Choosing between a startup and an acquisition is not just a business decision, it is a vision decision.

In this popular rerun episode, Michael sits down with dental consultant and former Bank of America dental-division banker Mike Dinsio to unpack what it really takes to step into practice ownership with more clarity and fewer surprises. Drawing from thousands of dentist financial reviews, hundreds of tax returns, and 400+ transactions and startups, Mike shares what lenders look for, why loan sizes have shifted, and how doctors can better prepare before asking for funding.

The heart of the conversation is the startup-versus-acquisition decision. Mike breaks down the real pros and cons of each path, from cash flow and team dynamics to location, leases, technology, payer mix, demographics, and patient expectations. He also explains why some buyers feel misled after purchasing a practice, how to read projections with a more critical eye, and what traits help doctors succeed in either model. If you are thinking about ownership, this episode gives you practical frameworks to reduce risk and make a decision that fits your goals, personality, and long-term vision.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to decide whether a startup or acquisition fits your vision.
• What dental lenders look for before approving practice loans.
• Why startup and acquisition default rates are surprisingly similar.
• The biggest advantages and risks of buying an existing practice.
• Why startups offer control but require patience with cash flow.
• How demographics, payer mix, and community needs shape success.
• Why buyers may feel “duped” after reviewing practice projections.
• How valuation add-backs can distort your real take-home income.
• What to look for in year-over-year production consistency.
• Which personality traits tend to fit startups versus acquisitions.
• How to avoid getting buried in day-to-day “15-minute increments.”
• Simple operational levers that improve systems, case acceptance, and follow-up.

Listen now to get a clearer, more grounded path toward dental practice ownership without rushing into the wrong opportunity.

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Sponsors:‍

Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: https://www.net32.com/dentalmarketer

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CallRail: Call tracking + AI that turns calls into campaigns that convert, quality patients, and cost savings. Click our link to start a free trial today! https://sta.mx/vz69

Guest: Michael Dinsio

Check out Michael's Media:

Website: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/

His Podcast "Dental Unscripted": https://dentalunscripted.com/

Phone: 720-309-9551

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod

What happens when a busy, productive practice still can’t pay its bills?

In this Fail Forward episode, Dr. Rasheeda Johnson shares the hard lesson that changed how she runs Dentcare Now: never let one person hold the entire revenue cycle. After discovering delayed claims, missed billing, and broken cash flow, she and her partner rebuilt the practice around documented workflows, specialized support, and clear checks and balances. Her takeaway is simple but powerful for any business owner: people help you grow, but systems help you last.

Listen now for a quick but important reminder to protect your business by building systems that can stand even when people change!

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Listen to Rasheeda's Other Episodes Here:

From Concept to Collaboration: Starting Your Emergency Care Practice | Dr. Rasheeda Johnson | 529 – The Dental Marketer Podcast

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod

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What if the most valuable dentist in the practice isn’t the highest producer, but the one patients trust the most?

In this episode, Dr. Sachin Soni shares a powerful way to rethink value as a trusted dentist who earns loyalty, drives referrals, supports the team, and strengthens the practice. Sachin argues that dental school often teaches clinicians to chase clinical excellence, while the industry pushes sales and production, but very few dentists are taught how to become genuinely valuable to patients, the business, and the people around them.

Sachin also opens up about ownership, leadership, and building a practice around the promise of “no pressure, no surprises, no rush.” He shares how a decade as an associate shaped his leadership style, why he and his wife Sanjeet designed their practice to protect family time, and how an unexpected personal loss just days after getting the keys changed his perspective on resilience. From clinical communication and treatment acceptance to mentoring, team culture, and associate leadership, this conversation is a grounded reminder that the best dentistry happens when trust comes before targets.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The three types of dentist value, and why the most trusted dentist is often the most valuable.
• Why communication should be treated as a clinical skill, not a sales tactic.
• How to build trust with patients through “no pressure, no surprises, no rush.”
• What associates can do to become true assets to a practice.
• Why great clinical skills alone may not make someone a good team fit.
• How photographs during routine exams can improve understanding and acceptance.
• The importance of making clear recommendations without overwhelming patients.
• How to phase treatment plans over months or years to reduce cost barriers.
• Why silence can be one of the most powerful tools in patient conversations.
• How practice owners can close the gap between principals and associates.
• Why leadership requires honesty, not just strength.
• How mentorship, community, and better conversations can help dentists feel more fulfilled.

Listen now to rethink what makes a dentist truly valuable and how to build more trust with patients, teams, and yourself.

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Sponsors:‍

Oryx: All-In-One Cloud-Based Dental Software Created by Dentists for Dentists. Patient engagement, clinical, and practice management software that helps your dental practice grow without compromise. Click or copy and paste the link here for a special offer! https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/oryx/

Guest: Dr. Sachin Soni

Check out Sachin's Media:

Website: https://www.thedentistmentor.co.uk/

Email: sachin@thedentistmentor.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedentistmentor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dentist-mentor/

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod