Less Insurance Dependence Podcast

In this episode, Lester De Alwis is joined by Joanne Villani, co-founder of PreVu Software. Joanne shares her 35+ years of experience in dentistry and the biggest lessons she's learned about case acceptance. You'll discover why patients say no, how to build trust, and how powerful visuals like smile simulations can boost case acceptance. If you're looking to reduce your insurance dependence and grow your revenue with fee-for-service treatments, this episode is packed with practical insights you can act on right away.

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Lester de Alwis welcomes Ryan Mingus, Managing Director at Tusk Practice Sales, to discuss how insurance dependence and evolving legislation are shaping dental practice valuations. From Medicaid cuts and PPO reimbursement stagnation to the impact of inflation and tariffs, Ryan explains how these trends affect profitability and deal structures in the dental M&A landscape. He offers practical insights for dentists planning to sell or transition, including how to strategically reduce insurance participation and prepare for a smooth and lucrative exit.

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, host Lester De Alwis sits down with dental business expert Scott Plantenberg to talk about building real financial freedom by reducing reliance on insurance. Scott brings 30+ years of experience in dental practice growth, consulting, and transitions, and shares why fee-for-service practices often have higher value, stronger profits, and better long-term outcomes. Together, they explore the warning signs of PPO overdependence, how to safely transition away from low-paying plans, and why small practices should think more like DSOs when planning for growth. This conversation is full of practical advice, especially for dentists looking to build a more profitable and independent practice—whether they're just starting out or preparing for sale.

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, host Lester De Alwis talks with Dr. Tarun Agarwal about how dentists can take a smarter path with insurance through the hybrid model. Instead of dropping all plans or staying stuck in every PPO, Dr. Agarwal explains how to keep the practice in-network while giving lead doctors the freedom to be selective. He shares how to use supply and demand to guide decisions, why training your team matters, and how to talk with patients about plan changes without losing trust. With years of hands-on experience, Dr. Agarwal gives practical tips that help dentists take back control of their time, fees, and practice growth — without letting insurance run the show.

In Episode 365 of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Naren ArulRajah and Don Adeesha dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the dental industry. They discuss the challenges and opportunities AI brings for dental practices, from standing out in a crowded digital space to how patients find and choose dentists. Naren emphasizes the growing value of human-generated content, the importance of strong SEO, AI Overview, and AI Mode, and how practices can leverage trusted partnerships to stay ahead. The episode also covers the role of reviews, website optimization, and strategic use of AI tools to maintain credibility and attract the right patients in an AI-driven world.