The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Brian Mills, founder of ROAM Commercial Real Estate, for a no-fluff, boots-on-the-ground conversation about one of the most overlooked but mission-critical elements of dental startups and practice growth: real estate. With over 25 years in the dental industry, Brian has seen the good, the bad, and the financially disastrous when it comes to lease agreements, landlord negotiations, and practice capacity planning. They discuss the biggest mistakes dentists make when negotiating leases (or skipping representation altogether), how to future-proof your space for growth and resale, and the right questions to ask any real estate firm before hiring them. Brian also breaks down how his firm gets paid, why his loyalty lies with the doctor—not the landlord—and why building the right team of aligned professionals can make or break a startup. If you're thinking about a new lease, relocation, or buying your own building, this is required listening. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.roamcommercialrealty.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined live from Thrive Live in Las Vegas by Eric Pook, president of Cirrus Consulting Group, North America's leading dental office lease negotiation firm. Eric shares eye-opening insights into how dentists—despite being the most reliable tenants—are frequently overpaying for their leases due to lack of awareness, leverage, and negotiation expertise. They explore the most common pitfalls dentists face in lease agreements, including missed renewal deadlines, dangerous personal guarantees, inflated tenant improvement allowances, and how landlords quietly strip away leverage from unsuspecting practice owners. Eric offers a crash course in lease strategy for both startups and acquisitions, explaining why the best time to engage a lease expert is far earlier than most assume. Whether you're starting, growing, or exiting your practice, this conversation could save you hundreds of thousands. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.cirrusconsultinggroup.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's Part 2 episode, Gary Bird joins Mark in an in-depth conversation on how dental practices can unlock serious growth through smarter systems, strategic pricing, and AI integration. Gary shares powerful insights into the rise of AI receptionists, how they're changing the way practices manage phone calls, scheduling, and follow-ups—and why they're not quite ready to fully replace humans. He breaks down the real reasons practices miss out on ROI, including poor call handling, lack of follow-up, and scheduling gaps. You'll also learn why distinguishing between leads and qualified leads matters more than you think, and how block scheduling can make or break your growth. Plus, Gary dives into one of the most controversial topics in dental marketing: pricing. He explains why discounting can attract the wrong crowd and how strategic, data-driven pricing wins in competitive markets. If you're serious about scaling without sacrificing your margins, this episode is a must-listen. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://smcnational.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Gary Bird, founder of SMC, empowers dental practices with a keen focus on marketing and operations. In this discussion, he reveals why many dental marketing efforts fail, stressing the importance of operational efficiency over flashy tactics. He highlights that 35% of calls go unanswered, significantly hurting ROI. The conversation also dives into the vital connection between lead generation and effective operational execution, advocating for better appointment availability and follow-up systems to enhance patient acquisition.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Stephanie Botts, a seasoned dental hygienist turned ergonomics expert, to explore the physical toll dentistry takes on clinicians and how to prevent it. Stephanie shares how her own experience with chronic back pain inspired her to launch a business focused on helping dental professionals practice pain-free. From proper patient positioning and the dangers of "chicken winging," to the benefits of micro-breaks, loop upgrades, and targeted strength training, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to protect your body and extend your clinical career. Whether you're seated, standing, or working in extreme mobile settings, Stephanie offers solutions you can implement immediately to feel better at the end of the day. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.polishedposture.net https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Wendy Briggs, a Registered Dental Hygienist and co-founder of The Team Training Institute, shares her expertise on addressing the rift between hygienists and dentists. She discusses the hygiene crisis impacting dental practices, driven by wage expectations and cultural misunderstandings. Wendy offers strategies to enhance hygiene department productivity and elevate patient care standards. With insights into preventive and periodontal therapy, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration and a revamped definition of hygiene roles in modern practices.

Darren Shaw, the founder of Whitespark and a local SEO expert, shares crucial strategies for dentists to enhance their online presence. He discusses the three pillars of local SEO, focusing on optimizing Google Business Profiles and developing a consistent review strategy. Darren provides practical tips, such as using targeted categories and engaging with reviews. He highlights the importance of accountability in marketing efforts and how emerging AI tools can reshape local search, ensuring dentists attract more patients through improved visibility.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with longtime friend and repeat guest JJ Ditkofsky, founder of WeCare, live from the Thrive Live event in Las Vegas. JJ dives deep into one of the most critical yet often misunderstood components of running a successful dental practice: real estate. From lease negotiations and expansions to practice startups and real estate purchases, JJ shares insights into how to avoid getting boxed into limiting contracts and make the smartest real estate decisions possible. They discuss the common pitfalls of signing inflexible leases, how to unlock hidden opportunities with current landlords, and why not all real estate is worth buying—despite the allure of ownership. Plus, the duo teases a high-impact event coming to New York City this fall for dentists interested in starting or expanding their practices the right way. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.drwecare.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In a dynamic discussion, John Meis, founder of The Team Training Institute and a leader in dental practice growth, shares his transformative journey in dentistry. He emphasizes the critical role of patient retention over acquiring new clients for sustainable success. They delve into navigating team dynamics post-COVID, the increasing significance of AI in dental services, and the need for effective communication and collaboration in practice management. Listeners will gain valuable insights on improving operational efficiency and fostering meaningful relationships in the dental industry.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Kristin Yont, a Calgary-based dentist with a remarkable journey from clinical practice to becoming a leader in mind-body medicine. Kristin shares how her personal experience with emotional stress and burnout led her to explore yoga, mindfulness, and ultimately the SMART program—an eight-week stress management and resiliency training course developed by Harvard's Benson Henry Institute. Kristin opens up about how stress manifests physically, how to break the cycle of negative self-talk, and the importance of building emotional awareness and community within dentistry. From resilience to compassion fatigue, this conversation dives deep into the science and strategy behind sustainable well-being for dental professionals. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://mindbodyteacher.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast