Podcasts about Dentistry

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Kwane Watson, the visionary founder and CEO of Kare Mobile Inc. With a background in both private practice and corporate dentistry, Dr. Watson has pioneered a transformative model of mobile dental care using single-operatory vans combined with proprietary technology. He shares how Kare Mobile addresses healthcare inequities by partnering with insurance companies, counties, and institutions like jails to bring care directly to underserved populations.   Dr. Watson also explains the inner workings of his fleet, the ROI of mobile care, how self-scheduling software boosts efficiency, and why he's expanding his tech-forward DSO model. From manufacturing vans in-house to scaling digital dentures and tele-dentistry, this episode showcases the future of accessible, scalable, and entrepreneurial dentistry. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://karemobile.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Tired of getting the runaround from dental insurance companies?In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive into one of the most empowering (and often misunderstood) topics in dentistry: how to stand up to insurance companies using the power of your state's Insurance Commission. You'll learn how to respond when you're told “we never received your claim,” what the 30-day “pay or respond” loophole really means, and why your patients, not you, hold the real power in filing complaints that insurance companies must answer to. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/  If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/ 

Re-releasing a DAT listener favorite! Dr. Lewis Chen is aboard the Dental A-Team! Dr. Chen has become an extremely successful dentist in a short amount of time — like, 10-practices-in-two-years successful. He shares with Kiera what he did differently to find his success, including utilizing the right resources and committing to a schedule. Dr. Chen and Kiera also discuss the difference between work and luck, things that went well, and pitfalls he wishes he'd avoided. He also shares life hacks, his best tip for delegation, and how to elevate teams. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera (00:05) Hey everyone, welcome to the Dental A Team podcast. I'm your host, Kiera Dent, and I had this crazy idea that maybe I could combine a doctor and a team member's perspective, because let's say dentistry can be a challenging profession with those two perspectives. I've been a dental assistant, treatment coordinator, scheduler, pillar, office manager, regional manager, practice owner, and I have a team of traveling consultants where we have traveled to over 165 different offices coaching teams. Yep, we don't just understand you, we are you.   Kiera (00:14) Because face it.   Kiera (00:34) Our mission is to positively impact the world of dental. And I believe that this podcast is the greatest way I can help elevate teams, grow VIP experiences, reduce stress, and create A-Teams. Welcome to the Dental A Team Podcast. ⁓   Team listeners, this is Kiera and you guys. Today is a pretty special day. I have a dear friend. We have chatted so many times. He is a rock star on Instagram. If you do not watch his channel, you definitely need to. And he's just one of the coolest people that I feel is a great inspiration. He's been able to do what a lot of other offices have not been able to do. So I'm so jazzed to bring on Dr. Louis Chen. How are you today, Louis?   Dr. Chen (01:14) Good. Thanks for having me. It's always a pleasure. It's been so long since we've been actually meeting in person. think the last time was in 2018, 2019.   Kiera (01:23) I Because I saw you I think first, was it Paul Goodman's event, the dental nachos? I think that's where we first met.   Dr. Chen (01:30) Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, that's when I saw Mark in person for the first time and then I saw you for the first time, but I've known about both of you, you know, from some years back. So it's about time. Almost fangirling at the time. I'm fangirling now still.   Kiera (01:43) So.   Well,   you're so kind. You just you inspire me. So I am so jazzed. Kind of take our listeners. I know a little bit of your journey, but gosh, you have done some impressive work since 2019, only in 2021. And in the middle, we had COVID. So kind of just walk our listeners through just your back history, your backstory of how you even got to being a dentist, what kind of inspired you to become one, where you're at today. Just kind of give people your quick bio on you.   Dr. Chen (02:13) Quick bio, so okay, I'll give myself a short version. So I started in college with an economics major to which I graduated with that degree. And during that time in sophomore year, I remember interning at dental office and my parents liked the arts, liked the sciences, tried dentistry and I did. since that time, I shadowed a dentist and he was very,   I was very shy guy. He's like, listen, you should spend some time learning about patient care. Just learn about patients. Don't think about the dentistry. Dentistry will come. go to school for that. School doesn't teach you how to speak to people. ⁓ then later I focused a lot of my time doing it. And I realized in New York City, the crux of New York City, dentistry is not cheap. It's an expensive commodity. part of that   you when I sat there, realized like, you know, patients who've had a great time when they checked out, they had to build a pay, it's usually not as exciting.   Kiera (03:21) It's true   Dr. Chen (03:23) Yeah, so I had I was sought out on mission. said, well, you know, why in New York City is very saturated? Why should I be perpetuating that sort of, you know, that the stereotype of dentistry, dental work to be expensive? So I sought out a vision and said, you know what? I love dentistry. I want to provide good quality care. It's like, social hour, happy hour, every day, every hour. But why can I just make it a little bit more affordable?   than my neighbor, neighboring dentists. And I wanted to provide exceptional patient experience and exceptional patient care, the dental care, so on and so forth, the whole camera things. And then I said, know what? I want to do on a scale. I want to at least have five offices by the time, and I want to achieve that. And I was 19 at the time.   Kiera (04:13) Haven't even gone to dental school. You're like, here's the vision. This is what I want. And let's make it happen.   Dr. Chen (04:18) Yeah, and that's exactly what I mean, through dental school, wasn't my vision. My vision was to be an exceptional provider, which is kind of still falls into my core values when I first started. purpose behind what I do is just, know, making, helping as many lives as, you know, impact as many lives as possible through this journey. then now fast forward, you know, I went to dental school, did right residency. And then 2019 to 2021, my partner and I   which is who I met in dental school. was my professor at the time. And since then I've got all the new partners we just started to build and from two locations and now in 2021, hopefully by the end of 2021, we'll have 10.   Kiera (05:02) You guys heard that right. That was 10. So, you know, 2019 to 2021, 10 practices. It's pretty impressive, Louis. And what I love, ⁓ you and I are very aligned. Our mission at Dental A Team is to positively impact the world of dentistry in the greatest way possible. And you also wanted to positively impact, ⁓ and change the way patients view dentistry. So I just love it. Louis, I think you're an inspiration to so many. So I'm going to like, let's get ready. Let's dive deep. Cause I'm sure people listening are like how.   How did you do it? It like, that's great. You had a vision when you were 19, you went to dental school. Sounds like you partnered up with somebody fantastic. And now here you are two years later and you've got 10 practices. So kind of walk us through some of the things that you felt helped perpetuate that and make it into a reality. You're also in New York. I mean, you got hit hard with COVID. I think you actually were one of the hardest hit places of all. I mean, massive growth, massive, massive change. And you're also like real chill. You are always like,   fun and engaging. also attend a ton of CE. You also have a personal life. So I'm a lot of people ask how and I'm always curious to know like very successful people, people who just I feel like and sometimes it's weird to say like successful people because you're like, I'm just Lewis, like I'm just this person. But it's like you do things differently. You are a different breed. Everybody else has the same opportunities in life, but you do things differently. So what are some of those things that you feel like you've done differently to get to this state in your life right now?   Kiera (06:18) Your   Dr. Chen (06:29) That was a loaded   Kiera (06:30) It is a loaded question. That's why you're on the podcast, Louis. You can ask all the questions to you.   Dr. Chen (06:33) I   You asked amazing questions. I'm happy to entertain and I feel like I should be a better question asker too. To start, think to perpetuate is one is having the proper resources available to you and just committing yourself. I remember when I was in residency or whatnot, on top of being in residency, learning what I had to do and just kind of self-learning. I was listening to lot of podcasts and then eventually podcast was a huge learning experience because it's available. It's available and why not utilize it? Over time as you start building your sort of   operations business, I entertain, you know, just taking CEF. Actually, one of my team members, couple of my teams are infatuated with you, Kiera, by the way. They love you. They're like, Oh my God, I wish I could be Kiera. I'm like, you should.   Kiera (07:19) When I come to New York, I'll be there in December, let me know, we'll hang out, be a time. It'd be a fun surprise list, we should definitely like off air, come up with a surprise, it'd be real fun.   Dr. Chen (07:30) Yeah, it's it's it's I do send a lot of information you send out to your newsletters are fantastic. So again, actually reading the resources are provided. I know sometimes people just kind of sift through and kind of toss it away. But I should sift through it and I say, well, I'm going to forward to the appropriate team members so I can elevate them. Right. So one of the just, you know, being the good filter of resources is one of what you do is committing yourself to a schedule. Right. For me, like I'm always an early bird now, like   5 to 35, 45 wake up. I work pretty much all day, like nonstop and it's hard to get a hold of me. I'm always bouncing around offices. And I what gets me going is really just that commitment to purpose, which I think that people don't focus so much on. And when they go into dentistry, it's that purpose. I still stand by what I want to achieve when I was 19 till now, which is basically just continue to drive and push for great, great things, you know, and over time it, you elevate yourself.   and you realize you just start to grow in size, expand, you need to have a belief system. And it comes first, which is, know, what's your core values and really just redesigning everything that you do. So ⁓ that gets me going. I wake up in the morning, I have a purpose behind what I do. ⁓ I have my own personal core values that I abide by. ⁓ And there's nothing better than that.   Kiera (08:51) I love it. I love it so much. And Lewis, of course, I'm going to dive in deeper. think a few pieces I pulled from that is one, it sounds like you're very, ⁓ let's say like regimated, like, you know what you want to do in life. And I found that when I talked to successful people, it's one of my favorite things about the podcast is picking people's brains. ⁓ Tony Robbins has a quote that I love and it says successful people ask better questions. So it's like, what is that routine? Like you have a morning routine, you wake up at certain times, you're very much dedicated to a purpose, something beyond you.   Because like when those hard days come, which they will always come, it's pulling back to why are we doing this? What is the why behind it? So I love that you, started first with that. I also love that you mentioned you filter through the resources that are available. You're right. This podcast is free. Like people can download it, listen to it. We put it on for free and we bring on really awesome guests. also like our newsletters are written by our consultants and I check all of them, make sure there's awesome facts, tangibles in there. It's not just a newsletter of like   But it really is, but also filtering through like what is that best information? So I love hearing that you actually take the time to read through it. Be systematized in how you operate. So I'm going to dive into like, what do you feel? Cause I feel like I was given the golden spoon of success meeting Mark Costas. Like I will say that again and again and again, just like proximity is power, right place, right time meeting people I connected in, I helped an office grow exponentially. They connected me with Mark Costas, had the whole DSI experience. It was amazing.   Kiera (09:56) but you're also very   Kiera (10:18) perpetuated Dental A Team, learned a ton, but like that was a strike of lightning, but I don't think it was just pure luck. think right place, right time, also looking for opportunities. So for you, what were some of those opportunities again, cause I hate when people say it was just luck. I'm like, yes, did I get a really lucky golden card out of heaven? Absolutely yes. But I also think there was a lot of preparation that came for it. So what were some of the things you feel like you've been, you've done well that has kind of propelled you to be able to do 10 practices in two years?   Dr. Chen (10:46) To your point, know, like I do say it's a part of luck, but I think it's a little bit of understanding whether the luck is presented to you. Because sometimes people, there's plenty of opportunities that presented it. And sometimes we just don't visualize it to be a luck. know, for me, I was really hard. You I worked hard and I graduated early from dental school, but I was the only guy who worked till the very, very end. Even though didn't have to, I still wanted to work.   didn't take the vacation that other people did. I just really wanted to be the absolute best at what I did and be comfortable with it. And my partner at the time, my professor at the time is a prosthodontist. So he's very detail oriented. He had his eyes on me, like this hard worker, great with people, loved dentistry, good clinician. And I had a vision, know, him and I sat down and he said, what are your goals? Because he wanted to hire me as an associate. What are your goals? What do you want to do?   And then as soon as we got off that dinner, I remember it was December 2016, something like that. He was just like, what if I want you to work with me? Like not just work with me, like work, build something with me. I'm like, what's going on? And I didn't went to residency and I was like, all right, cool. I'll continue to do what I had to do. ⁓ But I continued to revisit and commit to my, that luck and opportunity. ⁓   Again, I think to that point, I think we have to understand that we have to our best self out for us every day because if you're not performing optimally, yeah, sometimes people perceive, you know, under performance is not optimal performance. And I'm going to deliver, you know, if an interview falls short, you know, like what I have to do, that's the first impression, right? ⁓ So I definitely think that we have to be on A game all the time for sure in order to, and then...   Once you hit that point, critical mass like a games always your game.   Kiera (12:38) That   becomes your new standard. That's where it is. That's your baseline.   Dr. Chen (12:41) That's the baseline. Did I answer your question, Tyler? There's another loaded question. So I was like,   Kiera (12:46) It   was a loaded question, Lewis. I just like to pick people's brains of like what it sounds like if I were to recap it in a way, it's almost as if I feel like you put in a lot of hard work, hustle and grit. And I think that that's important. I love the picture. I'm sure a lot of us have seen it of the ballet slippers. Like there is a ballerina on point and one foot's in the ballerina slipper and the other foot is this like cut up bloody hot mess. And it says everybody wants success, but they often don't realize what it takes to get there. And   I think about, like, I just heard a lot of that hard work, that grit. You also had a vision and you were very committed to it. So I think about team members, I think about practice owners of what is that vision and are you actually committed to it? Are you a fair weather fan or are you like ride or die? I will achieve this goal. And I hear a lot of conviction, but also because of that conviction from you, Louis, I feel like it also presented you opportunities that might have otherwise passed you by. This professor was looking for an associate.   ⁓ You had proven yourself to be this very successful student. So they were looking, there was an opportunity sitting there. You didn't even know it. I tell people often, I groom people. I watch people before they even become in leadership. My husband was groomed for about four years before he was taken into leadership. Had no idea it was happening, but people are constantly watching. There are opportunities always around us. It's just, like you said, who are you presenting day in and day out? So I love that. I love that.   Kiera (13:51) And a lot of times I   Kiera (14:11) And I hope other people are listening and realizing it's not just a stroke of luck. Being your best self, having that baseline continually, that's what's gonna set you up for opportunities that you may have otherwise missed. next up, professor, decide you're going to become partners. You're gonna take this on, you finish up residency. So I also love that you equipped yourself with the skills and tools you needed. So if it didn't work out with your professor, all eggs were in that basket. You're like, with you or without you, I will do this. And I like that you did that.   Kiera (14:15) It is literally.   You and   Kiera (14:40) So then what are some of the things you felt you and your partner did very well from the get go? Cause I also feel a lot of success comes from pivoting quickly, learning from your mistakes very quickly. So what were some of the things you felt at the beginning you guys did really, really well, and then I'm going to pivot to mistakes. But right now, what are some of the things you felt like that set me up for success exceptionally well in the beginning?   Dr. Chen (15:03) Well, I think they keep an open mind and think that having the clear expectations of one of each other is important. As we continue to grow, we add more to partners too. We've been again, it's awesome to have different. we, we, we may get very clear what our strengths are, stay in your lane kind of thing. My partner is great with the financial aspects. I'm great with, well, I'm not great with system, but I like systems.   Kiera (15:26) I can tell you wake up at a certain time, the process, I got the vision, you're good.   Dr. Chen (15:30) Yeah, the gaining writing it, the process, the system, putting it in place, organize, that's the hard part that he doesn't take care of. But that's what I do. The one thing that we did do well is we talked about where we want to what we want to achieve. I think that one of the things that he mentioned was, you know, what he's trying to achieve is not, you know, for the financial goals. His is very in line with mine, which is to provide exceptional care. So our core values were aligned. So at any given point.   I just know the decision that he suggests and makes ⁓ is for better, for good purpose or for the right reasons, not for any other intent. That was really important to us. ⁓ of course, you know, just building a lot of trust. I did throw a lot of my eggs in his back. And in fact, I did, threw everything in. have nothing. All my trust is all in. and, be, you know, be, be have the conviction to finish and, and strong.   And that's kind of where we stood. And I think that's what we did well. And we continued to grow. We weren't stagnant. We all, like my partner, he's 10 years my senior. So he's constantly in leadership classes because he needs to be a better leader. He wants to be a better leader. He takes the necessary classes to be a better leader.   He understands he's self-reflective and self-aware about how he presents himself to his team. And it rubs off on me. again, we learn ⁓ one also great thing is we embrace honest mistakes. We embrace the humility. Cause even if I made a mistake and I would, I would honestly tell them like, cause I'm looking my bad. I didn't think about this. I didn't think about that. Here's the outcomes. Like it's fine. Just, just don't do it again. Just figure it out. Put it on a sheet of paper, figure it out, do it again. And ⁓ that's, there's a lot of forgiveness in that process, which helped.   I oftentimes think that if there's no open communication to allow for humility, ⁓ people get, you know, they're probably get stuck with within their own confines. ⁓ And I think that's something that was really beneficial for us.   Kiera (17:38) As you guys look back on 2021, how was it? Was it your best year? Was it a year you could have done a little better? And as you're looking forward to 2022, what type of a practice and a person do you want to be? Well, guys, now is the time to take massive action and to have the life and the practice you've always wanted. Dental A Team Platinum is where it's at, guys. We focus on system development. That's right, top to bottom. Team development, growing leaders, growing you as a person, making sure you're balanced, that we have happier teams.   And we also ensure that your practice is profitable, teaching you how to be business. So if you're looking to enhance your practice, take it to the next level. You yourself want to grow. Now is the time. Dental A Team platinum. We fly to your practice. Most of our offices see a 10 to 30 % increase in revenue, reduction of stress, happier teams, better patient experiences. So if you know, you want to rocket launch yourself into 2022, don't wait guys. We are only taking on so many platinum practices because we physically fly to you. So email us today.   Kiera (18:09) Abby.   Kiera (18:34) Hello@TheDentalATeam.com and you better believe we have something special for you end of year offices. So be sure to reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. Remember you're only one decision away from a completely different light.   Kiera (18:37) So   Gosh, so many good takeaways because I think so many people have partnerships that actually don't go well. And so helping to see you guys were in your lanes, you also had complimentary skillsets to one another. I think that that's actually amazing that you figured out stay in your lanes. And then there's the honest mistakes, like that happens. I tell everybody like fail successfully. And I also love another quote, like there are no failures. There's just results. Like what happened? Why did it happen? Like let's learn from it so it doesn't happen again and move forward.   And when teams and partners feel that they can make those mistakes, there's so much freedom. Like the rules and the boundaries are all open. You can have anything. There's massive creative success and openings and ideas that can come because you feel very, very free, I guess, to make those mistakes. You know you're gonna be accountable to it, but there's nothing wrong in not having it go exactly as planned. So I'm not gonna pivot, Louis. Like you've been so generous. And I just, wanted to pick your brain. I've been dying to talk to you. You guys have such a fun culture.   which I think kudos to you guys for doing that. But now next up is going to be, what do you feel, like I know I can go back in my career and say like, these were big pivotal mistakes that if I could do it over again, I would never have done that. So maybe one or two of those, and not even mistakes, I guess it's just like, like of course I learned from them. I'm grateful I had them, but if I was giving someone guidance, these would be some pitfalls that I wish I would have known about prior to making them. Do you have any of those that have come? I mean, 10 practices in two years, Louis, I'm not gonna lie. Like it's impressive.   I love it, I'm so freaking proud of you. I'm like high fiving you through the screen right now. Just impressed with who you are and that your vision's coming to light. What were some of those pitfalls though that you're like, wish I would have done that.   Dr. Chen (20:25) I couldn't, there was a laundry list and to your point of failing successfully, so important failing forward. I mean, God, like it's, can give you a whole separate podcast on just fail failures. Biggest thing is, Eagle let go of Eagle. Huge thing about Ventus is Eagle. It's like, it go. Number two, team culture. number three, put the, pro provided proper resources for success. you know, seek out, there's tons of resources out there. Like you said, you can.   Kiera (20:27) Ha   Dr. Chen (20:55) You can purchase the protocols, can purchase manuals, can, you know, whatever it is, you don't have to reinvent the wheel if you don't have to. Very simple, right? And oftentimes people think I want my own recipe. And I always say it, I say it to my teams. I'm like, at some point, re-revent the recipe, you know, the wheel, or just follow, always following someone else's recipe. Use the recipe to make something that you like to cook, not what they like to cook. If you want that breaded chicken, maybe you want some breaded cutlet chicken cutlet with some other paprika or something like, or Cajun.   That's your recipe. What are those additional variables? But you don't have to reinvent the wheel, save yourself the time and struggle. ⁓ Number three is learning to elevate the team. I realized that people forget that every team member is looking for growth. You just have to provide that platform for growth. Another one is, again, same thing with race humility about your leadership. I think that sometimes people look for   team members with skillset and they don't provide the opportunity to look at potential more than skillset. And to this day, I don't hire for skills. I hire for talent to hire for potential because you can't find someone who's really good with hospitality, who hasn't been in the hospitality.   Kiera (22:05) Amen. true. So true. I love it.   Dr. Chen (22:09) Yeah, there's so much more to things that I, ⁓ again, even cultural alignment with your partners, resetting that, having that conversation or revisiting, you figuring the differences out that, know, the only way you can grow is to be aligned and there's no other question. There's no other way around it.   Kiera (22:27) Gosh, I love it so much. think that there's just so many pieces on there. And something I really wanted to highlight, the reason I asked that question is because again, I think so many people look at that and say, my gosh, 10 practices in two years. Is this person really human? Do they ever make mistakes? And I think it's really important to realize on the path of success.   I loved, heard a quote and it's called the success tax. Like there are hard times that follow. There are things that we wish we wouldn't have done. There are things that we learn along the way, but it's like, just keep growing and becoming better. So I'm actually gonna ask you, I came up with a few questions that I've wanted to ask podcast guests that I'm like, ⁓ I'm gonna remember to ask Louis these. So my first question is, what is your best time saving hack?   Dr. Chen (23:12) time-saving hack. People oftentimes say it's because I sleep so little.   Kiera (23:17) How many how many hours do you sleep at night Louis let's talk about that   Dr. Chen (23:21) So I got an aura ring. So this is a ring that measures your sleep and the REM sleep. So I'm trying to life hack myself through data by understanding like, well, if I'm, if I'm getting X amount of hours of deep sleep or REM sleep or whatnot, am I going to, do I wake up feeling like I'm going to be productive? Right. I feel like I'm energized. Do I feel like I'm putting myself, you know, put my best foot forward? That's key. I am huge on calendars. I know that I heard a podcast on productivity. Some people say to do lists are great, but   calendars even better, but I personally have all my work that I do actually on calendar by blocks almost. I put it on my calendar to say, all right, today payroll, got to do payroll. Not that I hope to achieve it, but there's so many moving parts that what time set forth is not usually the time I will take to complete. at the minimum, I try to tackle it by, I have a to-do project management to-do list and I break it down by location, by management, by, you know,   team members or administrative or all that stuff. And I prioritize it based off deadlines. So for me, I feel like I will prioritize and provide a deadline for myself if I find this work's gonna take a little longer. If it's easy, I'm not gonna get out because there's no point to delay procrastinating easy tasks because I feel like completing easy tasks, tasks drive, provides us momentum and inertia to continue to achieve more. So sometimes I wake up waking in the morning, like tackling the biggest task and like,   this is a drag. gonna take a long time to do it. But if I just start tacking like, you know, just, you know, finishing off some emails or just, you know, taking off some of the things on the to-do list, I get this momentum of feeling pro tip productive and I continue to be more productive. ⁓ but that's one of my life hacks.   Kiera (25:03) I like it.   I like it. Okay. So I like also that you, one thing I hope people are picking up is that you innovate. You are literally looking at your sleep habits to see do, could I actually be as productive with less sleep? Like I love it. I love that you're testing it out. You're trying it out here. Like you think outside the box and I really hope that people are realizing like it doesn't just come with like the flick of your wrist or you know, a magic wand. Like this is called, you're actually putting these things into play. also agree with you. Calendaring.   It is a world of difference like I literally put blocks on the calendar because if there aren't blocks I've got an hour or two of free time Well instantly that hour or two gets sucked up by all these other things because I didn't actually proactively take care of it. So awesome next question is What's your best tip for delegation? And this is me just selfishly asking you all the things I want to get better at So I'm just asking this is you and me having a private podcast more for myself. So best tip for delegation. Louis. What is it?   Dr. Chen (25:58) I think the best question that that question I should be asking you instead, because you've been you've been able to grow practices, you're in consult now. So like, delegation is a weird thing. I think everyone says it the same, you everyone says the same thing. Abdication is very, very different delegation. Abdication is really just kind of relieving yourself of the work that you don't want to achieve. And it's putting into hands of someone with autonomy and then not providing the outcomes that you find to be successful. ⁓ Delegation is understanding that   your productivity will increase by you offloading some of the workload. So you can spearhead the delegation, not to do the work, but you can provide projects or spearhead, you know, with an individual who can take the load off and understanding an agenda. Even for myself right now, I'm at the point where I need to hire some more HR recruiters and more operations team members. And I know what I need because my time is   diminished if I continue to focus on so many different things that I know I can offload and just oversee, have a project timeline for that.   Kiera (27:06) Totally. I love it. I also, like, as you said that I'm hoping people heard that you prioritize your time and you're constantly hiring and innovating and bringing on different people. So that way you're always on optimum peak performance. Like what are the things that only you can do? Times being diminished. I could outsource this. I could hire somebody else. So, ⁓ and then the last question I have for you is your best tip for like team communication, or you talked a lot about elevating your team. This is a team podcast. What is something that you feel you do really, really well?   I think you guys have a really fun culture from what I see, super jazz for what you guys are doing. What do you feel is something that you've done very well to help have a great team culture in your practices?   Dr. Chen (27:46) So when I, and I still do the HR, so I hire for, I hire every person. And one of the biggest things is me being the person who can establish that culture through the interview from the get-go because, that comes from speaking to if with the right candidate, ⁓ I spend a little bit more time really going through the company culture as well as the core values of the, of the, of the office. So this way they come in expecting that what's harder is kind of shaking up the culture that doesn't exist.   Basically trying to create something that didn't start. like every office I'm trying something new, like find you the new Peto office that my partners and I have, you know, I came in and did this whole cultural thing and I'm not great at it. I'm trying it, but I walk in, I feel amazing. You know, I feel amazing. I see the team, the team is great. I feel I can't wait. I love coming to the office, right? And I love knowing that I can, because I also know that the team loves that too. ⁓   So that's one thing is to create the culture is just establish it from the get go. Like do not this do not delay the process to onboarding. If the moment you get onboarded culture comes first the belief systems. ⁓ Another thing is, you know, being honest with yourself with that process because it's very it's corny. And everyone talks about no one no one is like when I first started like core values, what are those like this work needs to be done right? Totally.   realize that toxicity happens and there's other stuff that needs to be managed and navigated. And it's just so much harder if you don't, especially if you start growing, the culture has to be consistent across the board. So yeah, and it's easier with one because you see the same people all the time. But if you're drop shipping yourself in different locations, you expect the culture to persist. And am I great at it? I am far from it. And   I'm constantly, even right now, I'm just trying to figure out how do I measure culture, right? How do I ensure that it's being consistent? Maybe because I'm coming in, people are performing well, maybe they're not, right? And how do I measure that? That's being, that's, I think that's the first and foremost thing.   Kiera (29:59) I really love that you said that and I love that you said it's cheesy because I think so many people think it's cheesy so they actually don't do it. And yet at the end of the day, we've got great resignation. It's hard to hire all these different pieces, but I'm like, you clearly are hiring a lot of people. And I think having a great culture that people genuinely love to work there. Having a culture that is based on core values. I have redone my core values. I think we're on like rendition four, but it's because I realized like things are being missed from our company.   And so I love that you brought up like the cheesy aspect of it. So bottom line is, and then you ask, and I'm actually just going to give you a tip that I've heard for how do you measure culture? Cause you're right. Like it should be a tangible thing. should be something when we walk in, it is the same from practice to practice to practice. So an office that I really, really love and respect and admire, they actually send out quarterly surveys or twice a year surveys. So November and May, and they actually have an anonymous survey of like, how is the culture? So they get a pulse on all the practices. ⁓   For my team, I'm constantly ripping our core values down and I will spot audit them and say, all right guys, what are our core values? And I will randomly ask different people on calls just to see, do they know the core values? Having core value shout outs at morning huddle where they have to all choose a team member and pick a core value. I don't care which one it is that exemplifies that. it'd be like today, Dr. Chen, I'm going to give him the core value of fun. Like he's always fun. He brings a lot of fun energy. So it actually is infused into your practice.   but then how to measure it doing those quarter or those twice a year surveys oftentimes can give you kind of a anonymous pulse on your practices. So I love that you brought these pieces in. I love that you're focused on it because I really do believe great cultures are where great practices are able to impact their community stronger. And it also impacts the lives of those that work there. So I love it. Those are so fun, Lewis. think it's fun to see your journey. It's been fun to watch you grow.   Kiera (31:40) this is happened.   Kiera (31:51) I I met you pre even owning practices and now to see you where you are and I just know there's so much more ahead of you. So I love it. I'm always rooting you on always happy to help. We should definitely plan a time to meet up. I'm always in New York. So I'd love to see you guys, but ⁓ thanks for sharing. Thanks for sharing all your tips. Any, any last things you want to share as we wrap up? I'd love to hear anything else you want to add in.   Dr. Chen (32:13) I think to any team member or any provider, particularly the providers, because to grow, you have to keep an open mind to what's out there. And even for myself, like you mentioned, I do say it's cheesy, but no one talks about it. But you know what? I see the difference day and night. It changes the way you deliver your care, it the way you lead, it changes the way you manage. And to your point, I tried the team surveys.   Again, I like trying a lot of things. And I realized that sometimes trying things has to have a structure. when you're ready for it, like I couldn't measure culture if I didn't understand what culture meant. But now that I have culture set in court, the core values of company culture established, now this might have a better impact. Now I have team members who can understand that and deliver that. So it is requires a lot of step back. I think one thing to learn from any team member is like,   take a step back and just kind of take a read on the practice. Whether people are feeling great, there, you know, I like, I like Danny Meyer. Danny Meyer, is podcast I sent it to you. And he talks about having team members, you know, check the weather report before to come in. Because if you're feeling sunny, there's going to be a sunny day in the office, patients, team members, everyone. But if you're feeling like you have a rainy day, you check yourself, leave that rain behind because you're going to rain on everyone else.   So that's one thing that I've started to realize is I gotta make sure to check on my Retherport every single day before I deliver my results.   Kiera (33:46) That's awesome, Lewis. You are just like I said, an inspiration. It's fun. Thank you for sharing. know it's sometimes uncomfortable to share our successes, sometimes uncomfortable to share failures. But I just love that's why I love this podcast because we bring the best of the best. We share ideas because I think sometimes just hearing someone's story, hearing someone's experiences, learning from them helps rocket launch so many other practices to success. So thank you, Lewis. I just adore you. I'm so glad you're here today. Always cheering you on. So thank you. Thanks for being a part of this today.   Dr. Chen (34:15) Thank you, appreciate it.   Kiera (34:17) Of   course. All right, you guys that wraps it up. Dr. Lewis Chen, super grateful guys. If you check him out, he's all over social media. ⁓ great, great person. He will respond to you. Like you will never believe this man is as busy as he is because he responds all the time. He's always gathering so much information. So check him out. Such an inspiration. And as always to all of you, thank you for listening and I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team podcast.   That wraps it up for another episode of Dental A Team Podcast. Thank for listening and we'll talk to you next time.   Kiera (34:44) Thank you so much for  

Kiera is joined by Ted Osterer of Synergy Dental Partners to talk about the money field of dentistry in this moment of 2025, including tariffs, negotiating and raising fees, finding supplies, and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent (00:01) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera. And today I am jazzed. I have a super fun guest on the podcast today. We're going to talk about the tariff sheriff, how that's impacting dentistry, the rise of dental supply costs, and honestly what to do because I'm so annoyed by all these pieces. What's the economic outlook? How do dentists freaking survive? Like, gosh, it just seems like a funny world out there. But we have Ted Osterer. He is with Synergy. I love this buying group. I think they're   Absolutely incredible. We're gonna shed some light for you guys. So Ted, welcome to the show today. How are you?   Ted Osterer (00:32) I am doing very, very well. Thank you so, so much for having me. Congratulations on your thousandth episode recently. I'm happy to be a part of this and any value I could bring to your listeners, hey, we're all better for it.   Kiera Dent (00:39) Thank you.   Well, thanks, Ted. And yes, ⁓ I'm still in utter awe that we hit a thousand episodes. Like when I started this, it was just a whim, a pipe dream. Jason and I were hiking. It's not a joke. I literally was hiking half-dome. Mind you, Jason had said, hey, let's go down to Yosemite. I'd love a nice relaxing weekend down there. And I had learned that you could go get, like, this is prior. You can't do this anymore. That you could get these like day passes, like these day camping passes. And if you just went and sat at this little lodge for a few hours.   So I was like, Jay, yeah, of course we'll go down there for this very calm, welcoming, welcome, like very easy, relaxing weekend. Little did he know I had full plans to try and get half dome tickets and like hike half dome. I even brought the gloves, like I was ready to go. And sure enough, I got the lottery, got the tickets. Jason was like, what the heck? We're going to freaking hike half dome. Like, Kiera, we haven't even prepped for this. We haven't done any of this. We don't even have a hotel. We got a hotel an hour away. We had to drive an hour outside of town. It was the nastiest hotel. They were like,   I'm not even joking. There was like hair and like this little pill on the pillow that were not ours. Jason's like had the worst sleep of his night and I'm like listen there's no hotels around me of 70. Like we're filing so we had a place. We went back super early the next morning to hike Half Dome and lo and behold on our hike I said Jay I think we need to build a podcast. This is where it all started. It was like one of those things that I never imagined a thousand episodes would hit and here we are.   Ted, you're hanging out with me a thousand in. And I think it's just fun because of all the value, all the stories, all the people. And like you and I were talking about pre-show, the podcast is really just a place where I get to selfishly hang out and just have a good conversation with people that I like. I get to meet new people in the industry. And as a byproduct of my nerdiness and excitement of meeting people, all of our listeners get benefited by this. So Ted, I'm so happy you're a part of this. Thank you for that. ⁓   Outside of Yosemite, let's talk about the rising cost of dental supplies, the tariffs, how this is going to impact. Because I know people are really nervous about it. I see in lots of dental groups out there, and you guys are really great. That's why I had you come on, because I think you're a huge solution to these problems. So take it away, Ted also, so the listener know how on earth did you even get into dentistry? Let's talk about that first, and then let's talk about what this even looks like for dental practices long-term.   Ted Osterer (03:00) How did I get into dentistry? ⁓ It was fate, it was just destiny. Growing up, I had 13 teeth pulled. I had braces for five years and it was like, well, I'm here for life, I guess. And this is just how we can all grow as a unit. ⁓ I've been in dentistry for about 15 years now. I started out as a dental supply rep. I was going door to door for over five years and...   funny enough that, you know, this isn't the, I grew up in the New York area. This is the major metropolitan New York area. And I had a really good buddy and he was like, I think you'd be a really good fit actually managing anal practices. And I can actually introduce you to someone. And it was like a small like eight practice group. I can introduce you to somebody, the practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Go see if you'd be a good fit. And I'm just kind of like, sure, guess. know, it's like always like have a conversation.   And I had a conversation and sure enough, I got along really well with a particular office manager ⁓ from this group and I went to go work for this office manager. ⁓ Within three months, I had my own practice. I was a practice manager. You know, it's so funny going from a supply rep to an office manager, right? I learned the first and I'm not saying this is everybody, but I learned the first day of being in a dental office that I knew nothing.   Kiera Dent (03:59) Yeah.   Ted Osterer (04:29) about what happens in a dental office, right? Like I'm like, could, God, it's gonna be a piece of cake. I've been in dentistry for five years. And so I could tell you how strong and impressive material was. That does not help with insurance codes or posture downgrade or presenting treatment or creating a schedule or reading a schedule, anything like that. So, much respect to everyone that manages offices that's listening right now that my goodness, you're fighting the good fight. Keep up the good work. ⁓   Kiera Dent (04:40) does not.   Agreed.   Ted Osterer (04:57) I did that for some time. I was recruited to work for care credit. I oversaw New England for a few years where then they moved me to South Florida. And then a few months after that, I was recruited by Synergy. I've been here since 2021. And this is really, really cool. You know, I came to Synergy because the message was, do you want to make an impact in the dental world? You know, like you love what you do, but do you really want to make an impact? Do you want to help independent dentistry? And I was like,   man, what a line, right? Like I was suckered in and I really wanted to make a difference. And sure enough, almost four years later, we're still here at, you know, we're the largest dental buying club in the country. We are the fastest growing dental buying club in the country. And we're just trying to preserve independent dentistry by giving them the same supply and overhead cost at a 20 plus practice DSO would get. that, know, we were founded by dentists. It was as black and white as, Hey,   If enough of us order from the same places, they'll give us a discount. And now we have people in charge of negotiating pricing. You know, we have a dedicated team to each member to make sure that they're getting the values worth here at Synergy and they're not ordering more than they have to. And you you asked about tariffs, the rising overhead costs, all of that really, really fun stuff, right? Let's dive into that, right? You know, the perceived economic uncertainty of everything. Are prices going to go up? Yes, of course.   Does that mean you need to buy everything right now at the same time to save money in like six months? No, you probably shouldn't do that either. You know, the waiting game generally always pays off, be it in dentistry or outside of dentistry when it comes to money, you know, you're better off just kind of, you know, hold the chips, hold down the fort, you know, you're, it's not, you do not sound the alarms, of course, right? You know, the price of your crowns is not going to go up 10,000 % like.   Kiera Dent (06:21) Yeah.   Ted Osterer (06:50) Calm down, chill out, right? It's what we've monitored. Have tariffs affected some prices? Yes. ⁓ Many have already gone down. Many have plateaued with that price increase and we kind of have a safe, what, just gauge on what those actually are, right? The percentages have been minimal. It's a few dollars here and there.   Kiera Dent (06:52) Yes, I agree.   Ted Osterer (07:17) Again, the industry is not belly up. really should not be your ⁓ primary concern. Providing optimal quality ⁓ of treatment should be your number one concern still to this day. I don't think it's going to make a difference whether you're getting a new sensor or not. If your sensor goes, you're OK.   Kiera Dent (07:36) It's It's really true. Well, Ted, I love that. And I love your story. And I love that you have the real life experience in dental practices, because that's something that we pride ourselves on at Dental A Team. It's like, we've been there, done that, and done it successfully. And you're right. Being in a practice is no small task. It's no small feat. And ⁓ I think the supply costs, I do agree with you. think certain people were getting a little bit, maybe extra on this, of how concerned we are of cost. And I don't think it's a wrong thing.   to look at, to project down and to forecast forward to make sure that you keep in line with your overhead. Like people who are looking at this, I'm high-fiving you because you actually are looking at your numbers and you understand the cost of your supplies. But at the same time, I remember I was at a, I have a friend who's very wealthy. We're talking like this person brings in 28, 30 million annually a year. And like, I just giggle because it is a great friend.   Ted Osterer (08:25) Sounds like a great friend. There you go. All right.   Kiera Dent (08:29) I thought he said he was a   cosmetic dentist when I met him and he's surely not a cosmetic dentist. He's a cosmetic chemist. So skincare, things like that. And I remember we were talking and he was like, yeah, I just got so freaked out about the stocks. I pulled everything out of the stock market. This was two years ago. And I'm like, bro, like the amount of gains because you got so scared is incredible. And I had another friend, we were sitting at a wealth conference and we had like Ray Dalio there and Paul Tudor Jones and gosh.   Marks, Howard Marks, like so many of the big players in wealth and they weren't talking. And this guy named Harry Dent came in and Harry Dent has been known for being right and wrong on predictions of the market. And I remember like, I'm not kidding you. We talked in this conference of do not make rash decisions. Like we're here to gather all the information, synthesize it out and then make best decisions. And I kid you not, we are two days into this five day conference and I met this guy and he's like, Harry Dent just freaked me out. I went and sold all my...   like sold everything like that night pulled everything out of the stock market. I was like, dude, you're the reason people talk about what not to do because you should never be this radical. And so I feel like while those are extremes, I feel like dentistry can kind of be that way with the supply. Like we feel it's the stock market plummeting on us within our supply chain because we've got tariffs on there. When the reality is let's remember dentistry by default, a lot of our products already have very high margins on them. Like I'm not going to say it to the world in case there are people who are not dentists listening.   but you can just think about fluoride for one second. So fluoride has insane margins on it, which are very profitable for you. The bulk of dentistry is very profitable. So these small rises, agreed, let's take a look at that. But like you said, Ted, it's not the end of the world. So I am curious though, from my like nerdy side, what things have gone up the most? What are you guys seeing across the board that the tariffs or the uncertainties, like the economy's gone up you guys. Bread, I'm shocked.   or gasoline, you want to talk about gas prices? Like I don't know, in Florida it's way cheap. Here I'm in Reno in California. I kid you not in Truckee it was $7 a gallon and I like wanted to throw up the gases that much money, but I'm like if gas for a gallon is $7, bread prices, I mean you're paying five bucks, six bucks a loaf for bread, like supplies are going to be higher. It's not something that I'm like, oh my gosh, my cotton rolls went up. Well yeah, of course they went up. does like everything in the world has gone up.   Home prices have gone up, but I am curious, what have you guys seen that the tariffs hit the most? Like what are some of those supplies? But we're ashricking this. Everyone listening, you have to promise you will not be either of my two friends who go radical. So when Ted tells you which one's worth a little bit higher, do not go out and give me like your prepping situation where you go buy all this because you're freaking out about it. Like steady the course, stay consistent, and just like watch the scene because most things will level out just like in stocks, just like in investments. But if we're radical and being wild on it, that's where you get.   Like it just does not benefit. So I think Ted, everyone has promised. I made them just promise like everybody. Yes, you promise. Don't be radical. Ted, what are some of the ones that are seeing the highest hits? Like what, what products, what things are you guys seeing?   Ted Osterer (11:33) Since you all promised ⁓ not to be radical, I will go ahead and share. Yeah, unbreakable. We know that's unbreakable.   Kiera Dent (11:36) You promised.   It's unbreakable.   You did that, you like kissed the thumb, something like that. And then you like do a dance. All of them have done that, right? Nobody better lie. Don't be radical. Okay. They're good.   Ted Osterer (11:52) Excellent.   So for those listening at home, I did a very, very impressive interpretive dance, but for those watching, you saw it, it's all good. ⁓ So with a lot of the terrorists I've seen, and look, it's so volatile, you know, and for those, again, listening, I'm doing that thing with your finger, you go up and down a lot about how much it goes up and down. You know, look, I mean, you saw a lot of the anesthetics made in Canada go up a significant percent.   You saw a lot of lab cases sent from overseas or, you know, it's funny enough, for those that don't know what the gray market is in terms of the supplies in the industry, Products are made overseas, totally fine, right? There's nothing wrong with products that are made overseas. However, sometimes they're made in factories that are only authorized in certain countries, even though it could be big name, know, supply partners, major manufacturers.   I won't name drop, you know what I mean? I'm not trying to, you can Google it, you have access to the internet, congrats. When it comes to, these products that are made overseas are only regulated to be in select countries, they still have to be refrigerated certain ways, they still could have, they could have been made a long time ago, they're set to expire. They are mailed here and then they are sold to the United States, they're unregulated. You'll see their costs are...   Insanely low to the point where it's too good to be true spoiler a lot a spoiler it is too good to be true right in the event that someone You know your malpractice insurance Is kicked in you use great, you know gray market products. You might be losing a case and that's not the smoke you want However, in the event of these tariffs funny enough what went up these gray market products, right? ⁓ They went up to the point where   Kiera Dent (13:25) Yeah.   Interesting.   Ted Osterer (13:46) They're the same pricing, if not more than what your rep is offering you now. know, and look, you don't want to be caught with something like that. And it goes to show you that you, again, you're worried about optimal care. You should be worried about what you're putting in your patient's mouth as well. And depending on where you order it from, right? Like picture yourself, you're a patient in a chair, okay? And an assistant walks in to set,   you know, to set the room, to put the supplies that you're going to use on that tray and she opens an eBay box. Imagine what the patient must be feeling knowing that or an Amazon box. It's like, wait a minute, if your patient's aware at all, you probably don't want that. And now that price is the same price that a major dealer is going to offer you or a rep can offer you. That's the worst case scenario. I believe that that's what I've seen went up the most. And there were some labs from overseas.   Kiera Dent (14:23) Yeah, no. No. No.   I'm just.   Ted Osterer (14:44) ⁓ where the tariff was taking effect, a lot of the tariffs they were getting, were passing directly onto the consumer. I've seen that stop also. I'm not gonna say it's not gonna happen again, but it's not like you can order in bulk all these cases, you know? So, you know, again, when it comes to your labs, if you're satisfied with your lab, play the waiting game. You should be fine.   Kiera Dent (14:53) Mm-hmm.   It's true.   Yeah, that's actually really helpful to know Ted, because I was really curious and I think it's one of those things of, I don't know, I'm the clinician inside of me. I originally dental assistant, office manager, treatment coordinator. We have a lot of hygienists on our team. ⁓ I think all of us in consulting, well, yes, we watch the numbers exponentially, which is why I brought Ted on. I wanted synergy to be here. I think it's a great solution for your numbers. The biggest thing I will also say is like,   Please don't be so obsessive with the numbers that you cut your amazing dentistry and you are actually not doing the best dentistry for patients. I believe that when we do good by our patients, when we take care of them, when we use great products, I'm not saying you have to be I have a car. I'm not saying you have to be like high, high end. You can if you choose, but just making sure that we're doing right by our patients. Like I said, dentistry is a very profitable industry.   as is, like we have done a really good job of keeping the practices profitable in spite of insurances and all of that. But I really just want to make sure people, when we're looking at this, let's not penny pinch and nickel, like watching all of our nickels when we're actually doing a disservice to our patients. So agreed, like that gray market, things like that. Yes, I like to be a good shopper. I love to get a good deal, but making sure that it's a good deal that's also taking care of your patients would be my like word to the wise.   Again, I believe that when we are good and we're honest to our patients, people feel that there's good karma, there's good energy, it's all the way around. So Ted, how does synergy work? Like how do you get around this? Because things are going up. Being a business owner, mean, our margins are, they've been high, so maybe they're a little less high. I will also say, like doctors, I hope you've increased your fees too. You should do that. like, it's not just supplies that get to go up.   Dentistry also gets to go up and it should be going up. And if you haven't raised your fees, I'll just asterisk that right now. Like that is very common. It's very normal. It should be done every single year. I think that's a way to offset some of these costs for you too. It's ethical and honest, but Ted kind of walk us through like independent dentists, which are most of the practices listening. We do have some DSOs on there. I think sometimes you can feel like, I don't know. It's like the little brother who's watching the big brother drive the car and it's like, why can't I get these deals? Like I know I'm just one practice, but.   Sometimes you feel neglected. sometimes feel like distributors and manufacturers don't give you as good of a deal. Like, let's be real. The DSOs do get better deals than you do. I I've heard, I go talk to a lot of people and they're like, well, yeah, if you've got 20, 30, 50 practices, we're going to give you like pennies on the dollar compared to my solo practice that's going to be paying more for it due to the bulk distribution. So how can we have that of like, how can Independence Dennis win? Not have these costs hit them and to still play in the big leagues, even though they don't want to necessarily practice that way today.   Ted Osterer (17:53) Yeah, awesome question, right? You hit on the head. What did DSO's do? They strong arm these dealers, manufacturers, distributors, and they say, look, I have 30 offices. We all want to order from you. We'll commit to this amount of spend. We'll commit to this amount of product. Give me the absolute best deal that you will, or I'm going to the other distributor that's on the next page of this advertisement that I am looking at, right? So they're just negotiating fees all day.   That's what the ESOs are doing. They have people in place to negotiate these rates all day. That's what Synergy Dental Partners has, Independent Dentistry, ⁓ I mean, look, it's alive and well. We see it every day, you know, just because there's not major conferences that you're demanded to go to like the ESOs and things like that doesn't mean they're not alive and well and band together and know what's actually going on in dentistry, right? So Independent Dentists will subscribe to Synergy.   to have access to the same pricing that those 20 plus, 30 plus practice DSOs would get, right? We negotiate with these supply partners all day long on the supplies that you're already using, right? I mean, that's what we do. We bully our vendors. We come to an agreement with specific supply partners to be in our network and have very attractive offerings that they will only offer to Synergy members, right? We're partnered with major distributors. We negotiate with...   them all day, we're partnered with different implant organizations, with different rotary organizations, with different services. Depending on what you're looking for, we're going to offer you something that you would not be able to get on your own, right? Do you have to order in bulk with a synergy member? No, that's the point of us because we have enough dentists all ordering from the same place that the bulk is taken care of. Order as you go, right? So Darby is our anchor supplier, shines the largest distributor in the country.   Patterson's the second largest distributor in the country. Darby's the third largest distributor in the country. When you place an order with them, everything comes in one to two days. As a synergy member, any order over $249, there's no shipping charges. And let's think about that in itself. Do you have to order in bulk now? No, do you have to hit a crazy minimum? No, you can order four times a month and not pay shipping. Everything's gonna come in one to two days. Now regarding all these manufacturer deals,   Kiera Dent (20:01) awesome.   Ted Osterer (20:15) Oh, I like to buy four to get one free. like to buy three to get one free. You hear the word free. Awesome. Great. Now we do have a lot of offerings just like that care, right? However, we've negotiated the net costs of those buy four, get one threes, get one free, buy three, get one free for just one. So you can order one. You don't need to spend $700 on your favorite composite to get one free. And now shade C3 is going to sit on your shelf for the next three years and it expires. You're going to throw it away anyway. So you wasted all that money.   Kiera Dent (20:23) Right.   Mm-hmm.   Ha!   Ted Osterer (20:43) The point of us is inventory control. It's cash flow management. I mean, if cash is what you're worried about, well guess what? mean, order as you go, you're probably not gonna pay shipping anyway. You have the supply you need. My goodness, Kara, have you ever had to clean out a supply closet? Is it not the worst day of the month? You know, when people order the wrong things, yeah, maybe you'll return it, or what are you gonna do? You're gonna check it off that checklist and then put it where you think it goes. Now it's gonna sit there forever. Yikes, right?   Kiera Dent (21:02) Yep.   Yep.   Ted Osterer (21:13) You know,   with Darby, things are easy to return. You order as you go, it's not gonna get lost in some shuffle if you order as you go, right? We are partnered getting discounts with Strom and NeoDent for implants and BioHorizons and Zest for the locator attachment through overdenture materials, Comet and Brassler for rotary. ⁓ We just rolled out our partnership with Bisco. We're partnered with UltraDent, Crestor, LB, Phillips. I'm going to put your listeners to sleep as I shamelessly plug these.   Incredible companies offering the incredible deals are giving our members but the whole point of us is Carrie said you love to shop Bad news pal. I'm taking that phone away from you. We've done that shopping for you We know where your pricing should be is every price the lowest price on the market. I can't confidently say yes It's not true. I can confidently say that a lot of them are the best price in the market But every price is going to be competitive and if you're taking four or five hours to place an order with six tabs open   texting four different reps. That's four patients that you could have seen in that time. not only, let's say you order from all those places. Now you got five different shipping charges. And now you don't know when any of these orders are gonna come. It could take weeks. Something could be on back orders. Something could be expired. But hey, you saved a dollar on gloves. Congratulations, you know?   Kiera Dent (22:16) you   I love it. And I think that this, is why I like Synergy. I feel like it's, you get the Costco discounts without the bulk requirements. And that's something that I really enjoyed about it because something we teach with our clients is do not be stocking up. I remember I worked at Midwestern University's dental college for a few years. And I remember I went through their supplies and because there was so much   Ted Osterer (22:44) Yep.   Kiera Dent (22:58) We, like, I remember throwing away boxes and boxes and boxes of expired supplies, things that we couldn't use anymore. And it was disgusting. And I was shocked and I was like, that's it. We have to get this to where we can see everything. And so we're really big in consulting of like tip out bids, having clear things, having it where your order is not like tucked in boxes and nooks and crannies. ⁓ And the way you're able to do that is by buying as you need it, rather than buying. Like I remember buying when I was an assistant ordering.   Ted Osterer (23:07) What a waste.   Kiera Dent (23:25) I think like 10 boxes of gloves. Like we had them stacked everywhere. It was just like an absurd amount because we were like, well, we got the deal. We need to have this versus like, no, like what are we using? That also keeps our costs down. We're not having these high end fluxes and low drops in our supplies. We're able to have that more consistent, have more consistent overhead. And like you said, sometimes Costco is not the cheapest. Sometimes I can get it cheaper at other places, but the reality is the time we're saving and also the more dentists buying within Synergy.   more we're able to get the bulk discount. So it's like, it's the biggest DSO you can be a part of without being a part of a DSO, like air quotes around it, because you're not a part of a DSO, but it's the collective community group that's driving down the pieces for it. And Ted, correct me if I'm wrong, I feel like when I've talked to Synergy in the past, you don't have to give up your reps, because I know people get really weird about like, but like we've been best friends with so and so, and it's like, you can still order from the companies you want. Is that correct? Or do you need to like order through Benco? I thought it was like something with that, but help us understand like,   Do I have to give up my rep? Do I have to only order through your guys' people? How does this work for me to transition over? Because I do know dentists are very loyal and I think that's an amazing attribute. I would say like stay loyal. Also make sure that your overhead's making sense as you're going and buying supplies.   Ted Osterer (24:36) If you're a member of Center Gentle Partners, feel free to order from whoever you'd like. There's no minimums or anything like that. Now, are you better off buying from the suppliers in our network if you're trying to save money and time? Yes, like you just said. So Darby's our anchor supplier. They're the only distributor that we work with. If you're best friends with the Banco rep and you're looking to save money,   and you give us a shot and like I said the sole point is to save money we can very much help you and there's plenty to go around that if you need to order from Banco who you mentioned earlier or any other distributor have at it but I mean if we can cut your supply cost by 25-30 % you keep your reps for service you keep your reps for whatever you choose to keep them for yes by all means we are not offended there's no exclusive like that.   Now relationships are important. know, like you said that regarding manufacturers, if you have a rep already with Darby, you don't have to change who you're already ordering from as long as they're network. We don't force you to do anything differently. But hear me out. You brought up Costco. Now, you know, you went to Costco, you you only have how many free hours in a week? You know, either you can get that at Costco or you could spend the gas money and the time.   Kiera Dent (25:44) Yeah.   Mm-hmm.   Ted Osterer (26:01) to hit up Walmart and Publix and somewhere else on the way home and now you're too tired to go do whatever it is that you wanted to do that night. But hey, you saved like 26 bucks, have at it, well done. How valuable is your time to you? Yeah.   Kiera Dent (26:05) Yeah.   Well done.   Yeah. And if your gas is $7 a gallon, you did not actually make any money. thinking about that, but like for dentists, I think there's a good book, Dan Martell, I raved about him quite a few times to buy back your time. And I think this is a zone where we can have, where you can actually save time. You can save money and you can actually, even your assistant. So doctors, you might not be ordering, but your assistant's ordering. Think of like, if I didn't have to give up five hours or four hours of my assistant's time, which is what I used to have to block off.   Ted Osterer (26:22) You   Kiera Dent (26:43) and you can see more patients with that assistant rather than them ordering that right there is a cost saving. So I did some quick math because I heard what you said. If we are able to save you usually 25 % on your supply costs. So I just thought, okay, let's say there's a million dollar practice. This million dollar, that's about 83,000. We'll just do 84,000 rough math. A month is what this practice would be producing. We like as a consulting company for your supply costs to be about 5 % of that. So I was like, okay.   That'd be like 4,200 bucks that month that could go towards supplies. If you guys save 25%, that's a thousand dollar savings, over a thousand dollar savings on that 4,200 a month. I was thinking about that, like a thousand dollars a month. This is on a million dollar practice. I didn't go for a sky high one. If you're bigger than that, obviously it's way more than that. But I just thought Ted, like, if you could save a thousand dollars a month, cause I know you guys have this, like you guys have sexy stats on how much you're able to save practices. I understand you might have to have two, three conversations with your reps.   of like, guys, for us, we care about you, we love you. The reality is, I'm willing to have that conversation if I'm gonna get thousand bucks a month. Because that's now $12,000 for the year. And I think about, well right there, if you're looking at other things, virtual assistants can cost you $12,000 for a year. They can do all your billing, they can do outsource pieces for you, you could hire a personal assistant for you for $12,000. Even that extra $1,000 a month, I'm thinking, could you bring on different team members for that?   What does that look like? I understand like a full assistance not going to cost you 12 grand, but I'm like virtual assistance are outsourced billing, different things that you could use those funds for that right there to me. I'd be willing to have some conversations and just look at. So that's where I want to, I'm really big on numbers because I'm like, cool, 25%. But I'm like, when it breaks down to like thousands a month that I could then reinvest and use in better areas, just like I'm like, you guys, you can keep spending money on Indeed. Go for it. And I'm not here to say indeed is not great.   but you could also switch to AvaHR, which used to be VivaHR. It's literally 149 bucks a month for unlimited posting of ads. I took my cost of posting ads. I'm doing the same thing. I'm literally posting ads on the exact same platforms. I used to spend $15,000 a year on that, and now I pay about $1,200 a year. Right there, I'm like, that's a switch I'm willing to make. Yes, bummer, I don't get to like post directly to Indeed anymore. Same thing, I don't maybe get to like buy directly from my rep.   you still can keep the relationship. Like if you need to buy equipment or different things like that, like you can still keep the relationship. But I think, and they will try to sweet talk you, but I've seen it with the buying groups, the savings that you get, I just say have the conversation. A thousand bucks a month, go on, get a massage, do something fun. Like, I don't know, take your kids on vacation for 12 grand, whatever it is, but that's just literally buying the same materials through a different platform and getting...   money kickback. don't know. To me, Ted, it's always been a no-brainer, which is why I bring you guys on the podcast. So that's my spiel. But Ted, anything you have to take, wrap this up because I think with the tariffs, with the rising costs, realizing it's not that big of a deal, buy as you go. You can use these buying groups. You can be like a DSO, but you can buy what you need, not having to get all these deals. You're able to cut your costs. You said about 25 % on supplies and just go look at what you spent on supplies last three months. Think if you got 25 % of that back.   I think I'd be willing to have a conversation. But Ted, you tell me what you think. Those are my thoughts on this.   Ted Osterer (30:06) I said, I was going to say like the exact same thing, unfortunately, but I, you know, I'll take that one. I'll take that one second further to really, really simplify it. Right. And just summarize everything you just said. You know, we're partnered with over 50 supply partners, including eight different labs. Right. So as a consulting agency, right. Like we see labs as high as 10, 15%, you know, it should be what six to 8%.   Yeah, so I mean, let's say you're a million dollar practice. That's the practice Kiera just said. If I save you just 1 % of your overhead, that is a $10,000 that Kiera's talking about. And it is so easy to save that as a member of Synergy. And my goodness, thank you so much for having me on. It really means a lot. And thank you for acknowledging.   Kiera Dent (30:59) Yeah,   of course. I think it's a matter where Ted, I, when I get really passionate about things, like I love Swell. They do their Google reviews so well, you're able to save costs on your marketing, but get like really incredible patients. When I see a zone where I'm like, supplies are supplies are supplies. I understand you love your rep, but I'm like, supplies are. If I can get the exact same anesthetic, like I need my Lido, it's certified and I can buy it from Benco or I can buy it from Shine, but I can get it for...   X versus Y and I'm going to save substantially to me that's a way doctors it. I think that this is just being a higher level CEO that realizes just like DSO CEOs do as much as I love the product from X. I'm going to buy it from here because I'm literally able like it's the exact same thing. just get it on sale. So why would I not do that? And as a female like that's girl math for you Ted. Like if I can get it on sale, I'm going to buy it because I can use it to go get what I want over here. I just think like   These are the zones, dentists, that the elites do. These are the zones that the multi-million dollar practices are doing. So learn from their strategies. Again, it's gonna be one, two, three, maybe a little bit uncomfortable conversations. You don't need to burn the relationship. But I would say if I was you sitting there looking at my overhead, looking for ways to do cash flow, I would radically consider something that's not going to impact your patient care, that's going to make your practice much easier and also give you more time back in your life. So that's why I you guys on. Again, I don't work for Synergy. We don't have an affiliate relationship with them.   I love them, I adore them. I truly think you guys are just doing a great thing in the business. We are working on a partnership with them in the future for all of our clients. It's something that's really been big on my mind because I feel like, hey, why not? All of our clients that are with us, let's get them the best deals. But this is why I wanted you guys on the podcast. So Ted, how can people connect with you? How can they try you guys out? Again, you don't have to burn your rep. can just go even test it out. ⁓ But how can they try you guys out just to see what this looks like for their practice?   Ted Osterer (32:53) Go to the TheSynergyDentalPartners.com know, leave your information with us. Please, please, please tell us that the A team sent you, you know, of course extra promotional offers if the A team, I mean, A plus team in my book, of course. ⁓ Yes, yes, A plus plus. And please let them know that you were sent by them so we can make the offering even more attractive for you. And you know, when you join Synergy, you don't even have to have that typical conversation. You can just hide in the bathroom.   Kiera Dent (33:05) Thank you. Thank you. I agree.   Ted Osterer (33:23) and we're all good. It's okay.   Kiera Dent (33:25) Yeah,   it truly is. Don't make this wild, you guys. ⁓ Ted, I appreciate it. Thank you so much for coming and talking about what the reality is and what things have gone up in pricing and how you guys have been able to watch it go up and down. You're seeing so many more supplies than just the solo practitioners seeing. so you're able to see, kind of like stock markets, we're able to see at a bird's eye view of what's really going in the landscape of it. And I want to just remind people, you guys, the future is bright. No matter what's going on, the future is bright. There's always solutions.   Ted Osterer (33:29) Thank you.   Kiera Dent (33:53) And I think right now is where we get a bit more scrappy, a bit more innovative, and truly you shouldn't be seeing much of a hit. Like shoot, if you're seeing a hit, just switch over to Synergy and you won't even see that hit. So try it out. ⁓ Ted, thank you for being on the podcast with me and thank you for everybody. I really think this is an awesome way for you guys to truly take care of your practice, take care of your patients, and make life easier, which is what we're all about. So Ted, thanks for joining me today. I super appreciate you.   Ted Osterer (34:03) Yeah.   ⁓ I'm happy to be here. Thanks again.   Kiera Dent (34:19) And for all of you listening, thanks for listening and we'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram Net32: https://www.net32.com/ Founder of Burton Dental Innovations LLC, Matthew Burton, DDS, developed the BurtonBands and VursaWedge matrix system to help dentists achieve more predictable and favorable Class II composite results with improved efficiency and optimal outcomes. Dr. Burton specializes in Class II composite restorations at his private practice in Frankfort, Illinois, and he's leveraged his insights to develop and market new solutions for dentists who face the same challenges in their own practices.

In this episode of The Dental Boardroom, host Drew Phillips sits down with Adrian Lefler, Co-Founder and CEO of My Social Practice. Adrian has been helping dental practices master digital marketing since 2009—long before “dental TikTok” became a thing.They explore how generative AI and automation are fundamentally transforming the marketing landscape for dentists—from content creation and SEO to real-time patient engagement. Adrian shares how tools like Google's Gemini and large language models are driving the cost of content nearly to zero, reshaping how practices get found online and build trust with patients.Whether you're wondering how AI-generated web agents like Annie can fill your schedule overnight or how to future-proof your website against AI overviews, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Key PointsAI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are making content creation (blogs, videos, images) faster and nearly cost-free.Google's new AI Overviews (AIO) are replacing traditional search result clicks with direct answers, disrupting SEO strategies.Tools like Annie, an AI-powered scheduling agent, enable 24/7 patient communication and appointment booking.Website storytelling and content must evolve to remain competitive against AI-generated search summaries.Ranking in local search (Google Maps/business pack) is now influenced by how well your content integrates with AI tools.Paid ads and traditional SEO still matter, but only as part of a comprehensive AI-informed marketing strategy.Dental practices must use AI to improve team efficiency while continuing to build authentic, trust-driven content.#DentalMarketing#AIDentistry#GenerativeAI#DentalSEO#MySocialPractice#DentalBoardroomPodcast#PatientEngagement#DigitalMarketing#GoogleGemini#DentalPracticeGrowth

Alan reflects on the importance of maintenance, both in car care and dental practices. He discusses the parallels between regular car maintenance and consistent dental care, emphasizing the benefits of methodical upkeep to avoid surprises and extend longevity. Dr. Mead proposes using AI to create comprehensive dental maintenance reports for patients, akin to car service records, to improve recall practices and patient engagement. The point is that car owners and patients can actually take pride in being responsible for themselves. Key takeaways: Embrace the "Adulting" Mindset: Just as regular car maintenance is a sign of responsible adulthood, so is consistent dental care. Patients who come in for regular recalls are already in a mindset to take care of their health, making them more receptive to your recommendations. Improve Your Communication: Car dealerships often provide a detailed report of what was checked, what was done, and what might need attention in the future. Dentists can adopt a similar strategy by providing patients with a clear, concise summary of their visit, including visual aids like intraoral photos, to reinforce the value of the appointment. Plant Seeds for Future Treatment: Use the recall appointment to educate patients about potential future needs. Mentioning a tooth that might need a crown down the line plants a seed, so when the time comes for treatment, the patient is already prepared and understands the necessity. Some links from the show:  Plaud.ai Voices of Dentistry 2025 (August 1-2, 2025 in Gilbert Arizona! Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," "Gary," "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

***A-Dec Smart Start!***: https://bit.ly/4es1yxLMary Papandreas shares her unique journey to dentistry, detailing her transition from engineering to dental school at Penn Dental Medicine. She discusses the challenges of balancing work and study, the intricacies of the dental school application process, and her aspirations to specialize in orthodontics. Mary emphasizes the importance of personal connections, staying true to oneself, and the realization that it's never too late to change one's career path. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of a fulfilling career in healthcare.Mary's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/nevertoothlate/?hl=enEngage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keywordsdentistry, dental school, orthodontics, career change, education, dental applications, student life, healthcare, personal growth, professional development

In this episode of the Growth in Dentistry podcast, hosts Steve Jensen and Nate Baker, DI Enterprise Account Executive, interview Dr. Brad Hughes, CEO of Vision Dental Partners. Dr. Hughes shares his journey from starting as a solo practitioner in 2007 to building a successful dental group that received the "Emerging Dental Group to Watch" award from Group Dentistry Now for 2025.Listen in to hear more about:Dr. Hughes' career journeyHis practice growth strategy and how he spent six years focused on tripling the revenue of his single location before expanding to additional practicesHis growth philosophy: increase new patients, increase the size of the purchase, and increase the frequency of the purchaseTeam Building: the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset focused on team development…and so much more!See a demo of DI and get a $50 gift card: https://get.dentalintel.net/podcast.

In this episode, Sandy Pardue kicks off a powerful conversation about the most overlooked step in fixing front desk chaos: assessing your team's current morale, mindset, and motivation. Before you implement new systems or pile on training, you've got to address the emotional temperature of your practice. Is your team ready for change? Or are they quietly resisting it? Sandy lays out practical ways to reframe, re-energize, and reset expectations—ensuring your next move is a lasting one. If you want real ROI from your front desk, start here. What You'll Learn: Why morale must be addressed before systems What warning signs signal a disengaged front desk How to rally your team around performance without creating pressure The conversation you should be having in your next team meeting A mindset shift that changes everything about your approach to training Thank You to Our Sponsors:

In this episode of the High Performing Dental Team podcast, Dayna Johnson interviews Dr. Howard Polansky, a cash flow optimizer, who shares his personal journey from dentistry to financial coaching. The conversation delves into the importance of cash flow management for dental practices, practical tips for improving financial health, and strategies for families to enhance their cash flow. Dr. Polansky emphasizes the significance of understanding financial freedom and the need for a defensive approach to personal finance. He also introduces a cash flow quiz designed to help listeners assess their financial situation and make informed decisions. Takeaways ➡Cash flow is crucial for the success of any business. ➡Personal experiences can lead to significant career changes. ➡Understanding your financial situation is the first step to improvement. ➡Debt management is essential for financial freedom. ➡Utilizing lines of credit can help manage cash flow effectively. ➡Accounts receivable should be monitored closely to maintain cash flow. ➡Families can implement simple strategies to improve their financial situation. ➡It's important to have a financial defense strategy in place. ➡Financial advisors play a key role in managing personal finances. ➡Everyone has choices when it comes to their financial future. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cash Flow Optimization 02:44 Personal Journey and Life Lessons 05:39 Transitioning from Dentistry to Cash Flow Optimization 08:22 Understanding Financial Freedom 11:10 Practical Tips for Improving Cash Flow 13:57 Managing Accounts Receivable Effectively 16:46 Strategies for Families to Increase Cash Flow 19:45 The Importance of Financial Defense 22:21 Conclusion and Resources Please rate, review and share this episode with your colleagues. Book a call with Dayna: https://calendly.com/dayna-johnson/discovery-call You can find the quiz and schedule a free Clarity Call with him at financiallyled.com. You'll walk away with a clear picture of what's possible—and a real strategy to get there.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Holli Perez, CMO and co-founder of DirectDental, to discuss the workforce challenges reshaping the dental industry. Holli shares her journey from being laid off in a DSO leadership role to launching a game-changing dental staffing platform that now serves practices in all 50 states. The conversation dives deep into the realities of temp staffing, the growing hygienist shortage, and why nearly 30% of dentists are reportedly doing their own hygiene work.  Holli also unpacks practical strategies for improving employee retention, creating compelling job listings, and recognizing when toxic leadership is sabotaging team culture. With DirectDental now a part of Henry Schein, Holli gives a behind-the-scenes look at their future initiatives to onboard new grads and streamline dental hiring across the nation. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://directdental.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Episode: 1400 Trying to catch the flavor of the past.  Today, a look back.

Dr. Bruce Baird reveals how misalignment creates stress for dentists, teams, and patients and how Clinical Calibration eliminates friction so your practice can grow with purpose.

Are PPOs quietly undermining your dental practice's long-term value? In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, host Michael Walker speaks with Brian Colao, Director of the Dykema DSO Industry Group and a leading expert in dental law and transition strategy. Brian explains how rising operational costs, combined with stagnant insurance reimbursements, can gradually erode your practice's profitability and ultimately impact its valuation. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/  If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/ 

In this insightful episode, Drew Phillips continues the special series on AI in Dentistry with a deep dive into how Next Health is helping practices modernize patient experiences. Kyle Johnson shares his journey from early-stage team member to driving growth and solving some of the biggest challenges in dental technology—especially data integration. They explore why true AI transformation starts with clean, accessible data, how Next Health built tools that connect fragmented practice management systems, and the very real ways this is reducing front office burdens and improving care delivery today.

Expanding into sleep dentistry can bring a new level of fulfillment to your career and positively impact your patients' lives. Our guest today is Dr. Jacqueline Patterson, a general dentist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist with over 15 years of experience. She believes that early assessment and intervention in children suffering from airway issues can non-invasively improve both their dental and overall health, with benefits that will last a lifetime. Dr Patterson, thanks for joining us. Thanks to our episode sponsors: VOCO America - https://www.voco.dental/us/ Centrix Dental - https://www.centrixdental.com/ GUM - https://www.sunstargum.com/us-en/

Ever wondered what the future of dentistry really looks like? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs sits down with Dr. Aman Kaur, founder of Women in DSO, for an inspiring conversation about what's changing and what's possible. They dive into the rise of women in leadership, how DSOs are evolving, and why emotional intelligence and mentorship are becoming must-haves in every modern practice. You'll also hear how technology and generational shifts are reshaping the industry, and why now might just be the best time to be a dentist.  

In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes dives deep into the tactical side of building a scalable and profitable dental practice. He outlines his proven frameworks for streamlining operations, conducting effective team meetings, and mastering key performance indicators (KPIs). Dr. Costes shares real-world examples from his journey managing multiple practices, emphasizing the importance of organizational charts, performance reviews, and clear leadership expectations. He also breaks down the true cost of procedures, from crown preps to implants, so you can make data-driven decisions—especially when considering insurance plans or expanding your services.  With insights on staff retention, associate training investment, and systemizing roles through time journaling, this episode is a must-listen for any dentist looking to grow efficiently without burnout. The episode closes with powerful audience Q&A, addressing everything from managing multiple cultures across locations to building a fee-for-service startup in a PPO-heavy world. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dr. Michael Sonick joins Chad Johnson, Maggie Augustyn, and Regan Robertson to share how emotional presence and trust—not treatment plans—drive real case acceptance.

Dr. Jeanette MacLean, a trailblazer in minimally invasive SDF practices, joins Dr. Joel Berg to discuss how observations and a willingness to try a different approach can positively benefit both providers and patients. Dr. MacLean shares how her own learning experiences seeing the same patients year after year in private practice led to her desire to consider less aggressive treatment options. She also delves into how the collaborative pediatric dental community was imperative in guiding her path. Guest Bio: Dr. Jeanette MacLean has been in private practice as an Owner for 20 years. As an appointee to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Speakers Bureau and has provided lectures across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as webinars viewed in over 40 countries. Dr. MacLean graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University in 1999. She received her dental degree, with honors, from the University of Southern California in 2003 and completed her specialty training in pediatric dentistry in 2005 at the Sunrise Children's Hospital through the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Dr. MacLean is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Fellow of the American College of Dentists, Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Her research has been published in the journals Pediatric Dentistry, the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, the British Dental Journal, and Compendium. She has been featured twice in the New York Times: She is also an active member of the Central Arizona Dental Society, the Arizona Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Arizona Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is married to Timothy Budd, an attorney, and they have a son, Charlie, and a daughter, Sabrina. She has donated her time to underprivileged children both locally and in Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica, and has been honored for her volunteer work and humanitarian achievements. She speaks conversational Spanish, and her interests include party planning, crafts, Jazzercise and all things Disney. She is also active in Local First Arizona, the Arizona Dental Associations' AHCCCS Subcommittee and Women in Dentistry group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin are joined by Voices of Dentistry 2023 co-founder, Dr. Alan Mead. Alan kicks off a "myths and tips" segment by challenging the idea that a dental practice must place implants to be profitable, specifically to reach the million-dollar mark. The discussion explores the significant boost in profitability and efficiency that implants can provide, with Kevin sharing his personal experience and insights from mentoring at 3D Dentists. They also touch on the accessibility of implant training and the importance of a digital workflow. For his tip, Alan shares his technique for achieving a superior polish on anterior composite restorations using a sequence of flexible polishing discs, sparking a lively and humorous conversation about proper finishing techniques. Some links from the show: Cosmedent Polishing Discs Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy," "Lipscomb" or "Gary!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 401 HOST: Dr. Peter Boulden GUEST: Emily Ryba, OS Dental DESCRIPTION In this episode, Peter Boulden interviews Emily Ryba, founder of OS Dental, discussing the challenges of data visibility in dental practices and how OS Dental addresses these issues. Emily shares insights on the importance of accurate data integration, user-friendly dashboards, and empowering dental teams with targeted analytics. The conversation also touches on the advantages of data warehouses and how OS Dental levels the playing field for single practice owners against larger DSOs. TAKEAWAYS Emily Ryba is the founder of OS Dental, which addresses data visibility issues in dental practices. Many dental practices struggle with fragmented data from various software systems. OS Dental provides a solution by integrating multiple data sources for accurate financial visibility. The platform allows practice owners to see real-time data and make informed decisions. OS Dental customizes dashboards for different dental specialties to enhance usability. The importance of targeted analytics for different roles within a dental practice is emphasized. Data warehouses can be expensive and complex, but OS Dental simplifies this process for users. The platform aims to empower teams by providing actionable insights tailored to their needs. Emily encourages dental professionals to engage with OS Dental for better data management.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to OS Dental and Market Gaps 02:53 Client Success Story: Transforming Data Visibility 05:48 The Importance of Accurate Data in Dentistry 08:41 Customizing Data Solutions for Dental Practices 11:36 Overcoming Data Overload: Focused Dashboards 14:42 Setting Goals and Achieving Growth in Dental Practices 17:45 Understanding Data Warehouses and Their Role 20:25 OS Dental: Bridging the Data Gap for Practices 23:35 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind  

In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares the captivating journey that took him from 20 dental school rejections to owning 16 successful dental practices and becoming a global leader in dental outreach. Speaking to a live audience, Dr. Costes breaks down the economic realities of private equity's growing influence in dentistry and why understanding overhead and operational efficiency is more crucial than ever. He dives into the emotional and physical tolls of the profession, sharing why dentistry ranks high in burnout and what practice owners can do to regain their passion and purpose.  From systemization and KPIs to building a sustainable business that can thrive without you in the chair, this episode is packed with the mindset and strategy shifts needed to create lasting success. Mark also introduces the Four Futures framework and his belt system for assessing practice performance, offering a high-level view of how to grow while avoiding burnout. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In this episode of The Dental Boardroom Podcast, host Wes Read, CPA, CFP, and owner of Practice CFO, sits down with Mike Buckner from Pearl AI—one of the frontrunners in AI-powered clinical analysis for dentistry. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is transforming dental practices across the country.Mike shares his deep experience with dental tech giants like Solutionreach, Dental Intel, and Weave, and how Utah has become a surprising hub for innovation in dental technology. The discussion highlights the game-changing role of AI in diagnostics, case acceptance, and practice efficiency. They also cover how Pearl AI helps both dentists and patients better understand treatment needs through enhanced imaging and intelligent analysis.Key Points:AI vs. Traditional Software: Traditional SaaS tools are rule-based. AI adds analytical “thinking” capabilities that improve accuracy and efficiency.Pearl AI's Advantage: Pearl uses computer vision to analyze past and current X-rays, surfacing untreated issues and enhancing diagnostic confidence.Boost in Case Acceptance: By overlaying visuals on digital X-rays, Pearl AI helps patients understand their clinical needs—leading to a 20–30% increase in case acceptance.Operational Efficiency: AI helps dentists "do more with less" by optimizing workflows and uncovering treatment opportunities they may have missed.Financial Impact: With 75–85% of dental practice costs being fixed, improvements in efficiency and case acceptance can dramatically affect the bottom line.Patient Communication: Visual clarity offered by AI tools reduces patient hesitation and improves treatment compliance.Hashtags:#DentalAI #PearlAI #DentalTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #CaseAcceptance #DentalPracticeGrowth #DentalInnovation #DentalXrays #DentalEfficiency #PracticeCFO #DentalBoardroomPodcast #DentistryFuture #AIinDentistry #DentalLeadership #SmartDentistry

Alan Mead shares his personal journey into being a temporary "empty nester" as both of his sons attend the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the first time. He reflects on their artistic pursuits—tuba and fine arts—and the humorous anxieties and newfound freedom that come with a quiet house. In the second half, Alan announces the exciting return of a beloved dental meeting as a pop-up event: "Voices of Dentistry 2025." He details this intimate, last-minute "summer camp for dentists," scheduled for August 1st and 2nd in Gilbert, Arizona! If you're interested in CE, podcasting, and networking it's to get one of the very limited tickets for what promises to be a unique and memorable experience. Some links from the show: Voices of Dentistry 2025 (August 1-2, 2025 in Gilbert Arizona! Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!

Top 5 Topics:- How 28-Year-Old Dentist Dr. Lan Survived Cancer With No Symptoms- Exposing the Dental Insurance Scam: Why Patients & Dentists Are Getting Robbed- Why the Best Doctors Are Leaving Healthcare (And How to Fix It)- “Military Paid for My Dental School, And I Would Do It Again, But Not For Any Longer”- Dr. Gallagher Proposed on the Same Park Bench Where He Met Fiancée—5 Years LaterYouTube Link:https://youtu.be/1aDLRxcSoxA Podcast Link:https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/E51YgwLzuUb Quotes & Wisdom:“I got one of the best cancers you can get—no symptoms, caught early, treatable. But it changed the way I think about everything.”“A players don't stay in systems that don't reward A-player behavior. They leave.”“Dentistry is heading toward the same burnout we see in medicine—because insurance and private equity are running the show.”“Implants aren't cosmetic. They're functional. A denture gives 20% chewing power. A fixed arch gives 95%. That's not cosmetic—that's survival.”“You'd never replace someone's amputated leg with a wooden peg anymore. So why are we doing that with dentures instead of implants?”“If there's no limit on how little dental insurance companies can pay out, of course they'll keep taking more and giving less.”“Get your blood work done every year. I had no symptoms. I worked out. I was 28—and I had cancer.”Questions:(03:21) “How often are you doing full-arch cases? What does your caseload look like monthly?”(04:07) “How are you getting those full-arch patients? Is it mostly referral-based?”(04:57) “Would you say you've hit that ‘sweet spot' in dentistry for yourself?”(07:30) “You're dating a Dominican girlfriend now—what's the story there?”(09:18) “Did she realize the proposal was happening during that walk?”(11:20) “How often do you go back to Taiwan to visit your family?”(12:53) “Would you consider doing one arch at a time on your grandfather to reduce surgical risk?”(13:41) “How did you meet your girlfriend on the mission trip? What's the story behind that?”(23:10) “What did your surgeon say about making decisions during your thyroid surgery? How did that impact how you talk to patients now?”(29:55) “Would you go through the military again for dental school and your career?”Now available on:- Dr. Gallagher's Podcast & YouTube Channel- Dose of Dental Podcast #158- 6.2025#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctorgallagherpodcast #doctorgallagherspodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #doctorlife #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher

On this episode of Best Dental Marketing, we explore how implementing small but consistent routines—like focused morning huddles, end-of-day reflections, and diligent tracking of new patient leads—can create significant revenue growth and operational improvements for dental practices. We also review the importance of team-wide goal setting and the distinction between distraction and dispersion, emphasizing how consistent routines drive patient trust and practice success. To learn more about how Empowered Dentist can help you take back your life, please visit: https://empowereddentist.com/  

Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Net32.com  Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram As the founder and director of Spear Education, Dr. Spear continues to be recognized as one of the premier educators in esthetic and restorative dentistry in the world today. Dr. Spear earned his dental degree from the University of Washington in 1979, and an MSD in periodontal prosthodontics in 1982, also from the University of Washington. Dr. Spear has been recognized by numerous associations for his contributions to dentistry. In 1993, he was awarded the Christensen Award for Excellence in Restorative Education from the Chicago Dental Society. In 1995, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry presented him with a special award for having advanced the Art and Science of cosmetic dentistry in the United States. In 1996, he received the Saul Schluger Memorial Award for Excellence in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning from the Seattle Study Club. In 2003 he and colleague Vincent G. Kokich were awarded the first ever Presidents Award for excellence in education from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. He also earned the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Pacific Lutheran University his undergraduate Alma Mater. And in 2013 was named Distinguished Alumnus for the University of Washington School of Dentistry. In 2018 he received the first ever Charles Pincus - Ronald Goldstein Lifetime Achievement Award in Esthetic Dentistry from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. He belongs to multiple dental organizations including the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, and the American College of Prosthodontics.

Guest: John M Sands MD DDS https://www.goaroms.com/ use code: DRWAHAN for 20 % off   Host: Serv Wahan MD DMD https://www.drwahan.com/     keywords oral surgery, dental education, AROMS app, residency challenges, surgical training, innovations in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, technology in healthcare, entrepreneurship in medicine, personal finance in residency, John M Sands, Serv Wahan, Dr Wahan, Oral Surgery app, CBSE, OMSITE, OMFS resources     summary In this conversation, John M Sands shares his journey from a non-traditional path to becoming an oral maxillofacial surgeon and entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges faced during dental school and residency, the founding of the AROMS app, and the innovations in oral surgery education. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting to new technologies and the need for continuous learning in the medical field.     takeaways John's journey to dentistry was influenced by his father's career as a prosthodontist. He initially enrolled in accounting before discovering his passion for oral surgery. The AROMS app was founded during his residency to address gaps in surgical education. John emphasizes the importance of mentorship throughout his career. He faced significant challenges during residency, including financial struggles and academic pressures. The app aims to provide comprehensive resources for oral surgery residents and practitioners. John's experience with standardized exams shaped his study habits and approach to learning. The app integrates various learning methods, including videos and articles, to enhance education. John advocates for the use of technology in surgical training and education. The conversation underscores the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in the medical field.   titles From Dentistry to Entrepreneurship: The Journey of John M Sands Innovating Oral Surgery Education with AROMS   Sound Bites "I always knew he was a dentist." "I got a 7% and I didn't know." "We want to advocate for the specialty."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to John M Sands 02:59 Journey into Dentistry and Oral Surgery 06:03 Navigating Dental School and Residency Challenges 08:54 The Importance of Persistence in Medical Education 12:05 Founding the Advancing Residents of OMFS App 19:55 The Birth of AROMs: From Idea to Reality 25:12 Building the Foundation: Collaborations and Challenges 30:39 Innovations in Medical Education: The Role of Technology 37:49 The Future of AROMs: Expanding Resources and Engagement 43:32 Transforming Learning: The Impact of Digital Resources

In this episode of Talking Sleep, Drs. Michelle Cantwell and Aaron Glick discuss the updated American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) Standards for Practice. Dr. Michelle Cantwell received her DMD through the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dental Medicine, where she also completed a three-year residency in prosthodontics. Following dental school, she served as a lieutenant commander in the US Navy. She is a diplomate of the ABDSM and the president-elect of the AADSM. She works in the pulmonary and sleep medicine department of WellSpan Health. Aaron Glick, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, D.ABDSM, is a dentist who has committed his practice to dental sleep medicine. He has been recognized as a “Top 10 Dentist to Watch” and works clinically utilizing teledentistry for efficient patient care. Dr. Glick educates fellow practitioners as the Mastery Program Director at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, focusing on mandibular advancement devices. Additionally, he is on the faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry. He actively lectures nationally and publishes on obstructive sleep apnea and technology. He enjoys all technologies and has a medical device and software programming background

After 30 years running a solo dental practice with no breaks, no vacations, and no exit in sight, Dr. John and Joy Russo decided to do things differently. In this episode, they share how they transitioned from burnout and uncertainty to true time and financial freedom—without giving up clinical autonomy. Discover what they did differently that opened the door to passive income, alternative investing, and a lifestyle they once thought was out of reach. Their only regret? Not starting sooner. If you like this episode, here are more episodes we think you'll enjoy: Ep #539 - Dr. Matt VanderMolen: – Building People First: Creating a High-Performance Dental Practice and Business Ep #538 - Jake Conway – Scaling Smart: Navigating Growth, Profitability, and Dental Exit Strategies Check out the show notes for more information! P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are some other ways I can help fast track you to your Freedom goal (you're closer than you think): 1. Schedule a Call with My Team: If you'd like to replace your active practice income with passive investment income within 2-3 years, and you have at least 1M in available capital (can include residential/practice equity or practice sale), then schedule a call with my team. If it looks like there is a mutual fit, you'll have the opportunity to attend one of our upcoming member events as a guest. 2. Get Your Dentist Retirement Survival Guide: The winds of economic change are here, and now is the time to move to higher ground. This guide gives you the steps to protect your retirement, your family, and your peace of mind. Get the 25-point checklist here. 3. Get Your Free Retirement Scorecard: Benchmark your retirement and wealth-building against hundreds of other practice professionals, and get personalized feedback on your biggest opportunities and leverage points. Click here to take the 3 minute assessment and get your scorecard.

In this eye-opening episode, host Wes Read, CPA, CFP welcomes Vivek Kinra, founder and CEO of Verific, for an in-depth conversation about artificial intelligence in dentistry.The discussion starts off unscripted and fresh, as Vivek shares his unique journey from software engineering to creating multiple dental technology companies—PPO Profits and now Verific. He details how Verific uses genuine AI to tackle the notoriously complex problem of insurance verification.Together, Wes and Vivek unpack the difference between real AI applications—like machine learning and large language models—and the marketing buzzwords that many companies use to inflate their valuations.Key Points Vivek Kinra's background: Software engineer turned dental technology entrepreneur; built PPO Profits (acquired) and now leads Verific.Insurance verification problem: Decades-old challenge with no single source of truth—Verific uses AI to gather and standardize disparate data.Deterministic vs. Non-Deterministic Software:Deterministic = same output every time (ideal for appointment reminders).Non-Deterministic = varied output (necessary for natural language and understanding context).True AI examples in dentistry:Machine learning for x-rays.Large language models parsing complex insurance documents.Virtual receptionists handling natural conversations.Marketing Hype: Many companies label simple software workflows as “AI” for better valuations and branding.How to spot real AI:Does the system generate new outputs based on context and training data?Is it using models like LLMs or neural networks to understand and adapt?#DentalAI #DentalTechnology #PracticeManagement #InsuranceVerification #ArtificialIntelligence #DentalBusiness #DentalPodcast #MachineLearning #Verific #DentalInnovation #DentistryHypeVsReality #DentalSoftware #DentalBoardroomPodcast

This episode of The Authentic Dentist explores a remarkable journey of professional transformation and authentic self-discovery. Dr. [Guest's name] shares her vulnerable path from nearly dropping out of dental school due to struggling with hand skills to becoming one of only 300 oral pathologists in the United States.Her story embodies the authentic dentist journey—moving from what she thought she "should" do to discovering her true zone of genius. Despite initially choosing dentistry for practical reasons, she found her authentic voice when she encountered oral pathology, experiencing that rare moment of clarity where passion and purpose align.The conversation reveals the courage required to pursue an unconventional path in dentistry, including the willingness to move across multiple states, navigate complex licensing requirements, and embrace the academic demands of specialty practice. Her emphasis on mentorship, continuous learning, and maintaining humility despite expertise demonstrates authentic leadership in action.Most powerfully, she illustrates how authentic fulfillment comes not from following the traditional dental practice model, but from aligning one's unique gifts with meaningful work—transforming from someone who dreaded clinical work to someone who says "I get to" instead of "I have to" about her profession.

Sweden won't stop loving us, our Google reviews are probably written by our moms, and yes... dental problems are ruining lives. Owensboro's summer has entered skin-melting mode, but P.J. claims he's cracked the code to staying cool. Travis investigates, though it might involve holding his breath. Great Law. Less Legal. Law Done Lite!

If you're navigating the complexities of staff dynamics, practice transitions, or rapid DSO growth—this episode is for you. Because here's the truth: hope is not a strategy. And when it comes to managing workplace conflict, ignoring the problem won't make it go away—it just costs you more. To break this down, I've invited Dina Lynch Eisenberg, Esq., a nationally recognized ombuds and conflict resolution consultant, to the show. Dina brings decades of cross-industry experience—from Coca-Cola and Twitter to DSOs and private practices. She specializes in resolving internal conflict, protecting team culture, and preventing silent turnover. In this episode, Dina and I discuss: What an ombuds actually is—and why every growing practice should consider working with one The hidden costs of unresolved team tension, from failed associate retention to lost productivity How DSOs can better support both legacy staff and new acquisitions during transitions Why HR alone isn't enough—and how the neutrality of an ombuds creates psychological safety Practical strategies for conflict prevention, including conflict style assessments and mediation training The powerful shift from "culture" to "community"—and how that reframes your leadership Whether you're managing five locations or fifty, this episode will help you take a hard look at your organizational health—and give you tools to proactively strengthen it. — Key Takeaways 00:42 Introduction and Event Announcement 03:30 Understanding the Role of an Ombuds 05:43 Dina's Journey into Dentistry 10:00 Common Conflicts in Dental Practices 15:14 The Impact of Ignoring Conflicts 18:40 Ombuds vs. HR: Understanding the Differences 21:18 Ombuds Engagement: Temporary vs. Long-term 24:33 The Cost of Unresolved Conflict 27:10 Organizational Health in Dental Practices 28:31 Lightning Round Q&A 32:40 Conclusion and Contact Information   — Connect with Dina LinkedIn: Dina Lynch Eisenberg Email: hello@happypracticeconsulting.com Resource: Self-Assessment for DSO Leaders    — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here. Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

In this episode of Management Unfiltered, Zach Shelley interviews Kirk Teachout, who shares his unexpected path from the music industry into dentistry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirk and his wife took the opportunity to reimagine their dental practice, placing a strong emphasis on improving the patient experience and refining how appointments were scheduled. The conversation highlights the importance of having a clear mission, fostering a supportive team culture, building reliable systems to ensure consistency, and committing to strong leadership and continuous growth.

In this episode, Michelle Delling from Rectangle Health shares simple ways to help dental practices get paid faster and easier. She talks with host Michael Walker about how to fix payment problems, use automation, and stop wasting time on paperwork. If you're trying to get away from insurance and want better cash flow, this one's for you! Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/  If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/ 

In this episode of the Dental Board Room Podcast, Wes Read CPA, CFP, continues AI in Dentistry series with a very special guest, Dr. Wardah Inam, founder and CEO of Overjet AI. With a background from MIT and Harvard, Dr. Wardah Inam is at the forefront of AI innovation in dental care.Overjet is the first FDA-cleared dental AI platform for both caries detection and bone level measurements. It's used by solo practitioners, DSOs, insurers, and dental schools alike.Dr. Wardah Inam walks us through how AI is reshaping diagnosis, patient communication, insurance verification, and revenue cycle management inside dental offices. We explore the use cases, adoption challenges, and the exciting path ahead for AI in dentistry.Whether you're a dentist, DSO leader, or simply AI-curious, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Key PointsWhat is Overjet AI:First FDA-cleared dental AI for cavities and bone measurementsTrusted by clinicians, DSOs, insurers, and educatorsMission: Standardize diagnostic precision and elevate patient careOverjet's Core Offerings:Smart Imaging: AI-integrated radiograph analysis from image capture to diagnosisAI Overlays: Enhances existing imaging and PMS softwareRevenue Cycle Management Tools: Insurance verification, real-time treatment cost estimatesReal-World Use Case:Insurance verification days before the appointmentCo-diagnosis in the operatory using AI visualsTreatment plan clarity with insurance coverage breakdownsSupport for morning huddles, treatment follow-ups, and care consistencyAI for Diagnosis and Patient Communication:Color-coded visuals improve patient understanding and trustBoosts treatment acceptance by 10–20%Helps uncover underdiagnosed conditions like periodontal diseaseWhere AI is Going in Dentistry:Moving beyond the operatory into operations and admin efficiencyFuture possibilities in note-taking, billing, and clinical support#DentalAI #OverjetAI #AIinDentistry #DentalTech #DSO #DentalInnovation #PatientExperience #DentalBoardRoomPodcast #SmartDentistry #DentalDiagnosis #CaseAcceptance #FutureOfDentistry

Are you considering the airway in your treatment planning? Could centric relation (CR) be compromising your patient's breathing? When you open the vertical dimension, are you making the airway better—or worse? Welcome to another AES 2026 series episode, this time with LEGEND Dr. Jeff Rouse as he joins Jaz in this eye-opening episode to explore how airway, aesthetics, and function are deeply interconnected—especially in prosthodontics. They discuss key clinical scenarios like vertical dimension changes, examining how your choices may impact the airway—sometimes in ways you didn't expect. With practical insights and examples, this episode will help you make smarter, airway-conscious decisions that elevate both your functional and aesthetic outcomes. https://youtu.be/-Ut-qme7Vcg Watch PDP229 on Youtube Protrusive Dental Pearl: Plan your breaks 12 months in advance to avoid burnout and ensure quality time with your loved ones. Prioritize rest and connection before reaching exhaustion—your body, mind, and heart will thank you. Key Takeaways Airway health is crucial in dentistry, impacting aesthetics and function. Understanding airway issues can lead to better treatment outcomes for patients. Breastfeeding plays a significant role in childhood development and airway health. Interdisciplinary approaches are essential for effective adult treatment. Aesthetics and function are key factors in airway prosthodontics. Most patients are unaware of their airway issues until they are addressed. Early intervention in childhood can prevent future airway problems. Combining orthodontics and prosthodontics can enhance patient care. Airway management is crucial for overall patient health. A great bite is not just about teeth alignment. Pathway wear can indicate deeper dental issues. Vertical dimension changes can negatively impact airway. Understanding joint positions is essential in treatment planning. Continuous education is vital for modern dental practices. Highlights of this patient: 02:22  Protrusive Dental Pearl 04:34 Interview with Dr. Jeff Rouse Begins 09:05 Understanding Airway Prosthodontics 15:58 The Role of Cone Beam CT Scans 17:58 Treating Children and Early Interventions 24:50 Addressing Adult Airway Issues 29:43 Multidisciplinary Approach in Dentistry 31:46 Patient Transformations and Airway Focus 34:42 Understanding Pathway Wear 41:32 Impact of Vertical Dimension on Airway 48:55 Exploring Different Occlusion Philosophies 51:34 A Sneak Peek at AES 2026: Dental Wear Patterns Of The Airway Patient 55:25 Upcoming Events and Resources Explore the world of sleep disordered breathing with Prof. Ama Johal in PDP033: "Airway – Dentistry's Elephant in the Room."

Many dentists unknowingly fall into the trap of passive financial oversight, often relying on external teams who might be more reactive than proactive. This leads us to a critical question: Is your external team a bunch of cheerleaders, or are they truly coaches? Tune in to learn why taking an active role, asking tough questions, and demanding a higher standard from your advisors isn't just smart—it's essential for achieving your financial goals and securing an earlier retirement. Discover the power of a "coaching" approach from your financial team and how it can transform your practice's profitability.Interested in more info on how to: Earn More, Save More, and Retire EarlyUpcoming Tour Dates: Go to our EVENTS page for infoFacebook: Four Quadrants AdvisoryInstagram: @fourquadrantsadvisoryLinkedIn: Four Quadrants Advisory

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Craig D. Clayton, a functional and biomimetic dentist who's changing the way we think about oral health. With a background rooted in biological dentistry and a strong focus on root-cause care, Dr. Clayton walks us through cavity prevention, airway health, and why some dental practices may be making things worse instead of better. We also get into how diet, mouth breathing, and even pregnancy affect your teeth and gums in ways most of us never hear about.→ Leave Us A Voice Message! | https://telbee.io/channel/4_b9zzx58wdkuwirqkcxwa/Topics Discussed:→ What is biomimetic dentistry and how does it work?→ How do cavities really form?→ Can mouth breathing cause dental issues?→ How does diet affect oral health?Sponsored By:→ Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com.→ AG1 | Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at drinkAG1.com/bewell.→ Minnow | Go to shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. → OneSkin | Visit oneskin.co/BEWELL and use code BEWELL for 15% off your first purchase.Timestamps:→ 00:00:00 - Introduction→ 00:01:57 - Functional and biomimetic dentistry→ 00:05:39 - The death cycle and root-cause care→ 00:10:19 - Cavity treatment and prevention→ 00:14:49 - Diet and oral health→ 00:16:21 - Favorite product picks→ 00:17:31 - The science behind cavities→ 00:19:42 - Types of dental fillings→ 00:21:58 - Kelly's dental story→ 00:26:06 - Deep grooves and sealants→ 00:32:41 - Kids' dental health and airway issues→ 00:39:35 - How mouthbreathing affects teeth→ 00:45:18 - Daily habits for oral health→ 00:51:11 - Alternatives to toothpaste→ 00:52:16 - Smarter dentist visits→ 00:55:03 - Electrolytes, coffee, and oral health→ 00:59:28 - Cavities during pregnancy→ 01:03:13 - Dr. Craig's practice and approachShow Links: → Elementa Silver use code RESTORATION15 for 15% off.Check Out Dr. Craig:→ Instagram→ The Real Cause of Cavities (freebie) → The Free Products Guide (freebie) → Dentistry Disrupted Podcast→ The Ultimate Guide on How To Cure Cavities (digital product)→ The...

Discover the psychological key that unlocks patient follow-through with the endowed progress effect—a powerful concept that transforms how dental professionals communicate about treatment plans. This game-changing approach doesn't require changing your fees, procedures, or recommendations—just the way you frame patient progress.Through a fascinating car wash punch card study, we explore why patients who feel they've already made progress are dramatically more likely to complete their treatment. Rather than overwhelming patients with everything that needs to be done, learn to recognize and celebrate the steps they've already taken. For new patients with extensive needs, acknowledge that simply coming in was "half the battle." For returning patients after a hiatus, reinforce that they're "the type of person who cares for their teeth" rather than making them feel they're starting over.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) The 2025-2026 DPH Mastermind is now taking applications! Make this the year you decided to create the practice you've always dreamed about!Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life We help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Dental Boardroom, host Wes Read CPA and CFP continues his AI in Dentistry series by diving deep into one of the most transformative technologies shaping dental practices today—AI agents. Wes welcomes Mitch Hersche, founder of FOJI, a leading innovator in operational AI tools designed for dental offices. Together, they explore the what, why, and how of AI integration, breaking down complex concepts like generative AI, neural networks, and AI agents—all while keeping it relevant to the everyday challenges and opportunities faced by dental professionals.

In today's throwback episode Dr. Clinton Timmerman joins the Very Clinical Podcast live from Voices of Dentistry, and he's not afraid to bust some dental myths! Prepare to have your anesthetic assumptions challenged and maybe even find out why you shouldn't offer your dentist a side of steak for their services. Plus, Clint shares a surprisingly effective pro tip for tackling those tricky Class IV restorations. Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy," "Lipscomb" or "Gary!" Very Clinical is brought to you by Zirc Dental Products, Inc., your trusted partner in dental efficiency and organization. The Very Clinical Corner segment features Kate Reinert, LDA, an experienced dental professional passionate about helping practices achieve clinical excellence.  Connect with Kate Reinert on LinkedIn: Kate Reinert, LDA  Book a call with Kate: Reserve a Call  Ready to upscale your team? Explore Zirc's solutions today: zirc.com    

On today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Steve Dove sits down with Dr. Mark Costes, diving deep into the mindset, strategies, and grit it takes to build and scale a thriving dental organization. Steve breaks down his leadership philosophy, including why delegation is essential for growth and how empowering the right people—even when they're only 80% ready—can transform a business. He shares his passion for making people feel seen, both in his teams and patient care, and gives a candid look at the evolution of his multi-practice journey.   From bootstrapping a pediatric startup for under $200K to navigating challenges with optimism and tenacity, Steve's insights on entrepreneurship, white space, and creating a sustainable life in dentistry are both practical and inspiring. Whether you're at one location or planning for more, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom from someone who's lived every phase of the growth curve. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.dovedentalgroup.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In this episode, Mohamed welcomes back Dr. Kevin Harland, a recent graduate from the OU College of Dentistry, for a candid conversation about the realities of life just two years out of dental school. Dr. Harland shares a powerful personal story about his daughter's health journey, which profoundly reshaped his perspective on his career and life. He then offers invaluable advice for fourth-year dental students, covering everything from tackling board exams and the importance of gaining hands-on clinical experience to the nuances of treatment planning and material selection. Dr. Harland also discusses the benefits of joining a professional study club and shares what motivates him daily as he navigates the challenges and rewards of his growing career. A New Perspective: Dr. Harland opens up about his daughter's recent major surgery and recovery, a life-altering experience that helped him prioritize his family and find a deeper meaning in his work. Board Exam Tips: For fourth-year students, Dr. Harland advises using question banks like Bootcamp for the INBDE and getting comfortable with plastic teeth for the clinical boards, emphasizing that these exams don't define your career. Fourth-Year Focus: He recommends that fourth-year students should start thinking seriously about their desired work environment by shadowing in various practices (DSO, private practice, public health). Clinically, the focus should be on getting comfortable with the handpiece and experimenting with different materials and techniques in the safe environment of the dental school. Clinical Growth: Dr. Harland's biggest areas of growth have been in the efficiency and confidence of his handpiece skills and in the complexities of treatment planning, especially when dealing with difficult cases. Navigating Difficult Conversations: He emphasizes the importance of under-promising and over-delivering, and having honest conversations with patients about the possibility of different treatment outcomes. The Value of Community: Dr. Harland shares his positive experience with a local study club, highlighting the camaraderie and the invaluable access to a collective mind of experienced clinicians. Materials Matter: He discusses his material selection for partial and full crowns, weighing the pros and cons of materials like EMAX, Tetric CAD, and Zirconia based on the clinical situation. Daily Motivation: Dr. Harland finds motivation in providing for his family, the satisfaction of creating excellent restorations, and the positive feedback from patients who recognize his care and dedication. Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!    

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by longtime friend and DSI Black Belt coach Dr. Steve Dove for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Steve shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. from South Africa at age 11 to becoming a Division I athlete and eventually a successful dental practice owner. He opens up about his early cultural challenges, the pivotal decision to pursue dentistry, and the humbling transition into dental school.   Steve also reflects on how athletics shaped his mindset and how his complementary partnership with his wife, Dr. Kelly Dove, has fueled both personal and professional success. With vulnerability and wisdom, he offers insights into leadership, gratitude, and staying grounded while navigating the demands of entrepreneurship and family life. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.dovedentalgroup.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

The field of Holistic Dentistry has fascinated me ever since I learned about the work of Dr. Weston A. Price and his research into the diets that support healthy teeth and jaw development. Join me in this fascinating conversation with a renowned expert in this field. Dr. Patel's Green Dentistry practice focuses on the patient, first and foremost. From the spa-like comforts to high-tech, non-invasive treatments, every aspect of her practice is thoughtfully designed and focused on cosmetics, comfort, and your lifelong health. Dr. Nammy Patel is a graduate of the University of California's School of Dentistry and a trailblazer in holistic, eco-friendly dental care. She is the founder of Green Dentistry and a passionate advocate for merging Ayurvedic principles with cutting-edge technology to promote total health and well-being. As a published author and respected leader in her field, Dr. Patel educates dentists and hygienists globally, emphasizing the powerful connection between oral health and overall vitality. Her passion extends beyond the dental chair into meaningful global and community initiatives. Dr. Patel leads a nonprofit that supports over 3,000 villages annually and works toward her mission of preventing oral cancer in one million people in India. She is actively involved with the American India Foundation and supports various humanitarian causes, believing deeply in using her platform for the greater good. Born in Dharotha, India, and immigrating to the U.S. at age five, Dr. Patel brings a global perspective to everything she does. She has built one of the most advanced, spa-like dental practices, offering patients both exceptional care and a nurturing environment. Her commitment to health, sustainability, and social impact continues to inspire change across the dental industry and beyond. Connect with Dr. Nammy via: Email: nammypatel@gmail.com  Website: drnammypatel.com, GreenDentistry.com FB: Dr. Nammy Patel  IG: @drnammypatel X: @DrNammyPatel Linked In: Nammy Patel