The Raving Patients Podcast

Your practice management software isn't the problem. More often than not, it's the workflows behind it. In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Jill Nesbitt, founder of Optimize Dental Consulting, to discuss how dental practices can maximize their technology, improve patient experience, and eliminate operational bottlenecks without constantly chasing the next software solution.

Whether you're a solo practice or managing multiple locations, Jill shares why software adoption, team training, and standardized workflows have a greater impact than the software itself. They also explore common mistakes practices make during software transitions, why patient billing often creates the biggest frustrations, and how optimizing existing systems can improve efficiency, profitability, and patient satisfaction.

• Why workflow matters more than the software itself

• The biggest patient experience issues caused by poor system adoption

• Signs your practice has outgrown its current software

• How to successfully transition to cloud-based dental software

• The importance of team buy-in and change management

• Ways to maximize the technology you're already paying for

• How better workflows improve collections, operations, and patient satisfaction

• Why standard operating procedures (SOPs) are essential for software success

• Common mistakes practices make during implementation

• How multi-location practices can standardize operations without sacrificing efficiency

01:42 Stop Blaming the Software: Fixing the Workflows That Shape Patient Experience

03:16 Meet Jill Nesbitt and Optimize Dental Consulting

06:15 Why Most Practices Only Use a Fraction of Their Software

08:29 Choosing the Right Cloud-Based Practice Management System

12:30 How Software Directly Impacts Patient Experience

16:37 When It's Time to Switch Software

22:50 Unlocking Hidden Features and Workflow Automation

25:26 Training Your Team for Long-Term Success

28:34 Managing Change and Getting Team Buy-In

31:18 The First Step to Optimizing Your Current Software

34:58 Lightning Round with Jill Nesbitt

39:02 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Jill

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Website:https://www.optimizedent.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillnesbitt

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Burnout has become one of the biggest challenges facing dentists today, but it doesn't have to define your career.

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with returning guest Dr. Eric Block to discuss the realities of burnout, the hidden stressors dentists face, and the practical systems that can transform a chaotic practice into one that supports both professional success and personal well-being.

Dr. Block shares his own journey from questioning his career to rediscovering his passion for dentistry. Together, they explore leadership, standard operating procedures, going out of network, patient relationships, technology, and why creating efficient systems isn't just good for business—it's essential for your mental health. Whether you're a new dentist or an experienced practice owner, this episode is full of practical advice for building a healthier, more profitable practice.

• Why burnout happens to so many dentists and how to recognize the warning signs.

• The importance of seeking help before stress becomes overwhelming.

• How leadership directly impacts practice culture and team performance.

• Why documented systems and SOPs reduce stress for both dentists and staff.

• The benefits and challenges of transitioning out of PPO insurance plans.

• How adding new technology and services can reignite your passion for dentistry.

• Why sleep apnea treatment is one of the biggest opportunities in modern dental practices.

• Practical strategies for creating a practice that supports your life instead of consuming it.

00:54 From Burnout to Better Dentistry: Systems, Technology, and Sanity

03:53 Dr. Eric Block's journey into dentistry

05:40 Experiencing burnout and finding help

10:11 Why dentists struggle after dental school

14:45 Recognizing the warning signs of burnout

16:45 Getting help through therapy, coaching, and mentorship

18:53 The reality of PPOs and going out of network

23:42 Why every practice needs documented SOPs

25:46 Becoming a stronger leader

27:45 Building a practice that supports your life

29:58 What makes a healthy, high-performing practice

32:00 Why sleep apnea treatment excites Dr. Block

34:15 Lightning Round

37:50 How to connect with Dr. Eric Block

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Connect with Dr Eric

Website: https://useflomo.com

https://thestressfreedentist.com

Email: [email protected]

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Barrett Cox, Director of Performance Marketing at Net32, to discuss what dental marketing actually looks like in 2026. From online reputation and Google reviews to AI, paid advertising, and patient retention, Barrett shares practical strategies that help practices grow without wasting their marketing budget.

Rather than chasing every new marketing trend, Barrett explains why the strongest practices focus on building trust first. A great patient experience, consistent educational content, and a solid online presence create the foundation that makes every marketing dollar work harder. He also shares how practices can better evaluate marketing agencies, avoid misleading performance metrics, and measure success using simple business numbers instead of complicated dashboards.

Whether you're investing heavily in marketing or just getting started, this conversation offers practical advice to help you attract more patients, retain the ones you already have, and build sustainable growth for your practice.

• Why reputation and trust are still the biggest drivers of new patient growth

• How to maximize a small dental marketing budget

• Common Google Ads mistakes that waste money

• The importance of patient retention before patient acquisition

• Simple ways to measure marketing ROI without complex dashboards

• How AI is changing dental marketing and SEO

• Why consistency matters more than posting constantly

• How to evaluate whether your marketing agency is actually delivering results

• The front desk's role in converting marketing leads into patients

• Marketing strategies every dental practice should prioritize in 2026

00:55 Welcome to the Podcast & Introducing Barrett Cox

03:05 What Net32 Does for Dental Practices

05:02 What's Working in Dental Marketing in 2026

07:20 Google Ads, Brand Searches & Avoiding Wasted Spend

11:17 Marketing on a Small Budget

14:35 How to Measure Marketing Success

18:50 Building the Right Foundation Before Marketing

20:31 AI, SEO & The Future of Dental Marketing

22:23 Why Marketing Sometimes Fails

26:42 Easy Marketing Wins Every Practice Can Implement

28:20 Avoiding Marketing That Looks Good But Doesn't Perform

30:13 The Front Desk's Impact on Marketing ROI

30:52 Should Practices Use AI Receptionists?

32:38 The Biggest Marketing Mistakes Dentists Make

34:25 Final Marketing Advice & How to Connect with Barrett

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Connect with Barrett

Website: https://www.net32.com/

Email: [email protected]

—

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

AI is changing dentistry faster than ever, but when it comes to marketing, not everything should be automated.

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Michael Myers, CEO of DelMain, to discuss how dental practices can use AI to attract more patients without losing the authenticity that builds trust. From AI-powered search engines and Google's evolving algorithms to reviews, SEO, paid ads, and website strategy, Michael shares practical insights every dentist should understand before making their next marketing decision.

If you've been wondering how AI will impact patient acquisition and what your practice should prioritize today, this conversation offers a clear roadmap for staying ahead.

What You'll Learn

• How AI is changing the way patients search for dentists

• Why authentic content beats AI-generated content every time

• The biggest AI marketing myths dentists should ignore

• How reviews influence both Google and AI search recommendations

• Why custom websites outperform generic templates

• The future of Google Ads, Meta Ads, and AI-powered search

• Practical ways to use AI without sacrificing the patient experience

• What makes a dental practice become the obvious choice online

Key Takeaways

02:00 How AI Is Reshaping Dental Practice Growth

03:38 What DelMain Does for Dental Practices

04:45 How AI Is Changing Dental Marketing

07:05 Where AI Fits Into the Patient Experience

12:20 The Biggest AI Marketing Myths

16:48 Google Ads vs. Meta Ads

18:35 AI Search vs. Google Search

23:08 Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever

27:26 How Practices Can Stand Out Online

29:55 Human-Led, AI-Supported Marketing

32:33 Lightning Round with Michael Myers

36:59 Final Thoughts and Special Offer

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Connect with Michael

🌐 Website: https://delmain.co

Michael and the DelMain team help dental practices grow through customized websites, SEO, AI optimization, paid advertising, branding, and patient acquisition strategies. Mention the Raving Patients Podcast to receive a complimentary practice growth audit and a discount on a new website.

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What if one of the biggest growth opportunities in your practice isn't finding new patients but reconnecting with the ones you already have?

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Ben Fish, Founder and CEO of EngageDent AI, to discuss how artificial intelligence is helping dental practices recover lost revenue, reduce no-shows, improve case acceptance, and strengthen patient relationships.

Ben shares how AI-powered patient communication tools are transforming both inbound and outbound engagement, helping practices reconnect with inactive patients, recover unscheduled treatment, and ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks. He also explains why AI should be viewed as a tool that empowers teams rather than replaces them and offers practical advice for dentists evaluating AI solutions for their practices.

If you're looking to improve patient retention, increase production, and future-proof your practice, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

• Where practices are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unscheduled treatment

• How AI can reactivate inactive patients and recover missed opportunities

• Why patient trust is the key to reducing no-shows and increasing case acceptance

• The difference between AI replacing staff and AI empowering staff

• How AI receptionists can improve patient communication and capture missed calls

• Common reasons patients delay treatment and how AI helps overcome objections

• What dentists should look for when evaluating AI vendors

• How AI may transform dental practices over the next five years

01:44 $300,000 Is Hiding in Your Inactive Patient List

03:12 Meet Ben Fish and EngageDent AI

06:18 Where Practices Lose Revenue From Inactive Patients

10:42 Can AI Replace Front Desk Team Members?

15:09 Using AI to Improve Treatment Follow-Up

17:47 Real Practice Success Stories and Revenue Growth

21:50 Why Every Practice Needs Someone Answering the Phone

24:06 Winning Over AI Skeptics

26:31 How AI Reduces No-Shows

28:36 The Future of AI in Dentistry

32:30 Questions Every Dentist Should Ask AI Vendors

35:30 How Practices Can Prepare for an AI-Powered Future

37:14 Special Offer for Raving Patients Listeners

38:35 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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Connect with Ben

Email: [email protected]

Website: EngageDent AI

Special Offer for Raving Patients listeners: Mention the podcast and receive a waived implementation fee plus a pilot program opportunity.

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What separates thriving dental practices from those constantly struggling with team turnover, communication issues, and operational chaos?

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with former NCAA National Champion, AP National Coach of the Year, and executive coach Matt Doherty to discuss how championship-level leadership principles can transform dental practices. Drawing from his experience playing under legendary coach Dean Smith and leading major college basketball programs, Matt shares practical strategies for building stronger cultures, creating accountability, and developing high-performing teams.

Whether you're a practice owner, leader, or team member, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, culture, hiring, and creating an environment where people can thrive.

• Why culture is the foundation of every successful dental practice

• The Organizational Triangle: Talent, Systems, and Culture

• Leadership lessons Matt learned from Dean Smith

• How to identify and communicate your practice's "why"

• Why core values often fail and how to make them actionable

• The importance of accountability without creating conflict

• How championship teams and successful dental practices share similar principles

• Why hiring for culture fit matters as much as hiring for skill

• How daily huddles and repetition build consistency and excellence

• Real examples of culture transformation inside dental practices

00:56 Driving a Championship Culture with Matt Doherty

04:10 From National Championship Coach to Dental Consultant

08:01 Why Culture Matters More Than Talent

11:27 Leadership Lessons from Dean Smith

16:12 Discovering Your Why as a Practice Owner

20:28 Building the Organizational Triangle

25:45 Education Without Action Is Just Entertainment

31:35 Creating Accountability Without Conflict

35:47 A Real Dental Practice Culture Transformation

37:52 How Matt Helps Dental Practices Build Winning Teams

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Connect with Matt

Website: dohertycoaching.com

Email: [email protected]

YT Channel: Doherty Coaching

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What happens after orthodontic treatment ends? For many practices, it's a missed opportunity. Patients lose retainers, stop wearing them, and eventually see their results begin to shift. Meanwhile, practices lose touch with patients and leave recurring revenue on the table.

In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Dr. Blair Feldman, orthodontist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Retainer Club, to discuss how practices can transform retention from an afterthought into a scalable patient care and revenue strategy. Drawing from his experience building and exiting multiple orthodontic practices, Blair shares how subscription-based retainer programs help practices protect treatment outcomes while creating a seamless patient experience.

Dr. Len and Blair explore the economics of retainer programs, patient compliance, recurring revenue opportunities, AI adoption, and the importance of maintaining relationships with patients long after treatment is complete. Whether you're an orthodontist, Invisalign provider, or general dentist offering aligner therapy, this conversation offers practical strategies for extending patient lifetime value while improving clinical outcomes.

• Why retention is one of the most overlooked stages of orthodontic treatment

• How recurring revenue models can benefit both patients and practices

• The biggest mistakes practices make after treatment is completed

• How online retainer fulfillment improves patient compliance

• Recommended strategies for pricing retainer programs

• Why patient education is critical for long-term treatment success

• The role technology and automation play in post-treatment care

• How practices can increase patient lifetime value through retention programs

• The importance of transparency when discussing retention and retreatment

• Business lessons from building and scaling a successful dental startup

01:48 Set It and Collect It: How Smart Practices Are Building Recurring Revenue After Aligner Treatments

04:20 The Retainer Gap Most Practices Overlook

08:11 Why Retainers Need Regular Replacement

11:13 Building Predictable Recurring Revenue with Retainer Programs

14:22 The Ideal Retainer Program Playbook

17:36 What Happens When Patients Lose Their Retainers?

18:40 Creating Long-Term Retention and Wellness Scan Strategies

23:05 Subscription Models and Automated Retainer Delivery

24:11 Beyond Orthodontics: Veneer Guards, Whitening Trays, and More

26:30 Why Every Aligner Practice Needs a Retention Program

31:14 Common Objections Practices Have About Retainer Programs

32:35 Lightning Round: Business, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship

38:45 Special Offer for Raving Patients Listeners

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Connect with Dr Blair

Co-Founder & President, Retainer Club

• LinkedIn: Blair Feldman

• Website: Retainer Club

Learn more about how Retainer Club helps practices create recurring revenue while protecting patient outcomes through seamless retainer fulfillment programs.

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What if the biggest issues in dentistry are the ones you can't see?

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with renowned prosthodontist and innovator Cherilyn Sheets to discuss how new diagnostic technology is changing the future of dentistry. Cherilyn shares the story behind Interview and Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD), a science-based system designed to detect cracks, loose restorations, implant instability, and structural weaknesses before they become catastrophic problems.

Dr. Tau and Cherilyn explore how this technology helps dentists improve diagnostics, increase patient trust, and boost case acceptance by showing patients issues that traditional imaging often misses. They also dive into the intersection of dentistry, engineering, AI, and preventive care, along with the journey of bringing a groundbreaking dental innovation to market.

From early diagnosis to patient communication, this conversation highlights how modern dentistry is moving beyond what can simply be seen on an X-ray.

• How Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD) works

• Why traditional imaging can miss structural tooth problems

• How Interview technology helps improve case acceptance

• The role of AI and engineering in modern dental diagnostics

• How dentists can identify cracks, loose crowns, and implant instability earlier

• Why preventive intervention creates better patient outcomes

• How Cherilyn Sheets helped develop and commercialize this technology

• The importance of combining science, integrity, and innovation in dentistry

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00:56 Introduction to Cherilyn Sheets and Interview Technology

03:30 What Interview Technology Actually Does

06:11 Who Benefits Most from QPD Diagnostics

08:42 How Technology Improves Case Acceptance

11:10 Understanding Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD)

14:52 Detecting Cracks, Stress, and Structural Problems Early

17:55 Comparing Interview to Other Diagnostic Technologies

18:35 Using QPD to Find Pain Sources Faster

19:16 Common Objections and Ease of Use in Practices

23:22 FDA Approval and Product Validation

25:29 The Story Behind the Technology's Creation

30:55 Why Interview Complements X-Rays Instead of Replacing Them

32:42 Cherilyn's Passion for Innovation and AI in Dentistry

33:45 Lightning Round Questions

40:30 Special Offer and How to Learn More About Interview

41:40 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

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Connect with Cherilyn

Website: Innerview AI - https://innerview.ai/

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Newport Coast Oral Facial Institute (NCOFI)

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What if the biggest reason your marketing is not working has nothing to do with your marketing company?

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with dental marketing expert Nicole Toudouze to unpack the most common marketing mistakes dental practices are making today and what dentists need to do differently to actually see results.

Nicole shares practical insights from working with hundreds of dental practices, including why so many offices fail to define clear marketing goals, how missed phone calls quietly destroy ROI, why outdated websites sabotage ad performance, and the real budget practices need if they expect sustainable growth. The conversation also dives into AI in dental marketing, online scheduling, patient acquisition costs, realistic expectations, and why practices often blame marketing companies when the real issue lies inside the office systems.

If you are investing in marketing but not seeing the growth you expected, this episode will help you identify where the disconnect may actually be and how to build a marketing strategy that truly supports long-term practice growth.

• The top five marketing mistakes dental practices are making today

• Why defining clear growth goals matters before spending on ads

• How missed phone calls destroy patient acquisition opportunities

• Why your website can make or break marketing performance

• The truth about realistic dental marketing budgets

• How Google Ads actually work behind the scenes

• Why dentists often give up on marketing too quickly

• Nicole's thoughts on AI answering patient phone calls

• The importance of tracking ROI and marketing performance

• How AI and changing search behavior are reshaping dental marketing

00:45 Introduction and Episode Overview

03:42 Nicole Announces Her New Podcast

05:15 What Transcend Dental Does for Practices

06:20 The First Marketing Mistake: Lack of Clear Goals

08:10 Why Answering the Phone Still Matters

09:24 AI Receptionists vs Human Connection

13:57 Why Your Website Could Be Hurting Marketing

14:46 Online Scheduling and Patient Expectations

16:48 The Reality of Dental Marketing Budgets

21:10 Why Dentists Underestimate Marketing Costs

27:05 The Problem with Unrealistic Marketing Expectations

27:50 How Google Ads Actually Learn and Improve

30:52 Why Marketing Companies Become the Scapegoat

33:08 How AI Is Changing Dental Marketing

35:18 What to Do If You Don't Trust Your Marketing Company

37:48 How to Connect with Nicole Toudouze

38:48 Final Thoughts and Closing

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Connect with Nicole

Website: Transcend Dental Agency

Instagram: @transcendentalagency

Facebook: Transcend Dental Agency

Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What if the biggest revenue leak in your practice isn't production… but what happens after treatment is completed?

In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with returning guest Shreyas Parab, co-founder and CEO of Daydream, to unpack how AI is transforming dental billing, insurance verification, and revenue cycle management.

Shreyas shares how growing up in his mother's dental practice shaped his understanding of the administrative burdens that silently drain profitability and damage the patient experience. From insurance verification mistakes to denied claims and surprise patient bills, this conversation dives deep into why outdated systems are costing practices far more than they realize.

Dr. Len and Shreyas also explore the future of AI in dentistry, where it's already succeeding, where it's overhyped, and how practices can use automation to improve efficiency without sacrificing patient relationships.

If you've ever struggled with insurance headaches, front desk overwhelm, staffing challenges, or negative reviews tied to billing confusion, this episode offers a practical look at how the future of dental administration is evolving.

• Why billing and insurance issues are one of the biggest causes of negative dental reviews

• How inaccurate insurance verification impacts patient trust and profitability

• The difference between AI that enhances a practice and AI that replaces human connection

• Where AI is already thriving in dentistry today

• Why administrative overload hurts both patients and team culture

• How automation can improve claim follow-up and reduce denials

• The future of front desk staffing and dental operations

• Why patient experience still matters more than technology

• How Daydream uses AI and human oversight together for RCM accuracy

• What dentists should focus on if they want more freedom and less operational stress

00:44 Introduction and Sponsor Message

02:00 Shreyas Reflects on Supercharge Your Dental Practice

04:23 Growing Up in a Dental Practice

09:30 AI's Rapid Growth in Dentistry

13:40 The Reality of AI Receptionists

17:05 How Billing Problems Hurt Patient Experience

19:46 The Hidden Cost of Insurance Verification Errors

24:45 What Dental RCM Looks Like With and Without AI

27:18 Can AI Make Mistakes?

30:15 Reducing Denials and Increasing Profitability

32:20 Which Practices Benefit Most From Daydream

35:17 The Future of the Dental Front Desk

36:55 Why Better Systems Give Dentists More Freedom

38:47 How to Learn More About Daydream

39:10 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

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Connect with Shreyas

Website: Daydream Dental

Free Dental Billing Resource: Dental Billing 101

AI Google Review Analysis Tool: Daydream Google Review Analyzer

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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.

This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here.

Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!