In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, about his unlikely journey from mechanical engineering and lawncare deals to leading one of the most influential dental software companies in the U.S. Eric opens up about acquiring Planet DDS via a search fund, scaling through two private equity recapitalizations, and how his team has grown from 25 to over 350 employees.
They explore the evolution of Denticon as a cloud-based platform, its open API ecosystem, and where AI and automation are heading in dental practice management. Eric also dives into the shifting private equity landscape, the challenges of vendor trust in dentistry, and why his leadership team is focused on culture and innovation over politics. This episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the intersection of tech, dentistry, and entrepreneurship.
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In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, for a deep dive into how a Harvard-educated engineer ended up revolutionizing dental software. Eric shares his journey from nearly buying a lawn care business to acquiring Planet DDS through a unique entrepreneurial path called a search fund.
He breaks down the evolution of their cloud-based platform, Denticon, and why DSOs are drawn to its open API structure and advanced revenue cycle management tools. The two discuss the cultural quirks of the dental industry, the pain of PMS switching, and the future of automation and vendor trust in dentistry. It's an insightful look into how innovation and business acumen are shaping the tools that drive modern dental practices.
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In this episode, Brannon Moncrief returns to the podcast to unpack what’s really happening in the DSO market—from tightening deal structures and smarter buyers to the harsh reality that not every recap delivers. With over two decades in the game and 13 years leading McLerran & Associates, Brannon shares what makes a practice desirable in 2025 and why some of the biggest players in the space are hitting walls.
Whether you’re a mid-career doc holding high EBITDA or just building toward scale, Brannon breaks down how private equity thinks, how deal terms have shifted, and how to avoid being locked into a losing outcome.
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In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman dive deep into what it really takes to build sustainable, freedom-giving dental practices—and they don’t hold back. The duo talks through the importance of proper associate onboarding, the risks of working interviews, and why most dentists are more willing to invest in a CBCT than a top-tier team member. Paul shares a revealing story about his wife's unexpected run-in with a trainee piercer, contrasting it with five-star staff training at Tavern on the Green.
They unpack how building redundancy and a strong "bench" in your practice can be the key to lowering stress and unlocking true lifestyle flexibility. The conversation also zooms out to big-picture business lessons from NFL salary caps and sushi masters, and touches on current hiring trends from Paul's work at Dentist Job Connect.
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In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with the always-insightful Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman for a fun, wide-ranging conversation covering everything from birthday ice baths to elite dental event planning. The duo shares behind-the-scenes insights on the upcoming Dental Success Summit and Boost Camp, riffing on the rising challenge of getting people to attend in-person events and the psychological tricks that sometimes work.
They also dive into deeper reflections on burnout, practice infrastructure, and the power of creating businesses that thrive without you. Paul shares entertaining stories from a whirlwind family trip to New York City, complete with Central Park strolls, Slime Museums, and a surprise dinner at Heidi Klum's Crazy Pizza. Plus, they discuss what the dental world can learn from Tavern on the Green’s elite staff training process—and why dentistry desperately needs to raise its onboarding game. It's thoughtful, it's hilarious, it's classic Dentalpreneur.
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In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes continues his deep dive with Dr. Kyle Hale, exploring the pivotal moments and decisions that shaped his transition from high-producing clinical dentist to visionary entrepreneur. Kyle opens up about the real reasons behind selling his multi-practice group—including his wife Callie's battle with burnout—and how that led to the creation of Airway Dentist, a practice model with a clear clinical North Star. He shares powerful insights on why selling might be the right choice for some, the importance of having a “dentist as backup plan” mindset, and the value of intentionality in both business and personal life.
Dr. Kyle also discusses the explosive growth of Dental Life, his innovative clear aligner support company partnered with Invisalign and Itero, which is transforming how GPs approach aligner cases. This is an inspiring look at how stepping away can lead to purpose-driven success.
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In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Dr. Kyle Hale. Kyle opens up about life after selling his DSO, why he took a step back, and how he spent his sabbatical reconnecting with family and rediscovering his passion for racing. He shares his reflections on the stress of clinical dentistry, how his wife Callie’s burnout influenced their business decisions, and what it took to prepare their group of practices for a smooth and successful exit.
The conversation also dives into the challenges and lessons learned from scaling quickly, the importance of systems, and how stepping away opened doors to new ventures like the Airway Dentist. This is part one of an inspiring conversation about transition, purpose, and designing a life by intention.
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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back marketing expert Mike Sula, Sales Director at Studio 88, a top-rated healthcare marketing agency. Mike delivers a powerful presentation on how to stand out in today’s fast-paced digital landscape by tapping into authentic storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of leading with purpose, using personalized photography and video, and embracing social platforms to connect with patients on a deeper level.
From his breakdown of successful marketing eras to insights on leveraging story-driven content, Mike explains why dental practices that prioritize meaningful branding consistently attract more of their ideal patients. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help your practice rise above the noise and create lasting patient relationships.
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In today's episode, we're diving deep into the art of same-day dentistry with Dr. Ben Kacos, founder of CMOshare Ryan Gross, and host Dr. Mark Costes. They break down the critical systems behind becoming a same-day clinical powerhouse—from expanding your team and optimizing your facility, to building a hustle-driven culture and offering flexible financing options.
Plus, they share real-world strategies for boosting patient satisfaction, driving emergency traffic through marketing, and maintaining momentum in a challenging economy. This is a masterclass in how small operational shifts can lead to massive production gains!
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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes checks in from Roatan, Honduras, during the final day of the Smile Outreach International mission trip. Joined by Laura Kolar, Executive Director of SOI, and Dr. Winston Feng, the team reflects on a monumental week of service where they treated over 500 patients. They dive into the challenges and triumphs of dental care in remote areas, from bloody cleanings to MacGyver-style extractions with limited tools.
Laura shares her inspiring journey into nonprofit work, from humble beginnings in Uganda to helping build SOI from the ground up. Winston discusses how mission work influences his approach to dental practice and the unique bonds formed on these trips. This heartfelt episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the power of global dental outreach and the community it creates.
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In today’s Part 2 episode, Dr. Aaron Nicholas continues his high-impact presentation, focusing on the often-overlooked skill of patient communication and how it directly drives case acceptance. He breaks down how to shift from technical jargon to relatable, fifth-grade-level language that patients can understand and act on. With real-life examples, he outlines how to present urgency without overpromising availability, how to guide patients toward comprehensive care through effective storytelling, and how to handle emergencies with calm, efficient systems.
Dr. Nicholas also dives into practical strategies like using visual aids, implementing simple systems for same-day treatment, and setting expectations with both your team and your patients. Plus, don’t miss his clever in-office tricks—like “Teflon tape” codewords—for navigating overly chatty patients while keeping the schedule on track.
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In today’s Part 1 episode, we welcome the first-ever DSI Black Belt Coach, Dr. Aaron Nicholas, who delivers an eye-opening and often humorous presentation titled “Too Efficient? Or Too Efficient.” Dr. Nicholas dives deep into the philosophy and practical application of efficiency in dentistry, exploring the fine line between streamlining and sacrificing quality. He shares personal stories—from nearly going bankrupt after a scratch-start practice to becoming a sought-after efficiency expert and CE provider.
With actionable systems, like his eight-minute operatory setup and team-driven support strategies, Dr. Nicholas emphasizes the value of clarity in systems and the importance of combining efficiency and effectiveness. Plus, he offers practical pearls for communication, team training, and leveraging visual aids to boost case acceptance.
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In today’s Part 2 episode, Dr. Ben Kacos explores the comprehensive evolution of onboarding, team training, and leadership development in a thriving dental practice. From setting clear 30/60/90-day goals to implementing tiered compensation models, Dr. Ben breaks down how transparency, coaching, and culture-building create empowered, self-motivated teams. He shares practical strategies like the “Big Sister” mentorship program, team-led education, and leveraging back-to-basics cards in daily huddles.
You’ll also hear how structured bonuses, “ghost column” scheduling, and intentional overstaffing contribute to operational excellence and profitability. This session is a masterclass in creating consistent, high-performing teams that align with your mission and values.
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In today’s Part 1 episode, we dive into the evolution of effective team training in dental practices. From humble beginnings with a small, disorganized staff, Dr. Ben Kacos shares how he transformed chaos into a cohesive, high-performing team culture. He outlines foundational strategies including roundtable post-mortems, building a living team handbook, clinical and communication calibration, and the power of consistent coaching.
With real-life examples and tactical advice, Dr. Ben covers everything from leveraging case presentation formats to onboarding with training videos and 30/60/90-day goals. Discover how consistency in leadership drives team performance and builds a thriving practice culture.
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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with returning guest Cory Pinegar, CEO of the fast-growing dental service company Reach. Cory shares his journey from purchasing the company for just $1 at age 22 to scaling it into a team of over 200 employees, with accolades from Inc. 500 and the Salt Lake Tribune. The conversation explores the essential balance between AI and human touch in service industries, the art of sustainable growth, and the alignment of incentives that empower team members and customers alike.
Cory opens up about the painful, lesson-filled early years of entrepreneurship—what he calls his “expensive MBA”—and the vital importance of honest, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations in leadership. The episode wraps with an inspiring discussion on creating long-term value and a mission-driven culture in a rapidly evolving industry.
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In this episode, Dr. Bill Keith breaks down the exact AI tools he’s using to streamline everything from onboarding new patients to managing phone calls and analyzing data from Open Dental. He shows how tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and a custom voice assistant named Abby are changing the game in patient communication, scheduling, insurance verification, and marketing—without needing a tech background or a programming degree.
From writing SQL queries in seconds to having AI bots summarize 200-page legal contracts, this is a tactical breakdown of how to bring cutting-edge automation into a dental practice today.
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Dr. Bill Keith opens the doctor’s session by pulling back the curtain on how a 20-op, high-efficiency practice outside Kansas City is using AI to run tighter systems, make faster decisions, and actually reduce day-to-day chaos. With a background in accounting and finance.
Dr. Keith breaks down complex concepts like SQL queries, Open Dental integration, and real-time marketing automation into clear, actionable takeaways for any owner-operator looking to level up their tech stack. This talk covers everything from building a custom AI receptionist to analyzing big data in minutes with ChatGPT.
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In today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by the GSD Queen herself, Ashlee Hirschfeld, for a jam-packed session on all things Dental Success Network. From navigating the transition from Facebook Workplace to WorkVivo, to tackling real DSN member questions about taking extended time off, managing front office distractions, investing in team certifications, and hiring personal assistants — this episode dives deep into the operational and cultural challenges facing dental practice owners.
Mark and Ashlee highlight the importance of community, communication, and smart systems, all while keeping it candid and humorous. Whether you're looking to create redundancy in your practice, strengthen team dynamics, or just get your life back, this episode has something for everyone.
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Dr. Monica Urda went from seven-day workweeks, 70% overhead, and burnout… to a streamlined, $5M practice built on systems, leadership, and relentless execution. In this powerful talk, she breaks down how she scaled from a cramped four-op space to a thriving 14-op facility—without adding providers too early or sacrificing her personal life.
This is a masterclass in real-world efficiency. Monica shares the mindset shifts, tech upgrades, team alignment, and financial discipline that made it all possible—plus the story of how she almost didn’t join DSI because of the check she was afraid to write. A must-watch for any doc trying to grow smart, not just fast.
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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Steve Hollingsworth—media producer extraordinaire and the man behind the daily content for Dental Success and Smile Outreach International. Recorded from their makeshift studio in Roatan, Honduras, this episode captures the raw, real, and deeply meaningful moments from their latest dental mission trip.
Steve shares his perspective on the unique duality of Roatan—lush paradise on one side, stark poverty on the other—and reflects on the rewarding chaos of treating 100+ patients a day with limited resources. The duo dive into what it takes to balance high-volume clinical work with content creation, why this particular mission trip stood out from others, and how even non-clinical volunteers walk away transformed. From gang migration stories to underwater wildlife sightings, and the heart behind volunteer families like those running the Refuge, this episode is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience and the impact of service.
Steve Hollingsworth
Founder | EnLighting Media
Steve Hollingsworth is a lifelong creative whose love for storytelling and music started early, with a camera and drumsticks in hand. Over the past two decades, media production has given him front-row access to industries and experiences around the world — from aerial cinematography for aviation brands to cinematic storytelling for dental practices across the country.
As founder of EnLighting Media, Steve leads branded content production, live-streaming for major events like the Dental Success Summit, and post-production for The Dentalpreneur Podcast, the #1 podcast in dentistry, where he has edited over 2,000.
When he’s not filming or traveling for global nonprofit projects with Smile Outreach International, Steve recharges at home in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife Mara, their two cats, and his drum studio — continuing to live out a lifelong passion for creativity, connection, and service.
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In this mastermind recap, Dr. Mark Costes and the Black Belt Coaches share hard-earned truths on leadership, systemization, and the non-negotiables that build a resilient team and a real business. From honoring the people who built their practices into machines to the cost of avoiding tough conversations, this session pulls no punches.
Whether you're struggling with staff that no longer fit, partners who aren't pulling their weight, or burnout masked as boredom, this one’s a must-listen. It's not about growing for the sake of it—it’s about building with clarity, courage, and consistency so life’s biggest moments don’t come at the cost of your business.
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Live from Roatán, Honduras, Dr. Mark Costas shares a raw behind-the-scenes look at mission dentistry in some of the toughest conditions imaginable—no suction, limited tools, storage containers turned operatories. This isn't about comfort. It's about impact. With Smile Outreach International, Mark and his team are building sustainable clinics across the globe, from Mexico to Tanzania, creating long-term solutions where dental care is nearly nonexistent.
For anyone burned out in dentistry or business, this is a reminder: your skill set can change lives. You just have to put it to work where it matters most.
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