode we focus on interview questions, specifically Behavioral-Based questions and the value they bring to your process. Enjoy!

Hourly vs Salary - How Should You Pay Your Team? Aug 20, 2024 00:22:12 It's a common question, should I pay my team hourly or salary? What are the pros and cons? If I pay a salary can I avoid paying overtime? What does Exempt or Non-Exempt mean? Today we are joined by one of our senior HR Specialists, Rebecca Boartfield, to learn all about what you can and can't do, and which method is right for your office.

Origins - Exploring the Why Aug 5, 2024 00:06:12 Today is a short episode for Alan's Why. We're hearing how Alan got into HR and why he continues to do this work. We hope you're all having a great summer and enjoying time off with your loved ones!

Job Descriptions Jul 17, 2024 00:16:38 Today's episode is all about Job Descriptions. What are they, what you need to have in them, and how are they used. Lots of attention goes to policy manuals/employee handbooks. And yet Job Descriptions are the unsung hero of the HR world. They have tremendous value in the hiring, onboarding, and performance management phases. Enjoy!

HR Compliance 101 Jun 27, 2024 00:17:03 Today's episode is all about the basics of HR compliance. Where do the laws come from? Do they apply to your practice? This conversation is straightforward without being too technical. Enjoy!

Paid Holidays - Who When How Jun 14, 2024 00:12:19 Today's episode is all about Paid Holidays. How do they work, which ones do you have to provide, what if an employee isn't working that day? Let's get into it!

People Power HR Trainings May 29, 2024 00:14:39 This episode features Michelle Allen SPHR SHRM-SCP discussing the lack of proper HR training in dentistry. Dental schools aren't preparing graduates for the real world HR challenges, nor do Office Managers receive formal HR training. Adrienne and Michelle have some new resources to share with everyone!

Where to Find Good People May 29, 2024 00:26:51 The staffing shortage is here to stay, for a while at least. So how can you find good people? On this episode Adrienne and Alan discuss various ways to make your practice stand out, and how to attract your ideal team members.

Drug Testing May 29, 2024 00:18:06 This episode is all about drug testing in your practice. Can you do pre-employment drug screening? Can you randomly drug test your employees? Join Trisha Lincoln SHRM-CP for an educational chat about the dos and don'ts of drug testing!

Episodes

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