Beyond Bitewings

In this episode, Ash welcomes David Herman, founder of Web Marketing for Dentists, who draws on over 20 years of dental marketing experience to explain how specialized marketing helps dental practices achieve real returns on investment. David discusses the unique challenges of dental marketing and how his agency uses data-driven strategies, including tracking PMS data and return on investment, to...

Ash sits down with Mandy Madeline from Pay Proudly, a payment processing company with a unique understanding of dental practices. Drawing from her 18 years of experience in the dental field—from dental assisting to leadership and operations—Mandy shares how Pay Proudly is helping dental offices streamline payment systems, launch in-house membership programs, and ultimately improve patient experien...

In this episode, Ash discusses the evolving landscape of dental practice ownership, particularly whether it’s still worth buying or starting a dental practice. Ash explains that the decision is much more nuanced than it was a decade ago. Factors such as market saturation, shrinking reimbursement rates, and increased competition from DSOs and PE-backed practices mean that buying or starting a pract...

In this episode, Ash welcomes Kevin Henry from Kevin Speaks Dental, a seasoned advocate for dental assistants with over twenty years of experience in the field. Kevin shares his insights about the evolving roles of dental assistants and the challenges they face, including compensation concerns, feelings of undervaluation, and workplace culture. They discuss the importance of communication, team ac...

In this special episode of Beyond Bitewings we're sharing our favorite conversations with a few experts who discuss how dental practice owners can create generational wealth by thinking beyond their day-to-day income. Ash is joined by former guests like Paul Montelongo, Eric Miller, and Nathan Turner as they share practice advice and non-traditional options when it comes to investing your hard-ear...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, we're focusing on helping dental practice owners stand out in what may feel like a very overcrowded space. Ash shares some of his favorite insights from several different interviews he has done with marketing experts Erin Gregor, Darren Tesatori, and Brandon Hubbard. The conversation starts with Erin explaining the importance of creating engaging content and ef...

In this episode. Ash welcomes Lorraine Kent, the current tax manager at Edwards and Associates, to discuss essential tax strategies and tips specifically for dental practitioners. They start by discussing topics like deductible expenses, common tax mistakes, and audit red flags. Lorraine shares insights on what expenses are deductible for rental properties and the implications of depreciation reca...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, hosts Robert and Ash discuss the essential financial concept of BAM, or the Basic Amount of Money needed to operate a dental practice. This isn't just another metric like production per hour; BAM is crucial for ensuring that a practice is financially healthy and meeting all its obligations. Unlike a simple break-even point, BAM includes not only overhead costs...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, the team at Edwards & Associates is joined by Allen. Schiff to discuss the prevalent issue of embezzlement in dental practices. Alan, the president of the ADCPA and a certified fraud examiner, shares his insights on the unexpected frequency of embezzlement cases, stating that one in six dental practices will experience or have already experienced embezzleme...

 Have you ever noticed when you search for something near you on Google, there are always 3 places that pop up on a map? That's called the Google 3-Pack, and it's the key to having Google become a lead-generating machine for your business. In today's episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Darren Tessitore, CEO of Thrive Reviews, to unravel the mysteries of local SEO and how to maximize your Go...

Are you overpaying on your credit card processing fees? Most dental providers have no idea how much they're overpaying on their processing fees, losing them, literally, thousands of dollars of their bottom line each year. In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Jeremy Lessaris, founder and CEO of Payment Brokers, a fintech company specializing in AI-enabled cost reductions within the pay...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Bank of America's Adam Schenck to discuss the vital steps involved in acquiring or starting a dental practice. Ash and Adam cover a wide range of crucial topics, particularly focusing on the significance of building a knowledgeable team. This team should include industry-specific professionals like CPAs, lenders specializing in dental loans, and in...

Ash sits down with Danielle from Huntington Bank to answer pressing questions about dental practice loans. Danielle shares insights into the two main types of loans available for dentists: startup loans and acquisition loans. For dental students and new graduates, she emphasizes the importance of living within their means and maintaining a healthy financial profile to secure startup loans without...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, host Ash welcomes special guest Steve Hipson from DDSmatch.com, a professional dental practice broker with over 25 years in the dental industry. The discussion focuses on what you need to know before selling a dental practice and the steps necessary for a smooth transition. Steve explains how his company assists dental practice owners in planning their retireme...

Welcome to another episode of Beyond Bitewings, where Ash is joined by two special guests, Shelby and Sarah, from Barton and Associates, the 4th largest staffing agency in the United States. They explore the often overlooked yet crucial topic of locum tenens in dentistry. Shelby and Sarah share insights on what locum tenens is, its benefits for both new grads and retired dentists and how it offers...

Welcome to another episode from the Southwest Dental Conference where Ash sits down with Paul Montelongo, founder of Montelongo Capital, an investment firm based in San Antonio, Texas. They discuss Paul’s background and expertise in real estate investment, focusing on cash-flowing properties such as apartments, self-storage, and oil and gas assets. Paul talks about how Montelongo Capital partners...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Lynn sits down with Duane Gallup from Vital Technology Group, a specialist in dental cyber security. Duane shares insights into the evolution of their company from a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), focusing heavily on security issues within dental practices. The discussion highlights several misconceptions in the de...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash sits down with Sarina Arzani, a third-year student at A&M College of Dentistry. Sarina shares her experiences and the common concerns many dental students face as they approach graduation. They discuss navigating the less-discussed business aspects of dentistry, particularly for those looking to start their own practice. Sarina shares the importance of...

We're bringing back some of your most common questions about write-offs and tax deductions for dental practice owners. Ash is joined by Lynne and Lorainne Kent to talk about a broad array of topics, including the nuances of business expense deductions, home office claims, and considerations for travel-related deductions. They also discuss the protocols for handling cash receipts, with Lorraine str...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Jennifer Page from Carr, a commercial real estate firm specializing in healthcare transitions, including practice purchases and sales. Jennifer shares her insights on the unique aspects of representing healthcare professionals in real estate transactions. She explains why dental practice owners must engage real estate agents who specialize in their...

Ash welcomes Jessica Jones, CEO and founder of Build Your Cash Medical Practice. to discuss various strategies for building stronger relationships with clients and optimizing business operations. Jessica shares insights from her extensive background, including her experience in marketing and managing medical practices. The conversation addresses the importance of remembering personal details about...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Beth Lachance, CEO of Global Medical Virtual Assistants and shares the journey of her company and how virtual assistants can become a critical component for managing administrative work in dental and medical practices. She recounts how her medical background and a chance involvement in virtual assistance for the real estate sector led her to realiz...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash and Lynn welcome Paul Edwards to discuss the complexities of the recent ruling concerning exempt employees. They talk about the court decision that allows for a salary raise effective July 1st. The discussion explores strategies for managing salary adjustments, particularly the implications of shifting employees from exempt to nonexempt status and the impor...

The conversation continues as we jump into part 3 of this 3 part series discussing some of the biggest issues dentists are facing, and what you can do about them. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into the mental well-being of dentists and the pervasive issue of burnout. Erin shares her views on hustle culture, emphasizing the importance of intentional rest and a balanced approach to wor...

In this episode of Beyond Bitewings Ash and Erin continue their discussion on some of the biggest challenges dentists face today. Picking up from where they left off, Ash and Erin discuss how independent dental practice owners can compete with corporate dental organizations (DSOs) and private equity firms. The conversation shifts to the importance of focusing on the qualitative aspects of business...