The Millennial Dentist

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to diagnose if you’re over-teamed or under producing and what to do about it. If you’ve got an advanced skill set—whether it’s ortho, implants, grafting, or molar root canals—you should be hitting at least $80,000 a month in production. If not, there are fundamental issues to address, and we’ll start by looking at team compensation, which should fall between 20-30% of collections. I’ll walk you through how to calculate this, including salaries, benefits, and taxes, and explain why focusing on major overhead areas is far more impactful than obsessing over saving a few bucks on supplies. Let’s dig into the metrics that will help you optimize your practice and boost profitability. @01:00 - Understanding Team Compensation @03:18 - Why Goals Are Hit or Miss @07:34 - The Danger of Micro-Optimizing @11:23 - Evaluating Your Practice @18:40 - Taking Action   Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?   Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.   As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.   As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected]    Links and Resources Email: [email protected]  The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/  Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist  Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, I share my personal journey in dentistry and how real-life experiences shape my approach to patient care. I discuss the vital role of numbing and sedation in ensuring our patients are comfortable during their dental procedures. Drawing from my time in a growing practice, I emphasize that achieving profound numbness is key to effective sedation, as insufficient numbing can lead to discomfort and a less efficient process. I also candidly question why some practitioners underutilize anesthetics and encourage a more generous approach to ensure every patient feels at ease.    @00:52 - Essentials of Sedation @03:22 - Pre-Operative Routine @07:22 - Half vs. Full Sedation @09:48 - Sedation Protocols @14:01 - Key Takeaways   Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan? Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.   As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.   As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected]    Links and Resources Email: [email protected]  The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/  Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist  Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real, less glamorous side of running a dental practice. After taking a brief break, I found myself navigating a challenging week filled with unexpected team drama, which reminded me that not everything in dentistry is as perfect as it seems on social media. Inspired by a candid conversation with a fellow doctor about the inevitable “suck” we all face, I dive into how I handle these tough moments while still striving for balance.   I share insights on the importance of being present, managing team dynamics, and embracing the grind, even when it gets tough. This episode serves as a reminder that we’re all human, and that those challenging weeks are just part of the journey toward building a successful practice.    @00:52 - The "Suck" @02:25 - Weekly Summary @06:26 - Understanding Daily Challenges @10:22 - Escalating Drama: Staff Shortages @11:59 - Key Takeaways and Realizations   Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?   Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.   As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.   As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected]    Links and Resources Email: [email protected]  The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/  Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist  Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/ 

In this episode, we explore the importance of understanding when and how to delegate leadership roles in your practice. Whether you're trying to decide if it's time to hire an office manager or just wondering how to manage your current team, we dive into common misconceptions, practical benchmarks, and the strategic steps you need to take before making that call. Learn why handing over responsibilities too soon can lead to inefficiencies and what you should be focused on first before bringing on an office manager.   @01:52 - Starting Out @04:50 - The Office Manager Myth @09:32 - Building Team Leaders @14:56 - When to Delegate @20:10 - Leadership & Accountability   Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?   Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.   As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.   As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected]    Links and Resources Email: [email protected]  The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/  Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist  Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

In this episode, we explore the importance of understanding when and how to delegate leadership roles in your practice. Whether you're trying to decide if it's time to hire an office manager or just wondering how to manage your current team, we dive into common misconceptions, practical benchmarks, and the strategic steps you need to take before making that call. Learn why handing over responsibilities too soon can lead to inefficiencies and what you should be focused on first before bringing on an office manager.   @01:52 - Starting Out @04:50 - The Office Manager Myth @09:32 - Building Team Leaders @14:56 - When to Delegate @20:10 - Leadership & Accountability   Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?   Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.   As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.   As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected]    Links and Resources Email: [email protected]  The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/  Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist  Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/