2526: AI, Leadership, and the Next Era of Dentistry

2526: AI, Leadership, and the Next Era of Dentistry

Author: Dental Consulting June 8, 2026 Duration: 56:45

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with longtime friend and returning guest Joshua Scott, owner and CEO of Studio 8E8, for a wide-ranging conversation on growth, leadership, AI, and the realities of scaling a people-driven business. Joshua shares the vision behind Studio 8E8's new 11,000-square-foot headquarters, including the long road from finding land to building a dedicated production studio and collaborative team space. 

He and Dr. Costes also reflect on the annual Murph workout, the discipline of fitness, and the lessons that carry over into entrepreneurship. The conversation then turns to AI's growing impact on marketing, where Joshua explains why technology should make agencies more human, not less, by freeing teams to focus on strategy, measurement, client relationships, and better decision-making. They also unpack the challenges of hiring, leadership, client service, and protecting trust as a company scales.

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
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…
2501: The Backup Plan Every Dentist Should Think About [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 fro…
2500: 2500 Episodes and the Team Behind the Mic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes celebrates a major milestone for the Dentalpreneur Podcast: 2,500 episodes. Broadcasting from Thrive Live 2026 in Las Vegas, Mark sits down with Steve Hollingsworth, owner of EnLightni…
2499: The Hidden Revenue Leaks AI Can Help Dental Practices Fix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Max Shore from Lassie to explore one of the most frustrating and overlooked areas in dentistry—revenue cycle management. They discuss why billing, collections, and insurance f…
2498: Smart Money Moves for Dentists in Uncertain Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:17
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes Matt Mulcock of Dentist Advisors for a wide-ranging conversation about the financial realities dentists are facing right now. They discuss consumer confidence, economic uncert…
2497: How to Keep Producing When Hygiene Hits Capacity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Addison Killeen and Ryan Gross to unpack what practice owners can do when hygiene is full, staffing is tight, and growth starts to stall. They explore how to shift m…
2496: The Implant Workflow That Cuts Chaos and Callbacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:08
On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Dr. Taher Dhoon and Dr. Dan Briskie of the Colorado Surgical Institute to break down what it really takes to manage surgical implant cases the right way from evaluation…