Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with JoAnne Tanner, founder of Tanner Management, a dental practice consulting firm specializing in acquisitions, financial due diligence, and operational systems. With more than 20 years of experience, JoAnne has guided countless dentists through the process of buying a practice — helping them avoid costly mistakes and build strong business foundations from day one. She's also the author of The Smart Dentist's Guide to Buying a Dental Practice, and is known for a clear, no-nonsense approach that makes complex transactions understandable.

The conversation focuses on what dentists need to know before signing on the dotted line. JoAnne breaks down the biggest mistakes buyers make and how to avoid them, why financials alone don't tell the full story of a practice, and the critical reports every buyer should review before closing. She and Howard dig into how to spot hidden risks in hygiene, scheduling, and accounts receivable, why treatment philosophy differences between buyer and seller can make or break a transition, and how insurance participation — including Delta Dental — can shape future income. The episode closes on the most important question of all: how to tell whether a practice is genuinely sustainable or quietly declining.

Episode #1728 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with JoAnne Tanner — founder of Tanner Management and author of The Smart Dentist's Guide to Buying a Dental Practice — for a no-nonsense look at what it really takes to buy the right practice.

From the biggest mistakes buyers make, to why the financials never tell the whole story, to the hidden risks lurking in hygiene, scheduling, and AR — JoAnne breaks down how to buy with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Essential listening for any dentist thinking about ownership.

#DentistryUncensored #PracticeAcquisition #DentalOwnership #DueDiligence #DentalBusiness #BuyingAPractice

In this two-guest episode, Howard Farran brings together two clinicians unafraid to challenge the status quo. Dr. Michael DeLuke is a board-certified orthodontist who graduated valedictorian from SUNY Stony Brook and served as Chief Resident at UConn before owning DeLuke Orthodontics for nearly two decades. He has since retired from private practice to teach and coach full-time, serving on faculty at Montefiore Einstein and a Florida pediatric dental residency, and founding DeLuke Orthodontic Coaching ("DOC") and The DOC Podcast. Dr. Mark Levi is a Sydney-based dentist who, after his own severe obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis in 1998, dedicated his career to airway-focused care — co-founding integrated medical/dental sleep clinics, publishing in the European Sleep Journal, and in 2021 transitioning to an exclusive pediatric airway, breathing, and sleep clinic treating children aged 3 to 12.

The conversation dives into early, airway-focused orthodontic and orthopedic treatment — why both guests believe it matters so much, and why the orthodontic establishment and academia have been so resistant to it. They explore what pediatric sleep-disordered breathing actually is and why it should be on every dentist's radar, what "evidence-based practice" really means, and the long-term physiological payoff of intervening in a generation of four-to-six-year-olds before problems compound. Dr. Levi shares his philosophy of engaging parents by talking symptoms rather than treatment protocols — the approach behind hundreds of five-star reviews and his plans to expand into the U.S. — while Dr. DeLuke also opens up about the business side of dentistry, including how he reached financial freedom at 46 after starting his practice at 30 with zero assets and a mountain of student debt.

Episode #1727 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with two outspoken voices in orthodontics and airway: Dr. Michael DeLuke — board-certified orthodontist, coach, and host of The DOC Podcast — and Dr. Mark Levi, an Australian pioneer in pediatric airway, breathing, and sleep.

From why the ortho establishment resists early airway-focused treatment, to treating a generation of 4–6 year olds, to achieving financial freedom in dentistry — this conversation pulls no punches.

🎧 A must-listen on early intervention, pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, and the business of orthodontics.

#DentistryUncensored #Orthodontics #AirwayHealth #PediatricSleep #EarlyOrthoTreatment #DentalSleepMedicine

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter, an Arizona native and proud Army veteran who earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lassiter spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army, completing his specialty training through the United States Army Prosthodontic Program, and today provides relationship-centered dentistry that blends science and artistry to create healthy, natural-looking, long-lasting smiles.

The conversation traces Dr. Lassiter's path from a 19-year-old applying to dental school — admittedly naive in those early interviews — through his entry into the Army via officer basic training and an AEGD program, to years of service that included time living in Germany. He shares an honest look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Army dentistry, what drew him to prosthodontics, and the experience of caring for veterans and soldiers during his residency. The episode closes on his transition into civilian private practice and the journey from associate to ownership, offering a grounded perspective for anyone weighing a similar route into military or specialty dentistry.

Episode #1726 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter — Arizona native, proud Army veteran, and prosthodontist who spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army before transitioning to private practice.

From applying to dental school at 19, to Army life and training in Germany, to finding his passion in prosthodontics and making the leap from associate to owner — this is a candid, inspiring look at one dentist's unconventional path.

🎧 A must-listen for anyone curious about military dentistry, prosthodontics, or building a career with purpose.

#DentistryUncensored #MilitaryDentistry #Prosthodontics #ArmyVeteran #DentalCareer #PracticeOwnership

In this two-guest episode, Howard Farran sits down with two financial leaders from PracticeCFO. Wes Read is a CPA, Certified Financial Planner™, and Registered Investment Advisor who began his career in Big 4 accounting at Ernst & Young before founding PracticeCFO in 2009 to give practice-owning doctors access to CFO-level financial leadership. He's also the founder of Practice Orbit and creator of Associates On Fire, a free financial education platform for dental associates. Joining him is Paul Lipcius, a CPA, Series 65-licensed Investment Adviser Representative, and CFO Advisor at the firm with nearly a decade of experience, who focuses on higher-net-worth clients, capital markets, and portfolio strategy, and serves on PracticeCFO's board and investment committee.

The conversation centers on investing philosophy for busy dentists who aren't watching the markets every day. Wes and Paul unpack how they define and manage risk in a practical, long-term sense rather than just as volatility, and what a good advisor actually does to create value beyond picking investments. They explore how dentists should think about retirement vehicles like 401(k)s, defined benefit plans, and IRAs, how to stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions during market swings, and the unique advantage of integrating CPA services with investment management under one roof. The episode closes on the perennial industry debate over fees — whether advisors truly justify their cost, and how dentists can evaluate whether they're getting real value for their money.

Episode #1725 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Wes Read, CPA, CFP® — Founder & CEO of PracticeCFO — and Paul Lipcius, CPA and CFO Advisor at the firm, for a deep dive into smart investing and wealth strategy for dentists.

From defining real "risk" beyond market volatility, to the advantage of having your CPA and investment strategy under one roof, to whether advisor fees are truly worth it — this is straight talk on building lasting financial independence.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist who wants to run their practice and their money like a pro.

#DentistryUncensored #PracticeCFO #DentalFinance #WealthManagement #DentistMoney #FinancialPlanning

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Paul Homoly, one of the profession's foremost authorities on treatment acceptance and the new patient experience. After 20 years in clinical reconstructive dentistry, Paul devoted the following decades to building what many consider the most comprehensive body of work on guiding dentists and their teams toward successful complete-care practices. He's the author of several influential books — including Dentists: An Endangered Species, Isn't It Wonderful When Patients Say "YES!", and Just Because You're an Expert… Doesn't Make You Interesting — and the first dentist worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned distinction in professional speaking.

The conversation explores Paul's central mission: making it easy for patients to say "yes" to complete care. He shares the communication and leadership principles behind his Treatment Acceptance Mastery curriculum — which now includes a first-of-its-kind AI Accelerator Coach — and why being a clinical expert doesn't automatically make a dentist compelling or persuasive at the chairside. Drawing on work that has contributed millions of dollars in monthly collections for his clients, Paul and Howard dig into how dentists can connect with patients, present treatment in a way that resonates, and build practices where complete care becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Episode #1724 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Paul Homoly — a leading authority on treatment acceptance and the new patient experience, and the first dentist in the world to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.

After 20 years in clinical reconstructive dentistry, Paul has spent decades cracking the code on one question: how do you make it easy for patients to say "yes" to complete care? His work has driven millions in monthly collections for his clients.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist who wants better case acceptance without the hard sell.

#DentistryUncensored #CaseAcceptance #TreatmentAcceptance #DentalPracticeManagement #PatientExperience #CompleteCare

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Chanelle Small, an endodontist who earned her Certificate of Endodontics from Tufts and both her DDS and undergraduate degree from Howard University, and who served as a Clinical Instructor at Columbia. Beyond founding Midtown Endodontics in New York City, Dr. Small works as a dental expert witness, retained by both plaintiff and defense attorneys across multiple states to determine whether the standard of care was met in malpractice cases.

The conversation demystifies the legal side of dentistry that most clinicians never see until it's too late. Dr. Small breaks down the four elements of a malpractice claim — duty, breach, causation, and damages — through a real endodontic scenario, and explains how "standard of care" actually gets defined in the courtroom versus the textbook. She walks through the anatomy of a case from the initial complaint to resolution, when and how an expert witness enters the picture, and whether she's ever felt pressured by attorneys to shade her opinion to strengthen a case. The episode closes on the practical side every dentist can act on today: why radiographic documentation matters so much, what's most often missing from the record, and the habits beyond documentation that help protect a practice.

Disclaimer: This interview does not constitute legal or tax advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This interview is for educational purposes only.

Episode #1723 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Chanelle Small — endodontist, founder of Midtown Endodontics in NYC, and a dental expert witness retained by both plaintiff and defense attorneys.

From the four elements of a malpractice case to how "standard of care" actually gets defined in a courtroom, Dr. Small pulls back the curtain on what really happens when a dentist gets sued — and the documentation habits that protect you.

🎧 A must-listen for every dentist who wants to practice with confidence and cover their bases.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalMalpractice #Endodontics #StandardOfCare #RiskManagement #DentalLaw

In this two-guest episode, Howard Farran brings together two very different but complementary paths in reconstructive surgery. Nancy Hairston is the founder and CEO of MedCAD, a Dallas-based medical technology company specializing in patient-matched cranial, facial, and mandibular implants. A sculptor by training — with a fine arts degree and an early career designing toys for Mattel and Disney and building 3D animation software that became Maya — Nancy channeled her mastery of digital sculpting into medicine, earning FDA clearance for her AccuShape cranial implant in 2011 and delivering custom, patient-specific solutions for more than 8,000 individuals since. Dr. Samir Singh is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, trained at VCU in complex implant surgery, bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, and maxillofacial trauma, who now practices in North Pittsburgh, teaches and mentors residents, and lectures nationally on full-arch implant reconstruction.

Together, the conversation walks through how custom implant design and surgical expertise intersect — the MedCAD process of turning precise imaging into a planned, in-house-manufactured implant delivered to surgical teams around the world, and how that planning removes friction, shortens procedure time, and boosts a surgeon's confidence before the first incision. Dr. Singh shares his journey from Pittsburgh to the operating room, the growth and technology behind his practice, and memorable orthognathic and reconstruction cases, along with his heart for mission work — including trips to treat children with cleft lip and palate in Peru. The episode closes on mentorship and the shadowing and hiring opportunities both guests see for the next generation of surgeons and innovators.

Episode #1722 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with two guests at the cutting edge of surgical reconstruction: Nancy Hairston, founder & CEO of MedCAD, and Dr. Samir Singh, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

From an artist-turned-medical-tech founder who's created patient-matched implants for 8,000+ people, to a surgeon rebuilding faces and jaws with full-arch and orthognathic expertise — this is a fascinating look at how custom design and surgical skill come together in the OR.

🎧 A must-listen on 3D printing, patient-specific implants, and the future of reconstructive surgery.

#DentistryUncensored #OralSurgery #MedCAD #3DPrinting #DentalImplants #MaxillofacialSurgery

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Bob "Dee" Dokhanchi — a private practice dentist since 1993, entrepreneur, media publisher, and tireless advocate for the profession. A 1992 graduate of Loyola University Chicago College of Dental Surgery, Bob has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking leader with a deep interest in technology, software, and cloud systems, becoming widely known as the "cloud guy" for his practical advice on dental tech and digital strategy. He's also the founder of Dentistry in General, a large verified dentist-only community built to foster candid discussion, support, and connection, along with its media arm spanning the DIG Radio Network, Dentistry's Digest, and the DIG-A-PALOOZA live CE event.

The conversation centers on organized dentistry and advocacy — the role of the ADA, the communication gap between organized dentistry and everyday dentists, and how the Dentistry in General Advocacy Coalition aims to improve transparency and engagement across the profession. Bob also shares his personal decision to run for office, seeking the Secretary position within the Illinois State Dental Society through a ladder system that leads to the presidency, and what motivated him to step off the sidelines and get directly involved. It's a candid look at why grassroots leadership matters and how individual dentists can shape the direction of their own profession.

Episode #1721 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Bob "Dee" Dokhanchi — private practice dentist, entrepreneur, media publisher, and founder of Dentistry in General, one of the largest dentist-only communities online.

Known as the "cloud guy," Bob is a passionate advocate for the profession. This conversation digs into organized dentistry, the ADA, and what it really means to step up and run for office to make dentists' voices heard.

🎧 A must-listen for any dentist who cares about the future and direction of the profession.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalAdvocacy #OrganizedDentistry #ADA #DentistryInGeneral #DentalCommunity

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Joseph Hogan, President and CEO of Align Technology — the company behind Invisalign and the iTero scanner. Hogan brings an extraordinary executive background to the conversation, having led ABB, a $40 billion global automation company, and spent 25 years at General Electric, including eight years as CEO of GE Healthcare, where he more than doubled revenues from $7 billion to $16 billion.

The discussion explores where Align is focusing its efforts to meet dentists where they are today, the recent innovations Hogan is most excited about, and what separates the most successful Invisalign-trained doctors from the rest. Howard and Hogan dig into Align's approach to AI across its product portfolio, how the company is leveraging additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and its plans for direct fabrication. They also examine trends among growing patients, how Invisalign fits into ortho-restorative workflows, and the biggest challenges Align is hearing from doctors around training and education. The conversation closes with a forward-looking discussion on expanding global access to clear aligner therapy and what excites Hogan most about the future of orthodontics and digital dentistry.

Want to know more about Align? - https://www.aligntech.com/

Episode #1720 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Joseph Hogan — President & CEO of Align Technology, the company behind Invisalign and iTero.

With a career that spans GE Healthcare and ABB before leading Align, Joe brings a rare view of where digital dentistry is headed — from AI and 3D printing to direct fabrication, global access to clear aligner therapy, and what the most successful Invisalign doctors are doing differently.

🎧 A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of orthodontics and digital dentistry.

#DentistryUncensored #Invisalign #AlignTechnology #DigitalDentistry #ClearAligners #Orthodontics

In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Karl Frye, Principal Broker and owner of Frye Practice Sales, a Scottsdale-based practice and commercial real estate brokerage, and current President of the National Association of Practice Brokers. Before founding his firm in 2015, Karl spent more than a decade in commercial banking serving the M&A needs of doctors — financing the startups, growth, sales, and refinances of dental practices nationwide. That credit background gives him a distinctive, outcome-focused perspective on what's actually realistic in today's healthcare acquisition market.

The conversation tackles the questions on every practice owner's mind: whether the private-practice buyer is truly a thing of the past (Karl says not so fast), and whether dentists should simply say "no" to the DSO (his answer is more nuanced than you'd expect). Howard and Karl walk through how sellers should navigate a shifting market, what buyers should be doing right now, and a recap of where the lending market stands. They close on a decision many selling dentists overlook — whether to sell the commercial real estate along with the practice or hold onto the building and collect rent.

Episode #1719 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Karl Frye — Principal Broker and owner of Frye Practice Sales and current President of the National Association of Practice Brokers — for a straight-talking look at the dental transitions market.

With 12+ years financing healthcare M&A before becoming a broker, Karl brings rare credit-side insight. Is the private practice buyer a thing of the past? Should you say no to the DSO? And what should you do with your building when you sell?

🎧 Essential listening for any dentist thinking about buying, selling, or planning an exit.

#DentistryUncensored #DentalTransitions #PracticeSales #DentalBusiness #DSO #PracticeOwnership