At the start of this episode I tell you it’s different, no technical breakdown, no five-step framework, no tactical takeaway, just a conversation. I meant it, but after listening back I realized that even without trying to teach, a few things came through so clearly that you can use them right away.
This was a conversation I had at Voices of Dentistry with Dr. Alan Mead from the Very Dental Podcast. We talked about student loan debt, whether dentistry is still worth it, ownership vs associate life, CE overload, and what you tell a new dentist staring down a $5,000 a month loan payment.
Even though I opened with “no takeaways,” here are three that hit hard:
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Your income ceiling is tied to your skill stack. Owner or associate, you get paid in proportion to how valuable you are. Bread and butter alone makes it tough to separate yourself.
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Communication is the multiplier. Case presentation and patient communication are not optional if you want a better career. They are what turn effort into production.
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Stop waiting for the perfect case. There is no perfect endo case, no perfect aligner case, no perfect anything. You get good by reps and by getting your questions answered fast instead of letting ambiguity hang around.
The conversation is candid and real. If you are early in your career, it will likely feel close to home. If you have been practicing for decades, you will probably recognize a lot of it from your own journey. Listen here:
If this episode hit close to home and you want to keep the conversation going with other practice owners, join the Hero Collective. It’s free, and it’s where owners get support, share what’s working, and access trainings that help you lead with more confidence. → Join the Hero Collective here
