Know Your Numbers with Wyatt Ferber: Bottom Line Business Planning
Release Date: 03/17/2026
How to Do a Beautiful Class Four in the Same Time as a Regular Filling with Dr. Susan McMahon
Dental Slang
What if you could do a beautiful class four in the same 30 minutes you’d spend on a regular filling? In this episode, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Susan McMahon, an AACD-accredited restorative dentist out of Pittsburgh and one of the most recognized clinicians in the country. Susan is the founder of Smiles in the City, a fee-for-service restorative practice she built from the ground up after starting her career in a drill-fill-and-bill amalgam office. The conversation takes a personal turn early when Susan tells the story of the $100,000 laser whitening system she signed up for...
info_outline
Whole-Body Health with Dr. Hugh Coyne
Dental Slang
In this conversation, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Hugh Coyne, a London-based family medicine practitioner and the son of a pediatric dentist, who built Coyne Medical with his wife and clinical partner Dr. Lucy Coyne specifically to practice the kind of preventive medicine the NHS 10-minute appointment window does not allow. His training at Imperial College London and postgraduate work in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric health, and sports medicine give him a panoramic view of the screening opportunities most dentists are sitting on without realizing it. Dr. Coyne walks through the...
info_outline
Pain-Free Dentistry, On Purpose: Dr. Mark Skimming on the 80% of Dentistry That Isn't Clinical
Dental Slang
In this episode, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Mark Skimming, the Glasgow-based founder of Pain-Free Dentistry Group and the name that comes up more than any other when other guests on the show are asked about mentoring, coaching, or the business side of dentistry. Dr. Skimming has built a 14-practice independent group across Scotland, fully self-funded, with no bank loans and no private equity, on the back of a systems-first philosophy he learned the hard way. Most conversations about practice growth focus on the clinical or the financial. This one focuses on the operational glue that...
info_outline
When Dentistry Becomes Diagnosis with Dr. Ratna Indah on Systems, Science, and the Bigger Health Picture
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. Ratna Indah shares how her background in journalism and a deeply personal family health journey shaped her approach to wellness dentistry. She explores the growing body of science behind the mouth–body connection and explains how oral health can reveal early signs of systemic disease, inflammation, and long‑term health risk. Dr. Indah also discusses what it truly takes to build a wellness‑focused dental practice—from salivary diagnostics and laser therapy to patient education, systems, and team protocols. She breaks down the realities of...
info_outline
Know Your Numbers with Wyatt Ferber: Bottom Line Business Planning
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang podcast, Wyatt Ferber breaks down the financial framework behind a profitable, efficient dental practice. He explains the key metrics every practice owner must understand including gross profit, associate costs, lab expenses, contribution and net profit. With a clear view of the numbers, dentists can make smarter decisions, reduce waste and protect cash flow while maintaining high clinical standards. Wyatt also explores the strategic side of practice growth. From evaluating when to bring on an associate to aligning business decisions with personal...
info_outline
Performance Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and the NFL with Dr. Chad Kasperowski
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Chad Kasperowski, a clinician whose career spans surgery, implants, airway, wellness dentistry, and digital workflows. He also serves as the team dentist for the Washington Commanders. Dr. Kasperowski shares how his early experiences shaped a philosophy rooted in whole‑body wellness, advanced diagnostics, and truly listening to patients. He breaks down why airway issues are hiding in plain sight, how oral inflammation affects systemic health and athletic recovery, and what he’s learned from treating some of...
info_outline
A Biological Approach to Endodontics with Dr. Vi Ho
Dental Slang
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Vi Ho, a certified biological endodontist, to explore a completely different approach to patient care—one that connects oral health to overall wellness. From advanced laser techniques to biocompatible materials, Dr. Ho is redefining what it means to be an endodontist in today’s wellness-focused practice. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen: Discover the Mouth-Body Connection: Dr. Ho explains how oral health impacts overall wellness and why she integrates functional nutrition into her endodontic practice. Inside What it Means to be a...
info_outline
Growing with Heart: How Dr. JP Bastien Built a Thriving Dental Practice
Dental Slang
In this episode, Dr. Richard (JP) Bastien shares how he grew his practice from early-stage ownership into a thriving multi-doctor model by leading with empathy, recruiting intentionally and embracing technology without losing sight of core values. He reflects on the realities of hiring, leadership development, operational efficiency and the role of AI in modern dentistry, offering practical insights for dentists navigating growth while protecting culture and quality of care. Key Takeaways Recruitment and culture: Learn how to attract and retain clinicians who fit your practice values and...
info_outline
From One Office to Twelve: Scaling Your Dental Practice with Dr. Pete McClellan
Dental Slang
Get an inside look at how Dr. Pete McClellan built a thriving multi-location practice without losing sight of relationships, communication and clinical clarity. In this episode, he shares the systems, lessons and leadership principles that helped him scale sustainably, support mid-career dentists, and create practices where doctors can thrive without burning out. In This Episode You Will Learn Strategies for identifying the right team members as you scale from one office to multiple locations. Common mistakes dentists make when expanding their practice and how to avoid them. How to delegate...
info_outline
Rethinking Perio Care: Innovation & Collaboration with Dr. John Bruce
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. John Bruce shares his approach to modern periodontal care, combining advanced diagnostics, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship to elevate patient outcomes. From incorporating blood and bacterial testing to uncover hidden health connections, to collaborating with orthodontists, oral surgeons, and study club peers, Dr. Bruce offers a fresh perspective on comprehensive dental care. He also highlights the transformative impact of mentorship with nationally recognized periodontist Dr. David Mugford, detailing how learning from...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Dental Slang podcast, Wyatt Ferber breaks down the financial framework behind a profitable, efficient dental practice. He explains the key metrics every practice owner must understand including gross profit, associate costs, lab expenses, contribution and net profit. With a clear view of the numbers, dentists can make smarter decisions, reduce waste and protect cash flow while maintaining high clinical standards.
Wyatt also explores the strategic side of practice growth. From evaluating when to bring on an associate to aligning business decisions with personal and patient goals, he explains how thoughtful planning supports long-term success. By learning to evaluate a practice objectively, set clear goals and take measured action, dentists can strengthen both efficiency and profitability. Whether the goal is growth, stability or preparing for succession, this episode encourages dentists to think like entrepreneurs while continuing to deliver exceptional care.
10 Key Takeaways
· Know Your Numbers: Gross profit, associate fees, lab costs, contribution and net profit are essential metrics for every practice owner.
· Data Drives Better Decisions: Understanding revenue and expenses allows dentists to set treatment prices confidently and run a more efficient practice.
· Start with Evaluation, Not Immediate Change: Analyze your numbers and define clear goals before implementing changes.
· Inventory Control Impacts Cash Flow: Tracking everyday supplies prevents waste and keeps spending aligned with production.
· Plan Ahead for Major Investments: Forecasting equipment purchases helps practices remain financially stable while upgrading technology.
· Associates Should Be a Strategic Decision: Hiring decisions should be guided by patient demand, practice capacity, financial metrics and long-term goals.
· Contribution Reveals True Performance: Revenue minus variable costs shows what remains to cover fixed expenses and determine break-even points.
· Prepare for Generational Transitions: Understanding the priorities of both experienced practice owners and emerging associates supports smoother succession planning.
About Bottom Line Business Planning
Bottom Line Business Planning helps dental practice owners maximize profitability through financial and operational analysis, strategic planning sessions and ongoing tracking of real-time results against forecasted performance.
BLBP is the United States partner of the United Kingdom–based dental practice profit management company Spot On Business Planning, which brings more than 15 years of experience supporting hundreds of dental practices in building stronger, more profitable businesses.