• #221 Why Dentists Can’t Hire Great Staff
    2026/09/08

    📥Resource Download:https://go.dentalmarketingtheory.com/resources/10-hacks-to-attract-retain-elite-dental-talent
    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖
    Most dentists think new patient growth is their biggest problem. It’s not. The real bottleneck is hiring and retaining great staff fast enough to support growth. In this episode, Gary Bird and Blake Peay break down why elite candidates disappear within 48 hours, how bad hiring systems quietly kill practice momentum, and the exact recruiting strategies top practices use to build a destination culture.

    You’ll learn the 30-day Indeed refresh strategy, the scorecard system that replaces gut-feeling hiring, and the onboarding fixes that prevent losing staff during the critical first 90 days. If your practice struggles with hiring, retention, culture, or scaling operations, this episode gives you the tactical framework to fix it.

    Subscribe for more dental marketing, hiring, leadership, and practice growth strategies from SMC National and Dental Marketing Theory.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 The Challenge of Dental Growth
    03:50 Hiring Hacks for Dental Talent
    05:28 Speed and Efficiency in Hiring
    10:02 Building a Scorecard for Interviews
    12:20 Attracting Quality Candidates
    14:38 Creating a Destination Practice

    Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
    Website: https://unityleadershipgroup.com/
    Email: blake@unityleadershipgroup.com

    Connect with our Host, Gary Bird, Here ⤵️
    SMC: https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T
    Personal: https://bit.ly/3SCEQZy

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0
    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    19 分
  • Special Episode: Industry Impact: 5 Years of Dental Marketing Theory
    2026/08/25

    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖
    Five years of Dental Marketing Theory, a Podcast by Gary Bird. Hundreds of episodes. And a few conversations that actually changed how people think about building a practice.

    This anniversary episode goes back into the archive and pulls the moments that mattered most. Not tips or tactics, shifts. The kind of clarity that hits you and you think, now I see it differently.

    In this episode you will hear from Dr. Richard Low on what it really costs to build something you never wanted to own. Josey Sewell and Dr. Eric Roman on why the associate revolving door is not what most dentists think it is. Nate Williams and Elijah Desmond on the DSO question that every practice owner is asking right now. Dr. Mark Costes on what happens when practices scale before their systems and leadership are ready. Dr. Scott Leune on what building a dream practice actually requires. Dr. Saam Zarrabi on the brand move that most practices are not even considering. Eddie Coleman on what AI is already doing for practices that are paying attention. And Dr. Sidak Singh on what it looks like to build something from scratch, with intention, and do it again.

    If you have ever felt like your practice owns you instead of the other way around, this one is for you.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 Introduction & Part 1 - The Real Problems Dentists Face But Rarely Name Out Loud
    01:39 Dr. Richard Low
    02:32 Josey Sewell & Dr. Eric Roman
    07:26 Dr. Nate Williams & Elijah Desmond
    09:11 Part 2 - How the Best Operators in This Industry Are Responding
    10:09 Dr. Mark Costes
    16:36 Dr. Scott Leune
    22:32 Dr. Saam Zarrabi
    24:33 Dr. Eddie Coleman
    27:44 Dr. Sidak Singh
    29:30 Closing remarks

    Connect with our Guests Here ⤵️
    Website: https://nextlevelfathers.com/
    Website: https://www.joyfullgrowth.com/
    Website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/
    Website: https://practicefinancialgroup.com/
    Website: https://www.truedentalsuccess.com/
    Website: https://scottleune.com/
    Website: https://www.rodeodental.com/
    Website: https://vault.dental/
    Website: https://columbusparkdental.com/

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox?
    Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events



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    30 分
  • #220 Why “Scaling Without Exposure” Is the New Mandate for DSOs
    2026/08/11


    📥Sign-up for the Event Before August 15th for the Discount: https://event.practiceprotection.com/
    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖

    AI is transforming dentistry, but most practices are adopting new tools without understanding the compliance risks. Gary Bird sits down with Linda Harvey, CEO of the Dental Compliance Institute, and Dee Fischer to explain how to evaluate AI vendors, protect patient data, and build safeguards before AI creates costly legal problems. You'll learn the questions every practice should ask about HIPAA, SOC 2 security, vendor risk, and AI implementation so your technology supports growth instead of exposing your practice. If you're investing in AI, practice management, or DSO growth, this conversation could save you thousands.

    Subscribe for more Dental Marketing Theory episodes covering AI, dental marketing, practice management, compliance, new technology, and strategies that help dentists grow smarter.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 Introduction to the event and its focus on dental risk management
    02:06 Common AI risks: data security and regulatory fines
    04:23 The importance of vetting AI vendors and understanding security measures
    05:36 How to identify and vet AI vendors effectively
    06:52 The toolbox for implementing AI safely and legally
    08:50 Beyond OSHA: A broader view of enterprise risk management
    09:56 Legal considerations and the role of legal experts at the event
    11:29 Why attending the event is crucial for practice protection
    12:00 Cost-effective strategies: workshops vs. legal fees
    12:49 Event details and registration information

    Connect with our Guests Here ⤵️
    Website: https://www.fischerspro.com/
    Website: https://dentalcomplianceinstitute.com/

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox?
    Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events



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    13 分
  • #219 He Built a $6M Dental Empire Differently
    2026/07/28

    📥Resource Download: https://hubs.la/Q04qYV6r0
    🚀Explore Dr. Tommy Dooley’s clinical courses and use code BIRD for 20% off: EliteDentalPodcast.com
    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖
    Most dentists can barely scale one office without chaos. In this episode, Gary Bird talks with Dr. Tommy Dooley and Dr. Alex Silvia from the Elite Dental Podcast about how they built a $6M multi-location dental empire while generating 170 new patients per month through smarter systems, recurring patient growth, and operational discipline. You’ll learn dental marketing, phone conversion, Google reviews, SEO, AI scheduling, and practice management strategies that help growing practices scale without losing culture or profitability.

    Backed by real-world case studies and insights from SMC’s work with 1,195 practices, this episode is packed with tactical frameworks for fee-for-service practices, dental startups, and DSO-minded owners looking to grow faster.

    Subscribe for weekly conversations that help dentists grow smarter and lead better.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 Introduction to the Legends of Dentistry
    02:53 Tommy's Journey: Expanding Practices
    05:30 SEO Strategies for New Locations
    09:23 The Importance of Google Reviews
    13:01 Challenges of Multi-Location Practices
    16:54 Merging Practices: Alex's Experience
    22:05 Marketing Strategies for Complex Care
    25:25 Balancing General and Specialized Dentistry
    31:10 Building a Cohesive Team Culture
    34:22 Maximizing Patient Acquisition
    37:16 Marketing Strategies for Dental Procedures
    40:00 Tracking ROI in Dental Marketing
    43:47 Innovations in Dental Software and AI

    Connect with our Guests Here ⤵️
    Website: https://elitedentalpodcast.com/
    Website: https://cedarvillagedentistry.com/
    Website: https://successfulsmiles.com/

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox?
    Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    53 分
  • #218 I Sold My Dental Practice to a DSO. Here's What They Don't Tell You.
    2026/07/22

    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://hubs.la/Q04mc4V_0
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖
    Dentists assume that once they earn out, they get paid, but that's not always how DSOs play it. In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with an anonymous dentist (protected by NDA) who built a $3.5M practice over 25 years, sold at a 6.5 - 7x multiple, completed his full earn-out, and then spent over a year fighting to collect the $2M he was owed. He breaks down exactly what went wrong, what he'd demand from a DSO before signing, and why he'd buy his practice back today if he could.

    Gary and his team at SMC National work with thousands of dental practices, and this is one of the most honest DSO conversations you'll find anywhere. Subscribe for strategies that help dentists grow, protect their business, and make smarter decisions at every stage.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 Introduction to the DSO Transition Experience
    02:51 Dr. Sean's Journey: From Practice Owner to DSO
    08:41 The Decision to Sell: Burnout and Financial Considerations
    09:58 Understanding the Financial Structure of the Sale
    12:07 Operational Changes Post-Sale: The DSO Impact
    15:34 Challenges Faced During the Earn-Out Period
    21:16 Lessons Learned: Protecting Yourself in a DSO Sale
    26:15 Future of Dentistry: The Role of DSOs and Private Equity
    27:57 Final Thoughts: Navigating the DSO Landscape

    Connect with our Host, Gary Bird, Here ⤵️
    SMC: https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T
    Personal: https://bit.ly/3SCEQZy

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox?
    Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    35 分
  • Special Episode: From 1.2M to 3.7M: How Dr. Shane Scaled His Practice & Life
    2026/07/07

    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖

    Most dentists think they have a marketing problem. In reality, their biggest bottleneck is usually leadership, operations, scheduling, or team execution.

    In this episode, Gary Bird, Dr. Shane Wingler, and Richard Low break down how one practice grew from approximately $1.2M to over $3M while increasing new patients from 30 to nearly 90 per month. You'll learn how to identify the real constraint in your practice, improve phone conversion, use AI the right way, build scalable systems, and create sustainable growth without sacrificing your family or health.

    Drawing from real-world experience helping hundreds of dental practices grow, Gary shares the operational and marketing principles that separate practices that plateau from those that continue scaling.

    If you're serious about dental marketing, practice management, AI, leadership, fee-for-service growth, new patient acquisition, or building a high-performing dental practice, subscribe for weekly episodes packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨

    00:00 - Dr. Shane’s Practice Journey
    03:53 - Acquisition and Vision for Growth
    06:33 - Overcoming Growth Pains
    09:30 - The Value of Masterminds and Leadership
    14:20 - Operational Bottlenecks in Growing Practices
    18:04 - Managing Capacity and Hiring Strategies
    22:04 - Building and Protecting Culture
    25:46 - The Theory of Constraints
    28:55 - Implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
    31:00 - Recruitment as Marketing
    39:07 - Shifting from Capacity to Demand
    44:46 - Scaling Specialty Services
    48:05 - The Math of Marketing Budgets
    55:56 - AI Integration in the Patient Journey
    58:12 - Patient Financing for Case Acceptance
    01:05:08 - Dr. Shane’s Personal Transformation

    Connect with our Guests Here ⤵️
    Website: https://nextlevelfathers.com/
    Website: https://carolinapinesdentistry.com/


    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    1 時間 18 分
  • #217 Why Your Practice is Losing $100K a Year
    2026/06/30


    🚀 Free Resource: https://go.dentalmarketingtheory.com/resources/beyond-basic-chatbots
    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://hubs.la/Q04m7MK80
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://hubs.la/Q04m7Q_S0
    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental practices are losing as much as $100,000 a year without even noticing. With 30–35% of calls going unanswered and most patients never leaving a voicemail, every missed call is a missed opportunity. What appears to be a simple front desk issue is actually a deeper system breakdown, one that’s draining marketing budgets and limiting growth.

    In this episode, Adrian Lefler explains how AI chatbots and voice agents are changing the way practices handle patient communication. You’ll discover how leading offices are capturing missed and after-hours calls, boosting scheduling conversion rates to 70–80%, and automating follow-ups while maintaining a strong patient experience. The conversation covers what makes AI effective, from proper training and sales frameworks to handling objections, and how to implement it across calls, texts, and web channels while supporting your front desk team.

    Hosted by Gary Bird of SMC, this episode delivers practical dental marketing insights alongside real operational strategies from Adrian Lefler, Founder of My Social Practice. If you want to increase conversions, eliminate revenue leaks, and modernize your systems, this is a must-watch.

    Subscribe for weekly conversations that help dentists grow smarter and lead better.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 — Intro: AI in Dental Marketing
    02:30 — Why Everyone Got Burned by AI
    03:17 — The Real Problem: Missed Calls
    05:38 — Wasted Marketing Spend Explained
    07:10 — Why Voicemail Doesn’t Work Anymore
    10:30 — What Changed: AI Is Now Working
    12:00 — What Makes AI Actually Convert
    15:12 — AI Agent vs Front Desk Performance
    17:57 — Real Revenue Gains From AI
    20:36 — How to Implement AI Correctly
    23:40 — The Future of Dental Practices
    25:07 — Understanding the Cost of AI
    27:40 — AI vs. Human Receptionists
    31:10 — The Future of Automated Patient Communication
    34:15 — Technical Integration: API Read and Write
    41:27 — The Risks of DIY AI Marketing (e.g., OpenClaw)
    50:23 — Final Thoughts and Resources

    Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
    Website: https://mysocialpractice.com/

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    🚀 Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📱 Book a call here:➡️ https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    51 分
  • #216 How AI is Changing the Business of Dentistry
    2026/06/16

    🚀Check out our new Dental AI Receptionist! It schedules better than humans: https://bit.ly/48RHMt2
    🚀Grow Your Practice with Cherry Payment Plans: https://bit.ly/4p48qoC
    ➖➖➖➖
    In this episode of Dental Marketing Theory, Gary Bird and Eddie Coleman discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming dental practice management, including legal decision support, hiring and onboarding associates, team training, practice transitions, and selling to DSOs vs private buyers. Learn how AI tools for dentists can reduce decision fatigue, improve dental office systems, support business strategy, and help practice owners make smarter financial and operational decisions. This episode explores the future of AI in dentistry, the growth of dental practices, and how dentists can use AI to run more efficient, profitable practices.

    ✨ Timestamps ✨
    00:00 – Introduction to AI for dental practices & business decision-making
    05:09 – Using AI for legal questions, research, and business decisions
    08:10 – Onboarding associates, training, and aligning clinical expectations
    12:33 – Practice transitions, DSOs vs private practice sales, and financial decisions
    17:30 – Team training, hiring, systems, and reducing decision fatigue

    Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
    Website: https://vault.dental/

    Connect with our Host, Gary Bird, Here ⤵️
    SMC: https://bit.ly/4jFhb5T
    Personal: https://bit.ly/3SCEQZy

    Want the strategies we talk about delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to Dental Marketing Digest: https://hubs.la/Q0436vZG0

    ➖➖➖➖
    Dental Marketing Theory gives dentists real strategies to grow smarter and scale faster. Hosted by Gary Bird, founder of SMC — recently recognized as the best dental marketing company — the show features candid conversations with top dental leaders about marketing, operations, and what’s actually working in today’s practices. If you want predictable, profitable growth, this is your podcast.

    ➡️Want to see how SMC can help you grow?
    📅Book a call here:➡️https://smcnational.com

    🎙️ Check out our 3 Dental Podcasts ➡️ https://smcnational.com/podcasts/
    📅 Upcoming Events ➡️https://smcnational.com/events

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    30 分