Leaving a Legacy: Turning Grief into Purpose with Dr. Parul Dua-Makkar
Release Date: 05/16/2025
The CEO Mindset: Systematizing Your Practice for Freedom and Growth
The Raving Patients Podcast
If your practice runs only when you’re watching every corner, you don’t have a business—you have a job with extra stress. In this episode, I sit down with Kiera Dent of Dental A-Team to break down the CEO mindset so you can step out of micromanagement, build a self-managing team, and get your time—and sanity—back. I’ve lived both sides: the dentist who does everything and the CEO who trusts systems and people. Kiera and I dig into the exact levers that turn chaos into consistency: vision, numbers, and simple systems your team can actually follow. We also talk honestly about...
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From Burnout to Brillance
The Raving Patients Podcast
Are you hitting the snooze button on Monday mornings, dreading another week of endless tasks and mounting stress? You’re not alone. Burnout is one of the most common—and costly—challenges dentists face today. But what if you could simplify your systems, empower your team, and rediscover the joy in dentistry? In this episode, I sit down with Melinda Heryford, “The Practice Implementer,” to unpack practical strategies for transforming your practice from chaos to clarity. With over 30 years in the dental industry, Melinda has helped countless dentists trade burnout for...
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The Productivity Formula: Efficiency + Excellence
The Raving Patients Podcast
Are you spending too much time in the operatory without realizing it? What if shaving minutes off your procedures didn’t just increase production but also improved patient satisfaction, reduced stress, and helped your associates level up faster? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast. I’m joined by Dr. Aaron Nicholas—a practicing dentist, international speaker, faculty member with Dental Success Companies, and the founder of Monday Morning Dentistry. With over 37 years of clinical experience, Aaron has mastered the art of turning complex,...
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Silence Is Expensive—Let Your Hold Message Work for You
The Raving Patients Podcast
Silence is costing your practice more than you think. Every time you put a patient on hold and they hear nothing but dead air—or worse, that same generic tune on repeat—you’re missing out on a chance to build trust, educate, and even grow your practice. In this episode, we uncover why silence is expensive and how your on-hold message can become one of the most overlooked marketing tools in dentistry. In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, I sit down with John Waller, “The On Hold Guy,” who has been serving the dental industry for over 30 years. Together, we explore how...
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More Than Marketing: Building a Premium Brand Patients Rave About
The Raving Patients Podcast
Stop chasing “one big marketing trick.” If SEO is the only lever you’re pulling, you’re leaving money on the table—and patients on page two. In this episode, we break down how premium practices win with a whole-practice approach: brand, systems, and a memorable new-patient experience that starts before the first visit. In this episode, I talk with Jackie Ulasewicz-Cullen about moving beyond “rank-at-all-costs” thinking to a comprehensive, measurable growth system. We break down why there’s no silver bullet in dental marketing and how an omnichannel mix—reviews, humanized...
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To Bill or Not to Bill (Yourself): The AI Answer
The Raving Patients Podcast
If your practice’s collections aren’t where they should be, it might not be because of fewer patients—it could be because your revenue is trapped in insurance company limbo. The truth? Without a rock-solid revenue cycle management (RCM) process, you’re leaving money on the table… and adding stress to your team. In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, I sit down with Shreyas Parab, co-founder and CEO of Daydream, to explore how AI can revolutionize dental billing without removing the human expertise that keeps claims moving. Shreyas shares his unique perspective—shaped by...
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Making Money vs. Keeping It: The Gap No One Talks About
The Raving Patients Podcast
If you don’t truly know your numbers, you might be leaking money without even realizing it. Most dentists assume they’re making more than they actually are—but are you calculating your real take-home income? In this episode, we break down what’s actually going on behind the financial curtain of your practice—and how to fix it. In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, I sit down with dental CPA Travis Slade to talk about the financial clarity every dentist needs—but few actually have. We break down the five core financial drivers that impact your real income: revenue,...
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Simplify. Streamline. Succeed. Dental Systems That Pay Off
The Raving Patients Podcast
Is your practice actually as efficient as it could be? If your front desk feels like a bottleneck, patients are slipping through cracks, or you're losing revenue to outdated payment systems, then you’ll want to hear this one. In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, I sit down with Mandy Madeline—an experienced clinical assistant turned dental operations expert and now a leader at Pay Proudly. With nearly two decades in the industry, Mandy offers a unique lens into how systems, communication, and simple changes can make a huge impact on your bottom line. We dig into: How to...
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The Dental Growth Blueprint: Spend Less, Earn More
The Raving Patients Podcast
If you think your “pretty” website alone is enough to bring patients through your doors, think again. Dental marketing today is more complex—and more critical—than ever. From SEO secrets and Google Ads strategy to why your website might be quietly sabotaging your practice growth, this episode is your blueprint for smarter marketing decisions. Dentists, this is one you can’t afford to miss. On today’s episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, I’m diving deep into the world of dental marketing with two incredible guests from Gargle—Brandie Lamprou, VP of Corporate and Sales...
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One Vision: Unified Imaging Powered by AI
The Raving Patients Podcast
Ever wish you could stop wasting time jumping between imaging systems and get a single, clear picture of your patient’s oral health? This week, I’m unpacking exactly how AI-powered, unified imaging can transform your diagnostics, simplify your workflow, and help patients say “yes” with confidence. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and neighbor, Jordan Reiss from DEXIS, to explore how their AI-powered, unified imaging platform is transforming digital dentistry. We discuss how DEXIS brings 2D, 3D, and intraoral scans into a single, smart ecosystem, streamlining workflows and...
info_outlineGrief doesn’t wait for the perfect moment—and neither does oral cancer. In this powerful episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dr. Parul Dua-Makkar to share how personal tragedy transformed her career and fueled a mission to save lives.
After losing her brother—also a dentist—to oral cancer at just 34, Parul now advocates for early diagnosis, clinical vigilance, and emotional healing within dentistry. This isn’t just a clinical conversation—it’s a raw, inspiring look at how loss can fuel purpose, and how every provider can be a part of the legacy of prevention.
You’ll also learn how grief doesn’t follow a linear path, the emotional complexity of legacy, and why speaking about difficult topics can be the most powerful way to connect and lead in the dental community. Dr. Parul reminds us all: life is short, but the impact you make can be lasting.
Some of the powerful insights from this episode include:
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Early detection saves lives: Persistent red or white lesions lasting more than two weeks must be evaluated—biopsies are non-negotiable.
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Technology is a tool, not a replacement: Light-based oral screening aids are helpful, but only biopsies offer definitive answers.
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Grief is complex—and valid: Whether from personal or professional loss, grief affects every part of your life and practice. Processing it is crucial to continue showing up fully.
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Legacy is not about length, but impact: What you leave behind—through your words, your work, or how you treat others—matters more than you know.
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Support and community are essential: Healing doesn't happen alone. Sharing stories helps others feel seen, heard, and less isolated in their struggles.
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Key Takeaways
00:45 Introduction to Leaving a Legacy
03:26 The Impact of Oral Cancer
11:45 Grief and Its Many Forms
20:54 Understanding Legacy
24:23 Life Interrupted: A Book of Lessons
27:30 Speaking Out on Oral Cancer Awareness
30:53 Lightning Round Q&A
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Connect with Dr. Parul Dua-Makkar:
Website: www.parulduamakkar.com
Instagram: @duagoodjob
Coaching & Resources: duagoodjob.com
Explore her free grief and cancer support resources, check out her speaking topics, or grab a copy of her book "Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide" available on Amazon.
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Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com.
This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here.
This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here.
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