Episodes

How are patients really finding their next dentist? It’s not through endless Googling anymore. This episode uncovers a dramatic shift: instead of comparing offices online, more people are now simply asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini, "Who should I call for dental implants or a toothache?" The AI returns just a couple of names, and with zero hesitation, patients make the call (often within a minute.) Michael breaks down real data from CallRail, revealing how these AI-fueled phone calls, tho...

Have you considered selling your practice to your associate? Listen to this episode before you do! This episode of the "Fail Forward" series takes you on a journey with Dr. David Phelps, as he shares a significant setback he faced in selling his practice, where due to his hurried decision, he ended up selling to an associate with excellent clinical skills, but lacking business knowledge. This lack of insight led to volatility and loss of staff and patients; forcing him to retake control. But th...

What does it really take to turn a neighborhood dental practice into a must-visit brand no matter the competition next door? In this episode, Dr. Chaz Vittitow shares the real story of launching and growing The Local Dentist in a market packed with competitors all while balancing family life with four kids and navigating today’s unique challenges for dentists. Chaz explains the origin of his practice’s name and how it shaped everything from branding to partnering with local businesses. He also ...

Feeling a rift between your team and struggling on how to address it? Join Dr. Paul Etchison of the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast as he recounts a challenging situation that sparked real change in his practice. Sharing his story of tension between the front desk and clinical teams, Paul opens up about stalling, fumbling, and ultimately succeeding in having a much-needed conversation. He reveals how the magic of validating one's perspective (even without agreeing completely) can bring down wall...

Discover the practice-changing power of a unified team guiding every patient from check-in to checkout! In this episode, Dr. Jaspreet Gill opens up about the mental and strategic balancing act of guiding Countryside Smiles, sharing how time, patient experience, and ROI intertwine in daily decisions around hiring, technology, and workflow design. You'll hear firsthand how the focus shifted from setting up operations to facing nuanced choices: should you invest in tech, hire another team member, ...

Dreaming of landing big, full-mouth rehab cases in your practice? In this episode of Fail Forward, Dr. Andy Tran shares his sobering story of chasing high-ticket dentistry, only to find his foundation and personal life taking a toll. Hear how redefining success allowed him to save and strengthen his practice, offering valuable lessons about choosing the right patients, putting front-line systems in place, and balancing ambition with reality. Don’t fall for the shiny red object—tune into this ep...

Can a $5,000 marketing budget over 90 days genuinely bring new patients through your front door is it a waste of money? In this episode, Michael sits down with Lamar Woods of Adhere Patient Management to strip away the guesswork. Lamar shares what truly moves the needle in dental practice marketing (and here's a hint: it’s not just impressions or clicks.) He unpacks the exact metrics that signal a win by the 90-day mark, focusing on predictable lead flow that turns into real-life appointments a...

Ever faced a setback in your practice that challenged your mindset? Learn how to escape scarcity thinking and navigate tough situations with abundance and strength! In this episode of the Fail Forward series, CJ DuBe' shares the painful story of a lowball buyout after scaling from 0 to 8 million in three years that left her questioning her worth. However, CJ didn’t let this setback define her, as she embarked on a spectacular journey, learning to channel her unique abilities in teaching, facili...

What happens when you stop seeing neighboring dentists as rivals and start building authentic alliances instead? In this episode, Michael sits down with Dr. Chethan Chetty, fresh from a transformative three-year term as president of the Academy of General Dentistry. Having balanced his “second job” of intense advocacy with the demands of running his practice and raising a family, Dr. Chetty reflects on the unique pressures and privileges of leadership. He shares why organized dentistry is cruci...

Are you unknowingly stifling your team's growth by constantly providing solutions? In this episode, Shane Simmons shares his experience of unintentionally becoming a roadblock in his dental marketing company, Crimson Media, due to his quick-fix problem solving approach. Discover how he pivoted his leadership style to empower his team through the 1-3-1 method, and how this can foster critical thinking, enhance team skills, and ultimately drive your dental practice growth. If you’re ready to step...

What happens when you stop letting insurance define your patient experience in one of the world’s toughest markets? In this episode, Dr. Fatina Shtivelman opens up about what it takes to not only build a pediatric dental practice from scratch in Manhattan, but also completely reinvent its business model. She describes the emotional and mental “second baby” her practice became, alongside the constant juggle of refining systems, surviving a pandemic, and keeping both her team and vision aligned i...

Are you holding back spending in your dental practice and wondering why you aren't seeing the growth you expect? In this episode of Fail Forward, Dr. Brandon Prior shares how he overcame this mentality and transformed his practice. After initially hesitating to make investments due to fear of spending, he realized his actual failure was protecting cash instead of maximizing his valuable time and capacity. Learn how investing back into your practice in areas like hygiene and marketing can create...

Imagine a world where your workflows align effortlessly, teams communicate seamlessly, and every patient gets a tailored experience, all thanks to AI technology and all-in-one software. In this special episode, Dr. Rania Saleh returns to celebrate Oryx’s 10-year milestone and candidly shares the origin story behind building a comprehensive dental practice software platform. Drawing from her own pivotal transition, from running a thriving dental practice to founding Oryx after a health crisis ex...

Grit is important, but it's not everything. Discover what else it takes to succeed in the fiercely competitive dental industry! In this episode, we welcome Allison Norris, CEO of The Dentele Group, who candidly shares her journey of leaving a stable career as a dental hygienist to stumble, fumble, and finally, successfully found a leading non-clinical recruiting agency in dentistry. Through her story of trust betrayed, battling depression, and trials of early innovations, she offers key insight...

What does it really take to launch a dental startup while juggling motherhood, a mission-driven vision, and a learn-as-you-go leadership style? Dr. Pooja Makam opens up about building Lumina Dentistry from the ground up, all while parenting two toddlers and fighting for a patient-first approach in a world of corporate pressure. In this episode, Dr. Makam takes us behind the scenes of opening her North Carolina practice, from tackling unexpected technology meltdowns to navigating hiring heartbr...

If the fear of facing complex dental implant failures is holding you back, this episode is your key to turning those failures into opportunities! Dr. Evan Matthysse shares his transformative experience of initial implant failures that led to a turning point for their dental practice. Listen as he reveals how tackling the fear and learning from the best in the field widened their service portfolio, boosted their reputation for handling advanced implant cases, and enhanced overall growth. To all ...

What if a warm welcome and a personal touch could be the most powerful tools for growing your dental practice? In this episode, Dr. Allon reveals how her journey from corporate dentistry to solo practice was powered by a desire for meaningful patient relationships, family support, and a relentless commitment to hospitality. She shares the step-by-step systems her Clear Lake office uses to maximize comfort and efficiency, from five-minute patient intake to comprehensive 90-minute new patient exa...

Tangled in the web of low-performing staff? Learn how to cut loose and fire fast for the well-being of your practice. In this episode of The Fail Forward series, Dr. Gabe Ross honestly shares the lesson he learned the hard way about the necessity of staff turnover for the greater good of his pediatric dental practice. Sifting through his personal experience of reluctantly firing an underperforming dental assistant, Dr. Gabe elucidates why sometimes, removing the problem from your team can be th...

Are you trapped in hustle mode and afraid of what happens if you slow down? In this episode, Dr. Sana Yusuf jumps right into stepping away from the relentless “hustler” mentality that shaped her academic and professional journey, and into a space where fulfillment is measured by flexibility and presence, not just financial milestones. With refreshing honesty, Dr. Yusuf explains why extreme wealth no longer defines her sense of security. Her practice now covers what matters most: family, stabili...

Are you finding that the administrative burden of PPO participation is costing you more than it's earning? This episode features Lisa Weber, a PPO expert, shedding light on the hidden and often overlooked administrative cost associated with PPO participation. She tells the real story of a dentist facing a tough decision about whether to hire a full-time employee to manage UnitedHealthcare or terminate the network altogether. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to view an insurance network ...

Imagine reclaiming 30+ hours a month for patient care, growth, and your own peace of mind with the help of AI and team empowerment. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jordan Sanders of Knox Mountain Dentistry, who opens up about the transformative journey from launching a startup practice to leading a bustling, seven-operatory dental office that stands out for its patient-centric approach and in-house innovation. Dr. Sanders shares candid insights about the growing pains and rewards of scali...

Is your dental practice unknowingly losing money through shared network relationships? In this episode of Fail Forward, Lisa from Unlock the PPO launches into one of the most overlooked factors affecting dental practice revenue: the dynamics of shared networks. Discover how unsuspecting practices can find themselves receiving reduced payments without realizing, and learn actionable strategies to protect your practice against this pitfall. From training your front desk to be "the keeper of the g...

Are you prepared for the challenges that come with practice ownership, from hiring the right staff to deciding on tech that will truly make a difference? In today's episode, Dr. Cindy Rask of Bespoke Dental opens up about the real highs and lows that come with stepping into the driver’s seat of practice ownership. You’ll hear firsthand about the bold decisions she’s considering, such as investing in same-day crown technology despite significant upfront costs, and the tough conversations that re...

No dentist dreams of living paycheck to paycheck. Yet, that was Dr. Alan Stern's reality after making several strategic mistakes that found him stuck in a cycle of debt and stress. In this episode of Fail Forward, Dr. Stern speaks openly about how he turned his life around by choosing financial freedom over the illusion of success, a move that not only rescued him from his emotional and financial low, but revitalized his entire practice. More than a story of recovery, this episode is a testamen...