2550: Smarter Phones, Better Teams, and Happier Patients

2550: Smarter Phones, Better Teams, and Happier Patients

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with longtime dental industry leader Laura Nelson live from Thrive Live in Las Vegas. Laura shares her journey from running the front office in her husband's dental practice to building Front Office Rocks, becoming a trusted voice in dental team training, and now leading AI innovation with Mango Voice. She and Mark discuss why patient experience matters just as much as clinical care, how short-form training changed front office education, and why understanding the "why" behind systems is essential for team success. Laura also breaks down how AI tools like Mango's Margo can help practices capture missed calls, improve patient communication, support overwhelmed teams, and even role-play phone skills through AI-powered coaching. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES * https://mangovoice.com [https://mangovoice.com] * https://www.truedentalsuccess.com [https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/] * Dental Success Network [https://www.dentalsuccessnetwork.com/] * Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dentalpreneur-podcast-become/id983666208?mt=2&ls=1]

2549: The Hidden Risks Inside Dental Office Leases

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Jas Banga live from Thrive Live 2026 in Las Vegas to talk about one of the most overlooked but critical parts of practice ownership: dental real estate. Jas shares how he went from marketing in the dental world to becoming a leading healthcare real estate advisor, helping dentists across North America make smarter, data-driven decisions around site selection, lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, and acquisitions. They discuss common lease traps like narrow use provisions, triple net expenses, assignment language, and seller liability, as well as the big question of whether dentists should buy or lease their space. Jas also explains how demographics, saturation levels, traffic flow, future development, and AI-powered market analysis can help doctors choose stronger locations and build long-term practice value. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES * https://www.drwecare.com [https://www.drwecare.com] * https://www.truedentalsuccess.com [https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/] * Dental Success Network [https://www.dentalsuccessnetwork.com/] * Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dentalpreneur-podcast-become/id983666208?mt=2&ls=1]

2548: Back to Basics: How to Lead Through Hard Conversations

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Ashlee Hirschfeld for another Back to Basics conversation, this time focused on leadership and difficult conversations. Mark and Ashlee discuss why leadership requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, clear expectations, and the willingness to address issues before they damage the entire team. They also explore how to approach corrective conversations with less drama, why avoiding conflict can create bigger problems, and how strong leaders take ownership before asking others to do the same. This episode is a reminder that great culture starts at the top, and the way you communicate, respond, and hold people accountable will shape the health of your entire practice. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES * https://www.truedentalsuccess.com [https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/] * Dental Success Network [https://www.dentalsuccessnetwork.com/] * Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dentalpreneur-podcast-become/id983666208?mt=2&ls=1]

2547: From Practice Owner to Purpose Driven Leader

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Matt Slivka, owner of Rockside Dental and DSI Black Belt coach, for a conversation about growth, purpose, and the impact dentists can make far beyond the operatory. Matt shares how mentorship and community helped transform his practice from a chaotic startup into a thriving multi-doctor organization, and how that same mindset pushed him to launch Rockside Reach International, his nonprofit providing dental care in Guatemala. The conversation explores the power of influence, the importance of relationships, lessons from mission work around the world, and why fulfillment often comes from becoming the person you're meant to be rather than simply achieving more. Mark and Matt also preview Matt's upcoming Unlock Your Potential course, a unique personal development experience centered around the Four Futures of mind, meaning, muscle, and money, designed to help doctors, team members, and leaders create a more intentional and impactful life. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES * https://registration.socio.events/e/unlockyourpotential [https://registration.socio.events/e/unlockyourpotential] * https://www.truedentalsuccess.com [https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/] * Dental Success Network [https://www.dentalsuccessnetwork.com/] * Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dentalpreneur-podcast-become/id983666208?mt=2&ls=1]

2546: The Dentist's Guide to Beating Overwhelm

On today's episode, we dive into the very real problem of overwhelm in dentistry and why it is not simply about having too much to do. Dr. Mark Costes breaks down how decision fatigue, multitasking, cognitive load, sleep debt, clutter, caffeine, alcohol, and constant content consumption can push practice owners from intentional leadership into reactive survival mode. He also shares practical ways dentists can reduce overwhelm through better prioritization, delegation, systemization, walking, sleep hygiene, closing open loops, and building the right support around them. From managing hygiene exam overload to knowing when it may be time for a coach or executive assistant, this conversation gives dental leaders a clearer path toward more calm, clarity, and control. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES * https://www.dentalnachos.com [https://www.dentalnachos.com] * https://www.truedentalsuccess.com [https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/] * Dental Success Network [https://www.dentalsuccessnetwork.com/] * Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dentalpreneur-podcast-become/id983666208?mt=2&ls=1]