In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, we move from theory into the real-world details that quietly put dentists at risk every single day.

My guest, Evan Sampson, is a healthcare attorney who has served as general counsel to one of the largest dental support organizations in the country. He brings a rare and invaluable perspective at the intersection of dentistry, law, payer audits, and regulatory enforcement — and in this episode, we get very specific.

We unpack what actually makes certain procedures, CDT codes, and clinical scenarios high-risk from a fraud, waste, and abuse standpoint, even when there is no malicious intent. Evan explains how dentists inadvertently get flagged as outliers, why payer audits are often data-driven rather than complaint-driven, and how documentation gaps — not clinical skill — are what ultimately create exposure.

This conversation goes deep into:

• Why up-coding, unbundling, and weak surgical extraction documentation are some of the most common (and expensive) pitfalls

• How payer audits are triggered, what auditors look for, and why Medicaid claims carry disproportionate risk

• Why dentists should write progress notes as if a regulator, payer, or board investigator will read them later — because one day, they might

• The legal realities of fee-for-service, out-of-network billing, professional courtesy, discounts, and when "good intentions" can still create compliance problems

We also spend significant time on a topic every dentist encounters but few are trained to manage: difficult and high-risk patients.

Evan shares how to identify red flags that may not be obvious at first, when it is appropriate to terminate the doctor-patient relationship, and how to do so without exposing yourself to allegations of abandonment. We discuss unruly patients, non-payment, mid-treatment dismissals, refunds, releases, and why protecting your license sometimes means making uncomfortable — but strategic — decisions.

This episode is ultimately about risk reduction, professionalism, and self-preservation. Not practicing defensively, but practicing deliberately. Tightening the details. Building a culture of compliance. And understanding that most dentists who get into serious trouble never thought they were doing anything wrong.

If you care about protecting your license, your livelihood, and your future — this is an episode you don't want to skip.

Most dentists think of compliance as a background concern—something administrative, abstract, or handled by "the office."
In reality, it's one of the highest-risk, most overlooked areas of modern dental practice.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Evan Sampson, a healthcare attorney with over a decade of experience advising dentists and healthcare organizations on fraud, waste, abuse, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.

Evan has served as General Counsel to a major dental support organization and held senior compliance leadership roles within the largest municipal hospital system in the United States. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on what compliance actually looks like in day-to-day dentistry—and why well-intentioned clinicians often put themselves at risk without realizing it.

This conversation reframes clinical notes as legal evidence, not just charting formalities. Together, Dr. Seibert and Evan explore how common documentation habits—templated notes, vague progress entries, auto-populated language, and inconsistent coding—can quietly become liabilities during audits, payer disputes, or board complaints.

You'll hear a candid breakdown of:

• What fraud, waste, and abuse actually look like in everyday dental practice (and why most of it is inadvertent)

• Why documentation and coding errors are among the most common sources of exposure for dentists

• The legal risks of upcoding, unbundling, and inaccurate procedure representation

• Why surgical vs. simple extraction coding is so frequently audited

• How "write it once and forget it" charting can come back years later—with real consequences

• The mindset shift dentists need: writing notes as if they will be read aloud in a courtroom

• Why the cover-up—or "fixing" notes improperly—is often worse than the original mistake

• How compliance, when done well, can actually reveal missed revenue and operational inefficiencies

This episode isn't about fear-mongering. It's about clarity, ownership, and professional maturity. If you're a dentist who cares deeply about doing the right thing—clinically and ethically—this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about notes, coding, and responsibility.

And this is just the foundation.

Part 2 will go even deeper into consent, adverse events, and proactive strategies to protect yourself, your license, and your future.

If you've ever thought:

• "I didn't know that could be a problem."

• "That's how we've always charted."

• "The front desk handles the coding."

This episode is required listening.

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In Part 2 of this powerful series, Dr. Melissa Seibert continues her in-depth conversation with cosmetic dentist and AACD leader Dr. David Eshom, exploring the deeper psychological, business, and interpersonal frameworks that underpin a thriving fee-for-service practice. Together, they unpack the realities of transitioning away from insurance dependence, the emotional traps dentists fall into, and the communication strategies that safeguard both the patient relationship and the dentist's peace of mind.

Dr. Eshom offers decades of wisdom on how to recognize patient readiness, how to present comprehensive treatment without triggering defensiveness, and how to gracefully identify patients who may not be ideal candidates for complex care. He shares the subtle behavioral cues that differentiate collaborative patients from those who may become litigious, overly exacting, or misaligned with your practice philosophy—and how to exit these relationships ethically and respectfully when needed.

The episode also tackles some of the profession's most pressing realities:

• Why the insurance model forces dentists into ethical and financial corners

• How to communicate a fee-for-service structure without alienating patients

• The psychology behind presenting conditions and consequences—not pressure and sales

• Why slowing down for deeper exams ultimately accelerates practice growth

• How to block your schedule, restructure hygiene exams, and build time for meaningful conversations

• The importance of discernment: knowing when a patient is truly a "yes," when they're a "not now," and when they're a "no"

Dr. Eshom also walks through his workflow for large aesthetic cases—from shade decisions to motivational mock-ups and trial smiles—while highlighting how these tools improve clarity, set expectations, and reduce risk for both patient and provider.

The conversation concludes with a reflective discussion about building a freedom-based business, attracting aligned patients, and creating a practice model that delivers exceptional dentistry without compromising your wellbeing, your values, or your clinical standards.

If you've ever wondered how to elevate your practice beyond the constraints of insurance, identify ideal patients, or cultivate a career defined by autonomy and fulfillment, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable, relationship-driven dentistry.