Wellness In Dentistry

Every summer, dentists slow down. Not always because they planned to because they always have. In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley challenge the mindset patterns most dental professionals don't even realize they're running on. The kids are out of school, study clubs take a break, and somehow the whole profession just… coasts. But nobody sat down and decided that. It just hap...

You own your practice. So why does it feel like your practice owns you? In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson dug into what independence actually means for a dentist and why so many practitioners feel tethered to their practice even when everything looks good from the outside. Kyle puts it simply: he thought he owned his profession. His profession owned him. The conversation g...

You're making good money. So why does it feel like something's missing? In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson dig into one of dentistry's quietest paradoxes — high income, low fulfillment. Kyle drove a Porsche to a million-dollar house, ran a thriving practice, and still hit rock bottom in 2018. The income was there. The fulfillment wasn't. Part of the problem is hedonic adapt...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley tackle the lack of empathy showing up in the dental community toward colleagues who are struggling. The data isn't subtle: dentists are 17 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Two and a half times more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. That's not a mindset problem. That's a profession in pain. Kyle a...

Being the responsible one in dentistry isn't just exhausting. It's expensive — emotionally. In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley dig into why dental practice owners carry so much weight, and how much of that weight is self-imposed. You're the clinician, the CEO, the problem-solver, and the last line of defense — all at once. No wonder you're waking up at 5am worrying about Mr...

The ADA announced it's pulling back support for DSOs. The internet lost its mind. Kyle and Martin didn't. In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson break down what the ADA's shift actually means — and what it doesn't. The ADA is a for-profit business. DSOs aren't all created equal. And dental insurance is a defined benefit plan, not insurance. We've done a terrible job letting peo...

Something shifted in Dallas. Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley just wrapped a Lightside Live course at MB2 Dental — one of the largest DSOs in the country, with 800 practices — and what they found wasn't what most people expect from corporate dentistry. They found a group practice that actually cares about its doctors. In this episode, Kyle and Martin unpack what happened over those two da...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley reframe the way dental professionals think about complications and setbacks in practice. Rather than labeling difficult outcomes as failures, they explore how shifting language toward "complications" and "revisions" can protect a dentist's mindset and fuel long-term growth. Dr. Mendelson shares his three-step framework for processing diffi...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson tackle a challenge many dentists face: how to explain the unique pressures of the profession to people outside of it. From the physical toll of working in a confined operatory to the constant balancing act of running a business while delivering clinical care, they break down why dentistry is far more demanding than it appears from the outs...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson tackle the topic of litigation in dentistry, sharing statistics and personal experiences with malpractice claims. They emphasize that even great dentists can face lawsuits, and that many claims stem more from communication breakdowns than clinical errors. The conversation focuses on what is actually within a dentist’s control, including cl...

In this episode of the Wellness and Dentistry podcast, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley explore the guilt cycle in dentistry, sharing personal experiences that reveal how guilt often stems from unclear boundaries and poor communication rather than true obligation. They discuss the importance of defining personal values, setting expectations with patients and family, and being fully presen...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson break down the mental game of handling difficult patients in dental practice. They explore practical strategies for navigating challenging situations, starting with the foundation of setting clear expectations from the beginning. The conversation emphasizes proactive communication around potential complications, helping patients understand...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley dive into a powerful and often overlooked reality in dentistry: when the practice starts to own the dentist. Drawing from their own experiences, they unpack how practice ownership, while often seen as the ultimate goal, can quietly lead to burnout, blurred personal boundaries, and a loss of identity outside of dentistry. The conversation g...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson explore a powerful shift in thinking for dental practice owners: stop relying on motivation and start building systems. Motivation fluctuates. Energy fluctuates. Even culture fluctuates. Systems do not. The conversation dives into how understanding rewards and long-term outcomes creates intrinsic motivation to establish structure. Using ex...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley dive into the silent stressors quietly eroding dental practices across the country. From inefficient scheduling and constant interruptions to unresolved staff tension and unclear expectations, many of the biggest stress drivers in dentistry aren’t dramatic crises. They’re small, persistent friction points that compound over time. The conve...

In this episode, Kyle and Martin explore what it really means to stay composed during challenging moments in dentistry both clinically and personally. Drawing from their own experiences, they discuss practical strategies for maintaining control under pressure by focusing on what can actually be influenced and choosing responses intentionally rather than reacting emotionally. The conversation highl...

In this milestone 100th episode of Wellness and Dentistry, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley reflect on the journey that brought the podcast to this point and the conversations that shaped it along the way. The episode centers on the realities of mental health in dentistry, as the hosts respond to listener questions about recognizing burnout, managing stress, and navigating the challenge o...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson take a thoughtful look at the evolving role of large dental conferences and ask an honest question many dentists are quietly wondering: Are they still worth it? Drawing from years of personal experience, they explore how the value of major meetings has shifted alongside the rise of online education, social media, and on-demand learning. Wh...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley unpack why taking time off is so difficult for many dentists and why vacations often create more stress than rest. They discuss the financial, operational, and psychological barriers that prevent dentists from fully stepping away, including the importance of knowing your numbers and planning ahead to support your team during time off. The...

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson explore the real role of coaching in dentistry and why it remains one of the most misunderstood tools for growth. They break down the key differences between coaching, mentoring, and therapy, clarifying how coaching helps dentists identify and overcome the personal and professional obstacles holding them back. Dr. Stanley shares his firsth...

As February arrives, many New Year’s resolutions quietly fall apart. In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley unpack why lasting change is so difficult and what actually helps habits stick. Drawing on James Clear’s work, they explore the difference between outcome-based goals and identity-based habits, and why intrinsic motivation matters more than willpower. The conversation div...

In this episode, Kyle and Martin dive into the often-unspoken impact a dental career can have on personal relationships. They explore how long hours, emotional bandwidth, and professional ambition can quietly reshape family life if left unexamined. Kyle shares candid reflections on intentionally scaling back speaking commitments to be more present at home, while Martin highlights the importance of...

Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley explored the importance of finding purpose beyond professional achievements in dentistry, sharing personal experiences and discussing how to align team members with treatment goals while focusing on patient outcomes rather than just transactions. They emphasized the unique aspects of dentistry's ability to improve aesthetics, function, and health, while di...

In this episode, Kyle and Martin dive into one of the most overlooked drivers of profitability in dentistry: overhead. They break down how controlling expenses can have just as much impact on take-home income as practice growth, especially when it comes to supplies and vendor payments. The conversation explores how DSOs use bulk purchasing power to secure better pricing, and why independent practi...

In this episode, Dr. Martin Mendelson and Dr. Kyle Stanley take a thoughtful look at the evolution of study clubs and where they fit in the future of dentistry. They explore the roots of study clubs as guilds, how these groups shaped early professional communities, and why their original purpose still matters today. Kyle and Martin discuss how continuing education has shifted from local, in-person...