The No BS Dental Growth Podcast

Chris Pistorius
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The NO BS Dental Growth Podcast – the ultimate resource for dental professionals who want straight talk about growing and managing a thriving dental practice. If you’re tired of fluffy advice and industry buzzwords, this podcast delivers actionable insights, proven strategies, and candid discussions to help you navigate the business side of dentistry. Hosted by Chris Pistorius, a seasoned dental marketing and business expert with over 20 years of experience helping practices grow, this podcast goes beyond marketing. We dive into the essential topics that matter most to dental professionals, including: Practice Management: Strategies to streamline operations, improve patient retention, and build a high-performing team.Growth Tactics: Proven methods to attract new patients, boost profitability, and expand your practice sustainably.Technology & Trends: How to leverage tools like AI, automation, and innovative patient care systems to stay ahead in a competitive market.Leadership & Culture: Practical advice on fostering a positive workplace culture, motivating your team, and positioning yourself as a leader in your community.Challenges & Real Solutions: Honest conversations about the struggles dentists face, from insurance headaches to staffing challenges—and how to overcome them. Whether you’re an established dentist looking to take your practice to the next level, a new practice owner trying to make sense of the business side of things, or an industry insider wanting a fresh perspective, this podcast is for you. Each week, Chris is joined by industry leaders, practice owners, and expert guests who share their real-world experiences and insights. With a no-nonsense approach and a focus on delivering real value, every episode is packed with practical tips and strategies you can implement right away. Why listen? Because dental school taught you how to be an excellent clinician—but not how to run a business. That’s where we come in. This podcast bridges the gap between your clinical expertise and the business acumen you need to grow and scale your practice without the stress. No fluff. No hype. Just real talk about what it takes to build a successful dental practice. Join the Conversation Subscribe now to The NO BS Dental Growth Podcast and start taking control of your practice’s future. New episodes drop weekly—don’t miss out on the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed. ______________________________________________________________________ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth Check us out! https://kickstartdental.com/ Follow us for daily tips, tricks and growth hacks for YOUR practice! https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ ______________________________________________________________________ Want to work with KickStart Dental to GROW your dental practice? Contact Chris@kickstartdental.com Episode ideas? Guest Inquiries? Contact jennifer@kickstartdental.com

  1. 2d ago

    45% of Patients Now Ask AI Where to Go — Is Your Practice Even in the Answer?

    45% of Patients Now Ask AI Where to Go — Is Your Practice Even in the Answer? Here’s the stat that made me rethink everything: 45% of consumers now use AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to get local business recommendations. That’s up from just 6% ONE YEAR AGO. But here’s the real kicker… ChatGPT only recommends 1.2% of businesses it evaluates. Let me say that again. Out of ALL the businesses available, ChatGPT recommended 1.2%. And here’s the blind spot nobody’s talking about — less than half the businesses that rank at the TOP of Google’s local results even show up in AI recommendations. So you could be killing it on Google right now and still be completely invisible to AI. In this week’s episode I break down: 🔹 The BrightLocal 2026 data on AI search adoption 🔹 Why the 33-44 age group (your ideal patient) is leading AI adoption at 64% 🔹 The 7 factors AI actually uses to decide who to recommend 🔹 Why your Bing presence matters more than you think (yes, Bing!) 🔹 A 5-step action plan you can start TODAY Need some help with this? Book a FREE Discovery Call today: kickstartdental.com

    20 min

  2. 5d ago

    Why Your Best Hygienists Are Leaving (It's NOT About Money) | Dental Practice Tips

    ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – The $30K–$50K problem no one talks about 1:15 – Why "I got a better offer" is never the real reason 2:30 – The 4 things hygienists actually want 2:45 – #1: Respect as a licensed clinician 3:30 – #2: A human schedule 4:15 – #3: Belonging — share the vision 5:00 – #4: Appreciation — out loud, every week 5:45 – This is a revenue problem, not a people problem 6:30 – Your homework this week (takes 15 minutes)

    8 min

  3. Jun 1

    Why Selling Your Dental Practice Just Got 50% Harder in 2026

    Is the DSO bubble popping? Learn why dental practice acquisitions dropped and what you must do to protect your practice valuation today. The market for dental practice sales has shifted. In this episode of the No BS Dental Growth Podcast, Chris Pistorius breaks down the hard data behind the DSO slowdown and the three structural reasons why buyers are walking away from deals. Whether you are 2 or 15 years from retirement, understanding these numbers is critical to building a scalable, sellable business.

    13 min
  4. Stop Dental Discounts: The Truth About New Patient Specials

    May 26

    Stop Dental Discounts: The Truth About New Patient Specials

    In this episode of Dental Growth Hacks, Chris Pistorius breaks down one of the most common (and most expensive) mistakes dental practices make: relying on discounted new patient specials to attract patients. What seems like a smart marketing offer—$69 exams, $99 cleanings, or free whitening—may actually be doing long-term damage to your practice’s profitability and patient relationships. Chris explains how pricing anchors are formed in a patient’s mind from their very first visit, and why those discounted entry points can lead to lower case acceptance, higher no-show rates, and reduced lifetime patient value. Instead of attracting better patients, these offers often train patients to expect discounted care and resist full treatment plans later on. You’ll learn: Why new patient specials create long-term pricing problemsHow “anchor pricing” shapes patient expectations from day oneThe difference between discounted patients vs. high-trust referralsWhy full-price patients often convert at significantly higher ratesWhat to offer instead of discounts to still attract new patientsSimple ways to increase perceived value without lowering fees Chris also walks through real-world practice data showing how eliminating discounts and replacing them with value-based offers can improve: Case acceptance ratesNo-show ratesOverall production per patient If your practice is still relying heavily on Groupon-style offers or heavy new patient discounts, this episode will challenge how you think about acquisition strategy. Key Takeaway: Stop discounting the front door of your practice. Start building long-term patient value instead. 🎙 Want to Be a Guest on the Podcast? We’re always looking for dentists, owners, and industry leaders with real insights to share. 👉 Schedule to be on the show: https://calendar.app.google/LV8r2pEjoRexzKgy8   🚀 Ready to Grow Your Practice? 👉 Book your Free 90-Day Growth Strategy Call In this 30–45 minute session, we’ll map out a custom 90-day plan to: • Increase near-term production (without relying on more new patients) • Identify the leaks and bottlenecks costing you revenue today • Outline the core systems your practice needs to actually scale No fluff. No long-term “branding plays.” Just clear, actionable steps you can implement immediately. 👉 Book your free call here: https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/ 🛠️ Tools We Use to Scale Practices SmartFollow™ – Automated lead follow-up so no patient slips through the cracks CallGuard AI™ – Review, score, and improve your front desk call performance PatientLine™ – AI phone assistant for after-hours + overflow calls 📲 Stay Connected 👉 Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth 👉 Learn more about what we do: https://kickstartdental.com 👉 Follow for daily growth tips: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing 🤝 Want to Work With Us? 📧 Chris: chris@kickstartdental.com 📧 Jennifer: jennifer@kickstartdental.com

    3 min
  5. The Biggest Mistake Dentists Make Before Buying a Dental Practice with Brian Hanks

    May 14

    The Biggest Mistake Dentists Make Before Buying a Dental Practice with Brian Hanks

    🎙 Why Waiting to Buy a Dental Practice Could Cost You $1,000,000+ Most associates think waiting to buy a dental practice is the “safe” move. But what if delaying ownership is actually costing you millions? In this episode of the No BS Dental Growth Podcast, Chris sits down with dental CPA and practice acquisition advisor Brian Hanks to break down the real financial impact of waiting too long to buy a practice — and why most dentists are far more ready than they think. Brian has helped over 1,400 dentists buy practices across the country, and he shares the exact mistakes, fears, and misconceptions keeping associates stuck for years longer than previous generations. You’ll learn: 🦷 Why most dentists delay ownership (and why it backfires) 💰 The shocking financial cost of waiting just 5 years 📉 Why student loans might NOT be the reason you should delay 🏦 How dental practice financing has changed in 2026 📞 The simple things most dental offices STILL get wrong 🚨 What actually makes a dentist “not ready” for ownership 📈 Why mediocre practice owners still succeed 🧠 The mindset shift every future owner needs to hear 🤝 How to avoid the loneliness and overwhelm of ownership 🔥 What’s happening with DSOs right now that buyers should know One of the biggest takeaways: You do NOT need to be a perfect business owner to succeed in dentistry. In fact, Brian explains why simply: ✔ Answering the phone ✔ Running on time ✔ Communicating clearly with patients …already puts many practices in the top 10%. If you’re an associate thinking about ownership — or a current owner wanting to understand today’s acquisition market — this episode is packed with practical, no-BS advice. 📚 Learn more about Brian: Dental Buyer Advocates 📖 Brian’s Book: How to Buy a Dental Practice on Amazon 🎧 Brian’s Podcast: Practice Purchased Podcast 🚀 Want to Grow Your Practice? KickStart Dental Marketing 🎙 Want to Be a Guest on the Podcast? We’re always looking for dentists, owners, and industry leaders with real insights to share. 👉 Schedule to be on the show: https://calendar.app.google/LV8r2pEjoRexzKgy8   🚀 Ready to Grow Your Practice? 👉 Book your Free 90-Day Growth Strategy Call In this 30–45 minute session, we’ll map out a custom 90-day plan to: • Increase near-term production (without relying on more new patients) • Identify the leaks and bottlenecks costing you revenue today • Outline the core systems your practice needs to actually scale No fluff. No long-term “branding plays.” Just clear, actionable steps you can implement immediately. 👉 Book your free call here: https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/ 🛠️ Tools We Use to Scale Practices SmartFollow™ – Automated lead follow-up so no patient slips through the cracks CallGuard AI™ – Review, score, and improve your front desk call performance PatientLine™ – AI phone assistant for after-hours + overflow calls 📲 Stay Connected 👉 Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth 👉 Learn more about what we do: https://kickstartdental.com 👉 Follow for daily growth tips: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing 🤝 Want to Work With Us? 📧 Chris: chris@kickstartdental.com 📧 Jennifer: jennifer@kickstartdental.com

    25 min
  6. AI Search Strategy for Dentists: How to Get Found and Book More Patients

    May 7

    AI Search Strategy for Dentists: How to Get Found and Book More Patients

    If your dental website traffic is dropping—even though your impressions are up—you’re not imagining things. AI search is changing everything. In this episode, we break down how Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and zero-click search are impacting dental practices—and why your current SEO strategy may already be outdated. You’ll learn why traditional dental SEO (blog posts, keyword rankings, and traffic metrics) is becoming less effective, and what actually drives new patient appointments in 2026 and beyond. If you're a dental practice owner wondering why your phone isn’t ringing despite “good marketing,” this episode explains exactly what’s happening—and what to fix immediately. 🔑 What You’ll Learn Why your dental website traffic is down but impressions are upWhat zero-click search is and how it’s affecting new patient flowThe difference between informational vs. high-intent dental searchesWhy most dental blog content is no longer convertingHow Google AI Overviews are reshaping dental SEOWhat marketing strategies are dead (or dying) for dentistsThe new dental marketing playbook for 2026How to optimize your Google Business Profile for more patientsWhy reviews, local SEO, and social media matter more than everA 90-day action plan to increase calls and booked appointments ❌ What’s No Longer Working in Dental Marketing Generic blog posts like “What is a root canal?”Keyword stuffing and outdated SEO tacticsRanking-focused SEO reportsMass directory submissions (“spray and pray” citations)Traffic-focused strategies that don’t drive appointments ✅ What’s Working NOW (Dental Marketing in 2026) Fully optimized Google Business ProfileDetailed, keyword-rich patient reviewsHigh-converting service pages with FAQsLocal SEO strategies (city + service pages)Schema markup for dental websitesConsistent social media presence (especially Instagram)Being mentioned and cited online, not just ranked 📈 Your 90-Day Dental Marketing Action Plan Days 1–30: Audit your Google Business ProfileFix name, address, phone (NAP) consistencyReview website + SEO performanceTest how your practice appears in AI search Days 31–60: Rewrite top service pages (implants, emergency, etc.)Add FAQ sections to each pageLaunch a review generation system Days 61–90: Post weekly on Google Business ProfilePost 2x per week on social mediaTrack calls, leads, and booked appointments (not rankings) 🎙 Want to Be a Guest on the Podcast? We’re always looking for dentists, owners, and industry leaders with real insights to share. 👉 Schedule to be on the show: https://calendar.app.google/LV8r2pEjoRexzKgy8   🚀 Ready to Grow Your Practice? 👉 Book your Free 90-Day Growth Strategy Call In this 30–45 minute session, we’ll map out a custom 90-day plan to: • Increase near-term production (without relying on more new patients) • Identify the leaks and bottlenecks costing you revenue today • Outline the core systems your practice needs to actually scale No fluff. No long-term “branding plays.” Just clear, actionable steps you can implement immediately. 👉 Book your free call here: https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/ 🛠️ Tools We Use to Scale Practices SmartFollow™ – Automated lead follow-up so no patient slips through the cracks CallGuard AI™ – Review, score, and improve your front desk call performance PatientLine™ – AI phone assistant for after-hours + overflow calls 📲 Stay Connected 👉 Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth 👉 Learn more about what we do: https://kickstartdental.com 👉 Follow for daily growth tips: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing 🤝 Want to Work With Us? 📧 Chris: chris@kickstartdental.com 📧 Jennifer: jennifer@kickstartdental.com

    19 min
  7. How Dentists Can Add $100K with Aligners (Step-by-Step Revenue Machine) with Dr. Ingrid Murra

    Apr 23

    How Dentists Can Add $100K with Aligners (Step-by-Step Revenue Machine) with Dr. Ingrid Murra

    What happens when a specialist realizes the system they trained for is fundamentally broken? In this episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Ingrid Murra, a clinical orthodontist who walked away from traditional practice to build something entirely different. They dive into the reality most dentists don’t talk about—the operational breakdowns, lack of infrastructure, and system failures that prevent great clinicians from delivering great care. Ingrid shares the two defining moments that made her leave clinical orthodontics, why being “great clinically” isn’t enough, and how she’s now rebuilding the model from the ground up with an AI-driven platform connecting orthodontists and general dentists. If you’ve ever felt like your practice is working against you instead of for you… this conversation will hit. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: Why clinical skill alone won’t guarantee success in dentistryThe hidden systems that make or break patient outcomesWhat most practices are missing when it comes to orthodonticsHow AI is actually being used (beyond the hype) in dental workflowsThe biggest challenge in getting dentists to adopt new systemsWhy trust in dentistry starts with the founder—not the productThe surprising mindset shift about capitalism in healthcareHow dentistry can shift from reactive → preventive care 💡 Key Takeaway: Most dental practices aren’t failing because of marketing or clinical ability… They’re struggling because the systems behind the care are broken. Fix the infrastructure—and everything else scales. 👤 About the Guest: Dr. Ingrid Murra is a clinical orthodontist and the founder of TwoFront, the first AI-driven digital orthodontic platform connecting specialists with general dentists. After leaving traditional practice, she built TwoFront to solve the operational and clinical gaps that prevent dentists from delivering high-quality orthodontic care. Today, the platform supports 200+ practices across 24 states. 🔗 Connect with Ingrid Murra 🌐 Website https://www.mytwofront.com/ 💼 LinkedIn (Personal) https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-murra-a814b548/ 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.ingie 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.murra.50 🦷 About Two Front 🌐 Company Website https://www.mytwofront.com/ 💼 Company LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/twofront 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mytwofront ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@twofront6742 🐦 Twitter/X https://x.com/mytwofront 🎙 Want to Be a Guest on the Podcast? We’re always looking for dentists, owners, and industry leaders with real insights to share. 👉 Schedule to be on the show: https://calendar.app.google/LV8r2pEjoRexzKgy8   🚀 Ready to Grow Your Practice? 👉 Book your Free 90-Day Growth Strategy Call In this 30–45 minute session, we’ll map out a custom 90-day plan to: • Increase near-term production (without relying on more new patients) • Identify the leaks and bottlenecks costing you revenue today • Outline the core systems your practice needs to actually scale No fluff. No long-term “branding plays.” Just clear, actionable steps you can implement immediately. 👉 Book your free call here: https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/ 🛠️ Tools We Use to Scale Practices SmartFollow™ – Automated lead follow-up so no patient slips through the cracks CallGuard AI™ – Review, score, and improve your front desk call performance PatientLine™ – AI phone assistant for after-hours + overflow calls 📲 Stay Connected 👉 Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth 👉 Learn more about what we do: https://kickstartdental.com 👉 Follow for daily growth tips: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing 🤝 Want to Work With Us? 📧 Chris: chris@kickstartdental.com 📧 Jennifer: jennifer@kickstartdental.com

    15 min
  8. Why More Patients Won’t Grow Your Practice with Howard Farran of DentalTown

    Apr 16

    Why More Patients Won’t Grow Your Practice with Howard Farran of DentalTown

    In this episode, Jen sits down with Dr. Howard Farran for a raw, unfiltered conversation on what actually drives success in a dental practice. They break down the real reason most practices struggle—and it’s not marketing. From patient retention and case acceptance to team dynamics and pricing strategy, this episode challenges conventional thinking and delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can apply immediately. 👉 If you're focused on getting more new patients but ignoring what happens after they walk through the door… this is a must-listen. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: Why marketing won’t fix a broken practiceThe “leaky bucket” problem killing your growthHow poor patient experience destroys retentionWhy dentists should stop competing on priceThe importance of trust over technology (even with AI)How to structure your practice for long-term scalabilityThe biggest mindset mistakes holding dentists back 💡 Key Takeaway: Before you pour more money into marketing, make sure your practice can actually keep and convert the patients you already have. 🔗 Connect with Howard Farran 🌐 Website: https://www.howardfarran.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardfarran 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/HowardFarran 🎙 Podcast (Dentistry Uncensored): https://www.dentaltown.com/podcasts Connect With Us _________________________________________________________________________ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth Check us out! https://kickstartdental.com/get-in-touch/ Follow us for daily tips, tricks and growth hacks for YOUR practice! https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing _________________________________________________________________________ Want to work with KickStart Dental to GROW your dental practice? Contact: chris@kickstartdental.com Episode ideas? Guest Inquiries? Contact: jennifer@kickstartdental.com _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth Check us out! https://kickstartdental.com/ Follow us for daily tips, tricks and growth hacks for YOUR practice! https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kicsktart-dental-marketing _________________________________________________________________________ Want to work with KickStart Dental to GROW your dental practice? Contact Chris@kickstartdental.com Episode ideas? Guest Inquiries? Contact jennifer@kickstartdental.com

    30 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The NO BS Dental Growth Podcast – the ultimate resource for dental professionals who want straight talk about growing and managing a thriving dental practice. If you’re tired of fluffy advice and industry buzzwords, this podcast delivers actionable insights, proven strategies, and candid discussions to help you navigate the business side of dentistry. Hosted by Chris Pistorius, a seasoned dental marketing and business expert with over 20 years of experience helping practices grow, this podcast goes beyond marketing. We dive into the essential topics that matter most to dental professionals, including: Practice Management: Strategies to streamline operations, improve patient retention, and build a high-performing team.Growth Tactics: Proven methods to attract new patients, boost profitability, and expand your practice sustainably.Technology & Trends: How to leverage tools like AI, automation, and innovative patient care systems to stay ahead in a competitive market.Leadership & Culture: Practical advice on fostering a positive workplace culture, motivating your team, and positioning yourself as a leader in your community.Challenges & Real Solutions: Honest conversations about the struggles dentists face, from insurance headaches to staffing challenges—and how to overcome them. Whether you’re an established dentist looking to take your practice to the next level, a new practice owner trying to make sense of the business side of things, or an industry insider wanting a fresh perspective, this podcast is for you. Each week, Chris is joined by industry leaders, practice owners, and expert guests who share their real-world experiences and insights. With a no-nonsense approach and a focus on delivering real value, every episode is packed with practical tips and strategies you can implement right away. Why listen? Because dental school taught you how to be an excellent clinician—but not how to run a business. That’s where we come in. This podcast bridges the gap between your clinical expertise and the business acumen you need to grow and scale your practice without the stress. No fluff. No hype. Just real talk about what it takes to build a successful dental practice. Join the Conversation Subscribe now to The NO BS Dental Growth Podcast and start taking control of your practice’s future. New episodes drop weekly—don’t miss out on the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed. ______________________________________________________________________ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsdentalgrowth Check us out! https://kickstartdental.com/ Follow us for daily tips, tricks and growth hacks for YOUR practice! https://www.instagram.com/kickstartdental/ ______________________________________________________________________ Want to work with KickStart Dental to GROW your dental practice? Contact Chris@kickstartdental.com Episode ideas? Guest Inquiries? Contact jennifer@kickstartdental.com

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