Managing Dental Drama

Hosted by Bethany Petty & Dr. Reena Kuba | Dental Practice Management

Business ManagementInterviews guests

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Episodes

262

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Owning, operating, and managing a dental practice can be difficult and sometimes wrought with drama. Meet Dr. Kuba, a private practice owner, and Bethany, a dental consultant, who take real-life examples and talk through issues in an open, honest, and sometimes hilarious manner. Topics are relevant to current dental and employment trends and range from “The Art of Retaining Good Employees” to “The Marriage of Dentistry and Insurance Ending in Divorce” and everything in between. Each episode provides dental leaders with various tips and tricks as well as common mistakes to avoid. Enjoy the unscripted conversation between Dr. Kuba, Bethany, and various dental practice owners!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 632 min

Dental Determination - Fighting for the Positive

Feeling burned out after a busy summer? Dr. Reena Kuba and Bethany Petty share encouraging facts and trends in dentistry to help doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative team members get re-energized and fight the fall slump. Dentistry has seasons. Summer is often one of the busier seasons for dental professionals. The schedule is naturally busier as patients utilize time off to complete treatment. Many dental professionals put their heads down and churn and burn all summer long only to hit the fall and feel like they have hit the proverbial wall. Taking a moment to sit and breathe, doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative professionals soak in the rest at first, and then they begin to realize that they don’t want to get back up. They are tired and can quickly become unmotivated. During these times, we need to motivate ourselves. Today’s episode is meant to be a tool for that motivation goal. Listen in as Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss positive and encouraging facts and trends about the dental world. Listen and become recharged! Enjoying Managing Dental Drama? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! It helps other dental community members find our show! Leave a Review! 📣SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! October content available! Be sure to check out the all new - Laura’s Legal Lowdown tips in the Digest. Don’t miss it! Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month. Become a subscriber TODAY! Pateon Membership HR Bundle Editable time off requests, written warnings, mediation meeting forms and leave documentation. It's the HR paperwork you want already drafted before a conflict or a leave request lands on your desk. Bonus Bundle Three ready-to-use incentive structures: daily production rewards, monthly plans and individual performance bonuses. Keeps the team motivated and accountable through the busiest time of the year. Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

October 12, 2026Episode 554 min

Lacking Motivation = Flab Fest

What do flabby abs and arms have to do with dentistry? In one word - EVERYTHING! Today, Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss the massive impact of motivation in our everyday dental lives. It is hard to ignore the impact of motivation on the overall health of the practice. In many situations, motivation can be the single reason for a practice surging to success or failing to move forward. Bethany encourages all team members to develop important daily habits in order to power through low motivation times while Dr. Kuba encourages listeners to surround yourself with other individuals that can help carry the motivation load. After coming off a tough “Sucktember,” listen in for inspiring thoughts today! 📣SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! October content available! Be sure to check out the all new - Laura’s Legal Lowdown tips in the Digest. Don’t miss it! Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month. Become a subscriber TODAY! https://www.patreon.com/cw/ManagingDentalDrama/membership Medical and Maternity Bundle Handle a leave request without scrambling with an editable maternity leave agreement covering dates, accommodations, and return-to-work, plus a medical leave policy that spells out eligibility, duration, and how to request it. Team Feedback Take the real temperature of your office culture with an engagement scale to run after a culture meeting. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!”

October 5, 2026Episode 450 min

Dental Practice Owners are Leaders

Dentists, especially practice owners, are leaders. Each day, dentists are faced with the opportunity to lead their team well, serve their patients, and impact their community. In this episode, Dr. Kuba and Bethany listen to tips from Dr. Marr, who discusses her leadership style and her goal of creating mini-leaders on her team. The collaborative leadership style of Dr. Kuba is also discussed. Employees need a good leader, and there are various ways to lead. This episode concludes me reminding all dentists of the three “C’s” related to leadership – clarity, consistency, and communication. Recommended Episodes: Personalities on Parade Patient Personalities on Parade 📣 SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! The October Digest drops today, and this month is all about leadership! Get practical tips to lead your team with clarity and confidence, plus Laura's Legal Lowdown to help protect your practice. Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month! HUB HIGHLIGHTS Insurance Bundle Make an insurance change with confidence! Grab the Insurance Bundle complete with ready-to-send drop letters, Delta specific templates, patient scripts, and a clear guide to in-network and out-of-network rules. Hygiene Bonus Plan Reward your hygiene team in a way that sticks! This bundle has three bonus structures to choose from, plus a survey that shows where each hygienist wants to grow. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

September 28, 2026Episode 350 min

Introducing Laura’s Legal Lowdown

Bethany and Dr. Kuba are absolutely giddy to introduce you to a special friend and guest - Laura Diamond, Attorney to dentists. Laura is an absolute wealth of information. While Dr. Kuba has had the privilege of seeing Laura defend and advise dentists for years now, she finally gets the opportunity today to dish out some tough legal questions. Dental professionals need to hear the advice that Laura gives, so don’t miss it! Want to see this episode on video? Check it out here! 📺 Laura's Legal Lowdown 📣SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! Last week to get the September content! Laura’s Legal Lowdown tips continue in the monthly Digest. Don’t miss it! Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month. Become a subscriber TODAY! Managing Dental Drama Membership HUB HIGHLIGHTS SMART Goals Planner Document Check out this editable planner that turns big practice goals into steps that are specific, measurable, and time-bound. Great for tracking progress and keeping the team accountable! Annual Performance Review Bundle Five editable tools for annual reviews: a full evaluation form, a pre-review questionnaire, discussion questions, a follow-up tracker, and a team contribution assessment. The tracker covers what happens after the review, so progress and action plans don't get dropped. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

September 21, 2026Episode 225 min

A Fake Two Week Notice?

Bethany had an extremely interesting series of events with a client, and today she puts Dr. Kuba in the hot seat. “What would Kuba do with a fake two week notice?” Together, Bethany and Dr. Kuba unpack how to address an odd scenario where an employee turns in notice but actually did not intend for the doctor to accept the resignation.They dig into the details and speculate on the possible reasons that an employee might conduct themselves in this way, and then they discuss the various ways to respond. 📣SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! Trying to figure out how to make positive and sustainable changes on your team? Find out in the September Digest! Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month. Become a subscriber TODAY! https://www.patreon.com/cw/ManagingDentalDrama/membership New Employee Onboarding Bundle Three editable onboarding outlines, front office, RDA, and a focused clinical training plan, each with weekly goals and 30/60/90 day checkpoints, so every new hire starts up the same way. Treatment Acceptance Bundle This bundle includes business assistant training tips, an unscheduled-treatment follow-up protocol, and an editable tracking spreadsheet, all so your team presents treatment confidently and fewer diagnosed cases slip away. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

September 14, 2026Episode 149 min

Kuba’s Best Friend - Jerry Jones

Today, Dr. Kuba talks about the stresses and challenges of cultivating a successful practice when there are so many frustrating staffing problems. Much like her self-proclaimed best friend, Jerry Jones, who does his best to have a winning team, he ultimately is at the mercy of other factors and people - like the coaches and team. Dr. Kuba, too, recognizes the hardships of good staffing decisions when she discusses two recent decisions she made in an attempt to bring an employee back from maternity leave and retain a loyal, long-time leader. She and Bethany dialogue about being creative and thinking outside of the box to get AND keep the team fully staffed. 📣SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! Trying to figure out how to make positive and sustainable changes on your team? Find out in the September Digest! Premium consulting advice for only $69 a month. Become a subscriber TODAY! Year Reflection and Planning Bundle Don't wait until December to plan next year. Four editable templates: an annual strategy session, a leadership self-check, and retreat agendas for you and for the team. Sample Consent Forms Bundle Six editable consent forms: treatment, non-covered services, nitrous, sedation, SDF, and root canals. Ready to use, so your documentation stays consistent and your practice stays protected. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

August 31, 2026Episode 4932 min

Fifth Anniversary of Managing Dental Drama

It is hard to believe, but MDD is celebrating its FIFTH anniversary! After surprising Dr. Kuba with this anniversary reminder, Bethany reflects on her favorite episode as well as the way the themes and topics have changed over the years. Dr. Kuba reflects on her favorite moments and aspects of being a show host. They both marvel at the international reach of the show (hello Germany!). Together, they dream about the days ahead for MDD. Thank you, listeners, for five amazing years! LAST week to register for the September 18 Leadership Summit! Don’t miss it! When: September 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Lunch served) Where: Homewood Suites, The Colony, TX Who: Practice owners and leaders are invited What: Bring your leadership problems, and we will solve them together! Harness a day full of practical solutions surrounded by like-minded leaders. HUB HIGHLIGHT Time Study Bundle Everybody thinks they know where the day goes until they actually track it. A week of real numbers tells you whether you need another team member or just a different schedule. Employee Conference Agreement Sending a team member to a conference costs real money, so put the terms in writing before they go. The template gives you the agreement language and a sample itinerary, so nobody's guessing about who covers what or what you expect in return. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

August 24, 2026Episode 4944 min

Successfully Incorporating New Things

It’s dental conference season! If you are like many dental professionals, you come back from seminars with an overwhelming amount of ideas and excitement. Yet, it is difficult to decide what to implement and even more difficult to decide how to implement. Dr. Kuba and Bethany jump into several tips in today’s episode to help you successfully incorporate new things. Whether it is a new product, new equipment, new technology, or new systems, today’s episode will support you in building a plan for implementation. Good luck! If you’ve wanted the chance to meet the beloved Dr. Jones, then sign up TODAY for the Leadership Summit! When: September 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Lunch served) Where: Homewood Suites The Colony, TX Who: Practice owners and leaders are invited What: Bring your leadership problems, and we will solve them together! Harness a day full of practical solutions surrounded by like minded leaders. Administrative Checklists Bundle Keep the front office running like clockwork with editable checklists that cover morning to close admin duties, so nothing slips through the cracks. Practice Vision Bundle Get clear on your "why" and put it into words your whole team can rally around, with a bundle built to help you define and communicate your practice vision. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!

August 17, 2026Episode 4953 min

Staffing Solutions – Remote Workers

Keeping a dental office fully staffed now seems to be a full-time job. So many practice owners are struggling to run a full schedule because they are missing key team members. One creative strategy is to offload some of the administrative work in the practice to employees who work remotely or away from the office. By incorporating remote workers into the fold, practice owners no longer have to find and retain employees who live near the office. Instead, they are able to expand their options to other cities or even states. Dr. Kuba shares her practice journey to incorporating remote employees and offers advice on when and how to consider remote employees. Show hosts Bethany Petty and Dr. Reena Kuba dive into the following topics: Ways to ensure that the remote workers is advantageous to the practice and to the team When to consider a remote worker and why a practice owner might consider one Examples of times in Dr. Kuba’s practice that have required outside, remote support. The importance of keeping the remote worker connected to the inner workings of the team and practice For more Managing Dental Drama visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram!

August 10, 2026Episode 4841 min

Medical Office Inefficiencies = Lessons for Dentists

Dr. Kuba is all bent out of shape today over a recent medical visit. She recaps multiple instances of inefficiencies that push her to pause, reflect, and consider the hidden lessons. She and Bethany dialogue about the potential causes of such inefficiencies as well as what dental teams can do to avoid chronic medical mistakes. Everyone can relate to those terrible medical experiences, but today’s episode will help you to stop and consider the lessons to be learned in thinking through these scenarios. August Digest Available! This month we focus on HIRING! Grow your team and build your systems intentionally this month. Subscribe today! Want 30% off the Leadership Summit? Become a subscriber!! https://www.patreon.com/cw/ManagingDentalDrama/membership Do not miss the Leadership Summit! When: September 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Lunch served) Where: Homewood Suites The Colony, TX Who: Practice owners and leaders are invited What: Bring your leadership problems, and we will solve them together! Harness a day full of practical solutions surrounded by like minded leaders. www.hellobethany.com/leadership HUB HIGHLIGHT Emergency Call Triage Make emergency calls easier for your front office team with this simple triage guide that helps them ask the right questions and know how quickly a patient may need to be seen. Team Training Make team training easier with this step-by-step guide designed to help your front office and clinical team work more efficiently and create a better patient experience. Don't forget to check out our social media for more Managing Dental Drama FB Managing Dental Drama IG Connect with the Managing Dental Drama Community! Managing Dental Drama Membership Club Sign Up Wait! There's More! We want to hear YOUR voice! Text a 2-minute voice memo to 214.326.4605 with your questions, comments, real-life examples, or tips for a chance to have YOUR voice on the air!