🚀Experience dental continuing education like never before at DIG-A-PALOOZA: https://dentistryingeneral.com/dig-a-palooza
🚀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
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Most dentists aren't failing because of bad marketing. They're failing because they're using a 2020 playbook in a 2026 market.

In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Bob D. to break down why dental marketing expectations are completely different today. They discuss marketing budgets, competition, insurance pressure, staffing challenges, internal marketing, and why some practices can grow with minimal advertising while others need to invest $45,000+ per month to compete.

You'll learn how to set realistic growth expectations, evaluate your market, improve practice management, strengthen internal marketing, and avoid the mistakes that cause dentists to blame marketing when the real problem is somewhere else.

If you're focused on dental marketing, new patient growth, fee-for-service dentistry, practice management, startup growth, or DSO competition, this episode will change how you think about scaling your practice.

Subscribe to Dental Marketing Theory for weekly strategies, real-world case studies, and proven growth systems for modern dental practices.

✨ Timestamps ✨
00:00 - The Reality of Dental Marketing Competition
02:30 - Shifts in the Dental Industry
03:55 - Setting Realistic Marketing Expectations
04:50 - Shared Industry Challenges
05:26 - Strategies for Success with Partners
07:10 - Learning from Marketing Iterations
08:24 - Upcoming Event: DIG-A-PALOOZA
10:00 - Final remarks on the importance of education in the dental industry

Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
Website: https://dentistryingeneral.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

📥Resource Download: https://go.dentalmarketingtheory.com/resources/dental-ai-opportunity-checklist
🚀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 are experimenting with AI, but very few are using it to drive real practice growth.

In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Richard Low to break down how Claude Code is helping dentists automate workflows, organize business operations, build custom AI tools, and improve productivity without learning to code. They discuss AI receptionists, new patient conversion, practice management systems, and the future of dental operations.

You'll learn how AI helped generate 197 new patients in a single month, why most AI tools are being used incorrectly, and how dentists can use automation to eliminate busywork while improving patient acquisition and team performance.

If you're interested in dental marketing, AI, practice management, DSO growth, new patient growth, and the future of dentistry, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Subscribe to Dental Marketing Theory for more strategies, case studies, and real-world systems that help dentists grow faster and market smarter.

✨ Timestamps ✨
00:00 AI in Dentistry: An Overview
04:06 Exploring Claude Code and Its Applications
06:40 Managing Workflow with AI
10:22 AI as an Executive Assistant
11:02 Legal and Financial Applications of AI
14:45 Navigating AI Limitations and Contextual Understanding
17:20 Building Contextual Knowledge for AI
22:20 Creating Opportunities with AI
29:00 Recording for Clarity and Training
30:29 AI in Dental Practice Management
31:10 AI Phone Answering: Opportunities and Challenges
33:10 Building a CRM for Dental Practices
35:00 AI Receptionists: The New Frontier
38:44 The Future of AI in Dental Scheduling
40:30 Understanding Patient Interactions
45:30 Proactive Patient Management with AI
49:28 The Operations Problem in Dental Marketing

Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
Website: https://nextlevelfathers.com/
Website: https://sharedpractices.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.richard.low/

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

📥 Free Resource: https://hubs.la/Q04B1Vlw0

🚀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
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Most dentists think insurance companies are the reason they're stuck. Dr. Farokh Jiveh believes the real problem is mindset, leadership, and the stories dentists tell themselves.

In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Jiveh to discuss how he built a thriving fee-for-service practice after leaving insurance roughly 17 years ago. They cover self-worth, patient communication, leadership, personal growth, and the habits that separate thriving practice owners from stressed and overwhelmed dentists.

You'll learn how to attract better patients, create a stronger team culture, improve case acceptance, and build a fee-for-service practice without living in fear of insurance companies.

If you're serious about dental practice growth, leadership, fee-for-service dentistry, and building a practice that supports the life you actually want, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations on dental leadership, practice ownership, fee-for-service growth, and the strategies top dentists use to thrive.

✨ Timestamps ✨
00:00 The Emotional Math Problem in Dentistry
02:38 Personal Transformation and Decision Making
05:31 The Shift to Fee-for-Service
08:38 Becoming the Leader You Want to Attract
13:17 Quieting the Noise in Dentistry
18:52 Mindset and Energy in Practice
21:27 Authenticity and Patient Attraction
27:03 Emanate Leadership and Community Support

Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
Website: https://smilesbyjiveh.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

📥Resource Download: https://go.dentalmarketingtheory.com/resources/is-ai-recommending-your-practice
🚀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 success will solve their problems. For Dr. Richard Low, building a rapidly growing DSO and leading 30 offices in just two years revealed a different reality.

In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Richard Low to discuss burnout, entrepreneurship, mental health, marriage, fatherhood, fitness, and the hidden cost of chasing professional success. You'll learn the frameworks he uses to prioritize health, build accountability, manage competing responsibilities, and create a life that doesn't revolve entirely around dentistry.

Drawing from real-world leadership experience, DSO growth, and lessons learned through helping dozens of dentists improve their health and well-being, this conversation challenges the traditional definition of success and offers a roadmap for sustainable growth.

If you're a dentist, practice owner, entrepreneur, or DSO leader trying to balance business success with personal fulfillment, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations on dental leadership, practice growth, entrepreneurship, personal development, and building a better life inside and outside the practice.

✨ Timestamps ✨
00:00 Introduction and Unique Journey
04:30 Transitioning from Dentistry to Consulting
08:00 Mental Health and the Dental Industry
13:50 The Importance of Prioritizing Well-being
18:57 Future Endeavors and AI in Dentistry

Connect with our Guest Here ⤵️
Website: https://nextlevelfathers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.richard.low/

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

📥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
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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

🚀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

📥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

📥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