

The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
Dental Consulting
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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 14, 2025 • 35min
2224: Building a Stronger Team Through Adversity Pt. 1
On today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by longtime friend and fellow podcaster, Dr. Paul Etchison. As the host of the Dental Practice Heroes podcast and author of two books on dental practice management, Paul shares his journey of building a large group practice in the Chicago suburbs. The conversation kicks off with stories about aging, injuries, and the unexpected challenges of staying active while balancing work and family. Paul also dives into a real-life leadership challenge he recently faced in his practice—a near mutiny at the front desk. He shares how a misunderstanding snowballed into workplace drama, leading to a deeper look at accountability and leadership structure. The two discuss how even the best-run practices still have challenges, why checklists and accountability matter, and the unexpected side effects of stepping back from clinical work. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/dsi https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 11, 2025 • 33min
2223: Mastering Overhead and Profitability in Private Practice
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares his personal journey from overworked and underprepared to building a highly systemized and profitable dental practice. He reflects on his early struggles, including the financial and operational challenges that forced him back to work just days after major surgeries. Mark also introduces the Elite Practice Blueprint and Four Futures Framework, which help dentists achieve efficiency, profitability, and personal fulfillment. Through a powerful case study of "Dr. Rex," he demonstrates how a struggling practice with high overhead and low take-home income can be transformed into a thriving, profitable business. If you're looking for practical strategies to reduce overhead, increase collections, and gain control over your practice, this episode is a must-listen. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 10, 2025 • 35min
2222: The Blueprint for Elevating and Training Office Leaders Pt. 2
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Dr. Addison Killeen to dive deeper into The Dental Office Manager Position Manual, co-authored with Dr. Chris Green. They explore how to take an average office manager and transform them into a high-performing, servant-style leader using the detailed playbook they've developed. From assessing leadership readiness and navigating tricky team dynamics, to mastering emotional intelligence and prioritization, this episode is a masterclass in leadership development within the dental office. They also tackle real-world scenarios like promoting from within, shifting friendship dynamics post-promotion, and the dangers of task fixation over strategic leadership. Plus, Addison shares details about his in-practice event in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the upcoming Dental Success Summit featuring Ryan Holiday. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.addisonkilleen.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 9, 2025 • 32min
2221: The Blueprint for Elevating and Training Office Leaders Pt. 1
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Addison Killeen—Black Belt coach at DSI, mega-practice owner, and prolific author—to unpack the powerful insights behind Addison's newest release, The Dental Office Manager Position Manual. They discuss how this extensive 309-page resource can transform the way dentists elevate and train office managers, equipping them with not only tactical tools but also the leadership skills necessary to run a high-performing team. Dr. Addison shares his favorite systems, KPIs, onboarding strategies, and even dives into common pitfalls when promoting from within. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.addisonkilleen.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 8, 2025 • 30min
2220: Blueprint for Success in a Changing Dental Landscape
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes dives into the key factors that separate top-performing dental practices from the rest. He emphasizes the power of mindset, leadership, and collaboration in creating a thriving, systemized business. He discusses why scarcity thinking holds dentists back, how personal accountability leads to long-term success, and why tracking both objective and subjective metrics is essential. Mark also shares eye-opening statistics on dentistry's financial landscape and the major challenges facing the profession today. Whether you're looking to scale your practice, refine your leadership skills, or improve work-life balance, this episode delivers valuable insights to help you elevate your career. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 7, 2025 • 41min
2219: Building a Franchise-Level Dental Practice
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares his journey of building multiple successful businesses, from the Dental Success Institute to the newly launched Smile Outreach International. He breaks down what makes franchises like McDonald's and Chick-fil-A so successful—and how dentists can apply the same principles to systemize and scale their practices. Mark also discusses the importance of defining a "freedom number," building generational wealth, and creating a mission-driven career beyond financial success. Plus, he dives into the keys to onboarding associates effectively, ensuring clinical consistency, and developing a business model that runs efficiently without constant oversight. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 4, 2025 • 35min
2218: Power of First Impressions and Trust in Dentistry Pt. 2
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes unpacks the essential elements of rapport, communication, and charisma—the three key factors that influence patient trust and treatment acceptance. He explains how first impressions happen in an instant and why overcoming negativity bias is crucial in a dental setting. Dr. Costes also shares practical nonverbal communication hacks, like posture, hand movements, and facial expressions, to help build immediate trust with patients. You'll learn the power of empathy, edification, and engagement in patient interactions, along with common mistakes that can break rapport. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 3, 2025 • 32min
2217: Power of First Impressions and Trust in Dentistry Pt. 1
On today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes breaks down the science of charisma and likability—and why mastering these traits can transform your dental practice. He explores evolutionary psychology, explaining how people make instant snap judgments about trust and rapport within a single second of meeting you. In an industry where patients often arrive with fear and negativity bias, Dr. Costes shares powerful tactics to create an exceptional first impression and turn skeptics into loyal advocates. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 2, 2025 • 51min
2216: The Simple Marketing Shift That Brings in More Patients
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Jaclyn Nona, CEO and co-founder of Clever Dental Co. With a background in marketing and years of hands-on experience in the dental industry, Jaclyn shares her insights on the often-overlooked power of internal marketing. She explains how having an in-house team member dedicated to social media, reputation management, and patient engagement can revolutionize a practice's growth. From leveraging organic content to building authentic relationships with patients, Jaclyn breaks down the key strategies that drive real results. She also shares tips for handling Google reviews, creating engaging content, and why social media is an untapped goldmine for many dental practices. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.cleverdentalco.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

Apr 1, 2025 • 30min
2215: Finding Hidden Profit Leaks and Turning Them into Revenue
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares a powerful case study of Dr. Rex, a struggling dental practice owner who transformed his business from barely surviving to thriving. Dr. Costas walks through the Elite Practice Blueprint, the Four Futures framework, and how strategic overhead control, systemization, and leadership can create massive financial success. Mark also highlights the importance of tracking key metrics, improving collections, and shifting practice culture to build a business that runs smoothly without relying on the owner's constant presence. Whether you're an aspiring dental entrepreneur or a seasoned practice owner, this episode is packed with game-changing insights to increase profitability while reducing stress. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast


