Beyond Bitewings

Edwards & Associates, PC
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Monthly

Beyond Bitewings focuses on helping dentists with the business side of dentistry. Our podcast episodes are a mix of outside experts, and discussions within our own team of CPA's, financial planning, and business experts. This is the podcast for those looking to strengthen your dental practice, run a practice more smoothly, and increase your take-home pay.

  1. Oct 22

    Navigating Dental Practice Financing and Ownership with Tom Angeloni from Bank of America

    Ash sits down with Tom Angeloni from Bank of America to discuss the financial aspects of dental practice ownership. The conversation covers essential advice for dental students and associates considering startup practices or acquisitions. Tom explains the importance of deciding if you truly want to be a practice owner, as this involves not just dentistry but also business management and staff leadership. They discuss what lenders look for, including reasonable financial habits, maintaining a good credit score, and having enough liquidity, ideally about 10% of your loan request. Tom clarifies requirements for both startups and acquisitions, including the significance of working capital and the common pitfalls new practice owners face. They also cover tips for choosing practice locations, understanding practice profitability, the value of industry-specific partners like dental CPAs and contractors, and details around lending restrictions and flexibility. They also compare the challenges of starting a practice from scratch versus buying an existing one, noting issues like patient attrition and staff culture. Tom emphasizes the need to evaluate each situation based on personal, financial, and market factors. Key Topics Discussed: Deciding on practice ownership and the responsibilities involvedFinancial readiness for lending: credit score, cash reserves, reasonable debtDown payment requirements for startups versus acquisitionsPractice valuation methods and production requirements from lendersPatient attrition and transition strategies in acquisitionsImportance of working capital and how it should be spentLending restrictions on soft and hard costsReimbursing pre-loan startup expensesStructuring the practice entity with a dental-specific CPASelecting and negotiating working capital based on marketNumber of operatories to equip in a new practiceWeighing the pros and cons of startups vs. acquisitionsThe impact of staff culture and equipment on practice successThe need for demographic research when selecting a practice locationLong-term sustainability and lifestyle considerations

  2. Oct 8

    Unlocking Wealth Through Oil and Gas Investments

    Ash is joined by Taylor Black from Eckard Enterprises to discuss oil and gas investment opportunities, with a focus on how these can serve as alternative income streams for dentists and other high-income professionals. Taylor explains their approach to transparency, direct ownership, and risk mitigation for clients interested in oil and gas, particularly in mineral rights and working interests. They also talk about how oil and gas compares to other asset classes like traditional real estate and the stock market, highlighting its potential for consistent passive income and unique tax advantages. Taylor also covers the misconceptions about entering the oil and gas industry, the importance of direct ownership, and strategies for distributing investment risk. Taylor also reviews expected returns, the benefits of using IRA and Roth strategies, and the flexibility of exit options for investors. Real-world examples and important due diligence tips are provided for listeners considering oil and gas as part of a diversified portfolio. To find out more about Taylor, visit: https://eckardenterprises.com/taylor-black/ Key Topics Discussed: Oil and gas investments as alternative income streams for professionalsEckerd Enterprises’ approach: transparency, experience, and direct ownershipExplanation of mineral rights vs. working interestsPortfolio diversification and risk mitigationEntry points and capital requirements for investorsTax strategies, including 1031 exchanges and Roth conversionsDue diligence and questions to ask potential sponsorsExpected returns and cash flow mechanicsImportance of direct ownership and flexibility in exiting investmentsUse cases for dentists and high-income earners looking for passive income

  3. Sep 17

    Maximizing Your Dental Practice Revenue by Leveraging Existing Patients and Smart Technology

    In this episode Ash sits down sits down with Zane from MyDentalForce at the SWDC show to discuss practical strategies for dental practices aiming to improve their operations and collections. Zane, a software engineer with hands-on experience as a technology director in a dental group, shares how leveraging existing patient databases can unlock significant revenue without increasing marketing spend or overloading staff with multiple software platforms. The conversation focuses on how MyDentalForce’s solution prioritizes actionable patient outreach, task management, and integrations with phone systems to help offices reactivate patients, monitor staff productivity, and manage accounts receivable more effectively. Ash and Zane talk about the importance of human touch in patient communications and how real-time analytics and AI-supported summaries can help owners and managers see tangible improvements within two to three months, all while consolidating software costs. To learn more, visit: https://mydentalforce.com/ Key topics discussed: Using data from existing patient databases to drive revenueSimplifying and consolidating software tools for staff productivityUnderstanding unscheduled treatment plan value and patient reactivationReal-time task lists and prioritization for front desk teamsIntegration with phone systems for tracking staff performanceHuman vs. AI-automated patient communicationManaging accounts receivable through targeted patient outreachFlat-rate pricing and implementation detailsThe practical role of AI features in dental office operations

  4. Sep 3

    Securing Your Practice and Team: Essential Insurance Policies for Dentists

    In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, recorded live from the Southwest Dental Conference, Herb Ford from Brown and Brown (formerly Wallace Specialty) joins Ash to discuss the common misconceptions about insurance coverage for dental practices. They discuss the critical differences between general liability, cyber, and professional liability insurance, emphasizing that many practice owners may be less protected than they realize. Herb offers real-world examples of how insufficient or misunderstood coverage can leave practices exposed to significant risks, especially with increasing cyber-attacks and the complexities around group benefits and business operations. Herb also talks about the role of umbrella insurance and how it offers additional liability protection—but not for every type of coverage, such as property damage. The episode provides practical advice on how and why dental professionals should consider group policies, disability insurance for staff, and key person coverage to maintain practice continuity. The discussion wraps up with tips for protecting both personal and business assets and recommendations for addressing gaps in current insurance strategies. To connect with Herb, you can call him at: 972-663-5195 Or email him at herb {at} bbrown.com Key Topics Discussed: General liability, cyber, and professional liability insurance: what’s covered and what isn’tCybersecurity, cyber insurance, and why IT providers are not a substitute for insuranceThe purpose and limits of umbrella insurance for dental practices and individualsGroup benefits for dental practice staff, including health, disability, and life insuranceDisability, business overhead, and payroll protection insurance to maintain business continuityThe importance of entity professional liability coverage for practices with multiple associatesBusiness interruption and extra expense insurance for property-related disruptionsEmployee dishonesty and theft coveragePractical advice for practice owners on assessing and improving current insurance coverage

  5. Aug 20

    Scaling Practices With Systems, Culture, and Mindset

    Ash welcomes Dr. Corey Malnikof, and they discuss his journey from struggling clinic owner to leader of 24 successful healthcare practices. They talk about the early challenges he faced, including serious financial setbacks, and how critical moments and strong mentorship led to a major shift in his mindset and business approach. Dr. Malnikof explains that personal development, intentional leadership, and a focus on systems are key factors in rapid growth. He examines how lessons from outside the healthcare industry, including companies like Starbucks and Ritz-Carlton, helped him build a distinct culture and training structure within his clinics. Dr. Malnikof also talks about the importance of discipline, consistency, and ongoing self-improvement, not just for practice owners but across the entire team. He also outlines practical steps for healthcare professionals who feel stuck, including tracking statistics, understand key business metrics, and seeking out mentors or peers who are already achieving your desired results. To connect with Dr. Corey, visit: https://www.coreymalnikof.com/ Key Topics Discussed: Dr. Corey Malnikof’s early business challenges and financial strugglesThe importance of mentorship and mindset shiftsApplying lessons from industries like Starbucks and Ritz-CarltonBuilding intentional culture and training within clinicsThe role of discipline and consistency in business growthPractical approaches to developing and implementing systemsTracking and analyzing practice statistics for growthThe value of ongoing staff reviews and open communicationSeeking guidance from mentors and outside high performersHow a leader’s behavior is reflected in the team and practice

  6. Aug 6

    Unlocking Dental Practice Profit With Intentional Referral Strategies

    Ash welcomes Dr. Dave Rominski of the Doctor Referral Institute to discuss how dentists may be missing a huge amount of profit and the ability to have a more sustainable business. They talk about a common challenge many dentists face: having a packed schedule without seeing that busyness translate into greater profitability, and why it can change your practice by having intentional referral relationships. Plus, they discuss why these referrals attract not just more patients, but the right patients and cases for your practice. Dr. Dave shares why simply filling your calendar doesn’t guarantee financial success, what truly influences provider-to-provider referrals, and how you can create a predictable referral system that improves both your case mix and your bottom line. Several points were raised, including how to identify your most valuable patients, the role of practice data and KPIs, and strategies for building and maintaining strong referral networks. Tune in to learn how shifting your focus from patient volume to relationship-driven growth can set your dental practice apart. To connect with Dr. Dave, visit: https://referralsfordoctors.com/ Key Topics Discussed: Impact of referral quality versus patient volume on profitabilityIdentifying and tracking ideal patient profiles and referral sourcesThe role of KPIs and practice management software in monitoring referralsValue of consistent, dedicated efforts in referral relationship buildingCommon mistakes in managing referral systemsImportance of educating and communicating with referring providers and their staffStrategies for diversifying and maintaining referral sources

  7. Jul 23

    The Essential Metric Every Dental Practice Needs for Financial Success

    We're revisiting this important episode about what we call BAM, an essential financial metric for dental practices. BAM stands for the Basic Amount of Money Needed to Operate the Practice, a monthly cash flow target that covers not only overhead and loan payments but also the doctor’s take-home, retirement contributions, and other foreseeable necessary expenses. The conversation explains why BAM is not the same as breakeven or net income and highlights common mistakes dentists make when evaluating practice finances. We talk about the practical steps for calculating BAM, noting the importance of using both historical and projected figures. Listeners learn to account for staffing changes, equipment purchases, rent adjustments, loan payments, and anticipated growth. The episode also addresses how BAM serves as a basis for staff bonus systems and why it should be reviewed annually to remain accurate and fair. Other considerations include handling unique expenses like retirement plan changes, owning versus leasing property, and whether to include discretionary spending. Key Topics Discussed: What BAM (Basic Amount of Money Needed) means for dental practicesThe difference between BAM, breakeven, and net incomeWhy BAM is a monthly cash goal based on collections, not productionHow BAM factors into staff bonus systemsAnnual recalculation of BAM and handling large changes (“baby BAM”)Adjusting BAM for new hires, anticipated expenses, and growth projectionsThe treatment of rent, including owner-occupied propertyAccounting for loan payments, including deferred or interest-only periodsWhether to include retirement contributions and discretionary spendingThe effect of BAM calculation on practice planning and financial management

  8. Jul 9

    Maximizing Value When Selling Your Dental Practice

    Ash welcomes Dr. Ruth Mannschreck to discuss lessons learned from selling her dental practice and outlines practical steps for dentists preparing to transition out of ownership. They discuss one of her biggest mistakes: not preparing early enough for the sale, which resulted in leaving value on the table when Dr. Ruth sold her practice. She explains why it’s critical to consider not just the financial aspects but also operations, team culture, and personal goals well in advance of selling. Dr. Ruth also covers key areas that practice owners should address, including increasing practice value, decreasing risk for buyers, identifying competitive advantages, and ensuring the business can run smoothly without the owner. She suggests involving the team in the transition process, even encouraging interactions between staff and potential buyers before a sale is finalized. The episode wraps up with Dr. Ruth's advice on creating a self-sustaining practice and her offer of a free checklist for those looking to prepare for a future sale. Key Topics Discussed: Early preparation for selling a dental practiceDetermining your post-sale goals and non-negotiablesIncreasing practice value through team, systems, and cultureReducing buyer risk by addressing dependencies and diversifying referralsPractice branding and its impact on the saleInvolving your team in the buyer selection processBuilding a competitive advantage beyond financialsCreating a self-sustaining, turnkey operationHandling challenges with delegation and letting go of controlFree practice transition checklist resource

See All (150)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Beyond Bitewings focuses on helping dentists with the business side of dentistry. Our podcast episodes are a mix of outside experts, and discussions within our own team of CPA's, financial planning, and business experts. This is the podcast for those looking to strengthen your dental practice, run a practice more smoothly, and increase your take-home pay.

Information

  • Creator
    Edwards & Associates, PC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Edwards & Associates, PC
  • Show Website
    Beyond Bitewings