Dearest dental divas and dinosaurs: you know the sound a denial makes when it hits your desk? It’s the same one your soul makes when you realize this is the third one today. That you weren't ready for. 😩

But here’s the truth: a denial isn’t the end of the world: it’s a test of your systems. The real disaster isn’t the claim that got denied… it’s what happens next. (Spoiler: if your plan involves “just resubmitting it,” we need to talk.)

In this episode, Sara Baker and LaRae McMullen break down how most offices accidentally turn denials into chaos: by avoiding them, panicking, or treating them like bad omens instead of normal business events. They’ll show you how to flip the script: how to handle denials faster, prep patients better, and stop letting “let's just submit it again!” tank your cash flow.

💥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why denials aren’t failures — but ignoring them is
• How to tell the difference between appealable and unappealable claims
• The right way to build an appeal ladder that actually works
• How to prep patients so “not covered” doesn’t equal “angry call later”
• Why communication — not billing — is your biggest AR problem

💡 Top takeaways:

1️⃣ Denials don’t cause chaos. Your response does.

2️⃣ A “clean claim” isn’t enough — you need a clean follow-up system.

3️⃣ Prep patients early. Surprises destroy trust (and collections).

4️⃣ Build your appeal ladder and train your team to own it.

Sara and LaRae also share real stories of offices drowning in denial piles — and how a few small process changes turned it all around. Because when you treat denials as data, not drama, your entire billing system gets smarter.

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuIoPh6Tk1E

📥 Download your free resource: Build Your Appeal Ladder!

📩 Have a question? Email hello@thetruthdecaypodcast.com

🌐 Learn more → sddentalsolutions.com

Oh my sweet, well-meaning dental friendos: you don’t need a ski mask and burner phone to commit insurance fraud; sometimes all it takes is posting the wrong code and thinking, “Eh, it’s close enough.”

(Spoiler alert: it's not close enough.)

In this episode, Sara Baker and LaRae McMullen break down the everyday billing mistakes that can quietly turn your claims from compliant to questionable... even when your intentions are good. From listing the wrong treating provider to “using” benefits creatively, they’re exposing the gray areas where good offices get in trouble.

💥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How innocent billing habits can trigger serious compliance issues
• Why “helping” patients with coverage can backfire fast
• The four mistakes that get practices audited most often
• How to build systems that protect your license and your sanity

💡 Top takeaways:

• Always list the actual treating dentist: no exceptions.
• Disclose accident-related treatment accurately, every time.
• Train your team (and retrain them) on ethical billing and coding.
• Code for what you did: no more, no less.

Sara and LaRae also share real-world examples of how “tiny” claim errors can snowball into massive headaches, and what you can do this week to make sure your practice isn’t next.

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljIUbjSyZnU

📩 Have a question? Email us at hello@thetruthdecaypodcast.com

🌐 Learn more at sddentalsolutions.com

You told them about their periodontal issues,

You warned them about the risks — again and again.

You handed them the referral. Every. Single. Visit. ...they never listened.

Buuut… you never wrote any of it down.

Fast forward to now: the patient has moved, listened to their new dentist, (wtf man) and are threatening to sue you for negligence.

And what do your notes from their last visit say?

“Perio hx — [ no change ]”

(Oof. Dat template overreliance tho)

In this episode of The Truth Decay Podcast, Sara Baker and LaRae McMullen break down the silent killer of clean claims and court cases: weak clinical notes.

They dig into a real malpractice case where a dentist’s memory didn’t hold up — but a well-written chart might have. You’ll learn the three reasons your notes matter more than you think (plus a rad bonus reason). And do you know what SOAP notes are? Welp, you will now! We're talking about SOAP notes (that don’t suck. You lucky duckies.)

You’ll learn:

• Why clinical notes are financial, legal, and operational protection
• The difference between telling the story vs. parroting the code
• How templated notes, generic entries, and assistant-authored charts can burn you
• How to use the SOAP framework without sounding like a robot
• What to write when patients refuse treatment or ghost referrals
• How great notes can boost case acceptance, retention, and trust

Whether you’re trying to win an appeal, dodge an audit, or just stop your future self from screaming “Who WROTE this?!” — this episode gives you the tools to start charting like a boss.

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abM1qQcKMI8

📥 Download your free resource:

• Clinical Notes Power Checklist + SOAP Note Builder

→ thetruthdecaypodcast.com

📩 Have a question? Email us at hello@thetruthdecaypodcast.com

🌐 Learn more at sddentalsolutions.com