The Thriving Dentist Show

Want to attract better patients, reduce PPO dependence, and grow your practice with confidence? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share real-world marketing lessons from thriving practices. Discover what actually works, why most dental marketing fails, and how top practices grow with long-term strategy. Book your FREE Marketing Strategy Meeting: www.ekwa...

Struggling to hire quality dental team members? Staffing issues shouldn't hold your practice back. In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs interviews Trey Tepichin, co-founder of Cloud Dentistry, about a smarter, tech-powered way to solve today's dental staffing crisis. You'll discover why traditional hiring methods like job boards and agencies are failing—and how Cloud Dentistry...

What does it take to build a dental practice that's not only profitable today but still thriving decades from now? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, dental business coach Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah reveal four proven strategies for long-term success in dentistry. You'll learn how to build a rock-solid dental practice foundation, reduce PPO insurance dependence, master dent...

Ever wondered what the future of dentistry really looks like? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs sits down with Dr. Aman Kaur, founder of Women in DSO, for an inspiring conversation about what's changing and what's possible. They dive into the rise of women in leadership, how DSOs are evolving, and why emotional intelligence and mentorship are becoming must-haves in every mo...

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs explores one of the most common challenges dentists face: knowing when a patient is truly ready to say yes to ideal, comprehensive care. He shares a powerful yet simple question that helps reveal your patient's readiness - no pressure, no guessing. You'll also hear a relatable analogy comparing comprehensive dentistry to fine dining, illust...

Artificial Intelligence isn't just a tech buzzword anymore - it's transforming the modern dental practice. But how does AI actually show up in your daily workflow? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down four real-world applications of AI in dentistry - from chart notes to treatment planning - and explore how these tools impact your patients, your t...

In this special 700th episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah ask one powerful question: "What is one thing you know now that you wish you had learned earlier in your career?" Ten amazing voices from the dental world share their honest answers, including tips on achieving work-life balance, overcoming burnout, negotiating with insurance companies, and building m...

Struggling to balance efficiency with patient connection in your dental practice? In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs shares expert tips on how to increase patient trust, improve case acceptance, and create a new patient experience that builds lifelong loyalty. Learn how to reduce PPO dependence while delivering exceptional care—and hear actionable local SEO strategies from N...

In this episode, Gary and Naren uncover the top 5 dental website mistakes that could be turning potential patients away. From outdated design and poor mobile experience to weak SEO and missing CTAs, they share practical tips to fix these issues and turn your website into a powerful new patient engine. If you're looking to improve your dental website performance, boost your search rankings, and inc...

What if you could work just three days a week… and still run a thriving dental practice? In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah explore a powerful idea that's on the minds of many dentists today: how to create more free time without losing income or control of your practice. If you've ever felt burned out or just wish you had more balance in life, thi...

In this latest episode, Gary sits down with Terry Harris, founder of Harris Biomedical, to discuss how dentists can confidently handle OSHA compliance, HIPAA regulations, and infection control protocols. Whether you're a solo dentist or lead a growing practice, you'll learn how to reduce risk, stay audit-ready, and create a safer practice environment for your team and patients.

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah unpack a powerful question: Are you leaving money on the table? From same-day dentistry to expanded hygiene services and high-value procedures, they share practical, real-world insights on the most profitable services practices often overlook. Gary draws on decades of coaching experience to highlight services that not on...

Join Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on The Thriving Dentist Show as they uncover the power of connecting with your local community to attract new patients and build trust. From sponsoring sports teams to offering free dental care for veterans, this episode is loaded with practical ideas to boost your practice while making a difference. Plus, catch Doctor Dennis Hartlieb's handy tip on preventing...

How can your dental practice attract and retain the best Gen Z team members? Join Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on The Thriving Dentist Show as they explore the unique traits of Generation Z—born 1997 to 2012—and reveal actionable strategies to build a workplace that inspires them. From leveraging purpose and growth opportunities to mastering Google reviews for patient attraction, this episode i...

Can a hygiene-driven model thrive for PPO dental practices in 2025? Tune into The Thriving Dentist Show with Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah to uncover why a robust hygiene department is your practice's secret weapon—despite soaring costs and dwindling PPO fees. Discover proven strategies to skyrocket hygiene profits, break free from insurance constraints, and dominate dental SEO marketing. Don't...

Does your software support the growth of your practice—or hold it back? In this episode, Gary sits down with Jana Macon, President of Curve Dental, to explore how forward-thinking practices are transitioning to fully integrated, cloud-based platforms, without the usual stress of change. They discuss everything from cybersecurity and emergency preparedness to patient experience, online scheduling,...

Are you spending money on marketing but not seeing results? In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah tackle 10 real dentist-submitted questions on effective marketing strategies for 2025. Learn why SEO for dentists is your secret weapon for high ROI, how Google reviews can boost your practice's credibility, and when digital ads make sense. They also reveal the...

In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, we explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—topics in practice growth: how to increase case acceptance for high-value dentistry. Many dentists are holding back on presenting ideal care due to the fear of rejection or assumptions about what patients can afford. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down the psychology behind why dentists h...

In this episode Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah discuss how to build a successful onboarding process that integrates new hires smoothly, reduces turnover, and sets them up for long-term success in your practice. Discover proven strategies to ensure every new team member becomes an asset from day one. Gary shares real-world examples of why employees leave, the importance of mentorship, and...

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs interviews Gary Dickenson, CEO of Seattle Study Club. They explore the role of study clubs in advancing dental education, peer support, and interdisciplinary care. Dickenson shares insights on how Seattle Study Club has evolved into a global network, fostering excellence in both clinical and business aspects of dentistry. Discover the value...

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, we dive deep into The Complete Guide to Creating More Referrals in Your Practice. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore the most effective strategies to increase patient referrals, including direct patient recommendations, professional referral networks, and leveraging online reviews. Special guest Dr. Stephanie Reinhardt shares a clinical tip on The...

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, we explore the critical role of continuing education (CE) in shaping the future of dentistry. The dental profession is evolving rapidly, and those who invest in learning new skills, expanding their knowledge, and staying ahead of industry trends are the ones who thrive. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss how CE impacts clinical excellence, patient...

Some patients stop coming back to your practice—not because they are unhappy, but because life gets busy. The good news? Many of them still see you as their dentist. They just need a little reminder to return. In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share easy ways to bring back inactive patients and keep your schedule full—without spending money on ads. You'l...

Is private practice in dentistry becoming obsolete? In this insightful episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive deep into the future of private dental practices. Learn why relationship-driven, health-centered care is more important than ever, and discover key strategies to stand out from corporate dentistry. Plus, Dr. Matthew Asaro shares a powerful clinical tip on finalizing occlusion. Tune...

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, we tackle an essential yet often overlooked topic—How to Build Generational Wealth with Your Dental Practice. Gary and Naren explore financial independence as the first step and discuss proven strategies to help dentists secure long-term wealth for future generations. Learn about effective financial planning, tax-advantaged savings, practice growth str...