From new graduate to retirement, Gary Bird and Dr. Murtuza Shah-Khan outline the complete dental career roadmap with practical advice for each stage—year 1, year 5, year 10, and year 20. Learn how to build strong clinical fundamentals, transition into ownership, find your niche, and plan your exit strategy. Whether you're just starting out or looking ahead, discover the key lessons every dentist should know to grow with clarity and confidence.

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Dr. Murtuza Shah-Khan
Owner of MSK Dentistry / Partner of Simplify Dentistry

Website: https://simplifydds.com/

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*85% of DSO Academy students would recommend it to a friend!

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Thinking about selling your dental practice—or just tired of doing it all yourself? In this episode, Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Jack Bayramyan to discover how to step out of the operatory and into the CEO seat by building systems, scaling smart, and creating a sellable practice that thrives without you. Learn how to increase valuation, avoid burnout, and design a dental business that gives you freedom, profitability, and long-term exit options.

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Dr. Jack Bayramyan
Founder and President, Chief Clinical Officer at Optimize Practice Alliance

Website: https://www.optimizeps.com/
 

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Thinking about buying a dental practice? In this episode, Gary Bird and Josh Gwinn break down the seven costly mistakes dentists make when acquiring a practice, from overpaying and ignoring financial health to poor transition planning and culture missteps. Learn how to evaluate patient retention, staff dynamics, marketing systems, and what really drives long-term profitability before you sign the deal.

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Josh Gwinn
Co-founder and CEO of Optimize Practice Alliance

Website: https://www.optimizeps.com/
 

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Discover how Dr. Kyle Stanley helps dentists overcome burnout and mental fatigue to regain clarity, purpose, and professional satisfaction. In this episode, we dive into the mental health challenges facing dental professionals and share proven mindset strategies to reduce stress, build resilience, and thrive in your career. If you're a dentist struggling with feeling overwhelmed or looking to lead a more fulfilling practice, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

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Dr. Kyle Stanley
Founder of Light Side Dentistry; Co-Founder of Pearl

Website: https://linktr.ee/Drkylestanley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkylestanley/

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Thinking about going out of network with PPOs, but don’t know where to start? Gary Bird sits down with Susan Leckowicz to discuss how to drop dental insurance plans without losing patients, improve case acceptance, and boost profitability using a proven 5-step strategy. Discover the right timing, team training tips, and marketing shifts that make transitioning to fee-for-service dentistry successful.

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Susan Leckowicz
CEO of Dental Coaches

Website: https://www.dentalcoaches.com/

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Struggling to hire and retain associate dentists? In this video, Gary Bird sits down with Josey Sewell and Dr. Eric J. Roman to reveal a proven framework to attract, onboard, and empower associate dentists so they stay, thrive, and help your practice grow. Learn how to build systems that support long-term success, boost productivity, and create a winning culture from day one.

Secure Your Spot Today: Winning With Dental Associates: 1-Day Masterclass  by visiting https://drericjroman.com/directors-vle  

And receive 50% off the $47 price with code: GARY50

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Josey Sewell
Founder of joyFULL People

Dr. Eric J. Roman
Co- Founder of joyFULL People

Website: https://www.joyfullpeople.com/

Website: https://drericjroman.com/

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Before outsourcing 100% of your dental marketing, you need to understand what’s at stake. In this video, Gary Bird and Ben Friberg break down why dentists must be involved in guiding their marketing, how to define your ideal patient avatar, and what makes your practice truly unique. Learn how in-house direction can drive better results, improve ROI, and help you avoid costly missteps.

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Dr. Ben Friberg
Owner, Dentist at Thrive Family Dental

Website: https://www.drbenfriberg.com/

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Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Jacob Berger to debunk the biggest myths about Heartland Dental and DSOs. From production quotas and business pressures to dentist autonomy and mentorship, Dr. Berger shares his real-world experience inside a DSO. Learn how Heartland supports entrepreneurship, career growth, and leadership while giving dentists the freedom to practice on their own terms. If you're curious about the truth behind corporate dentistry, this episode breaks it all down.

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Dr. Jacob Berger
Smile Makeovers | Esteem Dental Implants Provider

Website: https://thedsoacademy.com/courses/smile-makeover/ 

Website: https://esteemdentalimplants.com/

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Struggling with massive dental school debt? Gary Bird sits down with Dr. Bill Piskorowski to break down a step-by-step strategy for paying off $300K+ in student loans while building a successful dental career. Learn how to maximize income, explore loan forgiveness programs, and leverage DSOs, public health, and private practice models to accelerate debt repayment. This episode also reveals how real-world clinical experience can help new dentists gain confidence, increase earning potential, and find the best career fit.

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Dr. Bill Piskorowski
Associate Dean at UCLA School of Dentistry

Website: https://dentistry.ucla.edu/

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What does it take to create a powerful, recognizable dental brand that stands out in 2025?
Gary Bird sits down with Joshua Scott, CEO of Studio EightyEight, to break down the essential strategies for brand growth and patient trust. Learn how to craft a strong visual identity, compelling messaging, and core values that resonate with your community. Whether you're a startup practice or expanding to multiple locations, these insights will help you attract more patients and scale efficiently.

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Joshua Scott
CEO of Studio EightyEight

Website: https://s8e8.com/

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