The Dental Marketer

Michael Arias

dental marketing ideas and strategies to attract quality patients to dentist.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Keeping Peace and Profit in a Spouse-Owned Dental Office | Eva Baughman | 606

    Can you protect both your marriage and your margins while building a dental practice from scratch? In this episode, Eva Baughman of Clearwater Dentistry in Greeley, Colorado, shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching a practice with her husband just before the pandemic hit and how she transitioned from a non-dental background to becoming the financial strategist their office needed. Eva unpacks the path her husband took from serving as a military dentist in Germany to stepping into ownership for the freedom to care for patients on his own terms. This journey demanded Eva step in, shoulder-to-shoulder, to shape the practice into a sustainable, patient-focused team. Central to this conversation is Eva’s candid look at managing insurance-heavy operations in a brand-new community. She walks us through her step-by-step approach to mastering local demographics, mapping employer insurance plans, and using those insights to negotiate stronger PPO contracts, sidestepping third-party headaches wherever possible. Eva also details her hands-on methods for tracking expenses, building airtight claims systems, and empowering her team (all while protecting work-life boundaries as both a spouse and business partner.) Whether you’re a dental entrepreneur, office manager, or anyone seeking better insurance and cash flow management, Eva’s real-life experiences offer practical takeaways for turning your practice from stressful to sustainable. What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to objectively assess your local market and maximize insurance contracting power.Ways to prevent insurance from controlling the patient conversation and keep care patient-centered.Smart strategies for tracking practice expenses and improving cash flow predictability.How to build a claims system that minimizes rejections and supports faster payments.The benefits of negotiating direct PPO contracts and periodically reassessing terms.Why understanding insurer requirements leads to better documentation and estimates.Tips for hiring and team-building in a startup practice.Navigating the unique dynamics of running a spouse-owned office.Setting boundaries to protect your family time while still growing your practice.Tune in now to hear Eva's story on building a practice from scratch with her husband and the ins and outs of everyday operations! ‍ Sponsors:‍Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: https://www.net32.com/dentalmarketer ‍ Click here for a special offer!Guest: Eva BaughmanPractice Name: Clearwater DentistryCheck out Eva's Media:Practice: https://clearwaterdentistry.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eva_baughman14/ Email: evabrigitte14@gmail.com Dental Spouses in Business Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17Tw64FJiu/ ‍ Host: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍ Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society ‍ Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod

  2. 30 APR

    AI Is Already Sending Patients to Dental Offices (And Most Dentists Don’t Realize It Yet) | 605

    How are patients really finding their next dentist? It’s not through endless Googling anymore. This episode uncovers a dramatic shift: instead of comparing offices online, more people are now simply asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini, "Who should I call for dental implants or a toothache?" The AI returns just a couple of names, and with zero hesitation, patients make the call (often within a minute.) Michael breaks down real data from CallRail, revealing how these AI-fueled phone calls, though still a small percentage, represent a wave of ultra-high-intent patients who skip traditional browsing and choose the first AI-recommended office. You'll discover which tools are actually driving these calls (hint: ChatGPT is leading by a landslide), why this trend mirrors the early rise of smartphone searches, and why it pays to make your practice information clear, consistent, and ready for action. If you want your phone to ring next time someone asks AI to help find them a dentist, this episode is your essential guide. What You'll Learn in This Episode:How AI chat tools are redesigning the path patients take to choose a dentistThe latest CallRail data showing real-world AI-generated business callsWhich AI tools (like ChatGPT and Perplexity) are influencing dental patient decisionsWhy AI-referred calls are more likely to be high-intent (and how that matters)How this shift compares to the early days of mobile searchPractical steps to make your dental practice more "AI-ready"The importance of consistent business listings and clear service descriptionsWhy answering your phone quickly matters more than everHow tracking calls can help you see which marketing sources are workingWhat other industries are doing as AI changes the referral landscapeDon’t get left behind! Hit play now to make sure your dental practice is ready for the new era of AI-driven patient calls. ‍ Sponsors:‍CallRail: Call tracking + AI that turns calls into campaigns that convert, quality patients, and cost savings. Click our link to start a free trial today! https://sta.mx/vz69 Click here for a special offer!Check Out the Article From This Episode (Updated with More Data):Article: https://www.callrail.com/blog/20m-calls-reveal-future-of-customer-discovery ‍ Host: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍ Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society ‍ Love the Podcast? Subscribe on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod‍

  3. 23 APR

    Building a Local Dental Brand That Stands Out in Any Location | Dr. Chaz Vittitow | 604

    What does it really take to turn a neighborhood dental practice into a must-visit brand no matter the competition next door? In this episode, Dr. Chaz Vittitow shares the real story of launching and growing The Local Dentist in a market packed with competitors all while balancing family life with four kids and navigating today’s unique challenges for dentists. Chaz explains the origin of his practice’s name and how it shaped everything from branding to partnering with local businesses. He also digs into the seldom-discussed realities: intense staffing pressures, skyrocketing expenses, and the myth that owning a practice guarantees financial success. Chaz reveals how he grew by aggressively marketing, earning patient referrals, and, most notably, breaking free from PPO insurance networks, once facing $500–$600K annual write-offs on $1.1M collected. He delivers a practical guide for dropping insurance: scripting patient conversations, offering membership alternatives, and controlling the story to retain quality care (and your best patients). Through powerful communication tweaks and lessons learned on team-building, leadership, and profitability, Chaz equips us with a blueprint to build not just a profitable practice, but a truly resilient one. What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to craft a dental brand that resonates in your community and stands outThe key differences (and new complexities) of dental ownership today versus prior generationsCreative growth strategies for practices in saturated markets, from ground-level marketing to referral systemsWhy and how to drop insurance networks without losing your patient base (or your mind)The real financial impact of insurance write-offs (and how to regain control)Step-by-step tactics for transitioning patients off PPO plans, minimizing attrition and complaintsTransformative language and communication shifts that boost case acceptance and patient loyaltyOperational insights: hiring, team training, profitability strategies, and smart tech adoptionTune in to learn how Dr. Chaz builds an unstoppable brand that resonates with his local community! ‍ Sponsors:‍Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: https://www.net32.com/dentalmarketer ‍ Click here for a special offer!Oryx: All-In-One Cloud-Based Dental Software Created by Dentists for Dentists. Patient engagement, clinical, and practice management software that helps your dental practice grow without compromise. Click or copy and paste the link here for a special offer! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/oryx/ Click here for a special offer!Guest: Dr. Chaz VittitowPractice Name: The Local DentistCheck out Chaz's Media:Practice: https://localdentistbellingham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localdentist_bham/ The Dental Jumpstart YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvqs2_HMAkGq2ki__Gv-jQ ‍ Host: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍ Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society ‍ Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod‍

  4. 20 APR

    Have The Talk: Mastering Difficult Conversations with Your Team | Dr. Paul Etchison | FF

    Feeling a rift between your team and struggling on how to address it? Join Dr. Paul Etchison of the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast as he recounts a challenging situation that sparked real change in his practice. Sharing his story of tension between the front desk and clinical teams, Paul opens up about stalling, fumbling, and ultimately succeeding in having a much-needed conversation. He reveals how the magic of validating one's perspective (even without agreeing completely) can bring down walls and pave the way for constructive solutions. Tap into this episode if you want to improve your communication, leadership skills, and overall practice dynamics! You'll learn that difficult conversations are not obstacles but the gateway to better relationships, growth, and success in your dental practice. ‍ ‍ Check out Paul's Media:Website: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/ Podcast: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/podcast ‍ Listen to Paul's Other Episodes Here:479: Are You on the Road to Effective Dental Leadership? The Blueprint for Teamwork | Dr. Paul Etchison – The Dental Marketer Podcast 300: Dr. Paul Etchison | Nelson Ridge Family Dental – The Dental Marketer Podcast MMM [Internal Marketing] Small Details That Make a Big Difference in Team Communication – The Dental Marketer Podcast The First Episode of 2023 & The Advice and Reflections Some of Our Guests Have Had! – The Dental Marketer Podcast "What is 1 thing You Wish You Knew Before You Opened Your Start-up/ Acquisition?" – The Dental Marketer Podcast 455: Dr. Paul Etchison | Achieving Peace of Mind: Embracing Delegation for a Harmonious Dental Team – The Dental Marketer Podcast ‍ Host: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍ Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society ‍ Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod‍

  5. 16 APR

    Bridging Front and Back: The Critical Role of Patient Care Coordinators | Dr. Jaspreet Gill | 603

    Discover the practice-changing power of a unified team guiding every patient from check-in to checkout! In this episode, Dr. Jaspreet Gill opens up about the mental and strategic balancing act of guiding Countryside Smiles, sharing how time, patient experience, and ROI intertwine in daily decisions around hiring, technology, and workflow design. You'll hear firsthand how the focus shifted from setting up operations to facing nuanced choices: should you invest in tech, hire another team member, or build the next system to scale? Dr. Gill brings clarity to what it means to “pick your headaches wisely,” ensuring every move supports both the patients and her team. What sets her practice apart? Around year two, Dr. Gill rewrote the playbook by unifying the traditionally divided front and back office, creating patient care coordinators who guide each person seamlessly from intake through billing and beyond. This personalized model, made possible with cloud-based tech and a hand-picked team, eliminates friction and elevates quality care. She dives into performance-based incentives, salary solutions to retain talent, and hyperlocal marketing, all while sustaining profit, minimizing turnover, and keeping compassion at the center. Whether you’re a new practice owner or aiming to future-proof your office, Dr. Gill’s candid insights and tested strategies offer a blueprint for sustainable and human-centered growth! What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to evaluate owner-level decisions for ROI in time, money, and care qualityThe step-by-step breakdown of a patient care coordinator workflow modelStrategies for reducing communication gaps between clinical and administrative staffWhy selective hiring and performance-based bonuses matter for retentionHow to implement cloud-based systems for efficiency and fewer software headachesApproaches to detailed insurance verification for upfront financial transparencySecrets to profitable marketing within your immediate community radiusTips for managing team compensation and benefits to lower turnoverBuilding a brand rooted in personal connection: asking patients “What’s your story?”Ready for practical strategies that put people before processes? Listen now for real-world lessons on practice ownership! ‍ Sponsors:‍Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: https://www.net32.com/dentalmarketer ‍ Click here for a special offer!Guest: Dr. Jaspreet GillPractice Name: Countryside SmilesCheck out Jaspreet's Media:Practice: https://countrysidesmiles.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Countrysidesmiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrysidesmiles/ ‍ Host: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍ Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society ‍ Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod

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dental marketing ideas and strategies to attract quality patients to dentist.

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