Insurance Untangled

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...

Tired of insurance companies paying you with virtual credit cards instead of direct deposits or checks? In this episode, Ben and Tessina explain why insurers do this, how it impacts your payments, and, most importantly, how to stop it. They walk through the steps to opt out, what to say when calling the insurance company, and how to avoid hidden fees. If you're dealing with this issue, this episod...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah talk about what makes a dental practice truly sustainable and profitable. They discuss: What is a sustainable practice? A practice that grows financially while reducing stress. The dangers of PPO dependence and how to transition towards financial independence. Marketing strategies to attract high-quality patients beyond insuran...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Perrin DesPortes dive into the biggest mistakes dentists make when expanding from one location to multiple. They talk about common money problems, miscalculating cash flow, struggling to keep good associates, and why some expansions don't work out. Perrin shares real-life advice on planning ahead, making smart financial decisions, and setting...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah break down the financial trap of PPO dependence and how dental practices can reclaim lost revenue. They discuss the staggering impact of PPO write-offs, equating them to hidden marketing fees that practices unknowingly pay to insurance companies. Naren shares a step-by-step approach to calculating PPO write-offs, identifying wh...

Many dental practices feel stuck when marketing just isn't working. In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah break down the real reasons behind ineffective marketing and how to fix it. They discuss the importance of patient retention, online presence, branding, and tracking marketing results the right way. Learn why free promotions can backfire, how to attract the right patients, and the ro...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Perrin DesPortes, founder of Next Level Executive, talk about the future of dental practice ownership. They dig into the rise of group practices, private equity's influence, and what it really means for dentists. Perrin breaks down whether it's smarter to grow a practice for a big payout or build something sustainable for the long haul. He also shares key business f...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock explore the complexities of Medicare in dentistry. They discuss how dental practices unknowingly become credentialed with Medicare through PPO contracts and the importance of reviewing fee schedules. Tessina highlights changes in Medicare benefits for 2025, the challenges of treating Medicare patients on fixed incomes, and the lack of government supp...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive into a question many dentists face: Should you spend hours making viral content, or is there a smarter way to market your practice? Naren explains why only 1% of dentists succeed as influencers, and how the other 99% can still win at marketing without all the TikTok dances. He shares simple but powerful strategies like using Google reviews, SEO,...