The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

Dr. Summer Casmel, an experienced dental practice owner and leadership coach, shares insights on effective leadership communication. She reflects on her early missteps and emphasizes the importance of personal accountability. Communication breakdowns can escalate into major issues, including patient errors and team dysfunction. Summer introduces her five-step C-framework to address these challenges, focusing on clarity, commitment, and consistency. With an engaging mix of honesty and humor, she motivates leaders to develop better communication strategies for team success.

Tax strategist Derick Van Ness, who specializes in helping dentists with tax reduction strategies, joins the conversation to share crucial updates on the new tax bill. He highlights how dentists can reclaim Research & Development (R&D) tax credits that were restricted after 2021. Derick details the four-part test for R&D eligibility, explaining how many dental practices unknowingly qualify. He also discusses implications of Section 179 deductions and offers insights on navigating tax documentation to withstand audits.

Dr. Taher Dhoon, a dentist and entrepreneur from Greeley, Colorado, shares his insights into guided psilocybin therapy. He discusses how this alternative approach to personal growth has enhanced his fulfillment and relationships. Listeners learn about the structure of a safe psilocybin journey, the role of guides during sessions, and the differences from traditional therapy. Dhoon emphasizes the importance of intention-setting and cautions that this path isn’t suitable for everyone, encouraging research and openness to new experiences.

Dr. Matt Standridge, a general dentist turned educator, discusses his shift from practice ownership to focusing on speaking and content creation. He explores the pros and cons of being an associate, shares a systematic approach to smile design for general practitioners, and delves into a unique triple-win marketing strategy using professional photography to build community goodwill. This strategy not only enhances referrals but supports local businesses, making it a win-win-win for everyone involved!

Discover the emotional journey of ambition and burnout as Dr. Mark Costes shares his TED talk insights. After achieving apparent success, he dives into the heart of feeling unfulfilled and the heavy toll it takes. Mark introduces his transformative Four Futures framework—Mind, Meaning, Muscle, Money—to help reclaim balance. He reflects on personal crises and emphasizes the importance of service through Smile Outreach International. If you've ever questioned your life's worth, this poignant discussion offers clarity and a path forward.

Join Dr. Matt Slivka, founder of Roadside Dental and the nonprofit Roadside Reach International, as he shares his journey from solo practitioner to leading a thriving multi-doctor practice. He emphasizes the transformative power of purpose, community, and mentorship, recounting inspiring stories of impact, like funding a water tower in Africa and delivering textbooks in Guatemala. Matt challenges listeners to think about their potential for influence and the importance of gratitude in creating lasting change. His message: greatness is measured by the lives we touch.

Dr. Karley Schneider, a dynamic Tucson-based dentist and entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey from dental school to owning multiple practices. She discusses the complexities of practice acquisitions and the challenges of associate recruitment. After her daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Karley founded a nonprofit to support families like hers. With insights on balancing growth and simplicity, she reveals how to maintain team performance and offers a glimpse into her innovative approaches in the fee-for-service and PPO markets.

Join Minal Sampat, a best-selling author and dental marketing expert, as she shares her inspiring journey from dental hygienist to entrepreneur. Discover how breaking a Guinness World Record launched her career and led to the creation of Marketologist. Minal reveals her marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of connection over fear-based tactics. She also discusses her unique tropical CE events and the evolving landscape of dental marketing. Get ready for actionable tips to elevate your practice without overspending!

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Randy Houska, a general dentist from South Dakota and one of the original co-founders of the Voices of Dentistry. Live from the VOD Lite event in Gilbert, Arizona, the two dive into Dr. Houska's unique journey—from nearly four decades as a solo practitioner to finally bringing on his first associate, and how that transition has reshaped his practice and his life. But there's more—Dr. Houska opens up about his family's unexpected rise to fame through the MTV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom 2, where his daughter Chelsea was a featured cast member. He shares what it was like to be thrust into the national spotlight, the impact of fame on family, and how they navigated both public praise and harsh criticism. The conversation touches on personal growth, work-life balance, the joys of grandparenting 19 grandkids, and reflections on a career built in small-town dentistry with a big story to tell. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.houskadental.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, you'll hear Dr. Mark Costes' keynote presentation from the Super Dentist Boost Camp 2025, where he delivers a deep dive into what it really takes to grow and scale a dental practice the right way. With a mix of humor, hard-earned lessons, and serious strategy, Mark walks through the foundations of his Elite Practice Blueprint—six pillars that include operational systemization, team culture, patient experience, financial intelligence, and more. He pulls back the curtain on private equity's growing influence in dentistry, the realities of consolidation, and why becoming "sale-ready" is something every dentist should be thinking about now, not later. Mark also breaks down DSI's belt system for evaluating practices and explains why adding new procedures or marketing is often the wrong move—unless your infrastructure is rock solid. Packed with both inspiration and actionable insights, this talk is a must-listen for any dentist thinking about scale, freedom, and fulfillment. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast