The Thriving Dentist Show

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

What Does it Take for You to be Truly Happy as a Dentist?

January 21, 2026 • 48 mins
What does it truly take to be happy as a dentist? In this powerful and reflective episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore why so many dentists feel burned out, unfulfilled, or disconnected from the profession they once loved and what can be done to change that. Drawing from decades of experience working with thousands of dental practice owners, Gary shares why chasing the wrong definition of su...
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How to Grow Without Adding More Insurance Plans

January 14, 2026 • 50 mins
In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore how dental practices can grow without adding more dental insurance plans. They unpack the real cost of PPO participation, share proven systems that support insurance independence, and explain how strategic marketing attracts patients who value quality care. The episode also features a listener contribution from Dr. Darryl Burke, who discusses incr...
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Start 2026 the Right Way: Five Decisions Every Thriving Dentist Needs to Make!

January 7, 2026 • 50 mins
Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share five key decisions every dentist should make to build a more profitable, less stressful practice this year. From setting clear goals to reducing PPO dependence, these strategies are simple, actionable, and proven to work. You'll also learn how to track the right numbers, build a stronger team, and grow high-value services that patients wa...
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2025 Year in Review. What Thriving Practices Did Differently

December 31, 2025 • 58 mins
In this special New Year's Eve episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah reflect on the biggest lessons and transformations dental practices experienced in 2025. From navigating inflation, staffing shortages, and PPO pressures to leveraging marketing and AI, they unpack what set successful practices apart and where others fell short. Discover the key moves top practices made to not only survive but thrive, plus practical advice to m...
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How to Thrive with Fewer Days doing Chairside Dentistry

December 24, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share a practical plan for dentists who want to move toward a 4-day workweek without sacrificing income. They explain the numbers behind cutting a day, how to raise production per day with smarter dental scheduling, stronger delegation, and a better procedure mix, and how hygiene production can drive steady practice growth—plus when adding an associate dentist actually fits. You'll a...
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How to Grow Your Practice with Sleep & Airway Services in 2025

December 17, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Gary and Naren dive into a major growth opportunity for dentists—sleep and airway services. They talk about why sleep apnea is a serious but often untreated problem, and how dentists can help patients who struggle with CPAP machines by offering easier, more comfortable solutions. You'll also learn how to market these services using the right keywords, how to screen patients, and why this could be a great long-term ...
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Designing a Career -- and Life -- You Love; A Conversation with Dr. Whitney D. Weiner

December 10, 2025 • 53 mins
In this inspiring conversation, Gary Takacs interviews Dr. Whitney Weiner, periodontist, multi-location practice owner, and Chief Growth Officer at Icon Dental Partners. They explore Whitney's journey from clinician to leader, the power of growing people from within, the oral–systemic connection, and the philosophy of "growth for the right reasons." With real stories of team members rising into transformative roles, insights on HR ...
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How to Create a Remarkable New Patient Experience Online

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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Building a Dental Team That Can Thrive Through Change

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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The Concept of Influence at Work with Dr. Chris Phelps

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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90 Days to Fast-Track Your Dental Team's Performance

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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My Schedule is Weak. What should I do?

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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The Dark Secret Dental Insurance Companies Don't Want You To Know

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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How AI is Transforming Dentistry with Dr. Wardah Inam, CEO of Overjet

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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Common Denominators of Thriving Practices

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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How Patients Decide If You're the Right Dental Office in Seconds

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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New Metrics and New Benchmarks to Thrive in 2025 and Beyond

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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Understanding Group Dentistry with Ian McNickle

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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A Strategy to Help your Patients Accept Conservative Periodontal Therapy when Clinical Signs and Symptoms Indicate the Need.

September 17, 2025 • 50 mins
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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31.8% of US Dentists are Planning to Resign from PPO Plans in 2025

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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