

The Thriving Dentist Show
Gary Takacs
The Thriving Dentist Show by Gary Takacs guides dental practice owners and dentists in creating a profitable practice with financial independence while delivering hallmark-level quality of care.
Gary’s lively discussions run the gamut from eye-opening lessons for you to become successful.
Gary’s lively discussions run the gamut from eye-opening lessons for you to become successful.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 21, 2025 • 48min
The 3-Day Work Week – Can It Work in Dentistry?
What if you could work just three days a week… and still run a thriving dental practice? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah explore a powerful idea that’s on the minds of many dentists today: how to create more free time without losing income or control of your practice. If you’ve ever felt burned out or just wish you had more balance in life, this episode is for you. Gary shares how he’s helped many dentists make the three-day work week a reality. From smart scheduling to reducing insurance headaches, you’ll hear real-world strategies that work. They talk about how two dentists can share the week and still keep the office running five days, or how a solo dentist can stay just as productive by working smarter—not longer. You’ll also learn how to build a strong, happy team that loves the schedule as much as you do. Naren jumps in with simple marketing tips to help attract patients for high-value services like implants, Invisalign, or cosmetic dentistry. He explains why great landing pages, real patient stories, and search engine optimization (SEO) can help you get more of the right patients—without spending a lot on ads. These ideas make it easier to grow your income, even with fewer workdays. Whether you're just starting to think about a lighter schedule or you're ready to take action, this episode gives you a clear path forward. Gary and Naren break it all down in a way that’s easy to follow and proven to work. It’s not just a dream—you really can build a life and practice your love with more time, more freedom, and less stress.

May 14, 2025 • 46min
Everything you Need to Know about OSHA, HIPAA and Health Department Regulation Compliance with Terre Harris
In this latest episode, Gary sits down with Terry Harris, founder of Harris Biomedical, to discuss how dentists can confidently handle OSHA compliance, HIPAA regulations, and infection control protocols. Whether you're a solo dentist or lead a growing practice, you'll learn how to reduce risk, stay audit-ready, and create a safer practice environment for your team and patients.

14 snips
May 7, 2025 • 51min
The Most Profitable Services You Could Be Overlooking
Discover the hidden treasures in dental practices that might be overlooked. Learn about profitable offerings like same-day dentistry and enhanced hygiene services that can boost revenue. The importance of a strong online presence and organic marketing strategies is emphasized for patient acquisition. Strategies for optimizing patient care and enhancing profitability are explored, with real-life examples showcasing the gains. Understand dental insurance utilization better, helping patients maximize their benefits, and delve into attracting clients for services like Invisalign.

Apr 30, 2025 • 45min
The Role of Community Engagement in Practice Growth
Join Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on The Thriving Dentist Show as they uncover the power of connecting with your local community to attract new patients and build trust. From sponsoring sports teams to offering free dental care for veterans, this episode is loaded with practical ideas to boost your practice while making a difference. Plus, catch Doctor Dennis Hartlieb’s handy tip on preventing staining in composite restorations—don’t miss it!

Apr 23, 2025 • 47min
Attracting and Keeping The Best Gen Z Team Members
How can your dental practice attract and retain the best Gen Z team members? Join Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on The Thriving Dentist Show as they explore the unique traits of Generation Z—born 1997 to 2012—and reveal actionable strategies to build a workplace that inspires them. From leveraging purpose and growth opportunities to mastering Google reviews for patient attraction, this episode is packed with insights to strengthen your team and elevate your practice. Don’t miss it!

Apr 16, 2025 • 49min
Is a Hygiene-Driven Practice Model Even Viable Today for a PPO Practice?
Can a hygiene-driven model thrive for PPO dental practices in 2025? Tune into The Thriving Dentist Show with Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah to uncover why a robust hygiene department is your practice’s secret weapon—despite soaring costs and dwindling PPO fees. Discover proven strategies to skyrocket hygiene profits, break free from insurance constraints, and dominate dental SEO marketing. Don’t miss this game-changing episode packed with expert insights to elevate your practice!

10 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 46min
Tech Trends Redefining Dentistry in 2025 with Curve Dental
Jana Macon, President of Curve Dental, is on a mission to guide dental practices through the technology maze. She discusses how cloud-based software can revolutionize operations, from enhancing patient scheduling to ensuring robust cybersecurity. With insights on maximizing efficiency and the shift to real-time systems, Jana highlights the importance of technology in boosting creativity and resilience in dentistry. Prepare to be inspired by strategies that help practices not just survive, but thrive in the evolving landscape of dental care!

Apr 2, 2025 • 40min
A Winning Marketing Strategy To Achieve A Thriving Practice
Are you spending money on marketing but not seeing results? In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah tackle 10 real dentist-submitted questions on effective marketing strategies for 2025. Learn why SEO for dentists is your secret weapon for high ROI, how Google reviews can boost your practice’s credibility, and when digital ads make sense. They also reveal the hidden costs of PPO plans—those “insurance write-offs” could be your biggest marketing expense—and share how to redirect that budget to grow your practice. Packed with practical, no-nonsense tips in plain language, this episode is a must-listen for dentists ready to stop guessing and start thriving. Tune in now to transform your dental marketing!

Mar 26, 2025 • 48min
How to Increase Case Acceptance for High-Value Dentistry
In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, we explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—topics in practice growth: how to increase case acceptance for high-value dentistry. Many dentists are holding back on presenting ideal care due to the fear of rejection or assumptions about what patients can afford. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down the psychology behind why dentists hesitate to present ideal treatment and how to create a patient experience that naturally increases acceptance—without feeling like you’re “selling.” From photos and websites to new patient calls and follow-up systems, this episode offers practical strategies to grow high-value care while building trust and long-term relationships with your patients. Whether you want to grow your Invisalign, implants, or cosmetic services, this episode will help you take confident steps forward. Listen Now!

Mar 19, 2025 • 49min
A Game Plan to Successfully Onboard New Team Members
In this episode Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah discuss how to build a successful onboarding process that integrates new hires smoothly, reduces turnover, and sets them up for long-term success in your practice. Discover proven strategies to ensure every new team member becomes an asset from day one. Gary shares real-world examples of why employees leave, the importance of mentorship, and the key training areas every new hire must go through. Whether you’re hiring now or preparing for future growth, this episode is packed with insights to help you attract, train, and retain top talent.