The Dental Amigos

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Jamie DiBease, owner and chief strategist at Dental Marketing from Day One, a dental marketing company focused on helping practices get found, get seen, and get chosen by their ideal patients. With more than 30 years of marketing experience, Jamie brings a practical, results-driven perspective on how dentists can build a stronger presence and grow their practices.

In this episode, Jamie shares his background and journey from engineering to marketing and eventually co-founding Dental Marketing from Day One. He discusses why some great dental practices remain invisible online while others dominate their markets, what makes a dental website actually perform, and how SEO, Google Business Profiles, reviews, content, and branding help practices attract new patients. Jamie also explains why dentists should value their time, avoid trying to do everything themselves, and build long-term relationships with marketing professionals who understand their practices and goals.

To learn more about Jamie and Dental Marketing from Day One, visit their website or reach out to Jamie directly.

• Website: https://dentalmarketingfromdayone.com

• Free Initial Marketing Consultation: Available through the Day One website

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Ann Miller, DDS founder of The Dental Wayfinder. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and building a successful start-up practice from the ground up, Ann spent more than 25 years navigating the realities of dental practice ownership before transitioning into coaching and consulting. Today, she helps dentists lead their practices with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose while developing leadership styles that align with their goals and values.

In this episode, Ann shares lessons learned from her experience as a practice owner and explains why being a great dentist does not automatically prepare someone to become a successful business owner. The conversation explores the importance of defining a practice philosophy, communicating clear expectations to team members, developing leadership skills, managing conflict, and creating accountability within the practice.

Ann also discusses common challenges facing new practice owners, including transitioning inherited teams, mentoring associates, building healthy practice cultures, retaining team members, and scheduling meaningful team meetings that drive long-term growth and profitability. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to practice ownership and that every dentist must find a leadership style that fits their unique vision and values.

To learn more about Dr. Ann Miller and The Dental Wayfinder, visit www.dentalwayfinder.com. Ann can also be reached directly at 717-491-3916.

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Thad Miller, Founder, CEO, and Dental Transition Advisor of DDSmatch. Thad is a nationally recognized dental industry leader with more than 30 years of experience helping dentists navigate practice ownership transitions. Through DDSmatch, he has helped facilitate over $1 billion in practice sales while building one of the largest dental transition networks in the country.

In this episode, Thad shares his journey from dental industry veteran to founder of DDSmatch and discusses why successful practice transitions require much more than finding a buyer. He explores the importance of early planning, understanding all available transition options, evaluating DSO and private buyer opportunities, maintaining clean financial records, building trust throughout the process, and creating a legacy-focused transition that benefits sellers, buyers, teams, and patients alike.

To learn more about Thad Miller and DDSmatch, visit [www.ddsmatch.com](http://www.ddsmatch.com).

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• DDSmatch: https://www.ddsmatch.com

• Match Play Podcast: https://www.ddsmatch.com/match-play-podcast

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Summer Kassmel, DDS, owner of Castle Peak Dental and Avon Dental, and Ladder5 Mentorship & Resources. She is also a black belt coach for the Dental Success Institute. Dr. Kassmel is a successful multi-practice owner, speaker, coach, and entrepreneur who helps dentists create profitable, systemized practices while building fulfilling lives outside the operatory.

In this episode, Summer shares her journey from clinical practice owner to business leader and mentor. She discusses the importance of intentional hiring, building a strong culture through clear values and expectations, leveraging outsourcing and automation to reduce team burnout, and using practice metrics to successfully grow associate dentists. Summer also explains how thoughtful leadership and strategic planning can help practice owners scale while maintaining profitability and work-life balance.

To learn more about Summer Kassmel and Ladder5 Mentorship, visit https://summerkassmel.com/.

Additional Resources:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsummerkassmel/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Dr.+Summer/Kassmel/us-0-United-States

* Ladder5 Mentorship: https://summerkassmel.com/

* Ladder5 Webinar Registration: https://products.summerkassmel.com/registration-page

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcomeJason Tanoory, D.M.D., dentist, founder, speaker, coach, and host of The Dental Lighthouse Podcast. Dr. Tanoory is a nationally recognized dental leader focused on practice growth, leadership development, clinical mentorship, and helping dentists build scalable, people-centered organizations.

In this episode, Dr. Tanoory shares his journey from private practice owner to coach and mentor for growing dental organizations. He discusses associate recruitment and retention, leadership development, mentorship models for young dentists, personality and culture assessments, burnout prevention, and how dentists can build systems and leaders that allow practices to grow beyond dependence on the owner-doctor.

To learn more about Dr. Jason Tanoory and his podcast, visit The Dental Lighthouse or email him at [email protected].

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected], and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome JJ Littrell, Co-Founder and COO of Tuatara, a dental partnership consulting firm that specializes in supporting dentists build, grow, optimize, and transition multi-doctor private practices JJ blends big-picture strategy with a people-first approach to help dental practices grow with confidence and is known for making complex partnership concepts clear and approachable through practical analogies.

In this episode, JJ Littrell shares her journey from hospitality and finance leadership into co-founding Tuatara, and how those experiences shaped her approach to dental partnerships. The discussion centers on her “Partnership MythBusters” series, breaking down common misconceptions about dental partnerships—including money expectations, associate vs. partner roles, timing of partnership planning, and why exit planning is essential. The conversation highlights how most partnership issues stem from misaligned expectations and lack of upfront structure, and how intentional planning can create stronger, more sustainable professional relationships.

To learn more about JJ Littrell and Tuatara, visit https://www.growwithtuatara.com or reach out to her directly at [email protected].

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.growwithtuatara.com

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Mark Storey, President of the Central Texas Market at Practice Real Estate Group (“PRG”), a commercial real estate brokerage exclusively focused on helping healthcare professionals find and negotiate leases and purchases of office spaces that drive practice success. Mark has been in the real estate industry since 2007 and is known for helping dentists navigate complex real estate decisions. With deep market expertise and a data-driven approach, he has helped hundreds of doctors secure practice locations positioned for long-term success.

In this episode, Mark shares his experience working closely with dentists on site selection and lease strategy. Rob, Paul and Mark discuss how real estate decisions impact practice growth, why aligning lease terms with financing matters, the realities of tenant improvement allowances, and how proper planning today can influence future expansion opportunities as well as eventual practice sales.

To learn more about Mark Storey and PRG, and to access PRG’s Practice Rent and Expense Calculator:

• Website: practicerealestategroup.com

• Practice Rent & Expense Calculator: https://practicerealestategroup.com/medical-real-estate-rent-and-purchase-estimate-calculator/?utm_source=-podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=11-2025-dentalamigos

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/thepracticecompanies

• Instagram: @thepracticecompanies

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected], and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Mustafa Shah-Khan, DDS PA, Founder of Simplify Dentistry, Key Opinion Leader (“KOL”) for Komet USA, and practicing general and restorative dentist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Shah-Khan is a nationally recognized author and advocate for independent dental practitioners, focused on clinical excellence, operations, and entrepreneurial growth.

In this episode, Dr. Shah-Khan shares his journey from clinician to community builder and discusses the shift from owning a dental practice to building a true dental business. The conversation explores associates, DSOs, financial mindset, entrepreneurship outside the operatory, and how dentists can design careers with more autonomy, balance, and long-term freedom.

To learn more about Dr. Mustafa Shah-Khan and Simplify Dentistry, visit:

Website: https://www.simplifydds.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16CznwDdEx/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@simplifydds?si=c4S00rM4_zk-hiP9

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome Karl Koerner, DDS, MS, Adjunct Associate Professor of Oral Surgery at Roseman College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Koerner is a leader in dental education, training general dentists in oral surgery and providing humanitarian care..

In this episode, Dr. Koerner shares his journey from providing care in a general practice to focusing on global dental education. He discusses the crisis of underserved patients, the importance of proper training for extractions, efficient surgical practices, case selection, and mentoring the next generation of dentists.

To learn more about Dr. Koerner and his upcoming in-person course in Utah on February 26th, visit https://koernercenter.com/event/c3-feb26/ or connect with him on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcsidentaleducation

• Instagram (KCSI): @kcsieducation

• Instagram (Dr. Koerner): @drkarlkoerner

• YouTube: @KoernerCenter

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected] and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].

This week, Rob and Paul chat about Paul’s new book, “Dr. Nacho’s ABCs of Patient Communication.” As many of you know, Paul is passionate about helping dentists improve communication, leadership, and practice success through simple, effective language. Paul brings years of experience as a practicing dentist, multiple-practice owner, and founder of Dental Nachos to his writing. He’s excited to share his new book, a valuable resource for dentists, which is now available on Amazon.

In this episode, Paul shares some highlights from his book, including the importance of patient communication in dentistry and how small word choices can dramatically impact trust, anxiety, case acceptance, and team culture. He discusses the value of replacing technical or negative language with relatable, “human-centered” phrasing that helps patients feel understood and confident in their care decisions.

You can purchase Paul’s book, “Dr. Nacho’s ABCs of Patient Communication,” on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Nachos-ABCs-Patient-Communication/dp/B0DGBDMW65

Recommended resource mentioned in the episode:

How to Speak – Patrick Winston (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unzc731iCUY&list=PLUl4u3cNGP60eUvXa1jfVT9BsBsqAICr_&index=1

To learn more about Paul and Dental Nachos, visit https://www.dentalnachos.com/ or connect through his educational platforms and resources.

Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at [email protected], and those who want to reach Rob can do so at [email protected].