Project ConfiDents

Insurance denials do not always mean your treatment was wrong. In many cases, they happen because of missing documentation, administrative requirements, or missed follow up. In this episode, Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen explains what to do when your practice discovers a backlog of denied insurance claims, how to identify which claims can still be recovered, and why understanding the real...

What if the most valuable part of a dental conference isn't the CE credits at all? From networking opportunities and career-changing conversations to avoiding costly mistakes in the exhibit hall, this episode explores how dental conferences can shape your professional journey in ways that go far beyond continuing education. Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel share insights from their recent...

One bad review can feel more painful than a hundred glowing ones, especially in dentistry where the work is deeply personal. This episode dives into the emotional reality of online criticism, social media hate, and the pressure dentists face in a world where every patient can publicly judge their experience. Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel unpack why negative reviews hit healthcare professio...

What actually brings new patients into a dental office today? In this episode of Project ConfiDents, Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel break down the reality of dental marketing, why so many dentists waste money on ads that never convert, and how trust still beats viral attention. They share honest insights about patient acquisition costs, social media trends in dentistry, referral systems, an...

The associate interview that feels like a simple conversation can quietly shape years of your career, and most dentists walk in completely unprepared for what owners are actually evaluating. This episode breaks down what really matters in a dental associate interview beyond clinical skill, revealing that practice owners are ultimately deciding three things: whether they can trust you with their pa...

You made it through dental school, so why does graduation feel more confusing than exciting? This episode breaks down the reality of transitioning from dental student to practicing dentist, especially the emotional shift no one prepares you for. After years of structure, support, and a clear identity, graduation can feel like losing your routine, your community, and your sense of direction all at...

Toxicity in a dental practice is rarely loud or dramatic. It is subtle, consistent, and often disguised as experience, conservatism, or simply getting through the day. From skipping protocols and softening treatment conversations to questioning systems in front of the team, small behaviors repeated daily quietly erode production, culture, and patient trust. The damage multiplies when temps operate...

Are DSOs reshaping dentistry or redefining it for better or worse? In this episode of Project ConfiDents, we take on one of the most debated topics in the profession and share what every dental student and new graduate should understand before signing a contract. We explain what Dental Service Organizations actually are and how they grew from rising student debt, private equity investment, and the...

Ask Us Anything: Real Answers to Dentists’ Biggest Questions Listener questions about dental jobs, specialization, and day to day practice answered honestly In this episode, Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel responds to real questions submitted by listeners at different stages of their dental journey. They walk through what to ask during associate interviews to better understand how compensati...

Most dental students believe their grades and clinical skills will determine their future. What many dentists later realize is that one overlooked factor often creates the biggest opportunities in their career. In this episode of Project ConfiDents, Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen explore a career advantage that many dentists wish they had understood much earlier. The right connections can l...

If patients keep saying no to treatment, the problem is usually not your clinical skills. It is how the treatment is explained. In this episode of Project ConfiDents with Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel, the focus is clear case acceptance is a communication skill, not a sales strategy. They address common myths dentists believe, including the idea that trust guarantees acceptance, that patie...

Finishing dental school or hitting career milestones doesn’t always bring clarity. For many dentists, it brings confusion, burnout, and the question of “now what?” In this episode of Project Confidents, Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel break down how self-assessment, intentional goal-setting, and clearly defined values shape a sustainable and fulfilling dental career. They explore why dentist...

Owning more practices sounds like the ultimate level up until no one tells you what it actually costs to get there. In this episode of Project ConfiDents, Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen pull back the curtain on multi practice ownership and talk honestly about what happens after the excitement wears off. They break down why expansion is so glamorized in dentistry and why income does not auto...

Benefits Breakdown, Dental Insurance Decoded for New Grads You finished dental school but no one really explained how insurance affects your paycheck, your schedule, or your stress level. If insurance feels confusing or overwhelming, this episode is for you. Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel break down dental insurance in clear, practical terms for new grads. They explain fee for service versu...

Getting paid to speak sounds glamorous, but the reality behind dental speaking careers is far more complex than Instagram makes it look. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to get paid to talk teeth. Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel break down how dental speaking careers actually start, often with unpaid opportunities, volunteer leadership, and years of practice...

What happens when you stop being polite and start being honest about your career? In this episode, we answer listener questions with unfiltered, real-world perspective on dentistry, career growth, and personal boundaries. We talk through where we disagree professionally, especially around being underpaid, overextending yourself, and the difference between being a team player and being taken advant...

Pregnancy is deeply personal but in dentistry it quickly becomes professional. Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen explore how pregnancy affects a dental career across dental school, private practice, ownership, and academia. The conversation addresses why many women dentists delay motherhood, what dental training fails to prepare them for, and how pregnancy can influence income, scheduling, pat...

What if getting patients to say yes had less to do with persuasion and more to do with connection? In this episode, the conversation goes beyond scripts, sales tactics, and perfect phrasing. It explores what really happens in the room when trust is built, when people feel seen, and when communication finally clicks. Through relatable stories and honest reflections, the hosts unpack why some conver...

Why do so many dental associates burn out, get fired, or feel stuck while others quietly build thriving, long-term careers in the exact same job market? In this episode of Project ConfiDents , we unpack why dental associateships fail and how associate dentists can set themselves up for real, sustainable success. We cover the biggest mistakes new grad dentists and experienced associates make, inclu...

Have you ever felt like you’re failing at both work and life no matter how hard you try to “balance” everything? You’re not alone, and the truth might surprise you: balance isn’t the goal at all. In this episode of ConfiDents , Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel challenges the myth of perfect work-life balance and shares what actually works for busy professionals, especially those in demanding,...

Have you ever cried over a plastic tooth or stayed awake at night worrying about a bad patient review? In this episode of Project Confidence, Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel get real about the times they almost walked away from dentistry. They share intimate stories about the struggles of dental school sim labs, the isolation of practicing in a new state, and the challenges of dealing with u...

You're hearing all kinds of opinions about NYU Dental, its cost, its reputation, its massive class size, but is it actually worth it? Before you make up your mind, here’s the honest look you won’t find on any brochure. In this episode of Project ConfiDents, Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel dive straight into the question every future dental student eventually faces: Is NYU Dental worth it...

Choosing between dental practice ownership and associateship is one of the most defining career decisions a dentist will ever make. In this episode of Project ConfiDents we cut through recycled advice and explore the real stories behind freedom, fortune, burnout, leadership, and the evolving dental economy. In this conversation Dr. Diana Nguyen and Dr. Amrita Patel dive deep into what it truly mea...

Ever feel like you’re not good enough, even after years of training and hard work? In this episode of Project ConfiDents , Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen open up about the all-too-common struggle of imposter syndrome in dentistry . That nagging belief that your success is just luck and you’re one step away from being “found out.” Drawing from their own experiences in dental school and beyon...

What dental school didn’t teach but every new dentist needs to know. Let’s be honest, dental school gives you the skills, but not the full picture. In this episode, Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen talk about what really happens once you step into the real world as a new dentist. They share what they wish someone told them. How networking early can open doors, how to stop comparing yourself t...