On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with employment attorney and HR tech founder Ali Oromchian for a candid and eye-opening conversation about the legal pitfalls facing dental practice owners. Ali, who is the CEO and co-founder of HR for Health, shares the shocking truth about why even well-intentioned dentists are at high risk for employment lawsuits—and what they can do to avoid them.
From missed lunch breaks to post-sale lawsuits by longtime team members, Ali shares real-world examples of how things can go wrong and how HR for Health is helping thousands of practices future-proof their compliance. They also talk about biometric data lawsuits, best practices in termination, and why having airtight HR systems can be the difference between a thriving practice and a legal nightmare.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Penny Reed, Executive Vice President at ADOM and a trailblazer in dental practice management. Penny shares her journey from being recruited by her dentist to manage a practice, to becoming a nationally recognized consultant and leader in dental office management. She reveals the five key revenue drivers for practice growth, why active patient engagement starts in hygiene, and how simple, enthusiastic patient interactions can powerfully increase new patient referrals.
Penny also dives into her new role at ADOM, highlighting the organization's mission to support and empower office managers through community, education, and leadership training. Whether you're a dentist or team leader, this episode is packed with tactical insights on how to build a more efficient, profitable, and harmonious practice.
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In today’s Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes continues his compelling conversation with Dr. Lincoln Harris, CEO of RIPE Global, diving deep into the innovation behind their game-changing dental training platform. In this second half, Dr. Harris reveals how their software and hardware ecosystem is built for scalability, with a focus on improving clinical outcomes and associate productivity—fast. From cutting-edge cloud simulators and proprietary mannequins to custom LMS channels and data-driven ROI models for DSOs, it’s all about getting measurable results and breaking down barriers to skill adoption.
Plus, the two discuss strategies for associate engagement using “carrot and stick” methods, and how RIPE is positioning itself as the productivity partner for DSOs worldwide. Mark also shares his vision for sustainable global mission clinics through Smile Outreach International, and Lincoln generously offers RIPE’s support to train local clinicians in underserved areas.
EPISODE RESOURCES
In today’s Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with the always insightful Dr. Lincoln Harris, founder of Harris Dental Boutique and CEO of RIPE Global. Fresh off recording 26 podcasts at Thrive Live, Mark kicks things off with high energy and hands over the mic to Dr. Harris, who shares his incredible journey from Queensland, Australia to Colorado, USA.
The conversation dives into the evolution of RIPE Global from an in-person CE provider to a global force in dental education, now offering cloud-based procedural training, proprietary LMS software, and cutting-edge hardware. Dr. Harris unpacks how their unique platform helps new grads and DSOs alike boost productivity and clinical skill, all while tracking real implementation and ROI. You’ll hear how they tailor training programs to individual needs and how the system can even be white-labeled for other educators.
EPISODE RESOURCES
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.
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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.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Lily Larsen, a standout field sales consultant with Henry Schein in South Florida. She opens up about her journey from collegiate swimmer to one of Shine’s most respected reps, known for her high-touch, relationship-driven approach to supporting dental practices.
Lily shares how her role goes far beyond selling supplies—diving into practice performance, strategic planning, and long-term growth for her clients. She also discusses how Henry Schein’s support has empowered her to be entrepreneurial within a massive corporate structure, and why she’s not in a rush to move up the ladder. This episode is a masterclass in modern dental sales, trust-building, and what it means to truly partner with your clients.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined live from the Thrive Live event in Las Vegas by Brian Colao, a true authority on DSOs, mergers and acquisitions, and dental law. He shares his unparalleled insights on the current state of the DSO market, explaining how economic uncertainty, stalled private equity deals, and rising costs have created the most unpredictable environment in recent memory.
Brian breaks down why so many transactions are being abandoned, how multiples have changed since the white-hot years of 2021, and what smart dental entrepreneurs can do to position themselves for success despite the turbulence. From DSO formation strategy to picking the right partner, this is a masterclass in understanding what really matters in today’s dental consolidation landscape.
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In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes dives deeper into the AI revolution transforming the dental industry with Flossy CEO and co-founder, Dr. Miles Beckett. Miles unpacks how Fiona, their AI receptionist, is engineered to handle complex scheduling, triage emergencies, verify insurance, and provide human-like empathy—all while reducing overhead and improving patient conversion rates.
The conversation touches on the ethical importance of transparency when AI answers the phone, how Flossy integrates with most PMS platforms, and how practices are already seeing near-instant ROI. Miles also shares his insights on where voice AI and large language models are heading, the challenges of hallucination, and how AI could flatten the market while making top-tier content and service more valuable than ever.
EPISODE RESOURCES
In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes kicks things off with a quick update from a whirlwind quarter of travel and a legendary local event in Prescott, Arizona—the "Crit Party" at the Whiskey Off-Road bike race. Then, he welcomes Dr. Miles Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Flossy, to the show. Miles shares his remarkable pivot from a career in plastic surgery to becoming a pioneer in dental tech. Backed by over $30 million in venture capital, Flossy is leveraging cutting-edge AI to revolutionize the dental front office through their virtual receptionist, Fiona.
Miles discusses how Fiona handles complex scheduling, shows empathy and energy during patient interactions, and integrates with nearly every dental PMS. This conversation dives into the technology, strategy, and vision behind Flossy's mission to streamline operations and reduce overhead for practices, all while keeping the patient experience front and center.
EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Sydney Robinson, Executive Director of the Dental Success Network and founder of FOA Coaching. Sydney shares how she evolved from a dental office manager into a strategic operations leader, managing a growing team that supports over 2,000 dentists and tens of thousands of team members across DSN and FOA.
The discussion highlights the power of empowering office managers through business acumen, leadership mentorship, and communication training. Sydney also dives into FOA Coaching’s live events, the importance of understanding production metrics, and why she’s on a mission to replace the title “office manager” with “office lead.” This conversation is filled with laughs, insights, and real talk about what it takes to run a high-functioning, low-stress dental practice.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Jordan Reiss, Senior Director of Clinical Strategic Development at DEXIS, live from the Thrive Live exhibition hall in Las Vegas. With a background that spans management consulting at KPMG to dental tech innovation, Jordan shares how he found his passion in dentistry and 3D imaging. The conversation explores how CBCT is transforming not just implantology, but also endodontics, orthodontics, and aligner therapy.
Jordan highlights the evolving need for clinician education in CBCT interpretation, the rise of AI-enhanced imaging workflows, and the comprehensive ecosystem DEXIS is building to support diagnostics and patient care. He also shares personal stories about parenting, mission work, and the unexpected roads that lead to a meaningful career.
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On today’s Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes and Matt Uhler dive deep into what drives high achievers—and what often breaks them. From chasing arbitrary financial milestones to constantly moving the goalpost, the two reflect on the emotional toll of the entrepreneurial grind. Mark shares how hitting his million-dollar goal left him more miserable than ever and why he created the Four Futures framework to redefine true success across all areas of life.
Matt adds powerful insights from his 27 years helping business owners buy and sell companies, including why so many miss their shot at a high-value exit. They also discuss the danger of being the “single point of failure” in your business and why scalable, team-driven operations are the real key to freedom. The episode wraps with Matt’s mission through AMPT to help entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes and build businesses that serve both their goals and their lives.
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On today’s Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes joins Matt Uhler for an open and impactful conversation about building—and nearly breaking—his dental career. Mark shares the early days of his entrepreneurial journey, from buying his first practice sight unseen to growing six locations and eventually scaling to sixteen. But behind the growth was chaos: burnout, poor systems, and a personal life unraveling.
Mark walks through the turning point that led him to sell most of his practices, rebuild with intention, and create his “Four Futures” framework—an approach to balancing money, meaning, muscle, and mindfulness. You’ll also hear how Mark started the world’s #1 dental podcast and why he believes success means much more than just hitting financial milestones.
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On today’s Part 2 episode, Joshua Scott sits down with Dr. Mark Costes, and the focus turns to the power of attention in modern marketing. They reflect on the early strategies of Ryan Holiday and the ethical implications of manipulating media—then apply those insights directly to the dental world. Josh explains why attention, not just leads or new patients, is the true top of the marketing funnel, and how practices can shift their thinking from conversions to community impact.
The conversation also explores the pitfalls of cheap attention (like $399 crowns), and the importance of designing strategies that attract the right type of patient for long-term loyalty. Josh and Mark also talk about Studio 8E8’s powerful documentary projects, “Untold Stories,” and how storytelling—done right—brings value far beyond ROI. To wrap up, Josh shares the experience of collaborating with Justin Moody on the Moody Adlin Winery, and how his love for wine and creativity collided in a truly unforgettable Napa project.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back one of the Dentalpreneur Podcast’s most frequent and valued guests—marketing leader and Studio 8E8 CEO, Joshua Scott. In this first installment of a two-part series, Josh and Mark unpack the chaos of Q1, balancing the grind with intentional downtime, and what it means to be “busy for the right reasons.”
Josh reflects on his journey from sitting in the audience at his first Dental Success Summit to earning a coveted main stage spot, and shares the thoughtful approach he takes when deciding which speaking gigs to accept. The conversation then shifts to the evolution of Studio 8E8, how AI is reshaping the marketing space without sacrificing the human element, and the importance of creating high-quality, authoritative content in an age where digital noise is constant. Plus, Josh tells the story of his early dinner with Gary Vee and the advice that eventually led to starting his own business.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Jan Jaffer, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of TREC Dental, a values-based dental organization out of Calgary, Alberta. Broadcasting live from the Thrive Live exhibition hall in Las Vegas, the two dive into the unique structure of TREC Dental—an 18-practice group that operates without production targets, budgets, or bonuses.
Dr. Jaffer shares how simplicity, trust, and a patient-first mindset have helped their model thrive, while maintaining a 25–30%+ profit margin across practices. He also discusses their global and local charitable efforts, how volunteerism shaped his personal life, and why building genuine relationships with patients is at the core of everything they do. With AI integration, full-hour new patient consults, and a heavy focus on gratitude and team health, TREC Dental is proving that scaling can be both impactful and deeply human.
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On today’s Part 2 episode, Troy Eckard returns to demystify the difference between mineral rights and working interests in oil and gas investing. He breaks down how mineral rights function like the "house" in a casino—offering truly passive monthly income with no risk, liability, or operating expenses. In contrast, working interests carry greater risk but are rewarded with aggressive tax benefits, including up to a 100% deduction of your investment against ordinary income.
Troy explains why each has its place in a smart investment strategy, depending on whether your goal is maximizing tax efficiency, building long-term income, or both. He shares detailed return examples, strategic asset allocation ideas for dentists with liquidity events, and why owning direct interests—rather than partnerships—offers far more flexibility and wealth-building potential. With monthly distributions, potential 12–15% cash-on-cash returns, and the ability to defer or minimize taxes year after year, this episode offers a powerful look at one of the most misunderstood asset classes.
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On today’s Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Troy Eckard for another deep dive into the macroeconomic trends shaping today’s investing environment. As one of the most downloaded guests in Dentalpreneur Podcast history, Troy brings 40 years of oil and gas experience to the table, helping dentists and high-income professionals understand how to navigate an uncertain market. The two discuss the current global liquidity crisis, rising interest rates, and why so many private equity deals are stalling.
Troy breaks down what he learned from the 2008 crash and shares why having dry powder—and the courage to use it—is critical in downturns. He also makes the case for oil and gas as an alternative investment that offers not only strong returns, but also aggressive tax benefits, especially for high earners. With powerful lessons on emotional discipline, long-term thinking, and investing like you're on the brink of retirement, this episode is packed with clarity for anyone looking to protect and grow their wealth in today’s economic landscape.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down live from the Thrive Live exhibition hall with the dynamic Katherine Eitel Belt, founder and CEO of LionSpeak. Catherine shares her remarkable journey from dental assistant to international speaker and communications coach, emphasizing the transformative power of language, leadership, and clear communication.
Together, they explore the framework behind courageous conversations, how to make a clear invitation to your team, and why many dental leaders feel held hostage by their staff—often due to a lack of tools, not leadership potential. Catherine unpacks her A.R.C.H. model for tough talks and gives us a preview of her upcoming book, Something’s Got to Change. This episode is a must-listen for any practice owner or manager looking to elevate their culture and lead with clarity and compassion.
EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes kicks off a special series of live interviews from the Thrive Live exhibition hall in Las Vegas with Ryan Gross, founder and CEO of CMOshare. Ryan shares the origin story of his fractional CMO journey and how his company has grown into one of dentistry’s top marketing firms. The two dive deep into the evolution of dental marketing, with a particular focus on data-driven decision-making, ROI transparency, and the increasing role of AI in transforming both marketing strategies and operational efficiencies.
Ryan discusses current trends in patient behavior, especially in uncertain economic times, and outlines key indicators that practices should consider when choosing a marketing partner. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve patient acquisition and streamline their dental business operations.
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