87 › When Numbers Don't Add Up - Confronting Embezzlement in Dental Practices

In this episode of The Authentic Dentist podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas discuss the challenging topic of embezzlement in dental practices. Dr. House shares her personal experience with a trusted employee who stole approximately $100,000 over an 18-month period. The conversation begins with Dr. House recounting a call from a young dentist who recently purchased a practice and noticed discrepancies in the financial records, with an office manager behaving secretively.Dr. House explains how she discovered her own embezzlement situation during COVID when money was taken from a stimulus check, and how she ultimately hired professional help from Susan Gunn to conduct a thorough investigation. She emphasizes that many dental professionals face similar situations, and that it's important to have proper systems in place to detect financial irregularities.The hosts also discuss the challenges of trusting employees, especially in the era of remote work, and the difficulty of balancing trust with appropriate oversight. Dr. House mentions the frequency of calls she receives from other dentists facing similar issues, and her ability to provide resources and guidance based on her 25 years of experience.Toward the end of the episode, Shawn mentions Dr. House's recent honor of hosting a live podcast at the UOP alumni meeting, where she interviewed influential graduates, including Brian Harris.