Libsyn Directory

TTS 126- M&A It's a Team Game

Release Date: 08/27/2025

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Dicky Ball, co-founder of Summit Handpiece Express, for a refreshingly real conversation about dentistry’s most overlooked “tool”—and why systems, maintenance, and team communication matter more than most practices realize. What starts as a discussion about dental handpiece repair quickly evolves into a deeper conversation about SOPs, handoff and hand-up communication, team accountability, and how small breakdowns behind the scenes can quietly destroy efficiency, profitability, and patient experience. Dicky...

TTS 147 – NBA to M&A: Building, Failing, Scaling, and Selling with Elijah Desmond

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with entrepreneur, hygienist-turned-broker, and co-CEO of Dental Pitch Brokerage, Elijah Desmond, for a candid conversation about business, failure, partnerships, and preparing dental practices—especially implant and full-arch practices—for successful exits. From Elijah’s early days in dentistry to building (and failing) multiple businesses, this episode explores the real lessons behind entrepreneurship and what it actually takes to scale with intention. Elijah also shares practical insights into today’s M&A...

TTS- 146 T.E.A.M. w/Martin Mendelson

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher welcomes back Dr. Martin Mendelson for a powerful second conversation—one that dives deep into mindset, leadership, and the thoughts that quietly shape our lives and practices. Dr. Mendelson, a dentist-turned-coach and author of One Move Makes All the Difference, breaks down why happiness leads to success (not the other way around), how the space between stimulus and response determines our outcomes, and why teams thrive when psychological safety and accountability coexist. This episode blends neuroscience, emotional intelligence,...

145 All Comes Down to Me w/Dr. Farokh Jiveh

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with cosmetic dentist and educator Dr. Farokh Jiveh for a deeply honest conversation about personal transformation, leadership, and what truly drives patient connection and case acceptance. Dr. J shares his journey from outward success and inner burnout to alignment, clarity, and purpose—and how that shift changed everything from how he leads his team to how patients experience care. This episode goes far beyond techniques and procedures. It’s about presence, energy, listening, and why dentistry is ultimately...

TTS-144 Human Capital – w/ Gabriel Hofmann

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Gabriel Hofmann, CEO of ConsultHaus and longtime leader in the dental and health services industries, for a deep conversation on human capital, culture, and the mindset required to build organizations that truly last. Gabriel brings more than 20 years of experience leading high-performance teams, and in this episode, he breaks down why people—not products, not processes—are the true engine of growth. From hiring and retention to leadership habits and organizational alignment, Gabriel shares the real frameworks he...

TTS- 143 Culture Strategist Leah Roling

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Leah Roling, culture strategist, leadership coach, and founder of The Habit Hackers, for a conversation that goes deep into the mindset, clarity, and intentional habits that shape high-performing teams. They unpack the real drivers of culture—beyond slogans, beyond surface-level motivation—and explore how self-leadership, emotional awareness, and aligned decision-making create workplaces where people can thrive. Leah brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it takes to lead well in a fast-paced,...

Episode: TTS-142 Men’s Apparel to Master GTM w/ Ian Miller

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg sits down with Ian Miller—entrepreneur, apparel expert, and GTM operator—to explore the unexpected overlap between men’s fashion and building a market strategy that actually works. What starts as a conversation about fit, fabric, and confidence quickly shifts into a masterclass on positioning, clarity, and the discipline behind a clean go-to-market motion. They open with a story about Ian’s early days in apparel—learning the difference between style and identity—and move into a candid discussion on momentum, leadership, and why most...

Episode: TTS-141 Dentistry from Diapers – Addison Freeman

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Addison Freeman, founder of Incisive. We explore how Inicisive helps dental practices modernize in a way that truly improves workflows, team efficiency, and patient outcomes. 🎧 Listen to TTS-141 Dentistry from Diapers – Addison Freeman to hear how purpose, mentorship, and early engagement can shape a stronger future for the dental profession. Connect with Addison: | Website: .com | LinkedIn: Addison Freeman #ToothSleuth #FutureOfDentistry #DentalMentorship #CareerPathways #DentalCommunity...

Episode: TTS-140 Hygiene Philosophy – Janet Hagerman

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Janet Hagerman—hygienist, speaker, consultant, and author—to explore the philosophy, communication frameworks, and leadership mindset that elevate the hygiene experience for both patients and dental teams. Janet shares her decades of experience helping practices strengthen their hygiene departments, enhance case acceptance through trust-driven communication, and build a patient experience grounded in clarity, empathy, and education. Inside this episode: The core principles behind a strong hygiene philosophy ...

Episode: TTS-139 Level Up w/ Thomas Passalacqua

The Tooth Sleuth Podcast

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with Thomas Passalacqua—speaker, consultant, and dental operations expert—to talk about what it truly takes to level up in leadership, systems, and patient experience inside the modern dental practice. Thomas shares the lessons he’s learned working with dental teams across the country, breaking down why clarity, alignment, and accountability are non-negotiables for practices that want to grow with intention. His insights are grounded, practical, and built for teams ready to elevate how they serve. Inside this...

More Episodes

🎙 Episode Snapshot

Selling or buying a dental practice? It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about timing, fit, and legacy.

In this episode, Greg Esenmacher sits down with David Cohen, founder of Cohen Law Firm, to unpack what really happens during dental practice sales—whether you’re selling to a DSO or private buyer. With 300+ transactions a year under his belt, David shares insider tips on building the right team, avoiding costly mistakes, and ensuring your sale aligns with your goals and values.

Whether you’re a solo practice owner, an emerging group, or a DSO executive, this conversation gives you the legal and strategic clarity you need before stepping into the sale process.

💡 What You’ll Learn

🦷 The differences between DSO sales and Sale to a Private Buyer
📊 Why consolidation isn’t as overwhelming as you might think
🤝 The essential players on your transaction team—and their roles
💰 How to know if (and when) you’re truly ready to sell
🎯 The biggest mistake sellers make (and how to avoid it)
🏆 Why culture and legacy matter in choosing the right buyer
📈 Best practices for smoother, more profitable transactions

🎤 Mic Drop Moments

“Build your foundation before you start—it’s the number one thing you can do.”
“Hidden costs and headaches come when you’re not ready to sell.”
“Culture fit matters—for you, your team, and your legacy.”
“A great broker doesn’t just find a buyer—they find the right buyer.”