The Dentalpreneur Podcast Archives - Dental Success Institute

On today’s episode, we dive into one of the most common but misunderstood challenges in dentistry and entrepreneurship: overwhelm—the “O word.” Mark Costes shares why he bans this word at DSI events and how our internal language and mindset can powerfully shape our lived reality. He breaks down the physiology of overwhelm, explains the mental toll of decision fatigue, multitasking, and cognitive overload, and shares personal stories from the early, chaotic days of juggling multiple businesses.

You’ll also learn about the importance of structured delegation, how to build filters to prioritize effectively, and the impact of unclosed loops on our mental bandwidth. From the neuroscience of task-switching to the power of the default mode network, this episode lays the foundation for reclaiming clarity, energy, and intentional leadership.

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

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Andrew Kokabi, owner of Brookhaven Family Dentistry and a true example of grit, growth, and purpose-driven leadership. From his early days in a three-operatory practice with no paycheck, to leading a thriving 17-op fee-for-service operation with plans to expand to 30, Dr. Kokabi shares his deeply personal journey. He talks about how his upbringing as the child of Iranian immigrants shaped his business mindset, the painful but transformative experience of burnout, and the pivotal role the Dentalpreneur Podcast played in reigniting his passion and vision.

The conversation dives deep into creating a strong culture, onboarding associates with aligned philosophies, tracking performance, building patient loyalty, and giving back to the community in creative, meaningful ways. You’ll also hear about Dr. Kokabi’s vision for long-term impact—both in dentistry and through empowering underserved populations.

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On today’s episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Drs. Eric Appelsies and Alex Kantor, the duo behind the podcast Just a Couple of Dentists. They share how podcasting helped them build community, stay curious, and keep perspective as they navigate practice ownership and young family life. The conversation explores burnout, doing mission work to reconnect with dentistry, and the challenges of wearing every hat as a business owner. They also give a sneak peek into their upcoming tech projects aimed at solving real operational pain points in dental practices.

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On today’s episode, we continue our conversation with dental attorney Evan Sampson as he and Dr. Mark Costes tackle the real-world legal challenges practice owners face. In Part 2, they unpack best practices for avoiding PPO audits, how to properly dismiss a patient, the right way to handle informed consent, and what to do when it’s time to fire an employee—especially during riskier situations like pregnancy. Evan offers practical, step-by-step advice to help dentists stay compliant and avoid unnecessary legal exposure, no matter what state they practice in.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with dental attorney Evan Sampson for a deep dive into the legal issues dentists face every day—often without realizing it. In Part 1, Evan shares his journey from litigator to dental-focused counsel and how his unique background helps him proactively guide practice owners through employment law, regulatory compliance, and contract issues. From the legal missteps that commonly trigger lawsuits to tips for setting up strong employment policies and handbooks, this conversation is packed with real-world insight to help dentists avoid costly mistakes.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes joins Dr. Mike Lundy for a crossover conversation from the Ownership Awakened: The Dental Journey podcast, focused on what comes next after deciding you’re ready for practice ownership.

Together, they walk through the early-stage decisions every future owner faces, including startup versus acquisition, building the right advisory team, leadership development, and designing a practice that can grow and adapt over time. This episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the ownership journey as it unfolds in real time.

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On today’s episode, recorded live at the October 2025 DSI Mastermind, Dr. Mark Costes unveils a powerful 21-day Four Futures Challenge designed to reset your mindset, strengthen relationships, improve physical health, and gain financial clarity. With practical habits like daily breathwork, love bombs, movement, and a Friday social media fast, this challenge is both achievable and transformative.

The episode also explores deeper conversations around associate accountability, team training, and the realities of leadership in dental practices. DSI Black Belt coaches share insights from their mastermind groups, highlighting common struggles like cancellations, associate retention, and the importance of setting clear expectations.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Dr. Paul O’Malley, a pioneer in holistic and biomimetic dentistry with over 25 years of clinical and entrepreneurial experience. Dr. O’Malley shares his evolution from traditional full-mouth reconstructions to a minimally invasive, adhesive-based philosophy grounded in oral-systemic health. The two dive into root canal controversies, the science of mercury removal, and how dentists can reduce the need for endodontic treatment by preserving the pulp through proper restorative protocols.

Dr. O’Malley also discusses the founding of Great Oral Health, his natural oral care company focused on hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste, oral probiotics, and innovative products designed to support healing and remineralization. Packed with insights on patient communication, functional aesthetics, and true prevention, this conversation is a must-listen for forward-thinking dental professionals.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Steven Patala and Roman Shtimerman of NadaPayments, the company leading the charge in compliant credit card surcharging for dental practices. They discuss how their solution is helping thousands of practices eliminate a top 10 line item on the P&L by shifting credit card fees back to patients—without damaging patient trust or experience.

Steven and Roman break down the difference between compliant surcharging and dual pricing, how to roll this out effectively in your practice, and why most patients are already used to this model. They also dive into software integration, compliance across state lines, and the powerful backend tools that make AR management and payment plans easier than ever. Plus, the conversation takes a fun detour into Formula 1, track days, and how their passion for racing fuels their precision and performance in business.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Ryan Gross, founder and CEO of CMO Share, for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of dental marketing, operations, and how to thrive in uncertain economic times. They discuss the critical importance of aligning marketing strategies with operational capacity, how to maximize ROI by tracking the right metrics, and the power of Google Analytics over analog systems.

Ryan shares how his experience with Disney and data-driven thinking shaped CMO Share’s unique approach to dental marketing. They dive into the different strategies for startups versus acquisitions, explore how AI is changing how practices must approach SEO and content, and why patient quality is more important than raw numbers. Plus, they discuss upcoming opportunities like the January 29th Practice Launchpad event in Scottsdale, Arizona—perfect for those planning a startup or acquisition in 2026.

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

EPISODE RESOURCES

2446: Overcoming the “O” Word Pt. 1

2445: Lessons from a Dental CEO Who Started with a Typewriter

2444: What Two Startup Docs Learned from Launching a Podcast

2443: How to Protect Your Dental Practice from Legal Trouble Pt. 2

2442: How to Protect Your Dental Practice from Legal Trouble Pt. 1

2441: Building a Dental Practice From Vision to Opening Day

2440: 21-Day Challenge to Transform Your Mind, Body, and Practice

2439: The Science Behind Mercury Removal & Root Canal Alternatives

2438: How to Save Thousands on Credit Card Fees in Your Practice

2437: The Marketing Mistakes That Kill New Patient Flow