2002: Creating A Leadership Team Pt. 2
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
Release Date: 06/07/2024
2449: Solving Missed Calls and Overflow with AI
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with DSI Black Belt coach and tech entrepreneur Dr. Deren Flesher. They dive into Deren’s latest venture, Airo Dental, an AI-powered platform starting with a smart scheduling assistant built to handle missed calls, after-hours requests, and overflow—without replacing your front desk team. They discuss real-world applications, AI's limitations, and where the future of dental tech is headed. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES Subscribe to
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2448: How to Run a 50-Person Dental Powerhouse
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Ashley Keith, Chief Operating Officer of Keith and Associates Dentistry in Mission, Kansas. With a powerhouse practice of over 50 team members and 23 operatories, Ashley shares her journey from healthcare tech and HR at Cerner to leading operations, marketing, and training at one of the most systemized, patient-centric dental offices in the country. The conversation dives into how she and her husband, Dr. Bill Keith, scaled rapidly while maintaining culture, consistency, and care quality. Ashley breaks down her approach to hiring for...
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2447: Overcoming the "O" Word Pt. 2
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, we continue our deep dive into overcoming overwhelm and restoring mental clarity in high-pressure clinical and business environments. Mark unpacks actionable strategies, including batching decisions, minimizing clutter, improving sleep hygiene, and building systems that reduce cognitive load. He explains the link between physical environment, digital inputs, and mental fatigue—while also highlighting the role of movement and recovery in regaining creative and strategic thinking. In the second half, Mark shifts into leadership and case acceptance, exploring the...
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2446: Overcoming the "O" Word Pt. 1
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, we dive into one of the most common but misunderstood challenges in dentistry and entrepreneurship: overwhelm—the "O word." Mark Costes shares why he bans this word at DSI events and how our internal language and mindset can powerfully shape our lived reality. He breaks down the physiology of overwhelm, explains the mental toll of decision fatigue, multitasking, and cognitive overload, and shares personal stories from the early, chaotic days of juggling multiple businesses. You'll also learn about the importance of structured delegation, how to build filters to...
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2445: Lessons from a Dental CEO Who Started with a Typewriter
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Andrew Kokabi, owner of Brookhaven Family Dentistry and a true example of grit, growth, and purpose-driven leadership. From his early days in a three-operatory practice with no paycheck, to leading a thriving 17-op fee-for-service operation with plans to expand to 30, Dr. Kokabi shares his deeply personal journey. He talks about how his upbringing as the child of Iranian immigrants shaped his business mindset, the painful but transformative experience of burnout, and the pivotal role the Dentalpreneur Podcast played in reigniting his...
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2444: What Two Startup Docs Learned from Launching a Podcast
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Drs. Eric Appelsies and Alex Kantor, the duo behind the podcast Just a Couple of Dentists. They share how podcasting helped them build community, stay curious, and keep perspective as they navigate practice ownership and young family life. The conversation explores burnout, doing mission work to reconnect with dentistry, and the challenges of wearing every hat as a business owner. They also give a sneak peek into their upcoming tech projects aimed at solving real operational pain points in dental...
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2443: How to Protect Your Dental Practice from Legal Trouble Pt. 2
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, we continue our conversation with dental attorney Evan Sampson as he and Dr. Mark Costes tackle the real-world legal challenges practice owners face. In Part 2, they unpack best practices for avoiding PPO audits, how to properly dismiss a patient, the right way to handle informed consent, and what to do when it's time to fire an employee—especially during riskier situations like pregnancy. Evan offers practical, step-by-step advice to help dentists stay compliant and avoid unnecessary legal exposure, no matter what state they practice in. Be sure to check out the full...
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2442: How to Protect Your Dental Practice from Legal Trouble Pt. 1
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with dental attorney Evan Sampson for a deep dive into the legal issues dentists face every day—often without realizing it. In Part 1, Evan shares his journey from litigator to dental-focused counsel and how his unique background helps him proactively guide practice owners through employment law, regulatory compliance, and contract issues. From the legal missteps that commonly trigger lawsuits to tips for setting up strong employment policies and handbooks, this conversation is packed with real-world insight to help dentists avoid costly...
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2441: Building a Dental Practice From Vision to Opening Day
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, Dr. Mark Costes joins Dr. Mike Lundy for a crossover conversation from the Ownership Awakened: The Dental Journey podcast, focused on what comes next after deciding you’re ready for practice ownership. Together, they walk through the early-stage decisions every future owner faces, including startup versus acquisition, building the right advisory team, leadership development, and designing a practice that can grow and adapt over time. This episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the ownership journey as it unfolds in real time. Be sure to check out...
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2440: 21-Day Challenge to Transform Your Mind, Body, and Practice
The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
On today’s episode, recorded live at the October 2025 DSI Mastermind, Dr. Mark Costes unveils a powerful 21-day Four Futures Challenge designed to reset your mindset, strengthen relationships, improve physical health, and gain financial clarity. With practical habits like daily breathwork, love bombs, movement, and a Friday social media fast, this challenge is both achievable and transformative. The episode also explores deeper conversations around associate accountability, team training, and the realities of leadership in dental practices. DSI Black Belt coaches share insights from...
info_outlineOn today’s episode, Dr. Summer Kassmel continues her discourse on empowering leadership within dental practices from her presentation at DSS 2024. She delved into the importance of audit systems in maintaining the integrity of office protocols, stressing the need for regular checks to ensure consistency and accountability. Dr. Kassmel explained how rotating audit responsibilities among dental assistants (DAs) not only helps in maintaining standards but also cultivates a culture of peer-to-peer accountability.
Expanding on leadership development, she advised against hastily assigning titles to emerging leaders, emphasizing instead the observation of their ability to manage projects and uphold standards consistently. This approach, she suggested, prepares them for leadership by gradually increasing their responsibilities, thereby diffusing power within the practice and strengthening team dynamics.
Dr. Kassmel also discussed the identification and nurturing of potential leaders, focusing on traits like high accountability, internal motivation, and healthy empathy. These qualities, she argued, are crucial for leaders who can sustain high standards without constant external motivation. She highlighted the importance of humility and active listening in leadership, skills that enhance team communication and effectiveness.
Towards the end of her talk, Dr. Kassmel touched on the concept of "disciplined empowerment," which involves trusting leaders to make decisions and holding them accountable for results rather than processes. She shared personal experiences and insights into the challenges of leadership, including the need for honest communication and maintaining high standards to ensure patient care quality.
Dr. Kassmel concluded by reflecting on the personal and professional growth that comes from creating a leadership team that not only meets but exceeds the cultural and operational goals of a dental practice. She offered her leadership packet for further guidance, reinforcing her commitment to developing effective leaders in the dental industry.
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