Episode 192 | Wear a Mask: Why Empathy Is the Missing Link in Dental Leadership - Kristin Haynes
Wed Feb 04 2026
Dental leadership isn’t failing because people don’t care; it’s failing because we forget we’re human.
In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with practice management consultant Kristin Haynes to talk about empathy, burnout, and the unseen emotional load carried by dental teams and doctors alike.
This conversation is for dental hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and educators who feel the tension between clinical excellence, business pressure, and human connection.
Kristin Haynes is a consultant, speaker, and founder of KH Productivity Management, where she helps dental practices achieve growth with clarity and confidence. Through her signature Assessment to Clarity Framework™, Kristin guides practices to optimize three essential pillars: People Clarity to align team roles and leadership; Operations Clarity to streamline systems and increase efficiency; and Valuation Clarity to position the business for scalable growth or successful transition.
With over 25 years of deep experience in dentistry, Kristin is a trusted partner for doctors navigating expansion, adding associates, or preparing for a future sale. Her clear, actionable approach equips leaders with the structure and strategy needed to move forward decisively.
You’ll hear why:
Burnout isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and cultural
Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s leadership
Empathy builds stronger teams and stronger businesses
Consultants and leaders must partner, not bulldoze
If you’ve ever felt like you had to “wear the mask” at work, this episode will resonate.
Join the conversation: What does empathy look like in your practice, and where do you wish it showed up more?
Connect with Kristin:
www.khpromanagement.com
www.linkedin.com/in/khpm
Where to Find Dr. Kelly:
Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.
https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min
Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com
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Dental leadership isn’t failing because people don’t care; it’s failing because we forget we’re human. In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with practice management consultant Kristin Haynes to talk about empathy, burnout, and the unseen emotional load carried by dental teams and doctors alike. This conversation is for dental hygienists, dentists, practice owners, and educators who feel the tension between clinical excellence, business pressure, and human connection. Kristin Haynes is a consultant, speaker, and founder of KH Productivity Management, where she helps dental practices achieve growth with clarity and confidence. Through her signature Assessment to Clarity Framework™, Kristin guides practices to optimize three essential pillars: People Clarity to align team roles and leadership; Operations Clarity to streamline systems and increase efficiency; and Valuation Clarity to position the business for scalable growth or successful transition. With over 25 years of deep experience in dentistry, Kristin is a trusted partner for doctors navigating expansion, adding associates, or preparing for a future sale. Her clear, actionable approach equips leaders with the structure and strategy needed to move forward decisively. You’ll hear why: Burnout isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and cultural Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s leadership Empathy builds stronger teams and stronger businesses Consultants and leaders must partner, not bulldoze If you’ve ever felt like you had to “wear the mask” at work, this episode will resonate. Join the conversation: What does empathy look like in your practice, and where do you wish it showed up more? Connect with Kristin: www.khpromanagement.com www.linkedin.com/in/khpm Where to Find Dr. Kelly: Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance. https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com