Leading in Dentistry

Drama is something that can derail any culture, and derailing culture is something that can derail any dental office. When we're able to take the principles of handling crucial conversations appropriately and maturely, then we are able to really focus on the most important things in front of us and move the needle towards our goals. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Eggett shares a clip fro...

In this milestone 50th episode—the first of 2026—Dr. Wes Eggett reflects on the journey of Leading in Dentistry , sharing how a lifelong interest in servant leadership and formative experiences in military dentistry led to the creation of the podcast. What began as a personal outlet for learning and reflection has grown into an ongoing conversation about influence, growth, and leadership at every...

In this episode, Dr. Eggett dives into the struggles of his current leadership position and, using the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and his own Accountability Check protocol, describes how to keep the pendulum from swinging back and forth between focusing on results and focusing on culture. How can holding people accountable actually BUILD trust? That's what we aim to answer in this episode. Musi...

In this episode, Wes sits down with his brother-in-law, Mitch Rush, just after giving his 30-day notice at his first associateship out of dental school. The reason? Mitch has found the practice he's been looking for and is transitioning into practice ownership! Wes and Mitch talk about what led Mitch to this point, how he found the practice he's purchasing, and what things he's lear...

In this episode, Dr. Spencer Greer discusses the importance of leadership in dental practices, emphasizing the role of the team in enhancing patient experience and production. He shares insights on building trust, accountability, and a positive work culture, while also addressing the challenges of onboarding new employees and maintaining team dynamics. The conversation highlights the significance...

In this rebroadcasted episode of the podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett reviews the recent changes made to the disciplinary process in the office where he works. He also talks about the importance of having a disciplinary plan in place and how laying out what "being in trouble" looks like can actually make your employees feel more safe while in the workplace! References: Simon Sinek on Trusting Tea...

In this episode of the Leading in Dentistry Podcast , Dr. Wes Eggett shares a simple but powerful lesson inspired by his four-year-old daughter. Watching her put on pajamas inside out sparked the realization that many of us create clever workarounds that actually make life harder. From skipping instructions, to isolating ourselves, to clinging to outdated habits, we often make leadership and denti...

In this episode, Dr. Eggett unpacks the ongoing debate between goals and systems in leadership, drawing from his own high school wrestling experience to show how wanting to win isn’t enough without the daily habits and preparation to back it up. Through powerful quotes from thinkers like James Clear and Josh Waitzkin, he highlights the strengths and shortcomings of each approach — goals give direc...

In this episode, Dr. Eggett opens up about a difficult moment—an argument with a team member where he didn’t show up as his best self. It was uncomfortable, humbling, and ultimately transformational. That experience sent him on a deep dive into interpersonal communication, and what he discovered changed the way he leads. He shares three of the most impactful takeaways: the power of Labeling and So...

In this rebroadcasted episode, Dr. Wes Eggett shares the BRAVING framework from Brene Brown as way to articulate the various aspects of trust. Dr. Eggett makes the case that dental team members and leaders can utilize this framework when trust has been broken to determine exactly what about the relationship caused the trust to be damaged. By putting words to why trust is broken, teams and leaders...

Feeling stuck? In this episode of Leading in Dentistry , we explore four simple but powerful tools to help you break out of a slump—two questions and two quotes that have helped me (and many others) regain momentum in both clinical work and leadership. Whether you're overwhelmed with too many priorities or just low on energy, these prompts can help you cut through the fog, clarify what matter...

In this episode, Dr. Eggett gives his top five pieces of advice for new grads! Whether you're fresh out of dental school, hygiene school, assisting school, or just new to the job, this episode is for you! Experienced team members and leaders can also benefit from putting themselves in the shoes of newer graduates and figuring out how to best lead them to success. Be on the lookout for discoun...

In this short (but sweet!) episode, I share a recent story about a win that our team had in training an assistant to complete prep scans on crowns. A patient came in on recall this week and it reminded me of this crown case, and I wanted to share it with everyone to inspire you to TRUST your team! Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/funk-style - License code: KUY...

In this episode, we unpack the 3 E's of Team Leads —a simple yet powerful framework built around three E’s: Example , Execute , and Experience . Whether you’re a dental assistant, front desk lead, or hygienist stepping into leadership, this episode breaks down what it really means to lead without a title.  You’ll learn how being a calm, competent example, carrying out the vision of your leade...

This episode welcomes back Dr. Richard Low to the podcast! Dr. Low shares his journey of leadership and the eventual feelings of burnout that resulted from the struggles that came with it. After having largely stepped away from his role as a clinical dentist and CEO of his company, Dr. Low has directed his focus towards helping dentists who struggle with feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of be...

In this episode, we tackle one of the toughest leadership questions: How do you know when it’s time to move on—or when it’s time to let someone go? Using a simple 2x2 matrix and a four-question reflective checklist, we explore the key factors that signal whether a situation is fixable or fundamentally misaligned. We discuss the importance of communication, patience, and self-awareness in decision-...

Associate dentists are a growing portion of the dental industry and the power they hold to affect change in the office cannot be overstated! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tony Schicktanz, AKA The Educated Associate, to discuss the role of associate dentists in leading the dental team. Tony has a wealth of knowledge on the subject of associate dentists and the potential they have to steer t...

In this episode of the Leading in Dentistry Podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett reviews the TEACH leadership model, specifically regarding its importance in setting expectations and maintaining accountability within a dental team. He emphasizes addressing gaps between expectations and reality to understand why plans may not be working as envisioned. Dr. Eggett introduces the Six Sources of Influence framework...

 I recently had the chance to join Dr. DeAngelo Webster on the Practice Biopsy podcast to talk about leadership in dentistry—what it is, what it isn’t, and how anyone can step into it, title or not. We discussed how great leaders multiply impact, why trust is the foundation of influence, and how the TEACH model helps create systematic, measurable growth. Whether you’re leading a practice, a team,...

In this episode, Dr. Wes Eggett breaks down the 5 Lies of Culture , a concept taught by Ginger Hardage, and explains why these misconceptions can hold businesses—and dental practices—back from reaching their full potential. He dives into how culture isn’t just about perks or mission statements on the wall, but about the daily leadership actions that shape a thriving team. Dr. Eggett challenges the...

In this episode, Dr. Eggett catches up with a friend from dental school - Dr. Josh Sanchez. Dr. Sanchez shares his story of buying a practice with next to zero funds and building it up to what it is today, all while fighting to give his family the life they deserve. Tune in to hear how he went from living in a trailer, losing it in a flood, and sleeping on an air mattress in the back of his office...

With this episode being released the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we take advantage of the opportunity to discuss the famous "I Have a Dream" speech and the power of communication skills in leadership. Dr. Eggett specifically dispels the notion that charisma and public speaking skills are critical to being a good leader, but emphasizes the need for a leader to be a good communi...

In this special first episode of 2025, Dr. Wes Eggett talks with Dr. Richard Low about his experiences in leadership throughout his time in dentistry. As a serial self-starter himself, Dr. Low gives actionable and tactical tips for any member of the dental team looking to broaden their impact both in and out of the office. With his unique perspective in having been a leader in a variety of differe...

In this episode of the Leading in Dentistry podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett shares an exclusive clip from his 90-Day Leadership Development Program, offering insights that will transform how you approach leadership. Dr. Eggett introduces the concept of "leading musically," where leadership transcends technical correctness to create a more authentic and impactful connection with your team. Drawin...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most dangerous phrases in leadership and team dynamics: “That’s how we’ve always done it.” Why is this mindset such a red flag for teams and leaders? We’ll explore how clinging to outdated habits can stifle growth, create frustration, and prevent innovation. You’ll learn why questioning the status quo is essential for maintaining alignment with your team’s goa...