Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran

Latest Episodes:

Anthony Gedge : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1733 Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Anthony "Tony" Gedge, who has spent 24 years in dentistry focused on the one thing most systems overlook: trust. His route into the profession was anything but conventional — he moved from running nightclubs into dentistry, where he built a pain-free movement around anxious patients and the fear of the injection, founded the Pain-Free Dentistry Institute, and co-founded Dental Mavericks, a charity that has now helped more than 180,000 children. He also took John Lennon's tooth and Elvis Presley's crown on tour to raise mouth cancer awareness — a campaign with fresh urgency given that UK deaths have climbed from roughly seven a day when he started to closer to ten today, with cases up nearly 50% over the past decade.

The conversation then turns to Tony's current work with Dental Group Signal, an evidence-led benchmarking platform studying how dental groups actually show up to patients, clinicians, investors, and the wider market. He walks through the twelve public signals the platform measures — from leadership and recruitment to patient trust, telephone access, review response, pricing visibility, digital journey, brand coherence, governance, and seller and investor signals — and shares findings from the May 2026 US DSO CEO Visibility benchmark, where only one of twenty leaders scored as a meaningful visibility leader and fifteen were rated underdeveloped. Howard and Tony explore what the US DSO market can learn from public-evidence benchmarking, why CEO and recruitment visibility have become commercial signals rather than marketing activity, and the crucial difference between simply being a large dental group and being a trusted, visible, coherent one.

Episode #1733 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Anthony "Tony" Gedge — a genuine dental maverick whose path ran from nightclubs to needles to benchmarking the entire industry.

Over 24 years, Tony founded the Pain-Free Dentistry Institute, co-founded Dental Mavericks (which has helped 180,000+ children), toured John Lennon's tooth and Elvis Presley's crown to raise mouth cancer awareness, and now leads Dental Group Signal, measuring the public trust signals behind dental group growth.

🎧 A wild, thought-provoking conversation about fear, trust, and why dentistry should measure trust as seriously as it measures EBITDA.

#DentistryUncensored #PainFreeDentistry #DentalMavericks #DSO #MouthCancerAwareness #DentalLeadership

Philippe Salah : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1732 Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Philippe Salah, a PhD-trained scientist with a lifelong passion for innovation in orthodontics. Philippe co-founded Harmony, a pioneering lingual orthodontics company, in 2007, before founding DentalMonitoring in 2013 — a company he still leads as CEO and which has become a driving force in AI-powered, remote patient care.

The conversation explores how DentalMonitoring supports the full patient journey, from initial observation through active treatment and all the way to retention, and what continuous remote monitoring changes about the way orthodontists practice. Philippe and Howard also dig into a question weighing on many clinicians today: how orthodontists should position themselves in an increasingly challenging and competitive market, and what role AI and remote care will play in defining who thrives.

Episode #1732 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Philippe Salah — PhD-trained scientist, co-founder of lingual orthodontics pioneer Harmony, and founder & CEO of DentalMonitoring.

From AI-powered remote monitoring to managing the patient journey end-to-end — from first observation all the way through retention — Philippe shares how technology is reshaping orthodontic care and what it means for practices competing in an increasingly crowded market.

🎧 A forward-looking conversation on AI, remote care, and the future of orthodontics.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalMonitoring #Orthodontics #DentalAI #RemoteMonitoring #DigitalDentistry

Dr. Erin Sheffield : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1731 Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Erin Sheffield, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has built a career breaking barriers in one of medicine's most male-dominated specialties. Beyond the operating room, she is an international speaker, educator, content creator, and advocate — the founder of The Doctor Is ALL In, a retreat helping high-achieving women doctors reconnect with their purpose and reclaim their well-being, and the host of The Resting Stitch Face podcast, where she leads candid conversations about identity, leadership, and the cost of fitting in.

The conversation moves fluidly between the clinical and the personal. On the surgical side, Dr. Sheffield digs into difficult third molars and coronectomy, bone grafting, and antibiotic stewardship — practical topics every general dentist and surgeon wrestles with. On the human side, she speaks openly about navigating discrimination and harassment in her own career, and what resilience, integrity, and reclaiming your voice actually look like in practice. Howard and Dr. Sheffield also explore trauma-informed care for dentists, the role of social media in modern practice, and the intertwined challenges of imposter syndrome, authenticity, and burnout. Her central message cuts across specialties and generations: real success isn't about perfection or approval — it's about showing up fully as yourself and making room for others to do the same.

Check out Dr. Sheffield's website for more info: www.Doctorisallin.com

Episode #1731 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Erin Sheffield — board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, international speaker, educator, and founder of The Doctor Is ALL In, a retreat for women doctors.

From difficult third molars, coronectomy, and bone grafting to antibiotic stewardship, trauma-informed care, and the honest realities of burnout and imposter syndrome — Dr. Sheffield brings both surgical precision and rare human insight.

🎧 A candid conversation about clinical excellence, authenticity, and building space for others in rooms that weren't built for everyone.

#DentistryUncensored #OralSurgery #WomenInDentistry #WomenInSurgery #DentalBurnout #Authenticity @drerinsheffield @restingstitchfacepodcast @thedoctorisallin

Dr. Tommy Murph : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1730 Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran podcasts live from Guatemala with Dr. Tommy Murph — the Myrtle Beach–area general dentist and Dentaltown legend behind more than 50,000 posts and the longest-running threads in the community's history. Speaking from the clinic floor between patients, Tommy walks through the scale of the operation: 46 dentists from four countries, roughly 250–300 patients a day, twelve-hour days, and nearly 1,000 teeth extracted in a single day, with about 45% of them wisdom teeth. Four times a year, he and Dr. Fletcher run these trips as a hybrid of charity dentistry and hands-on continuing education, delivering 54 hours of participation credit through WeTeachExtractions.com — training dentists who graduated without ever performing an extraction to confidently handle full bony horizontal impactions.

The conversation ranges well beyond Guatemala. Tommy shares his philosophy that any general dentist should be able to remove a visible tooth in ten minutes or less, and that success comes from a few well-understood instruments and proper luxation technique rather than a drawer full of forceps. He makes a blunt case for same-day emergency treatment, explains the cash-pay, out-of-network model he's run since 1999, and argues that most dentists could thrive without insurance participation. He also talks about running a lean practice with a staff of two, keeping overhead under 25%, why new grads should work for someone else for a year or two before ownership, and why extraction skill should come before implant training. Throughout, Howard and Tommy return to what makes these trips meaningful — patients who arrive at 4 a.m. and hug you afterward, Tommy's 81-year-old mother handing out toothbrushes and toys, and the way stepping into someone else's world can reset a stressed-out dentist's perspective entirely.

Episode #1730 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard Farran catches up with Dentaltown legend Dr. Tommy Murph — 50,000+ posts and counting — literally on the clinic floor in Guatemala, mid-mission, with 300 patients waiting outside.

46 dentists from 4 countries. Nearly 1,000 teeth extracted in a single day. Hands-on CE where dentists who never touched an extraction in school leave doing full bony impactions.

🎧 Charity dentistry, low overhead, straight talk, and one of the most unfiltered voices in the profession.

#DentistryUncensored #CharitableDentistry #Extractions #DentalMissions #Guatemala #Dentaltown

Dr. Peeyush Ranjan : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1729 Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Peeyush Ranjan, a board-certified pediatric dentist in both the United States and Canada and the owner of Tooth Pals in Airdrie, Alberta. Dr. Ranjan began his career in general dentistry in 2009 before discovering his passion for treating children, which led him to complete his pediatric residency at Nova Southeastern University and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. His master's research explored using picture-guided techniques to improve oral hygiene in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder — work that continues to shape how he cares for kids today.

The conversation spans Dr. Ranjan's unique cross-border journey — training in the U.S., practicing in rural Washington, and building a practice in Canada — and what it taught him about the profession in both countries. He makes a compelling case that rural America is dramatically underserved and full of opportunity most young dentists overlook, and shares why he remains a strong believer in independent ownership even in an age of consolidation and DSOs. Howard and Dr. Ranjan also dig into the role of culture and team (he runs his practice alongside his wife and treats his staff like family), how technology like the Solea laser and dental-specific VR transforms a child's experience in the chair, and his collaborative approach to infant tongue-tie treatment. The episode closes on the community work at the heart of his practice — from the Switch Witch candy buyback to toy drives and free screening camps — and the most important lessons he'd pass on to any young dentist starting out today.

Episode #1729 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Peeyush Ranjan — board-certified pediatric dentist in both the U.S. and Canada, and owner of Tooth Pals in Airdrie, Alberta.

From training in the U.S. and practicing in rural Washington to owning a practice in Canada, Dr. Ranjan brings a rare cross-border perspective — plus a passion for technology, community giving, and making sure no child grows up fearing the dentist.

🎧 A heartfelt, insightful conversation on pediatric care, independent ownership, and the opportunity most young dentists overlook.

#DentistryUncensored #PediatricDentistry #IndependentPractice #RuralDentistry #KidsDentist #PracticeOwnership

Joanne Tanner : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1728 Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with JoAnne Tanner, founder of Tanner Management, a dental practice consulting firm specializing in acquisitions, financial due diligence, and operational systems. With more than 20 years of experience, JoAnne has guided countless dentists through the process of buying a practice — helping them avoid costly mistakes and build strong business foundations from day one. She's also the author of The Smart Dentist's Guide to Buying a Dental Practice, and is known for a clear, no-nonsense approach that makes complex transactions understandable.

The conversation focuses on what dentists need to know before signing on the dotted line. JoAnne breaks down the biggest mistakes buyers make and how to avoid them, why financials alone don't tell the full story of a practice, and the critical reports every buyer should review before closing. She and Howard dig into how to spot hidden risks in hygiene, scheduling, and accounts receivable, why treatment philosophy differences between buyer and seller can make or break a transition, and how insurance participation — including Delta Dental — can shape future income. The episode closes on the most important question of all: how to tell whether a practice is genuinely sustainable or quietly declining.

Episode #1728 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with JoAnne Tanner — founder of Tanner Management and author of The Smart Dentist's Guide to Buying a Dental Practice — for a no-nonsense look at what it really takes to buy the right practice.

From the biggest mistakes buyers make, to why the financials never tell the whole story, to the hidden risks lurking in hygiene, scheduling, and AR — JoAnne breaks down how to buy with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Essential listening for any dentist thinking about ownership.

#DentistryUncensored #PracticeAcquisition #DentalOwnership #DueDiligence #DentalBusiness #BuyingAPractice

Drs. Mike DeLuke and Mark Levi : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1727 Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

In this two-guest episode, Howard Farran brings together two clinicians unafraid to challenge the status quo. Dr. Michael DeLuke is a board-certified orthodontist who graduated valedictorian from SUNY Stony Brook and served as Chief Resident at UConn before owning DeLuke Orthodontics for nearly two decades. He has since retired from private practice to teach and coach full-time, serving on faculty at Montefiore Einstein and a Florida pediatric dental residency, and founding DeLuke Orthodontic Coaching ("DOC") and The DOC Podcast. Dr. Mark Levi is a Sydney-based dentist who, after his own severe obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis in 1998, dedicated his career to airway-focused care — co-founding integrated medical/dental sleep clinics, publishing in the European Sleep Journal, and in 2021 transitioning to an exclusive pediatric airway, breathing, and sleep clinic treating children aged 3 to 12.

The conversation dives into early, airway-focused orthodontic and orthopedic treatment — why both guests believe it matters so much, and why the orthodontic establishment and academia have been so resistant to it. They explore what pediatric sleep-disordered breathing actually is and why it should be on every dentist's radar, what "evidence-based practice" really means, and the long-term physiological payoff of intervening in a generation of four-to-six-year-olds before problems compound. Dr. Levi shares his philosophy of engaging parents by talking symptoms rather than treatment protocols — the approach behind hundreds of five-star reviews and his plans to expand into the U.S. — while Dr. DeLuke also opens up about the business side of dentistry, including how he reached financial freedom at 46 after starting his practice at 30 with zero assets and a mountain of student debt.

Episode #1727 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with two outspoken voices in orthodontics and airway: Dr. Michael DeLuke — board-certified orthodontist, coach, and host of The DOC Podcast — and Dr. Mark Levi, an Australian pioneer in pediatric airway, breathing, and sleep.

From why the ortho establishment resists early airway-focused treatment, to treating a generation of 4–6 year olds, to achieving financial freedom in dentistry — this conversation pulls no punches.

🎧 A must-listen on early intervention, pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, and the business of orthodontics.

#DentistryUncensored #Orthodontics #AirwayHealth #PediatricSleep #EarlyOrthoTreatment #DentalSleepMedicine

Dr. Kevin Lassiter : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1726 Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter, an Arizona native and proud Army veteran who earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lassiter spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army, completing his specialty training through the United States Army Prosthodontic Program, and today provides relationship-centered dentistry that blends science and artistry to create healthy, natural-looking, long-lasting smiles.

The conversation traces Dr. Lassiter's path from a 19-year-old applying to dental school — admittedly naive in those early interviews — through his entry into the Army via officer basic training and an AEGD program, to years of service that included time living in Germany. He shares an honest look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Army dentistry, what drew him to prosthodontics, and the experience of caring for veterans and soldiers during his residency. The episode closes on his transition into civilian private practice and the journey from associate to ownership, offering a grounded perspective for anyone weighing a similar route into military or specialty dentistry.

Episode #1726 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter — Arizona native, proud Army veteran, and prosthodontist who spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army before transitioning to private practice.

From applying to dental school at 19, to Army life and training in Germany, to finding his passion in prosthodontics and making the leap from associate to owner — this is a candid, inspiring look at one dentist's unconventional path.

🎧 A must-listen for anyone curious about military dentistry, prosthodontics, or building a career with purpose.

#DentistryUncensored #MilitaryDentistry #Prosthodontics #ArmyVeteran #DentalCareer #PracticeOwnership

Wes Read and Paul Lipcius : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1725 Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

In this two-guest episode, Howard Farran sits down with two financial leaders from PracticeCFO. Wes Read is a CPA, Certified Financial Planner™, and Registered Investment Advisor who began his career in Big 4 accounting at Ernst & Young before founding PracticeCFO in 2009 to give practice-owning doctors access to CFO-level financial leadership. He's also the founder of Practice Orbit and creator of Associates On Fire, a free financial education platform for dental associates. Joining him is Paul Lipcius, a CPA, Series 65-licensed Investment Adviser Representative, and CFO Advisor at the firm with nearly a decade of experience, who focuses on higher-net-worth clients, capital markets, and portfolio strategy, and serves on PracticeCFO's board and investment committee.

The conversation centers on investing philosophy for busy dentists who aren't watching the markets every day. Wes and Paul unpack how they define and manage risk in a practical, long-term sense rather than just as volatility, and what a good advisor actually does to create value beyond picking investments. They explore how dentists should think about retirement vehicles like 401(k)s, defined benefit plans, and IRAs, how to stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions during market swings, and the unique advantage of integrating CPA services with investment management under one roof. The episode closes on the perennial industry debate over fees — whether advisors truly justify their cost, and how dentists can evaluate whether they're getting real value for their money.

Episode #1725 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Wes Read, CPA, CFP® — Founder & CEO of PracticeCFO — and Paul Lipcius, CPA and CFO Advisor at the firm, for a deep dive into smart investing and wealth strategy for dentists.

From defining real "risk" beyond market volatility, to the advantage of having your CPA and investment strategy under one roof, to whether advisor fees are truly worth it — this is straight talk on building lasting financial independence.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist who wants to run their practice and their money like a pro.

#DentistryUncensored #PracticeCFO #DentalFinance #WealthManagement #DentistMoney #FinancialPlanning

Dr. Paul Homoly : Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran #1724 Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Paul Homoly, one of the profession's foremost authorities on treatment acceptance and the new patient experience. After 20 years in clinical reconstructive dentistry, Paul devoted the following decades to building what many consider the most comprehensive body of work on guiding dentists and their teams toward successful complete-care practices. He's the author of several influential books — including Dentists: An Endangered Species, Isn't It Wonderful When Patients Say "YES!", and Just Because You're an Expert… Doesn't Make You Interesting — and the first dentist worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned distinction in professional speaking.

The conversation explores Paul's central mission: making it easy for patients to say "yes" to complete care. He shares the communication and leadership principles behind his Treatment Acceptance Mastery curriculum — which now includes a first-of-its-kind AI Accelerator Coach — and why being a clinical expert doesn't automatically make a dentist compelling or persuasive at the chairside. Drawing on work that has contributed millions of dollars in monthly collections for his clients, Paul and Howard dig into how dentists can connect with patients, present treatment in a way that resonates, and build practices where complete care becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Episode #1724 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Paul Homoly — a leading authority on treatment acceptance and the new patient experience, and the first dentist in the world to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.

After 20 years in clinical reconstructive dentistry, Paul has spent decades cracking the code on one question: how do you make it easy for patients to say "yes" to complete care? His work has driven millions in monthly collections for his clients.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist who wants better case acceptance without the hard sell.

#DentistryUncensored #CaseAcceptance #TreatmentAcceptance #DentalPracticeManagement #PatientExperience #CompleteCare

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