The Dental CEO Podcast
Business & Finance
About
Welcome to the Dental CEO® Podcast — where Dr. Scott Leune applies proven business strategies from leading entrepreneurs and CEOs to the complexities of dental practice ownership. In each episode, Dr. Leune dives into candid conversations with leaders from industries far beyond the operatory, uncovering strategies, struggles, and breakthroughs that align with the challenges dentists face every day. From scaling operations to maximizing profitability, these discussions reveal the financial frameworks and operational insights that empower dentists to lead with precision, manage with efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth as the CEO of their practice.
Episodes
- Dental CEO Podcast #63 - PPO Fees Are Killing Private Dentistry
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast features Scott Leune and Natalie Soda discussing how PPO plans negatively impact private dental practices through low reimbursements and stagnant fees. They explore strategies for practices to counter…
- Dental CEO Podcast #62 - What It’s Like Building a Startup Right Out of Dental School
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Dr. Emily Magee discusses the realities of starting a dental practice immediately after dental school, detailing her experiences with securing financing, office construction, team hiring, and the…
- Dental CEO Podcast #61 - How to Make Your "Old" Dental Office Look Modern Without Breaking the Bank
Scott Leune talks with Kathryn Gaysinski, founder of DeStyle Design, about designing a modern dental practice on a budget. They cover material selection, layout, cost, function, and aesthetics to improve patient experience and profitabilit…
- Dental CEO Podcast #60 - How Dr. Kye Williams Built a Fee for Service Powerhouse
Dr. Kye Williams shares his strategy for building the fee-for-service dental practice Dental House from scratch to over $3 million in annual collections in under three years, focusing on marketing, patient experience, and team building.
- Dental CEO Podcast #59 - Stop Doing Dentistry for Free
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast discusses the costly problem of redo dentistry, where dentists absorb the costs of failed treatments. Scott explains how these 'redos' impact profitability and team dynamics, and proposes a structured…
- Dental CEO Podcast #58 - How One Procedure Changed Dr. Justin Warcup's Life
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Dr. Justin Warcup discusses how focusing on a single high-value procedure transformed his business. He explains how this shift increased monthly cases significantly while reducing his clinical hou…
- Dental CEO Podcast #57 - The Age-Old Question: What Are Banks Thinking?
In this episode of the Dental CEO Podcast, Dr. Scott Leune talks with Tom Angeloni from Bank of America about dental lending. They cover startup loan details, bank approval factors, and the increasing difficulty of finding quality acquisit…
- Dental CEO Podcast #56 - "Dentist" Math: Why Your Numbers Aren't Adding Up
Scott Leune discusses common inaccuracies in how dentists calculate financial metrics like overhead and EBITDA. He explains the correct methods for these calculations and emphasizes the significant potential income dentists may be losing d…
- Dental CEO Podcast #55 - How to Grow a Dental Practice in 90 Days
Scott Leune outlines a 90-day strategy for The Dental CEO Podcast to rapidly grow collections and profitability. The plan covers improving marketing, phone systems, AI diagnostics, treatment plans, insurance fees, and managing expenses.
- Dental CEO Podcast #54 - Why Buying an Existing Practice is No Longer the Safest Option
In The Dental CEO Podcast #54, Dr. Scott Leune re-evaluates the dental practice buy versus startup debate. He details the components of a modern startup and contrasts them with the challenges of acquisitions, suggesting startups may offer…
- Dental CEO Podcast #53 - Startups, Acquisitions, or Mergers: What's the Smartest Way to Scale
Dr. Scott Leune discusses scaling strategies for dental practices on The Dental CEO Podcast. He explores startups, acquisitions, and mergers, highlighting how a blended approach can lead to smarter expansion, easier funding, better cash fl…
- Dental CEO Podcast #52 - The Decisions That Make or Break a Dental Startup
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast covers the crucial operational decisions for launching a successful dental startup. Scott Leune discusses the importance of hiring and training the right team, establishing systems before opening, and…
- Dental CEO Podcast #51 - The End of Legacy Dental IT
Scott Leune explains why legacy dental IT systems are outdated and costly. He details how modern, cloud-based IT solutions are crucial for improving workflows, reducing costs, and enhancing patient and staff experience in dental practices…
- Dental CEO Podcast #50 - Dentistry’s Imaging Infrastructure Is Broken
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast discusses how current server-based dental imaging infrastructure is ill-equipped for modern demands like AI and cloud workflows. Co-hosts Scott Leune and Dustin Johnson explore the advantages of adopt…
- Dental CEO Podcast #49 - How Bad Design Is Driving Up Dental Startup Costs
Chris Raba of Lean Dental Design discusses with Scott Leune how poor dental office design choices significantly increase startup construction costs. They emphasize the importance of usable square footage and value engineering to protect de…
- Dental CEO Podcast #48 - Avoiding Legal Landmines in Dentistry: Leases, Partnerships, and Costly Mistakes
Eric Masson of Eskow Law Group discusses legal strategies for dentists, focusing on leases, partnerships, and common mistakes. He covers letter of intent, associate agreements, non-competes, partner buy-outs, and DSO structures.
- Dental CEO Podcast #47 - People Problems, Lawsuits, & Liability
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast discusses how employee issues, stemming from unclear policies and poor documentation, are the primary cause of lawsuits in dentistry, rather than patient complaints. It offers insights into common HR…
- Dental CEO Podcast #46 - Clear Aligner Therapy and the Future of Orthodontic Care
Dr. Ingrid Murra joins The Dental CEO Podcast to discuss clear aligner therapy, covering incentive structures, training, patient outcomes, provider profitability, and business building.
- Dental CEO Podcast #45 - Automate the Junk Work and Run Your Practice Like a CEO
Scott Leune and Dr. Aditi Agarwal discuss automating
- Dental CEO Podcast #44 - Reinventing the Patient Experience: Build the Practice Patients Can’t Stop Talking About
In this episode, Scott explores strategies for reinventing the patient experience to enhance practice growth and build trust. He covers topics including design, digital workflows, and communication systems to improve patient satisfaction a…
- Dental CEO Podcast #43 - What Leadership Looks Like for Women in Dentistry—And What We Can All Learn
This episode features Scott Leune and Curve Dental President Jana Macon discussing the unique leadership challenges faced by women in dentistry. They cover navigating unfair labels, setting boundaries, and maintaining well-being while buil…
- Dental CEO Podcast #42 - The #1 Financial Blind Spot in Dentistry: Your Real Estate Strategy
This episode of the Dental CEO Podcast features Colin Carr discussing the critical financial implications of real estate decisions in dentistry. Topics include lease negotiation strategies, potential financial losses from overlooked terms,…
- Dental CEO Podcast #41 - AI Receptionists and the Future of Dental Phone Systems
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast features Scott Leune and Kevin Tallman discussing AI-powered phone systems and their impact on dental practices. They cover revenue loss from missed calls and how AI receptionists improve efficiency a…
- Dental CEO Podcast #40 - The Apple Store Approach to Case Acceptance
Scott Leune and Dr. Christian Coachman discuss using technology, storytelling, and an 'Apple Store' approach to improve patient case acceptance. They cover mastering planning, execution, and emotional dentistry to enhance reputation and ca…
- Dental CEO Podcast #39 - Understanding Your Financials: The Path to Lower Overhead & Higher Profit
Dr. Scott Leune on The Dental CEO Podcast explains how dentists can control their financials by tracking key numbers and meeting overhead targets to increase profit and reduce stress. The episode covers spotting overspending, diagnosing co…
- Dental CEO Podcast #38 - Quieting the Noise: Finding Focus and Your Zone of Genius
In this episode, Dr. Scott Leune interviews Jesse Israel about finding focus and clarity for leaders. Jesse introduces the 'Four S's' framework: Stillness, Solo Time, Slow Technology, and Saying No Thank You, to help manage modern life's n…
- Dental CEO Podcast #37 - Turning Setbacks into Momentum
Dr. Scott Leune shares insights on transforming setbacks into momentum and embracing reinvention. He emphasizes that decisive action, adaptability, and consistent effort lead to growth, encouraging listeners to take action for their practi…
- Dental CEO Podcast #36 - The Staffing Formula Every Dental Practice Should Follow
Dr. Scott Leune discusses efficient staffing for dental practices, covering expansion, role balancing, and virtual assistants. The episode details how to create a staffing model for optimal practice performance.
- Dental CEO Podcast #35 - The Truth About Supply and Lab Pricing in Dentistry
Dr. Scott Leune discusses inflated pricing in dental supplies and labs, detailing how corporate distributors and buying groups disadvantage private dentists. He suggests shifting to modern, privately held suppliers to level the playing fie…
- Dental CEO Podcast #34 - You Need to Pay Your Team More
Dr. Scott Leune on The Dental CEO Podcast explains how practices can afford to pay their team more by focusing on healthy ratios, maximizing production, improving case acceptance, filling schedule gaps, and implementing a bonus plan, ensur…
- Dental CEO Podcast #33 - Building the Virtual Assistant–Supported Dental Practice
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast discusses how virtual assistants can support dental practices by handling tasks like insurance verification and patient recalls. The model aims to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and drive practice…
- Dental CEO Podcast #32 = Dentistry Outside the US: Lessons from Global Markets
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast features Scott Leune examining global dental market evolution and the U.S. practice ownership model's advancements. It covers the rise of DSOs in Australia and Canada, potential in Europe, and strateg…
- Dental CEO Podcast #31 - Hygienist Owned Dental Practices: Redefining What’s Possible
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune and Irene Janku discuss the model of hygienist-owned dental practices. They cover the legal and financial implications, the collaboration between dentists and hygienists, and the poten…
- Dental CEO Podcast #30 - Does Dentistry Still Make Sense as a Career?
Scott Leune examines whether dentistry is still a viable career path, addressing issues like student debt and associate pay. He contrasts the limitations of associateships with the benefits of practice ownership as a route to financial suc…
- Dental CEO Podcast #29 - AI-Powered Diagnostics and Automation in the Dental Office
Scott interviews Ophir Tanz, CEO of Pearl, on how AI is revolutionizing dental practices. They cover AI-driven diagnostics, automated charting, and treatment planning, highlighting benefits like reduced inefficiencies and increased patient…
- Dental CEO Podcast #28 - Rethinking Exams: A New Protocol to Drive Production
Dr. Scott Leune discusses inconsistencies in dental exams and introduces a new structured protocol for the hygiene chair. This standardized approach aims to improve patient care, capture more specialty cases, and enhance practice efficienc…
- Dental CEO Podcast #27 - Structuring Associate Agreements That Protect Your Practice
Dr. Scott Leune discusses 10 key elements for structuring dental associate agreements to protect practices, covering aspects like compensation, notice periods, and performance reviews.
- Dental CEO Podcast #26 - Building Community and Finding Purpose Through Adversity
Comedian Zach Anner shares his journey of resilience, humor, and community in overcoming adversity with Dr. Scott Leune on The Dental CEO Podcast. The discussion highlights the importance of 'joyful grit,' self-narration, and connection fo…
- Dental CEO Podcast #25 - The Three Buckets Every Dental Career Needs
Dr. Scott Leune and Laura Gassner Otting discuss aligning the 'three buckets' of money, freedom, and passion in dental careers. The episode offers strategies for practice owners to enhance leadership, retain talent, and foster an engaged t…
- Dental CEO Podcast #24 - The First Domino: How 10 Extra Minutes Can Change Your Practice
Scott interviews Rob Bay, co-founder of Dental Intelligence, on strategies to enhance clinical efficiency in dental practices. They discuss how optimizing time can lead to improved hygiene production and reduced team burnout, allowing more…
- Dental CEO Podcast #23 - Handling Conflict Without Losing Control
This episode of The Dental CEO Podcast features conflict resolution expert Gabe Karp discussing how to handle conflict in dental practices. They explore the negative impact of ignoring issues and strategies for reframing difficult conversa…
- Dental CEO Podcast #22 - Building a Life That Feels as Good as It Looks
Scott Leune talks with Erin Stafford, author and social psychologist, about high achievement, burnout, and regaining life balance without sacrificing success. The episode offers practical tools for dentists to remain productive and emotion…
- Dental CEO Podcast #21 - Wired for Survival, Built for Burnout
On The Dental CEO Podcast, Dr. Rebecca Heiss joins Scott Leune to discuss how evolutionary wiring affects dental professionals, leading to survival mode and burnout. The episode explores breaking cycles of fear-based habits and building in…
- Dental CEO Podcast #20 - The AI-Powered Dental Practice
Scott Leune interviews Jana Macon about the impact of AI and cloud technology on dental practices. They cover automation, system updates, patient expectations, and strategies for practice owners to remain competitive in an AI-driven landsc…
- Dental CEO Podcast #19 - Retaining Great People
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune discusses the use of profit interests as a tool for retaining high-performing dental associates and team leaders. This strategy allows owners to share profits, incentivizing loyalty an…
- Dental CEO Podcast #18 - Human-Centered Leadership: Leading People, Growing Practices
Episode 18 of The Dental CEO Podcast features Scott Leune and Ryan Estis discussing human-centered leadership. They cover how building trust, investing in employee growth, and leading with empathy can enhance team engagement, reduce turnov…
- Dental CEO Podcast #17 - Are You Happy?
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune addresses the critical question of dentist happiness, exploring the common feeling of dissatisfaction despite outward professional success.
- Dental CEO Podcast #16 - Made to Matter: Building Dental Practices That Inspire Loyalty
Seth Mattison and Dr. Scott Leune explore how leading with love can transform dental practices by fostering intentionality and human connection to drive loyalty, retention, and growth. This episode offers a new perspective for building a m…
- Dental CEO Podcast #15 - The Path: A Smarter Way to Scale Your Practice and Reclaim Your Life
Dr. Scott Leune details "The Path," a method for scaling dental practices through margin focus, insurance plan adjustments, and building a low-overhead micro practice to enhance freedom and profits.
- Dental CEO Podcast #14 - Redefining Success: Building a $3M Practice—and a Life—with Dr. Jordan Sanders
Dr. Jordan Sanders joins The Dental CEO Podcast to discuss building a $3M dental practice by offloading operations and prioritizing mental health. He shares his journey from startup to success, emphasizing leadership, boundaries, and redef…