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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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

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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

If patients leave unsure about the plan, treatment acceptance has already started slipping.

In this Monday Marketing Move, Dr. Sachin Soni breaks down one of the most overlooked moments in the treatment conversation: making a clear recommendation, then giving the patient space to respond honestly. Instead of asking narrow questions like “Do you want to go ahead?” he suggests using more human language like, “So tell me, what are your thoughts?” to uncover hesitation around cost, fear, pain, or timing while the patient is still in front of you. He also shares how dentists can confirm true understanding by creating a partnership where patients know exactly what treatment is being done, why it matters, what it costs, and what to expect at each appointment.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why unclear recommendations quietly lower treatment acceptance
• The simple phrase that opens up better patient conversations
• How to check whether patients truly understand their treatment plan
• Why “no pressure” conversations often build more trust
• How to uncover barriers like cost, fear, or uncertainty early
• Why patients should feel like partners in their treatment
• How starting small can lead to stronger long-term acceptance

Listen now to learn how one simple shift in your treatment conversations can help patients feel clearer, safer, and more ready to move forward!

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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

What happens when the practice you built is forced to stand without you?

In this powerful reunion episode, Michael reconnects with Dr. Ashley Joves nearly 10 years after her startup journey began with Smile & Co still in the dream stage. Ashley reflects on how her definition of success has changed from building a standout dental brand, hosting events, creating unforgettable patient experiences, and growing a loyal community, to recognizing the person she has become through the hard seasons of business, marriage, motherhood, and leadership.

Ashley also opens up about the health crisis that reshaped everything: discovering an oral cancer lesion on her husband, Brian, after what first seemed like a simple tongue irritation. She shares how self-advocacy, a second biopsy, and trusting her instincts made all the difference, then explains how her team, systems, and culture kept the practice running when she had to step away. This conversation is a deeply honest look at ambition, resilience, leadership, and building a dental practice that supports your life instead of consuming it.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Ashley’s definition of success has shifted after nearly a decade in practice ownership.
• How a missed oral cancer diagnosis reinforced the importance of screenings and patient advocacy.
• What practice owners can learn from building systems before a crisis hits.
• How strong team leads, associates, and clear roles can protect the patient experience.
• Why culture is built through hiring, boundaries, and difficult conversations.
• The “low-cost” loyalty driver that matters more than decor or amenities.
• How to rethink growth when bigger no longer feels better.
• Why dentistry should fund your life, not become your entire life.
• How to create a backup plan that gives you more freedom and flexibility.
• Why finding a supportive dental community can make ownership feel less isolating.

Listen now for an honest, grounding conversation on building a practice, protecting your people, and redefining success on your own terms.

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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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Guest: Dr. Ashley Joves

Check out Ashley's Media:

• Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyjovesdds/
• Smile & Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smileandcompany/
• The Making Of Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaking.of/
• Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themakingof
• Podcast "The Making of a Dental Startup": https://pod.link/1474094399
• Practice "Smile & Co. (locations in Folsom, CA and Roseville, CA)": https://www.smileandcompany.com/

Mentions & Links:

People:

• Alex Hormozi (entrepreneur/podcaster referenced for insights on success and reps)

Organizations, Products & Tools

• Net32 (dental supply ordering platform)
• Patterson (dental supply company)
• Henry Schein (dental supply company)
• Studio 8E8
• Disney

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

Identifying the correct problem and implementing a sustainable solution is often where practices fall short.

In this Fail Forward episode, Sandy Pardue shares a lesson every dental practice owner and leader needs to hear: knowing the answer is not the same as creating lasting change. Reflecting on her early consulting years, Sandy explains how she once believed that identifying the problem, giving the right tools, and training the team would be enough, until she realized implementation is where most practices get stuck. She breaks down the three common roots of performance issues: systems, training, and staff, and shows why misdiagnosing the real problem can lead to frustration, turnover, and repeated breakdowns. With practical insight from decades in dental consulting, Sandy reminds us that real progress happens when solutions are assigned, measured, followed up on, and built into the way the practice operates every day.

Listen to today's episode to see which category may be holding your practice back!

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Listen to Sandy's Other Episodes Here:

58: Sandy Pardue | Organization – The Dental Marketer Podcast

354: Sandy Pardue | Why are "No-Shows' & Last Minute Cancellations Happening to You & How to Avoid Them – The Dental Marketer Podcast

201: [COVID-19] Dr. Gina Dorfman & Sandy Pardue – The Dental Marketer Podcast

317: Sandy Pardue | What Systems Should Startups Have in Place Before Opening Their Doors – The Dental Marketer Podcast

138: Dr. Sully Sullivan | Paying Your Employees Only Commission. – The Dental Marketer Podcast

The First Episode of 2023 & The Advice and Reflections Some of Our Guests Have Had! – The Dental Marketer Podcast

Starting from Scratch: Building a Successful Practice Amid Economic Challenges | Dr. David Rice | 541 – The Dental Marketer Podcast

MMM [Patient Retention] Are Your Patients Leaving Out The Back Door? Try These Tips! – The Dental Marketer Podcast

Top 5 Best Dental Podcasts for Dentists in 2026-2027

MMM [Patient Retention] Why Do Patients Leave? The Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them – 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

A big marketing budget can bring patients in, but active patient count tells you whether your practice is actually growing.

In this Monday Marketing Move, Dr. Blake Hamblin shares why the number he watches most closely is not ad spend, new patient leads, or even monthly production. It is active patient count. For Blake, growth starts by building a “snowball” that gets bigger over time: more patients, better experience, stronger culture, more reviews, and a team aligned around clear standards.

But he also makes it clear that volume alone is not enough. If patients are leaving out the back door as quickly as they come in the front, the practice has a deeper problem. Blake breaks down why practice owners need to identify the one issue that is irritating them most, address it directly, and communicate with humility while assuming the best in their team.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why active patient count may be the most important growth metric in your practice.
• How to think about the “front door” and “back door” of patient growth.
• Why patient experience and culture are essential to sustainable volume.
• What to do Monday morning if your marketing budget is limited.
• How daily annoyances can reveal the problems you need to solve first.
• Why clear standards help your team grow without creating conflict.
• How to have direct conversations with team members while assuming the best.
• Why volume can solve many practice challenges, but only when paired with great systems.

Listen now to learn the Monday metric that can sharpen your focus and help your practice grow with more clarity!

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Check out Blake's Media:

Podcast "My Dental Playbook": https://mydentalplaybook.com/

My Dental Playbook Mastermind: https://mydentalplaybook.com/my-dental-playbook-mastermind/

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

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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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