In this New Year episode of Teeth Matter, we sit down with oral and maxillofacial surgeon Brendan Gallagher (@doctorgallagher) for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about growth, transition, and intentional career decisions. As many of us reflect on the year behind us and think about what’s next, we unpack what it really takes to move through residency, relocate, and step confidently into private practice.

We talk openly about hospital privileges, the financial realities of surgery, and why entrepreneurship is becoming an essential part of modern dentistry. We also reflect on the importance of community, personal development, content creation, and maintaining your health and relationships while building a demanding career.

If the New Year has you reassessing your goals, questioning your path, or looking for clarity in your next chapter, this episode offers real insight into how to build a career — and life — with intention, not just momentum.

KEYWORDS: oral maxillofacial surgeon, dental entrepreneurship, residency transition, private practice, community value, financial aspects, personal growth, content creation, healthy lifestyle

TAKEAWAYS:

• Moving from residency to private practice involves significant lifestyle changes.
• Community and learning from peers are vital.
• Entrepreneurial skills are essential for dentists, akin to starting a business.
• Balancing professional demands with personal life is crucial for well-being.
• Hospital privileges can be financially challenging for surgeons.
• Content creation can boost confidence and personal growth.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for mental and physical well-being.
• Finding the right job is similar to finding a compatible relationship.

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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, Dr. Dean Saccomanno, co-founder of One Endo (@one_endo_), shares his journey and insights into transforming the dental industry. He discusses the importance of collaboration, brand trust, and creating a supportive network for dental professionals. Dean also highlights the challenges and opportunities in building a practice and how One Endo is fostering a community of like-minded professionals.

KEYWORDS: Dean Saccomanno, One Endo, dental industry, collaboration, brand trust, dental practice, community, patient experience.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The value in building a community of like-minded dental professionals.
• Brand trust and why it's crucial for patient experience and practice success.
• What it takes to build a start-up.

• The role of brand in transforming patient perceptions.
• The impact of technology and automation in dental practices.

To Learn More about Dr. Dean Saccomano and OneEndo:

• Dr. Dean Saccomano
• One Endo

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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, host Ellie Halabian interviews Alan Withall (@newyorkdentalconsultant), a senior sales consultant at Henry Schein (@henryschein), who shares his expertise on helping dentists start and manage successful dental practices. Alan discusses his role in the industry, the importance of building strong relationships, and the common challenges dentists face when starting their own practices. He also highlights the significance of marketing and offers insights into the misconceptions about practice ownership.

Keywords: Dental Practice Startup, Practice Management, Marketing, Dental Industry Challenges, Practice Ownership, Entrepreneurship

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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, Dr. Anthony Nguyen (@drsaveatooth) shares his journey from student debt to owning a thriving dental practice. He discusses the influence of his childhood dentist, financial strategies, and the importance of community and mentorship in dentistry.

Keywords: dentistry, student debt, dental practice, entrepreneurship, mentorship

Topics Discussed:

• Transition from student debt to practice ownership.
• Financial strategies are crucial for new dentists.
• Community and mentorship
• The importance of a brand Bible.

• Why providing healthcare for staff is a priority

Learn more:

• Artsci Dental, Spear Case Study, Dental Marketer Podcast

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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. Jim Arnold (@smilesbyarnold), a dentist who has navigated nearly every stage of the profession—from private practice to ownership, to selling, and eventually guiding DSO acquisitions. Today, he’s the founder of Luxury Dental Retreats, where he hosts luxury retreats that blend continuing education with personal growth.

We dive into the mindset and business lessons Jim learned along the way, and what dentists can take from his journey as they face pivotal career decisions of their own.

• How Dr. Arnold’s career began and what shaped his early years in dentistry

• The personal and financial factors behind selling a dental practice

• The emotional hurdles of stepping away from ownership

• The most common misconceptions dentists have about DSOs

• Key red flags to look for in acquisition deals

• Why he launched Luxury Dental Retreats and the gap it fills in the dental world

• How luxury retreats provide a transformative environment for dentists

• Who benefits most from attending and why environment is everything

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond the operatory—or you’re looking for clarity in your next big career move—this conversation will challenge your perspective and open new doors.

Learn more:

• Luxury Dental Retreats https://www.luxurydentalretreats.com/
• IG: ⁠@smilesbyarnold
• Email: dranold@smilesbyarnold.com

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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.

Dentistry is changing fast — from new technologies and practice models to the growing focus on oral-systemic health. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Abdi Sameni, Clinical Associate Professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, founder of the Los Angeles Dental Symposium, and practicing clinician at WLA Dental Center in West Los Angeles. Known internationally for his work in dental photography, esthetics, and interdisciplinary care, Dr. Sameni brings decades of experience and perspective to what it takes to make a lasting impact in today’s profession.

We cover:

• How dentistry has evolved and where it’s headed

• How dental photography can improve diagnostics, treatment planning, and case acceptance

• The real effect of DSOs on dentists and what it means for your future

• What makes the LA Dental Symposium a standout event for clinicians

• The critical connection between oral health and systemic health you can’t ignore

This episode is a must-listen for dentists who want to stay competitive, sharpen their skills, and build a career that lasts — while making a bigger impact on patients and the profession.

Learn more:

• Dr. Abdi Sameni's WLA Clinic: https://www.wladentalcenter.com/
• IG: @insta_abdis
• LA Dental Symposium: https://www.ladentalsymposium.com/

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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.

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 codes

• Her exact strategy for acquiring new patients through a dental membership model

• Why she’s against in-house financing—and what she offers instead

• The dark side of dental practice acquisitions and what you’re not being told

• What it really takes to stand out when everyone’s already doing veneers, injectables, and smile makeovers

This 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: @truglomodern

IG: @dr.rhondakalasho

_______

Don't miss out on these deals:

• Prioritize your wellness—shop my daily essentials here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teethmatterpod.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/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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 Three of our series with Dr. Naved Fatmi, D.M.D. (@drnavedfatmi), we dive into the side of dentistry no one wants to face—but everyone needs to understand: malpractice and ethics. Dr. Fatmi, who was appointed in 2015 as the youngest dentist ever to serve on the Florida Board of Dentistry, offers an inside look at what actually gets dentists into trouble, the blind spots many overlook, and how to protect your license—and your reputation.

We explore:

• Common patterns behind board investigations and malpractice claims

• The legal gray zones dentists don’t even realize they’re in

• Why proper documentation and patient communication are your best legal armor

• How to handle pressure when patient satisfaction clashes with ethical care

• What dentists misunderstand about the role of the Board—and how it's not just about punishment, but protection

Whether you're a new grad or a seasoned practice owner, this episode will change the way you think about risk, responsibility, and the ethics that shape your career.

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/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• COCOFLOSS - Use code TM20 to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cocofloss.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• FIGS - Use referral code to get 20% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fbuy.io/figs/elliehalabian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If 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.