Dental Unfiltered - podcast cover

Dental Unfiltered

This show covers a range of topics related to dentistry with insights from industry professionals. Andrew and Matthew lead discussions on various aspects of dental practice. The podcast aims to provide valuable perspectives for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of dentistry. Here you will find unbiased information about the industry and tools to help in your dental practice.
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Episodes

Episode 192 - Dental Unfiltered | Free Rent vs. TIA

Discover how Dr, Andrew Vallow uses strategic lease negotiations to secure up to 13 months of free rent for dental startups. Learn why prioritizing free rent over tenant improvement allowances can boost cash flow, fund marketing efforts, and accelerate practice growth. This episode reveals actionable insights to help you negotiate better lease terms and build a thriving practice from day one.

May 12, 202628 minEp. 192

Episode 191 - Dental Unfiltered | Insurance Made Easy

Most dental practices are leaving hidden profits on the table because they ignore one of the most critical bottlenecks in revenue—insurance processing and verification. In this eye-opening episode, Zach Shelley, a top industry expert from Management Unfiltered, reveals how a simple shift—outlining clear systems and embracing outsourcing—can unlock hundreds of thousands of dollars and dramatically boost patient experience. You’ll discover why verification delays and errors are quietly draining yo...

May 07, 202639 minEp. 191

Episode 190 - Dental Unfiltered | Startup Surge: 10 to 14 Practices

This episode of "Dental Unfiltered" features Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo discussing the "State of the Startup" segment. They explore Andrew's aggressive expansion of dental practices, going from 10 to 14 locations. Andrew shares insights into his decision-making process, emphasizing quick decisions and leveraging opportunities. He talks about the importance of strategic growth, avoiding over-optimization, and focusing on impactful opportunities. The episode also covers their financial achiev...

May 05, 202625 minEp. 190

Episode 189 - Clinical Unfiltered | Prosthodontics Revolution w/ Dr. Nika Iranmanesh & Nima Iranmanesh

Join Dr. Sasha as he sits down with Dr. Nika Iranmanesh & Nima Iranmanesh, two prosthodontic pros from Tampa to unravel the mysteries of photogrammetry, grammatry, and their role at the fixture and implant level. They share real-world insights and practical tricks that have saved them countless hours and avoided costly errors. You'll discover how these technologies compare to traditional intraoral scans, the limitations of each, and why the shape of scan bodies, cylindrical, hexagonal, or cu...

Apr 30, 202652 minEp. 189

Episode 188 - Dental Unfiltered | Meeting Alex Hormozi: Lessons in Growth and Talent

In this episode, Matt Brown and Andrew Vallo discuss Andrew's experience meeting Alex Hormozi. They explore the insights gained from Hormozi on growth and talent acquisition, emphasizing the importance of hiring young, ambitious individuals and developing a strong sales process. Andrew shares how these lessons apply to his dental practice, focusing on talent acquisition and leveraging cash flow for growth.

Apr 28, 202632 minEp. 188

Episode 187 - Management Unfiltered | Why It’s Easy To Be Busy

In this episode of "Management Unfiltered," Kirk Teachout discusses the common pitfalls of being busy versus being productive in dental practices. He emphasizes that many office managers and practice owners confuse activity with progress, leading to a cycle of constant reaction rather than proactive leadership. Kirk highlights the importance of building systems to prevent recurring issues and encourages leaders to focus on creating clarity and improving processes. He offers insights into how rea...

Apr 23, 202610 minEp. 187

Episode 186 - Unmasking Dental Marketing: Red Flags and Realities w/ Greg Essenmacher

In the latest episode of Dental Unfiltered, Matt Brown and Greg Essenmacher are pulling back the curtain on the red flags you need to watch for in dental marketing.Too many marketers get caught up in the "vanity metrics"—lead counts and clicks—while ignoring the only two numbers that matter: Production and Collections. 📈In this deep dive, we’re talking about:How to spot a "shady" marketer before you sign the check. 🚩Why transparency is the non-negotiable foundation of your budget.The human ele...

Apr 21, 202635 minEp. 186

Episode 185 - Management Unfiltered | Ego VS. Confidence

In this episode of "Management Unfiltered," hosts Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout tackle the compelling topic of "Ego vs. Confidence in Leadership." They explore the delicate balance between confidence and egotism, discussing how these traits influence leadership styles and team dynamics. Through engaging dialogue and personal stories, the hosts offer insights into recognizing warning signs, balancing transactional and relational approaches, and the importance of humility and empowerment in leade...

Apr 16, 202629 minEp. 185

Episode 184 - Dr. Vallo Summit 2026

In this episode, Andrew reveals how his team is creating an unparalleled experience for growing practices, with a focus on strategic decision-making, team optimization, and scalability. You’ll discover how to leverage in-person events to tap into the collective wisdom of successful entrepreneurs, with a special focus on practical applications in dentistry. From insider tips on choosing the right locations, negotiating lease terms like free rent versus tenant improvements, to scaling efficiently ...

Apr 14, 202618 minEp. 184

Episode 183 - Clinical Unfiltered | Implant Abutment Connection w/ Dr. Varisha Parikh

In this episode of Clinical Unfiltered, Dr. Sausha and Dr. Varisha Parikh discuss implant abutment connections and their role in restoration success. They cover key connection types, microleakage, and the value of custom abutments, along with challenges in selection and seating. They also highlight the settling effect and the importance of strong communication between surgical and restorative teams to improve patient outcomes.

Apr 10, 20261 hrEp. 183

Episode 182 - How To Shop For A Broker w/ Justin Klingshirn

In this episode, Matt Brown and Justin Klingshirn break down how dental practitioners can successfully navigate the practice sale market. They discuss choosing the right broker, understanding market dynamics, and strategies to maximize your practice’s value.

Apr 10, 202627 minEp. 182

Episode 181- Successful Commonalities w/ Stacy Peters

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, Matt Brown sits down with dental startup consultant Stacey Peters to discuss what drives truly successful dental practices. They explore the importance of clear vision, strong culture, effective systems, and hiring for cultural fit. Stacey shares practical insights on leadership, staff management, and how intentional practice management leads to long-term growth.

Apr 02, 202636 min

Episode 180- Yankee w/ Kirk Teachout

Matt Brown and Kirk Teachout discuss the impact of dental industry events, sharing insights from the Yankee Dental meeting. They explore the value of face-to-face networking, tips for improving your speaking skills, and how engaging with industry leaders can elevate your practice and professional growth.

Mar 31, 202628 min

Episode 179- Management Unfiltered | Why Your Front Office Is STRUGGLING The Most in Your Office

In this episode of Management Unfiltered, Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout tackle the real challenges facing dental front office teams. They share practical strategies to boost provider revenue, elevate the patient experience, and improve time management. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of outsourcing revenue cycle management, the true costs of insurance processing, and why building patient trust is essential to long-term success. A must-listen for practices looking to maximize pe...

Mar 26, 202631 min

Episode 178- Outsourcing vs In House

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, Dr. Vallo and Matt Brown explore the decision between outsourcing and insourcing key dental practice operations such as call centers, labs, and insurance processing. They break down the costs, risks, and growth implications of each approach, sharing practical insights to help dental groups improve efficiency while staying focused on patient care.

Mar 24, 202636 min

Episode 177- The Clear Aligner Lab Bill w/ Avi Patel

Matt Brown and Dr. Avi Patel explore the practice-growing potential of clear aligners, especially Invisalign. They cover misconceptions around lab fees, the power of digital scanners for case acceptance, overcoming fear of new treatments, and unlocking growth within your existing patient base. A focused conversation on confidence, communication, and opportunity in modern dentistry.

Mar 19, 202647 min

Episode 176- EBITDA Adjustments

In this episode, Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo break down EBITDA and why it matters for dental practice owners. They clear up common misconceptions, explain how to adjust for one-time expenses, and discuss how to work effectively with CPAs for accurate financial reporting. Tune in to learn how understanding and optimizing your EBITDA can strengthen your practice’s financial health and long-term value.

Mar 17, 202621 min

Episode 175- Clinical Unfiltered | SRPs vs. Periodontal Therapy w/ Dr. Polly

In this episode, Dr. Sausha Toghranegar and Dr. Polly compare Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) with flap surgery, discussing treatment effectiveness, instrumentation advances, and the hygienist’s role in patient education. They emphasize clear communication, thorough calculus removal, and the importance of staying current with evolving periodontal techniques.

Mar 12, 202631 min

Episode 174- 100% Reappointment Rate

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo discuss why a 100% reappointment rate is essential for sustainable practice growth. They cover the role of hygiene, effective scripting, team accountability, and patient experience in improving retention—sharing practical strategies to build a more predictable and profitable dental practice.

Mar 10, 202638 min

Episode 173- Are You A High Level Dental Producer? w/ Dr. Spencer Greer

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, Matt Brown and Dr. Spencer Greer discuss how production-based coaching can help dentists grow their practices with confidence and clarity. They explore identifying production opportunities, overcoming fear, increasing case acceptance, and balancing strong production with exceptional patient care. Dr. Greer also shares insights on self-management, personal growth, and building meaningful patient connections that drive long-term success....

Mar 05, 202644 min

Episode 172- End of Payment Plans

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo discuss why Dr. Vallo moved away from in-house Invisalign payment plans and what that decision revealed about cash flow, default rates, and profitability. They break down the importance of tracking key financial metrics and using real data to shape smarter payment strategies.

Mar 03, 202623 min

Episode 171- Management Unfiltered | What To Do When Your Boss Is The Problem

In this episode of Management Unfiltered, Kirk Teachout and Zach Shelley tackle the challenge of working with a problematic boss. They share practical strategies for communicating effectively, asking better questions, and leading upward within a hierarchy—while emphasizing the role of leadership in creating a supportive, high-performing work environment.

Feb 26, 202623 min

Episode 170- High Performance Biohacking

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, hosts Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo dive into high-performance biohacking and what it takes to optimize health and fitness. They share personal health challenges, dietary changes, and how tools like ChatGPT can support smarter lifestyle decisions. Dr. Vallo also walks through his health reset journey, focused on sustainable habits that improve performance—both inside and outside the practice.

Feb 24, 202636 min

Episode 169- Clinical Unfiltered | Periodontal Classification System w/ Dr Polly

In this episode of Clinical Unfiltered , Dr. Sausha Toghranegar and Dr. Polly break down the complexities of the periodontal classification system and what it means for modern dentistry. They discuss the shift from old to new terminology, staging and grading, the Cairo and Miller classifications, and how social media is shaping dental education—while highlighting the ongoing challenge of clearly communicating these concepts to patients.

Feb 19, 202646 min

Episode 168- Success Tax

Success isn’t always as glamorous as it looks. In this episode of Dental Unfiltered, hosts Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo explore the idea of the “success tax”—the emotional and social costs that often come with achievement in dentistry. They discuss loneliness, changing relationships, and the pressure of meeting external expectations, while emphasizing the importance of defining success on your own terms and building a strong support system along the way.

Feb 17, 202626 min

Episode 167- Management Unfiltered | The Hidden Cost of Wearing Too Many Hats

In this episode of Management Unfiltered , Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout explore the hidden costs of leaders wearing too many hats and how it impacts growth, trust, and team dynamics. They break down why delegation is so hard, the psychology behind control, and practical strategies for empowering your team to improve productivity and efficiency.

Feb 12, 202630 min

Episode 166- The 165k Collection Day

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered , Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo break down the milestones behind Dr. Vallo’s rapidly growing practices, including an incredible $165,000 in collections in a single day. They dive into strategies for maximizing revenue—especially during the holiday season—along with the power of delegation, trust, and strong leadership. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of dental practice growth, general dentistry, and the expanding role of implant dentistry....

Feb 10, 202626 min

Episode 165- Management Unfiltered | How Do We Navigate the Unexpected

Unexpected weather can disrupt even the best-run practices. In this episode of Management Unfiltered , Zach Shelley and Kirk Teachout discuss how dental leaders can navigate weather-related closures with clear communication, realistic expectations, and compassion. They share practical strategies for managing patients, supporting team members, and leaning on community relationships during challenging situations.

Feb 05, 202622 min

Episode 164- Attracting Funding

In this episode of Dental Unfiltered , Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallo discuss how dentists can better position themselves to secure practice funding. They break down common loan challenges, why banks often misread dentists as employees instead of business owners, and what it takes to stand out—organized financials, clear plans, and speaking the bank’s language. A practical episode for dentists looking to fund growth with confidence.

Feb 03, 202633 min

Episode 163- Management Unfiltered | Why Good Vibes Become A Leadership Failure

Kirk Teachout and Zach Shelley take on toxic positivity in leadership and why “staying positive” can sometimes do more harm than good. They discuss how avoiding hard conversations and tolerating underperformance erodes trust, accountability, and team respect. Through real experiences and practical insights, Kirk and Zach explain why honest dialogue and addressing root issues—not surface-level optimism—are essential to building a healthy, high-performing team.

Jan 29, 202629 min
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