Teeth Matter

Ever wonder how some dentists break into high-income, oversaturated markets—and thrive?Dr. Rhonda Kalasho (@dr.rhondakalasho⁠) did exactly that. She built and scaled TruGlo Modern Dental with locations in Beverly Hills, Calabasas, and Hollywood, defying the odds by establishing a luxury brand that attracts loyal patients without relying on insurance-based volume.In this episode of Teeth Matter, Dr. Kalasho shares:How she opened three premium practices in ultra-competitive zip codesHer exact strategy for acquiring new patients through a dental membership modelWhy she’s against in-house financing—and what she offers insteadThe dark side of dental practice acquisitions and what you’re not being toldWhat it really takes to stand out when everyone’s already doing veneers, injectables, and smile makeoversThis is a masterclass for young dentists and dental entrepreneurs looking to grow strategically, build a bold brand, and make an impact—even in the most saturated markets.Learn more about Dr. Kalasho & TruGlo Modern Dental:www.truglomodern.comIG: @truglomodernIG: @dr.rhondakalasho_______Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.

In Part Two of our conversation with Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (@drnavedfatmi), we dive into the real-world business of dentistry—beyond the operatory. We unpack what sweat equity actually means, how to approach job interviews with the right mindset, and why treatment planning is one of the most valuable (and overlooked) skills in building trust and case acceptance. Dr. Fatmi also breaks down how your lifestyle choices and personal priorities—like choosing to live in a high-cost city—can directly impact your earning potential. From location to lifestyle, these decisions often determine not just your quality of life, but how much you actually take home. Whether you’re navigating your first associate position or rethinking how you run your practice, this episode offers grounded advice with long-term impact.Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (⁠@drnavedfatmi⁠)—a practice owner, educator, and former Chair of the Florida Board of Dentistry. Appointed in 2015 as the youngest board member ever, Dr. Fatmi brings deep experience from both the operatory and the regulatory level.To learn more about or connect with Dr. Naved Fatmi, go to:Website: ⁠https://www.healthandwellness-dentistry.com/⁠Instagram: ⁠@drnavedfatmi⁠_______Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.

In this episode of Teeth Matter, we sit down with Dr. Paresh Shah (@drpareshshah) —a respected Canadian dentist, educator, and international speaker—to explore what comprehensive dentistry really looks like in practice. Now leading his third practice, Dr. Shah says he's finally getting to practice the way he wants to - connecting function, esthetics, and long-term health.We dive into how this approach shows up in his treatment planning, his collaboration with specialists, and how he gets full team buy-in. He also opens up about where he’s growing now: learning to be a better mentor—to his team, his colleagues, and the next generation of dentists. Whether you're a few years in or leveling up into leadership, this episode offers real insight into the mindset it takes to build a fulfilling, long-term career.What You'll Learn:What comprehensive dentistry really means todayHow to lead collaborative care without losing directionSimplifying complex cases for patientsWhat mentorship looks like in a modern practiceBuilding a strong clinical culture through communicationTo learn more about Dr. Paresh Shah, check out:Instagram: @drpareshshahWebsite: DC Dental Clinical_______Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.com/store⁠⁠COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.

What does it take to build one of the most respected dental labs in Beverly Hills? In this episode of Teeth Matter, I interview Sam Alawie (@sam_alawie) —CEO of Magne Education (@magneeducation) and co-founder of Beverly Hills Dental Lab (@beverlyhillsdentallab)—about the future of dental technology and what dentists and dental technicians must know to stay ahead.We dive into:🔹 European vs American dental technician certification—what matters more in 2025🔹 The founding story behind Beverly Hills Dental Lab🔹 Digital workflow & the new era of CAD/CAM dentistry🔹 Real talk on dentist-technician communication & case collaboration🔹 Why dental photography is no longer optional—it's a clinical tool🔹 Straight-shooting advice for dental lab owners and dental entrepreneursIf you're a cosmetic dentist, prosthodontist, dental technician, or practice owner, this episode is your blueprint for smarter lab partnerships and better patient results.For more information about Magne Education, check out: https://magneeducation.com/_______Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.com/store⁠COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.

In this episode of Teeth Matter, I sit down with Dr. Craig Spodak (@craigspodak) , a third-generation dentist and owner of Spodak Dental Group, to discuss the evolution of dentistry and the realities of practice ownership. As the co-founder of Bulletproof Dental Practice and co-author of The Bulletproof Dental Practice, Dr. Spodak shares insights on building a resilient, efficient, and profitable practice. We dive into what it means to be a "bulletproof" dentist, the difference between vision and goals, the psychology of success, and the role of self-development, continuing education, and so much more. We also explore how associates can apply these principles to build a strong foundation for their careers. Whether you're a new dentist or a seasoned practitioner, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for your career.Topics Covered in This Episode:The evolution of dentistry and where it's headedThe pervasive narrative about being an associateThe reality vs. expectations of owning a dental practiceGoal setting techniquesDefining what it means to be a "bulletproof" dentistApplying the "bulletproof" mindset as an associate to build long-term successConnect with Dr. Craig Spodak:Website: Spodak Dental GroupBulletproof Dental Practice Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bulletproof-Practice-Peter-Boulden/dp/1947341294Bulletproof Summit: https://www.bulletproofsummit.com/Bulletproof Podcast: https://www.bulletproofdentalpractice.com/category/podcast/Instagram: @craigspodak___________Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatter.squarespace.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.

In this episode of Teeth Matter, we sit down with Dr. Mehrdad Raz (@dr_mehrdadraz), founder of Oral Design Beverly Hills, to explore the power of biomimetic dentistry and its impact on patient care. Mentored by the world-renowned Dr. Pascal Magne, Dr. Raz has dedicated his career to advancing minimally invasive and adhesive dentistry. As the Clinical Director at Magne Education, he plays a key role in training dentists on biomimetic techniques and restorative excellence.Topics Discussed:Biomimetic Dentistry Explained – How this minimally invasive approach enhances durability and aesthetics.The Power of Diagnosis & Treatment Planning – Why precision matters for long-term success.Patient Communication Strategies – Breaking down complex procedures in a way patients understand.Immediate Dentin Sealing – Its role in strengthening restorations and improving outcomes.Choosing the Right Dental Lab – The importance of collaboration for high-quality results.The Future of Biomimetic Dentistry – What’s next for this evolving field.Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with practical takeaways for dentists looking to refine their approach to restorative care.To learn more about Dr. Mehrdad Raz and Magne Education, check out:Website: https://www.oraldesignbeverlyhills.com/Instagram: ⁠@dr_mehrdadrazMagne Education: https://magneeducation.com/Make a Difference in LA – Donate Today! ❤️🌆Your donation to the Red Cross of LA provides critical support to those in need, from disaster relief to emergency care.🔗 Give now: Red Cross LA Donations___________Don't miss out on these deals: Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠https://teethmatter.squarespace.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to join the conversation about the realities of dentistry, follow: Instagram: ⁠⁠@_teethmatter⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ellie Halabian⁠⁠__________________________If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and rate ⭐️. If you think a friend will enjoy it, please share it with them.