MB2 Underground

MB2 Dental is marking a huge milestone—800 practices strong! To celebrate, we're joined by Dr. James McDonnell and Dr. Eric McMahon the owners of The Smile Lodge, the pediatric powerhouse that officially became MB2's 800th partner. In this episode, we dig into their journey of building an incredible and successful New York practice fueled by authenticity, dad jokes, fun and unique traditions, and a mission to give every child access to care. It's equal parts heart, humor, and inspiration, an episode that reminds us why the MB2 family is different and why there's so much to celebrate at 800 practices and beyond.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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In this episode of MB2 Underground, hosts Sarah Keifer and JT talk with Thomas Southam, MB2's Chief Compliance and Information Officer, about the role compliance and IT play in protecting healthcare organizations today and preparing them for the future. Thomas explains why too many companies wait until it's too late to invest in compliance, what proactive steps leaders should be taking to safeguard patient data, and how AI-driven cyberattacks are changing the landscape. He also shares how technology and automation can reduce the regulatory burden and why building a forward-looking compliance strategy is essential for sustainable growth.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

In this special episode of MB2 Underground, guest co-host Joe Fox joins JT to turn the spotlight on longtime MB2 leader Sarah Keifer. From joining the company in 2016, back when MB2 had fewer than 80 practices, to building the Owner Transitions department from the ground up, Sarah shares her journey of growth, adaptability, and leadership.

Listeners get an inside look at the evolution of MB2 through Sarah's lens, her unconventional career path, and the lessons she's learned along the way. But it's not all business, Sarah opens up about her Texas roots, her gymnastics days, her aversion to pickleball, and her love of puzzles. She also drops a big personal announcement that's set to make 2025 a life-changing year.

This episode is a reminder that everybody has their own hard, and that great careers (and lives) often happen when you're willing to say "yes" and figure it out along the way.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

Jeff Cellucci, MB2's Chief Strategy Officer — or as we like to call him, our Chief Miscellaneous Officer — talks about the incredible teams he leads (Procurement, Marketing, and Continuing Education) and how initiatives like Cerebro, the Family Foundation, and more recently, Carabelli Club came to life. It's a conversation about how Dr. V, our Founder and CEO, and leadership team, are continuously finding ways to help practices grow, while creating tools that keep our doctor partners connected.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

Srivatsan Laxman isn't just talking about AI—he's been building it for decades. In this episode, the CEO of TrueLark sits down with us to share how his background in artificial intelligence led him from research labs and manufacturing plants to the front desks of dental offices. We talk about how TrueLark helps practices reclaim missed calls, improve patient engagement, and free up time for staff—all with the help of AI. Srivatsan also reflects on the rise of generative AI, the challenges of adoption in dentistry, and why he believes technology should help us do more of what we love (like birdwatching). And he even explains why it's called TrueLark.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

What started as a front desk job turned into a 14-year journey for Linzee Page, now MB2's VP of Business Systems. In this episode, Linzee talks about being part of MB2's growth—helping develop integration processes, supporting the launch of new departments, and contributing to initiatives like the MB2 Family Foundation, where she now serves as the President. She reflects on lessons learned along the way and the teamwork that's shaped how MB2 supports doctors and their teams today.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

A throwback video, a fishing trip, and a group chat called "Salty Dogs" — that's how Dr. Richard Valbuena, owner of River Rock Family Dental in Lawrence, KS, reconnected with old dental school friends and found his way to MB2. In this episode, he talks about what drew him to the model, the friendships that made it feel like home, and how saying partnering with MB2 was one of the best decisions he's made.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

Dr. Bob "Dee" Dokhanchi joins us to talk about his journey from launching Dentistry in General during the pandemic to becoming a bold voice for private practice and dental advocacy. He shares the story behind growing a dentist-only community to over 9,000 members, his path into policy change, and what's next for technology in dentistry. Plus, we get into his upcoming event, DIG-A-PALOOZA, and why he believes every dentist should get involved with the ADA.

ℹ️ Info: https://dentistryingeneral.com/dig-a-palooza

Register with special MB2 Pricing with this link: https://pay.dentistryingeneral.com/mb2

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

Charbel Louis Karam didn't follow a traditional path to the dental world. A lifelong pilot with a background in aerospace manufacturing and private equity, he eventually found his way to Spectrum Killian Dental Labs, where he now serves as President and CEO, and brought a new way of thinking with him. In this episode, Charbel shares all the lessons that helped him build a dental lab that balances precision with true craftsmanship. We dig into what it takes to grow without losing the human touch, why variability can't be avoided (and how to work with it instead of against it), and what excites him most about the future of labs and patient care. This conversation is all about blending engineering, artistry, and big-picture thinking to move the dental space forward.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental

On this episode of MB2 Underground, we sit down with Dr. Paul Goodman, a dentist, founder of Dental Nachos and Dentist Job Connect, and passionate advocate for making dentistry a little less lonely (and a lot more fun).

Dr. Goodman shares the story behind Dental Nachos, a community that started as a simple Facebook group and has grown into a thriving resource for dentists to learn, connect, and feel supported. He opens up about his journey from practicing alongside his dad to building multiple businesses, all while balancing the unique challenges in dentistry. We talk about the importance of hiring associates, what it really takes to step away from the chair, and why focusing on happiness is key to long-term success.

Subscribe & Listen:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69Dz26hgC9D6YqwN8JMDBV

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mb2-underground/id1747349567

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Follow MB2 Dental on Social:

MB2 Dental: mb2dental.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mb2dental

Facebook: facebook.com/mb2dental

YouTube: youtube.com/@mb2dental

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mb2-dental