Keep Going: The Truth About Dentistry, Leadership, and the Fourth Quarter

By Sarah Beth Herman, CEO of Dentistry Support®

Dentistry isn’t easy. You know it. I know it. Every dentist, office manager, and front desk coordinator who’s had to untangle a denied claim or explain benefits to a frustrated patient knows it.

And yet—so many of us carry this secret thought: “If I can just get through this quarter, then it’ll be easier. If I can just hire the right office manager, then the struggle will stop. If I can just land this one new patient flow campaign, then I’ll finally be able to breathe.”

But here’s the truth no one likes to admit: dentistry doesn’t get easier. Insurance companies don’t suddenly become transparent. Eligibility verifications don’t complete themselves. Dental billing doesn’t magically stop being rejected.

The real skill isn’t in waiting for the “someday” when the problems vanish. The real skill is in learning how to keep going when the problems stay.

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The Real State of Dentistry in 2025

If you’re feeling stretched thin, you’re not alone.

• 43% of dental professionals say administrative tasks—especially billing and insurance verification—are their top stressor (ADA HPI, 2023).

• One in five claims is denied on the first submission due to billing errors or missing eligibility documentation (Journal of Dental Practice Administration, 2023).

• Practices lose an estimated $3,000–$7,500 per month from missed or incorrect eligibility verifications (Dental Economics, 2023).

• And nearly 85% of dental practice owners report high stress, with burnout rates climbing each year (ADA Survey, 2022).

Numbers like these show the reality. But behind those numbers are human beings—dentists who worked late to refile claims, billers who carried stacks of EOBs home, and office managers who lost sleep wondering if payroll would balance.

And if that’s you, I want you to know: you don’t have to do this alone.

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Training Takeaway: Resilience in Dentistry

Here’s what I’ve learned after almost 25 years in this industry: successful dental leaders don’t wait for things to get easier. They build resilience into their practice from the ground up.

Here are three ways to start:

1. Build Systems, Not Shortcuts

When eligibility verifications fall through the cracks, the consequences ripple across the whole practice. Claims are delayed, patients are frustrated, and collections suffer. Resilient practices build systems—like checking eligibility three business days in advance, documenting every step, and reviewing billing weekly—so the stress doesn’t land on one overwhelmed team member.

2. Lead With Boundaries, Not Band-Aids

Office drama, staff turnover, or team miscommunication? Don’t just smooth it over for the sake of “keeping the peace.” Band-aids wear off fast. Resilient leaders set clear expectations, create accountability, and protect their team’s energy. Leadership in dentistry is less about being liked and more about being steady.

3. Celebrate Resilience, Not Just Revenue

Production numbers matter—but what about the how behind them? Practices that thrive don’t just reward the dollars; they recognize the effort. The front desk team member who double-checks eligibility? The biller who catches a claim error before it’s denied? That’s resilience worth celebrating.

Why the Timing Matters

We’re in the fourth quarter. The pressure is on. Patients are trying to use up benefits, schedules are packed, and every practice wants to finish the year strong. But this is exactly when leadership is tested. If you limp into 2026 burned out, you’re already behind.

That’s why Season Four of No Silver Spoons: The Keep Going Series launches October 6, 2025—a season designed to give you real tools, encouragement, and strategies to carry you through this final stretch of the year.

And this Monday’s episode of No Silver Spoons? It’s going to be a big one. I’ll be sharing some incredible news about what’s ahead—including new digital products and resources we’ve been working on behind the scenes. These aren’t just ideas; they’re real tools to help you and your practice thrive.

A New Community for Dentistry

For years, many of you have been part of The Dental Collaborative. That group has served us well—but we’ve thought long and hard about where we’re going next. The conversations we’re having, the trainings we’re creating, and the future we see for dentistry all point in one direction. So on October 6, 2025, we’re officially rebranding to:

Keep Going | Created for Dentistry

This isn’t just a name change. It’s a reflection of who we are and where we’re going. Because dentistry doesn’t need another casual “collaborative.” It needs a resilient, focused community built to support practice owners, managers, billers, and teams through every challenge.

👉 Join the group here on Facebook

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Free Training Takeaway

Here’s what I want you to remember:

Dentistry will never give you a finish line where the struggles disappear. There will always be denied claims. There will always be a patient who cancels at the last minute. There will always be another insurance loophole to navigate.

But those struggles don’t define you—they shape you. And the practices that win aren’t the ones who avoid every problem; they’re the ones who find a way to keep going.

So as we close out this quarter and prepare for what’s next, join me in this: stop waiting for things to get easier. Start building resilience. Start leading with boundaries. Start celebrating progress.

Because your practice doesn’t need perfection. It needs perseverance. And I’ll be here reminding you every step of the way: Keep Going.

References

• ADA Health Policy Institute. (2023). Dentist Job Satisfaction and Stress. American Dental Association.

• Journal of Dental Practice Administration. (2023). Claim Denials in Dental Billing: Causes and Solutions.

• Dental Economics. (2023). The True Cost of Eligibility Verification Errors in Dentistry.

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Entrepreneurship and the U.S. Economy.

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Disclaimer:

To learn more about Sarah Beth Herman, the author of all free training content you can read her bio here. These materials are intended to provide helpful information to dentists and dental team members. They are in no way a substitute for actual professional advice based on your unique facts and circumstances. This content is not intended or offered, nor should it be taken, as legal or other professional advice. You should always consult with your own professional advisors (e.g. attorney, accountant, or insurance carrier). To the extent, Dentistry Support ®has included links to any third-party website (s), Dentistry Support ® intends no endorsement of their content and implies no affiliation with the organizations that provide their content. Further, Dentistry Support ® makes no representations or warranties about the information provided on those sites. You can view our privacy policy and terms and conditions by clicking those pages in the footer of our website.