
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
The goal of this podcast is to assemble the greatest minds of the dental profession and to pass on their most valuable and succinct lessons, in order to help you to achieve your full potential in practice and in life. Let's face it. Dentistry can be a frustrating and isolating profession... but you don't have to be an island anymore.
It's possible to become more profitable, less stressed and more fulfilled in your career and it's our mission is to help you get there.
For a whole host of free practice building tips and resources, visit our website at TrueDentalSuccess.com
Latest episodes

Dec 31, 2024 • 28min
2150: Q&A: New Patients, Acquisitions, DSOs, and Building Your Dream Practice
On today's episode, Mark answers audience questions from the Henry Schein event. Covering some of the most pressing topics for dental practice owners, Mark shares his expertise and strategies to help practices thrive. He tackles questions on attracting new patients without compromising fees or pride, whether to pursue an acquisition or start a practice from scratch, and the top considerations when building a dream multi-specialty practice—focusing on HR, culture, and facility design. Mark also dives into the success of DSOs, explaining what private practice owners can learn and implement from their strategies. Finally, he offers practical advice on effectively marketing a membership plan while maintaining fairness and trust with existing patients. EPISODE RESOURCES https://eassist-dental-billing.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dec 30, 2024 • 37min
2149: Building a Profitable Practice
On today's episode, Mark shares highlights from his recent presentation at a Henry Schein event, where he spoke about the critical pillars of building a profitable and efficient dental practice. Mark dives into systemization, leadership, culture, and overhead control as the foundational elements for success. He also addresses common challenges faced by dental practice owners, including high overhead, HR struggles, and unrealistic patient expectations. Drawing on industry statistics and trends, Mark explores topics like rising retirement ages, profitability concerns, and the impact of PPO plans. He introduces the importance of mentorship and assessments, outlining his innovative belt system to classify and improve practices. With a passion for helping dentists accelerate their journey to making clinical dentistry optional, Mark provides actionable insights for creating a practice that thrives while enhancing personal and professional freedom. EPISODE RESOURCES https://eassist-dental-billing.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dec 27, 2024 • 39min
2148: The Marketing Revolution Pt. 2
On today’s episode, Mark continues his insightful conversation with Laura Maley and Michael Anderson, co-founders of Wunderist Agency, as they unveil the cutting-edge strategies and tools that are transforming dental marketing. The trio dives into Wunderist's innovative ROI tracking technology, which integrates seamlessly with major PMS systems to attribute marketing dollars directly to production outcomes—finally solving the mystery of true marketing ROI. Michael and Laura also share how their team is tackling online scheduling to enhance patient conversion and streamline operations while leveraging AI for smarter, more personalized lead nurturing. From automated follow-ups to creative re-engagement funnels, they reveal how practices can capture opportunities left on the table, like missed calls or unclosed treatment plans. The episode wraps up with a look at social media strategies, including their time-efficient content creation system that allows dentists to be visible and relevant with minimal effort. EPISODE RESOURCES www.wonderistagency.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dec 26, 2024 • 30min
2147: The Marketing Revolution Pt. 1
On today’s episode, Mark sits down with Laura and Michael, co-founders of Wunderist Agency, to explore how they’ve disrupted dental marketing by focusing on authenticity, execution, and real results. Laura shares her journey from big-brand marketing to helping dentists build meaningful, differentiated brands that attract their ideal patients. Meanwhile, Michael dives into how operational consistency and technology play a critical role in converting leads into real production. They also reveal Wunderist’s game-changing integration with practice management systems like Dentrix and Open Dental, which allows dentists to track their marketing ROI down to actual treatment completed. This groundbreaking solution bridges the gap between advertising spend and patient results, empowering practices to make data-driven decisions and optimize campaigns. Whether you're a startup or in a saturated market, the insights here will help you stand out, connect with patients, and maximize every marketing dollar. EPISODE RESOURCES www.wonderistagency.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dec 25, 2024 • 45min
2146: Growth, Recaps, and Choosing the Right Partner
On today's episode, Mark welcomes back Chip Fichtner, founder and principal of Large Practice Sales, for an in-depth discussion about the evolving landscape of dental practice transitions and the rise of "invisible DSOs." Chip dives into the current private equity market, the increasing trend of younger doctors joining DSOs, and the key factors that make practices and DSOs attractive for recapitalizations. He shares invaluable insights into choosing the right DSO partner, avoiding common pitfalls, and understanding the significant growth potential that partnerships can offer. Chip also discusses the unique challenges for rural and specialty practices, the future of consolidation in dentistry, and practical advice for younger doctors looking to acquire practices. Whether you're considering a partnership or navigating consolidation in your market, this episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking strategies. EPISODE RESOURCES https://largepracticesales.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Dec 24, 2024 • 39min
2145: Mastering Revenue Cycle Management Pt. 2
In this discussion, Penny Reed, Chief Growth Officer at E-Assist Dental Solutions, shares her expertise on dental billing and revenue cycle management. She reveals five powerful strategies to enhance collections, including optimizing PPO contracts and collecting co-pays upfront. Penny emphasizes the importance of accurate reporting and solid protocols, while also highlighting the potential of AI tools in streamlining communication and billing. This conversation offers invaluable insights for dental practices aiming to eliminate revenue leaks and improve financial health.

Dec 23, 2024 • 32min
2144: Mastering Revenue Cycle Management Pt. 1
In this engaging discussion, Penny Reed, Chief Growth Officer at E-Assist Dental Solutions, shares her expertise in revenue cycle management. She highlights the chaos a broken billing system can create for cash flow and patient relations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurate insurance verification and effective financial policies. Penny also explores the evolving role of AI in claims processing and the benefits of outsourcing RCM. Listeners gain valuable insights into achieving team alignment and improving operational efficiency.

Dec 20, 2024 • 31min
2143: How to Hold Your Team Accountable Pt. 2
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Summer Kassmel, a dentist and entrepreneur known for her family-first approach, teams up with Dr. Kelly Dove, an experienced dentist focused on team accountability. They emphasize the significance of intentional planning and structured time management for dental leaders. Listeners will learn about prioritizing impactful tasks, fostering team coherence through delegation, and boosting productivity by minimizing distractions. They also delve into the benefits of having a personal assistant to enhance efficiency and work-life balance.

Dec 19, 2024 • 36min
2142: How to Hold Your Team Accountable Pt. 1
Dr. Summer Kassmel, a Black Belt coach and multi-practice owner, joins fellow coach Dr. Kelly Dove for a fascinating discussion on maximizing CEO time. Kelly reveals her journey to balance work and family by switching to 7-to-2 hours. They tackle the fears surrounding admin time and the need for deep work. Dr. Dove shares her powerful strategies like pre-week planning and prioritization frameworks, emphasizing the importance of creating space for focused work and intentional leadership. Their insights offer a roadmap for improved productivity and work-life balance.

Dec 18, 2024 • 46min
2141: Building Sustainable Legacies
On today’s episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Jared Hill and Dr. Dan Nelson, founders of the Dental Legacy Foundation, to discuss their game-changing approach to mission dentistry. From their inspiring work in Tanzania—building sustainable dental clinics and fostering local dentist training—to upcoming projects in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the conversation highlights the power of collaboration, resilience, and a shared vision for lasting impact. They delve into the challenges of establishing remote clinics, the importance of training local providers, and their plans to expand their model of care across Tanzania. You’ll also hear about their upcoming retreats, including an enriching CE event in Nicaragua designed to inspire dentists to align their practices with their life goals and legacy. EPISODE RESOURCES elevationassociation.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast