Dental Practice Launch Podcast

In this episode, Shane discusses how AI is changing the way patients find dental practices online and why simply ranking at the top of Google is no longer enough. He explains how dental practices can use omnipresence marketing to become known in their communities, build trust before patients are ready to book, and ultimately get more people searching for their practice by name.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental practices grow through proven relationship-based marketing strategies.   Takeaways: AI Overviews are changing how patients interact with Google search results. Ranking number one for generic searches is no longer enough to guarantee website traffic. Brand-name searches are becoming increasingly valuable as search behavior changes. Omnipresence marketing helps patients become familiar with your practice before they need a dentist. Social media allows practices to build trust and visibility throughout their community. Multiple relationship-focused touchpoints can be more effective long term than relying on aggressive offers. Becoming known in your community gives patients a reason to search specifically for your practice.

In this episode, Shane Simmons discusses the recent changes in Google's search and map listings, how they impact dental practices' patient calls, and the importance of adopting an omnipresence marketing strategy to stay competitive.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental practices grow through proven marketing strategies.   Takeaways: Google is making it harder for practices to get calls from organic listings by adding call buttons to sponsored ads only. The number of local pack ads showing up in search results has increased significantly, now up to 22% in some cases. Practices that invest in paid advertising are seeing a lower cost per patient acquisition and better results. An omnipresence strategy that includes organic, paid, social, and community presence is essential for future success. Google's updates are designed to push practices to pay for ads, making paid strategies more critical than ever.

In this episode, Shane draws parallels between the World Cup and building a thriving dental practice, highlighting five key lessons from obsessed fans and team strategies that can be applied to dentistry.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies. Takeaways: Fans show up all season long, not just on game day, and so should your practice engagement. Patients follow the team, not just the logo—share your story to build loyalty. The group stage teaches us that consistency over time is more important than a single win. Home field advantage in dentistry is earned through reviews and community presence. Data-driven decisions are crucial—know your costs, patient lifetime value, and practice metrics.

Shane Simmons, of Crimson Media Dental Marketing, discusses the misconceptions about dental marketing, emphasizing the importance of omnipresence strategies and long-term relationship building to attract and retain patients.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies.   Resources: Study on Marketing Touch Points

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. ‍ SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast! ‍ Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies. 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.

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.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   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.

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.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   Learn more about Crimson Media Dental Marketing and how we help dental startups grow through proven marketing strategies.

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!   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.   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.

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.   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: 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.

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.   SUBSCRIBE to The Dental Practice Launch Podcast!   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