Project ConfiDents

Want to lose your dental associate job in 10 days? Start by doing everything on this list. Inspired by How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, this episode of Project Confidents breaks down the habits that can quietly damage an associateship, from unrealistic expectations and constant schedule complaints to misunderstanding production, resisting feedback, ignoring the business side of dentistry, and treatin...

What if some of the things you were absolutely certain about as a new dentist turned out to be completely wrong? Experience has a way of challenging the rules we once thought defined a successful dental career. Practice ownership is not the only path to success. A beautiful, technology-packed office does not automatically mean a thriving practice. Getting every patient to say yes is not the measur...

Dental school tests more than knowledge and thriving through it takes intentional habits, strong community and a willingness to embrace the struggle. Real learning cannot be outsourced to AI. While tools can summarize lectures and generate practice questions, the work of organizing information and recognizing patterns must be done actively because patient care is never multiple choice. Building so...

Thinking a career in academic dentistry means a pay cut and a PhD requirement? The reality is very different. Dr. Diana Nguyen breaks down what happens after leaving private practice for a full time role in dental education. Compensation in academic dentistry including salary structure, benefits, faculty practice and supplemental income. Why published research and a PhD are not required to start a...

Are you investing in technology that actually improves your practice or are you buying expensive gadgets because everyone else seems to have them? Before signing your next financing agreement, these five questions could save you thousands of dollars and help you make smarter decisions for your patients and your future. In this episode, Dr. Amrita Patel and Dr. Diana Nguyen discuss how dentists can...

Is dental social media making dentistry look worse than it really is? In this episode, we explore why burnout content dominates our feeds, how algorithms amplify frustration, and why that can shape the way dentists, students, and even patients see the profession.  Dentistry is facing real challenges including burnout, staffing shortages, insurance frustrations, and changing workplace expectations....

You asked and Project ConfiDents answered. In this special Ask Us Anything episode, we respond to real questions submitted by viewers from across the dental community with honest conversations, practical insights, and the experiences that have shaped our careers. Every question leads to a meaningful discussion that goes beyond quick answers. From navigating important career decisions to sharing pe...

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...