Dentistry Beyond the Numbers

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung sits down with the one and only Dr. David Rice — Founder of IgniteDDS, Editor-in-Chief of DentistryIQ, and one of dentistry’s most influential mentors.If you're a dental student, a new dentist, or just a few years out of residency, this conversation is a masterclass in building a successful, fulfilling dental career in today’s changing landscape.Dr. Rice and Dr. Liechtung dive into the realities young dentists face today:• navigating massive student debt• choosing between DSO, private practice, or ownership• the impact of social media on expectations• why clinical skills alone aren’t enough• how to build leadership abilities early• finding the right mentors and support system• mapping out your career based on your “self-determined future”You’ll hear hard truths, practical advice, and the exact steps young dentists can take to avoid burnout and accelerate success.This episode is an essential listen for:🦷 dental students🦷 new grads🦷 associates🦷 practice owners mentoring younger doctors🦷 anyone building a dental career in 2025 and beyond⭐️ ABOUT OUR GUEST — DR. DAVID RICE• Founder: IgniteDDS• Editor-in-Chief: DentistryIQ• National educator, mentor & clinician• Advisor to early-career dentists across the country• Leading voice in dental leadership, team building, and career developmentFollow Dentistry Beyond the Numbers for more episodes on practice growth, leadership, marketing, and the real business of dentistry.

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, host Dr. Marc Liechtung talks with Dr. Tony Stefanou, a former practicing dentist turned mergers & acquisitions expert and founder of Connect the Dents.They dive deep into the real business side of dentistry — from understanding EBITDA to navigating DSOs, private equity, and how to protect your value as an independent dentist.Dr. Stefanou shares invaluable insight on:What determines a dental practice’s true valueHow to increase your EBITDA (and your exit number)The biggest myths about selling a practiceWhere private equity is headed next in dentistryWhether you’re building your first practice or planning your exit, this episode delivers wisdom you can use today.Follow for more business insights that every dentist needs to know.

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung shares his vision for the future of dentistry and why being a "super generalist" is essential for a successful career. Dr. Liechtung breaks down his concept of the "dental hamsa," a metaphorical glove that represents five key procedures every modern dentist should master: Invisalign, root canals, crown & bridge, cosmetic dentistry, and surgical extractions with bone grafts, including implant placements. Learn how embracing these skills can set you apart, increase your production, and take your practice to the next level. The "Dental Hamsa": Understanding the five essential procedures every dentist should master. Super Generalist vs. Specialist: Why generalists who embrace these procedures can increase their earnings and career longevity. The Future of Dentistry: How becoming a super generalist will prepare you for the evolving landscape of dental care. Practical Tips: How to implement root canals, extractions, and other key procedures to boost production. Real-World Examples: Case studies showing the financial impact of adopting the super generalist approach. All Inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com ---- Transcript: 00:00:00:00 - 00:00:21:12 Speaker 1 That is what separates somebody who is taking home close to seven figures and somebody who's saying they like dentistry, but they're not bringing home nearly that much because they are dealing with the ceiling of knowledge. What monies do I need to run my business on my associate? Absolutely. Efficiently, without understanding the numbers that go into our practice. We're not going to survive. 00:00:21:12 - 00:00:45:08 Speaker 1 We're going to wonder, why aren't we driving that type of car? Why aren't we having that renovated office? What I really like about being a super generalist is, at some point in your career, when you're doing these procedures, nothing fazes. You can market all you want, but if we're doing fillings instead of crowns that are needed, referring out root canals or extracting those teeth because we're not comfortable with those who canals, and we want to get it under our own bill, that's going to hold the growth of the practice. 00:00:45:08 - 00:01:02:12 Speaker 1 But when you have a dentist that wants to embrace this country, wants to do it all, look left, look right, look at the quadrants. This is what's going to make dentists have a tremendous career. It's not about money. Money comes. 00:01:02:13 - 00:01:24:15 Speaker 1 Hello, everybody. Welcome back to dentistry. Beyond the numbers. If you can tell, I am very excited to be here. Took a few weeks off my son and my daughter in law and had a daughter, which makes it my granddaughter, my wife and I. Granddaughter. First grandchild. We are over the moon just to share some good news. Personal. I have three sons that my wife and I raised and, never had. 00:01:24:15 - 00:01:48:12 Speaker 1 A girl in our life was so excited and took a little time off, spend some time, got myself situated. But we're back to dentistry beyond the numbers, and we're going to engage in a ten week program. The ten week program is to really dive in to what we talked about. Our first our first venture, the dental hamsa. Really this roadmap of having just a quality, exceptional career. 00:01:48:13 - 00:02:10:20 Speaker 1 This is something that I've thought about for many, many, many years. When I first came out, I'll remind everyone I had a large practice in New York City, still part of it, and we had specialists. But I've seen through the years some of my associates, a couple of them mainly have really embarked on the super general dentist. What we're going to term the super generalist. 00:02:10:22 - 00:02:43:23 Speaker 1 To me, the super generalist is the future of dentistry. And it is my observation through many years of having associates and what I've seen is and studied is that a dentist that allows themselves to be able to learn and seek the knowledge of really a well-rounded dentist. And if you look at the five digits, the five fingers Invisalign root canal, kind of bridge, cosmetics, surgical extractions, bone graft, and of course, implant placement the fastest growing procedure in in our field. 00:02:44:01 - 00:03:07:02 Speaker 1 When you embark on those things, you are what I call really a super planner or a comprehend treatment planner. And what I mean by that is when we're a super generalist, I want patients to know that it doesn't matter to us whether we do a root canal or extraction and bone graft, or an implant or a crown or anomaly. 00:03:07:04 - 00:03:33:17 Speaker 1 We do it all. So the only goal for us is really to do what's best for the patient. And it's so important when when we look at that situation. Because once you have adapted and I've seen young and old, I mean, I have we have partners, I have associates that have embraced this concept and really understanding what it means to be a super generalist. 00:03:33:19 - 00:03:53:11 Speaker 1 Well, to me, they're the most well-rounded dentists. You know, when I went to University of Pennsylvania, the goal in life was to be a period prosthesis dentist to spend the program there and be a dual specialist. I think this is what it's about. This up puts us on the roadmap for somebody to say, I really want to embrace all aspects. 00:03:53:11 - 00:04:18:10 Speaker 1 I love surgery, but I understand the importance of crown and bridge. I certainly understand the importance of clear aligners. What I really like about being the super generalist is at some point in your career, when you're doing these procedures, nothing fazes you. You can do it all and you can handle it. And it's really fascinating to me how we will embrace this and use this as our roadmap. 00:04:18:10 - 00:04:38:12 Speaker 1 And I've said this before, you know, I look at how are we going to build our new patient load? Are we going to go out market more? Are we going to blog reputation about, you know, put different videos? It doesn't matter if we up our marketing to 20,000 a month, what happens at the chair is what makes the ROI. 00:04:38:13 - 00:04:56:12 Speaker 1 You can market all you want, but if we're doing fillings instead of crowns that are needed, if we're referring out root canals or extracting those teeth because we're not comfortable with those root canals, that we want to get it under our own bill, our own production, that's going to hold the quality of the practice, the growth of the practice. 00:04:56:14 - 00:05:17:18 Speaker 1 But when you have a dentist that wants to embrace this concept, wants to do it all, look left, look right, look at the quadrants. This is what's going to make dentists have a tremendous career. It's not about money. Money comes. That patient will absolutely know exactly who is treating planning them the right way and who is treatment planning them. 00:05:17:18 - 00:05:48:05 Speaker 1 The way that they know. That is what separates somebody who is taking home above 500 and close to seven figures, and somebody who's saying they like dentistry, but they're not bringing home nearly that much because they are dealing with the ceiling of knowledge. Whoever embraced embarked on this career and wants to envelop and gain that knowledge also understands finances, because they're not going to come to work and run their business without understanding what goes into that business. 00:05:48:05 - 00:06:15:23 Speaker 1 What money do I need to run my business on my associates ship absolutely efficiently? Without understanding the numbers that go into our practice, we're not going to survive. We're going to be sucking wind for a long time. We're going to wonder, why aren't we driving that type of car? Why are we having that renovated office? Because we, as dentists, need to understand that there's a tremendous difference between understanding and really embracing. 00:06:15:23 - 00:06:40:09 Speaker 1 Numbers. Tell the story. Numbers tell the story. If the hygienist in that office is is is probing and advising, scaling or route planning and asking for certain procedures like an arrest and procedure or deep cleaning procedure on those people or the hygienist really producing and generating numbers like in the past or or are they not? Are the numbers from marketing really? 00:06:40:09 - 00:07:08:07 Speaker 1 You know, we're spending 10,000 a month. Are we really getting a three to 4 to 1? Are the phones ringing? What are we doing? Let's understand how our payroll is being affected. We are going to dig into this hand like you've never dug in. I want to bring people in to make you understand the doctors, the teams that if you institute root canal therapy in your office, you'll do more crown and bridge than you've ever done in your life, whether it be associate or training. 00:07:08:07 - 00:07:37:15 Speaker 1 If you're young enough and or old enough and willing to embrace it. Doing root canal therapy is amazing. Doing Invisalign or clear aligners or ortho brain, and understanding the concept of occlusion will help you with future work. We're going to get deep into that cosmetics crown and bridge. If you can understand the concept of the curves of Bliss and Spey and, and and etc. and understand how to deliver an absolutely beautiful case, you're going to be better for it. 00:07:37:17 - 00:08:06:07 Speaker 1 And of course, surgery. You know, every young doctor coming out love surgery because it is absolutely rewarding when you could take out a tooth grafted and put an implant in. And these are the ones that I see are going to embark on building great practices. And if they're associates coming into a practice, we're going to talk about the integration of that today, because to me, I'm seeing a lot of people being brought into practices and asking, how do I get in? 00:08:06:07 - 00:08:26:04 Speaker 1 If there's a specialist, how do I do the work I want to do? We'll talk about tha

We’re back and better than ever with Episode 9 of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers! In today’s episode I build on what it truly means to build a successful dental career.  We'll discuss…  Career Paths in Dentistry… DPOs, DSOs, Private practices and more! The Importance of Work-Life Balance… How will it affect your success as a dentist? The Importance of mentorship… Do we ever stop learning? Developing your Entrepreneurial Skills… Let’s make you an incredible business mind! Career Categories in Dentistry… Are you a coaster, roaster or rainmaker? Whether you're a new dentist weighing your career paths or an experienced practitioner seeking to enhance your role as a "super generalist," this episode is packed with invaluable insights, personal experiences, and professional advice aimed at helping you thrive in your dental career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Business Inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung shares his personal journey in the dental industry and the evolution of dental practice acquisitions. Get ready to learn valuable insights about building and selling dental practices. - Insights into selling dental practices in different decades - The story behind the Snap on Smile product - Evaluating dental practices: Then vs. Now - Understanding EBITDA and its impact on practice valuation - Strategies to boost practice efficiency and profitability About this podcast:  “Dentistry... Beyond the Numbers" is a captivating podcast that delves into the multifaceted world of dentistry. Through insightful discussions and practical advice,"Dentistry…Beyond the Numbers" offers a comprehensive and inspiring exploration of different practices in the dental field, catering to listeners at all levels in their careers from students, to skilled and experienced practitioners, to dental industry professionals. Tune in as we share fascinating stories, valuable insights, and the passion that drives dentistry beyond the mere numbers with host Dr. Marc Liechtung. Want to sponsor the show? Do you have feedback? Do you know a great guest?  Email: mliechtung@gmail.com

In this episode of Dentistry… Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung expands on the topic from last week… exit strategy! But in this week’s episode, he covers all you need to know about preparing your dental practice for a sale to a DPO or DSO.  A DSO wants to acquire your practice, but you’re unsure of what needs to be done in order to get you the money you deserve? This one's for you! Business Inquiries: mliechtung@gmail.com

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung delves into the critical role hygienists play in the success of a dental practice. Discover how integrating hygienists effectively can significantly boost your top-line revenue, enhance patient care, and streamline operations. Dr. Liechtung shares his expert insights and experiences, revealing strategies for maximizing the potential of your hygienists to create a seamless, efficient, and patient-focused practice. Tune in to learn how to transform your practice by harnessing the power of your hygiene team. Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:29 - Introduction: Recap of Last Session 00:30 - 01:24 - Disconnect Between Use and Nonuse of Hygienists 1:25 - 2:59 - Importance of Hygienists in Treatment Planning 3:00 - 3:59 - Role of Hygienists in Patient Interaction 4:00 - 6:49 - Hygienists as Essential Providers in Dental Practice 6:50 - 8:49 - Utilizing Hygienists for Comprehensive and Same Day Dentistry 8:50 - 10:59 - Differences in Hygienist Utilization Among Practices 11:00 - 13:44 - Benefits of Probing and Comprehensive Hygiene Care 13:45 - 16:29 - Hygienists’ Role in Identifying and Planning Treatments 16:30 - 18:59 - Integrating Hygienists into Team and Practice Culture 19:00 - 21:59 - Importance of Hygienist-Doctor Communication 22:00 - 25:44 - Strategies for New Doctors to Work with Hygienists 25:45 - 29:59 - Enhancing Practice Culture with Hygienist Integration 30:00 - 33:59 - Professional Development and Growth for Hygienists 34:00 - 34:59 - Conclusion and Upcoming Topics in the Podcast Business inquiries: mliechtung@gmail.com

Welcome to Episode 11 of "Dentistry Beyond The Numbers." Join Dr. Marc Liechtung as he delves into the complexities of modern dentistry, where a dentist's role extends beyond medical expertise to include marketing and patient engagement. In this episode, discover the four crucial steps of dental treatment planning: Diagnosing and communicating patient needs Explaining the consequences of untreated conditions Simplifying treatment processes Securing commitment with the help of a treatment coordinator Dr. Liechtung emphasizes the importance of empathetic and clear communication in building patient trust, from the initial consultation to securing treatment agreements. Learn strategies to enhance patient interactions, improve practice efficiency, and boost financial success. This episode also covers: The role of down payments in securing patient commitment The importance of initial impressions for long-term relationships Exciting updates on the growth of "Dentistry Beyond The Numbers" Upcoming interviews with renowned dental professionals Gain invaluable insights into comprehensive dental care and elevate your practice. Subscribe and stay tuned for more expert advice from Dr. Liechtung and other leading voices in dentistry. Time stamps: 00:00 Guidelines for effective communication in dentistry. 03:38 Hygienist identifies issues, offers comprehensive dental care. 07:56 Effective communication essential for treating patients well. 12:37 Urgent dental issue, impacting future teeth alignment. 13:25 Prevent dental issues to avoid future problems. 16:37 Establish trust, provide painless, positive experience. 22:43 Financial focus in dentistry for smoother cases. 24:46 Scan, impressions, money involved, commitment, appointment. 28:23 Treatment planning essential to patient care and practice. 31:10 Searching for a special podcast guest E-mail business inquiries to: mliechtung@gmail.com

In this episode, Dr. Marc Liechtung addresses a burning question many dentists face: When is the right time to bring in an associate? Dr. Liechtung breaks down this question by looking at different stages of a dentist's career, offering insights into the optimal timing, the type of associate to consider, and how to incorporate them into the practice.  Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ Business Inquiries: mliechtung@gmail.com

In today’s episode of Dentistry… Beyond The Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung wraps up an eye-opening journey to uncover the value and worth of dental practices. Joined by special guest Rolando Mia, the duo delves into the essential action plans and key takeaways from previous episodes, including the critical concept of EBITDA. They compare two $3 million dental practices, revealing the stark contrast in their bottom line values and the crucial factors that influence their worth. Listeners are in for a wealth of insights and actionable strategies to elevate their dental practices in this enlightening conclusion to the series. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ Business Inquiries: mliechtung@gmail.com

In today’s episode of Dentistry… Beyond The Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung dives into the importance of EBIDTA. He emphasizes the significance of understanding EBITDA in order to enhance the profitability and value of a dental practice.  Timestamps:  00:00 Replace EBITDA with operational profit in practices. 04:55 EBITDA: Operational profit that defines practice value. 07:56 Increase earnings to boost practice value and profits. 13:13 EBITDA and cost analysis impact operational profit. 16:03 Constant improvement and growth for medical practices. 20:23 Dentists need to understand and manage business. 21:45 Evaluate, give back, learn, focus, profit. 25:42 Support, guidance, and gratitude for team success. 27:52 Thank you. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ Business Inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com

In this episode of Dentistry Beyond The Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung dives deep into the crucial topic of expenses and how they can impact the success of a dental practice. Joined by his partner, Rolando Mia, Dr. Liechtung shares invaluable insights based on his extensive experience in acquiring, analyzing, and building dental practices. From salaries and benefits to labs, supplies, rent, marketing, and professional fees, he reveals the optimal expense ranges that can lead to a highly profitable practice. As a seasoned professional in the field, Dr. Liechtung provides practical advice for dentists aiming to enhance their practice's financial health and overall success. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ Business Inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com Timestamps: 00:00 Careful budgeting crucial for successful dental practice. 06:10 Maintain staff costs at 45-55%, improve efficiency. 09:08 Use digital workflow, control dental supply spend. 12:10 Doctors' costs are fixed, plan carefully. 16:19 Advising on expenses and efficiency in dentistry. 17:40 Team focuses on cutting expenses for profitability. 21:47 Next session will cover practice efficiencies and work-life balance.

In this episode of "Dentistry Beyond The Numbers," Dr. Marc Liechtung and guest Rolando Mia discuss the financial impact of key dental procedures on practice revenue. They explore how incorporating procedures such as clear aligners, root canal therapy, veneer cases, extractions and bone grafts, and dental implants can significantly boost a practice's gross revenue. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ Business Inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com Timestamps: 00:00 Guide listeners to practice of their dreams. Financial evaluation. 03:45 Clear aligners offer significant revenue potential. 06:19 Referring patients boosts practice, efficiency is amazing. 11:50 Implants and technology revolutionize dental practice. 15:01 Assess bone quality in 6-8 weeks 18:30 Excited about profitability, procedures, and marketing's importance. 19:35 Outro

Welcome back to Dentistry Beyond The Numbers for episode 3! I am delighted to be with my great friend Rolando Mia on this one.  We dive into the world of comprehensive treatment planning, how it can benefit both dentists and patients, the importance of looking at the entire mouth as a unit, and how effective communication with patients is vital in this process.  Dr. Liechtung provides practical steps for dentists to enhance their treatment planning skills and emphasizes the significance of clinical excellence in growing a successful practice.  Tune in to discover how these strategies can add value beyond just the numbers in the world of dentistry. – Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/

Welcome to "Dentistry Beyond The Numbers," the podcast that takes you on a journey to understand what it takes to elevate your dental practice and achieve financial success. Today’s episode is part 2 of a 7 part series where we delve into the world of dentistry and explore how to enhance the value and success of your dental practice. Join host Dr. Marc Liechtung and guest Rolando Mia as they discuss the essential procedures that contribute to clinical excellence in dentistry. They highlight the significance of offering services such as clear aligners, root canal therapy, restorative procedures, surgical extractions, bone grafting, and guided implants. Dr. Liechtung emphasizes the necessity of these procedures in delivering comprehensive treatment plans and maximizing the potential of a dental practice. Stay tuned for valuable insights and practical advice that could elevate your career in dentistry. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/ For business inquiries: dentistrybeyondthenumbers@gmail.com

Welcome to "Dentistry Beyond The Numbers," the podcast that takes you on a journey to understand what it takes to elevate your dental practice and achieve financial success.  Hosted by Dr. Marc Liechtung, a highly experienced dentist from New York with a wealth of knowledge in building and selling practices, this podcast promises to be your guide to a fantastic exit strategy.  In this episode, Dr. Liechtung and his guest, Rolando Mia, discuss the importance of understanding the inner workings of a dental practice, the significance of clinical excellence, and how to achieve a profitable work-life balance. The host's expertise in financial understanding, practice efficiency, and preparing for a successful exit offers valuable insights that every dentist can benefit from.  Join us on this incredible journey as we delve into the world of dentistry beyond the numbers. Dr. Marc Liechtung’s Social Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-liechtung-d-m-d-9871ab15/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentistrybeyondthenumbers/

Over the last 30 years, Dr. Marc Liechtung has grown practices, sold practices, and currently buys and values practices regularly. Get to know Dr. Marc as he lays out his upcoming podcast series designed to help you get the most out of your practice both now and in the future.

This special episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers is all about reflection and what’s next!Host Dr. Marc Liechtung takes you behind the scenes of a milestone season — from major trade shows and university lectures to legendary guests like Howard Farran, Gordon Christensen, Kim Kutsch, and Chuck Cohen.Hear about our Denobi Award nomination, audience growth, and what’s coming next: new guests, more travel, and deeper conversations on what truly makes a dental practice valuable — beyond just great dentistry.👉 Don’t forget to follow and subscribe — more than 90% of our listeners aren’t subscribed yet! Your support helps us reach more dental professionals and keep these conversations going.

It’s not just what you earn—it’s what you keep.In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, host Dr. Marc Liechtung welcomes Tim McNeely, CFP®, CEPA®, founder of Dental Wealth Nation. Tim specializes in helping dentists create long-term wealth strategies, stress-test their financial plans, and design exits that match their life goals.You’ll learn:Why “getting rich once” is all it takes—and how to do it.The 3 keys young dentists should master to set themselves up for success.The biggest mid-career financial mistakes (and how to avoid them).How to identify and close your “wealth gap.”Why exit planning isn’t the end—it’s good business planning today.Whether you’re a new grad or approaching retirement, this conversation will give you practical strategies to secure your financial future.

What if your practice could move from 92% collections to 100%—or more?In this episode of Dentistry Beyond the Numbers, Dr. Marc Liechtung interviews Bri Richardson, CDA, a dental insurance and collections expert who helps practices stop leaving money on the table.From patient collections to AR clean-up, Bri shares real-world strategies to tighten your financial systems, empower your team, and create a healthier, more profitable practice.Tune in to learn why most offices lose money on the front end—and how you can change that today.