Accelerate Your Dental Practice with Malika and Michelle

Hosted by Malika Azargoon and Michelle Affanato

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Malika Azargoon and Michelle Affanato share their expertise on how dentists can accelerate their practice growth and success.

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49 recent

July 23, 2026Episode 5318 min

AYDP: Trust Your Team, But Verify Your Systems

In this episode, Michelle and Malika discuss why every dental practice owner needs to understand the business side of their practice—not just the clinical side. They explain the importance of staying involved in daily operations, maintaining financial oversight, and ensuring key systems are in place to protect the practice. Through real-world examples, they highlight how unexpected staff changes and a lack of operational visibility can leave owners vulnerable to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. Michelle and Malika also share practical strategies that practice owners can implement right away, including reviewing daily deposit reports, auditing patient accounts, reconciling financial transactions, and monitoring insurance payments and adjustments. By developing consistent oversight habits and understanding the numbers behind the practice, owners can strengthen accountability, safeguard their assets, and build a more profitable, resilient business.

June 24, 2026Episode 5233 min

AYDP Michelle and Malika: Dental Metrics Nobody is Tracking

What if just a few key metrics could uncover thousands of dollars in missed opportunities each month? In this power-packed episode, Michelle is joined by an all-star panel of dental industry experts: ⭐ Teresa Duncan (Odyssey Management) ⭐ Amanda DeMoura (One Wild Brand) ⭐ Lynne Leggett (Victory Dental Management) ⭐ Beverly Wilburn (Dr. Karl Smith) ⭐ Angela Davis Sullivan (Adaptive Dental Solutions) ⭐ Kate Read (EverThrive Oral Surgery Consulting) Together, they reveal the must-track KPIs that separate thriving practices from struggling ones. You'll discover: ✅ The hidden impact of missed calls and how they affect production ✅ Why appointment conversion rates matter more than you think ✅ How to measure marketing ROI and stop wasting advertising dollars ✅ The scheduling metrics that maximize efficiency and profitability ✅ Strategies to improve case acceptance and patient follow-through ✅ How AI, automation, and digital tools are transforming practice performance ✅ Team training techniques that drive measurable results This conversation goes beyond numbers. The panel shares real-world insights on how tracking the right metrics can improve patient experience, strengthen team accountability, and uncover growth opportunities that often go unnoticed. Whether you're a practice owner, office manager, treatment coordinator, or team leader, this episode will give you practical takeaways you can implement immediately to make smarter business decisions and increase profitability. 🎧 If you've ever wondered which numbers actually matter—and how to use them to grow your practice—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

June 5, 2026Episode 5123 min

The Marketing & Operations Duo Your Dental Practice Needs for Rapid Growth | Ep. 84

This episode of The Dental Practice Launch Podcast features Shane Simmons and Michelle Affanato discussing the critical aspects of starting and growing a successful dental practice. They introduce a three-part webinar series covering foundational setup, patient flow, and practice growth strategies, emphasizing the importance of aligning operations and marketing. ‍ SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast ! ‍ Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies. ‍ Learn more about Affinity Management Consulting . Takeaways: Align your practice vision with your branding and operations. Start marketing before you open to attract ideal patients. Focus on patient retention to ensure sustainable growth. Use data and numbers to guide your practice expansion. Partner with industry-experienced professionals for success.

May 28, 2026Episode 5032 min

AYDP: Strategies to Increase Profitability & Reduce Overhead

In this episode, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon break down the key financial strategies every dental practice owner should understand to improve profitability and long-term growth. From analyzing P&L statements and reducing overhead to optimizing fee schedules and negotiating insurance contracts, they share practical insights that can make a major impact on your bottom line. The conversation also highlights the importance of budgeting, financial transparency with your team, and planning ahead for emergencies and future expansion. If you want to gain more confidence with your practice numbers and make smarter business decisions, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can start applying today.

May 13, 2026Episode 4921 min

AYDP: Your Team’s Attendance Problem Isn’t About the Clock

In this episode, Michelle Affanato breaks down practical strategies dental leaders can use to improve attendance, strengthen accountability, and create a more reliable team environment. From setting clear expectations to having difficult conversations early, this episode focuses on building a culture where team members understand their role, communicate effectively, and show up consistently.

April 16, 2026Episode 4830 min

AYDP: The Truth About Hiring Dental Teams in 2026

In this episode, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the challenges and strategies of staffing in dental practices. They cover topics like resume screening, interview best practices, background checks, and adapting to the current staffing landscape.

March 11, 2026Episode 4734 min

AYDP: The Power of Dental Communities & Networking

In this episode of Accelerate Your Dental Practice (AYDP), Michelle and Malika are joined by Beverly and Amanda for a candid discussion on networking, professional communities, and investing in the right resources to grow in dentistry. They share insights on how dentists and team members can choose the right study clubs, masterminds, and groups that provide real value—while avoiding the overwhelm of joining too many. The conversation highlights the power of smaller, focused communities where members can ask questions, collaborate, and build meaningful connections that drive growth. They also discuss impactful groups within the dental industry such as Beyond the Operatory Practice Management Power Day Dental Spouses in Business Dental Revenue Network Dental Entrepreneur Women Tiny Teeth Think Tank Study Club Dental Nachos —all examples of spaces where dental professionals can connect, learn, and find their community.

February 12, 2026Episode 4635 min

AYDP: Consolidate, Clarify, Lead — Strengthening Team Communication in Dentistry

In this episode, Michelle Affanato and Lauren Zano discuss the critical role of office managers in dental practices, the challenges they face, and the importance of effective communication and mentorship. They explore how office managers can help implement systems, facilitate teamwork, and navigate the complexities of patient care while also addressing the emotional labor involved in their roles. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication, intentional meetings, and the value of mentorship in fostering growth and development within dental practices.

January 28, 2026Episode 4529 min

AYDP: Why Your Team Needs to Understand Monthly Practice Costs

In this episode of "Accelerate Your Dental," hosts Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the importance of transparency in dental practices, particularly regarding financial goals and team engagement. They emphasize that many dental professionals hesitate to share financial details with their teams, fearing it may lead to misunderstandings or resentment. However, by providing insight into the practice's financial health, such as overhead costs and collection goals, team members can better understand their roles and the importance of achieving these targets. This transparency fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among staff, ultimately leading to improved performance and morale.

January 15, 2026Episode 4425 min

AYDP: The Real Reason Your Case Acceptance Is Stalling

In this episode, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the critical factors influencing case acceptance in dental practices. They emphasize the importance of leadership, effective communication between clinical and front office teams, and the need for training and buy-in from the entire team. The conversation also covers strategies for creating urgency in treatment recommendations and structuring discounts to enhance patient engagement. The hosts encourage practice owners to analyze their case acceptance metrics and foster a culture of confidence and clarity within their teams to improve overall patient care and acceptance rates.