Insurance Untangled

Are you stuck getting only 2 to 5 new patients a month? In this episode, Ben talks with marketing expert Naren about why some dental practices struggle to grow—while others are booked solid. They explore real reasons growth stalls, like poor online visibility, weak reviews, and low phone conversion. You'll also hear simple strategies that can help you attract more of the right patients. If you're...

Are out-of-network insurance benefits getting better or worse? In this episode, Naren Arulrajah talks with dental insurance expert Ben Tuinei about the major changes happening in the dental world. They break down why more dentists are dropping insurance plans and how employers are pushing for stronger out-of-network benefits. Ben also shares what the future could look like for dental practices, in...

Why do so many dental practices work harder year after year, yet still feel like they're falling behind? In this eye-opening episode, Ben Tuinei sits down with marketing expert Naren Arulrajah to redefine what real growth means for dental practices. It's not just about attracting more patients, it's about attracting the right ones. Naren explains why depending on PPOs and price-driven advertising...

Is your dental practice stuck in a cycle of doing everything yourself? In this insightful episode of Insurance Untangled, co-hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive into why the most successful dental practices thrive on collaboration, not isolation. Naren introduces the concept of interdependence, a powerful business mindset shift that empowers practice owners to focus on what they do best and...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock break down the current state of PPO fee negotiations in 2025. They explain why it's more important than ever to build your insurance profile, understand your leverage, and pay attention to hidden issues like code downgrades and umbrella networks. You'll learn simple, step-by-step tips to start negotiating smarter—whether you go...

How do you grow your dental practice when the economy feels shaky and patients are pulling back? In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah answer the five biggest questions dentists are asking about growth during uncertain times. From rising costs to changing patient expectations, they break down what's really happening — and what you can do about it. Learn how to attract better patients, bu...

In Episode 116 of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore how the 80/20 rule can transform your dental practice. Learn why just 20% of your efforts lead to 80% of your results—and how to stop wasting time and money on marketing that doesn't work. Naren shares a simple framework to help patients find you, like you, and trust you, using real examples and clear, no-fluff advice. Y...

Are the right people in the right roles on your dental team? In this episode of Insurance Untangled, host Ben Tuinei sits down with Christina Jones, dental coach and co-founder of New Wave Dental Solutions to explore how DISC personality assessments can transform team dynamics in a dental practice. Christina shares her journey from dental assistant to coach, and explains how understanding personal...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive deep into the shifting landscape of digital search and what AI means for your dental practice. Learn how "zero-click" searches, Google's evolving algorithms, and AI tools are already influencing whether patients find and choose your practice—often without ever clicking your website. From Google EEAT to voice search trends,...

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of packed schedules and low profitability? In this powerful episode of the Insurance Untangled podcast, co-hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore the essential strategies every dental practice must know to attract more high-value cases and reduce their reliance on PPOs. Many dentists find themselves overwhelmed with a packed schedule but minimal profitability...

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 mode...

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 yo...

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 metr...

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.

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 strat...

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...

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...

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...

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.  

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 the...

Are you making one of these 4 costly dental marketing mistakes? In this episode, we break down the most common missteps that hold practices back from consistent growth and what you can do to turn things around. From overspending on ads to ignoring local SEO and underestimating the power of Google reviews, we unpack why your current marketing strategy may not be delivering results. Tune in to learn...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, host Ben Tuinei sits down with Dr. Jeff Grove, a former DSO owner and now a leadership coach for dentists. Dr. Grove shares his journey from scaling multiple locations to helping dentists refocus, rebuild culture, and lead with clarity.  If you've ever felt stuck between clinical work and leadership or unsure what direction your practice should take, this ep...

In this episode, Ben interviews Naren about his journey from getting fired four times to building a 300-person dental marketing company. Naren opens up about the struggles, hard lessons, and key mindset shifts that helped him succeed. You'll hear how focusing on helping others, creating long-term vision, and building real team culture can transform your practice and life.  If you're a dentist tryi...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei interviews Glen Jensen, a dental business advisor and author of Profound Mini-Lessons for Dentists. They discuss key lessons from Glen's decades of experience helping dental practices improve operations and increase profitability. Topics include common mistakes new practice owners make, how to prevent embezzlement, building strong team culture, and the importance of und...

In this episode of the Insurance Untangled podcast, hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah talk about building a dental practice that can handle any challenge. They discuss the difference between proactive and reactive practices. Ones that plan ahead versus ones always fixing problems. Naren shares three keys to success: strong leadership, solid systems, and building patient relationships. He also t...