Jon Mathis, Author at Dental Success Institute

In today’s Part 1 episode, we welcome the first-ever DSI Black Belt Coach, Dr. Aaron Nicholas, who delivers an eye-opening and often humorous presentation titled “Too Efficient? Or Too Efficient.” Dr. Nicholas dives deep into the philosophy and practical application of efficiency in dentistry, exploring the fine line between streamlining and sacrificing quality. He shares personal stories—from nearly going bankrupt after a scratch-start practice to becoming a sought-after efficiency expert and CE provider.

With actionable systems, like his eight-minute operatory setup and team-driven support strategies, Dr. Nicholas emphasizes the value of clarity in systems and the importance of combining efficiency and effectiveness. Plus, he offers practical pearls for communication, team training, and leveraging visual aids to boost case acceptance.

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In today’s Part 2 episode, Dr. Ben Kacos explores the comprehensive evolution of onboarding, team training, and leadership development in a thriving dental practice. From setting clear 30/60/90-day goals to implementing tiered compensation models, Dr. Ben breaks down how transparency, coaching, and culture-building create empowered, self-motivated teams. He shares practical strategies like the “Big Sister” mentorship program, team-led education, and leveraging back-to-basics cards in daily huddles.

You’ll also hear how structured bonuses, “ghost column” scheduling, and intentional overstaffing contribute to operational excellence and profitability. This session is a masterclass in creating consistent, high-performing teams that align with your mission and values.

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In today’s Part 1 episode, we dive into the evolution of effective team training in dental practices. From humble beginnings with a small, disorganized staff, Dr. Ben Kacos shares how he transformed chaos into a cohesive, high-performing team culture. He outlines foundational strategies including roundtable post-mortems, building a living team handbook, clinical and communication calibration, and the power of consistent coaching.

With real-life examples and tactical advice, Dr. Ben covers everything from leveraging case presentation formats to onboarding with training videos and 30/60/90-day goals. Discover how consistency in leadership drives team performance and builds a thriving practice culture.

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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with returning guest Corey Pinnagar, CEO of the fast-growing dental service company Reach. Corey shares his journey from purchasing the company for just $1 at age 22 to scaling it into a team of over 200 employees, with accolades from Inc. 500 and the Salt Lake Tribune. The conversation explores the essential balance between AI and human touch in service industries, the art of sustainable growth, and the alignment of incentives that empowers team members and customers alike.

Corey opens up about the painful, lesson-filled early years of entrepreneurship—what he calls his “expensive MBA”—and the vital importance of honest, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations in leadership. The episode wraps with an inspiring discussion on creating long-term value and a mission-driven culture in a rapidly evolving industry.

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In this episode, Dr. Bill Keith breaks down the exact AI tools he’s using to streamline everything from onboarding new patients to managing phone calls and analyzing data from Open Dental. He shows how tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and a custom voice assistant named Abby are changing the game in patient communication, scheduling, insurance verification, and marketing—without needing a tech background or a programming degree.

From writing SQL queries in seconds to having AI bots summarize 200-page legal contracts, this is a tactical breakdown of how to bring cutting-edge automation into a dental practice today.

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Dr. Bill Keith opens the doctor’s session by pulling back the curtain on how a 20-op, high-efficiency practice outside Kansas City is using AI to run tighter systems, make faster decisions, and actually reduce day-to-day chaos. With a background in accounting and finance.

Dr. Keith breaks down complex concepts like SQL queries, Open Dental integration, and real-time marketing automation into clear, actionable takeaways for any owner-operator looking to level up their tech stack. This talk covers everything from building a custom AI receptionist to analyzing big data in minutes with ChatGPT.

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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by the GSD Queen herself, Ashlee Hirschfeld, for a jam-packed session on all things Dental Success Network. From navigating the transition from Facebook Workplace to WorkVivo, to tackling real DSN member questions about taking extended time off, managing front office distractions, investing in team certifications, and hiring personal assistants — this episode dives deep into the operational and cultural challenges facing dental practice owners.

Mark and Ashlee highlight the importance of community, communication, and smart systems, all while keeping it candid and humorous. Whether you’re looking to create redundancy in your practice, strengthen team dynamics, or just get your life back, this episode has something for everyone.

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Dr. Monica Urda went from seven-day workweeks, 70% overhead, and burnout… to a streamlined, $5M practice built on systems, leadership, and relentless execution. In this powerful talk, she breaks down how she scaled from a cramped four-op space to a thriving 14-op facility—without adding providers too early or sacrificing her personal life.

This is a masterclass in real-world efficiency. Monica shares the mindset shifts, tech upgrades, team alignment, and financial discipline that made it all possible—plus the story of how she almost didn’t join DSI because of the check she was afraid to write. A must-watch for any doc trying to grow smart, not just fast.

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In today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Steve Hollingsworth—media producer extraordinaire and the man behind the daily content for Dental Success and Smile Outreach International. Recorded from their makeshift studio in Roatan, Honduras, this episode captures the raw, real, and deeply meaningful moments from their latest dental mission trip.

Steve shares his perspective on the unique duality of Roatan—lush paradise on one side, stark poverty on the other—and reflects on the rewarding chaos of treating 100+ patients a day with limited resources. The duo dive into what it takes to balance high-volume clinical work with content creation, why this particular mission trip stood out from others, and how even non-clinical volunteers walk away transformed. From gang migration stories to underwater wildlife sightings, and the heart behind volunteer families like those running the Refuge, this episode is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience and the impact of service.

Steve Hollingsworth
Founder | EnLighting Media

Steve Hollingsworth is a lifelong creative whose love for storytelling and music started early, with a camera and drumsticks in hand. Over the past two decades, media production has given him front-row access to industries and experiences around the world — from aerial cinematography for aviation brands to cinematic storytelling for dental practices across the country.

As founder of EnLighting Media, Steve leads branded content production, live-streaming for major events like the Dental Success Summit, and post-production for The Dentalpreneur Podcast, the #1 podcast in dentistry, where he has edited over 2,000.

When he’s not filming or traveling for global nonprofit projects with Smile Outreach International, Steve recharges at home in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife Mara, their two cats, and his drum studio — continuing to live out a lifelong passion for creativity, connection, and service.

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In this mastermind recap, Dr. Mark Costes and the Black Belt Coaches share hard-earned truths on leadership, systemization, and the non-negotiables that build a resilient team and a real business. From honoring the people who built their practices into machines to the cost of avoiding tough conversations, this session pulls no punches.

Whether you’re struggling with staff that no longer fit, partners who aren’t pulling their weight, or burnout masked as boredom, this one’s a must-listen. It’s not about growing for the sake of it—it’s about building with clarity, courage, and consistency so life’s biggest moments don’t come at the cost of your business.

EPISODE RESOURCES

2247: Eliminate Wasted Time Pt. 1

2246: Evolution of Team Training Pt. 2

2245: Evolution of Team Training Pt. 1

2244: Why AI Will Never Replace the Human Touch in Dentistry

2243: AI Applications in the Dental Office Pt. 2

2242: AI Applications in the Dental Office Pt. 1

2241: Building a Drama-Free Dental Community

2240: The Core Principles of Office Efficiency

2239: Inside the Grind and Gratitude of a Dental Mission Trip

2238: What Happens When Founders Step Away