On today’s episode, Dr. Mark sits down with financial advisor Jeff Condren to break down the biggest money mistakes high-income professionals make—and why earning more doesn’t automatically lead to wealth. Jeff challenges common assumptions around debt, investing, and financial planning, explaining how overconfidence, lifestyle creep, and poor strategy can quietly erode long-term success.
The conversation dives into practical frameworks for managing student loans, balancing investing with debt repayment, and building a financial plan that evolves through each stage of a dental career. They also explore the importance of emergency funds, the psychology behind spending, and why “set it and forget it” often outperforms trying to outsmart the market. If you want to turn income into lasting financial freedom, this episode delivers a clear, grounded roadmap.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark welcomes back Dr. Kristin Yont to dive into one of the most overlooked challenges in dentistry—chronic stress and burnout. Drawing from her work with the SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training) program, Kristin shares how high-performing professionals can better regulate their nervous system, quiet negative self-talk, and build true mental resilience.
The conversation explores practical tools like breathwork, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing, along with the science behind why our brains default to stress and how to shift back into a more calm, focused state. They also discuss the power of awareness, meditation, and self-compassion in creating lasting change—not just in your career, but in your overall quality of life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, mentally drained, or stuck in a loop of pressure and perfectionism, this episode offers a grounded, actionable path forward.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark sits down with Brandy Kinnear, founder of Your Ideal Patients, to explore how AI is transforming the way healthcare practices attract, convert, and retain patients. With a background in scaling functional medicine clinics, Brandy shares how most practices are unknowingly leaking revenue through broken systems, missed calls, and poor follow-up—and how AI can plug those gaps.
From automated patient journeys and 24/7 communication to smarter marketing strategies and data-driven decision-making, this conversation breaks down how to build a scalable, efficient practice without burning out your team. Brandy also dives into the importance of multi-channel marketing, personal branding, and why AI should be viewed as a team of digital employees—not just a tool. If you're looking to modernize your practice and stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark delivers a powerful talk on what truly separates thriving dental practices from those stuck in stress and inefficiency. Breaking down the concept of the “leaky bucket,” he explains why more patients, more procedures, or more marketing won’t fix deeper operational issues. Instead, success comes from building strong systems, dialing in overhead, and creating a clear vision for your practice.
From organizational structure and KPIs to patient experience and team culture, this episode highlights the foundational pillars every dentist must master to achieve profitability and long-term sustainability. Whether you're a student, associate, or owner, this is a blueprint for turning chaos into a well-oiled, systemized machine.
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On today’s episode, we’re featuring a recent Dental Success Network webinar where Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Bill Keith and Dr. Ben Kacos to break down what it really takes to prepare your practice for a successful transition. They dive into the key drivers of valuation—including EBITDA, systems, and scalability—while highlighting common pitfalls like key man risk and over-reliance on a single provider.
The conversation also explores what buyers are truly looking for in today’s consolidation-heavy market, how to structure your practice for long-term growth, and why timing your transition correctly can significantly impact your outcome. Whether you're years away from selling or actively exploring options, this episode delivers practical insights to help you build a more valuable, resilient practice.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Kyle Francis of Professional Transition Strategies to unpack the current state of the DSO and private equity marketplace. They dive into why valuations for single practices remain strong despite industry noise, how interest rates are impacting large group recapitalizations, and what’s really happening behind the scenes with private equity-backed DSOs.
Kyle shares insights on deal structure, liquidity challenges, and why smaller practices continue to be highly attractive acquisition targets. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of selling to a DSO versus a doctor-to-doctor transition, including autonomy, risk, and long-term upside. This episode is a must-listen for any dentist considering a transition or trying to understand where the market is headed next.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Brent Saunier and Chris Sands from Pro-Fi 20/20 for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in dentistry—entity structure and tax strategy. In this conversation, they break down the critical differences between LLCs, S Corps, and partnerships, and explain why choosing the wrong structure too early can trap losses, limit deductions, and cost new practice owners thousands.
They share real-world examples of common mistakes dentists make when starting or acquiring a practice, including relying on generic advice from the internet or misaligned guidance from advisors. The discussion also covers stock basis, tax timing strategies, and how to think proactively about growth, partnerships, and long-term planning from day one. This episode is a must-listen for any dentist looking to build a strong financial foundation and avoid costly early missteps.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes hosts another Ask Me Anything session, answering thoughtful and high-level questions from the dental community around growth, leadership, and finding balance. He dives into how to scale a practice to $3M and beyond without sacrificing culture, patient experience, or personal time, while also explaining how to recognize the difference between a healthy growth phase and a broken model.
Mark also tackles deeper questions around defining “enough,” the tradeoffs of success, and how to transition out of the constant hustle phase by building the right infrastructure and team. Plus, he shares practical insights on patient perception—from attire to trust-building—and how small details can influence case acceptance. This episode is packed with both tactical advice and big-picture perspective for dentists at every stage of their journey.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Lior Tamir to unpack a remarkable journey from a struggling new grad during the 2009 recession to building a thriving $5M de novo practice in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Lior shares how stepping away from clinical dentistry to build a marketing tech company shaped his approach to growth, patient experience, and data-driven decision-making.
He dives into the concept of “experiential dentistry,” revealing how small but intentional touches—from office design to giving away electric toothbrushes—fueled explosive patient acquisition and loyalty. The conversation also explores his innovative hybrid PPO model with a concierge-style fee, the power of in-house specialty services, and how he scaled to over $1M per chair.
Finally, Lior introduces The Dental App, a cloud-based, all-in-one platform designed to modernize practice management, integrate real-time analytics, and leverage AI for automation and patient follow-up—offering a glimpse into the future of dental operations.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Steven Fey, VP of Business Development at Maverick Dental Lab, to explore the rapid evolution of dental lab technology, the growing role of AI, and what it takes to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. They dive into the shift from analog to digital workflows, the realities of AI in case design, and why maintaining a human touch is still critical for quality and customer experience.
Steven shares insights on industry consolidation, sustainable growth, and how Maverick continues to thrive by focusing on relationships rather than transactions. The conversation also tackles broader industry challenges like the hygiene shortage and changing patient demand. Plus, Mark and Steven unveil an exciting opportunity for listeners—a chance to win a brand-new Corvette at the upcoming Dental Success Summit.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes and COO Ashlee Hirschfeld kick off a back-to-basics series designed for both new and seasoned dental professionals, diving into the often-overlooked foundational principles of building a successful practice. They unpack the real meaning behind mission, vision, and core values—and why skipping these “fluffy” concepts can lead to chaos, toxic culture, and lack of direction.
Mark shares hard-earned insights from years of coaching and practice ownership, explaining how culture forms (whether intentional or not), how to make it measurable, and why involving your entire team in defining core values is critical. They also explore how to implement cultural and leadership assessments without creating fear, and the tough—but necessary—reality of addressing toxic team members. This episode sets the stage for a powerful series aimed at helping practices create clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth from the inside out.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Timothy Boyle of Reva Global Medical to talk about how virtual staffing is helping healthcare practices reduce administrative overload, improve efficiency, and recover lost revenue. Tim shares his unique journey from professional hockey into healthcare sales, then explains how his team recruits and trains medically experienced virtual assistants to support practices with scheduling, insurance verification, patient follow-up, prior authorizations, billing, and accounts receivable.
The conversation explores how understaffed teams often create bottlenecks that hurt case acceptance, chair retention, and collections, and how virtual support can help fill those gaps at a fraction of the cost of local hiring. They also discuss HIPAA compliance, EMR training, AI’s growing role in healthcare operations, and why thoughtful delegation is becoming essential for scaling modern practices.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes introduces a powerful talk from Bill Keith on one of the most important and often misunderstood topics in dentistry: practice valuation, consolidation, and ownership strategy. Bill breaks down why every dentist should understand their true net worth, how to properly value a dental practice, and why EBITDA, cash at close, rolled equity, and distributions all matter far more than flashy headline multiples.
He also explains the current state of consolidation in dentistry, what lessons can be learned from other healthcare industries, and how different partnership structures can lead to very different financial outcomes. This episode is a practical deep dive into risk, growth, diversification, and long-term wealth building for dentists who want to make smart decisions about the future of their businesses.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Joe Lynch, Head of Customer Success at Dandy, for a conversation about the future of dental labs, digital dentistry, and what it really takes to deliver better outcomes for dentists and patients. Joe shares his unique journey from Navy special operations to healthcare consulting and ultimately into the dental industry, where he now helps lead Dandy’s go-to-market strategy and customer experience.
Together, they unpack how robotics, AI, machine learning, and vertically integrated workflows are transforming the lab space, while also exploring the balance between cost, quality, speed, and service in a rapidly consolidating market. Joe also breaks down Dandy’s turnaround times, communication model, full-service lab capabilities, and how the company is helping practices embrace digital workflows without sacrificing support or clinical results.
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On today’s episode of Ask Me Anything with Dr. Mark Costes, he dives into some of the most insightful questions submitted by listeners, tackling the challenges dental practice owners face as they scale. Mark explores the most common bottleneck he sees—lack of delegation and redundancy—and shares how even highly profitable, low-overhead practices can quickly crumble without the right systems and depth on the team. He emphasizes the value of hiring great people when you find them and offers advice for empowering your leads so the practice can thrive without your constant presence.
Mark also addresses how to handle delicate leadership moments—like when a key team member is struggling personally—while maintaining accountability and protecting the health of the organization. He breaks down a smart, step-by-step approach to dropping PPOs, urging dentists to avoid emotional decisions and instead rely on data, preparation, and strategic marketing to make the transition smooth. To close out the episode, Mark shares why he loves the start of a new year as a time for deep reflection and goal setting, using the Four Futures framework to reset priorities across mindset, health, relationships, and finances.
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On today’s episode, Addison Killeen takes the stage to unpack the real driver behind stronger case acceptance and smoother operations: trust. Using a practical 10-step framework, he explains how dental teams can close the loop from the very first phone call to financial discussions and follow-up scheduling by improving communication, handoffs, punctuality, treatment presentation, and team alignment.
Addison shares how credibility, reliability, intimacy, and low self-interest all shape the patient experience, while also offering actionable ideas for reducing uncertainty, creating better doctor-patient connection, standardizing language across the team, and guiding patients confidently through treatment options. This episode is a smart, systems-based look at how operational excellence and human connection work together to help more patients say yes.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares the remarkable journey behind the Dentalpreneur Podcast during this year’s Voices of Dentistry event. He shares how a simple decision to start recording conversations transformed his business, network, and life. He reflects on the early days of dental podcasting, the explosive growth of the medium, and the long-term power of consistency after releasing more than 2,400 episodes over the last decade.
Along the way, he explains how podcasting created opportunities for speaking, sponsorships, sister companies, strategic partnerships, and unforgettable relationships with world-class guests and influential leaders. Dr. Costes also ties the conversation back to purpose, highlighting how the audience and platform he built helped fuel mission-driven work through Smile Outreach International and opened doors to create impact far beyond dentistry. This episode is a candid look at leverage, authenticity, and what can happen when you commit to showing up over and over again.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with registered dental hygienist Kristen King, founder of Dental Reveal, to discuss how phase contrast microscopy is transforming the way dental teams diagnose periodontal disease and educate patients. With nearly 30 years of clinical experience, Kristen explains how visualizing live oral biofilm helps patients understand their risk, dramatically improves case acceptance, and elevates the hygiene appointment from a routine cleaning to a powerful health consultation.
They explore the oral-systemic connection, the Bale Doneen method, and how practices can implement microscopes to grow their hygiene departments, strengthen collaboration with physicians, and deliver higher-level preventive care. Kristen also shares practical insights on training teams, choosing the right equipment, and integrating this technology into everyday workflows.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Dr. Aaron Nicholas for a wide-ranging conversation about clinical growth, treatment plan presentation, and helping young dentists build confidence faster. Aaron shares how his own difficult startup journey shaped his passion for coaching, teaching, and creating practical CE courses that help doctors become more efficient with molar endo, surgical extractions, and day-to-day case acceptance.
Together, they break down why conviction, communication, and simple language matter so much when presenting treatment, and how reviewing “game film” of real patient interactions can dramatically improve results. They also dive into Aaron’s 90 Day Practice Accelerator, his live clinical training programs, and the bigger mission behind helping dentists expand their skill sets while better serving patients.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Dr. Tyler Bond and Gabe Goldberg live from Voices of Dentistry. Dr. Bond shares how implementing the Yomi robotic system from Neocis has dramatically changed his implant workflow—and contributed to a tenfold increase in his practice’s revenue. Gabe breaks down how the Yomi S works, from pre-op planning to real-time surgical guidance, and how AI and robotics can enhance precision, speed, and predictability for implant surgeons.
Dr. Bond dives into case selection, flapless surgery, pterygoid implants, and how the system has helped him grow his brand and attract patients from hours away. If you’ve ever been curious about robotic implant surgery, this episode delivers both the tech and the real-world impact.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costas welcomes back fan-favorite Dr. Paul “Nacho” Goodman for an unfiltered conversation on entrepreneurship, associate hiring, live events, and the evolving dental landscape. They dive into the realities of running multiple businesses, transitioning from clinical dentistry to CEO life, and why so many dentists wait too long to hire an associate—often creating unnecessary chaos in their practices.
Paul shares insights from Dentist Job Connect, discusses the ongoing hygienist shortage, and offers a balanced perspective on DSO and DPO “drama.” The episode also highlights the power of live events, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with the right people to accelerate growth. As always, it’s real talk, practical wisdom, and plenty of laughs between two seasoned dental entrepreneurs.
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EPISODE RESOURCES
On today’s episode, Mark breaks down a straightforward way to calculate “passive income” from a dental practice by using gross revenue, overhead, and doctor comp, then welcomes CMO Share founder Ryan Gross to share a practical, experience-driven marketing framework. Ryan lays out three core buckets—internal and external brand awareness, digital and AI-driven content, and team conversion—showing how billboards, community visibility, patient testimonials, multilingual videos, and strong in-office branding can reinforce what you offer to both new and existing patients.
He explains why content (especially short-form video and FAQs) is becoming essential as Google and AI personalize search results, and why transparency around fees, financing, emergencies, and membership plans is increasingly important. The conversation closes with a deep dive into front-office performance: declining phone conversion rates, the massive impact of answering calls, how insurance questions derail scheduling, and actionable tactics Addison Killeen uses—like a simple insurance spreadsheet and practice-wide phone coverage—to keep answer rates high while using AI cautiously after hours.
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On today’s episode, we’re sharing a powerful live talk Dr. Mark Costes gave to the Prescott High School boys’ soccer team following a tough early-season loss. In a raw, motivating message, Mark addresses the emotional aftermath of defeat and challenges the players to take radical accountability—reminding them that adversity offers a critical opportunity for self-reflection, growth, and leadership. Drawing from his own athletic background and principles of stoicism and extreme ownership, he emphasizes that true development doesn’t happen when things go right—but when you choose how to respond when they don’t.
Mark leads the team through a simple but impactful exercise to identify personal areas of improvement and publicly commit to one key focus before the next game. From shifting mindset to supporting teammates more intentionally, this talk highlights the kind of mental resilience and character-building that transcends the scoreboard.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Erik Brenner, CFP and author of The Personal CFO Revolution, to discuss how dentists, physicians, and other high-income professionals can build a “personal CFO” framework without needing a nine-figure net worth. Erik explains how integrating investment management, tax planning, and retirement strategy under one coordinated plan mirrors the family office model traditionally reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
They explore the critical difference between simply deferring taxes and truly mitigating them, why working with a fiduciary matters, and how proactive tax projections can dramatically impact long-term wealth. The conversation also covers strategies available to both practice owners and W2 earners, including oil and gas investments, solar tax credits, leveraged deductions, and opportunity zone planning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow income while keeping more of what they earn.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Tianna Hall live from the Voices of Dentistry conference. Dr. Hall shares her unconventional path from private practice burnout to a fulfilling career providing dental care in the Utah prison system. She discusses how early mentorship helped her overcome clinical fears, and how volunteer dentistry reignited her passion. From oral surgery to removable prosthetics, Dr. Hall walks us through the unique challenges—and surprising benefits—of correctional dentistry, including safety protocols, minimal overhead, and a clear work-life boundary.
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