The Thriving Dentist Show
The Thriving Dentist Show by Gary Takacs guides dental practice owners and dentists in creating a profitable practice with financial independence while delivering hallmark-level quality of care. Gary's lively discussions run the gamut from eye-opening lessons for you to become successful.
Episodes
December 3, 2025 • 46 mins
Your first impression used to happen at the front desk. Now, it happens online—before a patient ever calls. In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down how your website, reviews, and Google profile shape trust in 2025. They explain how small online problems (like a slow site or outdated reviews) can silently push new patients away—and how to fix them. You'll also hear how to make your site faster, easier to use, and...
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November 26, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore how dental teams can not only handle change - but thrive through it. From new technology to shifting patient behavior, change is everywhere. Gary shares real-life stories, mindset tips, and team strategies that help practices stay flexible, focused, and future-ready. You'll also hear a powerful marketing tip from Naren on the 3 biggest SEO mistake...
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November 19, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs sits down with Dr. Chris Phelps, dentist, entrepreneur, and certified trainer at the Cialdini Institute, to explore the science behind ethical persuasion and how it applies to dentistry. Dr. Phelps shares how understanding principles such as reciprocity, scarcity, consistency, liking, and social proof can elevate patient trust, improve case acceptance, and strengthen te...
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November 12, 2025 • 52 mins
In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share how to fast-track your dental team's performance in just 90 days using a focused framework inspired by The 12-Week Year. Discover how short-term goals drive long-term success as Gary explains how to prioritize the right objectives, motivate your team through purpose-driven leadership, and use check-ins to sustain accountability. From improving case ...
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November 5, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share real-world strategies to fix a weak dental schedule and keep your practice thriving all year long. Learn how to overcome slow months, reactivate hygiene patients, follow up on unscheduled treatment, and use same-day dentistry to fill your chairs fast. You'll also hear a powerful Clinical Tip from Dr. Raabiha Maan of London on how to build stronger p...
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October 29, 2025 • 44 mins
In this eye-opening episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs uncovers a shocking truth about dental insurance that most professionals aren't aware of — only 2.8% of patients with dental insurance use their full annual benefit. Gary explains why this matters, how insurance companies profit from unused benefits, and what steps dentists can take to better educate their patients. He also discusses practical strategies for...
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October 22, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs welcomes Dr. Wardah Inam, CEO and Co-Founder of Overjet, the global leader in AI-powered dental technology. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming modern dentistry - from analyzing x-rays with remarkable precision to improving case acceptance, insurance verification, and credentialing workflows. Dr. Inam reveals how Overjet's cutting-edge innovations are h...
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October 15, 2025 • 48 mins
In this powerful episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs reveals the common traits shared by thriving dental practices. Drawing from over 45 years of coaching and consulting experience, Gary outlines the seven goals of a thriving practice—from achieving financial independence and reducing insurance dependence to strengthening leadership and team satisfaction. You'll learn how to measure what matters, build a high-performa...
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October 8, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah reveal how patients decide within seconds whether your dental office is the right choice for them. Discover why attention spans are shrinking, how website design and trust cues shape first impressions, and which visual elements instantly turn browsers into booked patients. You'll learn actionable strategies to help your practice stand out - including: • U...
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October 1, 2025 • 49 mins
Running a successful dental practice in 2025 takes more than production numbers. In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share the five essential metrics every dentist should track to build a profitable, patient-focused, and stress-free practice. Learn how to shift from production to profitability, reduce PPO dependence, boost patient loyalty, and keep a high-performing dental team you truly en...
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September 24, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, host Gary Takacs talks with Ian McNickle, CEO of Icon Dental Partners, about the shift from DSOs to Dental Partnership Organizations (DPOs) and how they're reshaping dentistry. Discover how true clinical autonomy, stronger ownership opportunities, and smart staffing solutions help dentists reduce insurance dependence and build lasting profitability. Whether you're planning a transition,...
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Struggling with patients rejecting periodontal therapy? In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share proven strategies to increase patient acceptance of conservative periodontal therapy, highlight the oral-systemic health connection, and provide simple verbal skills for hygienists to boost gum disease treatment acceptance and grow hygiene-driven production.
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September 10, 2025 • 44 mins
By 2025, almost one-third of US dentists are expected to resign from PPO plans. In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah reveal why rising costs, wage pressures, and shrinking reimbursements are making PPO participation unsustainable—and how many practices are unknowingly losing $500k+ each year in write-offs. You'll also learn Gary's proven six-step blueprint to reduce insurance dependence without losing patients. Listen n...
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September 3, 2025 • 46 mins
Are hidden profit killers draining your dental practice? In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah reveal 4 overlooked areas — from mishandled new patient calls to weak treatment follow-ups — that could be costing you thousands. Learn simple, proven strategies to boost conversions, improve case acceptance, and strengthen practice profitability.
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August 27, 2025 • 58 mins
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!
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August 20, 2025 • 57 mins
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.
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August 13, 2025 • 50 mins
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...
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August 6, 2025 • 50 mins
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 e...
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July 30, 2025 • 45 mins
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 compl...
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July 23, 2025 • 44 mins
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: www.ekwa.com/td
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