Ep 82: Why Most Dental Practices Struggle—and How To Fix It

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. David Rice—dentist, coach, and founder of Ignite DDS—for a real, honest conversation about leadership, practice ownership, hygiene value, and the future of dentistry.

Dr. Rice shares what he would do differently if he were starting over as a practice owner, why leadership is the missing link in most dental practices, and how both dentists and hygienists can create practices that are profitable and healthy to work in.

We also dive into:

• Why leadership (not production) is the real driver of practice success
• The biggest mistakes new practice owners make—and how to avoid them
• Whether the hygiene department is truly a “loss leader”
• The truth behind the hygiene shortage and rising wages
• Why production-based hygiene pay can be ethical and empowering
• How AI is changing patient trust and case acceptance
• What the next 5–10 years of dentistry may look like
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for dentists, hygienists, and practice owners who want sustainable growth, stronger teams, and less tension inside their practices.

👉 Listen to the full episode now and share it with a colleague who needs this perspective.

To watch on YouTube, click here

About David

Connect with David:

Website

@ignitedds @futuredentists @drdavidrice

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

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Chapters

• 0:00 Mistakes as a practice owner, owning practices early
• 9:04 business and leadership in dentistry, learning leadership
• 15:04 leading your team, healthy culture
• 23:47 tips for difficult conversations, team communication, boundaries
• 31:02 new dentist mistakes, investing in education, humility
• 34:07 hygiene shortage, OPA training, treating perio properly, production pay
• 43:36 how to grow your practice, AI in dentistry, future trends
• 51:51 Connect with David