In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Kiera Dent, founder and CEO of The Dental A Team, whose nearly 2 million podcast downloads and hundreds of coached practices speak for themselves. Kiera cuts straight to the heart of why so many dental practices feel stuck — not because they lack patients or production, but because they lack systems. The conversation covers the hidden gaps that drain profitability even in high-producing practices, why dentists often become the ceiling of their own growth, and how to build a team that supports the doctor instead of depending on them. Kiera and Howard also dig into scheduling as a revenue lever, the real reasons patients say no to treatment, the KPIs that actually drive decisions, and the difference between a nice culture and an accountable one. Whether you're feeling chaotic, stalled, or simply ready to level up, this episode delivers both the clarity and the practical tools to move forward.

Episode #1700 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Kiera Dent — founder and CEO of The Dental A Team — for a straight-talking conversation on why busy practices still struggle, and what it actually takes to build a profitable, system-driven dental business.

From scheduling and case acceptance to culture, accountability, and breaking the "rockstar employee" dependency — Kiera brings the energy and the answers.

🎧 Packed with practical wins you can implement this week.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalATeam #PracticeManagement #DentalBusiness #DentalLeadership #DentalConsulting

1699 The Irreplaceable Dental Team - Heather-Dawn Lawson-Meyers : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran

In this special episode, the tables are turned — Howard Farran joins Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson-Myers as a guest on The Irreplaceable Dental Team Podcast. Dr. Lawson-Myers, a transformational speaker, Maxwell Leadership Certified Trainer, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with over 30 years in dentistry, brings a sharp set of questions that pull some of Howard's most direct insights to the surface.

The conversation covers Howard's foundational framework of People, Time, and Money — and the order in which practices should prioritize them. Howard shares counter-intuitive business rules most dentists ignore, what it really means to empower a team member in a single day, and why collecting payment upfront doesn't just improve cash flow — it actually strengthens the patient relationship. The episode also tackles the metrics that matter most in a healthy practice, the systems that are overcomplicated and how to simplify them, and the one non-negotiable trait Howard hires for beyond clinical skill. The conversation closes with a reflection on building community — locally and globally — and the single piece of advice Howard would give his younger self on day one.

Episode #1699 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, This time, Howard Farran is in the guest seat — joining Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson-Myers on The Irreplaceable Dental Team Podcast for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation on people, money, leadership, and what it really takes to build a thriving dental practice.

From hiring for character over skill to getting paid upfront and building community, Howard brings decades of hard-won wisdom in true uncensored fashion.

🎧 A must-listen for dentists and team members who want straight talk on running a better practice.

#DentistryUncensored #IrreplaceableDentalTeam #DentalLeadership #PracticeManagement #DentalBusiness #HowardFarran

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Tesa Jolly, a rural practice owner based in Pulaski, Tennessee, whose career has been defined by service, resilience, and a willingness to think differently. From unexpectedly becoming a practice owner shortly after graduation, to founding one of Tennessee's longest-running Free Dental Day events, Dr. Jolly has built a practice and a life around long-term impact. Today, her focus is on how dentists can harness AI not as a productivity shortcut, but as a genuine thinking partner — one that turns scattered thoughts into structured decisions and invisible stress into visible, actionable systems. The conversation explores why dentists are uniquely wired for AI, how Dr. Jolly uses it daily to stress test decisions and build workflows, and where most dentists are getting it wrong by asking too little of the technology available to them.

Episode #1698 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Tesa Jolly — rural practice owner, national award winner, and one of dentistry's most compelling voices on AI and operational clarity.

Her take? Dentists aren't behind on AI. We're already wired for it. This episode is about stopping to use it like Google — and starting to use it like a thinking partner.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist ready to work smarter, decide faster, and lead with more confidence.

#DentistryUncensored #AIinDentistry #DentalLeadership #PracticeManagement #DentalInnovation #MommyDentist

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Nigel Kennedy, affectionately known as "No Pain Nigel," who retired in 2025 after a remarkable 46-year career dedicated to transforming the experience of anxious dental patients. Nigel shares how a simple A-frame board outside his practice became the unlikely spark that launched a movement, and how his partnership with Anthony Gedge helped turn a personal clinical philosophy into the Pain-Free Dentistry Institute. The conversation covers his 15-step pain-free protocol, why emotional safety and trust matter as much as technique, and how that work later inspired dentist Mark Skimming to build the Pain Free Dentistry Group, now spanning over 14 clinics across the UK. Nigel also reflects on receiving praise from Professor Stanley Malamed, his MBE nomination, and the motivation behind his book, Painless Dentistry? Yes Please, a patient education resource born from decades of listening to people who were simply too afraid to seek care.

Episode #1697 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Nigel Kennedy — aka "No Pain Nigel" — the retired UK dentist whose gentle, patient-first approach helped spark the pain-free dentistry movement across Britain.

After 46 years in practice, an MBE nomination, and praise from Professor Stanley Malamed himself, Nigel shares the story behind the movement, the protocol, and the simple A-frame sign that started it all.

🎧 A warm, inspiring conversation about what happens when clinical excellence meets genuine compassion.

#DentistryUncensored #PainFreeDentistry #DentalAnxiety #PatientCare #DentalInspiration #UKDentistry

1696 Practice Ownership : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. David Weber, a third-generation dentist practicing in Michigan City, Indiana, and co-founder of Restore Dental Lab, Restore Dental Education, and Clever Dental Co. Dr. Weber shares the lessons learned moving from associate to owner, and from solo practice to group model — including the unexpected challenges of each transition. The conversation digs into the rewards and pitfalls of hiring new graduates, what it takes to build a strong team culture, and why so many dentists are stepping back from ownership just as corporate consolidation accelerates. Dr. Weber makes a compelling case for dentist-owned regional groups as a meaningful alternative to private equity — and asks a harder question: why are dentists forfeiting control of their own industry?

Episode #1696 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. David Weber — third-generation dentist, AGD Fellow, and co-founder of Restore Dental Lab, Restore Dental Education, and Clever Dental Co. — to talk about what it really takes to build and grow a dentist-owned practice in today's market.

From solo owner to group practice, hiring new grads, and pushing back against PE consolidation — this is an honest conversation about protecting the soul of private dentistry.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, real-world perspective on ownership, growth, and the future of independent dentistry.

#DentistryUncensored #PrivatePractice #DentalOwnership #DentalBusiness #DSO #DentalLeadership

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Sonia Szamocki, Oxford-trained physician and Founder and CEO of 32Co, a UK-based AI-powered health tech platform bringing specialist-level care to high street dental practices. Dr. Szamocki shares her journey from emergency medicine and ophthalmology to Boston Consulting Group and ultimately to founding 32Co — driven by a conviction that technology, not more specialists, is the key to solving access in healthcare. The conversation explores how 32Co is tackling two major areas — orthodontics and sleep medicine — by connecting general dentists with specialist oversight, AI-driven workflows, and full compliance infrastructure. With 90% of the UK population within 30 minutes of a 32Co dentist, the platform is also pioneering the bridge between dentistry and mainstream medicine through its patient-facing sleep brand, Aerox Health. Howard and Dr. Szamocki also compare the UK and US healthcare landscapes and what each can learn from the other.

Episode #1695 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Sonia Szamocki — Oxford-trained physician, founder, and CEO of 32Co — to talk about using AI to bring specialist-level care to everyday dental practices.

From clear aligners to sleep apnea, 32Co is quietly reshaping how dentistry and medicine connect — and why that gap has cost patients for far too long.

🎧 A fascinating look at what happens when a doctor decides to fix a broken system.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalAI #HealthTech #DentalInnovation #SleepApnea #Orthodontics #32Co

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. William Cliff, practicing endodontist and Founder and CEO of Asesso Health. With over 28 years of clinical experience, Dr. Cliff shares how repeated frustration with undiagnosed TMJ and bruxism patients led him to create a first-of-its-kind integrated solution — combining a dentist-designed grind guard, a proprietary sensor module, and a mobile app that tracks grinding intensity, sleep quality, and jaw pain over time. The conversation explores the gap between tooth pain and jaw pain, why traditional night guards fail patients, and how real-time data is changing the way dentists and patients approach treatment and accountability.

Episode #1694 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. William Cliff — endodontist, founder, and CEO of Asesso Health — to talk about one of dentistry's most underserved problems: TMJ and bruxism.

After 28 years of watching patients struggle with ineffective night guards and undiagnosed jaw pain, Dr. Cliff built something new — the first integrated solution that tracks real-time grinding data and measurable improvement over time.

🎧 Tune in to hear how better tools and smarter technology are finally giving patients real answers.

#DentistryUncensored #TMJ #Bruxism #DentalInnovation #AsessoHealth #DentalTech

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Arun Mehra, Founder and CEO of Samera Business Advisors and a UK Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience advising dental businesses. Together they tackle some of the most pressing questions in modern dentistry — from the state of global DSO consolidation and the hidden back-office costs killing margins, to workforce shortages, practice valuations, and whether the solo-owner model still has a future. Arun brings a sharp international lens to the conversation, drawing on insights from both the US and European markets to explore what it really takes to build a dental business that lasts.

Episode #1693 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Arun Mehra, Founder & CEO of Samera Business Advisors, for a sharp, no-nonsense conversation on the global business of dentistry.

From DSO consolidation and back-office automation to workforce shortages, practice valuations, and the future of solo ownership — this episode is packed with insight for any dentist thinking seriously about growth and longevity.

🎧 Tune in for a global perspective on where dentistry is headed.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalBusiness #DSO #DentalFinance #PracticeOwnership

Episode #1692 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Victoria Peterson of Productive Dentist Academy shares powerful insights on building a practice that's not just profitable—but truly sustainable.

From honoring the legacy of co-founder Dr. Bruce Baird to navigating private equity, AI, and the evolving role of ownership, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to create a durable, people-first practice in today's landscape.

Victoria Peterson is Co-Founder and CEO of Productive Dentist Academy and a nationally recognized dental entrepreneur, speaker, and author. With more than 30 years of experience in dentistry—beginning as a registered dental hygienist and later owning five practices through Neighborhood Smiles, LLC—she blends real-world business expertise with a unique background in Spiritual Studies to help dentists build profitable, purpose-driven practices.

An award-winning leader, including the 2013 Silver Stevie Female Entrepreneur of the Year, she is the host of the Investment Grade Practice™ podcast and an advisor to Dental Entrepreneur Women. Victoria is known for championing long-term ownership, strong leadership, and building durable practices that are both financially successful and deeply human.

💡 If you're thinking long-term, building culture, and want a practice that supports your life—not consumes it—this one's a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now.

Episode #1691 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Dr. Tony Schicktanz and Dr. Alex Besmer bring a fresh, next-generation perspective to the profession.

From building clinical skills in implants and prosthodontics to navigating early career decisions, business growth, and patient psychology, this conversation is candid, insightful, and packed with real-world lessons for young dentists.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, conversational episode on growth, learning, and carving your own path in dentistry.

Dr. Tony Schicktanz is a general dentist and emerging clinician with a strong focus on full-mouth rehabilitation, implant surgery, and TMD treatment. A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, he currently practices in Tempe, Arizona, where he continues to advance his clinical and business skills. Dr. Schicktanz has completed extensive continuing education in implants, surgical extractions, prosthodontics, and Invisalign, and has a growing interest in personal finance and contract negotiation for dentists.

Dr. Alex Besmer is a general dentist practicing in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a unique passion for removable prosthodontics and comprehensive dental care. A graduate of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, he is currently working alongside a prosthodontist while furthering his education through the Pankey curriculum. Dr. Besmer combines his clinical focus with a strong interest in economics and psychology, aiming to better understand patient decision-making and improve case acceptance.