The Real Cost of Marketing for New Dental Patients in a Practice Startup (Most Get it Wrong)

The Real Cost of Marketing for New Dental Patients in a Practice Startup (Most Get it Wrong)

Most dental startups guess at their marketing budget and end up either starving for patients or wasting money. Guido Tebano of Market My Market breaks down real numbers for SEO, ads, and mailers. In this episode of the Marketing Series, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Guido Tebano to answer the question every startup dentist asks: how much should you actually spend on marketing, and where should that money go? They cover the real difference between SEO and paid ads, how long a new dental website takes to start ranking, what a qualified implant lead actually costs, whether direct mail still works in 2026, and the calls to action that convert new patients on a website or mailer. * Why a marketing budget can’t be copied from another office  * The real timeline for SEO and organic ranking Cost per lead and cost per patient, broken down by platform  * Are dental directories like ZocDoc worth the markup  * Do direct mail campaigns still work? * The five calls to action that actually convert new patients  * General budget benchmarks for a dental startup by market type  * Why the first 90 days matter most CHAPTER MARKERS 0:00 Intro: budgeting for marketing  1:04 Meet Guido Tebano  2:13 Why budgets can’t be cookie cutter  3:18 SEO vs paid ads timeline  5:38 How long a website takes to rank  8:23 Cost per new patient compared  9:46 Are directories worth the markup  11:24 Cost per implant lead and ROI  13:00 Do mailers still work  16:04 Why mailer messaging matters  18:01 5 CTAs that convert patients  21:35 Promotion vs production costs  23:51 General budget benchmarks  26:01 Spending your first $3,500/mo 28:15 When to turn ads on  29:35 Why your first 90 days matter Learn more about Guido Tebano and Market My Market at https://marketmymarket.com [https://marketmymarket.com] This episode is part of our Marketing Series for dental startups.  Catch Part I, our episode on dental startup demographics, wherever you listen. Visit Our Podcast's Website: https://dentalunscripted.com [https://dentalunscripted.com]Instagram: https://instagram.com/dentalunscripted [https://instagram.com/dentalunscripted] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DentalUnscripted/ [https://www.facebook.com/DentalUnscripted/] https://dentalunscripted.com Check out Next Level Consultants: https://nxlevelconsultants.com [https://nxlevelconsultants.com]Check out Next Level Consultants for personalized dental practice consulting services Michael Dinsio, MBA Paula Quinn, BSDH  Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026 The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Should You Drop Dental Insurance and Go FFS? Our Answer Might Surprise You!

In this episode, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, billing and credentialing expert at Next Level Consultants, to tackle the biggest question in the industry right now: "Should I drop my insurance?" They break down the massive differences between lease networks and direct contracts, when it is time to aggressively negotiate your fees, and why jumping out of network without a strategic plan can absolutely tank your dental practice revenue. What You'll Find Out: * Why you should never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely full * The 60% rule: How to know exactly when an insurance fee schedule becomes insulting * Why updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is critical before attempting dental insurance negotiation * The hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applications * How to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning to fee for service * The essential 90-day patient communication playbook for going out of network seamlessly Perfect for: Startup dentists, established practice owners, front office managers, and anyone focused on dental billing strategies, increasing profitability in dentistry, and mastering dental practice management. Special Guest on Today’s Show: Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table as the Billing & Credentialing Lead and Front Office Coach at Next Level. She specializes in navigating archaic insurance algorithms, maximizing practice fee schedules, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base. Special Promotional Offer and Connect: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/ [https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/] Key Takeaways:  You no longer have to be a victim to stagnant insurance reimbursements.  By fully updating your UCRs, mastering upfront patient communication, and strategically evaluating your clinical capacity, you can confidently take back control of your practice's financial future.  Finally, a realistic and actionable roadmap to escape the PPO trap! Stay Connected to Get More Topics Covered by Dental Unscripted:  dental insurance negotiation, fee for service dentistry, dropping PPOs, dental credentialing, dental billing, UCR fees, dental practice management, successful dental practice, dental consulting, buying a dental practice, running a dental practice, dental practice revenue, growing a dental practice, dental entrepreneurship, dental industry advice, dental solutions, profitability in dentistry, dental practice tips, how to run a dental practice, business of dentistry, out of network dentist

What Your Dental Marketing Company Isn't Telling You About Demographics

Most dental practice owners eventually hit a breaking point and ask the exact same question: "Should I drop my insurance?" But jumping straight out of network without a bulletproof strategy can absolutely tank your revenue. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, Billing and Credentialing Lead at Next Level Consultants, to explain the critical data and preparation needed before you ever send a termination letter. We reveal the exact framework top dental offices use to hold insurance companies accountable, update their UCRs, and successfully navigate the FFS (Fee-For-Service) transition. If you are starting up, growing a dental practice, or simply exhausted by stagnant insurance reimbursements dictating your dental practice profitability, this episode is exactly why we created Dental Unscripted. We partner with Stefani to get granular on what most doctors get wrong about dental insurance negotiation, DIY credentialing, and patient retention. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE  → Why you should absolutely never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely full  → How to leverage the "60% Rule" to know exactly when a fee schedule becomes insulting  → Why updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is the mandatory first step before any negotiation  → The hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applications  → The real difference between leased umbrella networks and direct contracts (and how to use them to your advantage)  → How to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning out of network  → The essential 90-day patient communication playbook to prevent a mass exodus TIMESTAMPS  0:00 Introduction: The biggest question in the dental industry—should I drop my insurance?  2:15 The "Fill Up First" rule before changing your insurance capacity  4:45 When and how often you should be negotiating your dental insurance fees  8:30 Why your UCR fees must be updated to create negotiation leverage  11:15 The 60% Rule: Knowing when to walk away from a bad contract  14:20 Leased networks vs. direct contracts explained  16:50 The massive mistakes doctors make with DIY dental credentialing  21:30 The out-of-network playbook: Preparing your front office and your AR  24:45 Retaining patients through communication and in-house membership plans  28:10 Understanding the true marketing cost of dropping a PPO network ABOUT OUR GUEST Stefani Sandoval Billing & Credentialing Lead, Next Level Consultants Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table, helping dental practice owners navigate archaic insurance algorithms. She specializes in maximizing practice fee schedules, restructuring network participation, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of Next Level Consultants, the dental industry's leading advisory firm for practice startups, acquisitions, and ownership coaching. With 30+ years of combined experience and hundreds of successful practice launches, Mike and Paula bring unfiltered, real-world expertise to every episode of Dental Unscripted. Work with Mike and Paula: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/dental-practice-management/ [https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/dental-practice-management/] Visit the show website: https://dentalunscripted.com [https://dentalunscripted.com] RATE THE SHOW 🙏  If this episode helped you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds and helps other dentists find the show. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-unscripted-getting-into-ownership-and-practice/id1776401263 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-unscripted-getting-into-ownership-and-practice/id1776401263] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NhNbETQDWwe91935VG3T2 [https://open.spotify.com/show/3NhNbETQDWwe91935VG3T2] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/ [https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/ [https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/] PRODUCTION INFORMATION: © 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved. The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Dental Practice Finances: The SBA Express Loan That Funds $350K in 2 Weeks

Dental practice finances just got a serious upgrade. Bert Smith, SVP of Healthcare Lending at Live Oak Bank - the #1 SBA lender in America,  reveals the brand-new SBA Express Loan: up to $350,000 in working capital, funded in 2-4 weeks, with no real estate collateral required. Whether you're buying a dental practice, navigating a startup that didn't ramp the way you planned, or carrying high-interest debt that's killing your cash flow, this conversation rewrites everything dentists think they know about SBA lending. Hosts Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn dig into why SBA is NOT just the backup plan when big banks say no — and how the new Express program changes the financing game for dental practice owners. ⏱ KEY MOMENTS: 03:50 - What the SBA Actually Is (And Why Dentists Should Care) 06:45 - Why Dental Practice Financing Is Different From Every Other Industry 11:55 - The SBA 7(a) Loan & 75% Government Guarantee Explained 14:00 - Preferred Lender vs. Generic SBA Bank: Why It Matters 18:00 - The Real Truth About SBA Loans for Buying a Dental Practice 23:10 - NEW: SBA Express Loan — $350K in Working Capital 25:30 - Express Loan Terms: 10-Year, No Prepayment, No Real Estate Lien 26:30 - How Struggling Startups Use Express Loans to Get Back to Profitability 29:20 - 680 FICO Minimum & Express Loan Qualification Rules 30:10 - Why Dental-Specific SBA Lending Beats Credit Unions 💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✓ How the SBA 7(a) program lets banks approve deals big banks reject ✓ Why 100% real estate financing is available for existing practice owners ✓ How dental practice owners can consolidate credit card debt with SBA Express ✓ When pro forma underwriting helps new dental practice owners qualify ✓ How to recognize the difference between a "fairway" loan and an SBA opportunity 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: 🏦 Live Oak Bank (Healthcare Lending): https://www.liveoakbank.com [https://www.liveoakbank.com] 🦷 Next Level Consultants — Dental Practice Coaching & Consulting: https://nxlevelconsultants.com [https://nxlevelconsultants.com] 🎙 Dental Unscripted Podcast: https://dentalunscripted.com [https://dentalunscripted.com] 📲 Instagram: @dentalunscripted 📢 ENJOYING DENTAL UNSCRIPTED? If this episode helped you think differently about dental practice finances, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It's the single biggest way to support the show and help more dental practice owners find these conversations. Subscribe and follow for weekly episodes on dental practice ownership, acquisitions, startups, and the business of dentistry. #DentalPracticeFinances #BuyingADentalPractice #SBALoans #DentalUnscripted #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusiness PRODUCTION INFORMATION: © 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved. The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Setting Up a Dental Practice Entity: LLC/PLC, S-Corp & Tax Election Explained!

Choosing the wrong entity structure before buying or starting a dental practice can cost you valuable time. Most dentists don't find out until it's crunch time on a deal or they talk to an attorney about it.  Thats why Tyler Jones of Helsell Fetterman joins Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn to break down everything dental practice owners need to know about entity formation. From the LLC vs. S-Corp confusion to the exact timing for startups and acquisitions. This is the stuff you should know to talk to a CPA or attorney before you start filing online.  3:57 LLC vs. S-Corp: What's the actual difference? 5:11 Why most dentists should start as an LLC (not S-Corp) 7:00 PLLC vs. LLC: Does your state require it? 15:06 Startups: Exactly WHEN to form your entity 20:20 Acquisitions: Why timing is more accelerated than you think 18:03 Can you reuse your old LLC from associate days? 22:28 Who should form your entity - Attorney, CPA, or DIY? 26:14 What entity formation actually costs (and what to bundle) 29:00 Operating agreements and EINs: What you need and when 31:56 Partnerships & multi-practice: When these rules change entirely KEY TAKEAWAYS: ✅ Your LLC and your S-Corp election are two separate things, most dentists confuse them  ✅ In most states, LLC and PLLC are functionally the same, just a naming distinction  ✅ For acquisitions, form your entity early, deals now close in 30-60 days, not 90-120  ✅ Reusing an old associate LLC is possible, but a fresh start usually wins with banks  ✅ DIY entity setup is possible, but fixing mistakes costs far more than doing it right  ✅ Your entity costs only ~$70/year to renew, don't let timing anxiety paralyze you  ✅ Always have your operating agreement and EIN ready, banks and landlords will ask ABOUT THE GUEST: Tyler Jones, Attorney, Helsell Fetterman * Dental and veterinary practice transaction specialist * Nationwide entity formation, acquisition, and startup legal services * Based in Washington State; serves dental professionals across the country * Works alongside dental-specific CPAs and advisors on complex deal structures 🔗 Connect with Tyler: https://www.helsell.com/helsell-attorney/tyler-jones/ [https://www.helsell.com/helsell-attorney/tyler-jones/] CONNECT WITH MIKE & PAULA: Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTS, a dental-specific advisory firm that guides dentists through practice acquisitions, startups, and operational growth. If you're serious about ownership, they're the team you want in your corner. https://nxlevelconsultants.com [https://nxlevelconsultants.com/] FOLLOW DENTAL UNSRIPTED: https://dentalunscripted.com [https://dentalunscripted.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/ [https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/ [https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/] 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes on:  ✔ Dental practice acquisitions & startups  ✔ Practice ownership finances and legal strategy  ✔ Tax planning and entity structure for dentists  ✔ Team building, operations, and profitability  ✔ Real talk from dental industry experts #DentalUnscripted #BuyingADentalPractice #DentalStartup #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusiness #PracticeAcquisition #DentalEntrepreneur #DentalPodcast #DentistPodcast #DentalManagement