How Much Marketing Does Your Dental Practice Actually Need to Succeed?
Release Date: 07/08/2025
Hiring Associates: What to consider to find and retain the best talent
Insurance Untangled
In this episode, Ben Tuinei welcomes back expert guest Perrin DesPortes to dive into the real reasons so many dental practices struggle to recruit and keep great associates. They share why hiring reactively leads to mistakes, and how a proactive recruiting mindset can completely change the game. You'll learn how to build a practice associates want to join—and stay with—from smart compensation models to culture, mentorship, and even ownership. Whether you’re growing or tired of the “revolving door,” this episode gives you a proven path forward.
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From 6 Figures to 7 Figures: Lessons To Learn
Insurance Untangled
What does it take to grow a struggling small-town dental practice into a $1M+ fee-for-service success story? In this episode, Ben and Naren break down the inspiring journey of a dentist who did just that, without working more days or relying on PPOs. You'll learn how smart strategy, a clear vision, and a commitment to value-driven care led to remarkable results, even through a pandemic. Whether you’re in a rural town or a busy metro, this story proves that your mindset and model, not your location, determine your ceiling.
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How Much Marketing Does Your Dental Practice Actually Need to Succeed?
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei is joined by Naren Arulrajah, CEO of Ekwa Marketing, to answer a key question: How much should a dental practice really spend on marketing? They discuss why 5% of revenue is a common benchmark, how some practices succeed with less than 1%, and why SEO provides a 5x cost advantage over paid ads. You'll also learn the importance of tracking key metrics, optimizing every step of the patient journey, and aligning your marketing efforts with your practice goals. If you’re ready to make your marketing dollars work better don’t miss this...
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Developing a Dental Practice Brand Identity to Attract the Right Patients
Insurance Untangled
In this episode, Ben Tuinei and marketing expert Naren Arulrajah explain how to build a dental brand that stands out online and brings in loyal, high-value patients. Learn how to use your reviews, website, and team to create a message that builds trust—and keeps the right patients coming back. Perfect for dentists who want to grow, reduce insurance dependence, and stand out in a crowded market.
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Random Choice vs. Getting Patients to Choose Your Dental Practice; and Why It Matters!
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah tackle an important topic for every dental practice: the difference between being chosen intentionally versus being picked randomly. Discover why being a patient’s deliberate choice leads to greater loyalty, better treatment outcomes, and a more fulfilling practice life. Naren outlines how to build a marketing strategy that attracts ideal patients,those who share your values and seek your expertise.
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How To Respond When Insurance Makes A Mistake And Patients Blame You
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben and Tessina dive into a major challenge that dental offices face: what to do when insurance companies make mistakes and patients wrongly blame the doctor. You’ll hear real talk about why these mistakes happen, how offices can better educate their patients, and what steps to take when plans drop your practice without warning. Tessina shares smart, simple strategies to protect your practice, help your patients, and stop insurance from running the show. This episode is packed with honest stories, strong advice, and empowering steps that help you...
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Do More of the Dentistry You Want, Not Just What You Can
Insurance Untangled
Feeling stuck doing procedures you don’t enjoy? In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei sits down with Naren Arulrajah to unpack why so many dentists feel trapped in a cycle of low-value, PPO-driven dentistry and what you can do to break free. Discover how to attract patients who truly value your skills, align your schedule with the services you love, and regain control of your practice's direction. Learn how effective marketing, especially SEO can be your most powerful tool to build a practice that reflects your passion and purpose.
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How to maximize coding and billing in your hygiene department.
Insurance Untangled
Struggling to boost hygiene production without overwhelming your team? In this episode, Erica chats with Jennifer about how to improve your office’s perio performance. They break down what that number really means and why most offices treat way fewer patients than they should. Jennifer also shares how to use the D4346 code the right way, how to prep patients for treatment acceptance, and why clear systems matter more than ever. This episode is full of helpful tips to grow your practice and keep your team happy.
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When Is the Right Time to Start Marketing Your Practice?
Insurance Untangled
Do your treatment talks feel too “salesy”? In this episode, Ben and Naren share how to help patients say “yes” with trust, not pressure. Learn why most marketing plans fail, how to avoid ad waste, and what really builds connection. Simple tips you can use today — even if you’re just getting started.
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PPOs are an Addiction - You need to break free!
Insurance Untangled
Are PPO plans quietly controlling your practice? In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren dive into how PPOs can feel like an addiction—pulling you in with the promise of more patients, but slowly taking away your freedom, your profits, and your peace of mind. They talk about the real struggles dentists face when trying to drop insurance plans—like fear of losing patients or not staying busy. But they also share how this cycle can be broken. It starts with marketing. When you bring in new patients who aren't tied to PPOs, you start to take back control. You’ll hear a real story of a dentist...
info_outlineIn this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei is joined by Naren Arulrajah, CEO of Ekwa Marketing, to answer a key question: How much should a dental practice really spend on marketing? They discuss why 5% of revenue is a common benchmark, how some practices succeed with less than 1%, and why SEO provides a 5x cost advantage over paid ads. You'll also learn the importance of tracking key metrics, optimizing every step of the patient journey, and aligning your marketing efforts with your practice goals. If you’re ready to make your marketing dollars work better don’t miss this conversation.