Advertise on podcast: Dental Unscripted | Getting into Ownership and Practice Management Insights

Most dental practice owners take home 30% and call that real profit, but if an associate can in and costs you the same percentage, the practice itself earned nothing.  Essentially you are breaking even! That's the math Omar Virjee runs with every one of his 600+ dental clients, and it changes how owners see their own P&L overnight. SPECIAL GUEST ON THIS EPISODE:Omar Virjee, CPA - CEO & Founder, Virjee ConsultingDental and medical CPA serving 600+ practices nationwide14 years specializing in dental practice financial planning and tax strategy.  Entrepreneur since age 14, exited his first business at 21Active real estate investor and practice profitability advisor What you'll discover in this episode: Why depreciation and amortization inflate your expenses and hide what you actually madeThe difference between tax income and real income, and why your CPA tracks bothHow mid-year tax planning between August and September unlocks $40K–$60K that April filing missesWhy 25% EBITDA means your own practice outperforms the S&P 500 as an investmentThe QBI/Section 199A deduction and the income threshold that makes it free moneyHow to build the three-legged stool, practice value, real estate, index fundsWhat "golden handcuffs" actually look like on a dental P&LWhy saving $100K/year for 10 years generates enough passive income to cover half your family's expensesPerfect for dental practice owners, associate dentists planning to buy, and any dentist who reads their P&L and doesn't trust what it says. The wealth conversation dental school never had, and the one number that tells you whether you own a business or just a high-paying job. Love the show? Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Learn more about Next Level Consultants: https://nxlevelconsultants.com 🌟 Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, it takes 30 seconds and helps more dental practice owners find us. 🫶 Topics covered on this podcast:dental practice finances, dental practice profitability, dental tax planning, dental financial planning, dental CPA, dental practice ownership, profitability in dentistry, dental EBITDA, dentistry and finance, dental practice financial tips, dental business, dental practice management, building wealth in dentistry, dental entrepreneur advice, dental practice expenses Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026 The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Your dental team's burnout isn't about workload, it's about four leadership failures you can fix starting today. We break it down so that it makes perfect sense. Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn explain why dental teams burn out. From tolerating unreliable employees out of fear to micromanaging without systems to back it up, this episode names the patterns that destroy morale and gives you the reset framework. - Why keeping one bad employee burns out every good one watching you tolerate it- The "CEO effect", how business education creates micromanagement your team wasn't prepared for- How a 4-person team produced $800K at 50% profitability with tight systems- Why recognition done at the wrong time enables bad behavior instead of fixing it- The difference between rescuing employees and actually recognizing them- How to reset expectations and accountability without being a tyrant- Why most offices aren't understaffed, they're disorganized Perfect for dental practice owners, associate dentists considering ownership, and office managers navigating team performance and daily operations. Burnout doesn't get fixed by self-care weekends. It gets fixed when the owner takes accountability for the culture they've allowed and makes the hard staffing decisions they've been avoiding. 🔗 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted🔗 https://nxlevelconsultants.com 🌟 Love the show? A quick rating and review helps other dental professionals find us 🫶 Keywords: dental practice leadership, leadership in dentistry, dental team optimization, running a dental practice, dental practice management, dental business, dental practice challenges, practice management, dental practice operations, dental practice profitability, dental coach, dental practice efficiency, dental consulting, dental burnout, team retention Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026.The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Earning 30% as an associate means zero equity. Practice ownership is the retirement move that changes everything when done the right way of course. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn deliver this 2-minute breakdown of what associates are really leaving on the table. Paula shares how buying a practice (even while paying a dentist 30% and carrying a loan) catapulted her retirement from way behind to back-on-track in about three years. Plus: Why dental startups in areas growing 15–20% year over year are hitting $1M in year one. Get the FREE "First Steps of A Startup" from Michael & Paula Here: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Starting-Up-E-Book.pdf Why 30% production pay will never build real wealthHow dental practice equity accelerated retirement by years, not decadesThe location strategy behind $1M first-year dental startupsWhat 15–20% year-over-year growth looks like in underserved marketsWhy picking where patients need you most is the #1 startup decisionPerfect for dental associates weighing ownership, dentists exploring a dental startup, and anyone serious about building net worth through dental practice ownership. The opportunity cost of waiting isn't getting a raise every year as an associate, it's another year of equity you'll never get back. 🌟 Love the show? Rate and review Dental Unscripted it helps other dentists find us! 🫶 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxlevelconsultants/ Keywords: owning a dental practice, dental startup, dental practice ownership, starting a dental practice, dental entrepreneurship, practice ownership journey, dental practice startup, dental practice profitability, dental business, growing a dental practice, dental practice growth, dental startup tips, dental practice finances, running a dental practice Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026 The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

You're taking on a lot as an associate, the clinical liability, production quotas, the team drama, the no-shows, AND you're only keeping 30% of production. The other 10–20%... That's going to the owner of the practice. That's also equity you are building for someone else every year you wait to get into ownership. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn lay out the five 'Opportunity Costs' that keep dentists stuck as associates when they should be building wealth through a dental practice startup. Paula Quinn shares how three years of ownership took her from "I'm going to be 100 before I can retire" to getting financially ahead of the curve, even paying another dentist 30% and servicing her business loan. What we will discover: Why the equity "cream" above your 30% paycheck is where real wealth starts, and why associates never see itHow 5 NLC startup clients hit $1M in year one by choosing high-growth locations most dentists overlookThe $100K marketing play: save on buildout, spend on patients, and why $30K isn't enoughHow one Colorado startup spent $10K/month on mailers and pulled 120 new patients monthlyWhy quitting your associate job at breakeven is a "double-double" mistake that costs you twiceThe milling machine trap and other equipment decisions that drain startup budgetsWhy $1,000/month invested at 35 beats $18K/year crammed in at 55 (Mike tells the story about his dad).Perfect for associate dentists considering ownership. This episode gets into dental practice startup and managing the buildout, marketing, and working as an associate to give you the roadmap to successfully hitting 1 Million dollar Year One in a dental practice startup. The real cost isn't what it costs to do a startup, it's the $2–4M net worth you'll never build by staying an associate. Every year you wait, compounding works against you instead of for you. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Visit Our website Next Level Consultants, where Mike and Paula provide services to dentists who want to own or already own. 🌐 https://nxlevelconsultants.com 🌟 Love the show? Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it takes 10 seconds and helps other dentists find us! 🫶 This show covers in depth these topics: dental startup, starting a dental practice, dental practice startup, owning a dental practice, dental practice finances, dental entrepreneurship, dental marketing, dental business, dental startup tips, practice management, dental practice profitability, dental practice ownership, running a dental practice, dental practice growth, dental startup advice, practice ownership journey, dental practice revenue, dental coach Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Your broker pulled the reports and your CPA checked the financials but neither of them dig into the practice operationally at the ground level, you know where the reality of how a practice operates is hiding in plain sight. This episode breaks down "the chart audit that actually protects dental buyers."  Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH walk through the due diligence layer, the operational chart audit that reveals whether a dental practice acquisition will support or sink its new owner after closing day. What you'll discover: Why a broker reported 1,500 active patients but the real number was closer to 1,000The 18-month rule for separating true hygiene patients from inflated software countsHow pre-appointment rates predict whether your schedule will be full or empty in six monthsWhy $200K in ortho revenue became a liability for a buyer who couldn't do the proceduresHow transition plans quietly eat cash flow when nobody re-runs the projectionsWhat procedure code clusters reveal about complex cases you may not be able to replicateWhy AR reports and collection protocols expose front office problems before you closeThe difference between validating broker data and auditing real operational riskPerfect for dentists in the acquisition process, first-time buyers navigating due diligence, and anyone focused on dental practice profitability before and after the close. The real risk in buying a dental practice isn't in the numbers your CPA already checked, it's in the operational patterns nobody examined. This episode gives you the framework to audit what actually matters before you sign. Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com 🌟 If this episode helped you feel more prepared for your acquisition, leave a rating and review, it helps other dentists find us. 🫶 Keywords: dental practice profitability, buying a dental practice, dental practice acquisition, dental practice management, practice acquisition, dental practice operations, dental practice finances, dental practice challenges, owning a dental practice, practice ownership journey, dental business, dental practice tips, dental practice hacks, running a dental practice, dental coach Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Most dentists close on a practice, lock in the business overhead policy, and assume they're fully covered. But that policy pays your staff, your lease, your equipment loans, and after all of that, there's nothing left for your mortgage, car payment, or family expenses. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn break down the insurance gap that catches practice owners off guard and the two-policy setup that closes it. What you'll discover: why business overhead insurance leaves your personal income completely exposed, the surprising stat, dentists face nearly the same disability risk as construction workers, how relying on one policy leaves you short on both sides, the two-policy action plan every buyer and startup owner should lock in before closing day, and why personal disability coverage is the piece most docs skip until it's too late. Perfect for dentists buying a dental practice, planning a dental startup, or already running a dental practice without both policies in place. Here's the reality: disability risk doesn't care that you went to dental school. The physical demands of clinical work, awkward positioning, fine motor repetition, neck and shoulder strain, add up fast. Owning a dental practice means protecting it and yourself, and the time to get both policies locked in is before you close, not after. Head to nxlevelconsultants.com to book a consultation. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com If this episode helped you rethink your coverage, leave a rating and review. It helps other dentists find the show. 🌟🫶 Keywords: owning a dental practice, starting a dental practice, running a dental practice, dental practice finances, dental startup, dental practice expenses, dental financial planning, dental practice financial tips, practice ownership journey, dental entrepreneur advice, buying a dental practice, dental practice ownership, dental practice challenges, dental practice operations Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026. The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Your lender may not require insurance for disability or life anymore, but skipping them could cost you your practice, your estate, and your family's financial security. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stephanie Pearson, MD, FACOG (Pearson-Ravitz / Earned Wealth), a former OBGYN whose own career-ending injury turned her into one of the leading insurance advisors for dentists and physicians. LISTEN TO DISCOVER:Why 1 in 4 professionals file a disability claim and dentists carry injury risk comparable to construction workers, the critical difference between personal disability insurance and business overhead insurance and why you need both, what business overhead actually covers (associate salaries, leases, equipment, up to 3 loans — but not your paycheck), how much emergency savings practice owners should really have (hint: more than two months), why women pay roughly double for disability and should lock in coverage before family planning, the fire sale scenario that happens when an owner dies without life insurance on the practice loan, how convertible term life insurance locks in your health class forever, and the residency discount that stays on your policy for life. SPECIAL GUEST ON THIS EPISODE:Stephanie Pearson, MD, FACOG - Managing Director of Insurance at Pearson-Ravitz (Earned Wealth). Former OBGYN turned insurance specialist after a career-ending shoulder injury. Co-founded Pearson-Ravitz, now part of Earned Wealth's integrated financial platform for healthcare professionals. https://www.earned.com/insurance Perfect for dentists buying a practice, dental startup owners, associates planning for ownership, and anyone navigating dental practice finances and dental practice ownership decisions. KEY TAKEAWAY: Lenders relaxing their insurance requirements doesn't mean you don't need protected, it means you're more exposed!Personal disability, business overhead, and life insurance aren't optional line items. These three policies keep your income flowing, your doors open, and your family's assets out of the bank's reach. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Visit our Website: https://dentalunscripted.com Rate and review the show! it helps us reach more dentists on the ownership journey! 🌟 🫶 Production by ©Dental Unscripted 2026.The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. Topics we cover on this show:dental practice ownership, disability insurance dentist, business overhead insurance, life insurance dental practice, buying a dental practice, dental practice finances, dental financial planning, dental startup, dental practice expenses, owning a dental practice, dental entrepreneurship, dental practice challenges, practice management, dental practice profitability, dental startup advice

Starting a dental practice sounds expensive, until you see the actual numbers. The real financial trap isn't the startup. It's chasing acquisition cash flow. Mike Dinsio breaks down the thought process behind dental startups and why the fear of a startup is holding most dentists back. He explains how the break-even point with a lean team makes more sense than buying a practice. Sometimes buying quietly turns into a big investment you never expected. EBOOK!https://nxlevelconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Starting-Up-E-Book.pdf

Think a dental startup means no income? The real financial trap is chasing acquisition cash flow. Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn break down the real math behind dental startups and why the financial fear is almost always worse than the reality. What you'll discover: clients break even timeline - industry average is 6-8 monthsThe 2-employee, 3-day lean model that controls overhead without sacrificing patient experienceHow $80-100K first-year income + your associate pay matches what most dentists are already earningThe "startup inside an acquisition" trap – Visionary dentists keep falling into this trapWhy startup owners learn every piece of their business and scale fasterPerfect for associate dentists considering ownership, startup-curious dentists stuck on the financial fear, and anyone debating acquisition vs building from scratch. Chasing cash flow is doing a deal with the devil. If you know what kind of practice you want to build, a startup isn't the risky path, it's the only one that doesn't compromise your vision. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com 🌟 Love the show? Rate and review on Apple or Spotify - it helps other dentists find us! 🫶 TOPICS WE COVER ON THIS SHOW: dental startup, starting a dental practice, dental practice startup, buying a dental practice, dental startup tips, dental practice ownership, owning a dental practice, practice ownership journey, dental entrepreneurship, dental business, dental practice management, dental consulting, dental startup advice, practice management, dental practice challenges Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026.The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Most dental practices blame marketing for low patient flow, but the real problem is an internal one - "How to audit and fix your front office conversion leakage!"  Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Guido Tebano, CMO of Market My Market, to explore the #1 thing nobody is paying attention to: What happens inside your practice when a lead calls.  This is part 3 of a marketing deep dive revealing why office execution (not just lead generation) determines your practice growth and profitability.What you'll discover in this episode: • Why most dental offices lose 70% of incoming leads before they ever schedule • The art of phone answering and why it's the highest-ROI skill in your practice • How to identify your best phone closer and strategically route calls to them • Why tracking call metrics exposes the real bottleneck (front office vs. marketing vs. dentist) • The customer service failures that kill conversions (and how to build a playbook to fix them) • How AI and call recording can pinpoint exactly where callers drop off • Why patient experience starts at "hello"—and how tone of voice impacts case acceptance Perfect for practice owners scaling to $1.5M+, startup dentists optimizing their front office, and anyone frustrated with marketing ROI who hasn't measured their internal conversion rate. SPECIAL GUEST ON THIS EPISODE: Guido Tebano is CMO and founder of Market My Market, specializing in data-driven patient acquisition and practice profitability analysis. His demographic studies help dentists determine whether their market can support their growth goals, and if their internal systems can close those leads. Visit https://marketmymarket.com to get more info about working with them. Marketing is only half the equation. Your practice's real competitive advantage lives in how your team converts the opportunities that walk through the door. This episode gives you the framework to audit, measure, and fix your biggest revenue leak. Subscribe to Dental Unscripted: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DentalUnscripted Website: https://dentalunscripted.com 🌟 Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🫶 It helps us reach more practice owners. growing a dental practice, dental practice growth, practice management, dental business, practice efficiency, dental practice leadership, patient experience, dental practice challenges, conversion optimization, dental startup tips, practice acquisition, dental entrepreneurship, practice profitability, patient conversion, front office management Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026. The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Should you drop PPO insurance or negotiate harder for fee-for-service rates? The 60% rule tells you when a write-off crosses into insulting territory. But it only makes sense if you can answer these 3 questions: #1. Is your chair full?#2. What is your patient experience like? #3. What is your plan for patients with no 'out-of-network' benefits? Get an informal and informative review of your practice's insurances! Reach out to Paula Quinn and her front office team!https://nxlevelconsultants.com/contact/

Most dental startups guess at their marketing budget and end up either starving for patients or wasting money. Guido Tebano of Market My Market breaks down real numbers for SEO, ads, and mailers. In this episode of the Marketing Series, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Guido Tebano to answer the question every startup dentist asks: how much should you actually spend on marketing, and where should that money go? They cover the real difference between SEO and paid ads, how long a new dental website takes to start ranking, what a qualified implant lead actually costs, whether direct mail still works in 2026, and the calls to action that convert new patients on a website or mailer. Why a marketing budget can’t be copied from another office The real timeline for SEO and organic ranking Cost per lead and cost per patient, broken down by platform Are dental directories like ZocDoc worth the markup Do direct mail campaigns still work?The five calls to action that actually convert new patients General budget benchmarks for a dental startup by market type Why the first 90 days matter mostCHAPTER MARKERS 0:00 Intro: budgeting for marketing 1:04 Meet Guido Tebano 2:13 Why budgets can’t be cookie cutter 3:18 SEO vs paid ads timeline 5:38 How long a website takes to rank 8:23 Cost per new patient compared 9:46 Are directories worth the markup 11:24 Cost per implant lead and ROI 13:00 Do mailers still work 16:04 Why mailer messaging matters 18:01 5 CTAs that convert patients 21:35 Promotion vs production costs 23:51 General budget benchmarks 26:01 Spending your first $3,500/mo28:15 When to turn ads on 29:35 Why your first 90 days matter Learn more about Guido Tebano and Market My Market at https://marketmymarket.com This episode is part of our Marketing Series for dental startups. Catch Part I, our episode on dental startup demographics, wherever you listen. Visit Our Podcast's Website: https://dentalunscripted.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/dentalunscripted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DentalUnscripted/ Check out Next Level Consultants: https://nxlevelconsultants.com Check out Next Level Consultants for personalized dental practice consulting services Michael Dinsio, MBA Paula Quinn, BSDH  Production by © Dental Unscripted 2026 The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

In this episode, Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, billing and credentialing expert at Next Level Consultants, to tackle the biggest question in the industry right now: "Should I drop my insurance?" They break down the massive differences between lease networks and direct contracts, when it is time to aggressively negotiate your fees, and why jumping out of network without a strategic plan can absolutely tank your dental practice revenue. What You'll Find Out: Why you should never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely fullThe 60% rule: How to know exactly when an insurance fee schedule becomes insultingWhy updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is critical before attempting dental insurance negotiationThe hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applicationsHow to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning to fee for serviceThe essential 90-day patient communication playbook for going out of network seamlesslyPerfect for: Startup dentists, established practice owners, front office managers, and anyone focused on dental billing strategies, increasing profitability in dentistry, and mastering dental practice management. Special Guest on Today’s Show: Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table as the Billing & Credentialing Lead and Front Office Coach at Next Level. She specializes in navigating archaic insurance algorithms, maximizing practice fee schedules, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base. Special Promotional Offer and Connect: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/ Key Takeaways: You no longer have to be a victim to stagnant insurance reimbursements. By fully updating your UCRs, mastering upfront patient communication, and strategically evaluating your clinical capacity, you can confidently take back control of your practice's financial future. Finally, a realistic and actionable roadmap to escape the PPO trap! Stay Connected to Get More Topics Covered by Dental Unscripted: dental insurance negotiation, fee for service dentistry, dropping PPOs, dental credentialing, dental billing, UCR fees, dental practice management, successful dental practice, dental consulting, buying a dental practice, running a dental practice, dental practice revenue, growing a dental practice, dental entrepreneurship, dental industry advice, dental solutions, profitability in dentistry, dental practice tips, how to run a dental practice, business of dentistry, out of network dentist

Most dental practice owners eventually hit a breaking point and ask the exact same question: "Should I drop my insurance?" But jumping straight out of network without a bulletproof strategy can absolutely tank your revenue. Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn sit down with Stafani Sandoval, Billing and Credentialing Lead at Next Level Consultants, to explain the critical data and preparation needed before you ever send a termination letter. We reveal the exact framework top dental offices use to hold insurance companies accountable, update their UCRs, and successfully navigate the FFS (Fee-For-Service) transition. If you are starting up, growing a dental practice, or simply exhausted by stagnant insurance reimbursements dictating your dental practice profitability, this episode is exactly why we created Dental Unscripted. We partner with Stefani to get granular on what most doctors get wrong about dental insurance negotiation, DIY credentialing, and patient retention. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE → Why you should absolutely never drop an insurance plan if your schedule isn't completely full → How to leverage the "60% Rule" to know exactly when a fee schedule becomes insulting → Why updating your UCR fees to the 90th percentile is the mandatory first step before any negotiation → The hidden financial dangers of DIY dental credentialing and submitting blind PPO applications → The real difference between leased umbrella networks and direct contracts (and how to use them to your advantage) → How to retain your patient base using in-house membership plans when transitioning out of network → The essential 90-day patient communication playbook to prevent a mass exodus TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: The biggest question in the dental industry—should I drop my insurance? 2:15 The "Fill Up First" rule before changing your insurance capacity 4:45 When and how often you should be negotiating your dental insurance fees 8:30 Why your UCR fees must be updated to create negotiation leverage 11:15 The 60% Rule: Knowing when to walk away from a bad contract 14:20 Leased networks vs. direct contracts explained 16:50 The massive mistakes doctors make with DIY dental credentialing 21:30 The out-of-network playbook: Preparing your front office and your AR 24:45 Retaining patients through communication and in-house membership plans 28:10 Understanding the true marketing cost of dropping a PPO network ABOUT OUR GUEST Stefani SandovalBilling & Credentialing Lead, Next Level Consultants Stefani brings years of specialized experience to the table, helping dental practice owners navigate archaic insurance algorithms. She specializes in maximizing practice fee schedules, restructuring network participation, and guiding dental teams through safe, profitable out-of-network transitions without losing their patient base. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of Next Level Consultants, the dental industry's leading advisory firm for practice startups, acquisitions, and ownership coaching. With 30+ years of combined experience and hundreds of successful practice launches, Mike and Paula bring unfiltered, real-world expertise to every episode of Dental Unscripted. Work with Mike and Paula: https://nxlevelconsultants.com/dental-consulting/dental-practice-management/ Visit the show website: https://dentalunscripted.com RATE THE SHOW 🙏 If this episode helped you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 30 seconds and helps other dentists find the show. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-unscripted-getting-into-ownership-and-practice/id1776401263 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NhNbETQDWwe91935VG3T2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nxlevelconsultants/ PRODUCTION INFORMATION: © 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved. The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Dental practice finances just got a serious upgrade. Bert Smith, SVP of Healthcare Lending at Live Oak Bank - the #1 SBA lender in America,  reveals the brand-new SBA Express Loan: up to $350,000 in working capital, funded in 2-4 weeks, with no real estate collateral required. Whether you're buying a dental practice, navigating a startup that didn't ramp the way you planned, or carrying high-interest debt that's killing your cash flow, this conversation rewrites everything dentists think they know about SBA lending. Hosts Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn dig into why SBA is NOT just the backup plan when big banks say no — and how the new Express program changes the financing game for dental practice owners. ⏱ KEY MOMENTS:03:50 - What the SBA Actually Is (And Why Dentists Should Care)06:45 - Why Dental Practice Financing Is Different From Every Other Industry11:55 - The SBA 7(a) Loan & 75% Government Guarantee Explained14:00 - Preferred Lender vs. Generic SBA Bank: Why It Matters18:00 - The Real Truth About SBA Loans for Buying a Dental Practice23:10 - NEW: SBA Express Loan — $350K in Working Capital25:30 - Express Loan Terms: 10-Year, No Prepayment, No Real Estate Lien26:30 - How Struggling Startups Use Express Loans to Get Back to Profitability29:20 - 680 FICO Minimum & Express Loan Qualification Rules30:10 - Why Dental-Specific SBA Lending Beats Credit Unions 💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:✓ How the SBA 7(a) program lets banks approve deals big banks reject✓ Why 100% real estate financing is available for existing practice owners✓ How dental practice owners can consolidate credit card debt with SBA Express✓ When pro forma underwriting helps new dental practice owners qualify✓ How to recognize the difference between a "fairway" loan and an SBA opportunity 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:🏦 Live Oak Bank (Healthcare Lending): https://www.liveoakbank.com🦷 Next Level Consultants — Dental Practice Coaching & Consulting: https://nxlevelconsultants.com🎙 Dental Unscripted Podcast: https://dentalunscripted.com📲 Instagram: @dentalunscripted 📢 ENJOYING DENTAL UNSCRIPTED?If this episode helped you think differently about dental practice finances, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.It's the single biggest way to support the show and help more dental practice owners find these conversations.Subscribe and follow for weekly episodes on dental practice ownership, acquisitions, startups, and the business of dentistry. #DentalPracticeFinances #BuyingADentalPractice #SBALoans #DentalUnscripted #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusiness PRODUCTION INFORMATION:© 2026 Dental Unscripted. All rights reserved.The content provided in this video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.