On today's episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Emily Maslovich, a first-time practice owner just weeks away from opening Bronco Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona. Emily shares her journey from Midwestern dental student to startup founder, including how she found her location, her grassroots approach to hiring, and why she chose a de novo over an acquisition.

They dive into the importance of culture-first hiring, training non-dental team members, and building systems before the chaos of growth begins. Emily also discusses how she's using organic community marketing to build a patient base before day one—and why betting on herself was the best decision she's made.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Matt Slivka reframes the way we think about goal setting. Instead of chasing arbitrary production targets or copying what others are doing, he challenges listeners to answer two deeper questions: Where am I living below my potential? And what do I truly want?

From family time and personal health to practice growth and time freedom, Dr. Slivka explains that goals should serve a purpose. When you define what you actually want first, the discipline and hard work required to achieve it become meaningful—and sustainable.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Summer Kassmel shares why even well-intentioned goals can slowly fall apart. She dives into common traps like borrowing clarity from others, focusing only on outcomes, underestimating CEO time, and tying success to comparison.

Dr. Kassmel explains how aligning goals with personal values, integrity, and authentic leadership creates stronger teams, healthier cultures, and sustainable growth. Instead of chasing numbers alone, she challenges listeners to build value-based behaviors that naturally drive results—and a practice they actually love walking into.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back valuation and transition expert Kyle Francis, founder and CEO of Professional Transition Strategies. The conversation dives deep into the current landscape of dental practice acquisitions, with a focus on how consolidation, private equity, and practice size are changing the rules of the game. Kyle breaks down valuation methods—SDE vs. EBITDA—and explains why many growing practices may outpace the traditional doctor-to-doctor buyer pool.

They explore what makes a practice "attractive" to institutional buyers, how multiples are really determined, and why the structure of your business (and your exit timeline) can drastically impact your payout. Whether you're thinking about selling in five months or five years, this episode is a masterclass in understanding the financial forces at play in modern dentistry.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://professionaltransition.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Nathan Raborn, a senior wealth manager at Eckard Enterprises who brings a unique perspective on alternative investments after spending over a decade in the oil and gas sector at ExxonMobil. Nathan shares how he transitioned from managing short-term and mid-term rental properties to focusing almost entirely on mineral rights and working interest investments. He explains why real estate wasn't delivering the cash flow he expected, and how oil and gas opened up new possibilities for passive income, portfolio diversification, and significant tax advantages.

You'll hear a clear breakdown of mineral rights vs. working interests, real-world returns, tax strategies (including Roth conversions and 1031 exchanges), and how Eckard differentiates itself in a space often filled with bad actors. This is a must-listen for high-income earners looking to keep more of what they earn and grow wealth through alternative channels.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://eckardenterprises.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Dan Brisky and Dr. Tom Pfau dive deep into real-world implant complications and the critical lessons that come with them. From a mispositioned anterior implant that required swallowing pride and starting over, to incision openings in full-arch cases that demanded creative solutions like Botox for excessive muscle activity, they break down what went wrong, how they fixed it, and how to prevent similar issues.

The conversation covers flapless pitfalls, the importance of tactile verification with a ball probe, suture technique nuances, managing tissue dehiscence, preventing bone loss, and even navigating high-stress moments like retrieving displaced root tips and broken burs from the sinus. This candid discussion emphasizes preparation, humility, surgical fundamentals, and having the confidence—and support system—to manage complications the right way.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.coloradosurgicalinstitute.com
• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with DSI Black Belt coach and tech entrepreneur Dr. Deren Flesher. They dive into Deren's latest venture, Airo Dental, an AI-powered platform starting with a smart scheduling assistant built to handle missed calls, after-hours requests, and overflow—without replacing your front desk team. They discuss real-world applications, AI's limitations, and where the future of dental tech is headed.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Ashley Keith, Chief Operating Officer of Keith and Associates Dentistry in Mission, Kansas. With a powerhouse practice of over 50 team members and 23 operatories, Ashley shares her journey from healthcare tech and HR at Cerner to leading operations, marketing, and training at one of the most systemized, patient-centric dental offices in the country.

The conversation dives into how she and her husband, Dr. Bill Keith, scaled rapidly while maintaining culture, consistency, and care quality. Ashley breaks down her approach to hiring for personality over resume, creating digital training resources, and holding weekly calibration meetings to align clinical and operational teams. She also talks about her new role as a DSI Black Belt coach, what she's seeing in coaching calls, and why delegation without leadership is a recipe for disaster.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• https://www.truedentalsuccess.com
• Dental Success Network
• Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast