The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Micah Brown, founder of Legacy Financial Solutions and author of Owner's Blind Spot, to discuss why selling your practice shouldn't be your entire retirement strategy. Micah shares his three-part approach to protecting your income, keeping more of what you earn, and converting your assets into retirement income.

They explore gaps in disability coverage, how cash balance plans can fit into retirement planning, and why buy-sell agreements need regular attention. From understanding your spending to looking beyond a practice's sale price, this conversation highlights the planning decisions owners often put off until retirement gets close.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.legacyfinancialsolutions.co
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Bill Keith share the story behind Dental Success Partners and their nearly three-year search for the right partnership. They explain why DSP was created to help successful practice owners explore transition options and reflect on two deals that fell apart along the way. Mark and Bill discuss the lessons they learned about financial backing, deal structure, due diligence, and choosing a partner whose strengths complement their own.

They also outline their planned partnership with MB2 Dental and what attracted them to its infrastructure, retained ownership model, and approach to practice autonomy. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that building a strong, profitable practice creates more options, whether an owner chooses to remain independent or eventually partner.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes and the DSI coaching team recap day-one hot seats at the recent Mastermind in October, highlighting difficult conversations, team development, and underused coaching resources. They discuss how recorded training, structured onboarding, and clearer financial reporting can help owners support their teams more effectively. The conversation then turns to two members navigating employee performance and behavior issues that are affecting patient experiences and practice culture. Through these examples, Mark and the coaches explore how to set specific expectations, document conversations, establish follow-up timelines, and balance empathy with accountability. They also encourage owners to bring possible solutions to coaching calls and recognize how delaying a difficult decision can affect the entire team.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes wealth advisor and author Lyndon Davis to discuss why high earners can still struggle to build financial security. Lyndon shares how two major income setbacks and more than $600,000 in personal debt changed his approach to money and shaped his work with medical professionals. Drawing from his book, Air Supply: How to Financially Breathe Easier, he explains how spending habits, delayed gratification, and intentional saving influence long-term wealth.

They also explore his framework for directing money toward everyday expenses, depreciating purchases, appreciating assets, and charitable giving. The conversation closes with a discussion of the tax-planning challenges facing W-2 earners and the importance of planning beyond the next paycheck.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://nayhifewm.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Dr. Beau Sparkman, a DSI Black Belt coach, to share his journey from a small hometown startup to two thriving dental practices. Beau reflects on a demanding period of relocation, acquisition, and mentoring new associates, including the lessons he learned about expanding too quickly. He explains how team autonomy, clear expectations, and consistent leadership meetings have helped him reduce his clinical schedule while supporting continued growth. They also discuss coaching associates on patient communication, strengthening culture across locations, and developing leaders within the team. Beau closes by sharing how he's using AI to build software for dental practices, including tools for social media, reputation management, and insurance verification.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes talks with Dr. Addison Killeen about his new book, Simple Rules, Extraordinary Results, and why core values and a clear vision matter to practice success. Addison shares an exercise for creating meaningful values with your team and explains how to turn them into everyday behaviors, from supporting coworkers to delivering a fantastic guest experience. They also discuss how good intentions can create unhealthy expectations when values aren't clearly defined. The conversation closes with a vision exercise to help owners decide what they want their business to make possible and build toward their own definition of success.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Gale Northrop, a senior vice president at Fidelity and Dr. Mark Costes' sister, challenges members at the recent DSI Mastermind in October to rethink what success means as their lives evolve. Drawing from her corporate career and client stories, she explores the gap between achieving financial goals and feeling satisfied with the life those achievements create.

Gale introduces a "success portfolio" spanning personal growth, connection, professional achievement, freedom, purpose, and impact. Through reflection exercises, she encourages members to identify what deserves protection, what they can release, and where they want to invest more time and energy. She also shares how small, intentional shifts can create room for health, relationships, and a meaningful legacy while continuing to build a successful practice.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Kyle Francis of Professional Transition Strategies to discuss how practice owners can evaluate a sale or DSO partnership with their long-term goals in mind. Kyle shares his path into dental transitions and explains why building a larger practice group doesn't always lead to a better outcome once debt, risk, and management demands are considered.

They explore unsolicited offers, the information gap between buyers and sellers, and how a competitive sale process can strengthen negotiating leverage. Kyle also discusses delayed recapitalizations and what younger dentists should weigh before selling a profitable practice. They close with why EBITDA calculations differ and why the earnings behind an offer matter as much as the headline multiple.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://professionaltransition.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes continues his live workshop with a practical look at hiring and onboarding. He explains why asking a new employee to shadow someone for a couple of days rarely prepares them for the job. Mark breaks training into two stages: an introduction to the practice, its people, and its values, followed by training for the specific role. He shares how clear expectations, capable trainers, and 30, 60, and 90-day benchmarks help new hires see what success looks like and help leaders spot where more support is needed.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Bill Keith draws on a quarter of coaching calls across 23 practices to explore why growing production doesn't always translate into more cash in the bank. In his presentation from the recent DSI Mastermind in October, he separates compensation for clinical work from the return on practice ownership and examines common leaks in insurance write-offs, collections, and hygiene performance. Bill explains how reporting methods can distort production numbers and why owners need to review their balance sheet and statement of cash flows alongside the P&L. He also discusses patient financing, cash reserves, debt payments, and the importance of understanding the full cost of collecting revenue. The presentation closes with a look at normalized EBITDA, practice valuation, and planning for a future partnership or exit.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes reconnects with Dr. Taher Dhoon to discuss practice growth, burnout, and finding purpose through teaching. Taher shares how he transformed his practice through systems and overhead control while overlooking signs that his own health needed attention.

They reflect on why taking care of yourself can't wait until you've reached your business goals. Taher also outlines a plan for turning continuing education into action, including preparing the team before a course, assigning responsibilities, and lining up patients so new skills become part of everyday practice.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes reconnects with Dr. Chris Bowman to discuss how better communication helps patients understand and accept recommended care. Chris explains why the conversation should begin with the patient's goals, followed by a clear explanation of the problems standing in their way. He shares how photographs, thoughtful questions, and team involvement build trust before the doctor enters the room. They also explore why discussing concerns before the cleaning can keep patients engaged and make treatment recommendations feel like a natural next step.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.gettingyesmasterclass.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes leads a workshop from the recent DSI Mastermind in October on choosing which practice initiatives deserve focused attention. He introduces a priority matrix that scores opportunities by impact, the bottleneck they address, readiness, and effort, helping owners narrow a long list of improvements to their most important priorities. Through stories and practical examples, Mark illustrates how focusing on the wrong problem can distract leaders from urgent operational needs. He then guides members through a 90-day planning exercise to define a measurable outcome, assign ownership, and establish a first seven-day milestone. The workshop also explores how delegation, testing assumptions, and deliberately postponing other projects create the capacity to follow through.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Blake Hamblin, a 2026 Golden Rhino Award co-winner, to discuss building a thriving out-of-network practice in Houston. Blake shares how his experience as a college quarterback shaped his discipline and leadership, and how he grew a $1.2 million practice through expanded clinical services, patient retention, and targeted marketing.

They explore the numbers behind patient acquisition, his approach to practice mergers, and why systems must evolve as the business grows. Blake also explains how involving the team in testing new processes creates stronger ownership and accountability. His advice for practice owners centers on defining why they want to grow, focusing on a few priorities at a time, and staying flexible as new opportunities emerge.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://hamblinfamilydentistry.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back attorney Evan Sampson to explore the legal risks behind common dental practice decisions. They discuss how AI is raising questions around recording consent, patient privacy, and responsibility for automated chart notes. Evan also highlights potential pitfalls involving insurance billing, routine copay waivers, provider credentialing, and marketing practices.

The conversation covers the privacy concerns surrounding responses to negative online reviews and the importance of documenting employee performance before termination. Throughout the episode, Evan emphasizes clear policies, accurate records, and professional guidance as technology and practice operations evolve.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.postschell.com/attorneys/evan-m-sampson
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Timothy Kosinski to discuss the evolution of implant dentistry and the lessons behind placing more than 21,000 implants. Dr. Kosinski shares his perspective on overtreatment, preserving natural teeth and bone, and choosing treatment based on each patient's needs.

He explains how clear communication, patient education, and a trusted team support case acceptance, while digital planning helps clinicians work toward more predictable outcomes. They also explore why mentorship, continued education, and giving back can help dentists navigate burnout and build a fulfilling career.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Timothy Kosinski to discuss the evolution of implant dentistry and the lessons behind placing more than 21,000 implants. Dr. Kosinski shares his perspective on overtreatment, preserving natural teeth and bone, and choosing treatment based on each patient's needs.

He explains how clear communication, patient education, and a trusted team support case acceptance, while digital planning helps clinicians work toward more predictable outcomes. They also explore why mentorship, continued education, and giving back can help dentists navigate burnout and build a fulfilling career.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://smilecreator.net
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes breaks down how every patient interaction can influence trust, retention, and referrals. Using a conservative example, he illustrates how a patient's lifetime value could reach $45,000 when referrals are included. He introduces the three E's of energy, empathy, and edification, and explains how teams can apply them from the first phone call through post-op follow-up.

Through practical examples of greetings, confirmation texts, and personal conversations, he shows how thoughtful handoffs help patients feel comfortable with each person they meet. He also shares why involving your team in creating and practicing these systems is essential to delivering a consistently welcoming experience.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Tom Fowle for a webinar on managing complications in implant dentistry. Using real cases, Tom walks through a fractured buccal plate, a sinus perforation, and the factors behind early implant failure.

He also explains why tissue, occlusion, and careful treatment planning matter long after an implant is placed. The conversation closes with practical pre-op checks and a memorable case that shows the value of staying calm, assessing the problem, and knowing when to ask for help.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes continues his live workshop with a practical look at hiring and onboarding. He explains why asking a new employee to shadow someone for a couple of days rarely prepares them for the job. Mark breaks training into two stages: an introduction to the practice, its people, and its values, followed by training for the specific role.

He shares how clear expectations, capable trainers, and 30, 60, and 90-day benchmarks help new hires see what success looks like—and help leaders spot where more support is needed.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes shares part of his live workshop on building a systems driven dental practice. He recalls returning to work just four days after neck surgery because his practices depended on him to keep running—a turning point in how he thought about ownership.

Mark explains why clear systems, team involvement, and accountability give owners room to step away. He also walks through setting goals and core values, and why dentists should strengthen their first practice before expanding to another.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast