The Special Lists
The Special Lists, presented by Referral Lab, is the podcast for dentists and dental specialists.
Running a dental practice isn’t easy, and if you’re in private practice, it can sometimes feel like you’re on an island. That’s why finding your people—those who’ve been in your shoes and can share real, lived experience—changes the game.
Recent Episodes
March 26, 2026
Special List #17: How Structure and Core Values Drive Better Hiring with Dr. Justin Zalewsky
Beyond clinical skill, running a successful dental practice requires clear vision, strong systems, and the right people. Periodontist and MAZ Management co-founder Dr. Justin Zalewsky shares the leadership principles that gui...
March 12, 2026
Special List #16: Long-Game Strategies For Thriving Practices with Dr. David Lee Hill
What does it really take to build a dental practice that’s future-proof and not just profitable? Through relentless investment in safety, leadership, and education, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. David Lee Hill shaped Chapel Hill Oral Surgery...
Feb. 26, 2026
Special List #15: Business Blind Spots Dentists Don’t Learn in School with Mike Gergen
Dentistry looks polished from the outside, but behind the scenes, it’s harder, messier, and more human than most people realize. Dental industry veteran Mike Gergen believes the key to success is lifelong education, culture t...
Feb. 12, 2026
Special List #14: Strategies That Turn Referrals Into Revenue with Dr. Amit Patel
Want to know how one periodontist turned patient-centered care into a thriving, multi-practice powerhouse? Dr. Amit Patel is the founder of ROOT Periodontal and Implant Centers and co-founder of the Center for Oral Pathology,...
Jan. 29, 2026
Special List #13: A CEO’s Proven Blueprint for Dental Partnerships That Last with Dr. Jeffrey Burch
From Army infantry to dental empire, Dr. Jeffrey Burch explains his formula for building a team that actually sticks. He’s a periodontist, former Army infantry soldier, and the CEO of Burch Dental Partners, overseeing 15 prac...
Jan. 15, 2026
Special List #12: Why the Doctor Isn’t the Most Important Person in the Practice with Dr. Deana Cook
North Carolina periodontist Dr. Deana Cook believes the real engine of a dental practice isn't the dentist, but the team running it. Dr. Cook has two thriving practices and an executive MBA from UNC. With a background in art ...
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