868: Metric Mondays: Understanding Overhead Percentage: The Silent Profit Killer – Dr. Barrett Straub

Something is quietly killing your profit — and it’s not what you think! In this episode of Metric Mondays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Barrett Straub, ACT’s CEO, to break down one of the most misunderstood numbers in dentistry. They explain the myths of overhead percentage, what a healthy overhead percentage looks like, and ways for you to lower it if it’s too high. To better understand where your money is going, listen to Episode 868 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Dr. Straub:Send Dr. Straub an email: [email protected] Join Dr. Straub on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrett.d.straubSend Gina an email: [email protected] More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 868: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (April 11, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-april-11-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1012966789937Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849Main Takeaways:Understand what it costs to run your business.Healthy practices have overhead between 55% and 65%.Your expenses should not grow at the rate of your revenue.When your overhead is too high, that means there is less money.Is your overhead too high due to overspending or a tight profit margin?If you're unhappy with your overhead, don't get emotional. Get educated.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:42 Overhead percentage, explained.3:55 Why doctor compensation isn't included in overhead.6:16 Why you need to worry about overhead.8:11 Overhead expenses, simplified.10:32 How to lower your overhead percentage: Spend less.16:19 How to lower your overhead percentage: Increase your profit margin.20:10 Last thoughts.Dr. Barrett Straub Bio:Dr. Barrett Straub practices general and sedation dentistry in Port Washington, Wisconsin. He has worked hard to develop his practice into a top-performing, fee-for-service practice that focuses on improving the lives of patients through dentistry.A graduate of Marquette Dental School, Dr. Straub’s advanced training and CE includes work at the Spear Institute, LVI, DOCS, and as a member of the Milwaukee Study Club. He is a past member of the Wisconsin Dental Association Board of Trustees and was awarded the Marquette Dental School 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year. As a former ACT coaching client that experienced first-hand the transformation that coaching can provide, he is passionate about helping other dentists create the practice they’ve always wanted.Dr. Straub loves to hunt, golf, and spend winter on the ice, curling. He is married to Katie, with two daughters, Abby and Elizabeth. (Video) (Need to update timestamps)867: From Artist to Technician: Unlocking the Power of Whole-Brain Dentistry – Dr. Charlie Ward & Joshua PolanskyAre you a dentist who is an artist, scientist, or maybe even a therapist? In this episode of Clinical Edge Fridays, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Charlie Ward, visiting faculty member from The Pankey Institute, and Joshua Polansky, owner of Niche Dental Studio, to share how success in dentistry requires both hemispheres of your brain. Dentistry isn't just fixing teeth! To learn why both sides matter and how to develop the different skill sets you need, listen to Episode 867 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Dr. Ward & Joshua:Send Dr. Ward an email: [email protected] Follow Dr. Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcwardddsLearn more about Dr. Ward’s practice: https://www.baltimoredentalarts.comWatch Dr. Ward’s webinars: https://restorativenation.comFollow Joshua on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichedentalstudioLearn more about Joshua’s dental lab: https://nichedentalstudio.comRegister for Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward’s Mastering Treatment Planning course (October 2-4, 2025): https://pankey.org/registration/?courseId=17004&tuition=0&lodging=trueRegister for Dr. Ward’s Mastering Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry course (June 17-20, 2026): https://pankey.org/course-category/mardRegister for Dr. Mazzola & Dr. Ward’s Mastering Dental Photography course (July 30, 2026 to August 1, 2026): https://pankey.org/registration/?courseId=17781&tuition=0&lodging=trueLearn More About ACT Dental:ACT’s webinars: https://www.actdental.com/135ACT’s website: https://www.actdental.comACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdentalACT’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/actdentalACT’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actdentalACT’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3137520/admin/feed/posts/ACT’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/actdentalMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store:...