Jon Mathis, Author at Dental Success Institute

On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is back for Part 2 of his powerful presentation from the Dental Success Summit, where he dives even deeper into the most pressing challenges facing dental practice owners today—and what to do about them. Mark unpacks the real impact of the shrinking dental workforce, the hygiene “situationship,” and how to turn non-producers into high-performing team members by aligning compensation with measurable KPIs.

He also explores the nuances of PPO participation, helping listeners understand how to evaluate profitability per procedure, plan, and provider. With a strong emphasis on leadership, culture, and infrastructure, this session is packed with pragmatic insights to help you scale smarter, retain top talent, and reclaim control in a rapidly evolving industry.

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

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On today’s episode, we bring you Part 1 of Dr. Mark Costes’ main stage keynote from the Dental Success Summit, where he sets the stage for what it truly takes to thrive in modern dentistry. With trademark honesty and humor, Mark shares his own failures, the lessons they taught him, and why making clinical dentistry optional should be every practice owner’s north star.

He introduces foundational concepts like the Four Futures, the Elite Practice Blueprint, and the critical importance of building strong infrastructure before scaling. From workforce challenges and hygiene shortages to PPO frustrations and burnout, Mark breaks down why the most successful dentists don’t just work harder—they work smarter, with clarity, intention, and community. This is the mindset reset that every dental entrepreneur needs.

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

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes reconnects with tax and wealth strategist Derick Van Ness for an in-depth look at how the newly passed tax bill is opening the door for dentists to claim Research & Development (R&D) tax credits once again. Derick explains why these credits disappeared for most practices after 2021, how the recent legislation has reversed that change, and why dentists now have a limited-time opportunity to amend previous tax returns for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

They dig into the four-part test that determines R&D eligibility, clarify the difference between deductions and credits, and walk through practical examples of how dentists are unknowingly qualifying through the use of new technology, materials, and processes. Derick also discusses the broader tax landscape—from Section 179 deductions to bonus depreciation and SALT workarounds—plus his firm’s plan to scale by acquiring accounting firms that serve niche industries like dentistry.

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

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back his friend and fellow entrepreneur, Dr. Taher Dhoon. While the two often dive into surgery, business, and leadership, today’s discussion takes a different turn—into the world of psilocybin journeys and alternative modalities for personal growth. Dr. Dhoon shares how his exploration of guided psilocybin therapy has helped him find deeper fulfillment, improved relationships, and a renewed perspective on life.

He walks listeners through what a safe, guided journey looks like, the role of integration afterward, and how these experiences differ from traditional therapy. This candid conversation sheds light on an emerging approach to self-discovery that may resonate with dentists feeling isolated, unfulfilled, or seeking new ways to break through personal and professional barriers.

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 returning guest Dr. Matt Standridge live from the Voices of Dentistry event in Gilbert, Arizona. Dr. Standridge shares the major life and career changes he’s made recently, including selling both of his dental practices and moving his family to Oklahoma City. With a renewed focus on education, content creation, and speaking engagements, Dr. Standridge reflects on the transition from ownership to associating, the pros and cons of no longer calling the shots, and how he’s using his experience to elevate the practices he’s now working with.

He also dives into his latest presentation on systematic smile design for GPs—drawing from the principles of Spears and Coyce—and reveals a unique triple-win approach to professional dental photography that builds community goodwill and enhances marketing. If you’re a GP looking to integrate ortho, elevate case presentation, or find more balance in your professional life, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

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

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On today’s episode, you’ll hear Dr. Mark Costes’ TED talk from the Super Dentist Boost Camp 2025. In this raw and powerful session, Mark opens with a moving passage from his upcoming book, pulling back the curtain on a time in his life when he had achieved every external marker of success—multiple practices, financial freedom, luxury everything—yet still felt completely unfulfilled. He shares the emotional toll of burnout, the cost of ambition without boundaries, and how he nearly lost it all.

Out of that experience came the Four Futures framework—Mind, Meaning, Muscle, and Money—which he now uses daily to build a life of intention and balance. Mark also introduces the mission behind Smile Outreach International and explains why giving back has become the most rewarding chapter of his career. If you’ve ever questioned whether the price you’re paying is worth the life you’re building, this one is for you.

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

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In this inspiring presentation, Dr. Matt Slivka shares how purpose, people, and influence have transformed both his life and practice. From launching Roadside Dental without mentorship to becoming a thriving multi-doctor practice and a DSI Black Belt Coach, Matt reflects on how his journey was shaped by small acts of mentorship—like an open invitation from Dr. Jason Campbell—that led to massive ripple effects. He emphasizes the personal growth he found through DSI, the power of community, and his mission-driven nonprofit, Roadside Reach International, which brings dental care and support to underserved communities in Guatemala.

Matt highlights real-life examples of world-changing influence—from a single IT technician funding a water tower in Africa to his own team delivering textbooks to rural Guatemalan students. He reminds us that true legacy isn’t measured by recognition, but by the lives we touch through generosity and intention. With heartfelt stories and calls to action, he challenges the audience to think bigger, express gratitude, and ask one key question: “Who can you influence today?”

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with newly minted Black Belt Coach Dr. Karley Schneider, a dynamic dentist and entrepreneur based in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Schneider shares her journey from dental school to acquiring three practices and ultimately deciding to simplify her life by selling one of them. With a background in business and a passion for leadership, she reveals how she built high-performing teams, maintained low overhead, and created two distinct practice models—one PPO-based and one fee-for-service.

She also dives into the challenges of associate recruitment, the power of finding the right team members, and how her daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis inspired her to launch a nonprofit initiative. From injectables to nonprofit galas, this episode is a deep dive into balancing ambition, family, and purpose.

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

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by the energetic and insightful Minal Sampat—best-selling author, marketing strategist, dental hygienist, and founder of the wildly popular CE on the Beach. After reconnecting at a recent event in Philadelphia, Dr. Costes realized Minal had somehow never been a guest—despite her massive impact in the dental space. Minal shares her incredible journey from studying bio and communications to launching her first company by breaking a Guinness World Record.

They dive into her marketing philosophy, why most practices are overspending, and how to build a strategy that actually connects. Minal also explains how she scaled her online marketing training program, Marketologist, and what makes her tropical CE events such a unique draw. This conversation is packed with smart marketing tips, inspiring personal stories, and tactical strategies to help your practice stand out without overspending.

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. Randy Houska, a general dentist from South Dakota and one of the original co-founders of the Voices of Dentistry. Live from the VOD Lite event in Gilbert, Arizona, the two dive into Dr. Houska’s unique journey—from nearly four decades as a solo practitioner to finally bringing on his first associate, and how that transition has reshaped his practice and his life.

But there’s more—Dr. Houska opens up about his family’s unexpected rise to fame through the MTV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom 2, where his daughter Chelsea was a featured cast member. He shares what it was like to be thrust into the national spotlight, the impact of fame on family, and how they navigated both public praise and harsh criticism. The conversation touches on personal growth, work-life balance, the joys of grandparenting 19 grandkids, and reflections on a career built in small-town dentistry with a big story to tell.

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

EPISODE RESOURCES

2362: Am I the Problem? Leadership Communication with Positive Impact Pt. 2

2361: Am I the Problem? Leadership Communication with Positive Impact Pt. 1

2360: How to Legally Slash Your Tax Bill Before July 2026

2359: Dentistry Entrepreneurship and the Search for Deeper Meaning

2358: The Triple Win Marketing Strategy Every Dentist Should Know

2357: The Real Cost of Unchecked Ambition

2356: Power of Purpose, People, and Influence

2355: Balancing Growth and Simplicity in a Multi-Practice Journey

2354: How a Guinness World Record Launched a Dental Marketing Empire

2353: Behind the Scenes of Dentistry and Reality Television