The Dentalpreneur Podcast Archives - Page 2 of 248

On today’s episode, we’re sharing a powerful live talk Dr. Mark Costes gave to the Prescott High School boys’ soccer team following a tough early-season loss. In a raw, motivating message, Mark addresses the emotional aftermath of defeat and challenges the players to take radical accountability—reminding them that adversity offers a critical opportunity for self-reflection, growth, and leadership. Drawing from his own athletic background and principles of stoicism and extreme ownership, he emphasizes that true development doesn’t happen when things go right—but when you choose how to respond when they don’t.

Mark leads the team through a simple but impactful exercise to identify personal areas of improvement and publicly commit to one key focus before the next game. From shifting mindset to supporting teammates more intentionally, this talk highlights the kind of mental resilience and character-building that transcends the scoreboard.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Erik Brenner, CFP and author of The Personal CFO Revolution, to discuss how dentists, physicians, and other high-income professionals can build a “personal CFO” framework without needing a nine-figure net worth. Erik explains how integrating investment management, tax planning, and retirement strategy under one coordinated plan mirrors the family office model traditionally reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

They explore the critical difference between simply deferring taxes and truly mitigating them, why working with a fiduciary matters, and how proactive tax projections can dramatically impact long-term wealth. The conversation also covers strategies available to both practice owners and W2 earners, including oil and gas investments, solar tax credits, leveraged deductions, and opportunity zone planning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow income while keeping more of what they earn.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Tianna Hall live from the Voices of Dentistry conference. Dr. Hall shares her unconventional path from private practice burnout to a fulfilling career providing dental care in the Utah prison system. She discusses how early mentorship helped her overcome clinical fears, and how volunteer dentistry reignited her passion. From oral surgery to removable prosthetics, Dr. Hall walks us through the unique challenges—and surprising benefits—of correctional dentistry, including safety protocols, minimal overhead, and a clear work-life boundary.

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On today’s episode, we’re bringing you Dr. Mark Costes’ full keynote talk at KC Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, where he pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a successful, profitable dental practice in today’s challenging environment. Mark dives into overhead realities, burnout, leadership, culture, and how most dentists unknowingly build businesses that trap them—often earning less than they could as associates.

He shares raw stories from his own journey, including the physical toll of dentistry, his “aha” moment after reaching financial success but feeling unfulfilled, and how he shifted his approach to build optionality and meaning into his career. This one is packed with hard truths, tactical insights, and the exact frameworks he uses to help hundreds of dentists systemize their practices, reclaim their time, and build wealth on their terms.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by two dynamic leaders shaping the landscape of dental continuing education—Dr. Mike DiTolla and Traci Stephenson. Mike shares stories from his 37-year dental career, his passion for fly fishing, and how technology reinvigorated his love for clinical dentistry. He also opens up about his journey from average dental student to one of the most influential educators in the industry, emphasizing authenticity and humor as his trademarks on stage.

Traci, the senior manager of event marketing at Henry Schein, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Thrive Live, one of dentistry’s most engaging and comprehensive events. From course offerings and team-focused content to top-tier entertainment and hospitality, Traci explains how Thrive Live delivers exceptional value and an unforgettable experience. This episode is equal parts insightful, hilarious, and inspiring—a true peek into the culture and people behind modern dental education.

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On today’s episode, we’re sharing Dr. Mark Costes’ live talk at Midwestern University, where he gives dental students an unfiltered look into life after graduation—and what it really takes to succeed. Drawing from his journey as a former owner of 16 practices and founder of multiple dental businesses, Mark delivers a fast-paced, high-impact presentation on business fundamentals, practice profitability, leadership, and personal fulfillment.

He explains why most dentists in the U.S. operate with dangerously thin margins—and how to avoid becoming one of them. With real-world examples and clear, digestible math, Mark shows the difference between running a high-earning but unprofitable practice versus a lean, well-managed one. He also shares his personal story of reaching financial freedom and realizing that money alone wasn’t enough—leading to the creation of the Four Futures framework, focused on mind, meaning, muscle, and money. This is the talk every dental student should hear before stepping into the real world of practice ownership.

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On today’s episode, Jake Conway breaks down the evolution every dental practice owner experiences—from clinician to owner-operator to true CEO. He explains why early success often creates a dangerous reliance on the owner’s production and how that pressure can lead to burnout and resentment. Jake outlines the predictable growth path of a dental practice, including how to identify bottlenecks in hygiene, when to add providers, and how to use KPIs to drive performance without obsessing over production alone.

He also tackles the “associate paradox,” showing with real numbers how bringing on an associate can actually increase profitability while freeing the owner from the chair. Finally, Jake explores the long-term vision of building a leadership team, making dentistry optional, and creating a practice that generates significant income without relying on the owner’s clinical time.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by returning guest and longtime friend of the podcast, Dr. Matthew Standridge, live from the Voices of Dentistry conference. Dr. Standridge shares his incredible journey from owning multiple rural practices in Kansas to selling them and transitioning into a career focused on education and clinical mentorship. He opens up about the unique and atypical process of selling one of his practices to a nonprofit organization pursuing FQHC status, and how that created a win-win for both the community and his personal goals.

Now living in Edmond, Oklahoma, Dr. Standridge reflects on the improved quality of life for his family and his renewed passion for teaching. He dives deep into his new online education platform, Orthodontic XP, designed to help general dentists implement clear aligner therapy confidently and effectively—especially those who feel stuck after initial certification courses. Dr. Standridge also shares key insights on team training, patient communication, and systems for case acceptance in ortho.

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On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with M&A expert Brannon Moncrief to break down the current dental consolidation landscape and what it really means for practice owners considering a sale. They discuss why 2025 was a strong year for strategic sellers despite tighter capital markets, how deal structures have evolved from pure HoldCo models to joint venture alignments, and why organic growth now matters more than simply stacking EBITDA.

Brannon shares insights on recap realities, earn-outs versus earn-ups, and why age and runway dramatically impact leverage in negotiations. They also dive into common seller mistakes, the risks of waiting too long in a shifting consolidation cycle, and how to think critically about equity projections and “unicorn” promises. If you’re planning an eventual transition—whether next year or a decade from now—this episode offers a pragmatic look at how to prepare and position yourself for the best possible outcome.

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On today’s episode, we’re sharing a special DSN webinar featuring Dr. Mark Costes and Kyle Francis, founder of Professional Transition Strategies, titled Mastering Your Practice Valuation: What Today’s Buyers Are Actually Looking For. With over 600 dental transitions and 25 practices owned, Kyle brings unmatched insight into how valuations really work in today’s changing landscape.

Together, Mark and Kyle explore why the old method of valuing practices based on collections is outdated, and how modern buyers—especially DSOs and private equity groups—assess value through profitability, scalability, and risk. They break down the differences between doctor-to-doctor sales and private equity-backed deals, explain what seller discretionary earnings and EBITDA actually mean, and share how practice size, location, payer mix, and clinical capacity influence multiples. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or years from now, this conversation is packed with strategies to make your practice more attractive and maximize its value.

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

EPISODE RESOURCES

2467: Building Mental Toughness in Young Athletes

2466: The Family Office Model for Dentists and Physicians

2465: Dentistry Without the Stress of Overhead or On-Call

2464: The Real Reason You’re Burned Out and What to Do About It

2463: Behind the Scenes at Thrive Live and the Power of Dental Events

2462: Lessons from 16 Practices and a Life Beyond the Op

2461: Clinician Transition: Leveraging What You’ve Built

2460: The Power of Aligner Education and Letting Go of the Drill

2459: The Dental Consolidation Tipping Point Is Coming

2458: The Truth About Dental Consolidation and Practice Worth