The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

Latest Episodes:

2565: The Real Talk Behind Surgical and Prosthetic Complications Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Dan Briskie and Dr. Thomas Fow for a practical conversation on surgical, prosthetic, and patient management complications in implant dentistry. Together, they discuss what to do when an atraumatic extraction does not go as planned, including how to manage a fractured buccal plate during immediate implant placement.

They also break down common prosthetic challenges like stripped or broken implant screws, when to stop troubleshooting, and why having the right tools and protocols matters. The conversation also dives into managing patient expectations, de-escalating difficult aesthetic concerns, identifying red flags during case selection, and knowing when to slow down, listen, and guide patients with confidence.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2564: Building Better Dentists Through Better Education Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Lou Graham live from Thrive Live 2026 in Las Vegas. Lou shares the story behind Catapult Education, the independent education-based company he founded 23 years ago, and how it has grown into a powerful platform with speakers, evaluators, and tens of thousands of subscribers.

He and Mark discuss the evolution of dental education, the growing demand for hands-on learning, the challenge of keeping teams engaged in a distracted world, and how technology, AI, digital workflows, and customized education are shaping the future of the profession. Lou also opens up about transitioning out of clinical dentistry, selling to a DSO, mentoring younger doctors, and building a career around leadership, communication, and helping dentists continue to grow.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2563: The Blackbelt Standard Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Mark Costes presents the 2026 Golden Rhino Award case studies, honoring two standout transformations: Dr. Blake Hamlin and Dr. Collin Myrick, both UT Houston grads who joined DSI feeling successful but stuck and isolated. He walks through their application letters and financial scorecards, showing how each more than tripled their practices in three years—Hamlin from $1.6M to $5.37M, and Myrick from $2.2M to nearly $10M—largely by clarifying their model and vision before scaling.

The two then join Costes on stage to unpack how they did it. Hamlin credits a relentless focus on a few core KPIs (reappointment rate, answering every call) and a marketing breakthrough, scaling spend from $5,000 to $45,000-plus a month to multiply new patients while holding overhead steady. Myrick points to vision, mission, and core values as his foundation, plus finding his integrator, Darcy, which freed him to lead as a CEO and say yes to rapid multi-location expansion across his rural Florida hometown.

EPISODE RESOURCES

2562: The Back Office Automation Every Practice Owner Should Understand Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Seth Hamson, Head of Customer Experience at Lassie, to explore how AI is changing the way dental practices manage revenue cycle operations. Seth shares how his background in financial technology led him into dentistry, where outdated insurance systems, paper EOBs, manual posting, and overwhelmed billing teams continue to create major bottlenecks for practice owners. He explains how Lassie is using AI agents to automate payment posting, retrieve EOBs, support free direct deposit setup, reconcile payments, and help practices reduce the time and stress tied to insurance AR. Mark and Seth also discuss the future of claim filing, eligibility verification, patient billing, in-house versus outsourced billing, and why practice owners should be thinking intentionally about how AI will shape operations, scalability, and patient experience in the years ahead.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2561: The Real Tradeoffs Behind De Novo Growth Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes answers a wide range of listener questions in this Ask Me Anything edition, covering everything from managing serious back issues as a dentist to weighing the pros and cons of a de novo startup versus acquiring an existing practice. Mark shares his personal experience with spine surgeries, posture, core strength, ergonomics, and the importance of getting the right clinical support when pain becomes unmanageable.

He also breaks down the strategic considerations behind starting fresh, buying an existing office, evaluating demographics, managing cash flow, planning for growth, and building toward a larger platform practice. The episode wraps with stories from Mark's upcoming and past mission trips, including Honduras, Fiji, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, and the impact of providing care in communities with limited access to dentistry.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2560: Courageous Conversations That Build Better Practices Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Katherine Eitel Belt, dentistry's unscripted leadership communications coach, live from Thrive Live 2026 in Las Vegas. Katherine shares her journey from chairside dental assistant to global authority on leadership communication, including the pivotal moment that shaped her approach to helping leaders raise standards with clarity, courage, and compassion. She breaks down her framework for the three essential leadership conversations: invitation conversations, coaching conversations, and courageous conversations. Katherine also explains how practice owners and managers can address accountability without fear, inspire team members into higher standards, and create a culture where people choose growth rather than simply comply. The conversation also highlights her upcoming book, Lead Yourself, Lead Your Team, and why strong leadership begins with self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a willingness to own your role first.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2559: The Lease Mistakes That Can Sink Your Dental Practice Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Eric Pook, owner of Cirrus Consulting Group, live from Thrive Live 2026 in Las Vegas. Eric shares how his background in medical and dental entrepreneurship led him into the highly specialized world of dental office lease consulting, and why so many dentists unknowingly sign agreements that can put their practice, profitability, and future transition at risk.

From missed renewal deadlines and month-to-month leases to assignment clauses, personal guarantees, tenant improvement allowances, and landlord leverage during practice sales, Eric breaks down the most common lease mistakes dentists make and how proactive planning can protect long-term value. He also explains why doctors should review their leases years before renewal or transition, especially if they plan to expand, renovate, sell, or protect their estate.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2558: How to Find Opportunity in an Uncertain Real Estate Market Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Jacob Vanderslice, co-founder of VanWest Partners, to explore the opportunities, risks, and realities of self-storage investing. Jacob shares how he went from single-family rentals and fix-and-flips to overseeing a portfolio of 42 self-storage properties, why his team targets underperforming facilities, and how operational improvements can increase net operating income and property value.

They also discuss due diligence, market supply, closed-ended funds, projected returns, tax advantages, liquidity risks, and the role private real estate can play in a diversified investment portfolio.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2557: The Unfair Advantage - Fireside Chat With Gino Wickman Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, recorded live at the Dental Success Summit 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Gino Wickman, creator of the Entrepreneurial Operating System and author of Traction, Rocket Fuel, and Shine. Gino shares the lessons behind building EOS, the six essential traits of an entrepreneur, and why the right visionary-integrator partnership can transform a growing business.

They discuss how to find and evaluate an integrator, the five rules that keep the relationship strong, the most overlooked components of EOS, and the foundational tools dental leaders can begin implementing immediately. Gino also opens up about the deeper message behind Shine and why lasting success requires more than achievement alone.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

2556: The Capacity Trap That Holds Practices Back Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes answers listener questions in this Ask Me Anything special, covering ownership strategy, practice growth, scaling decisions, and the team of advisors every dental owner should build. Mark shares what he would do differently if he were starting over as a new grad, including avoiding practices that are too small to scale, being cautious with overly rural locations, and focusing on demographics, capacity, and long-term exit options.

He also discusses when it makes sense to add another doctor, what metrics to watch beyond revenue, and why owners should stabilize their flagship practice before pursuing additional locations. The episode also dives into building a personal board of directors, including a CPA, bookkeeper, attorney, tax strategist, financial advisor, banker, and performance coach, before wrapping with advice on making faster, less fearful business decisions without abandoning thoughtful analysis.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast

EPISODE RESOURCES

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected