How to Win At Fee For Service and PPO Dentistry (ft. Dr. Deren Flesher and Dr. Erik Zundo)

Everyone online talks about FFS vs PPO like you have to “pick a side.”
But the reality is way more nuanced and way more dependent on who you are, where you practice, and what you want your career to look like.

In this episode, we brought together:
• Dr. Erik Zundo — 12 years fee-for-service in a college town
• Dr. Deren Flesher — PPO-heavy, multi-doctor office

This episode breaks down how to actually win in either model and what most dentists misunderstand about both.

Inside the episode:
• Why FFS works in some markets and fails in others
• The real difference between FFS and “out of network”
• Why PPO models scale faster (but turn the dentist into the replaceable part)
• Why FFS practices are built on relationships, not volume
• The Amazon-Prime expectations patients now bring to dentistry
• Why the “perfect” associate is usually gone in a year
• How gender, lifestyle, and generational shifts are reshaping the profession
• How to choose the model that matches who you are

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This episode is supported by partners we actually use and trust

Darkhorse Tech

The team that keeps hundreds of dental practices from burning to the ground (digitally, at least). If your IT causes more anxiety than your production report, get Darkhorse. Your first month is free if you mention the podcast when signing up.

👉 darkhorsetech.com

Nadapayments

Credit card fees are the silent tax on dentistry. Nadapayments helps offices keep that money instead of handing it to Visa. Simple. Compliant. Zero drama.

👉 nadapayments.com