The Dentalpreneur Podcast Archives - Dental Success Institute

On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with longtime friends and financial experts Brent Saunier and Chris Sands of Profi2020 to unpack some of the most overlooked yet critical financial decisions dentists face. From the often misunderstood process of switching CPA firms and the emotional roadblocks that come with onboarding, to the dangers of outgrowing your entity structure without knowing it, this episode is packed with practical advice and real client stories.

The trio dives into why clarity around your finances is essential for long-term success, how to vet a great CPA, and why early education for newer practice owners is now more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a new owner or a seasoned practitioner, this conversation will help you assess your financial infrastructure and avoid common mistakes that cost dental entrepreneurs time and money.

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On today’s episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Brian Bhaskar, a newly minted oral and maxillofacial surgeon, third-generation dentist, and founder of Sindi, a digital referral management platform designed to modernize how dentists communicate. Dr. Bhaskar shares his journey from Division I basketball at Gonzaga to completing a six-year oral surgery residency at the University of Washington, and how firsthand frustrations with outdated referral systems inspired him to build a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based solution for seamless collaboration between general dentists and specialists.

The conversation also explores life after residency, the realities of private practice, balancing entrepreneurship with clinical excellence, and why better communication leads to better patient experiences.

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On today’s episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Vishal Sharma, Director of Clinical Education and Operations at Spear Education, to explore the evolving landscape of dental education. Dr. Sharma shares his journey from building and scaling private practices to leading clinical education initiatives across DSOs, and now helping shape the next generation of learning at Spear.

The conversation dives deep into hybrid education models, the growing role of AI in diagnostics and training, challenges facing early career dentists, and why blending in-person mentorship with virtual and self-paced learning is the future of dentistry. They also discuss how technology, efficiency, and accountability are redefining both clinical excellence and career satisfaction for today’s dentists.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with longtime friend and marketing leader Joshua Scott for a wide-ranging conversation that blends entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. Josh shares what it’s really like to scale a company through a “building year,” why infrastructure equity matters more than short-term profit, and how navigating overlapping growth curves can feel both challenging and energizing.

They dive into predictable success, avoiding shiny-object syndrome, balancing ambition with fulfillment, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people as you grow. This episode is packed with honest reflections on business, creativity, and knowing when enough is enough.

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On today’s episode, Ryan Gross, founder of CMO Share, reveals how his background in experiential marketing—from zoos to Disney—perfectly translates into the world of dental marketing. He shares how understanding human behavior, data-driven decisions, and simple brand visibility tactics can significantly grow a practice. Ryan breaks down everything from choosing the right name and logo to leveraging brochures, shirts, and local partnerships for powerful brand repetition.

He explains why operational efficiency drives marketing ROI, how missed phone calls are costing you thousands, and why schedule availability matters more than ad spend. With insights on website optimization for AI, dental savings plans, implant marketing, and the importance of internal referrals, Ryan delivers a comprehensive guide for any practice ready to grow smart—not just loud.

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On today’s episode, we bring you Dr. Mark Costes’ second impactful presentation from the Music City SCALE 2025 event. In this talk, Dr. Costes blends tactical strategy with raw vulnerability as he opens up about achieving his lifelong financial goals—only to find himself exhausted, unfulfilled, and deeply unhappy. He shares the pivotal moment that led him to rethink success, prioritize fulfillment, and build a model for personal and professional transformation.

You’ll learn about the six foundational areas that determine practice health, how to avoid burnout with smarter operatory planning, and why redundancy—not minimalism—is the true path to lifestyle freedom. Mark also dives into the power of patient exam counts, how poor leadership affects everything from culture to profitability, and why dentists must think more like NFL head coaches than all-star players. If you’ve ever wondered why hitting your numbers still doesn’t feel like success, this episode is a must-listen.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Bill Keith and Ben Kacos for an in-depth crash course on DSOs—what they are, how they’ve evolved, and why every dentist should understand their growing impact on the profession. This conversation dives into the history of dental consolidation, the rise of private equity in the industry, and what those infamous EBITDA multiples really mean for your practice valuation.

The trio compares doctor-to-doctor transitions with DSO sales, laying out the pros, cons, and critical factors like tax strategy, risk mitigation, and personal goals. With real-world insights, valuation math, and clear advice on navigating offers, this is the foundational DSO knowledge every growth-minded dentist needs.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with longtime friend and respected dental entrepreneur Tiger Safarov, founder of Zen One. Tiger shares his incredible immigrant journey—from arriving in the U.S. not knowing English to building a thriving dental construction company, and later pivoting to launch a tech platform revolutionizing dental supply management.

They dive into Tiger’s inspiration for Zen One, the evolution of the platform from a scrappy startup to a streamlined, AI-powered solution, and his deep commitment to supporting private dental practices in an increasingly DSO-dominated industry. With a strong emphasis on integrity, innovation, and real cost savings, Tiger explains how Zen One empowers practices to take control of their variable expenses and boost profitability without compromising on quality.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back DSI Black Belt coach and seasoned dental entrepreneur Dr. Summer Kassmel for a power-packed, tactical conversation on case acceptance. Summer walks us through her step-by-step strategy to improve treatment plan acceptance, starting with clearly defined pillars of care and a unified team approach. She emphasizes the importance of consistency, calibrating with hygienists, and tailoring communication to the patient’s personality without overwhelming them.

From managing chief complaints to using analogies patients understand, she explains how to prioritize treatment effectively and guide patients toward long-term oral health. Summer also shares how game film—recording exams and treatment plan presentations—can transform team communication and case acceptance rates.

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On today’s episode, we continue with part two of Dr. Mark Costes’ compelling first presentation at the Music City SCALE 2025 event. In this segment, Dr. Costes delivers a deep dive into key challenges facing today’s dental practice owners—employee retention, the nationwide hygiene shortage, and the harsh reality of PPOs. He shares actionable strategies to improve team culture, build loyalty through better leadership, and transform non-producers into practice contributors.

Drawing on Stoic philosophy, he urges owners to focus only on what they can control—systems, leadership, and culture—while tuning out the noise. You’ll also hear powerful data on the current state of dentistry, including what’s driving turnover, why hygienist supply is critically low, and how to make smarter, data-driven decisions about insurance plans. With rising student debt, longer careers, and stagnating practice profits, Dr. Costes makes a strong case for why mastering business fundamentals is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2434: Why Most Dentists Dread Switching CPAs and Why You Shouldn’t

2433: Why Paper Referrals Are Holding Dentistry Back

2432: Why Early Career Dentists Need a New Learning Model

2431: Navigating Growth Curves Without Burning Out Your Team

2430: The Disney Playbook for Dental Marketing Success

2429: What the NFL, Sleep, and Dentistry Have in Common

2428: Is Selling to a DSO the Right Move for You?

2427: The Untold Journey of an Immigrant CEO in Dentistry

2426: Boosting Treatment Acceptance Without Overwhelming Patients

2425: What Every Dentist Must Know About Business Before It’s Too Late Pt. 2