Dive into an eye-opening conversation with hosts Naren Arulrajah and Gary Takacs in this captivating episode titled “Sneak Preview on Possible Benefits Reform.” Gary shares insights on his interview with Dr. Brett Kessler, president-elect of the American Dental Association (ADA), where they explore the possibility of a Benefits Reform as part of the Dental Insurance Reform. From unraveling the disparities in coverage to advocating patient-friendly approaches, they shed invaluable light on how reform could reshape dental practices. With a spirit of optimism and a genuine invitation, they urge l ..read more

Are you feeling restricted by the limitations imposed by PPO plans on your dental practice’s growth and profitability? In this enlightening episode, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive deep into the often-overlooked advantages of liberating yourself from PPO entanglements. Beyond the apparent financial gains, the “Less Insurance Dependence” podcast explores how breaking free from PPO constraints can revolutionize your practice in surprising ways. Tune in to uncover the lesser-known benefits, such as gaining more quality time for personalized patient care, significantly reducing overhead ..read more

In this podcast episode, Gary and Naren share a recap of the recent webinar with Dental Intel on the topic of Secrets to Thriving in Dentistry in 2024 and Beyond. Learn about the five proven strategies to make 2024 your best year yet, insights about the data collected by Dental Intel working with 10,000 practices, and The Dental Buyer’s journey further explained by Naren. This episode will help you understand the importance of leveraging psychology to convert website visitors into patients. Feeling stuck and unsure how to grow your dental practice in 2024? Tune into this episode to get insight ..read more

Are you tired of PPO plans dictating your dentistry and income? This episode exposes the dark side of PPO umbrella plans and how they can sneakily increase your write-offs, costing you thousands of dollars. Tune in and learn how to successfully untangle yourself from this web of PPO plans that keep you trapped in a system that doesn’t value your practice. Gary shares some real-world examples of dentists who have successfully broken free from PPO dependence and grow their practices and how they strategically did this. Furthermore, learn the 3 most essential steps to be prepared to resign from P ..read more

Are you tired of PPO plans dictating your dentistry and your income? In this episode, the Less Insurance Dependence podcast explores how adding high-value services to your practice can be a game-changer in reducing insurance dependency. It will be a pathway to enjoying happiness while doing what you love. Discover how to focus on the dentistry you enjoy and attract patients who prioritize quality care over insurance limitations. Tune in and learn how to take control of your practice and your happiness and how to attract people who come to you for the benefits of the care you provide, regardles ..read more

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah delve into the topic of what it truly means to be fee-for-service (FFS) in dentistry. They emphasize that being FFS entails charging your full fees and receiving them directly from patients without involvement from insurance companies. They address common misconceptions about FFS dentistry and advocate for a patient-friendly approach. They highlight the importance of continuing to provide excellent care and support to patients, regardless of their insurance status. Additionally, they discuss prac ..read more

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary and Naren delve into ‘The Top 10 Questions from RIDA Members, Part 2’. They begin by emphasizing the importance of catching up on Part 1 for context but reassure listeners that the episodes can be listened to in any order. Gary highlights the significance of having conversations with patients over digital communication, especially when resigning from PPO plans. They discuss strategies for determining which PPO plan to drop first, getting the team on board with the transition, estimating out-of-network fee schedules, and replacing l ..read more

In this podcast episode, Gary and Naren delve into the top 10 questions from RIDA (Restorative Implant Dentistry Academy) members regarding successfully resigning from PPO plans. The questions were curated from hundreds submitted by 1,200 RIDA members, focusing on reducing insurance dependence. The episode covers the first five questions, including the timeframe for transitioning from PPO to fee-for-service, Delta Dental’s fee adjustments, costs of SEO versus Google Ads patients, secrets to low-cost SEO patients, and evaluating readiness to resign from PPO plans based on practice dynamics, sch ..read more

This episode of the High-Value Dentistry Series delves into the practice of oral conscious sedation through a real-life story from Gary’s former practice, Life Smiles. As Gary’s marketing partner, the focus was on attracting patients who were not covered by PPO plans, emphasizing oral conscious sedation, among other high-value services. Oral conscious sedation, which is different from IV sedation, offers patients a twilight state of consciousness, easing fear and stress associated with dental visits. Mastery of SEO helps in attracting anxious patients to the practice, offering them comprehensi ..read more

Join Gary and Naren as they dissect the aftermath of SmileDirectClub’s failure, delving into the broader implications of the DIY trend. Through personal anecdotes and insightful case studies, they explore how attempting complex tasks without proper expertise can lead to disastrous outcomes. From home improvement disasters to ill-informed business decisions, they highlight the inherent risks individuals face when embracing the do-it-yourself mentality. By sharing real-life examples, they emphasize the importance of understanding the stakes and seeking professional advice when navigating unfamil ..read more