The Dental Billing Podcast
Dental billing is not data entry. It's the difference between a practice that collects what it earned and one that writes it off and calls it the cost of doing business.
The Dental Billing Podcast is hosted by Ericka Aguilar and Jen Lyman, RDH. Ericka has been a dental biller since 1998 and has taught billing in 31 states and Mexico. Jen came out of the operatory and now runs Lyman Revenue Solutions, handling both dental and medical billing. One of us knows exactly what the carrier is going to do with your claim. The other one knows what actually happened in that chair. You get both.
Every week we break down denials, appeals, coding, and the carrier behavior nobody warns you about, in plain language, with real sources. We teach the law before the codes, because a code doesn't win an appeal. Knowing what that carrier is legally required to do wins the appeal.
If you've ever been told you're "just the biller," this show is for you. Downloads in 114 countries and counting. Bring your coffee and your worst denial.
The Dental Billing Podcast
Episode 83: Sneak Peek: A Powerful Chapter from My Book - I'm Just the Biller
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A powerful reading of "Chapter 4: Built from Grit" from the book "I'm Just the Biller" shares the journey from humble beginnings to nationwide success in dental billing education. This authentic narrative speaks directly to the unsung heroes of dental practices, reminding listeners that success isn't about where you start but the invisible grit that carries you forward.
• Started career while dealing with a workplace bully who undermined confidence and flaunted material possessions
• Worked two jobs simultaneously as a dental biller and ER tech to save for first home
• First workshop in 2011 had just nine attendees who paid $19 each
• Evolved from Craigslist marketing to hosting 156 people at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles
• Experienced a full-circle moment when former bully became part of an office requiring billing consultation
• Built a nationwide platform over a decade of dedicated work in dental coding and billing education
• Recognizes that setbacks, disappointments and closed doors ultimately contributed to growth and resilience
Share this episode with your co-worker, office bestie, or that teammate who needs to hear they're just getting started. Follow the show, leave a review, and connect on Instagram @dentalbillingcoach for behind-the-scenes content, billing tips, and support for the people holding the dental profession together.
Registration Link for Diagnosis Codes on a Dental Claim Form Webinar:
https://dentiqhub-diagnosis-codes.vercel.app/
Get your Dental Billing Toolkit Here:
https://www.dentalbillingdoneright.com/the-dental-billing-toolkit
Download "The Most Underused Codes in Dentistry - And How to Get Them Paid" checklist here:
Schedule a billing chat with Ericka:
https://calendly.com/ericka-dentalbillingdoneright/30min
Email Ericka:
ericka@dentalbillingdoneright.com
Email Jen:
jen@dentalbillingdoneright.com
Personal Dedication and Introduction
Speaker 1Before we dive in , I have to take a moment to shout out someone incredibly special my mom . She's not just my biggest cheerleader , she's also my book writing coach . She's an author , a screenwriter and the reason this chapter exists in the way it does . Mom , thank you for pushing me , believing in me and for helping me bring my story to life . Now this one is for you , my listeners , for the dental assistant who's learning as they go , for the biller who's holding it all together behind the scenes , for the office manager who gets it done even when no one says thank you , and for anyone new to dentistry wondering if they belong here . You do . What you're about to hear is a chapter from my book . I'm Just the Biller , but really it's not just my story , it's our story . A story about quiet battles , underestimated moments , small wins that no one sees . So take a breath , settle in , and this episode is your reminder that you're not behind . You're just getting started .
Chapter 4: Built from Grit
Speaker 1Let's get into it . Chapter 4 , built from Grit . Not Everyone Starts at the JW Marriott . The beginning is just that the beginning .
Speaker 1In my early career I had a bully , a co-worker who made sure I knew I was beneath her . She'd say things like if you work hard , you can
Overcoming Workplace Bullying
Speaker 1have nice things like me Flaunting her freshly constructed house and shiny new car while I drove an old , beat-up Jetta . She had no idea I was working two jobs biller by day and ER tech at Coast Plaza Hospital by night , all to save up and buy my first home . I wasn't trying to impress anyone . I was trying to build something no one could take away from me . That's the thing about grit it's invisible , it doesn't get applause or fanfare , but it shows up in ways success eventually recognizes .
Speaker 1My very first dental coding and billing workshop happened in 2011 at a Regis Center in Riverside , california . Nine people attended . I was elated . I couldn't believe . Nine people paid $19 to hear me speak . The feedback from that small but mighty group lit something
From Nine Attendees to JW Marriott
Speaker 1in me . It was validation . I needed Do another one . We promoted those early workshops on Craigslist yes , good old Craigslist . Then one day , someone on my team suggested that we fax local dental offices . The goal Maybe we could get 50 people to register . Instead , over 150 people signed up , 156 to be exact and that's how we ended up at the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles . It wasn't my first workshop , but it was the biggest one I had ever done up until that time . We raised the ticket price to $49 and people still showed up . That moment was surreal .
Speaker 1I remember the lead up to that event so vividly the nerves , the excitement , the absolute overwhelm . I wanted to stay in bed and not feel all the feelings . But this wasn't just another event . This was proof that the dream I had at 22 sitting in a Dental Health seminar was starting to come true , and there was no turning back . I was terrified . And then Tony Lim , my business partner , pulled me outside . Before I went on stage he gave me one of the best pep talks of my life . He said things like you've got this people paid to learn from you . You are the expert . Don't forget that . And that changed everything .
Speaker 1One of the attendees at that event was Dr Gonzalez . He was so impressed with my presentation he invited me to his office to review his billing department . Of course I said yes . And then it happened . I walked into his office and there she was , my bully , the same one who used to say are you sure you're in the right field ? The one who once treated me like I didn't belong . She looked up and instantly recognized me like I didn't belong . She looked up and instantly recognized me . She didn't smile , she didn't
Full Circle Moment
Speaker 1even look me in the eyes . With that same snarky tone she said are you here for a job ? Because we're not hiring ? I calmly replied no , I have an appointment with Dr Gonzalez . As if on cue , dr G came to the front , smiled and introduced me to the team as the speaker from the billing event . The look on her face was priceless . It was you . Yes , it was me . That visit turned into a consulting contract where I discovered layers of quote-unquote opportunity in the billing department work . She was responsible for A full circle moment , if there ever was one .
Speaker 1From there , I spent the next decade traveling across the country , teaching dental coding and billing , hosting my own events , creating content and building platforms from the ground up . I didn't wait for someone to give me a seat at their table . I built my own . Eventually , I landed my first sponsor , dandy . Eventually I landed my first sponsor Dandy . They paid $1,500 for a 15-minute slot to speak to my audience . That might not seem like much to some people , but to me it meant someone believed in what I created , enough to
Building My Own Table
Speaker 1invest in it .
Speaker 1What I didn't expect was what happened between sessions , those sidebar conversations . Team members would pull me aside and say can you talk about clinical documentation ? Our doctor takes forever to write his notes and he's here today . Doctors would ask can you talk about why good x-rays are important ? My team is here and I think they'll finally hear it . If it comes from you , I realized I wasn't just a speaker . I was their advocate , their voice .
Speaker 1I remember that 22-year-old version of me sitting in a dentical seminar trying to soak in every detail , thinking one day I want to teach billing like this , and now I do . Through my podcast , my webinars , my live events , social media , I get to pour into the very people I once stood alongside and , if I'm being honest , I didn't get here alone . Some of the most unexpected teachers in my life came wrapped in disappointment the opportunities that didn't work out , the collaborations that fell through , the people who said they'd support me but disappeared once they got what they needed . At that time it hurt , but looking back , I see it now for what it is growth in disguise . So to the people who overlooked me , to the ones who closed doors before I even
Gratitude for Setbacks
Speaker 1had a chance to knock , to the deals that unraveled and partnerships that never took off , thank you . You taught me to stand on my own . You reminded me what it looks like to choose integrity over ego . You sharpened my instincts and deepened my resilience . And to those who doubted me , I get it . You didn't see the vision , but I , I did and I still do . Every misstep , every redirection , every not yet it all led me here .
Speaker 1I'm just a girl from Riverside who turned nine Craigslist registrations into a nationwide platform , built from grit , built from purpose and still getting started . If this episode hit home , please share it . Share it with your co-worker , your office bestie or that one teammate that just needs to hear they need to get started . Follow the show , leave me a review and come hang out with me on Instagram at dentalbillingcoach . I wanna share more behind the scenes , some billing tips , and I wanna spread love for all the people holding this profession together , because we can't do it alone
Episode Closing and Call to Action
Speaker 1. Until next time , friends , keep going . You've got grit in your bones and purpose in your step , and don't you forget it .
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