869: The Future of Private Practice: Debra’s Top Tips from the APDP Meeting – Debra Engelhardt-Nash

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

We've all heard that private practice dentistry is dying. But now is the best time to own and grow your practice! In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Debra Engelhardt-Nash, co-founder of The Nash Institute, to share highlights from the latest APDP meeting that will empower you and your team to create a better practice and a better life. To hear Debra’s top tips from the top dentists, listen to Episode 869 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Debra:

• Give Debra a call: [phone]
• Send Debra an email: [e-mail]
• Follow Debra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debraengnash
• Book Debra for speaking or consulting: https://debraengelhardtnash.com
• Register for Debra’s Dental Business School course: https://www.thenashinstitute.com/upcoming-events/dental-business-school
• Register for Debra’s Team Communication Skills course: https://www.thenashinstitute.com/upcoming-events/team-communication-skills
• Register for the Academy for Private Dental Practice event (February 26-28, 2026): https://apdp.regfox.com/apdp-2026

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 869: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Focus on your team culture.
• See your team as an asset, not a liability.
• Identify and remove the “arsonists” on your team.
• Gratitude is intentional. Reflect on how you choose to express it.
• Allow your team to “coach up”. Be open to receiving their feedback.
• Overcommunicate with your team. Don't serve them just an “empty bowl”.
• Don't be a chair. Exceed expectations rather than doing only what's expected.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

0:59 Why this is an important topic.

7:48 About APDP and their partnership with the Nash Institute.

15:03 Highlights from the APDP: Walk the talk.

17:21 Highlights from the APDP: Overcommunicate.

18:53 Highlights from the APDP: Don't be a chair.

21:46 Highlights from the APDP: Fireproofing versus firefighting.

24:39 Highlights from the APDP: Do you have arsonists on your team?

26:52 Highlights from the APDP: Coaching up.

29:32 Highlights from the APDP: The strength of the wolf and the pack.

30:30 Highlights from the APDP: Gratitude is intentional.

33:31 Highlights from the APDP: Solutions to the hygienist shortage.

36:51 Highlights from the APDP: See your team as an asset.

38:36 Highlights from the APDP: Explaining the why is important.

40:37 Highlights from the APDP: Engagement versus retention.

41:38 Future APDP events.

44:36 Final thoughts.

46:00 More about Debra’s courses.

Debra Engelhardt-Nash Bio:

Debra is a trainer, author, presenter, and consultant. Having been in dentistry for over 30 years, she engages organizations and study groups nationally and internationally. She is a continual presenter for the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. 

Debra is a founding member of The Nash Institute and past president of the National Academy of Dental Management Consultants. She is an active member of the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, and the Speakers Consulting Network. She has been repeatedly recognized by Dentistry Today as a leader in continuing dental education and as a leader in dental consulting. She is also a member of the American Dental Association’s Dental Practice Management Advisory Board, and recently became the president of the Academy for Private Dental Practice.

Debra is married to cosmetic dentist and dental educator, Dr. Ross Nash, of The Nash Institute for Dental Learning. She continues to work in his busy practice, doing exactly what she preaches.