Dentist to De Novo

We talk about it all! From running the house, to running her practice and how going against the advice of family and friends has helped and where it's brought in challenges. I appreciate her candid nature and willingness to share. Her authenticity rings true for all female practice owners and the ones thinking about how to go into practice ownership.

Staffing headaches keeping you up at night? You're not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Christine Sison — founder of Swiss Monkey and wife to a practicing dentist — a dental industry innovator who got tired of watching her own husband's practice struggle and decided to build the solution herself. Christine breaks down how she's tackling the staffing shortage head-on with a r...

We discuss how dental equipment configurations work like car options—you can get premium features like autonomous driving or strip things down while maintaining quality. We talk about why startup doctors should work directly with experienced consultants to customize equipment based on their actual needs and budget, rather than just accepting a standard setup. We explore how budgets change over tim...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Hales to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Hales shares his journey from "learning by doing" and deciding to leave a partnership to pursue a start up, all while establishing himself as a leader in the field cosmetic dental field. We dive into the importance of authentic branding in an age where marketing c...

This episode of the podcast features Dr. David Rice, founder of IgniteDDS and author of Is Everyone Smiling But You?  discussing the transition from dental associate to practice owner. The conversation centers on moving from a "redline" state of overthinking and burnout to a "greenline" of professional control and fulfillment. Key Takeaways for Young Dentists The Danger of Over...

Dr. Devin Harris, the "Plaque Panther", discussed his first year of practice ownership, which he described as a "roller coaster" due to the uncertainty and steep drops followed by rewarding and challenging experiences. Less than a year into operation (opened July 2024), he is currently operating with three chairs and is already pushing into building a fourth, all while collecti...

Dental equipment specialist Ben Oliver joins the podcast to talk about the biggest mistakes dentists make when starting their practice, from design and timing to equipment selection. With 14 years of experience and over 200 build-outs, Ben offers an honest, no-fluff perspective on how to approach your startup budget and vision. Learn about the 'good, better, best' of dental equipment, th...

Starting or buying your first dental practice is exciting—but it’s also full of hidden legal pitfalls. In this episode, I sit down with Levi Barlavi the founder of Polished legal with over 20 years of dental-specific legal experience. We look to uncover the most common mistakes new owners make, the contracts you can’t afford to overlook, and how the right legal partner can protect your investment...

Before you build ops or pick paint, you need to nail your lease. In this episode of From Dentist to De Novo, host Jonathan Miller sits down with David Groce of CARR to demystify the first—and most expensive—step of practice ownership. We break down usable vs. rentable SF, the difference between build-out period (rent commencement) and rent abatement (free rent after opening), and why a true tenant...

This episode with Dentist, Author and genuine friend, Dr. David Rice and I discuss the challenges facing the dental industry today, including the loss of recession-proof status, the impact of social media, and the burden of student debt on young dentists. We emphasize the need for financial savvy and caution against the pitfalls of social media and poor financial decisions.

In this inspiring episode, dental consultant Jonathan Miller sits down with a husband and wife dental team who turned their dream of practice ownership into a reality. From navigating the buying process to overcoming real-world challenges like financing, walking away from a purchase and expecting a second child all while navigating the due diligence, negotiations and building patient trust — they...

This episode of "Dentist to DeNovo" features host Jonathan Miller has an in studio discussion with Stephen Au, a seasoned expert from McLaren & Associates, a leading dental transition group. With nearly 20 years in the dental industry, including clinical and practice brokerage roles, Stephen shares insights on navigating dental practice transactions. The conversation debunks the myth...

In this episode of Dentist to De Novo, host Jonathan Miller talks with Dr. Kayla Klingensmith about her bold decision to create a practice from scratch. After adapting herself to fit various associate positions for years, Dr. Kayla explains what pushed her to build something uniquely hers. The discussion explores financial concerns, decision-making challenges, and unexpected discoveries throughout...

In this second episode, host Jonathan Miller counts down the most common mistakes dentists make when pursuing practice ownership. With almost two decades of experience helping hundreds of doctors, Miller shares practical insights on what truly matters - from finding consistency in your vision to avoiding the costly "I'm right" mentality that can derail your plans. He breaks down exa...