The Thriving Dentist Show

Discover effective strategies to enhance your dental practice's schedule. Learn how reconnecting with overdue hygiene patients can boost your appointments. Explore the importance of following up on unscheduled treatments with timely reminders. Master same-day dentistry techniques and enhance patient trust by fostering connections during exams. Plus, get insights on using marketing tactics like SEO and Google Ads to attract new patients when you're facing slow days.

In this eye-opening episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs uncovers a shocking truth about dental insurance that most professionals aren't aware of — only 2.8% of patients with dental insurance use their full annual benefit. Gary explains why this matters, how insurance companies profit from unused benefits, and what steps dentists can take to better educate their patients. He also discusses practical strategies for reducing insurance dependence, improving call conversion rates, and creating stronger patient connections. This episode sheds light on the hidden dynamics of dental insurance and empowers dental professionals to take proactive steps toward greater independence and profitability. If you're ready to understand the real impact of dental insurance on your practice and how to create long-term success, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Dr. Wardah Inam, CEO and co-founder of Overjet, is leading the charge in AI-driven dental technology with a remarkable background in engineering and biomedical AI. In the discussion, she reveals how AI analyzes x-rays to improve diagnostics and enhance patient communication. The conversation also covers automating insurance verification to boost case acceptance and simplify workflows. Dr. Inam highlights the importance of reducing administrative burdens, ultimately leading to better patient care and increased profitability for dental practices.

In this powerful episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs reveals the common traits shared by thriving dental practices. Drawing from over 45 years of coaching and consulting experience, Gary outlines the seven goals of a thriving practice—from achieving financial independence and reducing insurance dependence to strengthening leadership and team satisfaction. You'll learn how to measure what matters, build a high-performance dental team, and leverage AI-driven marketing to stay ahead in 2025. Whether you're a solo practitioner or leading a multi-doctor office, this episode offers a proven framework to create your own version of success. Tune in now to discover what it really takes to build a thriving, profitable, and fulfilling dental practice!

In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah reveal how patients decide within seconds whether your dental office is the right choice for them. Discover why attention spans are shrinking, how website design and trust cues shape first impressions, and which visual elements instantly turn browsers into booked patients. You'll learn actionable strategies to help your practice stand out - including: • Using authentic team photos and full-face smile transformations • Adding short, friendly welcome videos to build patient trust • Creating a mobile-first website that converts visitors fast • Leveraging Google reviews (10+ "love letter" reviews per month!) to boost credibility and social proof Whether you want to attract more high-quality patients, improve SEO performance, or increase call conversion rates, this episode is packed with insights to help your practice thrive in today's digital world. Listen now and transform your website into a patient-converting powerhouse!

Discover the five essential metrics for running a thriving dental practice in 2025. Learn why focusing on profitability over production is key, and explore strategies to reduce dependence on PPO plans. Team retention and patient loyalty emerge as vital elements for success. Get insights on managing work-life balance and actionable steps to track behind-the-scenes metrics. Plus, uncover how to attract patients who prioritize health with smart marketing techniques. This is your guide to transforming your practice and achieving financial freedom.

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs talks with Ian McNickle, CEO of Icon Dental Partners, about the shift from DSOs to Dental Partnership Organizations (DPOs) and how they're reshaping dentistry. Discover how true clinical autonomy, stronger ownership opportunities, and smart staffing solutions help dentists reduce insurance dependence and build lasting profitability. Whether you're planning a transition, scaling your practice, or seeking financial freedom, this episode is packed with proven strategies to support your career and lifestyle goals.

Struggling with patients rejecting periodontal therapy? In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share proven strategies to increase patient acceptance of conservative periodontal therapy, highlight the oral-systemic health connection, and provide simple verbal skills for hygienists to boost gum disease treatment acceptance and grow hygiene-driven production.

A staggering 31.8% of U.S. dentists plan to opt out of PPO plans due to rising costs and shrinking reimbursements. The discussion explores the widespread participation in PPOs and the hidden costs that come with them, including significant write-offs. Listeners discover a six-step blueprint for reducing insurance dependence while maintaining patient loyalty. Strategies for effective communication and marketing alternatives to replace PPO referrals are also covered, emphasizing a patient-centered approach to building a profitable practice.

Discover hidden profit killers in your dental practice, from mishandled new patient calls to weak treatment follow-ups. Learn why effective call conversions are crucial, aiming for a 70% target to maximize bookings. Explore strategies for following up on unscheduled treatments and how gentle reminders can turn high-value opportunities into profits. Internal marketing techniques like in-office visuals and patient education are discussed to enhance case acceptance. Pro tips on tracking key metrics and reducing reliance on PPO patients round out this insightful discussion.