Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
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.

Thursday Jan 15, 2026
AYDP: The Real Reason Your Case Acceptance Is Stalling
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
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.

Saturday Dec 27, 2025
AYDP: The Hidden Cost of Being “Too Nice” as a Practice Owner
Saturday Dec 27, 2025
Saturday Dec 27, 2025
In this conversation, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the critical importance of accountability in dental practices. They explore how favoritism and leniency towards certain employees can lead to resentment among team members, ultimately affecting the practice's culture and efficiency. The speakers emphasize the need for clear expectations, consistent accountability, and the establishment of a strong workplace culture that aligns with the practice's mission and values. They also highlight the challenges of leadership in maintaining these standards and the necessity of adapting to change for the betterment of the team and practice.

Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
AYDP: Empowering Your Team Through Leadership & AccountabilityD
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
In this episode of Accelerate Your Dental Practice, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the critical aspects of leadership, communication, and overcoming fear in dental practices. They emphasize the importance of empowering practice owners with knowledge, continuous education for all team members, and the necessity of clear communication and accountability within the team. The conversation highlights the need for practice owners to be proactive in their management approach, ensuring that expectations are set and that team members are supported in their roles. As they approach the new year, the hosts encourage listeners to reassess their practices and focus on building a confident, well-informed team to drive success.

Thursday Nov 27, 2025
AYDP: Navigating Year-End Burnout in Your Dental Practice
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
In this conversation, Michelle Affanato, Malika, and Lynne Leggett discuss the challenges faced by dental professionals during the year-end rush, particularly the feelings of burnout and overwhelm. They emphasize the importance of planning and preparation to alleviate stress and create a better work-life balance. The discussion also touches on the need for self-care and recognizing personal definitions of success in the dental field. Lynne shares insights from her coaching experience, encouraging dentists to find their own path and avoid the pitfalls of comparison.

Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
The Critical Role of IT in Dental Practices
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
In this conversation, Michelle Affanato and Malika discuss the critical importance of building a strong team for dental practices, emphasizing the need for specialized knowledge in IT, marketing, and financial management. They highlight the unique challenges of the dental industry and the necessity of having experts who understand these nuances. The discussion covers the significance of cybersecurity, the role of marketing in attracting patients, and the importance of having a CPA who understands dental KPIs. The conversation concludes with a focus on creating a safe and successful practice through careful selection of partners and proactive management.

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
AYDP: The Art of Delegation: Building a Strong Team
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
In this conversation, Dr. John Vargas shares insights on achieving work-life balance as a dental practice owner. He discusses the importance of delegating responsibilities, fostering a positive team culture, and setting boundaries to prevent burnout. Dr. Vargas emphasizes the need for personal time and routine, as well as understanding generational differences in work expectations. He also highlights the value of taking time off to recharge and the mindset shift required to view practice ownership as a gift rather than a burden.

Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
AYDP: Intro to Navigating Burnout and Staff Dynamics
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Episode 37: In this episode, Michelle Affanato and Malika Azargoon discuss the current challenges faced in the dental industry, including staff dynamics, burnout, and the importance of communication and leadership. They share real-life stories and insights on how to navigate these issues effectively, emphasizing the need for teamwork and professional behavior in the workplace. The conversation also touches on generational differences in the workforce and the potential benefits of outsourcing certain tasks to improve efficiency.

Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Compliance Challenges in Dentistry
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
In this episode, we are joined by special guest Linda Harvey!
Over the years, you may have known Linda Harvey as an OSHA/HIPAA consultant and trainer. What you might not know about Linda is that she's the Founder and Chief Knowledge Officer for the Dental Compliance Institute. DCI is an educational and membership-based organization focusing on a wide range of relevant risk management and compliance topics. DCI provides an added layer of assurance and peace of mind to your existing policies and procedures and annual compliance training. They accomplish that through one-of-a-kind Train-the-Trainer courses, a vibrant compliance community filled with current resources and tools as well as 1:1 coaching. So if you're ready to level up your compliance knowledge and expertise, check out the Dental Compliance Institute and stop endless google searches for answers.
Malika Azargoon
ZarDentalConsulting.com
https://www.linkedin.c
malika@ZarDentalConsulting.com
Michelle Affanato
affinitymanagement.co
michelle@affinitymanagement.co
Linda Harvey
linda@compliancepartners.net

Friday May 09, 2025
AYDP: Introduction to Dr. Sam's Journey
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
Episode 34: In this episode we introduce Dr. Sam! Join us as Dr. Sam goes in depth on her unique startup experience, building a patient base, hiring and training challenges, and so much more!
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Dr. Sam's Journey
2:50 The Unique Startup Experience
9:10 Building a Patient Base
16:23 Hiring and Training Challenges
18:44 Navigating Team Dynamics in Startups
24:16 Reflections on Financial Foundations
27:39 Setting Goals for Growth and Stability
Malika Azargoon
ZarDentalConsulting.com
https://www.linkedin.c...
malika@ZarDentalConsulting.com
Michelle Affanato
affinitymanagement.co
michelle@affinitymanagement.co
Dr. Sam
https://www.southboulderpediatricdentistry.com/about/philosophy
@sobopediatricdentistry


