Are you tracking the right metrics in your dental practice? In this episode, Dayna Johnson and Robin Smith, Solutions Consultant at Henry Schein One, dive into the 2025 Catalyst Index Report and uncover how understanding your numbers can transform your practice.

Discover why patient retention and case acceptance are the most critical drivers of success, and what top-performing practices are doing differently. Learn proven strategies to strengthen patient relationships, improve treatment acceptance, and empower your team with actionable data.

With 19 years of hands-on dental experience as a dental assistant, hygienist, front office team member, and technology specialist, Robin brings unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s dental teams.

👉 Download your copy of the 2025 Catalyst Index Report here: http://bit.ly/45Uhxkc

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why practice metrics are essential for growth and profitability
The #1 factor in patient retention and how to improve it
How communication and trust drive case acceptance
Real-world benchmarks from the 2025 Catalyst Index Report
Ways to use data and tools like Jarvis to streamline processes
The importance of teamwork and celebrating small wins

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Practice Metrics
02:12 Exploring the Catalyst Index Report
04:43 The Importance of Patient Retention
10:35 Strategies for Improving Patient Retention
14:50 Understanding Case Acceptance Rates
18:57 Enhancing Case Acceptance Through Communication
24:26 Building Relationships for Better Outcomes
28:22 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

#174 Interview with Robin Smith on the 2025 Catalyst Index Report

Every year, millions of dollars in dental benefits expire unused, don’t let your patients (or your practice) miss out. In this episode, Dayna Johnson dives into the importance of maximizing dental benefits before they reset in January.

With the end of the year approaching, Dayna shares practical strategies for engaging patients who still have unused insurance benefits, highlighting how tools like Dentrix Treatment Manager can help teams track unscheduled treatments and fill the schedule. From outreach campaigns to proactive follow-ups, this conversation will give your practice the playbook to boost production and help patients get the care they need before it’s too late.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why unused dental benefits = lost revenue and missed patient care
How most plans reset in January, and what that means for your schedule
Ways to use the Dentrix Treatment Manager to track unscheduled treatment
Simple outreach strategies that motivate patients to book now
The role of third-party vendors in boosting communication and reminders
Why phone calls, texts, and personal engagement make the difference
How to turn year-end urgency into a win-win for patients and practices

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Autumn Reflections and Dental Benefits Awareness
02:39 Maximizing Patient Engagement for Year-End Benefits
05:43 Utilizing Dentrix for Effective Treatment Management
08:14 Outreach Strategies for Unscheduled Treatments
10:55 Engaging Patients Before Year-End Deadlines

Please rate, review and share this episode with your colleagues.
Book a call with Dayna: calendly.com/dayna-johnson/discovery-call

#175 How to maximize dental benefits before end of year

📊 Struggling to get patients to say YES to treatment?
In this conversation, Dayna Johnson breaks down the concept of case acceptance and why it is one of the most critical metrics for a thriving dental practice. Learn how to manage unscheduled treatments, track acceptance accurately, and boost your overall case acceptance percentage to hit top-performing levels.

Dayna shares practical examples, actionable tips, and best practices to help your dental team engage patients, document treatment plans correctly, and measure success using the Dentrix Practice Advisor Report. Whether you’re aiming to hit the industry average or exceed 75% acceptance rates, this session gives you the tools to turn treatment plans into scheduled production.

Key Takeaways:

What case acceptance really means and how to define it in your practice
Why managing unscheduled treatments is key to improving acceptance rates
How to update treatment statuses in your practice management software
Why rejecting declined treatments helps maintain accurate reporting
Understanding industry benchmarks (42%–58%) vs. top performers (75%+)
Using the Dentrix Practice Advisor Report to measure progress
Tips for proactive patient engagement and treatment planning

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Case Acceptance
08:29 Managing Treatment Plans Effectively
12:46 Analyzing Case Acceptance Metrics

🔔 Subscribe for more Dentrix training and practice growth strategies that help you boost production, improve team performance, and get patients saying YES.

#176 Dentrix Case Acceptance tips and tricks

🔒 Would you let a stranger walk into your house without permission?
In this episode, Dayna Johnson explains why unauthorized vendors in your Dentrix software are just as dangerous — and could put your patient data at risk.

Using a powerful home invasion analogy, Dayna breaks down the risks of using unapproved third-party vendors, the potential consequences of compromised security, and why it’s crucial for dental practices to work only with authorized Dentrix vendors.

You’ll also learn how to evaluate vendor relationships, understand security requirements, and protect your practice from preventable data breaches.

Key Takeaways:

Why unauthorized vendors are a major security risk
How to verify and choose approved Dentrix vendors
The importance of security updates and vendor accountability
Understanding the potential consequences of working with unapproved partners
Why communication with vendors about data security is non-negotiable
How to regularly review vendor relationships for compliance and safety

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Unauthorized Vendors
04:53 The Analogy of Security and Access
09:16 Navigating Vendor Relationships and Security
11:50 Consequences of Choosing Unauthorized Vendors

🔔 Subscribe for more Dentrix tips and dental practice security insights. Protect your data, protect your patients, and protect your practice.

#177 Unauthorized and Unapproved Vendors Defined

🦷 Did you know hygienists are one of the biggest drivers of both patient care and profitability in a dental practice?
In this episode, Dayna Johnson dives into the essential role hygienists play in creating comprehensive treatment plans, achieving production goals, and improving the overall health of patients.

With rising costs and stagnant reimbursement rates, understanding hygienist production goals and leveraging the right mix of services is more important than ever. Dayna breaks down how hygienists can calculate their ideal production, why perio percentages matter, and how continuous education helps teams adapt to industry changes.

Key Takeaways:

Why hygienists are central to comprehensive patient care
How to calculate and track hygienist production goals
The benchmark of 3x total compensation for hygienist production
Why most practices underperform in periodontal treatments (5–20%)
How perio percentages impact patient care and profitability
The link between profitability and offering better staff benefits
Why continuing education and new techniques matter for hygienists

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Hygienist Appreciation
02:31 Understanding Practice Profitability
05:41 Maximizing Patient Care and Production Goals
08:23 The Importance of Comprehensive Care
10:57 Role of Hygienists in Practice Success

🔔 Subscribe for more Dentrix training, practice management strategies, and tips to build a high-performing dental team.

#178 Hygienists and production goals

🦷 Want to boost hygiene production while improving patient care and documentation?
In this episode, Dayna Johnson dives into how efficient health history reviews and electronic forms can transform your dental hygiene workflows. She explains why proper documentation isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for compliance, patient safety, and protecting your license.

Dayna also shares best practices for engaging patients in their health history, using technology to streamline documentation, and setting production goals that truly reflect the services you provide. Whether you’re a hygienist, office manager, or doctor, this conversation will help you strengthen both your systems and your patient experience.

Key Takeaways:

-How to set hygiene production goals that align with your services
-Why health history reviews should be efficient and consistent
-The role of electronic forms in improving patient engagement
-How documentation protects your practice from legal risk
-Using dual monitors to enhance patient interaction
-Why health history updates should be part of every visit
-How technology streamlines hygiene workflows for better results

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Production Goals in Dental Hygiene
02:34 Streamlining Health History Reviews
05:32 Leveraging Technology for Efficient Workflow
08:09 Enhancing Patient Engagement in Health History
10:51 Best Practices for Documentation and Review
13:50 Implementing Electronic Health Forms

🔔 Subscribe for more Dentrix training and practical tips to help your dental team save time, boost production, and improve patient care.

#179 Hygienists Health History Review and Electronic Forms

💡 What makes a truly high-performing dental team?
In this episode of The High Performing Dental Team Podcast, Dayna Johnson and Claire Dickinson dive into the vital role of hygienists in driving patient care, trust, and collaboration across the practice.

They explore the real-world challenges new hygienists face, the importance of using diagnostic tools effectively, and how to foster a culture of care that strengthens relationships between doctors, hygienists, and patients. Dayna and Claire also discuss how hygienists can take ownership of their roles, view themselves as mini business owners, and create lasting impact in their practices.

Key Takeaways:

Hygienists are essential educators and leaders in patient care
New hygienists often face unexpected real-world challenges
Teamwork and trust fuel long-term practice success
Diagnostic tools improve patient outcomes and confidence
Compensation should reflect the true value hygienists bring
Health history reviews are critical for personalized care
Creating a culture of care fosters stronger team dynamics
Hygienists should think like business owners to elevate results
Building value in treatment increases patient acceptance

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dental Hygiene Month and Guest Introduction
02:11 The Role of Hygienists in Patient Education
05:18 Real-World Challenges for New Hygienists
08:45 Building Collaborative Relationships in the Practice
11:22 The Importance of Diagnostic Tools
13:47 Understanding Compensation and Value in Hygiene
17:13 The Significance of Health History Reviews
19:28 Creating a Patient-Centric Culture
22:30 Trust Between Hygienists and Doctors
25:39 Empowering Hygienists as Mini Business Owners
28:03 Conclusion and Future Topics

🔔 Subscribe to The High Performing Dental Team Podcast for more practical insights on leadership, Dentrix optimization, and team growth strategies that drive success in modern dental practices.

#180 Interview with Claire Dickinson kickoff 3rd quarter

Are you managing membership plans in your dental practice but not sure if you’re doing it efficiently? In this episode, Dayna Johnson breaks down how to manage membership plans inside Dentrix—without creating chaos in your system.

She walks you through the levels of membership management—from basic tracking to advanced setups—so you can choose what works best for your team. Whether you're just starting or optimizing your process, you’ll get practical, real-world tips to simplify workflows, protect profitability, and keep your data accurate.

✅ Key Takeaways:
~ Understand your practice’s unique needs for membership management
~ Learn how to track hygiene and discounts correctly
~ Avoid common Dentrix mistakes (like linking membership to insurance!)
~ Discover how to use fee schedules and custom codes effectively
~ Streamline your operations and save time using built-in Dentrix tools

💡 Free Resource:
Download the Membership plan Tip Sheet to help you better manage your membership plan setup and financial tracking:
👉 https://novoneecommunity.mykajabi.com/Membership-plans-setup-dentrix

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Membership Plans in Dentistry
13:54 Best Practices for Managing Membership Plans

🔗 Learn more:
Explore more resources and training at novonee.com

Book a Discovery Call with Dayna to optimize your systems: novonee.com

#181 Managing Membership Plans in Dentrix

Want to improve your case acceptance and streamline treatment planning in your dental practice? In this episode, Dayna Johnson breaks down how to master treatment planning in Dentrix, covering everything from case dates and alternate cases to customizing treatment plans for better patient understanding.

Drawing insights from a recent Dentrix User Meeting, Dayna shares how small adjustments in your treatment planning process can have a big impact on efficiency, communication, and production.

✅ Key Takeaways:
~ Treatment planning is the foundation of strong case acceptance.
~ Use case dates strategically for tracking expiration timelines.
~ Link alternate cases to present multiple options to patients clearly.
~ Customize treatment plans to focus on what patients really care about—their out-of-pocket costs.
~ Always accept or reject treatment instead of deleting it for accurate tracking.
~ Clear communication is essential for patient trust and workflow harmony.

💡 Free Resource:
Download the free tip sheet on linking cases in Dentrix: https://novoneecommunity.mykajabi.com/linking_alternate_cases

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Treatment Planning
02:44 Understanding Case Dates and Their Importance
05:19 Linking Alternate Cases for Better Patient Options
08:34 Customizing Treatment Plan Estimates
11:21 Accepting and Rejecting Treatment Plans

#182 Four Popular Questions Answered Dentrix Treatment Planning Process

Are manual case tracking systems slowing down your dental practice? In this episode, Dayna Johnson dives into the inefficiencies of traditional case tracking and how dental teams can modernize their workflows for better communication, accessibility, and patient outcomes.

She explains why manual tracking methods—like whiteboards and spreadsheets—often create chaos instead of clarity and how adopting digital solutions can help your team stay organized and efficient.

✅ Key Takeaways:
~ Manual tracking systems waste valuable time and lead to errors.
~ Centralized, digital tracking improves accessibility and accountability.
~ Clear communication and regular updates keep everyone aligned.
~ Training your team is critical for successful system adoption.
~ Investing in technology enhances patient outcomes and clinical efficiency.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Inefficiencies in Lab Case Management
00:56 Streamlining Lab Case Creation

📲 Want to improve your lab case tracking and workflow efficiency?
Book a free discovery call with Dayna at novonee.com

#183 Lab Case Manager Tips & Tricks

Hey there, I’m Dayna Johnson . . . dental practice management expert, certified Dentrix trainer and founder of Novonee, revolutionizing the dental industry through innovation and strategic leadership. It wasn’t long ago that I lived in your shoes navigating the daily challenges of managing a dental practice with the hopes and dreams of having a productive schedule, money in the bank, and getting home on time to my sweet daughter.  After 25 years working in the dental practice and 17 years as a certified Dentrix trainer, I found my life’s work helping dental teams 1:1 optimizing their systems and software. If you are looking to create the thriving dental practice you have always dreamed of and empower your high performing dental team, you are in the right place. Let’s get started!

New tracks tagged #Dentrix