The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares the remarkable journey behind the Dentalpreneur Podcast during this year's Voices of Dentistry event. He shares how a simple decision to start recording conversations transformed his business, network, and life. He reflects on the early days of dental podcasting, the explosive growth of the medium, and the long-term power of consistency after releasing more than 2,400 episodes over the last decade.   Along the way, he explains how podcasting created opportunities for speaking, sponsorships, sister companies, strategic partnerships, and unforgettable relationships with world-class guests and influential leaders. Dr. Costes also ties the c...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with registered dental hygienist Kristen King, founder of Dental Reveal, to discuss how phase contrast microscopy is transforming the way dental teams diagnose periodontal disease and educate patients. With nearly 30 years of clinical experience, Kristen explains how visualizing live oral biofilm helps patients understand their risk, dramatically improves case acceptance, and elevates the hygiene appointment from a routine cleaning to a powerful health consultation.  They explore the oral-systemic connection, the Bale Doneen method, and how practices can implement microscopes to grow their hygiene departments, strengthen collaboration with physicians, and d...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Dr. Aaron Nicholas for a wide-ranging conversation about clinical growth, treatment plan presentation, and helping young dentists build confidence faster. Aaron shares how his own difficult startup journey shaped his passion for coaching, teaching, and creating practical CE courses that help doctors become more efficient with molar endo, surgical extractions, and day-to-day case acceptance.  Together, they break down why conviction, communication, and simple language matter so much when presenting treatment, and how reviewing "game film" of real patient interactions can dramatically improve results. They also dive into Aaron's 90 Day P...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Dr. Tyler Bond and Gabe Goldberg live from Voices of Dentistry. Dr. Bond shares how implementing the Yomi robotic system from Neocis has dramatically changed his implant workflow—and contributed to a tenfold increase in his practice's revenue. Gabe breaks down how the Yomi S works, from pre-op planning to real-time surgical guidance, and how AI and robotics can enhance precision, speed, and predictability for implant surgeons.   Dr. Bond dives into case selection, flapless surgery, pterygoid implants, and how the system has helped him grow his brand and attract patients fro...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costas welcomes back fan-favorite Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman for an unfiltered conversation on entrepreneurship, associate hiring, live events, and the evolving dental landscape. They dive into the realities of running multiple businesses, transitioning from clinical dentistry to CEO life, and why so many dentists wait too long to hire an associate—often creating unnecessary chaos in their practices.  Paul shares insights from Dentist Job Connect, discusses the ongoing hygienist shortage, and offers a balanced perspective on DSO and DPO "drama." The episode also highlights the power of live events, mentorship, and surrounding you...

On today's episode, Mark breaks down a straightforward way to calculate "passive income" from a dental practice by using gross revenue, overhead, and doctor comp, then welcomes CMO Share founder Ryan Gross to share a practical, experience-driven marketing framework. Ryan lays out three core buckets—internal and external brand awareness, digital and AI-driven content, and team conversion—showing how billboards, community visibility, patient testimonials, multilingual videos, and strong in-office branding can reinforce what you offer to both new and existing patients.   He explains why content (especially short-form video and FAQs) is becoming essential as Google and AI perso...

On today's episode, we're sharing a powerful live talk Dr. Mark Costes gave to the Prescott High School boys' soccer team following a tough early-season loss. In a raw, motivating message, Mark addresses the emotional aftermath of defeat and challenges the players to take radical accountability—reminding them that adversity offers a critical opportunity for self-reflection, growth, and leadership. Drawing from his own athletic background and principles of stoicism and extreme ownership, he emphasizes that true development doesn't happen when things go right—but when you choose how to respond when they don't. Mark leads the team thro...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Erik Brenner, CFP and author of The Personal CFO Revolution, to discuss how dentists, physicians, and other high-income professionals can build a "personal CFO" framework without needing a nine-figure net worth. Erik explains how integrating investment management, tax planning, and retirement strategy under one coordinated plan mirrors the family office model traditionally reserved for the ultra-wealthy. They explore the critical difference between simply deferring taxes and truly mitigating them, why working with a fiduciary matters, and how proactive tax projections can dramatically impact long-term wealth. The conversation also...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Tianna Hall live from the Voices of Dentistry conference. Dr. Hall shares her unconventional path from private practice burnout to a fulfilling career providing dental care in the Utah prison system. She discusses how early mentorship helped her overcome clinical fears, and how volunteer dentistry reignited her passion. From oral surgery to removable prosthetics, Dr. Hall walks us through the unique challenges—and surprising benefits—of correctional dentistry, including safety protocols, minimal overhead, and a clear work-life boundary. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dent...

On today's episode, we're bringing you Dr. Mark Costes' full keynote talk at KC Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, where he pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a successful, profitable dental practice in today's challenging environment. Mark dives into overhead realities, burnout, leadership, culture, and how most dentists unknowingly build businesses that trap them—often earning less than they could as associates. He shares raw stories from his own journey, including the physical toll of dentistry, his "aha" moment after reaching financial success but feeling unfulfilled, and how he shifted his approach to...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by two dynamic leaders shaping the landscape of dental continuing education—Dr. Mike DiTolla and Traci Stephenson. Mike shares stories from his 37-year dental career, his passion for fly fishing, and how technology reinvigorated his love for clinical dentistry. He also opens up about his journey from average dental student to one of the most influential educators in the industry, emphasizing authenticity and humor as his trademarks on stage.  Traci, the senior manager of event marketing at Henry Schein, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Thrive Live, one of den...

On today's episode, we're sharing Dr. Mark Costes' live talk at Midwestern University, where he gives dental students an unfiltered look into life after graduation—and what it really takes to succeed. Drawing from his journey as a former owner of 16 practices and founder of multiple dental businesses, Mark delivers a fast-paced, high-impact presentation on business fundamentals, practice profitability, leadership, and personal fulfillment. He explains why most dentists in the U.S. operate with dangerously thin margins—and how to avoid becoming one of them. With real-world examples and clear, digestible math, Mark shows the difference between runn...

On today's episode, Jake Conway breaks down the evolution every dental practice owner experiences—from clinician to owner-operator to true CEO. He explains why early success often creates a dangerous reliance on the owner's production and how that pressure can lead to burnout and resentment. Jake outlines the predictable growth path of a dental practice, including how to identify bottlenecks in hygiene, when to add providers, and how to use KPIs to drive performance without obsessing over production alone.  He also tackles the "associate paradox," showing with real numbers how bringing on an associate can actually increase pro...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by returning guest and longtime friend of the podcast, Dr. Matthew Standridge, live from the Voices of Dentistry conference. Dr. Standridge shares his incredible journey from owning multiple rural practices in Kansas to selling them and transitioning into a career focused on education and clinical mentorship. He opens up about the unique and atypical process of selling one of his practices to a nonprofit organization pursuing FQHC status, and how that created a win-win for both the community and his personal goals.  Now living in Edmond, Oklahoma, Dr. Standridge r...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with M&A expert Brannon Moncrief to break down the current dental consolidation landscape and what it really means for practice owners considering a sale. They discuss why 2025 was a strong year for strategic sellers despite tighter capital markets, how deal structures have evolved from pure HoldCo models to joint venture alignments, and why organic growth now matters more than simply stacking EBITDA.  Brannon shares insights on recap realities, earn-outs versus earn-ups, and why age and runway dramatically impact leverage in negotiations. They also dive into common seller mistakes, t...

On today's episode, we're sharing a special DSN webinar featuring Dr. Mark Costes and Kyle Francis, founder of Professional Transition Strategies, titled Mastering Your Practice Valuation: What Today's Buyers Are Actually Looking For. With over 600 dental transitions and 25 practices owned, Kyle brings unmatched insight into how valuations really work in today's changing landscape. Together, Mark and Kyle explore why the old method of valuing practices based on collections is outdated, and how modern buyers—especially DSOs and private equity groups—assess value through profitability, scalability, and risk. They break down the differences between doctor-to-doctor sales and private equi...

On today's episode, Mark answers a wide range of listener questions in a value-packed Ask Mark Anything session focused on practice growth, profitability, leadership, and investing. He breaks down how to know when you're done "tweaking" and when it's time for creative, structural, or transformational change, using objective metrics like systemization, leadership, culture, and profitability benchmarks.  Mark also dives into smart investment strategies beyond the practice, including multi-practice ownership, real estate, and alternative investments, while addressing how to handle employee raises in a fair, systematic, and drama-free way. The episode wraps with insights on avoiding shiny object s...

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Chris Richards and Dr. Taher Dhoon to introduce an exciting new concept from the Colorado Surgical Institute — the Seven Figure Associate. They dive deep into what it really takes to build a high-producing, fulfilled associate dentist, emphasizing alignment over simple placement. From personality assessments and leadership development to clinical proficiency in bread-and-butter procedures like endo, crowns, implants, sedation, and wisdom teeth, the conversation outlines a comprehensive 12-month framework designed to elevate associates and support owners.  They also discuss mentorship, business acumen, conflict resolution, and the importance of complementary ski...

On today's episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Emily Maslovich, a first-time practice owner just weeks away from opening Bronco Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona. Emily shares her journey from Midwestern dental student to startup founder, including how she found her location, her grassroots approach to hiring, and why she chose a de novo over an acquisition. They dive into the importance of culture-first hiring, training non-dental team members, and building systems before the chaos of growth begins. Emily also discusses how she's using organic community marketing to build a...

On today's episode, Dr. Matt Slivka reframes the way we think about goal setting. Instead of chasing arbitrary production targets or copying what others are doing, he challenges listeners to answer two deeper questions: Where am I living below my potential? And what do I truly want? From family time and personal health to practice growth and time freedom, Dr. Slivka explains that goals should serve a purpose. When you define what you actually want first, the discipline and hard work required to achieve it become meaningful—and sustainable. Be sure to check out the fu...