Our Story

About RID Academy

The Reducing Insurance Dependence Academy empowers dental practices to operate on their own terms — setting fees, choosing patients, and delivering care without insurance company interference.

Our Mission

Every Practice Deserves Independence

We believe every dental practice in America should operate on its own terms — setting its own fees, choosing its own patients, and delivering care without insurance company interference.

349+

Podcast Episodes

10,000+

Community Members

5+

Annual Summits

50

States Represented

Founded By

The Team Behind RID Academy

NA

Naren Arulrajah

CEO & Founder, Ekwa Marketing

Digital marketing visionary who has grown Ekwa Marketing to serve 1,000+ dental practices across all 50 states. With 15+ years of experience in dental practice growth and patient acquisition strategy, Naren has helped hundreds of practices increase revenue through strategic marketing and practice optimization. Co-host of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast with 349+ episodes. His data-driven approach to practice independence has influenced the direction of modern dental business strategy.

GT

Gary Takacs

Founder of Thriving Dentist

The creator of the #1 dental podcast, co-owner of a thriving dental practice, and coach to 2,200+ dental practices. Consistently recognized as one of the most entertaining and impactful speakers in dentistry, Gary brings real-world experience from the practice floor.

The Broken System

Why We Exist

The Problem is Clear

Over 95% of dental practices are locked into PPO contracts that haven't kept pace with inflation, cost of living, or the true cost of delivering care. The result is staggering:

  • 42-45% Average revenue lost to PPO write-offs annually
  • $250K+ Typical annual loss for a single-doctor practice
  • Growing 31.8% of US dentists are actively planning to drop PPOs

But the path forward is unclear. Dentists lack the tools, guidance, and community to make the transition confidently. RID Academy exists to change that.

Our Ecosystem

Part of a Thriving Dental Community

RID Academy exists at the intersection of dental practice excellence. Our founders created and lead several of the industry's most respected platforms and organizations. We collaborate with leading technology providers and educational organizations to ensure our members get access to the best tools and strategies.

Founder-Led Initiatives:

Ekwa Marketing (Naren Arulrajah, CEO) · Thriving Dentist (Gary Takacs, Founder) · Less Insurance Dependence Podcast (Co-hosted by Naren & Gary)

Our founders leverage their deep experience as practitioners and business leaders to create resources that matter to real dental practices.

Trusted Technology & Education Partners:

BoomCloud · Dental Intel · Veritas · ADCPA

Join the Movement

Be part of a community of 10,000+ dental professionals who are taking control of their practices and their futures.

Free forever. No credit card required. Unsubscribe anytime.