Have you ever wondered how someone ends up as a dental podcaster, speaker, writer, author, coach, and key opinion leader? Well… a lot of people have been asking me that lately. So on this very special episode of The Dental Practice Fixers, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the path I took — the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly amazing.
You’ll hear some wild stories (yes, including the associate one!), the turning points that changed everything, and a few lessons that might just help you carve out your own path to impact and influence in dentistry.
It’s personal. It’s inspiring. And it just might be the spark you’ve been waiting for.
Key Takeaways
1. Lessons from the Dental Journey
Shared experience matters: Dentists and team members “in the trenches” understand the realities—insurance battles, difficult patients, scheduling chaos—in a way outsiders can’t. That perspective gives credibility in coaching and consulting.
Failure teaches faster than success: Two failed associateships (cheap bosses, unfair treatment, even being locked out) turned into powerful lessons about integrity, leadership, and how not to run a practice.
Networking works: Simply knocking on doors, meeting other dentists, and learning from them proved invaluable. The friendliest, most open dentists often turned out to be the most successful.
2. Building Success Beyond the Chair
Spotting opportunities: Something as simple as a collections form (“the magic form”) turned into a national product line because they solved a real problem every dentist faced.
Content creates credibility: Writing articles, launching newsletters, and speaking at study clubs turned into authority-building activities that expanded influence.
Entertainment + education wins: Turning seminars into high-energy, rock-concert-like events (TBSE – The Best Seminar Ever) made learning engaging and memorable, proving dentistry doesn’t have to be boring.
3. Practice & Business Growth Insights
Respect patients and staff: Cheap shortcuts (like using sewing thread as sutures!) damage trust and morale. Invest in quality care and team support.
Cash flow is king: Collections systems, financial clarity, and proactive billing strategies are essential for sustainability.
Think like an entrepreneur: Dentists aren’t just clinicians—they are business owners. Side ventures, product development, and creative marketing can open surprising doors.
Here are some very important and easy ways to help enhance your practice and your life!
1 – Sign up for our e-newsletter. It’s filled with up-to-date practice building tips, event announcements, and more!
madow.com/newsletter
When you sign up for the newsletter, you are automatically enrolled in our drawings for your own personal Dental Practice Fixers coffee mug!!
2 - Download our special free report, "The Dirty Dozen: HOW TO ANSWER THE MOST DIFFICULT QUESTIONS THAT PATIENTS ASK!"
madow.com/ask
3 – Schedule time on Dr. Rich’s personal calendar to discuss any practice issues or ways to improve! (This is for practice-owning dentists only!)
madow.com/calendar
4 – Save money every single month on autopilot by paying a low, flat, monthly fee for credit card processing! Stop wasting money, and lower your overhead with one call!
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