Grilled by One of Dentistry’s Top Voices on Ownership and Strategy

Grilled by One of Dentistry’s Top Voices: A No-Paste Conversation About Ownership, Startups, and Strategy

If you’re preparing to open your own dental practice, you’ve likely noticed something: everyone has an opinion about what you should do.

The problem? Most of those opinions are paste—recycled advice, outdated scripts, or templated strategies that don’t take your goals into account.

This episode of the Ideal Practices Podcast flips the script. Instead of delivering advice, we take you behind the scenes for a candid, unfiltered conversation between two of the most recognizable voices in dental entrepreneurship: Dr. Mark Costes and yours truly.

When the Interviewer Becomes the Guest

Dr. Mark Costes is a successful multi-practice owner and founder of the Dental Success Institute. He’s also one of the most respected voices in the industry—so when he asks the questions, you can bet they cut through the fluff.

In this episode, Dr. Mark puts me in the hot seat.

We cover it all:

• Startup myths and the real numbers behind sustainable growth

• The biggest mistakes dentists make when they rely on paste advice

• Why practice ownership still works—and how to make it your own

• Systems that drive performance without sacrificing your purpose

• The one decision that can derail your entire ownership journey

This isn’t a sales pitch or a highlight reel. It’s an honest exchange of ideas from two people who’ve coached thousands of private practice owners—and seen what actually works.

The Problem with Paste

If you’re new to Ideal Practices, you’ll hear us talk often about paste—those pre-packaged strategies and shortcuts that get shared in online groups or marketing forums. They look convenient, but they rarely stick.

Whether it's a recycled business model, a generic lease negotiation tip, or a “magic” marketing campaign, paste almost always falls short in the real world.

This episode gives you a framework for building something more intentional.

Bonus Resources to Go Deeper

If you're exploring ownership or actively planning your startup, don’t go it alone. Start here:

• Startup Practice Blueprint — See what doctors are saying about our flagship program and request an invitation to an upcoming event.

• Subscribe to the Ideal Practices Podcast — You’ll get weekly access to insights, interviews, and strategies from doctors building private practices on their terms.

• Want to meet us live? Join us at the Voices of Dentistry Summit in Nashville. Early bird pricing is available with code “Ideal” at www.VoicesofDentistry.com

Final Thought

You don’t need more paste. You need clarity, strategy, and systems that reflect your vision—not someone else’s shortcuts.

Whether you're in the early stages of your startup journey or looking to sharpen your strategy, this episode will challenge the way you think—and give you tools to build a practice that lasts.

Click here to subscribe so you don’t miss a future episode.

Let’s get to work.
— Stephen Trutter
President, Ideal Practices