The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

Vladimir Vukicevic, CEO of Better & Better, is a serial tech entrepreneur who turned his childhood battle with cancer into a mission for healthier living. In this engaging discussion, he contrasts fluoride with hydroxyapatite in dental care, revealing potential risks associated with traditional practices. Vlad highlights the rising consumer demand for sustainable, fluoride-free options and the innovative features of his eco-friendly toothpaste. The talk uncovers the slow evolution of the dental industry despite emerging science, advocating for transparency and safety in oral health.

Dr. Chris Green, a DSI Black Belt Coach and co-founder of the Practice Launchpad, shares his expertise on starting successful dental practices. He emphasizes key strategies like meticulous planning and grassroots marketing, using creative tactics such as stickers and community events to attract patients. Chris and Dr. Mark Costes discuss the growing interest in startup practices and reflect on the recent Dental Success Summit's energy. They also preview an exciting upcoming New York event for aspiring practice owners, highlighting the value of experienced guidance in the startup journey.

Dr. Ben Kacos, a general dentist and DSI/DSN black belt coach, shares his impressive journey of scaling his practice by 700% through advanced clinical innovations. He emphasizes the transformation from a general dentist to a Super GP, detailing the importance of communication and mastering foundational skills like surgical extractions and PRF. The conversation dives into strategic practice growth, team training, and integrating advanced procedures like IV sedation and implants, demonstrating how these enhancements boost patient loyalty and practice value.

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Jane Levy, co-founder and CEO of Plan Forward, for a powerful conversation on how dental membership plans can help practices take control of their revenue and reduce dependence on underperforming insurance plans. Jane shares her unique path from Wall Street investor to dental tech entrepreneur, including her pivotal encounters at Henry Schein and Jarvis Analytics.  She breaks down the structure and strategy behind successful membership plans, explains why they outperform traditional discount models, and offers insight into the potential for recurring revenue and increased treatment acceptance. From onboarding and team training to PMS integration and marketing strategies, Jane outlines how Plan Forward helps practices convert more uninsured patients while improving care access and boosting profitability. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.planforward.io https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with his longtime friend and DSI Black Belt Coach, Dr. Taher Dhoon, for a deeply reflective and inspiring conversation on redefining legacy, creating balance, and building sustainable impact. From humble beginnings to scaling a $5M+ practice, Dr. Dhoon shares how his perspective has evolved over the years—from chasing traditional success metrics to prioritizing meaningful relationships, cultural roots, and purposeful living.   The two discuss the origins and explosive growth of the Colorado Surgical Institute, their shared journey in launching global outreach through Smile Outreach International, and practical financial strategies like micro-harvesting to fund life experiences without sacrificing long-term goals. If you've ever felt the pull between professional ambition and personal fulfillment, this episode offers a roadmap to having both—and building a legacy far beyond the walls of your practice. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Vishal Bhalla, founder and CEO of Wieldy.ai, an innovative AI platform transforming revenue cycle management in dental practices. Vishal shares how observing inefficiencies in his brother-in-law's orthodontic offices during the pandemic sparked the idea for Wieldy. With a background in AI and machine learning, he explains how Wieldy's suite of AI agents automates claims posting, denial management, EFT reconciliation, and is soon expanding into insurance verification.  The conversation covers how AI is reducing manual labor, improving collections, and boosting operational efficiency across both private and DSO practices. Vishal also opens up about the startup journey, the importance of preserving human empathy in patient interactions, and the future of scalable, tech-driven dental practice management. Stick around for a personal story swap about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—proof that both entrepreneurship and dentistry require stamina, strategy, and vision. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://wieldy.ai https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by sales strategist and full-arch consultant Stacy Farley, who shares her inspiring journey from corporate sales to becoming a key driver behind one of the most successful single-location implant centers in the U.S. Stacy breaks down the often-overlooked steps of the full-arch patient journey, from lead generation and call center strategies to clinical handoffs and closing high-dollar cases with empathy and purpose.  She explains how her sales approach, rooted in personal motivation and genuine care, helped scale her father's practice from $2.2M to $8M in under eight years. Packed with actionable insights on improving case acceptance, handling inbound and outbound leads, and training team members to present with confidence, this episode is a masterclass in dental sales psychology. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://fullarchsalesexperts.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Taher Dhoon to introduce an exciting new addition to the Colorado Surgical Institute (CSI) lineup: a hands-on, live-patient cosmetic dentistry course focused on 10 over 10 veneer cases. The two discuss how this program differs from traditional full arch or surgical training, with an emphasis on preserving dentition while delivering life-changing aesthetic outcomes.   Dr. Dhoon explains the comprehensive approach to case selection, smile design, deprogramming, and lab communication. He also details how participants will prep, temporize, and later deliver their own patient's case over two weekends—mirroring the CSI philosophy of experiential, clinically immersive education. Whether you're experienced in cosmetics or new to aesthetic work, this course promises to level up your skill set, reduce complications, and drive high-value revenue into your practice. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Dr. Mark Tholen, a former dentist turned renowned dental office architect, to unpack the art and science of designing a practice that maximizes productivity and minimizes stress. With decades of experience and thousands of projects under his belt, Dr. Tholen explains how to right-size your office for long-term growth, avoid common design pitfalls, and keep construction projects on time and on budget.   He shares insights on ergonomics, workflow efficiency, and the critical role of complete plans in preventing costly change orders. Whether you're building from the ground up or renovating an existing space, this conversation is packed with practical advice to ensure your office becomes a powerful asset for your practice. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://mynewdentaloffice.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes wraps up an incredible run of podcasting at Thrive Live with a conversation about one of dentistry's most transformative tools—3D printing. He sits down with Dr. Michael DeFee to talk about digital workflows, chairside design, and the future of restorative dentistry.  As a founding partner of the MOD Institute and an expert in Exocad and additive manufacturing, Dr. DeFee shares his journey from virology PhD to tech-forward dental leader, and how his team is shaping education around everything from veneers to full-mouth rehabs. Plus, the two explore how 3D printing can revolutionize care delivery in mission settings around the world. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.themodinstitute.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast