Is dental insurance slowly draining your profit and your passion for dentistry?

Many dentists today are working harder, seeing more patients, and yet taking home less.

In this episode, Ian is joined by Sandi Hudson of Unlock the PPO, one of the most respected voices helping dentists understand, renegotiate, and reduce insurance dependence with confidence. Together, they dig into the real financial and emotional toll insurance has on private practice dentistry — and what dentists can do to regain control, profitability, and fulfilment again.

Sandi shares her personal story of discovering the hidden leaks in her own husband’s practice, the mistakes nearly every dentist makes with insurance contracts, and the step-by-step process to protect your revenue without losing patients. Whether you’re considering going out of network, feeling trapped by shrinking reimbursements, or simply exhausted by the insurance hamster wheel, this conversation is packed with clarity, encouragement, and practical next steps.

💡 5 Things You Will Learn in This Dental Podcast

• The hidden ways insurance is costing dentists money — beyond write-offs.

• How to evaluate whether an insurance plan is actually profitable for your practice.

• The truth about dropping insurance: what really happens to your patients and income.

• Common contracting mistakes that silently drain your revenue (and how to avoid them).

• A realistic roadmap to reduce insurance dependence without risking your practice.

🔗 Connect with Sandi Hudson & Unlock the PPO

Website: https://unlocktheppo.com/

Facebook: /unlocktheppo

PART 2 - It’s not enough to be seen online—you must tell a story. Generic SEO tactics like "dentist in [city]" or saying you'll treat your patients like family don't cut it anymore. Google has become smarter, and so have your potential patients. That’s where Story-E-O comes in. At Pain-Free Dental Marketing, we don’t create content to please Google; we craft messaging that resonates with people and showcases your practice's unique story and authentic values. You need to market what makes your practice truly stand out—the why behind your practice and what you stand for. It’s not enough to only attract patients; you must connect with the ones who value what you offer.

In this four-part series, the Pain-Free team explains why it's important for your dental marketing to evolve across SEO, paid advertising, and social media. We’ll show you how being your authentic self in every marketing channel will help you attract the right patients—not just any patients.

For Part 1, please listen to Episode 40 of this season, published August 25th, 2025.

What’s really driving dentist burnout—and how can you build a practice that actually gives you freedom? It’s not just insurance. It’s not just staffing. And it’s not just marketing.

Eric is joined by Dr. Craig Spodak of the Bulletproof Dental Practice to talk about the real struggles dentists face, from one-size-fits-all consulting to the pressure of building practices they don’t even want. Craig shares his personal story of burnout, the turning points that reshaped his career, and how Bulletproof is helping dentists create businesses that align with their lives—not someone else’s playbook. Whether you’re debating dropping PPOs, growing multiple locations, or simply trying to avoid feeling trapped by your practice, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, candid stories, and hope for the future of dentistry.

💡 5 Things You Will Learn in This Dental Podcast

• Why “one-size-fits-all” consulting leads to unfulfilled careers.

• The real reason marketing “doesn’t work” for some practices.

• How culture and leadership shape case acceptance and growth.

• Why DSOs may actually be raising the bar for dental standards.

• Practical steps to build a practice that runs without burning you out.

📱 Learn More About Dr. Craig Spodak & Bulletproof

Website: https://bulletproofdentalpractice.com

Instagram: bulletproofdentalpractice

Facebook: bulletproofdentalpractice

Podcast: https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com

Marissa Krugov is a culture and leadership expert who helps dentists turn struggling teams into thriving practices. With decades of experience spanning every role in dentistry—from hygiene coordinator to regional manager for a large DSO—she’s seen it all. What sets Marissa apart is her unique blend of dental expertise and life coaching as a Tony Robbins Certified Coach. She combines proven systems with deep human connection, teaching dentists how to lead confidently, build accountability, and grow both their people and their profits.

In this episode, we dig into why dentists struggle with leadership and how to fix it. Marissa shares practical, step-by-step strategies for handling toxic team members, improving communication, and protecting your practice from hidden threats like embezzlement. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by team drama or just looking to take your culture to the next level, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways.

What You Will Learn 💡

• Why most dentists feel unprepared to lead their teams—and how to change that.

• The systems and conversations that create accountability without conflict.

• How to handle toxic team members without blowing up your practice.

• The hidden risks that can silently drain your profits (like embezzlement).

• Marissa’s blending of culture and systems to build a thriving practice.

Get in Touch with Marissa 📲

Website: https://www.dentalpracticemanagementa...

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Christopher Phelps isn’t just a dentist—he’s a practice-growth expert who turned behavioral science into chairside results. A CMCT (Cialdini Method Certified Trainer), serial entrepreneur, Amazon best-selling author, and founder of The Phelps Institute, he grew from one to four locations and 10X revenue early in his career. He now teaches dentists the hard lessons he had to learn early in his career to become a successful dentist. In this episode, we get ultra-practical—and the core theme is Cialdini’s 7 principles applied to dentistry. We share a step-by-step guide to reducing cancellations, increasing new patients, getting more reviews, and more!

What You Will Learn 💡

• 7 influence principles dentists can use today—ethically and effectively.

• The exact commitment line that cuts no-shows and cancellations.

• Turning compliments into reviews without feeling pushy.

• How to build social proof with new patients.

• Simple scripts that move patients from “maybe” to “yes” for treatment.

Get in Touch with Dr. Christopher Phelps 📲

Website: thephelpsinstitute.com

Instagram: @dr.christopherphelps

Dr. Leonard “Len” Tau isn’t just The Reviews Doctor; he helped write the playbook for turning Google stars into scheduled new patients. A former practice owner who finished with 2,000+ reviews at a 4.7★ rating, Len founded iSocial Reviews (acquired by Birdeye in 2014) and now leads Birdeye’s dental division, advising 11,000+ practices. He’s a nationally requested speaker and host of the Raving Patients podcast. When it comes to reputation and ROI, Len is the guy dentists call.

In this episode, we get ultra-practical: why Google reviews dominate patient choice, the thresholds that unlock ROI for your practice, how “review velocity” beats your competitor, and the simple in-office workflow to collect consistent reviews (without nagging patients). We also dig into listings/NAP consistency, Map Pack visibility, and how AI summarizes your reputation for patients before they click through to your website.

What You'll Learn In This Episode💡

• Why Google Reviews matter, and why they should be your #1 focus

• How to consistently increase the number of Google reviews you get

• Why reviews matter for Dental SEO and Google rankings

• Why your reviews are more important than ever with Google’s AI

• The future of reviews in dental marketing

Get in Touch With Dr. Len Tau 📲

Website: drlentau.com

Email: [email protected]

Text/Cell: (215) 292-2100

LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook → “Dr. Len Tau”

Supercharge Your Dental Practice — Sept 26–27, 2025, Ft. Lauderdale (Pier 66 Resort). Use code RAVING to save $100.

It’s not enough to just be seen online... You must tell a story. Generic SEO tactics like "dentist in [city]" or saying you "treat patients like family" just don't cut it anymore. Google has become smarter, and so have your potential patients. That’s where "Story-E-O" comes in. You need to market what makes your practice unique- the story behind your practice and what you stand for. It’s not enough to only attract patients; you must connect with those who value exactly what you offer.

In this four-part series, the Pain-Free Dental Marketing team explains why it's important for your dental marketing to evolve across SEO, paid advertising, and social media. We’ll show you how being your authentic self in every marketing channel will help you attract the right patients—not just any patients.

Gary Takacs is one of the most respected voices in the dental coaching profession. For over 40 years, he’s been helping dentists create practices they truly love- ones that are financially successful, clinically exceptional, and deeply patient-focused. He’s known as the Godfather of dental podcasting and the founder of the Thriving Dentist Show, the world's most widely listened-to dental podcast. Gary has guided thousands of dentists toward reducing insurance dependence, building profitable hygiene departments, and creating cultures where teams and patients thrive.

In this episode, Gary shares a blueprint for growing a sustainable, people-first practice from strengthening your hygiene department to taking control of insurance adjustments and building systems that make your life easier.

5 Things You’ll Learn in This Dental Podcast

• How to Build a High-Performing Hygiene Department: Gary shares proven ways to boost production, elevate patient care, and make hygiene a true growth engine.
• Innovative Strategies for Reducing Insurance Dependence: Learn how to keep more of what you earn while protecting patient relationships.
• Communicating Insurance Changes with Patients: Discover how to explain adjustments and policy shifts in a way that builds trust, not frustration.
• The Power of In-Office Membership Plans: How to design plans that create steady cash flow and patient loyalty.
• Creating Systems for Long-Term Success: Gary’s framework for building repeatable processes so your practice runs smoothly, even when you’re not there.

Connect with Gary Takacs Website: https://www.thrivingdentist.com/Gary's Podcast: https://www.thrivingdentist.com/podcast-show/Upcoming Events: https://www.thrivingdentist.com/events/

Fred Joyal is a dental marketing pioneer. As the co-founder of 1-800-DENTIST, Fred revolutionized how practices attract patients, spending over $500 million in advertising and generating over a million patient leads before most dentists even had a website. He’s the bestselling author of Everything is Marketing, Becoming Remarkable, and Superbold, and a sought-after speaker known for transforming how dentists think about branding, trust, and confidence. If you're in dentistry and don’t know Fred, you’re missing one of the most influential voices in the business.

In this episode, Fred reflects on 30 years of change in how patients choose practices and what dentists need to understand. He explains why boldness is a critical skill for growth and how trust, not tactics, ultimately drives case acceptance. From practical advice on dental marketing and collecting video testimonials, to mindset shifts around confidence and value-building, Fred makes a compelling case for modern dentists to slow down, care deeply, and show up boldly!

5 Things You’ll Learn in This Dental Podcast 💡

- Why Everything is Marketing: Understand how every detail of your practice—from the phone greeting to the smell in the lobby—influences case acceptance.

- How to Ask for Reviews and Get Them: Fred shares scripts, strategies, and the psychology behind making it a daily habit.

- The Boldness Muscle: Learn how to build confidence like a muscle with small, intentional exercises that create lasting behavioral change.

- The Real ROI of Caring: Discover why patients don’t say yes to treatment because it’s well-sold—they say yes because they feel cared for.

- How to Create a Remarkable Patient Experience: Explore what makes a dental practice stand out in a saturated, commoditized market.

Connect with Fred Joyal 📚

Website: https://fredjoyal.com

Instagram: / fredjoyal

Facebook: / realfredjoyal

Books: Everything is Marketing, Becoming Remarkable, Superbold

Fred Joyal isn’t just a dental marketing expert - he’s a dental marketing pioneer. As the co-founder of 1-800-DENTIST, Fred revolutionized how practices attract patients, spending over $500 million in advertising and generating over a million patient leads before most dentists even had a website. He’s the bestselling author of Everything is Marketing, Becoming Remarkable, and Superbold, and a sought-after speaker known for transforming how dentists think about branding, trust, and confidence. If you're in dentistry and don’t know Fred, you’re missing one of the most influential voices in the business.

In this episode, Fred reflects on 30 years of change in how patients choose practices and what dentists need to understand. He explains why boldness is a critical skill for growth and how trust—not tactics—ultimately drives case acceptance. From practical advice on dental marketing and collecting video testimonials, to mindset shifts around confidence and value-building, Fred makes a compelling case for modern dentists to slow down, care deeply, and show up boldly!

5 Things You’ll Learn in This Dental Podcast 💡

- Why Everything is Marketing: Understand how every detail of your practice - from the phone greeting to the smell in the lobby—influences case acceptance.

- How to Ask for Reviews and Get Them: Fred shares scripts, strategies, and the psychology behind making it a daily habit.

- The Boldness Muscle: Learn how to build confidence like a muscle with small, intentional exercises that create lasting behavioral change.

- The Real ROI of Caring: Discover why patients don’t say yes to treatment because it’s well-sold—they say yes because they feel cared for.

- How to Create a Remarkable Patient Experience: Explore what makes a dental practice stand out in a saturated, commoditized market.

Connect with Fred Joyal 📚

Website: https://fredjoyal.com

Instagram: / fredjoyal

Facebook: / realfredjoyal

Books: Everything is Marketing, Becoming Remarkable, Superbold