What happens when you stop letting insurance define your patient experience in one of the world’s toughest markets?

In this episode, Dr. Fatina Shtivelman opens up about what it takes to not only build a pediatric dental practice from scratch in Manhattan, but also completely reinvent its business model. She describes the emotional and mental “second baby” her practice became, alongside the constant juggle of refining systems, surviving a pandemic, and keeping both her team and vision aligned in the heart of New York City. Dr. Shtivelman shares the pivotal decision to leave insurance networks behind, revealing why she shifted toward a boutique, fee-for-service model and how this move (while nerve-wracking) ultimately elevated every aspect of her practice.

You’ll hear honest stories about hiring and leadership, from tracking interview punctuality in a city obsessed with time to watching her office manager grow from assistant to hygienist to leader. Dr. Shtivelman details the exact systems she’s built to safeguard consistency, minimize burnout, and empower every team member. She shows us the marketing, review, and tech strategies that help her attract the right families, boost profitability, and reclaim peace of mind. If you’re a dental practice owner or dreaming of becoming one, her practical insights will help you create a practice that’s both deeply personal and truly exceptional.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The mental realities of running a high-stakes pediatric dental practice in Manhattan
Considerations and steps for shifting from in-network to out-of-network models
Strategies for managing patient expectations and navigating tough financial conversations
How to build and align a cohesive, growth-minded dental team
Practical hiring methods for finding staff who fit your vision and values
Concrete systems for accountability, efficiency, and minimizing daily stress
Ground marketing tactics and event best practices to attract ideal patients
How to generate and track quality Google reviews every month
Keys to integrating technology (Open Dental, Modento, Dental Intelligence) for smooth operations
Dr. Shtivelman’s leadership routines for handling pressure and avoiding burnout

Let's listen to Dr. Shtivelman’s hard-won practice-building secrets today!

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Sponsors:‍

Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: https://www.net32.com/dentalmarketer

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CallRail: Call tracking + AI that turns calls into campaigns that convert, quality patients, and cost savings. Click our link to start a free trial today! https://sta.mx/vz69

Guest: Dr. Fatina Shtivelman

Practice Name: Gramercy Kids Smiles

Check out Fatina's Media:

Practice: https://www.gramercykidssmilesnyc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gramercykidssmiles/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetoothfairynyc

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Host: Michael Arias

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