The Raving Patients Podcast

What separates thriving dental practices from those constantly struggling with team turnover, communication issues, and operational chaos? In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with former NCAA National Champion, AP National Coach of the Year, and executive coach Matt Doherty to discuss how championship-level leadership principles can transform dental practices. Drawing from his experience playing under legendary coach Dean Smith and leading major college basketball programs, Matt shares practical strategies for building stronger cultures, creating accountability, and developing high-performing teams. Whether you're a practice owner, leader, or team member, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, culture, hiring, and creating an environment where people can thrive. What You'll Learn Why culture is the foundation of every successful dental practice The Organizational Triangle: Talent, Systems, and Culture Leadership lessons Matt learned from Dean Smith How to identify and communicate your practice's "why" Why core values often fail and how to make them actionable The importance of accountability without creating conflict How championship teams and successful dental practices share similar principles Why hiring for culture fit matters as much as hiring for skill How daily huddles and repetition build consistency and excellence Real examples of culture transformation inside dental practices — Key Takeaways 00:56 Driving a Championship Culture with Matt Doherty 04:10 From National Championship Coach to Dental Consultant 08:01 Why Culture Matters More Than Talent 11:27 Leadership Lessons from Dean Smith 16:12 Discovering Your Why as a Practice Owner 20:28 Building the Organizational Triangle 25:45 Education Without Action Is Just Entertainment 31:35 Creating Accountability Without Conflict 35:47 A Real Dental Practice Culture Transformation 37:52 How Matt Helps Dental Practices Build Winning Teams — Connect with Matt Website: dohertycoaching.com Email: matt@dohertycoaching.com YT Channel: Doherty Coaching — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

What if the biggest issues in dentistry are the ones you can't see? In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with renowned prosthodontist and innovator Cherilyn Sheets to discuss how new diagnostic technology is changing the future of dentistry. Cherilyn shares the story behind Interview and Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD), a science-based system designed to detect cracks, loose restorations, implant instability, and structural weaknesses before they become catastrophic problems. Dr. Tau and Cherilyn explore how this technology helps dentists improve diagnostics, increase patient trust, and boost case acceptance by showing patients issues that traditional imaging often misses. They also dive into the intersection of dentistry, engineering, AI, and preventive care, along with the journey of bringing a groundbreaking dental innovation to market. From early diagnosis to patient communication, this conversation highlights how modern dentistry is moving beyond what can simply be seen on an X-ray. What You'll Learn How Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD) works Why traditional imaging can miss structural tooth problems How Interview technology helps improve case acceptance The role of AI and engineering in modern dental diagnostics How dentists can identify cracks, loose crowns, and implant instability earlier Why preventive intervention creates better patient outcomes How Cherilyn Sheets helped develop and commercialize this technology The importance of combining science, integrity, and innovation in dentistry — Key Takeaways 00:56 Introduction to Cherilyn Sheets and Interview Technology 03:30 What Interview Technology Actually Does 06:11 Who Benefits Most from QPD Diagnostics 08:42 How Technology Improves Case Acceptance 11:10 Understanding Quantitative Percussion Diagnostics (QPD) 14:52 Detecting Cracks, Stress, and Structural Problems Early 17:55 Comparing Interview to Other Diagnostic Technologies 18:35 Using QPD to Find Pain Sources Faster 19:16 Common Objections and Ease of Use in Practices 23:22 FDA Approval and Product Validation 25:29 The Story Behind the Technology's Creation 30:55 Why Interview Complements X-Rays Instead of Replacing Them 32:42 Cherilyn's Passion for Innovation and AI in Dentistry 33:45 Lightning Round Questions 40:30 Special Offer and How to Learn More About Interview 41:40 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up — Connect with Cherilyn Website: Innerview AI - https://innerview.ai/ Email: cgsheets@ncofi.org Organization: Newport Coast Oral Facial Institute (NCOFI) — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

What if the biggest revenue leak in your practice isn't production… but what happens after treatment is completed? In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with returning guest Shreyas Parab, co-founder and CEO of Daydream, to unpack how AI is transforming dental billing, insurance verification, and revenue cycle management. Shreyas shares how growing up in his mother's dental practice shaped his understanding of the administrative burdens that silently drain profitability and damage the patient experience. From insurance verification mistakes to denied claims and surprise patient bills, this conversation dives deep into why outdated systems are costing practices far more than they realize. Dr. Len and Shreyas also explore the future of AI in dentistry, where it's already succeeding, where it's overhyped, and how practices can use automation to improve efficiency without sacrificing patient relationships. If you've ever struggled with insurance headaches, front desk overwhelm, staffing challenges, or negative reviews tied to billing confusion, this episode offers a practical look at how the future of dental administration is evolving. What You'll Learn Why billing and insurance issues are one of the biggest causes of negative dental reviews How inaccurate insurance verification impacts patient trust and profitability The difference between AI that enhances a practice and AI that replaces human connection Where AI is already thriving in dentistry today Why administrative overload hurts both patients and team culture How automation can improve claim follow-up and reduce denials The future of front desk staffing and dental operations Why patient experience still matters more than technology How Daydream uses AI and human oversight together for RCM accuracy What dentists should focus on if they want more freedom and less operational stress — Key Takeaways 00:44 Introduction and Sponsor Message 02:00 Shreyas Reflects on Supercharge Your Dental Practice 04:23 Growing Up in a Dental Practice 09:30 AI's Rapid Growth in Dentistry 13:40 The Reality of AI Receptionists 17:05 How Billing Problems Hurt Patient Experience 19:46 The Hidden Cost of Insurance Verification Errors 24:45 What Dental RCM Looks Like With and Without AI 27:18 Can AI Make Mistakes? 30:15 Reducing Denials and Increasing Profitability 32:20 Which Practices Benefit Most From Daydream 35:17 The Future of the Dental Front Desk 36:55 Why Better Systems Give Dentists More Freedom 38:47 How to Learn More About Daydream 39:10 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks — Connect with Shreyas Website: Daydream Dental Free Dental Billing Resource: Dental Billing 101 AI Google Review Analysis Tool: Daydream Google Review Analyzer — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

Trust is essential in every dental practice. But blind trust? That's where financial leaks begin. In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with certified fraud examiner Julie Rentz to uncover how embezzlement happens in dental offices, the red flags most doctors miss, and the simple systems that can prevent thousands in lost revenue. Embezzlement in dentistry is more common than most practice owners realize, and it rarely starts with obvious theft. It starts with blind trust, lack of oversight, and small process gaps that quietly grow over time. Julie Rentz, a Certified Fraud Examiner and forensic specialist, shares what she has seen inside dental practices and explains why small teams, divided attention, and undefined systems create vulnerability. She breaks down how adjustments become the "black hole" of dental accounting, how repeated "mistakes" can signal intentional fraud, and why refunds and credits are often overlooked risk areas. This episode shifts the focus from reacting to fraud to proactively preventing it. If you want stronger financial controls, cleaner systems, and more confidence in your numbers, this conversation is a must-listen. What You'll Learn Why blind trust is the number one tool an embezzler uses Behavioral and operational red flags dentists often miss Where revenue cycle risks most commonly occur Why adjustments are the "black hole" of dental accounting How to tell the difference between a mistake and fraud Why reconciling PMS deposits to bank statements matters How refunds and credits can expose your practice Best practices for handling cash securely Why consistent oversight protects your revenue Key Takeaways 00:56 Introduction and episode overview 03:05 Why dentistry is a target for embezzlement 07:48 Behavioral red flags and blind trust 09:38 Revenue cycle risk areas 13:47 The black hole of adjustments 15:00 Auditing and defining adjustments 17:04 How often to audit reports 18:38 When a mistake becomes fraud 20:54 Proactive fraud prevention strategies 22:00 Refunds and credits as hidden risks 25:10 Cash handling best practices 27:51 The power of consistent oversight 30:54 Lightning round Q&A 35:29 How to connect with Julie Connect with Julie Email: julie@verifindforensicsolutions.com Phone: 983-208-4613 Website: VerifindForensicSolutions.com 🎁 Special Offer for Raving Patients listeners: Julie is offering a three-month financial systems evaluation at a discounted rate of $750. Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

AI is changing how patients find dentists—but it's not replacing your front desk tomorrow. In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Evan Maass (Founder/CEO of DentistOffices.com) to break down what's real vs. hype in AI, where dental marketing is still failing practices (hello, "mystery SEO reports"), and how visibility is shifting from traditional Google search toward AI-driven recommendations. Evan also shares where reviews, directories, and user-generated content (like Reddit) fit into the next decade of "getting found." What You'll Learn The biggest problems dentists face with SEO and ad spend (and how to spot "scam SEO") Where AI is useful today (keyword intent, targeting, automation) vs. where it's not ready (phone answering agents replacing humans) How AI search and traditional Google search overlap—and what "AI visibility" really means Why reviews + user-generated content will matter even more in the future What to ask a marketing agency before signing a contract (ownership, references, specialization) How directories (DentistOffices, Yelp, Healthgrades, etc.) can influence being recommended by AI tools — Key Takeaways 00:38 Welcome + Sponsors + Episode intro 01:46 Meet Evan Maass + background 02:50 What DentistOffices.com is and how it works 05:55 How DentistOffices compares to ZocDoc 06:55 State of dental marketing: SEO frustration + ad waste 08:50 AI in dental marketing right now: what's useful vs. hype 11:05 Why AI phone agents aren't "prime time" yet 13:27 The review risk: AI agent frustration + negative reviews 14:34 A safer setup: auto-attendant for new vs. existing patients 15:10 Testing AI agents (the "rhinoplasty" question) 16:02 AI security + "jailbreak" concerns 17:30 In 5 years: what roles AI may replace in practices 20:00 Will Google disappear? AI search vs. Google evolution 23:39 Reviews and trust signals: why they matter more over time 24:35 Why Reddit influences AI recommendations 25:15 How dental offices can use Reddit carefully 31:00 Questions to ask marketing agencies before hiring 35:00 Specialist vs. "do-it-all" marketing + budget realities 38:50 Lightning round success, habits, mindset, favorites 43:25 How to reach Evan + add your practice to platform 45:20 Wrap-up + "Your reputation matters" — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

What if attracting better patients, reducing no-shows, and cutting insurance headaches could all happen before someone ever walks into your practice? In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Tobi Bosede, Founder and CEO of Dental Find, to explore how smart marketplaces, prepaid care, and membership-style models are reshaping dental growth. Tobi shares her journey from building AI systems for Fortune 500 companies to solving one of dentistry's biggest pain points: patient acquisition without no-shows, awkward financial conversations, or insurance dependency. This conversation dives into scaling intentionally, avoiding burnout, and building businesses that actually last. What You'll Learn How prepaid dental marketplaces reduce no-shows and increase case acceptance Why fee-for-service growth matters more than ever The key differences between Dental Find and traditional marketplaces How dentists can improve patient retention without relying on insurance Practical lessons on scaling a startup without burning out Why relationships matter more than products in dental growth Key Takeaways 01:45 Scaling Smart: From Startup to Sustainable Growth 03:00 What Dental Find Is and How It Works 03:55 Dental Find vs Traditional Marketplaces 07:35 Why Dentistry Needed a New Model 10:10 Current Markets and Expansion Plans 13:06 Reducing No-Shows and Increasing Retention 14:50 Getting Paid Faster Without Insurance 16:27 From Idea to Market: Building a Startup 19:20 Team Building, DSOs, and Strategic Partnerships 24:02 Burnout, Balance, and Sustaining Momentum 31:42 Lightning Round with Tobi Bosede — Connect with Tobi Founder & CEO, Dental Find Website: https://www.dentalfynd.com Email: tobi@dentalfynd.com — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

Getting traffic to your website is not the win. Getting patients into chairs is. Today's conversation dives into why conversion matters more than clicks and how dental practices can stop wasting their most valuable marketing asset. In this episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with marketing veteran Chris Knudsen to uncover what dental practices can learn from iconic brands like Casper, Harley-Davidson, Purple Mattress, and Disney. Drawing from decades of experience scaling consumer brands to billion-dollar valuations, Chris explains why most dental websites fail to convert, how AI is reshaping patient discovery, and why practices are often misled by marketing agencies that cannot prove ROI. This conversation is a practical, no-fluff breakdown of how dentists can turn limited website traffic into real appointments, real patients, and real revenue. What You'll Learn Why dental website traffic is far more valuable than most practices realize How AI search engines are changing how patients find dentists The role SEO, FAQs, and user-generated content play in AI visibility What "fake AI" looks like and how to spot it before you waste money Why website conversion should be a core KPI for every practice Common red flags that signal a marketing agency may be misleading you How to demand real ROI tracking from your marketing partners Lessons dentists can borrow from billion-dollar consumer brands — Key Takeaways 00:41 Welcome and episode overview 02:24 Introducing Chris Knudsen and his background 05:00 What Llama.ai does for dental practices 06:40 Why dental website traffic is extremely valuable 10:00 Why websites still matter in cash and specialty dentistry 11:40 How AI search engines influence patient decisions 13:20 Optimizing for AI and large language models 14:00 The role of FAQs and Q&A content in AI rankings 14:39 Reddit and user-generated content in AI discovery 15:29 Fake AI vs real AI in dental marketing 19:22 Why website conversion must be a top KPI 21:50 Why dentists feel frustrated with marketing agencies 23:20 Common agency red flags and ownership issues 26:26 How to truly measure marketing ROI 30:47 Lightning Round with Chris Knudsen 34:55 How to connect with Llama.ai and the "Len Deal" 36:00 Final thoughts and closing message — Connect with Chris Website: https://lawma.aiEmail: chris@lawma.ai 👉 Mention the Raving Patients Podcast and Dr. Len Tau to receive the special "Len Deal." — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!

What if your practice is profitable on paper—but bleeding money behind the scenes? In this final episode of 2025, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dana Moss, founder of PPO Dental Consulting, for a deep dive into the realities of dental insurance and PPO strategy. Dana breaks down how dental practices can increase profitability without sacrificing patient-centered care by negotiating smarter, streamlining fee schedules, and knowing when—and how—to strategically exit low-paying plans. Drawing from years of hands-on experience as a front office coordinator, insurance specialist, and practice administrator, Dana shares what most practices get wrong about insurance and how to fix it. You'll learn why billing office fees correctly is non-negotiable, how getting to the 80th percentile can dramatically change your negotiating power, and when outsourcing insurance coordination makes more sense than handling it in-house. Dana also explains umbrella plans, negotiation timelines, and why organization is the single biggest factor in PPO success. This episode is packed with actionable insights for startups, mid-career dentists, and practice owners preparing for growth—or an eventual sale. What You'll Learn The two non-negotiables practices must fix before negotiating PPO fees Why billing office fees changes your profitability picture How the 80th percentile impacts insurance negotiations When to renegotiate—and when not to The pros and cons of DIY vs outsourced PPO negotiation How smarter insurance systems lead to stronger cash flow Key Takeaways 00:44 Welcome, Sponsors & Final Episode of 2025 02:07 Meet Dana Moss & Her Background in Dental Insurance 03:40 Who Dana Helps Most: Startups, Growing Practices & Sellers 08:01 Preparing to Negotiate PPO Fees the Right Way 10:30 The Two Non-Negotiables: Billing Office Fees & Fee Balancing 14:30 PPO vs Fee-for-Service Philosophies Explained 15:29 How Often You Can Renegotiate Insurance Fees 16:20 DIY PPO Negotiation vs Outsourcing: Pros & Cons 18:07 Using Your Top Procedure Codes Strategically 20:40 Dropping Low-Paying Plans & Understanding Umbrella Networks 26:39 Training Insurance Coordinators for Clean Claims & Strong AR 29:13 AI, Remote Teams & the Future of Revenue Cycle Management 31:00 Life on the Road: Dana's Full-Time RV Lifestyle 33:20 Lightning Round Q&A with Dana 36:50 How to Work With Dana + DIY Negotiation Kit Offer 37:40 Closing Thoughts, Sponsors & Event Reminder Connect with Dana Dana Moss Founder, PPO Dental Consulting 📞 Phone/Text: 817-456-0012 📧 Email: dana@ppodentalconsulting.com 🌐 Website: https://ppodentalconsulting.com/ 🎁 Exclusive Listener Offer Get 25% off Dana's DIY PPO Negotiation Kit (normally $1,000). Use code LEN at checkout. Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software 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!