Dental Practice Launch Podcast

How This Dentist Went From Startup to $1.9M in 12 Months | Ep. 82

In this episode of The Dental Practice Launch Podcast, host Shane Simmons, Founder and CEO of Crimson Media Dental Marketing, sits down with Dr. Ryan Driesse, owner of Mountain City Dentistry.

Dr. Driesse shares the full behind-the-scenes story of launching a startup dental practice from scratch in Jasper, Georgia, and scaling it to nearly $2 million in production in just over a year. From construction delays and last-minute staffing challenges to explosive patient demand and rapid team growth, Ryan breaks down what it really takes to succeed as a first-time practice owner.

This conversation goes far beyond numbers. Ryan opens up about building trust in a new community, creating a culture-first team, and the life-changing personal wins that came from practice ownership, including paying off student loans, transforming his father’s smile, and creating unforgettable experiences for his family.

If you’re an associate dentist thinking about ownership, or a new owner in the early stages of your journey, this episode is a masterclass in mindset, leadership, and what’s possible when preparation meets execution.

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Takeaways:

• ‍Startup ownership can scale fast when done intentionally – Ryan built demand before opening through ground marketing, community involvement, and a VIP list that generated nearly 300 interested patients pre-launch.
• ‍Community connection beats clinical credentials – Trust, authenticity, and human connection were the real drivers of early growth, not just technology or advanced procedures.
• ‍Delays and setbacks are part of the deal – From an 8-month construction delay to losing a key team member 10 days before opening, Ryan shows how planning for worst-case scenarios creates resilience.
• ‍Culture-first hiring is a growth accelerator – Ryan hires almost exclusively through referrals and prioritizes attitude, sacrifice, and culture fit over résumés.
• ‍Reputation matters more than revenue,especially early – His first goal wasn’t collections; it was building a reputation with patients, staff, and the community that would compound over time.
• ‍Ownership unlocks life-changing personal impact – Practice ownership allowed Ryan to pay off massive student loans, provide exceptional benefits to his team, restore his father’s smile, and fulfill lifelong dreams for his family.
• ‍The mental load is real, but worth it – Ryan candidly discusses decision fatigue, stress, and the transition from associate to CEO, and why the fulfillment outweighs the pressure.

REPORT: Nearly 1 in 3 Dentists Dropped an Insurance in 2025 | Ep. 81

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane Simmons discusses the recent ADA report highlighting significant trends in the dental industry, particularly the increasing number of dentists opting out of insurance networks. He explores the implications of these trends on practice growth, patient acquisition, and the importance of building patient loyalty through effective marketing strategies. The conversation emphasizes the changing landscape of dentistry and the need for practices to adapt to remain competitive.

 

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Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies.

Takeaways:

• Nearly one in three dentists went out of network with insurance in 2025.
• A significant percentage of dentists plan to drop insurance networks in 2026.
• The cost of doing business in dentistry is rising, impacting insurance reimbursements.
• Practices need to focus on patient experience to build loyalty.
• Accepting new patients is crucial, but scheduling challenges exist.
• The average wait time for new patients is over 13 business days.
• Strategic marketing is essential for attracting patients beyond insurance networks.
• Investment in marketing can lead to long-term patient relationships.
• The dental landscape is evolving, requiring practices to adapt quickly.
• Building a strong brand can help practices thrive without relying on insurance.

How This Dental Startup Scaled Fast Enough to Hire an Associate | Ep. 80

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, host Shane Simmons welcomes Dr. Steven Tran, a dentist in Altadena, CA, who has experienced rapid growth since opening his doors in April 2025.

Steven shares his journey of starting a practice amidst challenges, including community fires that delayed his opening. He emphasizes the importance of community support and maintaining a positive mindset during tough times. The conversation delves into the strategies that have contributed to his practice's success, including a focus on patient experience, team culture, and effective marketing strategies, particularly through social media and targeted ads.

 

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Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies.

What I Learned From Million-Dollar Dental Startups This Year | Ep. 79

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane shares key insights from successful dental startups that surpassed $1 million in their first year. He outlines eight critical lessons, emphasizing the importance of early marketing, the power of Google reviews, aligning brand experience with marketing, and the necessity of the doctor's involvement in marketing efforts. Additionally, he discusses the significance of understanding practice numbers, making strategic investments, hiring the right talent early, and avoiding common pitfalls that can hinder growth.

 

Click here to download the Million-Dollar Dental Startup Checklist!

 

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Check out more episodes: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast

 

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click here.

 

Takeaways:

• Successful practices start marketing early, ideally 5-7 months before opening.
• Obsessing over Google reviews is crucial for building trust and visibility.
• Brand experience must align with marketing messaging to attract patients.
• Doctors should be actively involved in marketing efforts.
• Understanding key practice numbers is essential for growth and budgeting.
• Invest strategically in marketing and patient experience from the start.
• Hiring the right talent early prevents scheduling bottlenecks.
• Avoid stopping marketing efforts when the practice gets busy.
• Monitor patient calls to ensure no opportunities are lost.
• Continuously track and analyze marketing effectiveness for long-term success.

Don't Make This Critical Marketing Growth Mistake | Ep. 78

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane Simmons discusses the importance of tracking long-term patient production rather than just focusing on initial new patient appointments. He emphasizes the need for dental practices to analyze their marketing efforts and patient retention over time to make informed decisions that support sustainable growth. By understanding the full picture of patient production, practices can avoid making short-sighted marketing mistakes and ensure they are investing in effective channels.

 

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Check out more episodes: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click here. https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/

 

Takeaways:

• Don't make the mistake of only tracking initial new patient appointments.
• Look at total patient growth, production, and collections over time.
• Consider the long-term value of new patients beyond their first visit.
• Track future production from new patients to understand true ROI.
• Analyze how many new patients return for follow-up appointments.
• Understand the impact of referrals from new patients on practice growth.
• Avoid cutting marketing channels that may have delayed effects.
• Focus on average patient production over a 12-month period.
• Data-driven decisions are crucial for sustainable practice growth.
• Celebrate record years but analyze the metrics behind them.

If You Don’t Know These 4 KPIs, You’re Flying Blind | Ep. 77

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane discusses the four essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that every dental practice owner should know. He emphasizes the importance of understanding new patient metrics, patient production, total production, and the cost of acquiring new patients. By tracking these KPIs, practice owners can make informed decisions to grow their practices and reduce stress. The episode provides valuable insights into how to effectively manage and analyze these metrics for better practice management.

 

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Check out more episodes:
https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-practice-launch-podcast/id1333327986

 

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click here. https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/

Takeaways:

• You need to know how many new patients you're getting.
• Don't be too short-sighted with your marketing.
• Everything is marketing, including patient referrals.
• Track the total production as well as new patient production.
• Your cost to acquire a new patient is crucial for growth.
• Understanding KPIs helps reduce stress in practice management.
• You should reverse engineer your future growth based on data.
• Knowing your new patients scheduled each month is essential.
• Patient production should be analyzed over a longer term.
• Effective marketing strategies can lead to increased patient retention.

Chapters:

 

00:00 Introduction to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

02:03 Understanding New Patient Metrics

05:09 Analyzing Patient Production and Revenue

07:23 Total Production Insights

08:49 Cost of Acquiring New Patients

13:04 Summary of Essential KPIs

One Year Later: Lessons From a Pediatric Dental Startup | Ep. 76

They’re back!!! In this episode, Shane Simmons gets a one year update from Dr. Dinowitz and his wife Michelle, owners of Voorhees Pediatric Dentistry. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of running an out-of-network pediatric dental practice, including their unique out-of-network model, marketing strategies, and the importance of building a strong reputation in the community. The conversation highlights the significance of patience, authenticity, and strategic partnerships in achieving business growth and maintaining quality care. There are great lessons in this episode!

 

SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!

 

Check out more episodes: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast

 

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click here. https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/

Takeaways:

 

• The journey of starting a dental practice is a roller coaster of learning experiences.
• Choosing to operate out-of-network can be challenging but rewarding.
• Building a reputation takes time and effort, especially in a new community.
• Influencer marketing can significantly boost visibility and patient acquisition.
• Community engagement is crucial for establishing trust and relationships.
• Transparency in communication about insurance is key to patient retention.
• Delayed gratification is a vital mindset for business owners.
• Quality control must be maintained while pursuing growth.
• Utilizing social media authentically can resonate with potential patients.
• Having a supportive team and network is essential for success.

Chapters:

 

00:00 The Journey Begins: A Year in Review

06:47 Building Reputation: Overcoming Initial Challenges

12:57 Marketing Strategies: Influencer Partnerships and Community Engagement

20:03 Navigating Out-of-Network Challenges

47:03 Future Goals: Growth and Quality Control

From 30% to 70% Conversions: The Phone Training Fix | Ep. 75

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, host Shane Simmons interviews Susan Leckowicz, owner of Dental Coaches, about the critical role of front desk training in dental practices. They discuss the importance of first impressions on the phone, the impact of patient conversion rates, and effective strategies for handling insurance inquiries. Susan shares insights on building relationships with patients, discussing treatment costs, and the value of ongoing training for front desk teams. The conversation emphasizes the need for dental practices to understand their patient value and improve their phone conversion processes to enhance overall practice success.

 

Takeaways:

• Dental practices should focus on building freedom through effective marketing.
• First impressions on the phone are crucial for patient conversion.
• Patients often call multiple offices before making a decision.
• Understanding annual patient value can help practices gauge their success.
• Each lost call can cost a practice significant revenue.
• Training front desk staff is essential for improving patient interactions.
• Insurance questions should be handled with care and empathy.
• Building relationships with patients can lead to better retention and referrals.
• Ongoing training and monitoring of calls can enhance team performance.
• Creating a positive patient experience is key to practice growth.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dental Practice Launch Podcast

01:23 Susan Leckowicz's Journey in Dentistry

04:02 The Importance of First Impressions on the Phone

09:29 Understanding Patient Value and Conversion Rates

13:12 Handling Insurance Questions Effectively

18:28 Building Relationships with Patients

28:09 The Bootcamp Training for Front Desk Teams

34:35 Actionable Advice for Improving Phone Conversions

From Associate to Owner: How To Differentiate Your Pediatric Dental Practice | Ep. 74

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane Simmons interviews Dr. Sarah Severson, who shares her journey of opening a pediatric dental practice in Round Rock, Texas. Sarah discusses her motivations for practice ownership, the challenges she faced in building her practice, and the importance of investing in herself and her brand. She emphasizes the significance of clinical autonomy and the rewarding nature of being a practice owner, despite the daunting challenges that come with it.

SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!

Check out more episodes: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast

 

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click the link below: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/

Takeaways

 

• Dr. Sarah Severson opened a pediatric dental practice in Round Rock, Texas.
• She was motivated by a desire for clinical autonomy and to work with children.
• The journey to practice ownership was daunting but rewarding.
• Investing in continuing education is crucial for differentiation in services.
• Building a strong brand is essential for attracting patients.
• Staffing challenges are common in practice ownership.
• The importance of having a solid marketing plan before opening.
• Finding the right location is key to practice success.
• The first few months of opening can be overwhelming but affirming.
• Practice ownership requires wearing many hats and making tough decisions.

 

You’re Not Spending Too Much on Marketing, You’re Tracking It Wrong | Ep. 73

In this episode of the Dental Practice Launch Podcast, Shane Simmons discusses the critical importance of understanding marketing ROI for dental practices. He emphasizes that many practice owners mistakenly cut marketing expenses without realizing the long-term revenue losses that can result. By tracking marketing efforts accurately and viewing them as investments rather than expenses, dental practices can achieve significant growth. The conversation highlights the need for proper data tracking and long-term thinking to maximize the effectiveness of marketing strategies.

 

SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!

Check out more episodes: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/podcast

 

To learn more about Crimson Media and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies, click the link below: https://www.crimsonmediagroup.com/

 

Takeaways

• You do not want to be the practice owner that cuts $30,000 of revenue to save $2,000.
• Tracking marketing has improved significantly in recent years.
• Marketing should be viewed as an investment, not an expense.
• Dentists often think about marketing the wrong way.
• Successful practice owners focus on ROI rather than minimizing costs.
• Long-term tracking is essential for accurate ROI assessment.
• Cutting marketing can lead to substantial revenue loss.
• Accurate data tracking is crucial for understanding marketing effectiveness.
• You need to measure results over a longer time frame.
• Understanding your numbers is key to practice growth.