903: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Great Dental Team Members – Debra Nash

Great workers exist — but where are they at? In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Debra Engelhardt-Nash, co-founder of The Nash Institute, to share the most effective ways to attract and retain the amazing people that will improve your life. To learn how to build an engaged and loyal team, listen to Episode 903 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Debra:

• Text Debra for the growth conferences form: (704) 904-3459
• Send Debra an email: debraengelhardtnash@gmail.com 
• 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 (August 22-23, 2025): 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
• 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 903: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Good people exist. What are you doing to attract and keep them in your practice?
• Set aside time to check in with your team and have growth conferences.
• Create loyalty by inspiring your team and making them feel valued.
• Lead with kindness and empathy to build even more loyalty.
• Unite your team with your culture and core purpose.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:42 Good people are out there.

2:50 Why this is an important topic.

7:07 Have the growth conversation with your team.

14:35 Have regular growth conferences for a better culture.

15:20 Debra’s dermatology story.

17:40 Lead with kindness to be an effective leader.

20:07 Build loyalty through purpose.

26:05 Final thoughts.

27:40 More about Debra and how to get in touch.

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.