Start Your Dental Practice

Most people will tell you that if you want to grow your dental practice, you need to get more patients.

This might make sense at first.

But while getting more patients is part of it, it shouldn’t be the priority.

What good is it for you to gain more patients consistently if they’re not coming back to see you on their next visit?

Dentists who don’t focus on returning patients (and the systems required to get them to come back) are leaving money on the table.

In this show, you’ll learn the best (and proven) strategies to grow your business (and increase your revenue).

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The definition of growth (when it comes to a dental practice)
• How mindset plays a vital role in growing your business
• What a limiting belief is (and why it stunts growth)
• The typical growth cycle of a dental practice
• The best changes you can make to increase your revenue
• The mistake dentists makes when trying to grow their business
• How self-awareness plays a role in all of this
• How to come up with a game plan to increase your revenue

Quotes:

• “Involve your team. As a business owner, you can only do so much on your own.” -Jonathan
• “Be aware, you’re gonna have to depend on other people to do some of these things for you, so make sure you have the right people, and that they’re doing what is necessary to help you grow.” – Jonathan

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give the show an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

Dental equipment is constantly evolving, and your phone constantly rings with salespeople trying to get you to buy the latest technology.

You don’t need all the latest bells and whistles to run a profitable business.

But what you do need in today’s digital age is a marketing plan that reflects the latest trends.

If you want for your business to be around in the next twenty years, you can no longer rely strictly on referrals.

Today’s guest, Jake Puhl, understands the power of the internet. It can be the difference between a sustainable (and profitable) business, and one struggling to keep their head above water.

His marketing tactics have helped dentists grow from zero to $5 million dollars in revenue (or in one dentist’s case, from $1.2 million to $8 million).

Jake is the co-founder of Firegang Digital Marketing, a SEO and Google analytics expert, and an Amazon best-selling author.

If you want to learn more about effectively marketing your business online, this bonus is a great place to start. It’s a free copy of How To Get Dental Clients With The Power Of The Web. Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The biggest mistakes dentists make with their marketing
• A traditional method of growing a dental practice that will no longer hold a practice up (and a modern marketing strategy you need to stay in the game)
• The key to a reputation marketing program that generates great reviews
• Why being on top of your numbers and processes is important (and how your marketing dollars will go to waste if you don’t pay attention to them)
• Why getting new clients shouldn’t be your only priority
• The main metric you need to look at when working with any marketing company
• The biggest differentiators that will give online traffic a compelling reason to choose your practice
• How to “buy low” when acquiring a practice
• What a retargeting ad is (and why it’s so powerful)
• The key factor for online traffic analytics that you should zero in on (that many marketing companies don’t look at)
• What a longtail keyword is (and how this impacts your online visibility)
• Recent changes to Google ads (and what that means for your business)
• Best practices to run good ads (that Google will reward you for)
• A covert way to scan your competition in an area you’re looking to start or acquire a practice

Free Episode Bonus:

If you got a lot out of today’s episode, and want to learn more, this bonus is perfect for you.

There are tons of marketing companies fighting for your business, but not many that know dentistry like Firegang does.

Today you’re getting a free copy of Jake’s latest book – How To Get New Dental Clients – which teaches you how to use the web to make your business more profitable.

Click here to access that now.

Quotes:

• “When it comes to marketing a practice it’s really an execution game.” -Jake Puhl
• “If you wanna be around in twenty years, knowing and understanding your numbers is absolutely paramount.” – Jonathan VanHorn

Resources:

• Jake on Twitter
• Email Jake
• Firegang Online

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give the show an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

Having a successful dental practice comes down to one thing:

Keeping your dental chair filled.

Keep that chair filled week after week, year after year, and you’ll be profitable and have the opportunity to scale.

An important key to having steady clientele is marketing.

But the problem with many marketing strategies is that they are generic.

What works for a neighborhood restaurant may not work for a dentist.

That’s why you need someone who understands the dental world well enough to know how to measure the metrics that will give you the best results.

In this show, Mark Dilatush shares some little-known insight that can save you from throwing away marketing dollars that won’t work.

Mark is partner and president of New Patients Inc, a full service marketing firm that specializes in dentistry.

If you like today’s show, you’ll enjoy the bonus following. It’s a copy of New Patients Inc’s latest book, Unlimited New Patients. Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The two marketing segments that determine if a new patient comes to see you because they want to save money (or because they value your services)
• The number of appointments needed to go full time when you’re first getting started
• The only thing you should base a startup budget on
• Why some startups take (painfully) forever to get going
• The reason why banks are quick to lend money to startup practices (despite the risk of it failing)
• The hidden truth about the marketing budget for a startup (and a valuable piece of advice to make sure you fill the seats needed for the practice to survive)
• How to mitigate the high cost of a startup
• A smart way to partner with local businesses to grow your client base faster
• The reason why hiring a marketing company is often ineffective
• The risk of sending the same message to your entire marketing sphere

Free Episode Bonus:

If you loved today’s episode, then you’re going to enjoy the bonus I’ve prepared for you.

There are tons of marketing companies looking to get a piece of your pocketbook, but most of them don’t know the dental industry like Mark does.

For that reason, today’s bonus will be valuable as you try to make the most of your marketing efforts.

It’s a copy of New Patient Inc’s latest book, Unlimited New Patients (a $160 value).

Click here to access that now

Quotes:

• “Anything you sell is based on the benefits, not the features.”
• “Hoping is not a marketing strategy.”

Resources:

• Email Mark
• New Patients Inc Website

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give the show an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

When you open your own practice, there are things you must commit to:

• Long hours
• Hard work
• Sacrifice

Sadly, one of the biggest regrets dentists have is putting so much into the business that they don’t enjoy life outside of the office.

They go into the business thinking they’ll be able to enjoy life when they retire.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are many ways to create passive income streams (and make yourself replaceable so that you can enjoy that extra cash flow).

Dr. David Phelps specializes in helping dentists create a long term vision business (and their personal life). He then recommends ways to accumulate wealth through various sources.

He is also a former practice owner, and creator of Freedom Founders, a place where people learn how to manage profitability.

If you like today’s show, you’ll enjoy the bonus following. It’s Dr. Phelps’ Retirement Calculator that will show you the gap between where you are today and your goals. Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The biggest regret dentists have after running a practice for several years (that would have allowed them to have more freedom sooner)
• The difference between a technical provider and a business owner
• The reason so many associateships fail
• A key decision that revived a practice that was close to going out of business
• One of the key parts of a business that most dentists don’t value
• The type of customers that many dentists overlook
• How becoming a better speaker can grow your business
• What to look for when you’re finding a place to work fresh out of dentist school
• The difference between wealth and money
• A word of caution about financial advisors

Free Episode Bonus:

If you found today’s episode helpful, then you’re going to enjoy the bonus.

Don’t make the mistake of getting too tied up in your business for you to enjoy life.

Today you’re getting access to Dr. Phelps Retirement Calculator so that you can calculate the gap between where you are today and where you want to be on the freedom scale.

Click here to access that now.

Quotes:

• “Build a practice that you can be replaceable when or if you need to be.” -Dr. Phelps
• “Earn while you learn.” -Dr. Phelps
• “The best investment for anybody is to invest in themselves first.” -Dr. Phelps

Resources:

• Freedom Founders Website
• Email Dr. Phelps
• Good To Great Book
• The E-myth Book

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give the show an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

Every day I talk to consultants and dentists who are very good at what they do.

And every day I realize more and more that there are many out there, like yourself, who can get tremendous value out of these ideas.

I share many of these great ideas on this podcast, but I know that some of you are wanting more.

And that’s why we are creating the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind.

Masterminds aren’t new. In fact, they’ve been around for centuries.

Benjamin Franklin was a part of a mastermind that met every Friday night to debate politics, morals, philosophy, business goals, and anything you can think of that would help them take their life (and their business) to the next level.

So if someone like Franklin valued the opportunity to be in a mastermind, then that goes to show the impact it can have.

In the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind, we’ll be applying some of the same principals that have proven to help people achieve powerful results.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The definition of a mastermind
• The two questions asked in Benjamin Franklin’s mastermind (that helped him become one of the most intelligent and accomplished person in history)
• The singular focus of the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind
• The two major problems with seeking feedback online
• The problem with having a great idea but no one to share it with
• The four goals of the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind
• Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind

Ambitious Dentist Mastermind:

If you’ve gotten a ton of value from this podcast and our guests, then I KNOW you’re going to get a lot out of this mastermind.

We only have six spots open, so don’t wait and risk losing out.

Apply now here.

Quotes:

“Masterminds are a way for people to learn from other people sitting in similar positions as themselves.” – John VanHorn

Resources:

Apply for the Ambitious Dentist Mastermind

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give the show an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

When you’re starting your dental practice, there are some key things you need to look at:

• Finding a good location
• Knowing what equipment to buy
• Hiring the right people

But so many dentists tend to overlook a powerful aspect of the business that sets the framework for years of success:

The culture.

When you build a culture that customers (both external and internal) are excited to be a part of, you then have a story to tell.

Having a story allows you to create experiences.

And experiences are what people love to talk (and hear) about. Both online and offline.

Dr. Anissa Homes is a master of creating experiences.

You may have heard some of her experiences on her podcast, Delivering Wow.

Anissa is the founder of Jamaica Cosmetic Dental Services, was voted one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry, and as you’ll find out, a Facebook wizard.

If you’re looking improve your Facebook presence to get more customers walking through your doors, you’ll enjoy the today's bonus. It’s a Facebook Targeting Guide that shows you how Anissa’s been able to get a 1500% ROI through her Facebook marketing. Get that here. Here are a few things you'll discover in today's episode:

• Why giving good service isn’t enough on its own to run a successful business (and what you can do to have an amazing dental practice)
• The importance of having a vision (for yourself and for your team)
• How to promote your culture and core values within your practice
• Tips for creating systems to train new employees more effectively (and have consistency)
• How cross-training can prove to be valuable (especially when you’re short-handed)
• Places where you can recruit talent (where you normally wouldn’t think to look)
• The difference between building your culture and building your brand
• The best way to build a brand
• How to get testimonials that make others eager to come see you
• How to generate 1500% ROI using Facebook for your dental practice
• What you should promote (before you start promoting offers)

Free Episode Bonus:

If you were as impressed as I was with the amazing Facebook ROI that Anissa has experienced with her practice, then you’re going to get a lot out of this bonus.

Anissa has offered the Ambitious Dentist community her Facebook Targeting Guide. In this guide, she shows what she’s done to get massive results on Facebook, including specific wording, strategies, and steps.

Click here to access that now.

Quotes:

• “Culture is the story that you want to tell. Brand is what people say about you when you’re not around.” -Anissa

Resources:

• Delivering Wow - Dr. Homes’ Website
• Jamaica Smiles - Dr. Homes’ Practice
• Email Anissa
• Delivering Wow Dental Podcast

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give me an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

Owning a business can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life.

But along the journey come the not-so-fun moments: the failures.

It’s easy to have a meltdown when the going gets tough. But those who push through the challenges reap the greatest rewards.

That’s why Dr. Mark Costes’ story is so inspiring.

It’s hard enough to bounce back from a failure or two. Now imagine bouncing back from several (twenty-one to be exact).

That’s the number of dental schools Dr. Costes applied to (and was rejected by) before finally getting accepted.

But that’s all he needed to become one of the most respected icons in our industry.

He is now an international speaker and best-selling author, founder of the Dental Success Summit, and host of two amazing podcasts (Six Figure Side Gig and Dentalpreneur).

So whether you’re going through some challenges, or looking to level up, you’ll appreciate the valuable lessons Dr. Costes shares with us on this episode.

If you were inspired by Dr. Costes’ journey, you’ll love today’s bonus. It’s a copy of his international best-selling book Pillars of Dental Success, along with his signature keynote video on Cracking the Top 1%. Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The 3 ways to know if you’re ready to run your own dental practice (and why being able to understand numbers isn’t as crucial as most dentists think)
• What to look for in a demographics report to find the best location to open a practice (and two mistakes that many overlook)
• The techniques used to take a practice from $240,000 to $1 million in a year and a half (on more than one occasion)
• The mindset behind breaking old habits that limit you (and replacing them with habits that will help you grow and increase your profit)
• How the 80/20 rule applies to your practice (to get you the results you want)
• What the Alien Abduction Manual is (and why it’s so important in systemizing your business)
• The different ways that you can improve your practice without spending a ton of money
• What to do if you’re fresh out of dental school to start preparing yourself to open your own practice (and gain the edge over your competition)
• How failure and perseverance is an essential (and challenging) part of the journey
• The difference between a Healer and an Entrepreneur
• A unique view on wealth (which motivated Dr. Costes’ to open multiple practices despite being criticized by his mentor)

Free Episode Bonus:

I’m super grateful that Dr. Costes was willing to provide our Ambitious Dentist community with two truly remarkable resources.

As a bonus for today, you can download a free copy of his international best-selling book Pillars of Dental Success, along with his signature keynote video Cracking the Top 1%.

Click here to access that now

Quote:

• “The wealthier you become, the more people you can help.” – Dr. Costes

Resources:

• Dentalpreneur Podcast
• Six Figure Side Gig Podcast
• Dental Success Summit
• Email Dr. Costes

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give me an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

It’s one thing to know how to use a sickle probe. But knowing how to make your practice profitable is another.

And to be profitable year after year, you’ll need to adapt to certain changes:

• Modern dental equipment
• New technology
• Relevant marketing strategies

But there’s one part that doesn’t change:

People.

To run a stellar dental practice, you need a good staff.

And if you’re wondering what it takes to have a good staff, there’s no better person to turn to than Sandy Pardue.

Sandy is the senior consultant at Classic Practice Resources, a key contributor to DentalTown, and director of the Spice Up Your Practice training events.

If you’re looking to grow your staff soon, you’ll appreciate the bonus. It’s Sandy’s employment application that will help you identify the best fit for the role.

Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The mistake that will get potential clients going to see other dentists instead of coming to see you (and how to avoid it)
• What job title to avoid to prevent confusion in responsibilities (especially with larger age gaps)
• The four parts you need to fill in your front office (and what personality traits to look for when hiring for them)
• A key characteristic to pay attention to during interviews (that may cause problems if overlooked)
• The difference between an interview and an outerview
• What to do before, during, and after an interview to find the best candidates for the job (and maybe even get new clients out of it)
• The staffing ratio formula to make sure your business runs smoothly
• Why block scheduling can be a costly mistake
• How The Hawthorne Effect can be applied to your practice to make it more efficient
• Red flags when buying a practice (and the first thing you’ll want to do as a new owner)
• How to tell when someone’s not doing their job
• The key metrics to maintain a high performing office

Free Episode Bonus:

If you want to improve the quality of your hires, this bonus will come in hand.

Sandy has provided an employment application to help you find the qualities you’re looking for, rather than relying on a resume that only shows you what they want you to see.

Click here to access that now.

Quote:

“Nothing in your practice is more important than time.” – Sandy PardueResources:

Classic Practice Resources WebsiteContact Sandy Pardue via Email

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this show wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give me an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve the show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

You obviously chose to go into dentistry for a reason…

And for a lot of aspiring dentists it’s because the field is still growing.

Smart decision.

Unfortunately, that makes plenty of people out in the wild look to exploit new (and existing) dentists as a chance to siphon hundreds of thousands of dollars and more.

Jason Patrick Wood is a partner in the Law Firm of Wood & Delgado and he see’s it happen everyday.

Lucky for us, he’s here to tell you exactly what to look for when acquiring a business or looking to partner with anyone.

Click here to get today’s episode bonus:

“Buyer’s Checklist for Acquiring a Practice” – the questions you need to consider and have answered before acquiring a dental practice.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• The aspects of most dentists that get preyed upon and taken advantage of by others (and why this is a major issue in the industry)
• How to make sure you’re always getting the best deal possible (even with people you’ve done business with for years)
• Why running a dual brokerage is usually an illegal operation (and how to protect your dental business and partners)
• What separates the people who know their stuff from the pretenders (and what to do in order to spot both of these in the wild)
• The right way to interview anyone you’re bringing into your business – like banks, employees, and partners (and the questions you can ask to find red flags)
• How one little line in a contract could cause you to lose $100,000 when you got to sell your practice
• The critical way to think when acquiring a practice or a startup (and the pros and cons of both situations)
• Why you should never trust a demographics report from this specific kind of professional
• The biggest mistake being made when acquiring an existing dental practice (and what numbers to focus on to avoid this mistake)
• How to guarantee you and your families financial well being through retirement
• The type of mindset that plagues some dentists and ruins the dental industry
• Why females are highly targeted in the dental industry when it comes to dental practice ownership (and why it’s so important that women become dental practice owners)
• Why dentistry is the most “bankable” industry (and why this is critical to your livelihood)
• The after-hours and off-site conversations happening by Dental Professors with aspiring students (and what happened when the school found out)
• How to approach acquiring a dental practice (even if you’re new and fresh out of school)

Free Episode Bonus:

If today’s episode struck a chord with you, then don’t miss out on today’s bonus kindly provided by Jason and his team.

It includes the questions you need to ask when acquiring a practice, and there were a few on there I hadn’t even considered.

Click here to access that now.

After you check it out, submit it back to Jason for a FREE 15 minute consultation with him.

Quotes:

• “It’s impossible to serve two masters.”- Jason Wood
• “Just be careful. Always have your guard up.”- Jason Wood
• “Partnerships should be about shared sacrifice, shared reward, equal playing field for all.” – Jason Wood

Resources:

• Dentistry At A Crossroads Report from the ADA
• Find Jason Here

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give me an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve that show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.

In the dental business you have the good:

• Working with great patients
• Having a thriving business
• Building a team of incredible people

And, just like in life, you have the “not-so-good”:

• Patients that push you to the edge
• Down months where you aren’t certain where the money is going to come from
• Having to let go of people who aren’t the right fit in your practice

No one knows this better – and has learned from it – than Dr. Joshua Austin.

You might know Dr. Austin from his hit podcast, AcciDental Geniuses.

Dr. Austin is a speaker for reputation management, hosts of Austin Dental Seminars, and a private practice owner.

If you like today’s show, you’ll enjoy the bonus following. It’s the top 5 podcasts for young and aspiring dental practice owners. Get that here.

Here are a few things you’ll discover in today’s episode:

• How to tell if you’re ready to own a dental practice (and a resource to help you make the decision)
• Why you might not want to trust even the most reputable sales person in the dental field
• What to do if you’re doing the hygiene in your business and want to find someone to replace you (to free up your time and scale your business)
• How to tell if one of your employees is writing fake prescriptions in your name
• The biggest battle of running a practice (this makes everything else seem easy)
• The bright side to letting go of people in your practice (and a movie to watch to get you ready)
• What drove the biggest amount of traffic to Dr. Austin’s business (and why it wasn’t enough at the end of the day)
• The surprisingly effective form of marketing most dentists avoid (or use incorrectly)
• A modern form of reputation management that can steamroll into major success in your dental practice
• What to do if you want your customers to spread your dental practice’s name across the town (and beat your competitors to the punch)

Free Episode Bonus:

If you loved today’s episode, then you’re going to enjoy the bonus I’ve prepared for you.

There are tons of business and dental podcasts out in the wild, so today you’re getting access to the top 5 dental podcasts for young dentists or existing dentists looking for high-quality shows.

Click here to access that now.

Quote:

• “Knowing the technical aspect of dentistry does not make you necessarily ready to own a business.” – Dr. Johnson

Resources:

• Dr. Austin’s Podcast: AcciDental Geniuses
• Dr. Austin’s Website
• Contact Dr. Austin via Email
• E-Myth (affiliate link)
• Interview on reviews with Dr. Leonard Tao
• Austin Dental Seminars

Support The Show:

Without you, Ambitious Dentists, this should wouldn’t exist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please go here to give me an honest rating and review in iTunes.

This allows me to evolve that show as it goes on, and also helps spread the word to other podcast listeners since iTunes promotes shows with active engagement.