2524: Why Credentialing Is Costing Your Practice More Than You Think

2524: Why Credentialing Is Costing Your Practice More Than You Think

Author: Dental Consulting June 4, 2026 Duration: 50:22

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Shaju Puthussery and Deepak Ramaswamy, co-founders of Lightspun, to unpack one of dentistry's least glamorous but most costly problems: insurance administration. From credentialing delays and paper claims to fragmented payer workflows and manual back-office bottlenecks, Shaju and Deepak explain why the "plumbing" of dentistry is overdue for a major upgrade. 

They share how their experience at Overjet led them to build an AI-first platform designed to streamline credentialing, claims, provider data, and payer-provider communication. The conversation dives into the opportunity cost of waiting 90 to 120 days for a new associate to be credentialed, how Lightspun's partnership with the ADA and CAQH is helping standardize provider data, and why reducing administrative waste could free teams to focus more on patient care, relationships, and practice growth.

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: 100

The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes
Podcast Episodes
2455: Why This New Dentist Chose a De Novo Over an Acquisition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:02
On today's episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Dr. Emily Maslovich, a first-time practice owner just weeks away from opening Bronco Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona. Emily shar…
2454: MAX OUT 2026: Discovering Purpose-driven Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
On today's episode, Dr. Matt Slivka reframes the way we think about goal setting. Instead of chasing arbitrary production targets or copying what others are doing, he challenges listeners to answer two deeper questions:…
2453: Why Most "Good Goals" Slowly Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:06
On today's episode, Dr. Summer Kassmel shares why even well-intentioned goals can slowly fall apart. She dives into common traps like borrowing clarity from others, focusing only on outcomes, underestimating CEO time, an…
2452: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Dental Practice Valuations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back valuation and transition expert Kyle Francis, founder and CEO of Professional Transition Strategies. The conversation dives deep into the current landscape of dental prac…
2451: Turning Real Estate into Oil Royalties and Monthly Cash Flow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Nathan Raborn, a senior wealth manager at Eckard Enterprises who brings a unique perspective on alternative investments after spending over a decade in the oil and gas s…
2450: Surgical Saves and Near Misses in Full Arch Dentistry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:35
On today's episode, Dr. Dan Brisky and Dr. Tom Pfau dive deep into real-world implant complications and the critical lessons that come with them. From a mispositioned anterior implant that required swallowing pride and s…
2449: Solving Missed Calls and Overflow with AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:37
On today's episode, recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with DSI Black Belt coach and tech entrepreneur Dr. Deren Flesher. They dive into Deren's latest venture, Airo Dental, an AI-powere…
2448: How to Run a 50-Person Dental Powerhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes is joined by Ashley Keith, Chief Operating Officer of Keith and Associates Dentistry in Mission, Kansas. With a powerhouse practice of over 50 team members and 23 operatories, Ashley s…
2447: Overcoming the "O" Word Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
On today's episode, we continue our deep dive into overcoming overwhelm and restoring mental clarity in high-pressure clinical and business environments. Mark unpacks actionable strategies, including batching decisions,…
2446: Overcoming the "O" Word Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:08
On today's episode, we dive into one of the most common but misunderstood challenges in dentistry and entrepreneurship: overwhelm—the "O word." Mark Costes shares why he bans this word at DSI events and how our internal…