On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Summer Kassmel to unpack one of the most common frustrations in dental practice ownership: the disconnect between owner doctors and associate doctors. They discuss why owners often expect associates to think, work, and hustle the same way they do, and why that assumption can quickly create misalignment, resentment, and underperformance.
Summer shares how to define expectations before hiring, ask better questions during interviews, clarify non-negotiables, and create a stronger onboarding process that gives associates a real path to success. They also talk through what to do when the relationship is already strained, including how to take ownership, reset expectations, discuss financial goals, and have direct conversations without creating defensiveness.
Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!
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