The Dentalpreneur Podcast Archives - Dental Success Institute

On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes speaks to DSI Mastermind members about the difference between having the right information and putting it to work. He encourages owners to ask for help, take responsibility for what’s happening in their practices, and use the experience of the people around them.

Mark then breaks down what effective leadership looks like: clear expectations, useful training, regular feedback, and accountability that helps team members grow. He also shares a way to move larger projects forward by defining the outcome, assigning responsibilities, setting deadlines, and checking progress with the team. It’s a reminder that reaching the next goal takes more than a good idea—it takes consistent execution.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes talks with BoomCloud founder Jordan Comstock about rising practice costs, flat PPO reimbursements, and the write-offs that can quietly erode profits. Jordan explains how patient membership plans can create recurring revenue, strengthen retention, and give owners more freedom to decide which PPO contracts are worth keeping.

They cover where to find new members, from existing patients to local businesses, and how to get a plan started. The conversation also explores how a loyal patient base and predictable revenue could affect a practice’s value when it’s time to sell.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares how practice owners can make more progress while spending fewer hours at work. He explains why hard work is essential in the early stages of ownership, but can become a habit that holds you back as your practice grows. Mark talks about setting priorities, protecting time for your family, and resisting the urge to chase a new opportunity before you’ve solved the problems already in front of you.

He also walks through the different roles people play in a practice and why creators, providers, and managers need dedicated time to do their best work. If your CEO time keeps disappearing into interruptions and daily fires, this episode offers a practical way to rethink how you use it.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Aaron Nicholas presents a practical framework for identifying where the dental day starts to go sideways and what to do before small problems turn into full-blown chaos. He breaks down how to create backup protocols for procedures, analyze workflows, schedule with more intention, prepare assistants and operatories, and delegate tasks that do not require doctor time.

Aaron also explains how morning huddles, decision trees, standardized setups, scripts, and procedure timing can make the day more predictable and productive. The goal is not simply to move faster, but to create systems that help the entire team know what to do when something stops working as planned.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Bryanna Walker of Flex Dental Solutions to talk about her journey from dental assisting and office management into helping practices modernize their front office systems. Bryanna shares how her years inside dental practices shaped the way she now approaches payment workflows, patient financing, insurance verification, online scheduling, and case presentation.

They discuss Flex Payments, compliant surcharging, buy now pay later options through Affirm and Klarna, automated payment posting into Open Dental, and the ways technology can reduce manual work and human error. Bryanna also explains how better integration between payments, treatment plans, scheduling, and insurance can save teams time while creating a smoother experience for patients.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with longtime friend and Dental Success Network co-founder Michael Lomotan for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges dental practice owners are facing today. Michael shares what he is hearing from dentists around systems, overhead, staffing, technology, AI, exit planning, and financial organization, while reflecting on his own journey from struggling practice owner to building a stronger, more profitable business.

They also discuss the evolution of DSN, the value of community and coaching, the importance of leadership, and why risk management, HR compliance, and operational discipline can be just as important as production and growth.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes explores why lasting transformation starts with identity, not simply goals, motivation, or willpower. He explains how thoughts, behaviors, and small consistent habits provide the evidence your subconscious needs to believe that you are becoming a different version of yourself.

Mark breaks down four steps for personal and professional reinvention, including visualizing your ideal future, releasing limiting identities, reinforcing new beliefs through action, and creating an environment that supports continued growth. He also examines fixed versus growth mindsets, the power of internal self-talk, accountability, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate meaningful change in every area of life.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Chris Sands, founder of Crown Card Services, to unpack the confusing world of dental credit card processing and explain where practices may be losing money without realizing it. Chris breaks down the difference between integrated and interfaced payment systems, how bridge technology is opening up more processor choice, and why locked-in rates, transparent statements, and regular audits matter.

They also discuss compliant surcharge programs, online payments, text-to-pay, accounts receivable, and how small percentage differences in processing costs can translate into major gains in EBITDA and long-term practice value. The conversation gives practice owners a practical framework for evaluating their current processor and becoming more informed consumers of payment technology.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes presents a practical introduction to building a systems-driven dental practice for dental students preparing to enter the profession. He explains why clinical skill alone is not enough to create a profitable, sustainable practice and why dentists need to understand business fundamentals whether they plan to become owners or associates.

Mark breaks down the importance of mission, vision, core values, operational systems, patient experience, human resources, cash flow, and overhead control. He also covers the APE framework, financial phases of practice growth, KPIs, operations manuals, effective meetings, and organizational charts, emphasizing why dentists should strengthen their infrastructure before adding more patients, procedures, or locations.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with David Charnowitz, founder and CEO of DC Dental, to discuss how the dental supply market is changing and what independent practices should understand about purchasing, pricing, and value. David shares how he built DC Dental from a startup into a major independent supplier, why the company focuses heavily on private practices, and how a lean operating model can create more competitive pricing.

They also discuss house brands, distribution strategy, service models, pricing transparency, and the importance of understanding the true value behind every expense in a dental practice. The conversation closes with practical business lessons around reading financial statements, managing costs, and building a more efficient operation.

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EPISODE RESOURCES

2610: Workshopping Leadership

2609: Is Your PPO Contract Costing You More Than You Think?

2608: Is Hustle Dead?

2607: What to Fix When Your Dental Day Starts Falling Apart

2606: From Office Manager to Helping Dental Practices Modernize Payments

2605: The Systems Leadership and Risk Issues Dentists Cannot Ignore

2604: The Mindset Shift That Makes Better Habits Finally Stick

2603: The Payment Processing Mistakes Quietly Eating Into Your Profit

2602: The Systems-Driven Dental Practice

2601: What Dentists Should Know About the Changing Dental Supply Market