Bulletproof Dental Practice

A year training under Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence, changed Dr. Chris Phelps' entire business. In this episode, he shares why it can change yours too! After building four fee-for-service practices, Chris hit a wall every dentist knows. Patients weren't saying yes. Team members weren't following through. Associates weren't using the skills he'd paid to teach them. The problem was...

One caller. One problem almost every dentist is dealing with. Jesse is a new practice owner in a rural market. One hygienist is out on maternity leave, another is burning out from assisted hygiene, and after calling schools, searching job boards, and exhausting his options, he's asking the question every owner eventually asks: "What do I do now?" Peter and Craig explain why this isn't just bad luc...

NEW Bulletproof All-in AI Summit - 9 August, 2026 Why are humans still doing work that computers can do better? In this episode, Ian sits down with Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak to tackle what that question really means for dentistry, AI adoption, and the rapidly changing role of the front desk. The three explore how artificial intelligence is already transforming administrative work, pat...

In this episode, we unpack the consolidation of private practices and the growing influence of Dental Support Organizations. While many independent dentists view consolidation as a threat, Peter and Craig argue it may actually create one of the greatest opportunities the profession has ever seen. They explore the economic forces driving DSO growth, including insurance arbitrage, private equity inv...

You've said it out loud more than once. My team knows exactly what we're trying to build. Then a few weeks go by and you realize they don't. Not because they're lazy or checked out, but because the vision lives in your head and never quite made it into theirs. So you do what feels logical. Tighten the systems. Add accountability. Call another meeting. And still the team nods, complies, and quietly...

We explore what may be the fastest-moving technological shift dentistry has faced in decades and why most practice owners are still underestimating how quickly the ground is moving beneath them. While many dentists are using ChatGPT to write emails, draft social posts, or answer quick questions, the conversation argues that's barely one percent of what's now possible. The discussion digs into the...

Two callers, two problems every practice owner runs into. The first is a self-described systems guy whose team keeps reverting to old habits two weeks after every meeting, vision cast, and lunch-and-learn. The second is an associate who just carved out one day a week away from the chair and wants to know how to actually use it. Peter and Craig push back on both. To the first caller: "I've tried ev...

"No offense, but I hate dentists." Most providers hear it, laugh it off, and lean the chair back. Craig and Peter make the case that it's actually a cry for help, and the doorway to a relationship the patient never leaves. This episode unpacks one of the biggest misconceptions in dentistry: that sales and patient care are in conflict. They argue the opposite. The best dentists are the best communi...

We have heard so many dentists say they hate selling. What they really hate is rejection. In this episode, Peter and Craig tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in dentistry and business: sales. Not the sleazy, manipulative version. The kind that every practice owner, leader, and entrepreneur relies on whether they realize it or not. They break down why selling is ultimately about creating v...

Most dentists haven't touched their fee schedule in years. In this episode, Craig and Peter break down why a simple 10% fee increase doesn't just add 10% to your bottom line, it can boost profit by 25-33%. They cover the real math behind fee increases, why the fear of losing patients is almost always worse than the reality, and the exact steps to implement a smart, consistent fee strategy in your...

Think you can outwork your problems? Many dentists default to seeing more patients and chasing higher production when things feel off. And it works... until it doesn't. The result? Dentists build practices that look successful from the outside while quietly becoming prisoners of the businesses they created. In this episode, Craig and Peter break down why grinding harder is just scooping water out...

Dr. Brian Harris built five dental practices, filled his garage with a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a GT3, and a G-Wagon, and still wasn't any happier than when he had one office. So he did what almost no one does: he sold the practices back to his associates, went back to one location, and doubled down on the craft he actually loves. In this episode, Peter, Craig, Ian, and Brian unpack the real story...

Dr. Tommy Dooley bought a low-reimbursement practice in 2017 doing $1.3M with $600 crowns. Eight years later, he's at $6.1M across two locations with three partners, 35 team members, and 47% overhead. He followed the Bulletproof playbook to the letter: dropped from 10 insurance networks to three, expanded from 7 to 12 ops, brought in partners, and hit 20% year-over-year growth for five straight ye...

Dr. Craig Spodak has coached thousands of dentists and seen the same patterns show up again and again. Dentists are trained to be precise, perfectionistic, and responsible for everything. But the same traits that make them great clinicians can quietly trap them as leaders, business owners, and human beings. In this episode, Craig and Ian unpack the psychology of dentists: why so many tie their ide...

Dr. X graduated two years ago and joined his father's practice with the understanding that one day it would be his. But right now, he's paid a daily rate, produces a fraction of the revenue, and has no formal path to ownership. His dad, a 35-year veteran producing $1.5M a year, loves dentistry and isn't slowing down. Meanwhile, Dr. X is sitting in half-empty chairs, struggling to grow, and watchin...

Craig and Peter reflect on the early days of Bulletproof and the personal challenges that led to its creation, sharing raw insights into burnout, leadership struggles, loneliness, and the pressure of owning a dental practice. From feeling trapped in the operatory to navigating team breakdowns and personal crises, this conversation highlights the reality many dentists face but few talk about. HOSTS...

Dr. Donnie bought his dental practice just 6 months ago, and he's already facing the challenges every new owner hits. In this raw and honest "MyStory" episode, Craig and Peter sit down with Dr. Donnie to unpack the real problems he's navigating as a first-time practice owner: arbitrary revenue goals with no math to back them up, two part-time associates who aren't pulling their weight, a rocky pra...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 431 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden ,  Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh DESCRIPTION Welcome to the first episode of Bulletproof Hotline, where real dentists and dental team members call in to share what they are facing in practice and in life. Peter and Craig respond with the same honest, practical feedback they give inside the Bulletproof Mastermind. In this episo...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 430 (Part 2). HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Ian de Jongh   DESCRIPTION Ian de Jongh, CEO of Bulletproof, joins Peter Boulden to break down the six core pillars of dental marketing that influence how patients choose a practice online. This episode looks into practical, real-world strategies to improve patient acquisition by focusing on what actually matters, re...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 430 (Part 1) HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and  Ian de Jongh   DESCRIPTION Ian de Jongh, CEO of Bulletproof, joins Peter Boulden to break down the six core pillars of dental marketing that influence how patients choose a practice online. This episode looks into practical, real-world strategies to improve patient acquisition by focusing on what actually matters, re...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 429 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Jim Higgins DESCRIPTION Jim Higgins, CEO of Clerri, shares insights on industry trends, membership models, and disruptive strategies in dentistry. This conversation explores how technology, AI, and innovative business models are transforming patient engagement and practice growth. TAKEAWAYS Industry tre...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 428 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden  and  Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Dr. Cary Brown   DESCRIPTION "MyStory" is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each episode is a one-hour Master Class. Peter and Craig give practical advice, just like they do inside o...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 427 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Randy Smith DESCRIPTION In this episode, Craig, Peter and Randy Smith discuss the fundamentals of real estate investing, the importance of financial literacy for dentists, and strategies to build wealth through passive income and smart investments. Randy shares insights on leveraging real estate, tax ad...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 426 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden , Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh GUEST: Cory Pinegar DESCRIPTION This episode explores the transformative potential of outsourcing and remote teams in dentistry, focusing on cost savings, efficiency, and practice growth. Guests share insights on building hybrid teams, leveraging international talent, and optimizing practice ope...

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 425 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this engaging conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss their recent mastermind retreat, sharing insights on personal growth, community support, and the challenges faced in the dental profession. They emphasize the importance of building relationships with patients, navigating quality proble...