The TechDental Podcast

Most dental practices talk too much about treatments and tools and too little about transformation. Patients don’t want to hear about steps or features; they want outcomes: being able to eat their favourite foods again, spending less time in the chair, and feeling confident with their smile. In this bonus episode, Bogomil Stoev shares why practices that focus on the emotional side of dentistry build stronger trust and win more patients.From AI’s role in managing reminders and scheduling, to the rising importance of reviews, online trust signals, and micro-content, Bogomil outlines what the next five to ten years of patient acquisition will really look like. He cautions against the “move fast and break things” mindset, reminding dental leaders that credibility is fragile, once trust is lost, opportunities vanish.Listeners will also hear Bogomil’s practical advice for dentists feeling overwhelmed by tools: audit where your best patients come from, focus on one reliable channel, and double down until it works before expanding. He closes by sharing personal influences, including Robert Cialdini’s Influence, why “Commenter AI” is the tool he can’t work without, and which entrepreneurs he’d shadow for a day.About the GuestBogomil Stoev is the Founder of The Strategic Kreator, where he helps consultants and experts turn LinkedIn into a scalable lead engine. He is also the Co-Founder and CMO of Commenter AI, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline visibility and engagement, and the Co-Owner of St Apolonia Dental Clinic in Bulgaria. With more than 19 years in marketing and two successful exits, Bogomil brings a uniquely pragmatic perspective on how dental practices and the B2B brands that serve them can combine AI efficiency with trust-driven systems to scale sustainably.

AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants are revolutionising dental practice operations, offering a balanced approach to automation while maintaining patient care and security.In this bonus episode of The TechDental, host Dr Randeep interviews Josh Peach, founder of Thread Automations, exploring how dental practices can effectively implement AI communication tools while addressing security concerns and practical implementation strategies.What You'll Learn:- How to ensure patient data security and confidentiality when implementing AI communication tools- The "Start Small" approach to testing AI solutions in dental practices without overcommitting- Why piloting chatbots can lead to 40% more leads and 50% more out-of-hours bookings- How to balance automated responses with human interaction for optimal patient experience- The step-by-step process for validating AI responses with dental professionals- How to measure AI implementation success through reduced administrative burden and increased appointment bookings- The framework for transitioning from basic website chatbots to more complex AI solutions- Why accountability and persistence are crucial for entrepreneurial success in dental tech- How to leverage ChatGPT and modern AI tools to enhance dental practice operations- The importance of thorough testing and iteration in implementing AI solutions for dental practicesAbout the GuestJosh Peach is the founder of Thread Automations, a pioneering technology company specialising in AI-powered chatbots and voice automation solutions for dental practices. Fresh out of university, Josh has developed innovative systems that help dental practices streamline their patient communication, appointment booking, and FAQ management. His expertise lies in creating secure, practice-specific AI solutions that enhance operational efficiency while maintaining patient confidentiality. In this bonus episode, Josh shares valuable insights on implementing AI automation in dental practices, addressing safety concerns, and offering practical strategies for practices looking to test AI solutions without overcommitting. His work helps dental practices capture more leads, reduce administrative burden, and provide 24/7 patient support through intelligent automation.

Dental practices today have more tools than ever, CRMs, ads, dashboards, analytics, but many still struggle to convert visibility into real patient growth. The missing piece is strategy, not more technology.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Bogomil Stoev, Founder of The Strategic Kreator, Co-Founder & CMO of Commenter AI, and Co-Owner of St Apolonia Dental Clinic. With a background spanning digital marketing, AI development, and hands-on clinic ownership, Stoev explains why “likes don’t buy food” and how dentists can avoid the trap of content-for-content’s-sake by building trust-first systems that actually lead to booked treatments.What You’ll Learn:Why visibility without ROI is a costly trap for dental practicesThe biggest mistake clinics make with patient acquisition and marketing toolsHow to use AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement, in building growth systemsWhy “likes don’t buy food, conversations do” when it comes to social mediaA minimum-time framework for dental leaders with only a few hours per monthHow Commenter AI enables “conversational visibility” to build trust at scaleWhy patient trust, not automation, remains the cornerstone of sustainable growthHow to design simple, repeatable systems that convert online visibility into loyal patientsAbout the Guest:Bogomil Stoev is the Founder of The Strategic Kreator, Co-Founder & CMO of Commenter AI, and Co-Owner of St Apolonia Dental Clinic in Bulgaria. A rare triple threat in the dental space, he bridges the worlds of clinic ownership, AI product development, and strategic growth consulting. With over 19 years of experience in marketing and two successful exits, Bogomil has established a reputation for helping consultants, experts, and dental professionals leverage LinkedIn as a scalable patient and client acquisition engine. At Commenter AI, he leads the creation of tools that transform online visibility into real conversations and opportunities, while still keeping the human element at the centre of trust-building. As a practising dental clinic co-owner, he understands firsthand the challenges of attracting and converting patients in an increasingly competitive market. His pragmatic approach blends strategy and technology, showing how dental businesses and the B2B brands that serve them can move beyond vanity metrics to systems that consistently deliver results.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

In this bonus episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr Randeep speaks with Mike Huffaker from Planet DDS about the transformative impact of AI and cloud solutions in dental practice management, exploring how modern technology is reshaping operational efficiency and patient care delivery.What You'll Learn:- How to leverage AI tools like Fixr and Copilot to enhance executive productivity and streamline daily operations- The strategic approach to evaluating cloud-based dental practice management solutions beyond feature comparisons- Why dental practices need to identify core problems before shopping for technology solutions- How to properly validate vendor references by seeking unfiltered feedback beyond curated testimonials- The future vision of friction-free dental practice operations through AI and voice technology- Why legacy system dependence may be limiting practice value and growth potential- The "Extreme Ownership" leadership principle for driving organisational success- How daily habits like mindful walking can enhance executive performance and strategic thinking- Why maintaining transparency with customers trumps the "move fast, break things" startup mentalityAbout the GuestMike Huffaker is the Chief Revenue Officer at Planet DDS, a leading provider of cloud-based dental practice management solutions. With extensive experience in scaling technology companies and driving innovation in the dental sector, he specialises in implementing AI-powered solutions to enhance practice efficiency and patient care. At Planet DDS, Mike has been instrumental in developing and deploying advanced tools like DentalOS and integrating AI solutions such as Copilot to streamline dental practice operations. He brings particular expertise in helping dental organisations transition from legacy systems to modern cloud-based solutions, focusing on practical business outcomes rather than just feature comparisons. His strategic approach to technology adoption and emphasis on measurable business outcomes have helped numerous dental practices and DSOs optimise their operations and increase their market value.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Dentists are trained to treat patients, not to spend hours managing calls, emails, and repetitive questions. Yet for many practices, reception bottlenecks and missed appointments quietly drain time and revenue.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Josh Peach, founder of Thread Automations, about how chatbots and voice bots are reshaping practice operations. From booking appointments across websites, WhatsApp, and social media to answering FAQs and triaging calls, Josh explains how automation saves costs, improves patient experience, and delivers measurable ROI. He also shares how practices can safely pilot AI, track the right KPIs, and scale step by step, so owners stay ahead of the curve in an industry where efficiency is no longer optional.What You’ll Learn:- The difference between chatbots and voice bots, and when each delivers the most value- How automation enables 24/7 patient booking, even outside office hours- Why repetitive FAQs drain practice time, and how bots free reception teams- The KPIs that matter: leads, bookings, call deflection, and revenue per appointment- How onboarding works, from AI audit to stress-tested pilots- What data safety and patient consent look like in practice- Where AI is heading: human-like latency, voice cloning, and continuous learningAbout the GuestJosh Peach is the founder of Thread Automations, a UK-based company helping dental practices streamline operations with AI-powered chatbots and voice bots. Launching the business straight out of university with a degree in economics, Josh spotted a gap where automation could cut admin costs, capture more patient leads, and free up clinical teams. By integrating bots across websites, social channels, WhatsApp, and phone systems, Thread Automations enables practices to book appointments 24/7, answer FAQs instantly, and handle multiple calls at once. Today, Josh is redefining how dental surgeries approach patient communication and operational efficiency, offering practices a step-by-step path to pilot, measure ROI, and scale automation with confidence.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Dentists are skilled clinicians, not business operators. Yet the ability to run, scale, and exit like a business owner is often the difference between a practice that struggles to sell and one that attracts premium valuations.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Craig Keegan, founder of the Dental Exit Co-operative, about how he is helping dentists transform owner-dependent practices into truly investable businesses through standardised systems, shared services, and smart M&A strategies.What You’ll LearnWhy most dental practices fail to sell – and how to make them truly investableThe 13 business pillars every practice must standardise to unlock valueHow shared services cut costs, boost efficiency, and compound ROI across groupsWhere AI is genuinely transforming dentistry (and where it creates chaos)The difference between smart roll-ups and vanity projects – and how to avoid the trapWhy asset purchases protect founders better than business purchasesHow early exit planning prevents burnout, regret, and lost valuationThe multi-exit strategy: how to sell once, stay on, and get paid again (and again)About the GuestCraig Keegan is the founder of the Dental Exit Co-operative, a practitioner-first platform helping dental owners scale with systems and exit with confidence. With more than two decades of M&A experience across multiple sectors, Craig has executed deals valued at seven, eight, and nine figures, building buy-side ecosystems and delivering millions in synergies. Through the co-op’s shared services model, he is redefining how independent practices grow, consolidate, and prepare for premium exits without burnout or loss of control.Today, Craig is recognised as a leading voice in dental M&A strategy, combining operational systems, smart deal structures, and people-first retention models to help dentists transform practices into investable businesses and achieve multiple, life-changing exits.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Buying, selling, and scaling a dental practice is no longer just about clinical skill but about leadership, systems, and knowing how to prepare for the future. In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr. Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Andy Acton, Director at Frank Taylor & Associates and co-host of the Dentology podcast, about what truly drives practice value and how owners can stay competitive in a fast-changing market. Andy reframes failure as a necessary step on the path to success, highlighting how even top clinicians credit their early missteps with shaping the resilience and business acumen they rely on today. They further discuss valuations, exit-readiness, and scaling. Andy explains why practice valuations are still multiples of underlying profit, how AI can increase efficiency without losing the human touch, and why using tech to release teams rather than replace them is the smarter strategy.What You’ll Learn:Why practice value is tied to profit multiples and how AI can increase efficiency without losing patient trustHow to prepare your practice for sale in the 3–5 year window by reducing reliance on the principalThe five drivers of owner fatigue and how to address them before they erode growthHow to use AI as a people-release system, so they can spend more time with patients instead of automating human interactionHow to build infrastructure early to avoid the “inverted pyramid” trap when scaling multiple sitesWhy independent practices are entering a renaissance period and how to position for itAbout the Guest:Andy Acton is Director of Frank Taylor & Associates, where he has spent over 28 years helping dentists buy, sell, and grow their practices. Since 2000, he has led one of the UK’s most trusted advisory firms for dental practice valuations and sales, guiding countless owners through smooth transitions and growth strategies. Andy is also the founder of The Principals Club, a peer community dedicated to supporting practice owners with shared knowledge, leadership insights, and business tools. Beyond his work at FTA, Andy co-founded FTA Media to produce leading-edge marketing content for dental practices, and he mentors entrepreneurs through Virgin StartUp. Until recently, he co-hosted over 200 episodes of the Dentology podcast, covering the non-clinical realities of ownership, finance, marketing, valuations, mindset, and leadership. Whether advising on exit-readiness, scaling strategies, or technology adoption, Andy brings decades of hard-earned expertise to help practice owners thrive in an industry that is rapidly evolving.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Dentists are trained to treat patients, not balance spreadsheets or scale businesses. Yet the ability to understand money is often the difference between burnout and freedom.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr. Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Dr. James Martin, founder of Dentists Who Invest and Videre Financial Planning, about how he built the UK’s leading dental finance community and is helping dentists break free from the time-for-money trap through smarter investing, financial literacy, and AI-driven tools.What You’ll Learn:- Why financial literacy is the most powerful tool for dentists seeking freedom- How Dentists Who Invest grew into the UK’s leading dental finance community- Practical steps to leverage AI for CPD, financial planning, and practice operations- Why property is overrated for this generation  and where dentists should really invest- The simple mindset shift that helps dentists break the link between time and money- Why skepticism is healthy, even towards well-meaning financial advice from parents- The one step every dentist can take this week toward financial independenceAbout the Guest:Dr. James Martin is the founder of Dentists Who Invest and Videre Financial Planning. A former dentist turned financial educator, James qualified from Leeds University Dental School in 2016 before pursuing his passion for finance and investing. In 2020, he launched Dentists Who Invest, which has since grown into the UK’s leading community for dental professionals seeking financial literacy and wealth confidence. He later founded Videre Financial Planning, a fixed-fee wealth management firm built on transparency and ethical advice. Today, James is recognized as one of the most influential voices in dental finance, blending financial education, technology, and mindset to help dentists break free from the time-for-money trap and build lasting freedom beyond the chair.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Preventive dentistry is entering a new era, with AI-powered diagnostics, telehealth, and data-driven tools set to redefine how patients engage with their oral health and how providers deliver care.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr. Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Shivakumar Chandrasekaran, Co-Founder and CTO of Dentulu, about how innovations like AI-enhanced X-ray analysis, predictive analytics, and devices such as MouthCAM are helping dentists detect issues earlier, educate patients more effectively, and reduce the burden on over-stretched providers.What You’ll Learn:- Why preventive dentistry is shifting from reactive treatment to proactive, AI-driven care- How tools like MouthCAM enable patients to monitor oral health from home- The role of salivary testing in linking oral health with systemic health- How AI supports (not replaces) dentists with 90%+ accuracy in diagnostics- Why predictive analytics and structured data are key to scaling preventive solutions- How Dentulu integrates seamlessly with practice management systems to reduce disruption- The business case for preventive technology and why providers are adopting itAbout the Guest:Shivakumar Chandrasekaran is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Dentulu, a pioneering platform revolutionizing the dental industry through cutting-edge telehealth solutions and innovative dental technologies. With over 20 years of experience in technology, software development, and healthcare innovation, Shivakumar has been instrumental in shaping Dentulu into a comprehensive digital ecosystem that enhances patient care and streamlines provider workflows. In this episode, Shivakumar shares how AI-powered diagnostics, telehealth platforms, and preventive tools like MouthCAM are transforming early detection, empowering providers, and reshaping the future of proactive dental care.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Dental technology is entering a new era, with cloud-based systems and AI-powered automation set to redefine how practices operate, scale, and deliver patient care.In this episode of The TechDental Podcast, host Dr. Randeep Singh Gill speaks with Mike Huffaker, Chief Revenue Officer at Planet DDS, about how he helped scale the company from 60 to 400 employees and transform over 13,000 dental practices with solutions like Denticon, CloudNine, and DentalOS.What You’ll Learn:- Why cloud-based dental software isn’t optional and what staying on server-based systems will cost you- How agentic AI will handle the mundane admin tasks no one wants, freeing staff for real patient care- Why “AI is a multiplier” and why broken systems will only get more broken if you ignore fundamentals- The critical security questions every dental leader should ask vendors before signing a tech contract- How to evaluate practice management platforms for outcomes, not just features- Planet DDS’s framework for focusing on multi-location groups and DSOs and how it fueled their 10x growth- The future vision of voice-powered check-ins and frictionless practice workflows- Why technology should enable, not replace, human connection in dentistryAbout the Guest:Mike Huffaker is the Chief Revenue Officer at Planet DDS, a leading dental software company trusted by over 13,000 practices and 118,000 users. With 15+ years scaling high-growth SaaS companies, Mike has overseen Planet DDS’s transformation from a 60-person startup to a 400-employee market leader, driving adoption of solutions like Denticon, CloudNine, and DentalOS. Mike is also the host of The Dental Economist Show, where he shares strategic insights for DSOs and dental leaders navigating tech adoption. His expertise in AI integration, cloud migration, and scalable systems has made him one of the industry’s most respected voices on the future of dental practice management. In this episode, Mike shares valuable insights on using AI-powered solutions and cloud technology to streamline operations, scale practices, and future‑proof the business of dentistry.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.