Podcast
Dental Unscripted | Getting into Ownership and Practice Management Insights
Hosted by Michael Dinsio & Paula Quinn | Dental industry coaches & Education leaders · EN
The dental practice ownership podcast for dentists ready to start, buy, or grow their dental business.
Mike Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH have joined forces. Now combining past shows from "Startup Unscripted" and "Dental Acquisition Unscripted" into one. They bring 30+ years of dental industry experience together with a modern approach to "the business of dentistry."
Each episode features unscripted conversations with expert guest content. They share real life experiences, proven strategies, and actionable insights on dental practice ownership. Whether you're new to ownership, planning a dental startup, or navigating a practice acquisition—we've got you covered.
CHANNEL TOPICS INCLUDE:
✓ How to start a dental practice from scratch
✓ Buying a dental practice: What you need to know
✓ Practice management hacks, tips, and tricks
✓ Dental marketing and SEO strategies that work
✓ Financial planning and profitability for practice owners
✓ Building and leading high-performing dental teams
✓ Industry trends: DSOs, technology, and the future of dentistry
Next Level Consultants is Michael and Paula's consulting firm. Their approach to working with dentists? Customized strategies that are tailored to your unique market, team, and goals—no cookie-cutter packages. Visit: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/resources/digital-downloads/
To get our FREE resources and don't hesitate subscribing to the show!
Join our growing community of dental practice owners and entrepreneurs. Watch LIVE on YouTube & ask questions directly. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify. New episodes weekly. No scripts. Just real talk about running a successful dental practice.
Rate the show 5 stars and help other dentists discover us! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Starting a Dental Practice: The Financial Fear Is Worse Than the Reality (2 Minute Drill)
2w ago00:02:01Tap to summarizeStarting a dental practice sounds expensive, until you see the actual numbers. The real financial trap isn't the startup. It's chasing acquisition cash flow. Mike Dinsio breaks down the thought process behind dental startups and why the fear of a startup is holding most dentists back. He explains how the break-even point with a lean team makes more sense than buying a practice. Sometimes buying quietly turns into a big investment you never expected.EBOOK!https://nxlevelconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Starting-Up-E-Book.pdf
Transcribe →Dental Practice Startups vs Acquisitions: Why Chasing Cash Flow Can Be a Deal w/ the Devil
3w ago00:32:57Tap to summarizeThink a dental startup means no income? The real financial trap is chasing acquisition cash flow.Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn break down the real math behind dental startups and why the financial fear is almost always worse than the reality.What you'll discover:clients break even timeline - industry average is 6-8 monthsThe 2-employee, 3-day lean model that controls overhead without sacrificing patient experienceHow $80-100K first-year income + your associate pay matches what most dentists are already earningThe "startup inside an acquisition" trap – Visionary dentists keep falling into this trapWhy startup owners learn every piece of their business and scale fasterPerfect for associate dentists considering ownership, startup-curious dentists stuck on the financial fear, and anyone debating acquisition vs building from scratch.Chasing cash flow is doing a deal with the devil. If you know what kind of practice you want to build, a startup isn't the risky path, it's the only one that doesn't compromise your vision.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com🌟 Love the show? Rate and review on Apple or Spotify - it helps other dentists find us! 🫶TOPICS WE COVER ON THIS SHOW:dental startup, starting a dental practice, dental practice startup, buying a dental practice, dental startup tips, dental practice ownership, owning a dental practice, practice ownership journey, dental entrepreneurship, dental business, dental practice management, dental consulting, dental startup advice, practice management, dental practice challengesProduction by © Dental Unscripted 2026.The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
Transcribe →Growing a Dental Practice Starts Inside Out | Marketing Episode PART3
4w ago00:28:11Tap to summarizeMost dental practices blame marketing for low patient flow, but the real problem is an internal one - "How to audit and fix your front office conversion leakage!" Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Guido Tebano, CMO of Market My Market, to explore the #1 thing nobody is paying attention to: What happens inside your practice when a lead calls. This is part 3 of a marketing deep dive revealing why office execution (not just lead generation) determines your practice growth and profitability.What you'll discover in this episode:• Why most dental offices lose 70% of incoming leads before they ever schedule • The art of phone answering and why it's the highest-ROI skill in your practice • How to identify your best phone closer and strategically route calls to them • Why tracking call metrics exposes the real bottleneck (front office vs. marketing vs. dentist) • The customer service failures that kill conversions (and how to build a playbook to fix them) • How AI and call recording can pinpoint exactly where callers drop off • Why patient experience starts at "hello"—and how tone of voice impacts case acceptancePerfect for practice owners scaling to $1.5M+, startup dentists optimizing their front office, and anyone frustrated with marketing ROI who hasn't measured their internal conversion rate.SPECIAL GUEST ON THIS EPISODE:Guido Tebano is CMO and founder of Market My Market, specializing in data-driven patient acquisition and practice profitability analysis. His demographic studies help dentists determine whether their market can support their growth goals, and if their internal systems can close those leads. Visit https://marketmymarket.com to get more info about working with them.Marketing is only half the equation. Your practice's real competitive advantage lives in how your team converts the opportunities that walk through the door. This episode gives you the framework to audit, measure, and fix your biggest revenue leak.Subscribe to Dental Unscripted: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com🌟 Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🫶 It helps us reach more practice owners.growing a dental practice, dental practice growth, practice management, dental business, practice efficiency, dental practice leadership, patient experience, dental practice challenges, conversion optimization, dental startup tips, practice acquisition, dental entrepreneurship, practice profitability, patient conversion, front office managementProduction by © Dental Unscripted 2026.The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
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PPO vs. Fee-for-Service: A Practice Ownership Journey Decision | 2 MIN DRILL Episode
Jul 600:01:54Tap to summarizeShould you drop PPO insurance or negotiate harder for fee-for-service rates? The 60% rule tells you when a write-off crosses into insulting territory. But it only makes sense if you can answer these 3 questions:#1. Is your chair full?#2. What is your patient experience like? #3. What is your plan for patients with no 'out-of-network' benefits? Get an informal and informative review of your practice's insurances! Reach out to Paula Quinn and her front office team!https://nxlevelconsultants.com/contact/
Transcribe →The Real Cost of Marketing for New Dental Patients in a Practice Startup (Most Get it Wrong)
Jun 1900:30:34Tap to summarizeMost dental startups guess at their marketing budget and end up either starving for patients or wasting money. Guido Tebano of Market My Market breaks down real numbers for SEO, ads, and mailers.In this episode of the Marketing Series, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Guido Tebano to answer the question every startup dentist asks: how much should you actually spend on marketing, and where should that money go? They cover the real difference between SEO and paid ads, how long a new dental website takes to start ranking, what a qualified implant lead actually costs, whether direct mail still works in 2026, and the calls to action that convert new patients on a website or mailer.Why a marketing budget can’t be copied from another office The real timeline for SEO and organic ranking Cost per lead and cost per patient, broken down by platform Are dental directories like ZocDoc worth the markup Do direct mail campaigns still work?The five calls to action that actually convert new patients General budget benchmarks for a dental startup by market type Why the first 90 days matter mostCHAPTER MARKERS0:00 Intro: budgeting for marketing 1:04 Meet Guido Tebano 2:13 Why budgets can’t be cookie cutter 3:18 SEO vs paid ads timeline 5:38 How long a website takes to rank 8:23 Cost per new patient compared 9:46 Are directories worth the markup 11:24 Cost per implant lead and ROI 13:00 Do mailers still work 16:04 Why mailer messaging matters 18:01 5 CTAs that convert patients 21:35 Promotion vs production costs 23:51 General budget benchmarks 26:01 Spending your first $3,500/mo28:15 When to turn ads on 29:35 Why your first 90 days matterLearn more about Guido Tebano and Market My Market at https://marketmymarket.comThis episode is part of our Marketing Series for dental startups. Catch Part I, our episode on dental startup demographics, wherever you listen.Visit Our Podcast's Website: https://dentalunscripted.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/dentalunscripted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DentalUnscripted/ Check out Next Level Consultants: https://nxlevelconsultants.com Check out Next Level Consultants for personalized dental practice consulting servicesMichael Dinsio, MBAPaula Quinn, BSDH Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
Transcribe →Should You Drop Dental Insurance and Go FFS? Our Answer Might Surprise You!
Jun 1200:32:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, billing and credentialing expert at Next Level Consultants, to tackle the biggest question in the industry right now: "Should I drop my insurance?" They break down the massive differences between lease networks and direct contracts, when it is time to aggressively negotiate your fees, and why jumping out of network without a strategic plan can absolutely tank your dental practice revenue.What You'll Find Out:Why you should never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely fullThe 60% rule: How to know exactly when an insurance fee schedule becomes insultingWhy updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is critical before attempting dental insurance negotiationThe hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applicationsHow to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning to fee for serviceThe essential 90-day patient communication playbook for going out of network seamlesslyPerfect for: Startup dentists, established practice owners, front office managers, and anyone focused on dental billing strategies, increasing profitability in dentistry, and mastering dental practice management.Special Guest on Today’s Show: Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table as the Billing & Credentialing Lead and Front Office Coach at Next Level. She specializes in navigating archaic insurance algorithms, maximizing practice fee schedules, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base. Special Promotional Offer and Connect: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/Key Takeaways: You no longer have to be a victim to stagnant insurance reimbursements. By fully updating your UCRs, mastering upfront patient communication, and strategically evaluating your clinical capacity, you can confidently take back control of your practice's financial future. Finally, a realistic and actionable roadmap to escape the PPO trap!Stay Connected to Get More Topics Covered by Dental Unscripted: dental insurance negotiation, fee for service dentistry, dropping PPOs, dental credentialing, dental billing, UCR fees, dental practice management, successful dental practice, dental consulting, buying a dental practice, running a dental practice, dental practice revenue, growing a dental practice, dental entrepreneurship, dental industry advice, dental solutions, profitability in dentistry, dental practice tips, how to run a dental practice, business of dentistry, out of network dentist
Transcribe →What Your Dental Marketing Company Isn't Telling You About Demographics
Jun 400:28:44Tap to summarizeMost dental practice owners eventually hit a breaking point and ask the exact same question: "Should I drop my insurance?" But jumping straight out of network without a bulletproof strategy can absolutely tank your revenue. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, Billing and Credentialing Lead at Next Level Consultants, to explain the critical data and preparation needed before you ever send a termination letter. We reveal the exact framework top dental offices use to hold insurance companies accountable, update their UCRs, and successfully navigate the FFS (Fee-For-Service) transition.If you are starting up, growing a dental practice, or simply exhausted by stagnant insurance reimbursements dictating your dental practice profitability, this episode is exactly why we created Dental Unscripted. We partner with Stefani to get granular on what most doctors get wrong about dental insurance negotiation, DIY credentialing, and patient retention.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE → Why you should absolutely never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely full → How to leverage the "60% Rule" to know exactly when a fee schedule becomes insulting → Why updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is the mandatory first step before any negotiation → The hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applications → The real difference between leased umbrella networks and direct contracts (and how to use them to your advantage) → How to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning out of network → The essential 90-day patient communication playbook to prevent a mass exodusTIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: The biggest question in the dental industry—should I drop my insurance? 2:15 The "Fill Up First" rule before changing your insurance capacity 4:45 When and how often you should be negotiating your dental insurance fees 8:30 Why your UCR fees must be updated to create negotiation leverage 11:15 The 60% Rule: Knowing when to walk away from a bad contract 14:20 Leased networks vs. direct contracts explained 16:50 The massive mistakes doctors make with DIY dental credentialing 21:30 The out-of-network playbook: Preparing your front office and your AR 24:45 Retaining patients through communication and in-house membership plans 28:10 Understanding the true marketing cost of dropping a PPO networkABOUT OUR GUEST Stefani SandovalBilling & Credentialing Lead, Next Level Consultants Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table, helping dental practice owners navigate archaic insurance algorithms. She specializes in maximizing practice fee schedules, restructuring network participation, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base.ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of Next Level Consultants, the dental industry's leading advisory firm for practice startups, acquisitions, and ownership coaching. With 30+ years of combined experience and hundreds of successful practice launches, Mike and Paula bring unfiltered, real-world expertise to every episode of Dental Unscripted. Work with Mike and Paula: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/dental-practice-management/ Visit the show website: https://dentalunscripted.comRATE THE SHOW 🙏 If this episode helped you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds and helps other dentists find the show.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-unscripted-getting-into-ownership-and-practice/id1776401263 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NhNbETQDWwe91935VG3T2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/PRODUCTION INFORMATION: © 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved. The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
Transcribe →Dental Practice Finances: The SBA Express Loan That Funds $350K in 2 Weeks
May 2700:32:06Tap to summarizeDental practice finances just got a serious upgrade. Bert Smith, SVP of Healthcare Lending at Live Oak Bank - the #1 SBA lender in America, reveals the brand-new SBA Express Loan: up to $350,000 in working capital, funded in 2-4 weeks, with no real estate collateral required.Whether you're buying a dental practice, navigating a startup that didn't ramp the way you planned, or carrying high-interest debt that's killing your cash flow, this conversation rewrites everything dentists think they know about SBA lending. Hosts Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn dig into why SBA is NOT just the backup plan when big banks say no — and how the new Express program changes the financing game for dental practice owners.⏱ KEY MOMENTS:03:50 - What the SBA Actually Is (And Why Dentists Should Care)06:45 - Why Dental Practice Financing Is Different From Every Other Industry11:55 - The SBA 7(a) Loan & 75% Government Guarantee Explained14:00 - Preferred Lender vs. Generic SBA Bank: Why It Matters18:00 - The Real Truth About SBA Loans for Buying a Dental Practice23:10 - NEW: SBA Express Loan — $350K in Working Capital25:30 - Express Loan Terms: 10-Year, No Prepayment, No Real Estate Lien26:30 - How Struggling Startups Use Express Loans to Get Back to Profitability29:20 - 680 FICO Minimum & Express Loan Qualification Rules30:10 - Why Dental-Specific SBA Lending Beats Credit Unions💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:✓ How the SBA 7(a) program lets banks approve deals big banks reject✓ Why 100% real estate financing is available for existing practice owners✓ How dental practice owners can consolidate credit card debt with SBA Express✓ When pro forma underwriting helps new dental practice owners qualify✓ How to recognize the difference between a "fairway" loan and an SBA opportunity🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:🏦 Live Oak Bank (Healthcare Lending): https://www.liveoakbank.com🦷 Next Level Consultants — Dental Practice Coaching & Consulting: https://nxlevelconsultants.com🎙 Dental Unscripted Podcast: https://dentalunscripted.com📲 Instagram: @dentalunscripted📢 ENJOYING DENTAL UNSCRIPTED?If this episode helped you think differently about dental practice finances, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.It's the single biggest way to support the show and help more dental practice owners find these conversations.Subscribe and follow for weekly episodes on dental practice ownership, acquisitions, startups, and the business of dentistry.#DentalPracticeFinances #BuyingADentalPractice #SBALoans #DentalUnscripted #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusinessPRODUCTION INFORMATION:© 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved.The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
Transcribe →Setting Up a Dental Practice Entity: LLC/PLC, S-Corp & Tax Election Explained!
May 100:35:08Tap to summarizeChoosing the wrong entity structure before buying or starting a dental practice can cost you valuable time. Most dentists don't find out until it's crunch time on a deal or they talk to an attorney about it. Thats why Tyler Jones of Helsell Fetterman joins Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn to break down everything dental practice owners need to know about entity formation. From the LLC vs. S-Corp confusion to the exact timing for startups and acquisitions. This is the stuff you should know to talk to a CPA or attorney before you start filing online. 3:57 LLC vs. S-Corp: What's the actual difference? 5:11 Why most dentists should start as an LLC (not S-Corp) 7:00 PLLC vs. LLC: Does your state require it? 15:06 Startups: Exactly WHEN to form your entity 20:20 Acquisitions: Why timing is more accelerated than you think 18:03 Can you reuse your old LLC from associate days? 22:28 Who should form your entity - Attorney, CPA, or DIY? 26:14 What entity formation actually costs (and what to bundle) 29:00 Operating agreements and EINs: What you need and when 31:56 Partnerships & multi-practice: When these rules change entirelyKEY TAKEAWAYS:✅ Your LLC and your S-Corp election are two separate things, most dentists confuse them ✅ In most states, LLC and PLLC are functionally the same, just a naming distinction ✅ For acquisitions, form your entity early, deals now close in 30-60 days, not 90-120 ✅ Reusing an old associate LLC is possible, but a fresh start usually wins with banks ✅ DIY entity setup is possible, but fixing mistakes costs far more than doing it right ✅ Your entity costs only ~$70/year to renew, don't let timing anxiety paralyze you ✅ Always have your operating agreement and EIN ready, banks and landlords will askABOUT THE GUEST:Tyler Jones, Attorney, Helsell FettermanDental and veterinary practice transaction specialistNationwide entity formation, acquisition, and startup legal servicesBased in Washington State; serves dental professionals across the countryWorks alongside dental-specific CPAs and advisors on complex deal structures🔗 Connect with Tyler: https://www.helsell.com/helsell-attorney/tyler-jones/CONNECT WITH MIKE & PAULA:Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTS, a dental-specific advisory firm that guides dentists through practice acquisitions, startups, and operational growth. If you're serious about ownership, they're the team you want in your corner. https://nxlevelconsultants.comFOLLOW DENTAL UNSRIPTED:https://dentalunscripted.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/🔔 Subscribe for new episodes on: ✔ Dental practice acquisitions & startups ✔ Practice ownership finances and legal strategy ✔ Tax planning and entity structure for dentists ✔ Team building, operations, and profitability ✔ Real talk from dental industry experts#DentalUnscripted #BuyingADentalPractice #DentalStartup #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusiness #PracticeAcquisition #DentalEntrepreneur #DentalPodcast #DentistPodcast #DentalManagement
Transcribe →Does Your Team Thinks You’re Rich! Sharing the Practice's Numbers with Your Team
Apr 2000:38:54Tap to summarizeDental Practice Management | Dental Practice Growth | Running a Dental PracticeStop hiding the scoreboard and wondering why your team isn't winning. Learn how to transition from a stressed boss to an intentional CEO by leveraging the power of financial transparency with Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn.EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode of Dental Unscripted, Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn tackle one of the most controversial topics in dental practice ownership: Should your team know the numbers? If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the financial weight of the practice alone while your team operates in manual chaos, this conversation is for you. Mike and Paula break down why keeping your dental practice metrics a secret is actually killing your positive team culture and how sharing the "why" behind the data can transform your staff into high-level producers.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy 9 out of 10 owners fail to share numbers (and what it’s costing them)The Gen Z Factor: Why "purpose" is the primary driver for the new workforceDental practice management hacks for daily huddles that actually move the needleThe 3x Wage Rule: How to determine if your hygiene department is truly profitableWhy your case acceptance is likely stuck at 39% and how to fix itTracking "Active Perio" vs. "Old Perio" to ensure a high standard of careFront office goals: Chasing $30 insurance claims vs. filling the scheduleKEY TAKEAWAY Numbers are just a story of how well you are caring for your patients. When you give your team a scoreboard, you turn a job into a mission, eliminating dental practice challenges and driving financial success in dentistry.WORK Michael and Paula at NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTSWebsite: https://www.nxlevelconsultants.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscriptedYouTube: https://youtu.be/Xqs6V67yGWQSTAY CONNECTED TO DENTAL UNSCRIPTED: dental practice management, dental practice growth, running a dental practice, dental industry insights, dental practice metrics, hygiene revenue, dental case acceptance, dental practice ownership, dental consulting, dental coach, how to run a dental practice, dental leadership, dental team culture, dental office coach, dental profitability.PRODUCTION INFORMATION© 2026 Dental Unscripted | Next Level Consultants. All rights reserved.Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or clinical advice.
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