Just a Couple of Dentists

One of the easiest ways to find holes in your systems?
Ask different team members how they complete the same task.
If every answer is a little different, your systems are living in people's heads instead of your practice.
That's why Alex created Milo...to standardize checklists, workflows, and recurring tasks across your entire practice.
Learn more HERE.
This Week's Episode
As dentists, we're constantly trying to avoid becoming a commodity. We invest in better patient experiences, technology, customer service, and relationships because we know that if the only thing patients compare is price, nobody wins.
That got us thinking... dental labs are in the exact same position.
With labs popping up everywhere, overseas manufacturing, and crowns getting cheaper every year, how does a lab actually stand out? Is it just a race to the bottom, or is there another way to build a successful business?
That's what we sat down with Aaron Hoffman from Sunflower Dental Studio to find out.
Aaron shares how Sunflower grew by focusing on craftsmanship, relationships, and helping dentists long before asking for their business. We also talk about why cosmetic dentistry is so dependent on the partnership between the dentist and the ceramist, where digital dentistry and AI fit into the future of labs, and why some parts of dentistry still can't be commoditized.
Even though this conversation is centered around dental labs, I think every practice owner will recognize the same challenges in their own business. The question is the same for all of us: How do you build something people choose because they want to—not because you're the cheapest?
We discuss:
Why competing on price is a losing strategy
How Sunflower Dental Studio grew in a commoditized industry
The role communication plays in great cosmetic cases
Why relationships still matter more than technology
Where AI helps—and where it still falls short
The long-term mindset that built their business
Marketing by helping instead of selling
Sponsor Shoutouts
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!
🖥️ Darkhorse Tech – Dental IT done right. From managed IT and cybersecurity to HIPAA compliance and cloud solutions, Darkhorse helps practices keep their technology running smoothly. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
💳 Nadapayments – Stop overpaying for credit card processing. JACD listeners get $25/month pricing, 1.5% processing, and $0.25 debit transactions.🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!

One of the easiest ways to find holes in your systems?
Ask different team members how they complete the same task.
If every answer is a little different, your systems are living in people's heads instead of your practice.
That's why Alex created Milo...to standardize checklists, workflows, and recurring tasks across your entire practice.
Learn more HERE.
This Week's Episode
We brought back an old friend of the podcast, Cory Ball.
If you've been listening for a while, you probably remember Cory from one of our earlier episodes where he shared the story of buying his first practice. At the time, it was collecting about $400,000 a year with a ton of inherited problems. Cory was honest about how overwhelming that first year of ownership had been.
Now, about 18 months later, the practice is on pace to do $1.3 million.
We wanted to have him back on to find out what actually changed.
Cory shares the biggest things he credits for the growth, including becoming more efficient clinically, learning which procedures to keep doing (and which ones to refer), building a team that genuinely enjoys working together, and the lessons he's learned as a first-time owner.
We also spend some time talking about the mental side of practice ownership, why the anxiety never completely goes away, hiring in today's market, and some of the mistakes he'd avoid if he were starting over.
Sponsor Shoutouts
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!
🖥️ Darkhorse Tech – Dental IT done right. From managed IT and cybersecurity to HIPAA compliance and cloud solutions, Darkhorse helps practices keep their technology running smoothly. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
💳 Nadapayments – Stop overpaying for credit card processing. JACD listeners get $25/month pricing, 1.5% processing, and $0.25 debit transactions.🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!

One of the easiest ways to find holes in your systems?
Ask different team members how they complete the same task.
If every answer is a little different, your systems are living in people's heads instead of your practice.
That's why Alex created Milo...to standardize checklists, workflows, and recurring tasks across your entire practice.
Learn more HERE.
You don't expect your payment processor to be the thing that causes the biggest headache in your practice... until you try to leave.
That's exactly what happened to one dentist who thought he could switch providers...only to find out it was going to cost him $10,000 just to get out of his agreement.
In this episode, we sit down with Roman and Steven from nadapayments to unpack how this happened, why these contract clauses exist, and what every practice owner should be looking for before signing with a merchant service company. We also get into hidden fees, leased equipment, why processing rates seem to creep up over time, and whether AI is actually good enough to review contracts for you.
If you've never looked closely at your merchant statements or your processing agreement, this episode might save you thousands.
In this episode, we cover:
The $10,000 cancellation fee that caught one dentist completely off guard
Contract language that can lock you into a bad deal
Why merchant processing fees quietly increase over time
The truth about leased payment terminals
What questions to ask before signing with any payment processor
A simple way to audit your payment processing before it becomes a problem
Sponsor Shoutouts
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!
🖥️ Darkhorse Tech – Dental IT done right. From managed IT and cybersecurity to HIPAA compliance and cloud solutions, Darkhorse helps practices keep their technology running smoothly. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
💳 Nadapayments – Stop overpaying for credit card processing. JACD listeners get $25/month pricing, 1.5% processing, and $0.25 debit transactions.🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!

Ask three team members how to complete the same task.
If you get three different answers, you don't have a system...you have habits.
That's why Alex created Milo...to help out dental offices standardize checklists, recurring tasks, and workflows so everyone is on the same page.
Learn more HERE.
This Week's Episode
Most dentists never learned orthodontics the way they wish they had.
Matt Standridge joins us to talk about why so many general dentists struggle with clear aligners, why a lot of them give up after just a few cases, and what actually builds confidence. We started out discussing a controversial orthodontic white paper, but the conversation quickly turned into something much bigger—how dentists can better diagnose cases, avoid common mistakes, and understand the fundamentals instead of relying on software to do the thinking.
We also get into the extraction vs. non-extraction debate, airway considerations, why dental school leaves so many dentists feeling unprepared for orthodontics, and how Matt built an education platform that's focused on teaching principles instead of selling a particular aligner system. 
We discuss:
Why 65% of dentists give up on clear aligners after just a few cases
The biggest mistakes general dentists make with orthodontics
Why understanding biomechanics matters more than relying on software
The extraction vs. non-extraction debate
How airway and orthodontics are more connected than many dentists realize
Why dental school leaves most dentists underprepared for orthodontics
How to identify better orthodontic cases in your practice
The value of ongoing mentorship instead of one-time CE courses
Building an orthodontic system that your entire team can support
Special Offer for Our Listeners
Matt is offering our listeners $500 off his online Ortho course!
Use coupon code JACD26 at https://orthodonticxp.com/ to save $500.
Sponsor Shoutouts
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!
🖥️ Darkhorse Tech – Dental IT done right. From managed IT and cybersecurity to HIPAA compliance and cloud solutions, Darkhorse helps practices keep their technology running smoothly. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
💳 Nadapayments – Stop overpaying for credit card processing. JACD listeners get $25/month pricing, 1.5% processing, and $0.25 debit transactions.🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!
 

Every office says, "That's just how we do it here."
Until you watch three different people do the same task three different ways.
Milo is the app Alex built to keep checklists, recurring tasks, and office workflows consistent without having to constantly remind everyone.
Learn more HERE.
This Week's Episode
Before AI receptionists, only about 25% of patients would leave a voicemail. Today, around 80% will actually complete the conversation with an AI receptionist instead.
That's one of the stats Laura Nelson, VP of AI at Mango Voice and founder of Front Office Rocks, has seen as more dental practices start using AI to answer their phones.
We get into the biggest bottlenecks at the front desk, why scheduling is still so difficult to automate, what today's AI tools do well, and where they still fall short. We also talk about how technology can take repetitive work off your team's plate so they can spend more time doing the things that actually require a person.
If you've been trying to separate the hype from what's actually useful, I think you'll like this conversation. Laura has spent years training front office teams, so she brings a practical perspective instead of just telling everyone AI is the answer to everything.
Sponsor Shoutouts
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!
🖥️ Darkhorse Tech – Dental IT done right. From managed IT and cybersecurity to HIPAA compliance and cloud solutions, Darkhorse helps practices keep their technology running smoothly. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
💳 Nadapayments – Stop overpaying for credit card processing. JACD listeners get $25/month pricing, 1.5% processing, and $0.25 debit transactions.🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!

Every office starts with great systems...until reality gets in the way. People take shortcuts, new team members learn different habits, and before you know it, everyone's doing things differently. That's why Alex built Milo...to keep your checklists, recurring tasks, and office systems running the way they're supposed to. Learn more HERE!
This Week's EpisodeWhen most dentists think of Medicaid dentures, they don't exactly think, "That's the practice model I want."
Russell Schafer did.
We talk about how he built a profitable practice around a niche that most dentists avoid, why digital workflows have completely changed the way he treats denture patients, and what dentists should know before trying to bring dentures in-house.
We also dive into Digital CE Guild, Russell's new project that's trying to become the Craigslist for dental CE. The idea is simple: one place where dentists can search for continuing education by topic and location instead of bouncing between Facebook posts and dozens of different websites. You can check it out at dcgdental.com.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why Russell built his practice around Medicaid dentures
Making digital dentures work in a real practice
The biggest mistakes dentists make when bringing dentures in-house
Why experience matters more than technology
How Digital CE Guild is trying to simplify finding dental CE
Tips for reducing Medicaid no-shows and improving efficiency
Sponsors
Darkhorse TechProactive IT support built specifically for dental practices. JACD listeners get their first month free.
Check them out at www.darkhorsetech.com
NadapaymentsTransparent payment processing with rates as low as 1.5% + $0.25 on debit transactions plus $25/month.
www.nadapayments.com
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!
 

Every office slowly drifts. Checklists get skipped. Processes change. Before long, nobody remembers the "right" way to do things. That's exactly why Alex created Milo, an app that helps your team follow checklists, complete recurring tasks, and stay accountable. Learn more HERE!
This Week's Episode
This week we're joined once again by Spencer Greer to talk about one of the biggest factors in growing a successful dental practice: your associates.
Too many owners bring on an associate without a real plan or for the wrong reasons. They expect them to produce like an owner, care like an owner, and stick around for years but never give them the environment to actually succeed.
We talk about what separates associates who leave after 18 months from the ones who become long-term, high-producing dentists. Spencer shares the framework he uses to mentor associates, why owners should stop competing with their own doctors, and how creating the right culture benefits everyone.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why every owner needs a clear reason for hiring an associate• Spencer's three-part framework for developing great associates• Why owners accidentally drive good associates away• How to get associates producing at a high level faster• The importance of mentorship over micromanagement• Ownership vs. being a high-income associate• What Spencer looks for when hiring a new associate• Contracts, compensation, and creating true win-win relationships
A big thank you to our sponsors:
Darkhorse TechYour IT should prevent problems not just fix them after they happen. Darkhorse Tech provides proactive IT and cybersecurity built specifically for dental practices. JACD listeners receive their first month free.
www.darkhorsetech.com
NadaymentsStill paying credit card processing fees? Nadapayments helps dental practices reduce processing costs with transparent pricing and payment solutions designed specifically for dentistry.
JACD listeners receive processing for just $25/month plus 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction with no additional fees.
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect with Us
If you got something out of this episode, the best way to support the show is to share it with another dentist. Thanks for listening!

Every office has things that slowly disappear over time. A checklist gets skipped. A process changes. Before you know it, nobody remembers how it used to be done. That's why Alex created Milo. Learn more HERE!
This Week's EpisodeMost dentists have probably heard of the Yomi robot, but I'd bet most couldn't actually tell you what it does.
That's why we had Dr. Tyler Bond on the podcast. Tyler uses the robot every day in his practice and breaks down exactly how it works, what it doesn't do, and why he decided it was worth spending a quarter of a million dollars on one.
We also get into whether the investment actually pays off, how it's helped him grow his implant practice, and where he thinks robotics fit into the future of dentistry. It's a fun conversation that separates the hype from reality and gives a practical look at what this technology can (and can't) do today.
A huge thank you to our sponsors!
Darkhorse Tech
Darkhorse Tech provides proactive IT support, cybersecurity, backups, and monitoring specifically for dental offices. JACD listeners get their first month FREE.https://www.darkhorsetech.com
NadapaymentsIf you're looking to save on payment processing, check out Nadayments. JACD listeners receive processing for just $25/month plus 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction with no additional fees.
Check out their savings calculator to see how much money you are leaving on the table by not switching to nadapayments! https://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect With Us
Your support means a ton to us. So if you enjoyed the episode, please share Just a Couple of Dentists with a friend or colleague. Thanks so much!

If you've ever found yourself saying, "Wait...we used to do that," you're not alone. That's one of the reasons Alex created Milo...to give practices a simple way to document systems and keep teams accountable. Check it out at HERE!
This Week's Episode
Cory Pinegar bought a dental business for $1.
A few years later, he was buried in debt, chasing growth, and wondering if the whole thing was going to work.
Today, Reach has thousands of team members supporting healthcare practices around the world, but getting there wasn't nearly as smooth as it looked from the outside.
We talked about the mistakes he made while building Call Force, the vanity metrics that almost got him in trouble, and why he eventually made the difficult decision to completely pivot the business. Cory shares how he transformed Call Force from a recall and answering service company into Reach, one of the largest virtual staffing companies in healthcare.
We also got into staffing, rising overhead, reimbursement rates, virtual assistants, and why building a sustainable business matters more than looking successful.
This was one of those conversations that started as a business story and turned into a discussion about growth, leadership, and failure.
Topics we cover:
• Buying a business for $1 while still in college• Why CallForce nearly failed• The dangers of chasing vanity metrics• The pivot from CallForce to Reach• Debt, cash flow, and scaling a business• Hiring and retention challenges in dentistry• Why dental practices are feeling squeezed• Virtual assistants and the future of staffing• Building a sustainable business• The mindset shifts that come from failure
Sponsor Shoutouts
Darkhorse Tech provides proactive IT support, cybersecurity, backups, and monitoring specifically for dental offices.
Special offer for JACD listeners: First month free.
🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
Tired of losing thousands every year to credit card fees?
Nadapayments helps dental offices legally and compliantly offset processing costs with surcharging.
Special offer for JACD listeners:
$25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No other fees.
🌐 https://www.nadapayments.comCheck out their free savings calculator to see how much money you are wasting with traditional merchant service companieshttps://nada-calculator-dentalpractice.netlify.app/
Connect With Us
Your support means a ton to us. So if you enjoyed the episode, please share Just a Couple of Dentists with a friend or colleague. Thanks so much!
 

If you've ever found yourself saying, "Wait...we used to do that," you're not alone. That's one of the reasons Alex created Milo...to give practices a simple way to document systems and keep teams accountable. Check it out at HERE!This Week's EpisodeAfter a Facebook post sparked a firestorm of comments, criticism, and debate across the profession, former ADA President Brett Kessler joins us to talk about what actually happened.
What started as a conversation about speaking at a large DSO event quickly turned into a much bigger discussion about private equity, clinical autonomy, dental insurance, organized dentistry, and where the profession is headed next.
Brett shares his perspective on the backlash, why so many dentists are frustrated with the current state of dentistry, and what he's learned after years of working on insurance reform and advocacy at the highest levels of organized dentistry.
We also get into:
• The controversy surrounding Brett's DSO post• Why dentists are increasingly frustrated with private equity• The difference between clinical autonomy and corporate influence• Why dental insurance hasn't meaningfully changed in decades• The truth about annual maximums and reimbursement rates• Fee-for-service vs insurance-based dentistry• Medicare, Medicaid, and access to care• Why dental-medical integration may be the future• What organized dentistry has actually been doing behind the scenes• Why fixing dentistry's biggest problems is harder than most people think
Sponsor Shoutouts
Darkhorse Tech provides proactive IT support, cybersecurity, backups, and monitoring specifically for dental offices.
Special offer for JACD listeners: First month free.
🌐 https://www.darkhorsetech.com
Tired of losing thousands every year to credit card fees?
Nadapayments helps dental offices legally and compliantly offset processing costs with surcharging.
Special offer for JACD listeners:
$25/month + 1.5% + $0.25 per debit transaction. No other fees.
🌐 https://www.nadapayments.com
Connect With Us
Your support means a ton to us. So if you enjoyed the episode, please share Just a Couple of Dentists with a friend or colleague. Thanks so much!