The Dentists Show | Advice for Dentists

In this raw and relatable episode of The Dentists Show, Ryan opens up about one of the most stressful sedation cases he's ever faced—a situation that pushed him to his edge as a dentist and leader. What started as a routine All-On-X procedure under IV sedation turned into a chaotic and dangerous experience when the patient became combative mid-surgery.

Ryan walks us through the moment-by-moment decisions he had to make—balancing patient safety, team confidence, and the legal and emotional weight of it all. Chase jumps in with his own stories, and together they unpack the wild world of sedation dentistry, sharing lessons on teamwork, emotional resilience, and knowing when to laugh so you don't cry.

If you've ever thought, Why do I do this? — this episode is for you.

🎧 Loved this episode? If you've ever had a day where everything went sideways in the operatory, you're not alone. Share this episode with a fellow dentist who could use a laugh (or a therapy session), and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss these real, unfiltered convos from the trenches of dentistry.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Sweaty backs, gas station food, and Scottsdale heat
• 2:00 – Team outings and fine dining in surprising places
• 3:00 – Burnt wood decor and the irony of fire
• 3:40 – Ryan's no-good, very bad sedation day begins
• 5:00 – When a patient goes from peaceful to combative
• 6:20 – The mental chaos of making high-stakes calls fast
• 7:30 – Giving reversal meds and hoping for the best
• 9:00 – How flumazenil saved the day—after a quick Google
• 10:30 – Was she over-sedated? Or just hit fight-or-flight?
• 12:00 – Redheads, weed, and sedation unpredictability
• 13:40 – When dentistry feels like a combat sport
• 15:00 – Why sedation stress hits differently
• 16:20 – Ryan's go-to coping mantra on bad days
• 17:30 – The moment you walk past your family and just need a minute
• 18:30 – Chase's sedation fails and why weed smokers are the worst
• 20:00 – Rookie assistants, real-time chaos, and how to train on the fly
• 21:20 – PSA: Your worst day isn't your last one
• 22:15 – Dark dentist humor and the stress of "almost"
• 23:00 – Pulse ox tricks and unexpected saves
• 24:30 – What stress actually means for your growth
• 25:00 – Learning from the frustration and doing it better next time
• 26:00 – Keep calm, finish the case, and go home at 3

Welcome back to another episode of The Dentists Show!

In this candid and strategy-packed conversation, Chase and Ryan sit down to talk about what it really takes to scale a dental practice without losing your mind (or your margins). From understanding the key metrics that actually move the needle to challenging outdated beliefs about marketing spend, the guys dive deep into what it means to be growth-minded and numbers-driven in today's world.

Whether you're just getting started, prepping for expansion, or feeling stuck in the middle of a plateau, this episode will help you zoom out, refocus, and take smart, strategic steps forward. (Spoiler: It's not about chasing every new patient—it's about building systems that retain and multiply them.)

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How they track numbers across multiple practices without getting overwhelmed
• Why high-performing teams need more than financial targets—they need ownership and clarity
• The surprising insight that not all marketing spend is created equal—and how to know what's working
• When to pivot from patient acquisition to patient retention—and how to measure that success
• Why 1% improvements in daily systems are often more valuable than chasing shiny new tools

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Success doesn't happen by accident—it happens by intention, structure, and a team that knows what winning looks like. This episode is a powerful reminder that data isn't boring—it's your roadmap to growth.

📊 Ready to make your numbers actually work for you? Hit play and let Chase and Ryan show you how to bring more clarity, consistency, and cash flow to your practice.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: Why Tracking Matters More Than Ever
• 02:16 – Chase breaks down how they track production by provider and team
• 04:45 – From reactive to proactive: how dashboards create momentum
• 07:12 – Why they stopped chasing "more new patients"
• 09:58 – Marketing spend check: what's actually driving results?
• 12:20 – Ryan's reminder: "Retention > Acquisition"
• 14:35 – The new game plan for retention and reactivation
• 16:02 – Helping your team own the goal without micromanaging
• 18:44 – What's next: staying aligned as you scale

Welcome back to The Dentists Show! In this episode, Chase and Ryan dive into one of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of practice success: culture. They don't hold back, sharing real stories from their offices and peeling back what truly motivates a team—and what happens when perks take center stage instead.

Together, they explore why some teams thrive on camaraderie and service, while others seem to lose their edge even when showered with freebies. From potlucks that bring people together to the downsides of catered meals that feel more like obligations, Chase and Ryan talk about what really binds a team: shared goals, contribution, and purpose.

Ryan reflects on the deeper impact of "serving one another," suggesting that when leaders model generosity (think home-cooked meals over take-out) it breeds a sense of pride and teamwork that money can't buy. Chase agrees, noting that perks may feel good in the moment, but they rarely build the kind of enduring loyalty that drives long-term results.

By the end of this candid conversation, you'll see why leaning into team culture and creating real connections will always matter more than free food or short-term incentives—and you'll probably feel inspired to look at your own leadership through a new lens.

Key takeaways you'll hear in this episode:

• Why offices with the most perks often have the highest turnover
• The power of potlucks and shared meals for team bonding
• Why perks can backfire without a strong underlying culture
• How serving each other raises morale and builds commitment
• How to recognize when your team feels more "entitled" than "engaged"

🎧 Hit play to listen to the full conversation, and then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front-desk MVP who's ready to level up. Let's grow better cultures together!

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why perks don't build culture
• 02:45 – The power of shared meals and potlucks
• 05:30 – What happens when free food feels like an obligation
• 07:50 – Serving one another as the secret sauce
• 10:15 – Why perks often backfire without real connection
• 12:35 – Creating a culture of contribution over entitlement
• 15:00 – How home-cooked meals show you care
• 17:20 – Leaders must model generosity first
• 19:45 – Turning perks into meaningful moments that last
• 22:10 – Final thoughts: Real culture drives long-term success

Let's face it—talking numbers in dentistry can feel uncomfortable. But if you want to grow a practice that's both impactful and profitable, the numbers matter. In this episode, Chase and Ryan get real about the financial habits, benchmarks, and mindset shifts that helped them scale to where they are today.

From understanding monthly production goals to identifying how much each provider should bring in, they pull back the curtain on how top-performing practices think about money. But it's not all spreadsheets and production charts—this conversation also dives into how money can be used as a tool to fuel purpose, freedom, and growth for the entire team.

If you've ever felt stuck between wanting to serve and needing to earn, this is the episode that will reframe it all.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why money conversations matter (and why most dentists avoid them)
• 02:15 – The difference between production goals and personal goals
• 06:30 – How to calculate what each dentist should be producing monthly
• 10:05 – When "hitting numbers" becomes a team culture
• 13:45 – What to do when a team member isn't pulling their weight
• 17:20 – Chase's story of learning the hard way about financial expectations
• 21:00 – How to turn money into purpose-driven growth
• 25:55 – Why these financial conversations build more than just profit

Hey friends! It's Chase here—flying solo today on The Dentists Show and getting real about something we all need to hear: you'll win if you just don't quit.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what keeps me moving forward in dentistry, business, and life. From my favorite book (The Science of Getting Rich) to my philosophy of giving more in service value than we take in cash value, I'm diving into what actually creates lasting success—and why it starts with your thoughts, vision, and refusal to give up.

This episode is packed with personal stories, reflection, and a behind-the-scenes look at how I set goals, track wins, and intentionally build a life that's not just about money—but about impact, team, and purpose.

🧠 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why winners fail more than losers—and what they do differently
• The exact reason I keep a detailed list of goals, vacations, courses, and wins
• How to stay focused when others don't understand your vision
• The one thing I tell myself when I'm tempted to quit
• How your thoughts are shaping your reality (and what to do about it)

If you've ever felt like giving up… this one's for you. Winners fail—but they never stop. You're closer than you think to the breakthrough you want—so keep going. And surround yourself with people who want to see you win.

👉 Ready to grow your vision and lead with purpose? Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss an episode.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Why this solo episode matters
• 2:41 – The book that shaped my business mindset
• 4:22 – How I define service vs. cash value
• 7:00 – Thoughts become things: the power of vision
• 9:13 – The trap of sharing your goals too soon
• 12:00 – The failure paradox: why winners fail more
• 14:45 – How I track progress in life and business
• 17:36 – Final encouragement: don't quit

In this episode of The Dentists Show, Chase and Ryan are diving into the light-hearted side of building a dental practice that doesn't suck—and the laughs are real. Broadcasting in front of a live audience, the guys take questions from team members and share hilarious behind-the-scenes stories that remind us all how culture, creativity, and a bit of fun can go a long way.

From patient smile ratings to the idea of giving adults a prize box (spoiler: it goes off the rails 😂), they explore ways to make the dental experience memorable for both patients and staff. They also get real about how leadership evolves, how to encourage ownership in your team, and what it really means to create a workplace people want to be a part of.

If you're a practice owner trying to find that balance between high performance and high vibes—or you're just here for the inside jokes—this one's for you.

• Culture isn't just built—it's lived, one weird inside joke at a time.
• A strong practice has both top performers and top culture fits.
• Patient communication should focus on outcomes, not just treatments.
• The idea of a prize box for adults? Surprisingly brilliant... and hilarious.
• Encouraging team ownership helps leaders step back while scaling up.
• A thriving practice has room for both growth and gratitude.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome and live audience vibes
• 01:42 – Rating your smile: 2 out of 10 or 10 out of 10?
• 04:30 – Stickers, kids, and why fun matters
• 06:10 – Should adults get prizes too? Ryan takes it way off script
• 08:45 – Why patients remember feelings, not just treatment plans
• 10:30 – Leadership tip: how to get your time back without burnout
• 12:00 – Wrapping up: Culture-first, performance-aligned practices

Let's be honest—dentistry doesn't always feel exciting. But in this episode, we're flipping that on its head.

We kick things off with a ridiculous idea (but also maybe genius?)—a Cavity Free Club that gives adult patients prizes for staying cavity-free. And yes, the prize box might include beer. Or adult toys. Or boxed wine. Look, we're brainstorming out loud. 😂

But what started as a joke turned into a real conversation about how to stand out in a fee-for-service or PPO world and how to make dentistry fun again—for patients and providers.

Then we shift gears into something every dentist needs to hear: how to stop over-explaining treatment and start communicating outcomes. We break down our new method for talking with patients using simple "10 out of 10" language—and how it's changing case acceptance across our offices.

🎧 Hit play to listen now and steal one (or both) of these strategies for your own practice.

• The (maybe terrible, maybe brilliant) "Cavity Club" idea for adults 🏆
• Why a can of beer might be better than a toothbrush giveaway
• The trap of talking treatment when patients want to hear outcomes
• How the "10 out of 10" method improves clarity and trust
• Why fewer options = better decisions (for your patients and your sanity)

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Kicking off with chaos + Spokane LaCroix energy
• 01:30 – The Cavity Club idea: beer, wine, and adult prize boxes
• 04:30 – What can you actually give away at a dental office legally?
• 06:00 – Making hygiene fun again when it's not profitable
• 07:00 – Shifting from treatment to outcome-based case presentations
• 08:30 – Why 3 options is too many—and how to simplify
• 10:00 – Using "10 out of 10 smile" and "function" language with patients
• 12:00 – Real patient consult: when they start using your own words back
• 14:00 – Why simple language like "2 out of 10" beats clinical terms
• 16:00 – How outcome-based framing builds trust and closes cases
• 17:30 – Helping low-confidence doctors simplify their process
• 18:00 – Wrapping up: try it, test it, and let us know if it works for you!

This might be the most philosophical episode we've ever done—but stay with us.

In Episode 32, we're diving into a wild little internet clip that blew our minds and perfectly explains something we've both experienced as leaders, dentists, and just regular dudes trying to figure it all out: your reality isn't always real.

From funny stories about patient delusions (and yes, a surprising amount of cat hair) to the mindset shift that can change your entire experience as a dentist, this episode explores how what you see is often what you're looking for. And how shifting that lens can change everything—from toxic team culture to your own happiness.

🎧 Hit play now to hear:

• The internet clip that made us question everything (look up "That is Embarrassing" if you're curious)
• Why your "truth" at work might be clouded by your mindset
• How we accidentally (but intentionally) create September
• The power of choosing your reality—even when your day sucks
• Plus, some hilarious patient stories and unexpected wisdom about Mountain Dew, hair loss, and cat ladies 🐱

If you've ever found yourself frustrated with your team, your schedule, or even your own reflection—it might be time to shift what you're looking for.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 32 + cat lady definitions
• 03:00 – The "That is Embarrassing" clip + what your brain hears
• 05:00 – Perception vs. reality: the science behind how we process things
• 07:00 – Inter-office drama and how we create our own frustration
• 09:00 – Learning to reflect before reacting (and firing)
• 10:30 – We create what we look for—positivity or problems
• 13:00 – Why September is a myth (unless you believe it's not)
• 15:30 – Patient delusions and dental misunderstandings 😂
• 18:00 – Leadership mindsets: curiosity vs. judgment
• 19:30 – Joy is a skill, not a default
• 21:00 – The secret to a happier team and better culture
• 22:00 – Gratitude, homeschooling daughters, and Tuesday podcast breaks
• 25:00 – Reframing patient experiences and building trust
• 27:00 – Final takeaway: See what you want to see. Choose joy.

This one's a little different… and a lot more fun.

For the first time ever, The Dentists Show is coming to you LIVE (well, sort of). We sat down in front of a room full of incredible team members and fellow dentists to answer real, unscripted questions about practice ownership, partnerships, leadership, fee-for-service dentistry, and everything in between.

From the unexpected benefits of buying a "run-down" practice… to navigating associate relationships… to how we really feel about scaling too fast—this episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build a thriving dental business without losing your mind (or your passion).

If you're growing a practice, leading a team, or just wondering if this dental thing is supposed to feel this hard… this one's for you.

🧠 You'll hear:

• Why fee-for-service isn't about better margins—it's about better relationships
• The hard truths about team fit, culture, and letting people go
• What makes a partnership work (and what causes them to crash)
• Why more offices ≠ more happiness (trust us)
• And how to find your passion again—even if it's not clinical work

🎧 Hit play to listen now—and don't forget to share it with another dentist who could use some clarity.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to our first live audience episode
• 01:30 – Why we started the show + Spokane love
• 03:00 – What the show is really about: clarity, ownership, impact
• 05:00 – First audience Q: Fee-for-service fears and skillset doubts
• 08:00 – Why building patient relationships is the real secret
• 10:00 – Associates who do less and make more (and how)
• 12:00 – Is it a mindset or a system problem?
• 14:00 – How our partnership started + our failed verbal contract 😂
• 17:00 – Why most partnerships don't work
• 19:00 – Ryan's reflections on choosing the right partner
• 21:00 – What we wish we knew: team misalignment and firing too late
• 24:00 – The compounding cost of keeping the wrong person
• 26:00 – Clinical growth + finding your lane
• 27:00 – What brings you passion? It's not always more money
• 29:00 – How we choose new practices (and mistakes we've made)
• 33:00 – Why you shouldn't scale until your first office is maxed out
• 36:00 – Multi-practice mistakes to avoid
• 38:00 – The truth about money, stuff, and happiness
• 39:30 – Wrap-up: Let us know if you liked this format!

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Chase and Ryan reflect on the lessons they've learned from a humble old-school veterinarian whose simple advice left a lasting impression. The guys explore what it means to lead a values-driven dental practice in a world obsessed with upsells and upgrades. From nostalgic stories about their early days in dentistry to bold commentary on modern business models, this episode is a call back to service, simplicity, and genuine patient care.

They unpack why the best practices might not always be the biggest, why culture still beats convenience, and what it looks like to "make smiles about more than teeth." Whether you're growing a multi-location practice or dreaming of a chill one-chair setup with a dog by your side (no cats allowed, sorry), this one is for you.

👉 You'll hear:

• The hilarious origin story of The Dentist Show
• Why the "vet mindset" might be the future of great dentistry
• Thoughts on nickel-and-dime businesses and how to avoid becoming one
• How growing a practice doesn't have to mean losing your heart
• A passionate debate on dogs, cats, and why wet noses might make or break your practice 😂

If you're ready to rethink what success in dentistry really looks like, hit play now—and then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front desk MVP who's ready to level up. Or better yet, send it to another dentist who needs to hear it.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome back to The Dentist Show
• 1:30 – The show almost had a way worse name
• 3:15 – Chase's dog Boxer and a testicle story you didn't expect
• 6:00 – Life during dental school + poor pet parenting
• 8:00 – The OG vet who inspired this episode
• 10:00 – Hamburger + rice and the power of simple care
• 12:15 – Why today's businesses always want more money
• 14:20 – Could the one-man-show model still work today?
• 16:10 – Overhead, profits, and what we owe our team
• 17:40 – Efficiency vs. Connection: Striking a balance
• 19:00 – Painting walls after long days and loving the grind
• 21:30 – "If this all ends, I want a dog in the office"
• 23:00 – Dogs = cool, Cats =...internal resorption?! 😅
• 25:00 – Cat herpes, cat people, and accidental science
• 27:15 – The real message: Be the good. Be like the vet.
• 28:30 – Why memories and experiences matter more than money
• 29:00 – Wrap up: Share the episode, especially if you love dogs 🐶