Practice Talk

About Practice Talk

Welcome to Practice Talk, the podcast that delves deep into the intricacies of healthcare practices. We amplify the voices of actual team members, revealing strategies for creating thriving healthcare practices. Each episode, we engage with diverse staff, from receptionists to lab technicians and administrative professionals who will share candid stories and provide practical solutions for juggling patient care and business demands. Our mission is to empower the dedicated teams that make healthcare happen. So whichever role you play, tune into Practice Talk for a genuine peek behind the scenes. About the Host: Lacie Ellis: Meet Lacie, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. With a comprehensive understanding of practice operations, she has become a trusted authority in the field. Lacie's journey led her to the world of consulting, where she works her magic to help practices reach new heights. As a strategic marketing expert, she knows how to captivate audiences and drive sustainable growth. With a focus on boosting team morale, implementing effective training programs, and fostering open communication, Lacie stands out as a true industry insider.

Publisher

Lacie Ellis

Category

business · business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Aug 2023

Latest episode

21 May 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 May 2026

   Leading with Purpose: Culture, Hiring & Growth

   Team culture can make or break an orthodontic practice. Practice Manager Laura Wilde opens up about what truly keeps teams thriving. From defining team values and reinforcing them relentlessly to rethinking orthodontic hiring with working interviews, Laura delivers real strategies. She tackles staff retention, toxic team members, and why transparent employee motivation through bonuses and shared production goals changes everything. If you lead a team, this conversation will shift how you show up every single day. What You’ll Learn In This Episode: Defining and consistently revisiting team values at monthly meetings and morning huddles creates a culture of accountability and keeps orthodontic practice management focused on what matters most. Why orthodontic hiring should include a working interview where candidates spend half a day with your team, revealing the soft skills no resume or traditional interview can uncover. How sharing production numbers openly with your whole team strengthens employee motivation, builds trust, and connects every role, including back-office assistants, to the practice's shared goals. Ready to transform your practice? Tune in to Practice Talk for expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your orthodontic practice management. Subscribe now and never miss an episode at (http://www.practicetalk.com)Practice Talk (https://open.spotify.com/show/2KmbVXxn9Hkz89SRmDZT8J?si=b7bb98d0f2394f2d), where your voice has value, and your success is our priority! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to team culture and Laura Wilde's role and thoughts about orthodontic practice management 07:55 Building team values: why nine core values outperform a single mission statement 13:18 Scheduling around the doctor's personality to elevate patient experience and grow the practice 17:29 Orthodontic hiring strategies: phone screens, in-person interviews, and working interviews 23:25 What do you do when an employee is not working out 29:10 Bonuses and why sharing production numbers with the whole team reduces entitlement and builds employee motivation 35:34 Shifting your practice management mindset: a manager's real job is solving problems, not avoiding them KEY TAKEAWAYS: Toxic team members act like a cancer on team culture: the longer you wait to act, the more damage spreads to your strongest employees and your entire orthodontic practice management structure. Positive reinforcement must outweigh correction by at least five to one. Even managers committed to employee motivation often underestimate how much consistent, specific praise is needed to help staff feel genuinely valued. The working interview is the most powerful tool in orthodontic hiring: candidates who thrive will grab instruments and jump in. At the same time, poor fits reveal themselves within minutes, protecting your team's values before they are ever threatened. RESOURCES MENTIONED: People + Practice - Website (https://www.pplpractice.com/) Practice Talk Podcast - Free Downloads (https://www.pplpractice.com/insights/practicetalkpod)

2. 

   24 Mar 2026

   High-Tech Clinic Workflows with a Human Touch

   Orthodontic technology is transforming how practices deliver care. In this episode of Practice Talk, host Lacie Ellis interviews Rebecka Escamilla, lead clinical assistant at WRO, about implementing digital workflow systems while maintaining a human touch. Rebecka shares insights on Grin technology, patient workflow optimization, and team communication strategies that keep the practice running efficiently. Learn how cross-training, clear emergency protocols, and strong clinical leadership create a positive office culture where staff thrive, and patients receive exceptional care through both digital scanners and personal connection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to integrate Grin technology into your patient workflow from initial consultation through remote monitoring of aligner patients and braces cases Strategies for managing doctor time effectively through clinical leadership, morning huddles, and coordinating with your treatment coordinator Best practices for cross-training team members and fostering positive team communication to handle emergency protocols seamlessly Methods for community outreach and educating potential patients about orthodontic technology that differentiates your practice Ready to transform your practice? Tune in to Practice Talk for expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your orthodontic practice management. Subscribe now and never miss an episode at (http://www.practicetalk.com)Practice Talk (https://open.spotify.com/show/2KmbVXxn9Hkz89SRmDZT8J?si=b7bb98d0f2394f2d), where your voice has value, and your success is our priority! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Rebecka shares patient workflow and her role as lead clinical assistant and Grin technology signup 05:32 Rebecka discusses back office functions and scheduling strategies 08:31 Clinical leadership approach: staying on time, empowering team members, and managing employee relationships 12:09 Handling emergency protocols with remote monitoring through photos, scans, and triage systems 15:14 Doctor time management strategies using morning meetings and treatment coordinator communication 24:28 Community outreach tactics: events, QR codes for Grin, and educating patients about orthodontic technology benefits KEY TAKEAWAYS: Grin technology enables remote monitoring of patients, reducing unnecessary office visits while maintaining quality care through digital scanners and virtual communication for aligner patients. Strong clinical leadership combined with cross-training creates a resilient team capable of managing emergency protocols, optimizing patient workflow, and maintaining excellent team communication. Clear expectations, accountability, and open dialogue foster a positive office culture that enhances patient relationships and improves practice efficiency across all departments.

3. 

   22 Jan 2026

   Innovating the Ortho Workflow

   Virtual orthodontic exams are transforming how practices connect with patients. Host Lacie Ellis explores this innovation with remote treatment coordinator Kelly Smith. In this episode of Practice Talk, Kelly shares how Trotter Orthodontics successfully implemented Grin technology to offer convenient teleorthodontics options alongside traditional in-office visits. With 11 years of experience as a treatment coordinator, Kelly explains the complete digital orthodontic workflow—from initial patient communication through the Grin app to scheduling records appointments. She reveals that offering virtual consultations has reduced new-patient wait times from 6-8 weeks to 3-4 weeks while maintaining the personal touch that builds trust and ensures excellent patient experience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to implement a seamless virtual orthodontic exam process using dental monitoring apps like Grin, including welcoming messages, scan instructions, and personalized video consultations from the orthodontist. Strategies for maintaining strong patient communication and building trust through remote orthodontic care, including animated messages and timely responses to keep patients engaged throughout the virtual process. How to position teleorthodontics as a convenience option for busy families, rural patients, and observation recalls while still offering traditional in-office exams for those who prefer a personal connection. Best practices for working as a remote treatment coordinator, including staying connected with the practice team through staff meetings, group chats, and maintaining communication flow while managing virtual consultations and patient testimonials for marketing. Ready to transform your practice? Tune in to Practice Talk for expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your orthodontic practice management. Subscribe now and never miss an episode at (http://www.practicetalk.com)Practice Talk (https://open.spotify.com/show/2KmbVXxn9Hkz89SRmDZT8J?si=b7bb98d0f2394f2d), where your voice has value, and your success is our priority! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro: Meet Kelly Smith, remote treatment coordinator 02:30 Grin technology, the new patient exam workflow and how the office presents virtual consultation options 09:21 Treatment plan delivery via teleorthodontics, followed by phone communication to discuss contracts, insurance, and next steps 15:55 Offering dual exam options and when to recommend virtual orthodontic exams versus in-office visits 21:02 Age considerations for remote orthodontic care: why 7-11-year-old patients are ideal candidates for virtual consultations 24:47 Building connection through digital orthodontic workflow: strategies for personalized communication techniques throughout the patient experience 33:48 Staying connected as a remote treatment coordinator: maintaining communication flow to stay integrated with the orthodontic practice team 37:21 Marketing virtual orthodontic exams: utilizing testimonials, lunch with referring offices, and patient word-of-mouth to educate the benefits of Grin technology KEY TAKEAWAYS: Virtual orthodontic exams with Grin technology can reduce new patient wait times by 50% (from 6-8 weeks to 3-4 weeks) while maintaining the personal connection that drives patient experience and treatment acceptance through...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.