2501: The Backup Plan Every Dentist Should Think About

2501: The Backup Plan Every Dentist Should Think About

Author: Dental Consulting May 4, 2026 Duration: 56:09

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Wayde Elliott, a former dentist whose clinical career ended suddenly after a neck injury during a crown prep forced him out of practice. Wayde shares his journey from barely making it into dental school to owning a successful practice for 20 years, and how a patient planted the seed that eventually led him into self-storage development. 

He and Mark discuss the golden handcuffs of dentistry, the importance of disability insurance, and why dentists need to think beyond income generated solely by their own two hands. Wayde also breaks down why self-storage can be a compelling real estate asset class, including its recession resistance, low labor demands, tax advantages through cost segregation, and potential for strong investor returns.

Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast!

EPISODE RESOURCES

 

Running a dental practice is about so much more than clinical skills; it's a complex business that demands leadership, strategy, and personal resilience. The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes directly addresses that reality, moving past generic advice to offer concrete conversations for growth. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading voices from dentistry and beyond, focusing on the actionable lessons that have shaped their success. You'll hear candid explorations of practice profitability, team management, systems efficiency, and the personal development required to lead effectively. The dialogue acknowledges the unique pressures and isolation that can come with the profession, providing a sense of community and practical solutions. This isn't just about working harder, but about working smarter to build a practice that supports a more balanced and fulfilling life. By translating high-level business and entrepreneurial concepts into the specific context of a dental office, the podcast serves as a ongoing resource for dentists who see themselves as innovators and business owners. Tune in for honest stories, strategic insights, and the mindset shifts needed to thrive both in the operator and in the marketplace.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 104

The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
Podcast Episodes
2511: The Membership Model That Beats PPO Dependence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:51
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Jordon Comstock, founder and CEO of BoomCloud, for a deep dive into the power of recurring revenue in dentistry. Jordon breaks down why dental membership programs are sti…
2510: Rethinking PPO Dentistry With a Smarter Admin Model [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Dr. Lior Tamir, practicing dentist, entrepreneur, and founder of The Dental App. They dive into Lior's innovative approach to navigating PPO challenges through an adminis…
2509: The New Rules of Selling a Dental Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:20
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Brannon Moncrief of McLerran & Associates to unpack the current state of dental practice transitions, valuations, and DSO affiliation. Brannon explains the key differenc…
2508: How to Build a Practice That Runs Without Chaos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:26
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes and Ashlee Hirschfeld kick off a back-to-basics conversation on operational systemization and why even experienced practice owners need to revisit the fundamentals. They break down how…
2507: Making Clear Aligners Profitable for General Dentists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:11
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Ben Miraglia, VP of GP Clinical Education at CandidPro, to explore how general dentists can successfully integrate clear aligners into everyday practice. Dr. Miragli…
2506: From the First Call to a Lifelong Patient Relationship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:16
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes joins Joshua DeVries on The Patient Experience Blueprint to discuss how dental practices can create more intentional, human-centered systems that build trust and improve case acceptanc…
2505: The Smart Way to Add a Specialist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:45
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes answers listener questions in this Ask Mark Anything segment, covering everything from adding specialists to protecting profitability during expansion. He breaks down how to evaluate t…
2504: The Conversations That Save Associate Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:08
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Summer Kassmel to unpack one of the most common frustrations in dental practice ownership: the disconnect between owner doctors and associate doctors. They discuss why…
2503: Why Merchant Fees Are Draining Dental Practices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Chris Sands, co-founder of Crown Card Services and Pro-Fi 20/20, to unpack the often-overlooked world of credit card processing fees in dentistry. Chris explains how mer…
2502: How to Prepare Your Practice for Partnership Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:14
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Dr. Ben Kacos and Dr. Bill Keith for part two of their conversation on preparing a dental practice for partnership. They get tactical about the steps owners should take be…