Episode 991

991: Metric Mondays: Overhead – Lab Percentage – Robyn Theisen

Published on: 5th January, 2026

Are your lab costs a little too high? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Robyn Theisen, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to continue the series on overhead and break down lab percentage. They explain what it is, how it impacts your practice, and what to do to maintain a healthy lab percentage. To learn how to lower your lab costs the smart way, listen to Episode 991 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Robyn:

  1. Send Robyn an email: robyn@actdental.com
  2. Follow Robyn on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
  3. Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com

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

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

Episode Resources:

  1. Watch the video version of Episode 991: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
  2. Learn more about Smile Source: https://smilesource.com

Main Takeaways:

  1. For a healthy lab percentage, have efficient clinical systems and a balanced case mix.
  2. Find the right lab partner. It’s one of the best relationships you're ever going to find.
  3. Evaluate and strengthen your clinical protocols to reduce lab and error costs.
  4. Track your remakes to know how it’s impacting your practice.
  5. A healthy lab overhead percentage is eight percent.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:22 Lab percentage, explained.

2:32 How lab percentage impacts the practice.

4:07 Combine dental supply costs and lab costs.

6:48 Make smart decisions around lab costs.

8:10 What you can do to impact this metric.

8:57 How Smile Source can help your practice.

9:54 ACT’s BPA.

Robyn Theisen Bio:

Robyn Theisen brings an entire life and legacy of dental experience to the team and every team with which she works as the daughter and sister of dentists. With almost 20 years of experience in dentistry, her roles ranged from practice management to operations at Patterson Dental to coaching teams. Robyn’s passion is empowering teams to realize that they can dramatically impact the lives of the people they serve by implementing skills and systems to remove barriers to life-changing dental treatment. She has done it for decades and does it every day with dental teams.

Outside of coaching, she enjoys time with her husband, Rob, and two daughters, Emerson and Ruby. She loves traveling, music, fitness, and cheering on the Michigan State Spartans.

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About the Podcast

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt
Elevate Your Dental Practice: Insights & Strategies from Industry Leaders
Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide.

At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else.

Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth.

Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community.

Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs.

In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice.

By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry.

So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time.

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Kirk Behrendt