The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
The goal of this podcast is to assemble the greatest minds of the dental profession and to pass on their most valuable and succinct lessons, in order to help you to achieve your full potential in practice and in life. Let's face it. Dentistry can be a frustrating and isolating profession... but you don't have to be an island anymore. It's possible to become more profitable, less stressed and more fulfilled in your career and it's our mission is to help you get there. For a whole host of free practice building tips and resources, visit our website at TrueDentalSuccess...
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2463: Behind the Scenes at Thrive Live and the Power of Dental Events
<p>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. </p> <p>Traci, the senior manager of event marketing at Henry Schein, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Thrive Live, one of den...
2462: Lessons from 16 Practices and a Life Beyond the Op
<p>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.</p> <p>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...
2461: Clinician Transition: Leveraging What You've Built
<p>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. </p> <p>He also tackles the "associate paradox," showing with real numbers how bringing on an associate can actually increase pro...
2460: The Power of Aligner Education and Letting Go of the Drill
<p>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. </p> <p>Now living in Edmond, Oklahoma, Dr. Standridge r...
2459: The Dental Consolidation Tipping Point Is Coming
<p>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. </p> <p>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...
2458: The Truth About Dental Consolidation and Practice Worth
<p>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.</p> <p>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...
2457: Knowing When to Tweak Versus Transform Your Practice
<p>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. </p> <p>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...
2456: Building High Performing Dental Associates the Right Way
<p>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. </p> <p>They also discuss mentorship, business acumen, conflict resolution, and the importance of complementary ski...
2455: Why This New Dentist Chose a De Novo Over an Acquisition
<p>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.</p> <p>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...
2454: MAX OUT 2026: Discovering Purpose-driven Goals
<p>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?</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Be sure to check out the fu...
