Imagine carving out a dental practice that puts principles and patient well-being above insurance red tape.

That’s exactly what Dr. Kristen Self set out to do in New Braunfels, Texas, building her pediatric dental clinic from the ground up (outside the confines of traditional insurance models.) In this episode, Dr. Self opens up about the emotional rollercoaster and practical challenges of staying independent, describing how she crafted a thriving, holistic, and minimally invasive practice tailored to families who value prevention, transparency, and genuine care.

Discover the pivotal decisions that shaped the fate of her business, from navigating a licensing hurdle that forced a rebrand to leveraging local storytelling for powerful, trust-building marketing. Dr. Self gets candid about the financial uncertainty and the payoff that comes with running a values-driven clinic, all while developing strong team foundations and a unique patient experience. You will walk away with actionable insights on authentic leadership, transparent communication, and creative marketing that connects deeply with your community!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to establish a successful out-of-network, holistic dental practice
• The pros and cons of rejecting traditional insurance-based care models
• Ways to use local storytelling and authentic content for impactful marketing
• Building and maintaining transparent communication with both patients and staff
• Strategies for facing business setbacks and staying aligned with your ethics
• Systems that support a calm, reliable, and values-based dental environment
• The importance of community connection for patient engagement and loyalty
• Tools and ideas for effective local advertising and branding
• How adaptability and authenticity drive growth in independent practices
• Leadership lessons for nurturing a resilient, dedicated team culture

Tune in to uncover how authentic vision and creative strategy could be your next step to success!

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Sponsors:‍

Practice Real Estate Group: healthcare real estate experts with over a century of experience in medical real estate across hundreds of transactions. Visit their site and mention "The Dental Marketer" for a FREE demographic and competition study for your new location! practicerealestategroup.com

Guest: Dr. Kristen Self

Practice Name: River Smiles Dental

Check out Kristen's Media:‍

Website: riversmilesnb.com

Email: kristenkself@gmail.com

Kristen's Free Downloads: stan.store/DrSelf

Practice Instagram: instagram.com/riversmilesnb

Practice TikTok: tiktok.com/@riversmilesnb

Kristen's Instagram: instagram.com/kristenkself

Kristen's TikTok: tiktok.com/@kristenkself

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

What if becoming your town’s trusted dentist had less to do with technical skill and more with being the first name on everyone’s lips when dental questions arise?

This episode uncovers the real secret behind becoming the community’s go-to practice: building unmistakable authority where it matters most. Drawing from real-life examples and actionable strategies, we'll zero in on how public recognition, social mentions, and word-of-mouth from local leaders shape your reputation, often before patients even step foot in your office.

From nailing down your unique message to showing up on the right stages, online and in-person, we break down the four essential pillars of authority: clarity, visibility, education, and consistency. You’ll learn how to teach rather than promote, leverage collaborative partnerships, and roll out educational initiatives that make you a household name. Discover five quick-start authority plays you can implement today and follow a step-by-step 90-day action plan designed to transform your practice into a trusted resource for your entire community. Bottom line? Trust, built through education and presence, determines who gets the call when dental needs arise (not just the flashiest ad or fanciest equipment.)

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The four pillars dentists must establish to command community authority
• How to clarify your niche and message so patients know what you stand for
• Best practices for getting visible in local events, digital channels, and collaborating with area influencers
• Why teaching, not just promoting, builds trust and cements your reputation
• Five fast-track strategies to increase word-of-mouth and public recognition
• An actionable 90-day plan to boost your standing and become top-of-mind
• Tips for developing partnerships with other trusted local experts
• Ways to create signature offerings, like community classes or myth-busting series, that position you as a thought leader

Press play and discover how to make your dental practice the community’s first choice (without relying on endless promotions or noisy ads.)

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

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What if you could reach your biggest practice goals in half the time you planned, without sacrificing your well-being along the way?

In this episode, Dr. Justin Baik reveals how he rapidly transformed his vision of dental practice ownership into reality, smashing his five-year plan in just two and a half years. Driven by the weight of student debt, Dr. Baik didn't wait for the "perfect moment." Instead, he seized unique opportunities presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, optimizing financial strategies and decisively launching his practice in a prime retail location outside Chicago.

Dr. Baik shares the blueprints behind his accelerated success, from leveraging low-interest rates and student loan refinancing to painstaking demographic research and data-driven site selection. He opens up about the practical sacrifices, the value of focusing on growing income (not just saving) and why prioritizing staff satisfaction and operational efficiency are non-negotiable for long-term success. Through honest reflection, Dr. Baik demonstrates how calculated risks, meticulous planning, and adaptable leadership can not only jumpstart your professional journey but also create space for a healthier work-life balance down the line.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Smart strategies for paying off student loans in record time
• How to leverage economic cycles and low-interest rates for financial growth
• The step-by-step process of using data and demographics to select a winning practice location
• Why increasing income outperforms simply cutting expenses for rapid debt payoff
• Tactics to boost staff happiness and retain top talent
• The importance of relentless operational improvement
• Navigating the mental challenges and sacrifices of early practice ownership
• Creating robust systems that eventually give you more personal freedom
• The mindset shifts needed for sustainable, accelerated growth
• Practical resources Dr. Baik used to get ahead

Hit play to discover Dr. Baik’s proven path to achieving dental practice success, faster and smarter!

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Sponsors:‍

Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: net32.com/dentalmarketer

Guest: Dr. Justin Baik

Practice Name: Fox Pediatric Dentistry

Check out Justin's Media:‍

Website: foxpediatricdentistry.com

Email: justinbaik88@gmail.com

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

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