The Thriving Dentist Show

In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share the 4 proven steps to building a dental marketing funnel that attracts quality new patients and gets them to book—without depending on PPO plans. Discover how to rank higher with SEO, use Google reviews and patient stories to build trust, and train your team to turn calls into appointments. Listen now and start growing your practice with a funnel that actually works!

Discover why the new patient experience in dentistry is the key to case acceptance and loyalty. Gary Takacs shares a 7-step process to improve patient trust, reduce PPO dependence, and transition to a fee for-service dental practice.

In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah reveal seven goals that can transform your dental practice into one that delivers greater profit, satisfaction, and balance. Gary explains how these goals work together to help you control overhead, achieve financial independence, build a strong team, and enjoy a better work-life balance—whether you run a solo or multi-doctor office. Special guest Dr. Omar Khaled returns with a vital clinical tip on managing necrotic cases in emergency visits. Packed with practical strategies and real-world examples, this episode shows you how to take control of your practice and create the career—and life—you want.

In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah address a critical financial challenge in dental practices; how to keep team member wages within a sustainable budget. With inflation and wage expectations on the rise, this episode outlines actionable strategies to maintain financial health without compromising team satisfaction. Gary shares a proven wage budget formula (28% or less of collections) and explores the power of increasing production versus cutting costs. Naren provides marketing tips on accurately tracking new patient sources to maximize ROI. Together, they offer expert insights on the importance of reducing PPO dependence, using AI to boost productivity, and implementing performance-based compensation.

Can you increase your fees without losing patients? In this powerful episode, Gary Takacs and co-host Naren Arulrajah explore the truth behind dental pricing strategies and why many practices leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table. You'll discover how a data-driven, annually recalibrated fee structure can significantly boost profitability, without raising overhead. Whether you're looking to raise your hygiene fees or completely overhaul your fee schedule, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

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:

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 helps you fill open positions in minutes, reduce no-shows, and access licensed, background-checked professionals without costly agency fees. Whether you're trying to hire a hygienist, dental assistant, or front office team member, this episode reveals the fastest, most cost-effective way to build a productive dental team. Tune in now and start leading your practice with confidence.

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 dental marketing, and create a positive team culture. Inspired by business expert Jim Collins (Built to Last) and backed by real-world case studies, this episode is your blueprint for creating a high-performing, future-ready dental practice.

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 modern practice. You’ll also hear how technology and generational shifts are reshaping the industry, and why now might just be the best time to be a dentist.

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, illustrating how the environment you create in your practice plays a key role in treatment acceptance. Gary and co-host Naren Arulrajah dig into mindset shifts, ways to overcome fear of rejection, and how to design a patient experience that supports high-value care. They also discuss practical strategies to reduce PPO dependence and attract patients who truly value the kind of dentistry you love to provide. If you're ready to increase case acceptance and help more patients say yes to life-changing care, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen now!

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 team, and your bottom line.

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 meaningful patient relationships. You’ll hear stories from Rebecca Herring, Dr. Jim Arnold, Kari Carter, Ben Tunei, Jennifer Turner, Dr. Michael Sonick, Tessina Bullock, and Sarah Beth Herman. Each guest brings real-life experience and lessons that can help you grow both personally and professionally. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in practice for years, this episode is filled with wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice to help you thrive.

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 Naren Arulrajah to help your dental office rank higher on Google Maps. Perfect for dentists, dental teams, and practice owners looking to grow a relationship-driven, profitable dental practice.

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 increase new patient conversions, this episode is a must-listen!

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, this episode is for you. Gary shares how he’s helped many dentists make the three-day work week a reality. From smart scheduling to reducing insurance headaches, you’ll hear real-world strategies that work. They talk about how two dentists can share the week and still keep the office running five days, or how a solo dentist can stay just as productive by working smarter—not longer. You’ll also learn how to build a strong, happy team that loves the schedule as much as you do. Naren jumps in with simple marketing tips to help attract patients for high-value services like implants, Invisalign, or cosmetic dentistry. He explains why great landing pages, real patient stories, and search engine optimization (SEO) can help you get more of the right patients—without spending a lot on ads. These ideas make it easier to grow your income, even with fewer workdays. Whether you're just starting to think about a lighter schedule or you're ready to take action, this episode gives you a clear path forward. Gary and Naren break it all down in a way that’s easy to follow and proven to work. It’s not just a dream—you really can build a life and practice your love with more time, more freedom, and less stress.

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 only boost revenue but also serve patients better. Whether you’re looking to add same-day treatment, revive your perio program, or explore Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry, this episode will help you identify simple strategies to increase profitability without adding hours, team, or stress.

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 staining in composite restorations—don’t miss it!

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 is packed with insights to strengthen your team and elevate your practice. Don’t miss it!

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 miss this game-changing episode packed with expert insights to elevate your practice!