The Dentalpreneur Podcast Archives - Dental Success Institute

On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Troy Eckard, a 40-year oil and gas industry veteran and the driving force behind Eckard Enterprises. With over $1.3 billion in assets and $210 million distributed to investors, Troy breaks down the current landscape of oil and gas investing—highlighting how the space has shifted from wild speculation to a more data-driven, transparent model.

They tackle everything from the political and economic chaos in the U.S. to the mechanics of working interest vs. mineral rights, and why high-income earners—like dentists—are uniquely positioned to benefit from oil and gas investments. Troy also unpacks the powerful tax advantages, long-term cash flow potential, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the industry. This is an unfiltered, honest look at what’s real—and what’s risky—in alternative investing.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Dan Briskie and Dave Roehr from Proceed Finance for a powerful webinar originally featured inside DSN. The trio tackles the all-too-common September slump—when production and collections often dip across dental practices.

They share proactive strategies for reactivating patients, encouraging same-day treatment, maximizing team downtime, and using financial tools to help patients move forward with care. If you’re looking to keep momentum strong and finish the year with a bang, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Daniel Jimenez, co-founder and CEO of Stride Dental Group and founder of Feestream. After a high-level career in engineering and leadership at Amazon, Daniel took an unexpected leap into the world of dentistry—driven by a passion for operational excellence, data, and innovation. He shares what translated well from corporate life (think: metrics, accountability, systems), what absolutely didn’t, and why building and scaling in dentistry requires a whole different playbook.

Daniel opens up about the cultural and communication challenges of introducing change in a clinical environment, and how Stride is navigating growth while staying grounded in patient care and team culture. He also discusses his SaaS platform, Feestream, a simple but powerful tool that automates the painful process of updating insurance fee schedules in practice management software. If you’re curious about scaling, leadership, or simplifying operations, you’ll find tons of insight in this honest and forward-thinking conversation.

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In today’s episode, we continue with Part 2 of Alastair Macdonald’s transformative keynote from the 2025 Dental Success Summit. In this powerful conclusion, Alastair goes deeper into what it means to be a high-agency, sovereign individual in a world that demands adaptability. He shares intense real-world experiences—from war zones in Africa to navigating financial crises—and translates them into timeless lessons for dentists and entrepreneurs.

Alastair challenges us to abandon the illusion of certainty, fight the “single payment fallacy,” and redefine success as the ability to solve increasingly complex problems. With storytelling, grit, and wisdom, he empowers listeners to choose a life pulled by personal legend rather than pushed by borrowed desires.

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In today’s episode, we dive into Part 1 of Alastair Macdonald’s powerful keynote at the 2025 Dental Success Summit. With a background as a safari guide, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and high-level strategist, Alastair brings a unique lens to leadership, economics, and adaptability.

He unpacks how massive global and economic shifts—from AI to inflation—demand a new type of thinking and introduces the concept of becoming a high-agency individual. Through captivating stories—including a high-stakes wildlife encounter—and thought-provoking insights, he challenges the audience to reject fragility, embrace relevance, and think beyond hyper-specialization in their practices and lives.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Samad Syed, founder and CEO of mConsent, a powerful all-in-one platform designed to modernize and streamline dental practice operations. Samad shares the origin story of mConsent, which was born out of a frustrating medical billing experience and has since grown into a software solution trusted by over 2,000 dental offices across the U.S.

He breaks down how mConsent integrates seamlessly with major PMS systems like Dentrix, Open Dental, and Eaglesoft to eliminate paperwork, improve patient communication, automate insurance verification, and boost case acceptance through AI-powered tools. The conversation also explores how mConsent is reducing front desk burnout, increasing operational efficiency, and helping practices reactivate patients, manage unscheduled treatment, and build 5-star reputations—without relying on a dozen different software plugins.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by his longtime friend and fellow UCSD alum, Dr. Taher Dhoon, for another insightful surgical conversation. They kick things off with a nostalgic and lively discussion about UCSD’s emerging basketball program, the culture of streetball, and how a hometown hero nearly changed the NCAA bracket. Then, they seamlessly pivot to a deep dive into frenectomies—highlighting their clinical relevance not just for pediatric patients, but for adults with airway, sleep, and muscular issues.

Dr. Dhoon outlines how general dentists can integrate frenectomies into their practices, the benefits of CO2 laser vs. scalpel techniques, and how this one low-overhead procedure can unlock a powerful referral pipeline from pediatricians, lactation consultants, and myofunctional therapists. They also preview the new frenectomy curriculum launching at the Colorado Surgical Institute (CSI) and how it fits into a growing suite of CSI programs—from full-arch and zygomatic implants to IV and oral sedation, aesthetics, and more.

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On today’s episode, you’ll hear Dr. Mark Costes in his first-ever recording from the brand-new DSI studio—joined by none other than Dr. Cody Boals, who shares his journey from small-town Illinois to co-owning a thriving 10-operatory dental practice in Colorado Springs. Dr. Boals opens up about launching Kissing Camels Family Dentistry with his wife Alexa, their approach to grassroots marketing, and how they scaled from seeing 40 new patients a month to over 150—all while maintaining a strong family-first philosophy.

Cody reflects on his early leadership missteps, how COVID and a NICU stay changed their practice vision, and the systems that helped them grow to nearly $5 million in collections. He also dives into his passion for endurance racing and what led him to complete the legendary Leadville 100 ultra-marathon just weeks after welcoming their second child. This episode is packed with insight on intentional scheduling, team culture, giving back to the community, and how to grow a practice without sacrificing your values.

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On today’s episode, we’re diving into part two of Dr. Mark Costes’ keynote from the DSI Mastermind in October 2025. Building on the foundation from part one, Mark takes us deeper into the science of motivation and the brain’s role in developing sustained discipline and resilience. He shares how to operate in the “zone of neuroplasticity,” where challenge meets growth, and how pushing just outside your comfort zone—without overwhelming your nervous system—leads to real transformation.

With insights from neuroscience, personal stories, and proven strategies, Mark explains how to train your anterior mid-cingulate cortex (AMCC), shift your relationship with discomfort, and build willpower through intentional effort and recovery. Learn how deep work, rest protocols like Yoga Nidra, mindful breathing, and the power of social influence can turn temporary motivation into lifelong grit.

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On today’s episode, we bring you part one of a two-part keynote from Dr. Mark Costes, recorded live during the DSI Mastermind in October 2025. In this powerful session, Mark unpacks “The Motivation Myth” and examines what truly drives elite performers—from Kobe Bryant and Thomas Edison to DSI’s own Cody Boals.

Through both inspiring stories and neuroscience-based insights, he explains how motivation, willpower, and grit aren’t traits you’re born with—they’re skills you can train. With research from thought leaders like Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia, Mark shows how to use internal dialogue, identity framing, and dopamine-driven strategies to build sustainable drive and redefine your relationship with hard work and discomfort.

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2396: Avoid the Sharks and Win Big in Oil and Gas

2395: Turning Slow Months Into Growth Opportunities

2394: How Data and Discipline Are Reshaping Dental Startups

2393: A Half-Cycle Business In A Full-Cycle World Pt. 2

2392: A Half-Cycle Business In A Full-Cycle World Pt. 1

2391: Why Front Desk Burnout Is a Systems Problem

2390: Building a Frenectomy Practice That Runs Itself

2389: Balancing Dentistry, Fatherhood, and a 100-Mile Race

2388: The Motivation Myth Pt. 2

2387: The Motivation Myth Pt. 1