The Dental CEO Podcast

Rising construction costs have made dental office design one of the biggest financial risk factors in a startup. In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune sits down with Chris Raba, owner of Lean Dental Design, to explain how poor space planning, bloated layouts, and inefficient design decisions quietly drive up construction costs and leave dentists over budget before they ever open. They break down why usable square footage matters more than total size, how small design choices can create massive cost swings, and why detailed planning and value engineering are now essential in today’s construction climate. If you’re planning a startup, relocation, or expansion, this episode shows how smarter design can protect your budget and your long-term success

Eric Masson, Partner at Eskow Law Group, joins Scott Leune on The Dental CEO Podcast to break down the legal strategies dentists need when starting, buying, or growing a practice. Drawing from years of experience in healthcare transactions, Eric explains why lease agreements are often landlord-friendly, why legal counsel should be involved before signing a Letter of Intent, and how to properly structure associate agreements, non-competes, and partnerships to avoid costly disputes. He also shares insights on deal fatigue, partner buy-outs, and DSO structures for asset protection, estate planning, and easier access to capital—providing essential legal knowledge every dental practice owner should understand.

Most lawsuits in dentistry don’t start with patients—they start with employees. This episode breaks down how common HR missteps like unclear policies, poor documentation, and bad advice turn everyday staff issues into legal problems. A direct conversation on what actually puts dental practices at risk and how to avoid it.

In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune speaks with orthodontist and entrepreneur Dr. Ingrid Murra about the current state of clear aligner therapy, examining how incentive structures, training gaps, and rapid adoption have influenced patient outcomes and provider profitability. They discuss collaboration between general dentists and orthodontists, the role of virtual monitoring in improving compliance, the importance of maintaining high clinical standards at scale, and lessons from building a dental business beyond the operatory.

Dr. Aditi Agarwal, a general dentist and founder of Practice By Numbers, dives into how automation and AI can transform dental practices. She highlights how these technologies eliminate grueling tasks like insurance verification and scheduling, allowing teams to focus on patient care. Aditi discusses implementing AI for better decision-making and training, creating a smoother patient journey from scheduling to payments. The conversation also emphasizes reimagining staff roles to reduce burnout and enhance workplace satisfaction, urging dentists to lead with a CEO mindset.

Explore how to revolutionize the patient experience in dental practices. From innovative lobby designs and cozy amenities to high-tech diagnostics, every detail matters. Discover tactics for minimizing discomfort during procedures and enhancing post-treatment care. Learn the importance of frictionless communication and personalized touches in building trust. Daily audits and team professionalism play a crucial role in maintaining exceptional standards. An unforgettable patient experience not only boosts referrals but also elevates overall satisfaction and fulfillment.

Leadership looks different for female dentists—and it often comes with unfair labels, blurred boundaries, and added pressure at home and in the practice. In this episode, Scott Leune sits down with Curve Dental President Jana Macon to discuss the real challenges women navigate in leadership and how they can set healthier boundaries, communicate clearly, build a strong results-driven culture, while reducing unnecessary demands on their time and energy and protecting their well-being.

Real estate is one of the highest-stakes—and most overlooked—financial decisions in dentistry, and in this episode Scott sits down with Colin Carr, CEO of CARR, to reveal how lease renewals, poorly negotiated terms, missed concessions, and uninformed decisions routinely cost dentists hundreds of thousands of dollars over their careers. From TI allowances and free rent to assignability clauses, tax strategy, and the true wealth-building potential of owning your building, this conversation breaks down the strategies every dentist needs but almost no one is taught. Whether you're planning a startup, buying a practice, or approaching a renewal, this episode will reshape how you think about real estate and protect the future of your practice.

In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune sits down with Kevin Tallman, CEO of Mango Voice, to discuss how AI-powered phone systems are transforming dental practices. Drawing on data from more than 12,000 practices, they reveal how much revenue is lost through missed calls and how AI receptionists are already improving patient interactions and operational efficiency. This concise, insight-packed conversation shows dentists exactly where phone technology is headed and how to prepare for the changes ahead.

In this episode, Scott Leune and Dr. Christian Coachman break down how to use technology, storytelling, and a differentiated “Apple Store” patient experience to dramatically increase case acceptance. Learn how mastering planning, guided execution, and emotional dentistry can elevate your reputation, attract better cases, and transform your career.