Most dental practice owners assume their retirement plan is working exactly as intended. But what if hidden fees, outdated structures, and poor oversight are quietly costing your practice thousands every year?

In this episode of the Practice Pulse Podcast, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with forensic 401(k) consultant Paul Sippil to uncover what most practice owners never realize about retirement plans. Paul shares insights from reviewing thousands of retirement plans and explains why many dental practices unknowingly overpay, misunderstand their fees, and miss opportunities to create stronger benefits for employees.

From hidden advisor compensation and fiduciary responsibilities to practical questions every practice owner should ask immediately, this conversation breaks down one of the most overlooked areas of practice management. If you own, manage, or lead a dental practice, this episode may completely change how you think about retirement planning.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:34 – Are dental practices overpaying for 401(k) plans without realizing it?

04:38 – What is causing retirement plan fees to triple or quadruple over time?

05:37 – What can a practice do immediately to mitigate escalating costs?

08:14 – Is a financial advisor necessary for fiduciary protection?

09:21 – Why should practice owners pay plan fees at the employer level instead of the participant level?

15:37 – What are the biggest misconceptions practice owners have about their plans?

20:37 – What services are advisors, administrators, and recordkeepers actually supposed to provide?

32:20 – What specific questions should a practice owner ask their current provider immediately?

35:50 – Why might an advisor be contractually limited from recommending the best providers?

About the Speaker

Paul Sippil is a forensic 401(k) consultant specializing in retirement plan transparency, fiduciary oversight, and cost optimization. Since 2009, he has reviewed thousands of retirement plans and Form 5500 filings to help business owners identify hidden fees, conflicts of interest, and inefficiencies within retirement plans. His work focuses on translating complex retirement plan structures into practical insights that help organizations reduce costs, improve transparency, and make better financial decisions.

If you found this podcast helpful:

👍 Like the video

💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway

🔔 Subscribe to Practice Pulse Podcast for more conversations around modern dentistry and practice growth

▶ Watch more episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMsQ8XtFVuXJ-smhkuEnGZMU44r1tmOyX

What does it really take to attract and keep top hygiene talent in today's dental practice?

In this episode of the Practice Pulse Podcast, Dr. Aditi Agarwal, Co-founder of Practice by Numbers, sits down with Rachel Wall, CEO of Inspired Hygiene and one of the Top 10 Content Creators Shaking Up the Dental Industry in 2026 (AGD Impact Magazine).

Together they unpack:

→ The "secret sauce" for retaining hygienists and why compensation alone isn't enough

→ How autonomy and clinical standards can coexist

→ The 3 hygiene KPIs every practice owner should be tracking (and what they really tell you)

→ Why the perio percentage is a barometer for the entire hygiene department

→ DSO vs private practice: who should have the hard compensation conversations

→ A real coaching story about 12 hygienists, a simple tracker, and the power of awareness

→ Why losing a long-tenured team member can be the start of something better

Whether you're a private practice dentist, office manager, or DSO leader, this is an honest conversation about culture, systems, and the people behind the practice.

Hosted by: Dr. Aditi Agarwal, Co-founder, Practice by Numbers Guest: Rachel Wall, CEO, Inspired Hygiene

Learn more: https://inspiredhygiene.com/

Website: https://practicenumbers.com/

Description:

Leadership isn’t just about strategy. It’s about clarity, confidence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. In this episode, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with Executive Coach Thomas Passalacqua, Ascend Professional Pathways, LLC to discuss what it really takes to grow as a leader in today’s fast-evolving dental landscape.

Thomas shares how executive coaching helps dentists and business leaders move beyond surface-level tactics and address the internal challenges that often hold them back. From overcoming doubt and decision paralysis to building stronger self-awareness, this conversation dives into the personal side of leadership that directly impacts business growth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain about your next move, or ready to step into a bigger leadership role, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

01:10 – Thomas Passalacqua’s journey from being a teacher to executive coach

04:50 – What executive coaching really is (and how it’s different from consulting)

06:05 – Common challenges leaders face when stepping into bigger roles

08:10 – The emotional side of leadership and why it matters

11:57 – The cost of doing nothing: how to know if coaching is right for you

13:47 – Real breakthroughs: what happens when clients discover their own solutions

15:07 – Strategies leaders can use to move through fear and make confident decisions

18:07 – What the coaching actually looks like and how fast you can see results

21:14 – Overcoming resistance and breaking through self-inflicted barriers

24:48 – How to connect with Thomas and access the exclusive listener offer

About the Speaker

Thomas Passalacqua is a certified Executive Coach who specializes in customized professional & leadership development. With a master’s in education, Thomas started his career as a founding teacher in New York City. He then transitioned into dental manufacturing sales, where he was an award-winning consultant who trained and mentored other sales professionals. Transitioning again, Thomas was the director of business development for a growing dental group practice in the Northeast where he led sales and marketing for mergers & acquisitions. In his executive coaching and professional training platform, Ascend Professional Pathways LLC, he enables various industry leaders to gain clarity and improve their business leadership skills. His clients are empowered to reach the next level in their businesses and careers by overcoming doubts, fears, and uncertainty and making strategic decisions to better align with their goals.

Exclusive Listener Offer

Podcast listeners receive 5% off on any Executive Coaching program with Thomas Passalacqua. If you’re looking to gain clarity, strengthen your leadership, and make more confident decisions in your business or career, this is a great opportunity to take the next step.

Don’t miss it, this is a limited offer!