How to Save Big on Equipment for Your Practice By Using Data & AI | Yasin Abbak

In today's episode, we tackle a huge pain point for dentists: the sky-high prices for equipment.  A not-so-widely-known fact is that there’s a dental tax on equipment. In other words, one machine will be much more expensive for a dentist than for a veterinarian. But there’s an innovative tech platform that can help dental professionals find the best deals through data and AI, and today’s guest is going to share everything you need to know about it. Yasin Abbak is the founder of GroupUps, a new-age DSO for independent businesses. He has an impressive background, having previously founded and sold a sports tech platform with over 1 million customers and a supply chain tech platform for independent restaurants.  With GroupUps, Yasin is revolutionizing the way small dental practices purchase equipment by leveraging data and AI to negotiate better pricing and organize group purchases. His goal to empower independently owned businesses to make smarter decisions and operate more efficiently has the potential to create a big shift in the industry. In our conversation, we talk about how this advanced tool helps practices save money on dental equipment. Yasin also shares key strategies on when and how to negotiate, identifying leverage points for effective bargaining, and the long-term costs of overspending. Ready to transform your purchasing power and secure the best deals for your practice? Tune in! PS. There’s an exclusive freebie for all Raving Patients Podcast listeners! Claim a FREE Rate My Quote analysis by visiting https://www.groupups.com/, filling out your wish list, and letting them know Dr. Len Tau sent you.  — Key Takeaways: Meet Yasin Abbak & his company, GroupUps (00:00) Yasin explains how GroupUps operates & leverages data & AI (06:50) Getting better pricing on equipment & group purchasing (15:14) The importance of avoiding overspending (23:01) Negotiation tactics for dentists (26:17) Get your FREE Rate My Quote analysis by GroupUps (29:30) Lightning Round Q&A With Yasin (31:53) — Additional Resources: Learn more about GroupUps here. Follow GroupUps on Facebook here. — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September here. Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques here. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more here. Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Dentists often find content creation both time-consuming and intimidating, as it can seem quite out of their wheelhouse. But content marketing is not just for the savvy digital marketers. If done the right way, this powerful tool can help dentists create deeper and more trusting relationships with both existing and potential patients. So, how can you use content creation to attract new patients and grow your practice? I have the perfect guest to answer this. I am joined by Melanie Deziel, an author, keynote speaker, and award-winning branded content creator who has helped countless businesses unlock their creative potential. Her credentials include innovative work at the New York Times and Time Inc. In this episode, Melanie unpacks how tailored content can help dental practices attract new patients and build trust in an increasingly skeptical consumer environment. She explains why content is important, how to generate content ideas, and how to find time to create. We also talk about optimizing your Google Business Profile, selecting the right social media platforms for a targeted audience, and engaging patients with various content formats. Whether you're new to content creation or looking to refine your approach, you don’t want to miss this episode. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the business and start applying these expert strategies in your dental practice marketing today. PS. Use code RAVING at http://melaniedeziel.com/store to save 20% on any of the digital resources for helping you create better content, including The Content Fuel Framework Workbook, which has prompts and activities to help you generate 1000+ original content ideas! — Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Melanie’s Background and Career Journey (01:03) Importance of Content in a Dental Practice (04:56) Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms (06:44) Content as a Trust-Building Tool (13:34) Engaging Content Formats (17:49) Creating Content Ideas for Dental Practices (21:14) Tips for Optimizing Your Google Business Profile (24:12) Lightning Round Q&A With Melanie (32:27) — Additional Resources: Visit Melanie’s website: https://www.melaniedeziel.com/  Connect with Melanie Deziel: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melaniedeziel Instagram: http://instagram.com/meldeziel Twitter: http://twitter.com/mdeziel Threads: http://threads.net/meldeziel — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September: https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Hiring is hard, but hiring non-clinical staff for dental practices is harder. If you've been using employment websites, you know by now that half the candidates are unqualified and several will end up ghosting you. The result is limited options, leading dental practices to recruit subpar employees that won’t stay for long.  So, how can you find and retain team members that truly align with your practice’s culture and values? The answer is in this episode! Today’s guest is Allison Norris, the founder and CEO of The Dentele Group, LLC and a former dental hygienist. She left clinical dentistry in 2018 to pursue a non-clinical career, which eventually led to starting her recruiting agency that specializes in placing candidates into non-clinical roles. In this episode, Allison and I talk about the dos and don'ts for effective dental practice recruitment, particularly for non-clinical positions. Allison shares the importance of a strong online reputation, how to craft compelling job postings, and the need for thorough candidate screenings to guarantee a perfect fit. She also sheds light on how her agency approaches the hiring process for its clients. If staff turnover has been a challenge for you, this episode is packed with actionable advice to get better results in your recruiting efforts! Tune in to learn how to find the perfect team. PS. Allison is offering 10% off on her recruiting services to all Raving Patients Podcast listeners. Just reach out to her and say you heard the offer here! — Key Takeaways: Meet Allison Norris & How She Got Into Recruiting (00:00) Successfully Recruiting The Right Person Through Allison’s Service (04:44) Negative Employer Reviews on Hiring Websites (12:35) The Importance of Creating Great Job Descriptions (17:19) What To Do When An Ex-Employee Retaliates (22:14) Lightning Round Q&A With Allison (25:02) — Additional Resources: Learn more about The Dentele Group here: https://thedentelegroup.com/ Connect with Allison Norris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonnorris/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allison.norris904/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

How many times have you confused one dental practice with another? I know I have!  It’s tricky for dental practices to stand out when it comes to branding. Several use generic stock images and cookie-cutter templates to push content online, missing that one thing that truly sets them apart — authenticity. In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Ruberg, a seasoned branding expert in the dental industry, to break down the strategies that will supercharge your dental practice’s branding.  Sarah is the founder of Our Thrive Tribe and has dedicated her career to helping dental practices and industry partners excel in the dynamic landscape of DSO's. With expertise in personal and corporate branding, she empowers practices to reach their full potential, expand their reach, and achieve significant growth.  From actionable strategies for establishing an authentic brand presence to expanding your network the right way, this episode is packed with tips every dental professional needs to know to solidify themselves as a trusted authority.  Plus, we touch on the importance of outward engagement on social media, the benefits of live networking events, and the questions to ask yourself when defining your unique selling proposition.  Tune in now to learn how to TRULY stand out in the dental industry! — Key Takeaways: Meet Sarah Ruberg & How She Entered The DSO Space (00:00) Sarah Explains Why Having A Brand Is Important (06:17) Branding Your Practice & Finding What Makes You Unique (10:18) Sarah’s Insights on Leveraging Social Media (17:31) Overcoming The Fear of An Online Self-Promotion (23:51) The Power of Networking (25:23) Lightning Round Q&A With Sarah (29:20) — Additional Resources: Connect with Sarah Ruberg at Our Thrive Tribe:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourthrivetribe_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinourthrivetribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourthrivetribe/ Website: https://ourthrivetribe.co/contact/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Have you planned an exit strategy for your dental practice? It’s commonplace to draft a business plan, but the roadmap for selling and exiting and doing so for max profits is often overlooked. Also, most dentists give themselves too little time and typically overestimate its worth due to emotional attachment. So what do dentists need to know to have an efficient and profitable exit? You’re going to find out in this episode.  Today, I’m speaking with Brian Michaud from the Encompass Group LLC. He has extensive experience working with business owners, especially dental practitioners, in planning their exits effectively and has a wealth of knowledge on strategically maximizing practice value.  We discuss the optimal timeline that allows you to make all the necessary adjustments and transition plans for your dental practice sale. Brian also explains the difference between emotional and financial valuations and how to set your expectations realistically. Additionally, we touch on the four main exit strategies, succession planning, and tax strategies that can enhance the perceived value of your practice. If you’re looking to sell, this is an episode you can’t miss!  Tune in to learn how to get the most out of your exit strategy planning and guarantee you get the most value from your years of hard work. — Key Takeaways: Meet Brian Michaud (00:00) How To Know When You Should Exit Your Dental Practice (05:27) An Overview of The 4 Ways To Exit Your Practice & Examples (10:20) The Emotional Number vs. The Financial Number (17:06) Exit Strategy Tax Advice & Other Financial Considerations (20:45) Lightning Round Q&A With Brian (27:44)   — Additional Resources: Learn more about Brian & Encompass Group here: https://www.encompass-group.com/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September: https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

The average amount spent on dental staff training is about $1,500 per person per year, which is a significant expense for small to mid-sized dental practice owners.  But is all that expense really worth it when research shows that learners forget an average of 70% of the new information within 24 hours?  Today, I’m sharing a better way to manage operations and train staff within your dental practice.  I'm thrilled to introduce Laura Johnston, the innovative founder of My Dental SOP and a former consultant turned software developer. Laura has dedicated over 15 years to the dental industry, specializing in team management and dental practice SOPs. Through her cloud-based software, My Dental SOP, Laura has transformed the way dental teams access and utilize Standard Operating Procedures, tackling the common, painful issues of training, staffing, and operational inefficiencies that so many practices face. In this conversation, Laura shares everything you need to know about My Dental SOP, from what onboarding looks like to the role of its effective assessments and how it’s a great tool for minimizing staff turnover. Additionally, we touch on the broader impacts of having an instantly accessible platform for SOPs — how it can enhance team management, streamline daily operations, and ensure that every team member is equipped to maximize growth opportunities. Tune in to learn more about this exciting software!  PS. If you’re seriously considering adding My Dental SOP into your practice’s operations, you can claim a 75% discount on the set-up fee before June ends! Find Laura’s contact information below under the Additional Resources section. — Key Takeaways: Meet Laura Johnston & Her Software, My Dental SOP (00:00) Onboarding My Dental SOP & How Your Teams Can Use It (06:39) A Deeper Look Into My Dental SOP’s Features (12:44) Who My Dental SOP Is Ideal For (19:04) Key Benefits, Pricing, & Set Up For My Dental SOP (21:39) Lightning Round Q&A With Laura (27:38) — Additional Resources Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-johnston/ Email: [email protected] Follow My Dental SOP: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydentalsop/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrecisioninPractice YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mydentalsop/videos Website: https://www.mydentalsop.com — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

If you feel like your dental practice needs a reputation boost, you should consider leveraging media appearances. But how exactly do you go about that? And what makes a good story?  In this episode, I’ve invited media guru and branding expert Christine Haas, CEO of Haas Media and founder of The AI Newsroom. She spent 15 years out of her celebrated career in broadcast journalism, winning multiple industry accolades, including Emmys and Associated Press Awards. Christine now helps hundreds of business leaders clarify their brand message, conducts media crisis training for corporate executives, and secures media placements to help clients build credibility in their industry to drive revenue. She’s sharing her unparalleled expertise with me today to share how dental practices can use media exposure to stand out in this competitive market. She shares invaluable strategies for getting your practice featured in news outlets, creating a perception of authority and expertise that attracts and retains patients. Christine also shares why media is important for your brand, as well as ideas on what makes a good media pitch for dental practices. Beyond media strategies, Christine also discusses the role of artificial intelligence in today’s marketing, offering insights into how AI can streamline operations, boost marketing efforts, and act as a hot topic for dental professionals to leverage. Tune in to learn the secrets to crafting stories that attract both news outlets and potential patients with Christine Haas. – Key Takeaways: Meet The Media Expert, Christine Haas (00:00) Why Is Media Important for Your Brand? (06:45) Getting On TV To Promote Your Brand & Christine’s Approach (11:37) What Makes A Good Media Pitch (22:44) Training Dentists & Their Teams To Pitch Stories (25:37) Lightning Round Q&A With Christine (31:20) —  Additional Resources Connect with Christine Haas: Website: https://christinehaas.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinehaasmedia/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinehaasmedia/  — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration.  — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Have you ever wondered how top professionals in dentistry keep climbing higher? And how can you do the same? Many dental professionals are hungry for growth, but lack the guidance to move forward. That's where mentorship and coaching can play a pivotal role.  Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Deneen Dismore, a dynamic fractional CMO and new patient acquisition specialist with a rich background in dental marketing. Known for her innovative strategies in patient acquisition and retention, Deneen has made her mark as a leading voice in dental practice marketing. Combining her expertise with a strong commitment to empowerment and mentoring, Deneen guides dental professionals to redefine their views on success and take control of their careers. Her approach emphasizes mindset, mastery, and actionable strategies, inspiring her clients and audiences to reach new heights in the fast-paced world of dentistry. Deneen shares with us how mentorship and coaching are pivotal, not only on a personal level, but also in enhancing professional growth and skill development within the dental industry. We also explore additional topics such as strategies for patient-centric marketing, finding the right mentor, and how coaching can specifically help people, particularly women, in dentistry to overcome professional obstacles and assume leadership roles. Don't miss this insightful discussion. Tune in to empower your dental career with Deneen’s insights! — Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Meet Deneen Dismore & Her Path Into Dentistry (01:57) Generic vs. Niche Dental Marketing Approaches (04:18) Crafting Patient-Centric Marketing Strategies (09:09) Benefits of a Growth Oriented Mindset (15:45) Addressing Burnout In Dental Professionals (19:24) The Importance of Mentorship, Coaching & Empowerment (24:15) Lightning Round Q&A With Deneen (31:00) — Additional Resources: Connect with Deneen Dismore:  Facebook: http://facebook.com/dentalmarketingdeneen Instagram: http://instagram.com/dentalmarketingconsultant LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deneen-dismore-0b1b1014 Website: https://www.deneendismore.com/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!  

Producing content for marketing and keeping up with potential leads can be challenging for many dental practices. If your human staff is struggling to get it done, why not make it happen with the help of AI?  Today, I’m sharing how AI for dental marketing can help give you the competitive edge you need!  My guest is Wendy Richmond, CEO of Results Matter Dental Marketing. Wendy brings well over a decade of experience as a marketing director for multimillion-dollar dental practices, where she has revolutionized marketing strategies through the use of artificial intelligence. Her expertise has transformed practices from earning $1 million a year to an astonishing $1 million a month. Today, Wendy shared the practical applications of AI in dental marketing, explaining how it can optimize marketing efforts and speed up lead communication to close big cases, especially in full arch dentistry. She also shares insights on leveraging AI, not just for automation but as a tool to enhance personal engagement with potential patients. We also explore how AI can support content creation and discuss how these technologies are becoming indispensable in modern dental practice marketing strategies. Wendy gives real-world examples of how AI tools have improved efficiency in targeting and attracting new patients. If you’re ready to take your dental practice to the next level with AI, don’t miss this episode! Tune in. — Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) Meet Wendy Richmond (01:31) Using AI to Enhance Dental Marketing Content Creation (09:04) Getting the Most Out of AI Chat Bots (12:41) AI & Lead Magnets for Full Arch Dental Marketing (17:38) Why Every Dentist Should Leverage AI & Wendy’s Marketing Takeaways (22:27) Lightning Round Q&A With Wendy (28:09) — Additional Resources: Learn more about Results Matter Dental Marketing AI here: https://ai.resultsmatterdentalmarketing.com/ Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-susan-richmond-7609932/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!  

Did you know that women suffer from burnout at higher rates than men do? This is also true for women in leadership positions, including dentistry.  Today’s episode sheds light on the pressing issue of burnout, particularly among female dentists. My guest is Andrea Smith, an advocate for well-being and empowerment, particularly in the healthcare field. After a decade in the corporate world, she became exhausted from juggling the roles of employee, mother, wife, and friend. Andrea decided to create her own business, offering sales training to the Med Tech industry, but the burnout remained. Ultimately, this motivated Andrea to create the Thrive by Design Group, which supports and empowers women to embrace their true selves and break free from the situations causing their burnout.  She brings important insights for addressing this pervasive challenge, strengthened by her own personal journey. We talk about the root causes of burnout, emphasizing the compounded pressures women face, such as the high stakes of managing a dental practice and family life.  Andrea also offers practical advice and strategies for women to navigate these challenges, advocating for a balance that fosters well-being and success. Through “The Awaken Your SuperHERo” course she designed, women can learn how to create a sustainable and balanced life. If you’re interested in the course, listen till the end for an exclusive discount for Andrea’s course.  For anyone feeling identified with the signs of burnout, this episode is a must. Tune in to learn more about this important issue. — Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Andrea Smith’s Career Journey (03:16) What’s Causing Burnout for Women in Dentistry? (07:55) Signs & Symptoms of Burnout (11:20) Steps To Overcome Burnout (17:34) The Awaken Your Superhero Course (19:02) Lightning Round Q&A With Andrea (22:18) — Additional Resources: Interested in Andrea’s “Awaken Your Superhero” course? Email Andrea at [email protected] for more information.  Or check it out here: https://thethrivebydesigngroup.com/our-services/ Use the code SUPERHERO to claim a 10% discount. Connect with Andrea Smith: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenyoursuperhero/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreassmith/ — Learn about the upcoming Supercharge Your Dental Practice 2-day event in September:  https://superchargeyourdentalpractice.com/ Use code RAVING to save $100 on registration. — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at: https://www.drlentau.com This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more at: https://www.dentalintel.com/ This podcast is sponsored by The Doc Sites, the leading provider of websites and online marketing for dentists. Find out more at: https://www.docsites.com/ Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!