When patients walk in with a toothache, most urgent cares are forced to send them away. But what if you could treat the patient, deliver better care, and add a profitable new revenue stream without hiring more staff?
In this episode, Michael and Nick sit down with Dr. Maria Kunstadter and Leah Sigler, the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind The TeleDentists, the first nationwide teledentistry platform. What started as a mission to expand dental access is now transforming urgent care operations across the country.
From reducing ER visits to giving urgent cares a simple “plug-and-play” dental service line, The TeleDentists are showing clinics how to diversify their services, support their communities, and grow their bottom line—all without overburdening their teams.
Whether you're an urgent care operator, an entrepreneur, or just curious about what’s next in healthcare delivery, this conversation is packed with insights you can act on today.
🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🦷 What teledentistry actually is—and why urgent care patients are already asking for it💸 How urgent cares are turning dental calls into new revenue with zero new staff📆 The business model that makes this a done-for-you service line, not more work🏥 Why ERs and urgent cares are not equipped to handle dental patients—and how this solves it🚪 How to transform a broom closet into a revenue-generating dental consult space (seriously)🌎 Why The TeleDentists’ nationwide network is ready for Medicaid shifts, access gaps, and more🧒 Plus: The heartwarming story behind The Virtual Tooth Fairy and how it’s helping kids love dental care
🧠 About Our Guests
Dr. Maria Kunstadter is a pioneer in dental innovation with 35+ years in private practice, dozens of medical missions under her belt, and a long history of integrating dentistry with broader healthcare initiatives. As the CEO and co-founder of The TeleDentists, she advocates tirelessly for dental-medical integration, bringing strategic insight and deep clinical expertise to the future of virtual care.
Leah Sigler, President of The TeleDentists, brings a global health perspective and boots-on-the-ground experience—from Peace Corps service in Guatemala to driving major partnerships with Cigna, Aetna, and Procter & Gamble. She's also the creator of The Virtual Tooth Fairy, a program connecting kids with dental hygienists for fun, preventative education that lasts a lifetime.
🔗 Resources & Mentions
