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 🐶

Quarter 1 is officially in the books, and let’s just say—it didn’t go how we thought it would… but maybe it went how we needed it to.

In this episode, we sit down to unpack the highs, the lows, and the surprising leadership lessons that showed up over the past few months. From celebrating major wins across multiple offices to facing hard truths about our own leadership gaps, we’re pulling back the curtain and giving you the real, unfiltered story.

We’re sharing the moments where we got it right, the moments we hesitated too long, and the conversations that changed everything. Plus, why stepping into leadership—even when it's uncomfortable—is the difference between flatlining and real growth.

This isn’t just a Q1 recap—it’s a blueprint for anyone trying to lead a dental practice (or any business) with more clarity, more courage, and a heck of a lot more intentionality.

You'll hear:

✅ Why strong culture without strong performance isn't enough
✅ The hard but freeing conversations that moved our team forward
✅ How hiring—and firing—with clarity changes everything
✅ Ryan’s breakthrough in leadership (and why he's blocking off every future school break 😂)
✅ And our plan to build the highest-performing, highest-paid dental teams possible

If you’re growing a practice—or thinking about it—this is your sign to tighten up your culture, step into stronger leadership, and get your team rowing in the same direction.

🎧 Hit play now and let's dive into everything Q1 taught us (the good, the bad, and the hilarious).

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome back + rollerblading jokes and bull skull tattoos 😂
• 02:30 – Spring break chaos and chasing family time
• 04:00 – How Q1 stacked up vs. the end of 2024
• 06:00 – Getting every office profitable (and why that's rare)
• 07:30 – Spokane office turnaround + associate wins
• 09:00 – The power of founder energy in new locations
• 10:00 – Leadership mistakes: waiting too long for hard conversations
• 12:00 – When you know someone’s not a fit—and what to do about it
• 14:30 – Firing the "nicest" people and what it teaches you
• 16:00 – Building leaders who lead better than us 🙌
• 17:00 – Why culture is strong—but performance is the next frontier
• 19:00 – How to balance high culture AND high performance
• 20:30 – Recruiting sixes and sevens—and leveling up fours and fives
• 22:00 – The real goal: building the highest-paid, highest-performing teams
• 24:00 – KPI talk: leading indicators vs. lagging indicators
• 25:00 – Wrapping it up: new patients don't fix everything—systems do

Let’s be real—most don’t into dentistry thinking, “I can’t wait to be the CEO of a fast-growing business.” But then it happens.

In this episode, we talk about what it actually feels like to wear the CEO hat inside your practice. From making hard calls on insurance and team culture to the weight of leadership and wondering if being “the guy” is all it’s cracked up to be—this one's honest, raw, and hilarious (per usual).

We also break down:

• Why Chase was rethinking the whole CEO thing mid-book read 😬
• How Ryan’s been stepping into leadership by still showing up in the operatory
• The tension between scaling and simplifying
• And how different types of dentists need different types of leadership paths (yes, we made ourselves into video game characters...again)

If you're feeling the pressure of running a business and practicing full time, this episode will make you laugh and maybe cry (or at least feel seen). Whether you're solo with one op or overseeing 7+ practices, there’s gold here for anyone trying to lead well without losing it.

👉 Hit play to listen now—then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front desk MVP who’s ready to level up. Or send it to that other dentist you know needs to hear this.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to the chaos: voices, video, and Mickey Mouse
• 01:45 – Getting called back into the chair: Chase returns to clinical work
• 03:00 – Turning around an office through treatment planning
• 04:20 – What makes a good CEO? Looking 5 years ahead
• 06:10 – The loneliness of leadership (according to a book we can’t remember)
• 08:00 – Org charts, awkward titles, and the "CEO weight"
• 10:15 – The Chandler insurance debate: drop or double down?
• 12:30 – Are insurance companies helping or hurting?
• 14:30 – The "good stress" that comes with growth
• 16:00 – Chase’s all-star clinical day (root canals and humble brags)
• 18:00 – Wild detour: glow worms, Mickey Mouse accents, and Australia stories
• 23:30 – From hands-on to hands-off: how your role evolves with growth
• 25:00 – Would you ever go back to a tiny practice and no insurance?
• 27:00 – CEO mindset: seeing your practice like a business
• 29:00 – Wrapping it up: be the leader your team needs, whatever your size