The Dentists Show | Advice for Dentists

Stepping out of dental school and into real-world dentistry can feel overwhelming. Shiny technology, leadership pressures, debt, and the weight of patient care — it's a lot to handle. In this episode of The Dentists Show, Chase and Ryan get real about what matters most for dental students and new grads.

Chase shares insights from speaking to a room of over 200 dental students, answering their burning questions about affording tech, buying equipment, and stepping into leadership roles. The takeaway? Don't get caught chasing every shiny new tool. Being a step behind the bleeding edge is often smarter — and cheaper.

Instead, the guys emphasize what really matters: putting in reps with bread-and-butter dentistry, investing in quality CE (even if it costs you), and surrounding yourself with strong mentors and teammates. They get into the importance of reflection, the role of personality and hobbies in interviews, and why being intentional with your growth early in your career pays off forever.

Whether you're still in dental school, a fresh grad, or mentoring young dentists yourself, this episode will leave you with practical, honest advice you won't get from a textbook.

LINKS: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:00 – Recording filters, background noise & real-life interruptions

02:30 – Chase speaks at Smiles event: 230 dental students

04:30 – Students' biggest questions: tech & equipment costs

06:00 – Why new grads shouldn't chase shiny new technology

08:00 – Being a step behind the bleeding edge (car & boat analogy)

09:30 – Focus on patient experience and team leadership first

11:00 – Put in reps: bread-and-butter dentistry is your foundation

12:30 – CE courses: why even expensive ones are worth it

15:00 – Live-patient CE and safe ways to build advanced skills

17:00 – Ryan's story: working with Chase was like a "mini residency"

19:00 – The role of mentorship (finding mentors & mentoring others)

21:00 – How they evaluate new dentists in interviews

22:30 – Why reflection and personality matter as much as skills

25:00 – Students: reach out, invite us for pizza + Q&A

27:00 – Closing laughs & reminders to like, share, and subscribe

Not every month is a record-breaker. Not every month is a disaster. Some months just… are. In this episode of The Dentists Show, Chase and Ryan talk honestly about what they call the "mid months" — those stretches where production is okay, collections are fine, but nothing feels exciting.

Instead of brushing past them, they argue that mid months are where true leadership shows up. These are the moments to sharpen your tools, reset your team, and create momentum for the future. They share stories of navigating disappointing numbers, redirecting staff energy, and how reflection (even on failures) can drastically reduce repeat mistakes.

They also cover why September can be a make-or-break month, the power of same-day treatment, and why frustration is often the best signal that change is coming. Add in some laughs about heat waves, new slang, and losing a patient over podcast banter, and you've got a mix of humor and hard-hitting leadership advice.

Whether you're running one practice or managing multiple offices, this episode will challenge you to see mid months not as wasted time, but as opportunities to lead better and build stronger teams.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Back together (sort of), weather talk & podcast fallout
• 03:00 – August recap: why it felt "mid"
• 05:30 – Teen slang, new words & feeling old
• 07:00 – What a mid month looks like in dental numbers
• 08:30 – Team mindset: turning $85k into $170k
• 09:45 – The danger of being passive about mid months
• 10:30 – Sharpening the ax: why reflection matters
• 12:00 – Slow months: chatter, bonding, and missed opportunities
• 13:00 – Using downtime for training and leadership growth
• 15:00 – How to explain profitability vs. production to your team
• 16:30 – Leadership test: handling average months well
• 18:00 – Why reflecting on failures prevents repeat mistakes
• 20:00 – Culture of mistakes: turning errors into opportunities
• 21:30 – Rallying after mid months vs. bad months
• 23:00 – Spring energy, fall motivation & hitting September goals
• 24:00 – Team giveaways, incentives & patient experiences
• 25:00 – Wrapping up: guests, growth, and avoiding foot-in-mouth moments

If you've ever felt guilty about not having the "perfect" balance between work, family, and life, this episode will hit home. Chase and Ryan dig into the myth of work-life balance and why chasing it is a guaranteed way to stay frustrated.

They talk about the real grind of dentistry, the constant tug-of-war between clinic life and family life, and how the idea of "balance" sets up unrealistic expectations. Instead, they introduce a different framework — thinking in seasons. Sometimes it's a season of long hours and late nights, and other times it's a season of family trips, slower schedules, or health.

From letting go of shame to learning how to actually be present (yes, that means putting down your phone), this conversation is equal parts honest, funny, and practical. Chase and Ryan even share their own hacks — like muting phones at night, scheduling "rock priorities" first, and empowering their teams to take ownership so they can step back when needed.

At the end of the day, they remind us: you don't need balance. You need presence, intentionality, and the freedom to embrace whatever season you're in.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome back & Chase's move
• 02:00 – Work-life balance: the myth we all bought into
• 04:00 – Why balance doesn't actually exist
• 06:00 – The "pursuit of happiness" trap
• 07:00 – What dentistry really looks like after 5 PM
• 08:00 – Seasons vs. balance: a healthier way to think about life
• 09:30 – How seasons play out in dentistry, family, and career
• 11:00 – The danger of extremes: all work vs. all family
• 12:30 – What Ryan hopes his kids say at his funeral
• 13:30 – The key: being present where you are
• 15:00 – Phones, distractions, and learning to disconnect
• 17:00 – BBQ talk: Chase's new grill & Ryan's steak routine
• 18:00 – Dan Sullivan's free day concept & planning immersion days
• 19:00 – Letting go of control and empowering your team
• 21:00 – Health, growth, family: shifting focus by season
• 22:00 – Rocks, gravel, and sand: how to plan your year
• 23:00 – Family travel commitments and making memories
• 26:00 – Why guilt around "balance" isn't worth it
• 27:00 – Social media hacks to stay present
• 28:00 – Final thoughts: forget balance, focus on what matters most

If you've ever wondered what dentists really want to say to patients, this episode is your backstage pass. Chase and Ryan spill on the bizarre, hilarious, and downright unbelievable stories that happen in the operatory. From late arrivals to wisdom tooth meltdowns to the patient who… well… didn't make it to the bathroom — this one's a rollercoaster.

This isn't clinical. This is real life in dentistry — the stuff you only talk about behind closed doors.

• The breakfast problem: Fruity Pebbles, football, and the power of carbs + fat 🍩🏈
• Patient drama: Screaming during injections, moaning louder than an action movie, and what's really going through your dentist's head
• Denture reality checks: Why lower dentures will never behave like real teeth (and how Chase explains it using… missing arms 🤷‍♂️)
• Wisdom tooth chaos: A sedation story featuring a sobbing 19-year-old, helicopter parents, and gauze in all the wrong places
• The poop incident: Yes, it happened. Yes, they powered through. Yes, they still cleaned her teeth 😅
• Why dentists sometimes love Mondays: A rare confession from Chase about his "favorite" day of the week

Through all the laughs, Chase and Ryan keep it real about the challenges and absurdities dentists face every single day.

Whether you're in the dental field or just someone curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this one's part therapy, part comedy hour. You'll leave with a fresh appreciation for what dentists deal with — and maybe some hilarious new stories to share at your next cleaning.

LINKS: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Kicking off with football, Fruity Pebbles, and the breakfast debate
• 04:30 – Sugar overload: why donuts make Ryan dizzy
• 07:00 – Patients who scream louder than horror movie stars
• 09:15 – Chase's confession: why Mondays at 5 PM are his favorite
• 10:45 – "Please stop tapping your tooth" — dentist frustrations 101
• 12:30 – Extractions explained: "We basically removed a bone from your face"
• 16:00 – Lower dentures, unrealistic expectations, and the missing-arm analogy
• 18:15 – The 20-minutes-late patient who left angry (and left a bad review)
• 23:00 – Sedation chaos: sobbing teens, helicopter parents, and gauze fails
• 27:15 – Why pediatric dentistry isn't about the kids… it's about the moms
• 31:00 – The unforgettable poop incident and why Chase almost quit on the spot
• 32:30 – Wrapping up with laughs, Buckeyes football, and listener shoutouts

In this episode of The Dentist Show, Ryan and Chase dive into the realities of running dental practices through highs and lows. Fresh off one of their best Julys ever, they reflect on why great months can sometimes be followed by challenging ones—and what leaders can do to soften the blow.

The conversation explores:

• Why summer months aren't always "slow season" anymore
• How fear of failure can be both a motivator and a trap
• The psychology of loss vs. gain (why patients accept treatment when framed as risk)
• Practical ways to keep momentum after a record-breaking month
• The importance of gratitude, celebrating wins, and building long-term resilience
• Chase and Ryan also share candid stories—from short-shorts and barrel jeans to team incentives and P&L transparency—that reveal the mix of humor, strategy, and honesty it takes to run practices at scale.

If you've ever wondered how to handle the ebb and flow of business without burning out—or how to turn fear into productive energy—this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.

LINKS: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

If you've ever felt like your practice is running you instead of the other way around, this episode's going to hit home. We're diving into a real and raw conversation about the messy middle of growth—when the numbers look good on paper, but behind the scenes, the pressure is relentless.

In this episode, we open up about the hard realities of scaling multiple practices, the mental toll it can take, and the key lessons we've learned about sustainable growth. From understanding what your team really needs from you as a leader, to getting honest about where your own blind spots are, we're talking about the stuff they don't teach you in dental school.

We also share the role personal accountability plays in business success, how to recognize when you're in over your head, and why sometimes the smartest move is slowing down to move forward faster. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing this whole dentistry/ownership/life thing "right," you're not alone—and you'll leave this episode with permission to rethink your own path.

This is an episode for dentists who want more than just a profitable practice—they want a fulfilling career and a life they actually enjoy living.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro and why this conversation matters for dentists right now
• 02:12 – The reality check moment when the growth felt overwhelming
• 05:28 – Why chasing numbers can put you in the wrong headspace
• 08:40 – Recognizing blind spots in leadership and ownership
• 12:15 – How to know if your team is thriving—or silently struggling
• 15:33 – The mental shift from "more, more, more" to "better, not bigger"
• 18:50 – Why slowing down can actually speed up your growth
• 22:17 – Final thoughts and encouragement for practice owners

Let's be honest—if you've ever built a business, you've likely felt the pull of just one more thing. Just one more late night. One more patient. One more office. In this solo episode, I'm laying it all out: what led me to the edge of burnout, what I've learned about healthy limits, and why I'm drawing a line in the sand when it comes to how I lead and live from now on.

This episode isn't about whining. It's about waking up. I've been running at 100 miles an hour, trying to be everything to everyone, and convincing myself I could do it all. But even dentists who "look like they have it together" hit a wall. And when you do, it doesn't mean you failed—it means it's time to build differently.

I talk about the cost of ignoring boundaries, what true partnership looks like (in marriage and business), and how to own your "average" seasons without shame. You'll also hear why I'm not afraid to change direction, even if it means disappointing a few people in the process.

This one's real. This one's raw. And if you've ever felt the tension between ambition and actual life, I think it'll hit home.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why Ryan is doing this solo episode
• 01:40 – When you hit your capacity and keep going anyway
• 04:25 – The personal cost of saying yes too much
• 06:32 – Burnout isn't about being weak—it's about not resting
• 08:55 – How Ryan learned to redefine success in this season
• 11:30 – The hardest part about slowing down
• 13:44 – What real growth looks like after the hustle
• 16:05 – Boundaries, bottlenecks, and the blessing of simplicity
• 19:21 – Final thoughts for any dentist trying to do it all

In this episode, Chase puts Ryan in the hot seat to break down the emotional rollercoaster of launching their latest dental startup. From unpredictable days to unexpected wins, this is the raw debrief most practice owners never share out loud.

Starting a new dental office is rarely what you think it's going to be. Chase takes on the role of interviewer in this week's episode, asking Ryan to reflect honestly on the chaos, confusion, and surprises of their newest startup.

Ryan opens up about how disjointed the first few weeks felt—even with strong hiring and good systems in place. The hardest part? Leading through the fog. When your team is looking to you for direction and you don't yet have clarity yourself, it's a gut-check moment.

They discuss team dynamics, emotional stress, communication breakdowns, and the temptation to avoid hard conversations. Ryan shares how "looking like you have it together" isn't the same as actually leading, and what it takes to find your rhythm mid-mess. If you're planning a startup or recovering from one, this conversation is both validating and eye-opening.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Chase's opening question: "What surprised you most about this startup?"
• The emotional tension of unclear direction during the first month
• How a few misaligned hires can create ripple effects across the office
• Ryan's honest take: "I didn't show up the way I needed to"
• The danger of avoiding hard conversations when things feel fragile
• Learning how to lead when you don't have all the answers yet

👉 Want the real story behind the startup glow-up?

Hit play to hear Chase and Ryan pull back the curtain on what those first 90 days really looked like.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Intro: This startup hit different
• 2:10 – Chase: "What did we think would happen... and what actually happened?"
• 4:05 – The first two weeks: chaos, burnout, and doubt
• 6:50 – "I wasn't the leader I wanted to be"
• 9:15 – When your team feels the tension, but no one says anything
• 12:00 – Missed expectations, no-shows, and schedule gaps
• 14:35 – "We built the house while living in it—and lit it on fire"
• 16:45 – Learning to give grace while still setting standards
• 19:30 – What we're changing for the next startup
• 22:00 – Final thoughts: You're not alone in the mess

Quarterly numbers are in… but the real question isn't what the spreadsheets say—it's whether your practice actually grew. In this raw and real episode, Chase and Ryan unpack the wins, losses, and loops from Q2 and challenge you to stop repeating the same cycle and finally move the needle.

In this no-fluff, behind-the-scenes episode, Chase and Ryan reflect on Q2's performance across their dental practices. Spoiler: it wasn't all sunshine and profit margins. From an explosive April to a painful May and a "meh" June, they break down the highs, lows, and what they've learned (and didn't fix) this quarter.

The duo gets honest about the reality of dental leadership: identifying problems is easy—but solving them? That's the hard part most owners avoid. They share why many dentists are stuck in repeat loops, the sneaky comfort of chaos, and how some offices are quietly crushing goals while others struggle to grow.

You'll hear insights on team culture, case acceptance training, margins, and their controversial idea to cut underperforming insurance plans. And yes, they somehow tie it all together with a custom Nike shoe contest, awkward dad jokes, and a team-wide David Goggins-inspired Q3 rally cry.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why recognizing problems isn't the same as resolving them
• Q2 breakdown: strong April, brutal May, flat June—and what caused it
• How case acceptance training is starting to pay off (and where it still needs work)
• The risks (and rewards) of dropping poor-paying insurance plans
• New Q3 theme: Action. No Excuses.
• How to lead your team out of the repeat loop and into performance-driven culture

👉 Ready to dive deeper?

Hit play now and join us for the full conversation. Let's break the cycle and make Q3 the turning point.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com/

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome & weather banter from AZ to WA
• 1:30 – Hayden, Idaho isn't as "free" as they thought
• 2:15 – Q2 recap begins: did we really grow?
• 4:45 – Brutal May: High payroll + low collections
• 6:30 – June: A recovery or just treading water?
• 7:45 – Rising case acceptance—why it matters
• 10:00 – The treatment planning course that's shifting momentum
• 11:45 – What "mid" hygiene numbers reveal about patient retention
• 13:00 – Chandler chaos vs. Cave Creek calm
• 14:45 – Should we drop insurances? (The real math behind it)
• 16:30 – Growth vs. repetition: What kind of leader are you?
• 19:00 – Defining a winning Q3 and the 40% case acceptance goal
• 23:30 – The Nike shoe challenge: competition as culture fuel
• 26:30 – Replacing repeating staff with growing leaders
• 28:00 – Dad jokes, icebreakers & book ideas (yes, seriously)
• 30:00 – Q3 theme: Action. No Excuses.
• 32:00 – Closing thoughts & CTA to reflect on your own Q2

If you're thinking about buying your first dental practice—or already deep in the process—this episode is a must-listen. Chase and Ryan are pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you make that first purchase. Spoiler alert: it's not all clean numbers and smooth transitions.

From team dynamics to misleading seller promises, they share the gritty, honest truths most brokers won't tell you. They even bring ChatGPT into the mix to compare AI advice with real-world experience—and spoiler: the guys still come out on top.

You'll hear stories of team walkouts, overpromised seller support, and the wild variability that comes with every transition. Whether you're planning to buy soon or just want to hear what goes down behind the scenes, this episode is filled with candid insights and practical tips.

And don't worry—there are plenty of laughs, Post Malone references, and even some boating mishaps sprinkled in along the way.

What's Inside:

• Numbers can lie—without context: Collections and income might look good on paper, but dig deeper. Look at doctor dependency, write-offs, and team costs.
• The team might not be on your side (at first): Some will love you, some will loathe you. Expect a rocky start and don't take it personally.
• Sellers rarely follow through on transition promises: Get everything in writing. Most docs mentally check out the moment the check clears.
• Morale is impossible to measure pre-sale: You won't meet the team ahead of time for a reason. Be prepared to deal with culture shifts. You'll feel like you overpaid—and that's normal: Every buyer thinks they paid too much. Every seller thinks they got too little. It's just part of the game.
• Create your own culture: Whether the old team stays or goes, you get to build the team that's right for your practice long-term.

👋 Thinking about buying your first practice? Don't go it alone. Shoot us a DM on Instagram [@thedentistsshow] or email Chase at [email protected] with your questions. We've been there, we've made the mistakes—and we're happy to help you dodge them.

🎯 And hey—if you got any value from today's episode, do us a favor: like, subscribe, and share this with a friend who's thinking about buying their first practice. It helps more than you know.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome Back & Why We're Saying This Up Front
• 1:30 – Ryan's Beef with the 4th of July
• 3:00 – Patriotic Boat Parade Fail
• 4:40 – Cabin Life, Tattoos & Summer Catch-Up
• 7:00 – Post Malone, Face Tats & Country Vibes
• 9:15 – Introducing Today's Topic: What They Don't Tell You About Buying a Practice
• 10:20 – ChatGPT vs. Real-Life Experience: Numbers Without Context
• 13:00 – Reading Between the Lines of the P&L
• 14:40 – Ask Better Questions—Don't Rely on the Broker
• 16:00 – Expect Chaos: No Practice is Perfect
• 17:30 – Team Loyalty: The Wildcard in Any Transition
• 19:00 – Our Experience with Resistant Teams
• 21:15 – When to Let Toxic Team Members Go
• 23:00 – Why You Never Meet the Team Before Buying
• 25:00 – The Myth of the Seller Staying On
• 27:00 – Soft Promises & Quick Exits
• 29:00 – The Real "Goodwill" Transfer: Just Shake Hands
• 30:30 – Final Thoughts + Why We Still Do It
• 32:00 – DMs, Contact Info & What's Coming Next