The Thriving Dentist Show

Discover how dental practices can thrive without leaning on more insurance plans. The hosts highlight the hidden costs of PPO participation and share effective strategies for insurance independence. Learn about four essential systems that enhance hygiene, admin training, and marketing. Dive into smart marketing techniques like SEO and patient reviews that attract value-driven clients. With insights on treating write-offs as a marketing expense, you'll be equipped to reshape your practice's future!

Kickstart 2026 with practical wisdom for dentists! Discover how to assess your practice’s health, set clear goals, and track impactful metrics like collections and patient flow. Learn the importance of getting your team aligned and why reducing dependence on PPO plans can enhance profitability. Focus on one high-value service to cater to patients' needs and grow your practice. These actionable strategies promise a more profitable and less stressful year ahead!

Reflecting on 2025, hosts explore how dental practices faced inflation and staffing challenges. They reveal how AI and marketing were game-changers, enabling some to thrive while others faltered. Key success factors included exceptional human service, effective leadership, and a focus on KPIs. They emphasize the importance of setting fees to reduce insurance reliance and improve profitability. Additionally, a success story highlights the benefits of going out-of-network. Valuable insights are shared for a lucrative and fulfilling 2026.

Discover how dentists can embrace a 4-day workweek without losing income. Learn effective strategies for increasing daily production through smarter scheduling and delegation. Explore the importance of high-value services in boosting revenue, and how hygiene can drive practice growth. Plus, hear insights on integrating associate dentists and optimizing clinical workflows. Shift your mindset to think like a leader and achieve a better work-life balance while maintaining a thriving practice.

Discover how dentists can tap into the growing demand for sleep and airway services. Learn about the serious implications of untreated sleep apnea and why dental alternatives to CPAP can help patients. Marketing strategies for these services include effective keyword usage and the power of local SEO. Explore the importance of building lasting relationships with patients by addressing their sleep issues, and how enhancing your skills can lead to a more rewarding and less physically demanding practice.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Whitney D. Weiner, a periodontist and multi-location practice owner, shares her journey from clinician to CEO. They dive into her unique perspective on the oral-systemic connection and the importance of nurturing talent within teams. Whitney emphasizes the significance of patient-centered growth, balancing her role as a mother and leader, and how collaboration with general dentists can enhance care. With inspiring stories of team member transformations, this conversation highlights the need for ethical leadership in dentistry.

Naren Arulrajah, a dental marketing expert and founder of Equa, joins to explore the evolving online patient experience. They discuss how first impressions now occur through websites and Google profiles before a patient even calls. Learn the importance of fast-loading, user-friendly sites, and effective online reviews. Naren emphasizes the role of AI in shaping patient decisions and practical tips to enhance trust. Plus, they reveal common website mistakes that drive patients away and the impact of convenience on conversion rates.

Discover how dental teams can not only adapt to change but thrive through it. Gary shares insights on fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity among staff. Learn the importance of cross-training to enhance flexibility and reduce vulnerabilities. Find out about the impact of behavioral continuing education on patient relationships, and how to effectively implement change through 90-day plans. Explore motivation strategies with tailored incentives and celebrate small wins to sustain progress.

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs sits down with Dr. Chris Phelps, dentist, entrepreneur, and certified trainer at the Cialdini Institute, to explore the science behind ethical persuasion and how it applies to dentistry. Dr. Phelps shares how understanding principles such as reciprocity, scarcity, consistency, liking, and social proof can elevate patient trust, improve case acceptance, and strengthen team communication. He also discusses the difference between persuasion and coercion, the power of creating the right mindset before communication (persuasion), and how to ethically apply these concepts in daily practice. Listeners will gain actionable insights into transforming their practice culture through psychology-driven communication and learn how to access training directly from the Cialdini Institute.

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share how to fast-track your dental team's performance in just 90 days using a focused framework inspired by The 12-Week Year. Discover how short-term goals drive long-term success as Gary explains how to prioritize the right objectives, motivate your team through purpose-driven leadership, and use check-ins to sustain accountability. From improving case acceptance and handling emergencies effectively to measuring KPIs like the Accounts Receivable Ratio, this conversation offers practical, proven steps to help your team work smarter, stay aligned, and achieve measurable growth.