The Dental Marketer Michael Arias

How can you strategically grow your practice without the risk of losing everything? In this soul-stirring episode, our guest, Luke Infinger, provides the tools you need to stand tall in your field. He dives deep into the importance of mastering your existing practices, before even considering expansion, underlining the necessity of building a robust foundation and optimizing your operations for overall success. Luke's guidance will help you identify the right time to scale, steering you on a path of continuous and sustainable growth.

In the second leg of the journey, Luke uncovers the crucial role of profitability and planning in expanding your practice. His words serve as a wakeup call, reminding dentists and practice owners alike that profit isn't all about numbers - it's the lifeline of your growing business. His riveting advice and personal experiences will guide you into understanding the intricate relationship between strategic growth, profitability, and optimal planning.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Importance of mastering your existing practices before planning expansionHow to build a strong foundation for your dental practiceThe role of optimizing your business operations for successIdentifying the perfect time to scale your practiceThe connection between strategic growth and profitabilityUnderstanding the value of proper planning in expanding your practice
Ready to skyrocket your dental practice to a whole new level of success? Tune in to this episode with Luke Infinger!‍‍
Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:Website: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment/‍You can reach out to Luke Infinger here:
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Website: https://hip.agency/HIP Resources: https://hip.agency/resources/‍Mentions and Links:

Software/Tools:Organizational ChartAudibleApple Books‍Personality Tests:The Predictive IndexStrengthsFindersEnneagram‍Books/Publications:The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItThe New York Times‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael: Hey Luke. So talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning? Luke: So one piece of advice for dentists, orthodontists, or really a lot of business owners. Uh, I've had the pleasure of working with probably about a thousand dentists or orthodontists, uh, within the past 10 years.And I think a false belief and, it's probably taught or, you know, talked to, uh, amongst peers is you need to be able to scale your practice through acquiring locations and adding more doctors. And while that could be the case, I see people do this way too quickly. Absolutely. they'll have a low production practice.They'll also be carrying a lot of debt. and think I need more cash flow. I need to look for my second location. I need to look for another associate doctor. And I've actually seen a lot of practices go under this way because they become over leveraged. So I always tell people, focus on what you have.Grass is not always greener, build what you have, prove the concept, get your business to an A player, and then duplicate that. Nobody wants to duplicate a D player. You know what I mean? So if I have a business, it's not performing super well, it's probably not time to duplicate the model. Michael: Interesting. Okay.So then what's too quickly in your experience? If we're specifically talking about, let's go with like a general practice. Sure. And they're busy, too busy, right? So they're assuming, Oh my gosh, I need a doctor. I need an associate. I need a more hygienist. Right. Would that be too quickly? Luke: Well, it really depends on the specific situation.It could be time. But. Most of the tim

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Today we're navigating the complex world of dentistry with authenticity, resilience, and an open heart. But, what does it take to embody these key values? In this episode, Dr. Maggie Augustyn takes us on her transformative journey from graduating dental school to becoming a successful, compassionate dentist. Overcoming initial challenges that nearly derailed her early career, Maggie offers an intimate window into her personal evolution, unpacking the layers of self-reflection and mentorship that led her to shed false identities and fully commit to her passion.

Maggie dives deep into her professional trajectory, sharing her transition from working in less-than-ideal conditions to taking the formidable step of opening her own practice - a venture fraught with financial fears and management challenges. Throughout these enlightening windows into her growth, one element remains consistent: the dedication to becoming a better dentist and a better person. Exploring the internal tug-of-war of wanting to be liked and needing to deliver honest, sometimes hard-to-swallow treatment plans, Maggie emphasizes the supreme importance of empathy and genuine patient connections in her practice. Her reflections on battling cancer and the integral role of personal and professional integrity in managing her practice through these tough times offer an inspiring testament to her resilience.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:The early challenges and misunderstandings that young practitioners face in their medical journey.The importance of shedding false identities and embracing authenticity in the field of dentistry.How to navigate the financial and leadership aspects of launching and managing a private practice.The value of compassion, empathy, and honest communication in patient care.How personal turmoil and struggles can impact and shape professional growth and perspective.
Don't miss out on this insightful, heartwarming journey of transformation and growth in the world of dentistry! Tune in to share in Dr. Maggie's wisdom gathered from her diverse experiences.
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Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍
Guest: Dr. Maggie AugustynPractice Name: Happy ToothCheck out Maggie's Media:Practice Website: https://myhappytooth.com/Personal Website: https://maggieaugustyn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.maggieaugustynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.maggieaugustyn/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maggie-augustyn-dds-faaip-ficoi-7a9502122/‍
Other Mentions and Links:‍Services:Productive Dentist Academy‍People:Dr. Talcott ParsonsDr. Bruce B. Baird & Dr. Victoria Peterson (Productive Dentist Academy)‍Dr. Augustyn Presentations:Lie to Me: The Destructive Nature of Self ComparisonBeyond The Drill: From Struggle to Success‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. P

How essential IS understanding insurance contracts in the dental field? Join us in this Monday Morning Episode as Laura Radloff and I delve into this critical aspect of your dental practice. We underscore the necessity for dentists not just to skim but attentively read through the terms of contracts to sidestep potential pitfalls such as insurance fraud. Laura shares from her vast wealth of experience some common mistakes dental practices make and drives home the essentiality of proper billing practices.

In the second half of our discourse, we explore the incredible advantages of utilizing Oryx software for billing purposes. We put a spotlight on the tremendous support provided by the Oryx team. The takeaway of this episode revamps the importance of thorough understanding and transparent communication in dealing with claims and operating a successful dental practice.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why understanding insurance contracts is vital in the dental fieldThe common errors dental practices fall prey to and how to avoid themThe indispensable role of diligent billing practicesThe remarkable benefits of implementing Oryx software for your billingThe exceptional backing provided by the Oryx team in managing claims
Dive into this episode now to learn what you may be missing in your insurance contracts!‍‍
Sponsors:
‍Oryx: an 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. Visit Oryx today for a special TDM offer! (Just click or copy and paste the link here) https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/oryx/‍You can reach out to Laura Radloff here:
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Website: https://www.oryxdentalsoftware.com/‍Mentions and Links:

Software/Tools:Open DentalEaglesoftDentrixDentrix AscendSoftDentDentrix EnterpriseiDentalBrands/Products:Invisalign‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael: Hey, Laura. So talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning. Laura: So one piece of advice is. Really to make sure that you understand your contract with any, uh, your, any insurance company that you have chosen to contract with. There are a lot of rules that come with those contracts, and if you've chosen to be in network with a certain insurance company, they may have specific rules that you have to follow, such as you have to bill certain procedures out, even if they're not going to be covered.So you just want to make sure that you really understand your contract before you start committing insurance fraud. And it's little things like, You may have a certain procedure that's not covered by that insurance, and you may choose not to bill out that to that insurance company, because you've decided since it's not going to be covered, we're not going to bill it out anyway.But if your contract says that you should still be billing it out, you still need to make the insurance company aware that you did that procedure, even if you don't think you're going to get covered for it. Michael: Okay, no, that's interesting. That's interesting. And then. You said understand your contract. Are some contracts difficult to understand?Laura: They just vary. They vary a lot based on carrier and state. And especially once you start to get federal plans, it's more just making sure that you do read the fine print. Uh, some states say that you can't charge a patient if it's not covered. and some carriers say the same thing. So it's really just making sure you, You don't go outside of those lines and making sure that you are billing correctly, not only to your patient, but to the insurance company too.Michael: In your experience,

How does one navigate cultural and language barriers as an exile from their home country AND build a thriving practice? Welcome to this enlightening episode where we step into the unique journey of Dr. Monzer Shakally, a remarkable dentist with an extraordinary backdrop: born and raised in Damascus, Syria, yet carving out a stellar career in the U.S. His narrative winds from his comfortably privileged upbringing in a medical environment to a twist with the breakout of the Syrian revolution, leading him down a path of arrest, exile, and eventual resettlement in the U.S.

In this episode, Monzer takes us along on his odyssey from the throes of revolution and exile to his pursuit of dentistry in Iowa, a step driven by his resolve to create a unique niche in the dental space. Listen in as he shares the challenges of early days in America, wrestling with language barriers and chipping away at cultural dissimilarities, through to his triumphant emergence from dental school and his thoughtfully decisive move to settle in the balanced charm of Scottsdale, Arizona. Monzer also delves into his professional journey, tracing his hard-earned lessons from a dissatisfying stint at Pacific Dental Services to his present status operating a thriving dental practice. This episode is more than an account of resilience and determination, it is a beacon for all those navigating their routes to success in the dental profession.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Monzer's intriguing journey from Syria to the United StatesThe cultural and educational challenges Dr. Shakally overcame in the pursuit of his careerHis experiences in corporate dentistry and the wisdom gained from itHow Shakally turned a new opportunity into a flourishing dental practiceStrategies for avoiding pitfalls such as insurance dependencyThe ethos that underpins Shakally's profession and personal journeyStrategies to ensure patient satisfaction and operational efficiency in your practice
Don't miss this episode full of valuable insights and inspiring tales of resilience. Start your journey to mastering the business side of dentistry by listening today!‍‍
Sponsors:‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍
Guest: Dr. Monzer ShakallyPractice Name: Southern SmilesCheck out Monzer's Media:Website: https://ssmilesdental.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshakally/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-monzer-shakally-dds-54945989/Email: meezdds@gmail.com‍
Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:Henry ScheinPPO ProfitsImplant PathwayQuickBooksKleerBooks/Publications:How to Buy a Dental Practice: A Step-by-step Guide to Finding, Analyzing, and Purchasing the Right Practice For YouDental Operations Manual: Detailed Systems to Run your Dental PracticeBusinesses/Brands:Pacific Dental ServicesSignature Dental PartnersAspen DentalHeartland DentalCerecVan Hook LabPeople:Dr. Farran (30 Day Dental MBA)Elon MuskPodcasts:Dental UnfilteredCommunities:DentaltownOrganizations:UNHuman Rights WatchUS Embassy in EgyptMusic:Frank Sinatra - My Way‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. Thi

‍Are you ready to take a refreshing and practical look at the business side of your career? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Shahin Safarian, a seasoned dentist, entrepreneur, and coach who urges private sector dentists to embrace financial literacy. Shahin's insightful perspective draws a connection between understanding key financial metrics and improving both patient care and business efficiency, a concept often overlooked in the profession.

In the second half of the episode, we delve into the pressing need for innovation in dental practices. Not just the technical aspect, there's an often ignored realm of lead generation, patient engagement and operational optimization that can propel your practice to new heights. Dr. Shahin softens the intimidation factor around modernizing workflows and systems in such a traditional profession, making it sound not just attainable, but also essential.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:The importance of understanding the financial metrics of your dental practiceHow to achieve a minimum net of 30% from your practiceThe connection between financial health and patient care qualityHow to enhance lead generation and patient engagement in your practiceThe essential role of the dentist as a business ownerThe benefits of upgrading your systems and operations
Don’t let the finances of your dental practice intimidate you. Dive into this conversation with Dr. Shahin and start making informed financial decisions for your practice today!‍‍
Sponsors:
‍For high quality AND affordable dental supply options, visit The Dentists Supply Company(TDSC) website today! Our listeners get a special deal - 25% off on orders over $500 - Just type in the special code: TDM25 at checkout for your exclusive offer. AND if you're a member of your state's Dental Association, you may be eligible for additional savings upon providing your ADA number. Click or copy and paste the link here to save today! https://www.tdsc.com/‍You can reach out to Dr. Shahin Safarian here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshahinsafarian/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrshahinsafarianInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshahinsafarian‍Mentions and Links:

Services/Tools:Solutionreach‍If you want your questions answered on Monday Morning Episodes, ask me on these platforms:My Newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/The Dental Marketer Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031814726927041‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)‍Michael: Hey, Shahin, so talk to us. What's one piece of advice you can give us this Monday morning? Shahin: Well, first of all, thanks so much for having me. I appreciate the time and the opportunity. this notion we're talking private sector, we're talking practitioners that want to stay in the private sector.So we're not talking DSOs, we're not talking DPOs, we're not talking multiple practices and. multiple associates and 25 or 30 plus employees in a single small business, in a single dental practice, small business in the private sector. What you need to focus on is you need to focus on your financial numbers.The health of your business trumps everything else. and the more old school or, or seasoned dentists that, you know, got licensed in the eighties and the nineties, and maybe even a little bit later, Their thought process is that we need to focus on the patients and the patients come first. Well, I tend to say, yes, patients certainly have value when you're working in your business, but when you're working on your business, everything, is trumped by the health of your business.And that comes from your financial numbers. So If you are a private dentist in the private sector, you want to focus on understanding your financial numbers. And that's really most important because if you have a healthy business, you'll be much better capable and able to take care of your patients in your community at the highest quality possibl

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Interested in making the big leap from associateship to private practice? Tune into this episode as we talk with Dr. Linda Nguyen, a passionate dentist with an inspiring tale of achieving her dreams despite facing adversities. Taken by surprise with challenges at her first glamorous job in downtown Denver, Linda had a reality check on ethical dilemmas that some practices may face. With the discord between promises made to patients and actual care delivered, she embarked on a journey that led her closer to owning the kind of practice she had always dreamed of - a place where patient-centric care is paramount.

Linda’s journey wasn't a smooth ride, but she conquered all odds with her never-give-up attitude and solidified her place in the dental space. She not only shares the authentic, often untold gritty realities of dentistry, but also offers key insights to navigate the startup phase and step up to the role of a private practice owner. Linda's story is a testament to how crucial it is to find your community, a trustworthy financial partner, and a dedicated team for thriving in the competitive world of dentistry.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why Linda transitioned from dental associateship to owning her own practiceThe challenges Linda faced in her first job and how that shaped her future decisionsHow she approached ethical dilemmas and navigated her way towards the dentistry she wanted to practiceThoughts on choosing financial partners and strategically building her teamThe importance of creating a patient-centric experience in a dental practiceHow to balance business and personal values in a saturated market
So don't wait, hit the play button and join us as we walk through Dr. Linda Nguyen's inspiring journey!‍‍
Sponsors:‍For DSO integrations, startup solutions, and all your dental IT needs, let our sponsors, Darkhorse Tech, help out so you can focus on providing the amazing care that you do. For 1 month of FREE service, visit their link today! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/darkhorse-deal/‍
Guest: Dr. Linda NguyenPractice Name: Sonder DentistryCheck out Linda's Media:Website: https://www.sonderdentistry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonderdentistry/
‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Software/Services:IndeedCrimson MediaDentagraphicsIdeal PracticesDarkhorse TechBurkhart Dental SupplyProducts/Brands:Almond JoyWingspanNintendo SwitchIt Takes Two (Switch Game)Banks:Bank of AmericaWells FargoPeople:Shane Simmons (Crimson Media)Stan Wiening (Burkhart Dental Supply)‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍
Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.