The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

Latest Episodes:

2205: Mastering Leadership in a Workforce Crisis Pt. 2 Mar 18, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes dives into creating a strong dental practice culture and leading with structure. He emphasizes the importance of defining core values and involving the team in their creation to foster true buy-in. Dr. Costes also introduces a Cultural Assessment—a simple way to measure alignment with those values, ensuring that team members are motivated, skilled, and contributing to the practice's success.

He also breaks down performance reviews, effective meetings, and accountability systems to create a productive, drama-free work environment. From structured morning huddles to weekly growth meetings, he shares the PETA framework (Presence, Intention, Time, and Agenda) to ensure every meeting moves the practice forward.

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2204: Mastering Leadership in a Workforce Crisis Pt. 1 Mar 17, 2025

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On today's episode Dr. Mark Costes explores the challenges of leading a dental team during a workforce shortage. With a 30% decline in healthcare workers since the pandemic, dental practices are struggling to find and retain skilled employees. Dr. Costes shares his own leadership journey—learning from early mistakes, overcoming high turnover, and shifting from a rigid management style to an approach built on structure, inspiration, and accountability.

He also introduces key leadership principles, including defining clear expectations, holding team members accountable, and creating a structured approach to leadership. Tune in to hear how the Four Futures Framework—balancing mind, meaning, muscle, and money—can help dentists build thriving businesses while maintaining personal well-being.

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2203: The Power of Vendor Negotiations & GPOs Mar 14, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Michael Lomotan, co-founder of the Dental Success Network, and Cameron Buhman, DSN's vendor relations specialist. They dive into the power of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and how DSN helps dentists negotiate better pricing on supplies, lab fees, patient financing, and more—saving members tens of thousands without increasing production.

They also break down the dangers of "price creep" and why keeping a close eye on vendor relationships is crucial for maintaining profitability. Dr. Costes shares his newfound love for Formula One and the strategy behind the sport. Tune in for insights on cutting overhead and running a more efficient practice.

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2202: Winning at Sleep Dentistry with Smarter Marketing Mar 13, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Lane Rizzardini, co-owner of Sleep Apnea Leads, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of marketing sleep dentistry. Lane shares why traditional dental marketing approaches often fail for sleep apnea and how creating a separate brand and digital presence can dramatically improve patient acquisition. He also dives into the power of AI-driven follow-ups, automated systems for patient conversion, and the key strategies that help dentists grow their sleep practices efficiently.

If you've struggled to integrate sleep apnea into your practice or want to attract more high-quality patients without wasting time, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how the right marketing approach can make all the difference!

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2201: How to Scale Success Without Burning Out Mar 12, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes breaks down the trap of hustle culture and why working harder doesn't always mean achieving more. He shares how practice owners can transition from grinding endlessly to increasing productivity while working fewer hours. By recognizing different seasons of entrepreneurship, setting clear non-negotiables, and leveraging delegation, you can avoid burnout and maximize efficiency.

We also dive into common struggles like reactivity, case acceptance issues, and inefficient CEO time. Dr. Costes offers practical strategies to streamline operations, improve leadership, and create a thriving practice without sacrificing work-life balance.

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2200: Escaping Burnout and Elevating Your Practice Mar 11, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes takes us to the breathtaking shores of Nicaragua for an exclusive look at the Elevation Association retreat. Joined by Dr. Jared Hill and Dr. Dan Nelson, the founders of this unique mastermind group, dive into the mission behind Elevation Association—helping dentists lead with intention, design their ideal lives, and build lasting legacies.

Dr. Costes, Dr. Hill, and Dr. Nelson also discuss the power of stepping away from daily practice life to gain clarity, the importance of knowing your numbers, and how to combat burnout by redefining success. Plus, they share the incredible work they're doing with the Dental Legacy Foundation, creating sustainable dental clinics in underserved communities. Tune in for a deep dive into leadership, adventure, and making an impact far beyond the dental chair.

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2199: We Want Outcomes Mar 10, 2025

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On today's episode, Jake Conway, a longtime friend of the Dental Success Institute, dives deep into the challenges of goal-setting in dental practices. He breaks down why arbitrary, unrealistic, or narrow goals can hold doctors back—and how shifting focus to systems and outcomes can create lasting success.

Jake introduces his 4D Method for setting intentional practice and life goals, emphasizes the importance of awareness in financial stress stages, and provides tactical strategies to optimize hygiene, associates, and overhead. He also explores the power of agreements vs. expectations and how engaging the team in decision-making fosters accountability and ownership.

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2198: Engineering Mindset to Dental Marketing Success Mar 07, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Ardi Safi, the visionary founder of DDS Marketing, to discuss his fascinating journey from competitive tennis and structural engineering to becoming a leader in dental marketing. Ardi shares how his analytical mindset and immigrant work ethic helped him carve a niche in the dental industry, offering data-driven marketing strategies that drive real results. Ardi dives into the role of AI in tracking patient conversion, key KPIs for marketing success, and the importance of organic content for brand building. Plus, they preview the upcoming DDS Marketing Event in Miami this May, focused on full-arch dentistry profitability.

Check out the full episode on the Dentalpreneur Podcast for all the insights and actionable takeaways!

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2197: Building a Legacy That Outlives You Part 2 Mar 06, 2025

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On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes takes the stage at the Elevation Association conference to discuss the true meaning of legacy. Sharing his journey from building and selling multiple dental practices to founding Smile Outreach International, Dr. Costes highlights the importance of sustainable impact. He walks the audience through the Four Futures framework—mind, meaning, muscle, and money—offering a practical way to measure personal and professional fulfillment. From personal anecdotes to an eye-opening eulogy exercise, this session challenges listeners to redefine success beyond financial gain. Plus, Dr. Costes shares insights on habit formation, overcoming setbacks, and the power of community-driven service.

Check out the full episode on the Dentalpreneur Podcast for more inspiration and actionable takeaways!

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