Teeth Matter

In this episode of Teeth Matter, Dr. Anthony Nguyen (@drsaveatooth) shares his journey from student debt to owning a thriving dental practice. He discusses the influence of his childhood dentist, financial strategies, and the importance of community and mentorship in dentistry.

Keywords: dentistry, student debt, dental practice, entrepreneurship, mentorship

Topics Discussed:

• Transition from student debt to practice ownership.
• Finan...

In this episode of Teeth Matter, I sit down with Dr. Jim Arnold (@smilesbyarnold), a dentist who has navigated nearly every stage of the profession—from private practice to ownership, to selling, and eventually guiding DSO acquisitions. Today, he’s the founder of Luxury Dental Retreats, where he hosts luxury retreats that blend continuing education with personal growth.

We dive into the mindset and business lessons Jim learned along...

Dentistry is changing fast — from new technologies and practice models to the growing focus on oral-systemic health. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Abdi Sameni, Clinical Associate Professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, founder of the Los Angeles Dental Symposium, and practicing clinician at WLA Dental Center in West Los Angeles. Known internationally for his work in dental photography, esthetics, and inter...

Ever wonder how some dentists break into high-income, oversaturated markets—and thrive?

Dr. Rhonda Kalasho (@dr.rhondakalasho⁠) did exactly that. She built and scaled TruGlo Modern Dental with locations in Beverly Hills, Calabasas, and Hollywood, defying the odds by establishing a luxury brand that attracts loyal patients without relying on insurance-based volume.

In this episode of Teeth Matter, Dr. Kalasho shares:

• How she opened...

In Part Three of our series with Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (@drnavedfatmi), we dive into the side of dentistry no one wants to face—but everyone needs to understand: malpractice and ethics. Dr. Fatmi, who was appointed in 2015 as the youngest dentist ever to serve on the Florida Board of Dentistry, offers an inside look at what actually gets dentists into trouble, the blind spots many overlook, and how to protect your license—and you...

In Part Two of our conversation with Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (@drnavedfatmi), we dive into the real-world business of dentistry—beyond the operatory. We unpack what sweat equity actually means, how to approach job interviews with the right mindset, and why treatment planning is one of the most valuable (and overlooked) skills in building trust and case acceptance. Dr. Fatmi also breaks down how your lifestyle choices and personal p...

What happens when a new grad skips residency and buys a practice? What do DSOs really offer early-career dentists—and what do they take away? And how do you stay ethical in a system that often puts production before patients?

In this episode, Teeth Matter host Ellie Halabian sits down with Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (@drnavedfatmi)—a practice owner, educator, and former Chair of the Florida Board of Dentistry. Appointed in 2015 as the ...

In this episode of Teeth Matter, we sit down with Dr. Paresh Shah (@drpareshshah) —a respected Canadian dentist, educator, and international speaker—to explore what comprehensive dentistry really looks like in practice. Now leading his third practice, Dr. Shah says he's finally getting to practice the way he wants to - connecting function, esthetics, and long-term health.

We dive into how this approach shows up in his treatment plan...

In this episode of Teeth Matter, we're joined by Dr. Tejas Patel (@tejaspateldds)—a nationally recognized cosmetic dentist based in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Patel shares how he carved out his niche in cosmetic dentistry and transformed his traditional practice into a boutique, high-demand smile studio.

You’ll hear:

• How and why he pivoted fully into cosmetic dentistry

• The bold decision to eliminate hygi...

What does it take to build one of the most respected dental labs in Beverly Hills? In this episode of Teeth Matter, I interview Sam Alawie (@sam_alawie) —CEO of Magne Education (@magneeducation) and co-founder of Beverly Hills Dental Lab (@beverlyhillsdentallab)—about the future of dental technology and what dentists and dental technicians must know to stay ahead.

We dive into:🔹 European vs American dental technician certification—...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joshua Adcox (@the.remote.orthodontist) —board-certified orthodontist, Clinical Director of Remote Care at Smile Doctors, and founder of The Remote Orthodontist. He’s not just talking about the future of ortho—he’s building it.

We dive into how he’s using remote monitoring and digital workflows to transform patient care and practice performance. Dr. Adcox shares how optimizing his schedule has o...

In this episode of Teeth Matter, I sit down with Dr. Craig Spodak (@craigspodak) , a third-generation dentist and owner of Spodak Dental Group, to discuss the evolution of dentistry and the realities of practice ownership.

As the co-founder of Bulletproof Dental Practice and co-author of The Bulletproof Dental Practice, Dr. Spodak shares insights on building a resilient, efficient, and profitable practice. We dive into what it mean...

Breathing issues aren’t just a medical problem—they’re a dental one too. In this episode, Dr. Victor Khatchaturian (@drvictordds), a leading cosmetic and airway-focused dentist, breaks down:

• The hidden signs of poor airway health
• How occlusion and breathing are connected
• Game-changing treatments: mouth taping, Botox & more
• What this means for restorative dentistry

Dr. Khatchaturian leads Sunset Dental Studio in West Hollyw...

In this episode of Teeth Matter, we sit down with Dr. Mehrdad Raz (@dr_mehrdadraz), founder of Oral Design Beverly Hills, to explore the power of biomimetic dentistry and its impact on patient care. Mentored by the world-renowned Dr. Pascal Magne, Dr. Raz has dedicated his career to advancing minimally invasive and adhesive dentistry. As the Clinical Director at Magne Education, he plays a key role in training dentists on biomimeti...

Paul Vigario (@paulvigario) is the founder of SurfCT (@surfctcom), a leading dental technology integration company transforming over 12,000 practices worldwide. With a background in healthcare technology from the University of Connecticut, he specializes in practice automation, brand development, and digital workflows. As a thought leader and keynote speaker, Paul is redefining the future of dentistry by seamlessly integrating desi...

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Renae Sweeney (@doctor.renae), a Florida-based dentist who has built an impressive career owning and managing three successful dental practices. With her unique blend of expertise in nutrition and dentistry, Dr. Sweeney shares how she takes a holistic approach to oral health, focusing on how overall wellness impacts what happens in the chair.

We also explore her entrepreneurial journey, diving int...

In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Au (@stevenau_), Transition Advisor at Aprio, who brings over 16 years of experience in the dental industry. With a strong background in clinical dentistry and a focus on practice sales across the country, Steven shares his expertise in navigating the complex world of dental practice transitions.

Aprio specializes in dental CPA services, accounting, tax, wealth management, and practice transi...

Let’s be real—New Year’s resolutions are overrated. They fizzle out, leave you feeling like a failure, and never really stick. In this episode of Teeth Matter, I dive into why resolutions are broken by February and what you should be doing instead. I serve up seven game-changing questions to help you ditch the fluff, figure out what actually matters, and make changes that last. Ready to rewrite the rules and take control of your ye...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Adamo Notarantonio (@⁠adamoelvis⁠), an internationally acclaimed cosmetic dentist, educator, and business leader. Dr. Adamo shares his incredible journey from dental school to becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a distinction held by a select few worldwide. He opens up about his path in dentistry, the critical moments that shaped his career, and the lessons h...