The Lifestyle Practice Podcast For Dentists

297. How To Make First $1 Million as a Dentist

How does a dentist go from student debt to earning their first million in just 18 months?

In this episode, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down the exact strategies, mindset shifts, leadership skills, and business systems that helped him scale his dental practice fast — without burnout, gimmicks, or chasing trends.

This episode dives deep into dental practice management, case acceptance strategies, leadership in dentistry, dental marketing systems, scheduling efficiency, and building a profitable dental business. Instead of focusing on flashy procedures or expensive courses, Derek explains why proper diagnosis, communication skills, team leadership, and focused execution were the real drivers behind his success.

If you’re a dentist, practice owner, or aspiring dental entrepreneur looking to improve dental practice profitability, patient communication, leadership mindset, and work-life balance, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

You’ll learn:

• How buying a dental practice early changed his financial trajectory
• The role of coaching in dental business growth
• Why systems matter more than marketing alone
• Leadership strategies that transformed team performance
• How to avoid burnout while scaling a dental career

Whether you’re a new dentist, dental student, or experienced practice owner, this episode provides a clear blueprint for dentistry success, financial independence, and lifestyle design.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com 

 

296. The #1 Mistake That’s Killing Your Practice Revenue

Are you a general dentist wondering how to increase production, improve clinical skills, and grow your dental practice without working longer hours?

In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van de Graaff shares powerful insights on specialty procedures for general dentists, including dental implants, endodontics, oral surgery, and advanced treatment planning.

Many dentists struggle with referring high-value cases out of their practice—from root canals and wisdom teeth extractions to implant dentistry. But what if bringing more procedures in-house could increase profitability, reduce burnout, and create more freedom in your schedule?

You’ll learn how continuing education (CE), live-patient mentorship, and incremental skill development can help dentists expand their clinical skill set responsibly while delivering better patient outcomes. Whether you’re a practice owner, associate dentist, or someone looking to grow your dental career, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for dental practice growth, increased production, and clinical efficiency.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How specialty dentistry increases dental practice revenue

• Why dental implants and endo are high-profit procedures

• How dentists can improve productivity without more new patients

• The best CE strategy for dentists who want real clinical confidence

• Practical steps to expand your dental skill set safely

If you want to work smarter, avoid burnout, and build a more profitable dental practice, this podcast is for you.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com 

295. The Future of Dentistry in 2026

Is dentistry still worth it in 2026?

With rising interest rates, staffing shortages, shrinking insurance reimbursements, and the polarizing narratives on social media, this question is louder than ever. In this episode, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down the real state of the dental industry today—no fear-mongering, just clarity on the math and the mindset required to win.

We dive deep into the specific challenges modern dentists face, from "complexity inflation" to the realities of overhead costs. Whether you are a dental student questioning your debt, an associate looking for a career path, or a practice owner trying to protect your margins, this video covers what has changed in the business of dentistry and what hasn't.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com 

294. How He Took a Practice From $840K to $1.6M in One Year

How Dr. Cody Santora Doubled His Dental Practice Revenue in 1 Year.

Are you debating whether to buy a dental practice or start one from scratch? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt sits down with Dr. Cody Santora to reveal the exact blueprint he used to acquire a practice and nearly double its collections—from $840k to $1.6M—in just 12 months.

If you are looking for dental practice growth strategies that work, this episode is a masterclass in execution. We break down the fears of dental practice ownership, how to optimize your fee schedules, and the specific staffing changes that fueled this explosive growth.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com 

293. What to Do When Your Best Employee Quits

When a key team member resigns, it can be one of the most stressful moments in managing a dental practice. Most owners feel blindsided, and if handled poorly, a single resignation can damage your dental office culture and trigger a wave of dental staff turnover.

In this episode, Dr Steve Van De Graaff breaks down exactly how to handle employee resignations with professionalism and strategy. This is not just about filling a role; it's about leadership in dental practice and maintaining stability when things get rocky.

Whether you are new to ownership or an experienced clinician, this guide to dental practice leadership will help you respond better, grow as a leader, and protect the business you’ve built.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/  
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ 
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ 
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801 
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

292. Passive Income Strategies Every Dentist Should Know in 2026

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, host Matt Vogt is joined once again by Zach Lemaster, founder of Rent To Retirement, to explore how dentists and other healthcare professionals can build long-term wealth through turnkey real estate investing—without the stress of being a landlord or losing focus on their practice.

You’ll learn exactly how to start or scale a real estate portfolio using passive strategies, new construction rentals, and tax-saving techniques such as bonus depreciation and cost segregation. Zach shares real numbers, strategic insights, and projections for the 2026 real estate market that every dentist investor should hear.

Connect with us:

• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com 

291. The Side of Dentistry No One Talks About

In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van De Graaff shares a powerful and personal story about designing a dental career that supports freedom, family, and meaningful experiences outside the dental office.

Dr. Steve reflects on a recent dental humanitarian trip to the Galápagos Islands, where he and his family provided essential dental care to underserved communities in Ecuador. This episode highlights how building a well-run dental practice allows practice owners to step away from daily chairside dentistry and pursue purpose-driven work, travel, and family time.

If you’re a dentist, dental practice owner, or dental student who feels chained to your office, this conversation will inspire you to rethink success, prioritize memories over production numbers, and intentionally build a lifestyle dental practice that aligns with your values.

This episode is a reminder that dentistry is not just about production—it’s about impact, service, and living well.

Connect with us:
• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

290. How Top 1% Dentists Manage Their Money

Dentists are taught to equate success with production, income, and constant growth. But many high-achieving practice owners still feel stressed, restless, or burned out. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams sits down with repeat guest Dr. Talon Davis to explore a better framework for wealth, ambition, and fulfillment through the lens of Morgan Housel’s book The Art of Spending Money.

They discuss how dentists often use money as a status scoreboard, why lifestyle inflation happens even when income rises, and how contentment can be engineered through intentional choices. You’ll hear practical insights about financial mindset, goal-setting, and designing a dental career you don’t need to escape. This episode is especially relevant for dental practice owners, associates considering ownership, and anyone looking for sustainable dental business growth without sacrificing mental health or family time.

If you’re questioning whether your next milestone will actually make you happier, this conversation will help you reframe success and build a lifestyle-driven dental practice with clarity.

Connect with us:
• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

289. Why Pre-Owners Should Start A Practice in 2026

Is 2025 the year you finally buy a dental practice? If you’re a recent dental school graduate, GPR resident, or an associate who’s been waiting for the right moment — this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast is the wake-up call you need.

Dr. Steve Van De Graaff makes a powerful case for dental practice ownership and challenges you to stop waiting and take action. Through real-world financial comparisons and personal coaching insights, Steve breaks down the income potential of being an owner vs. an associate, and why the best time to buy is now — not “someday.”

Whether you're weighing the decision between starting a dental practice from scratch or acquiring an existing office, this episode walks you through the numbers, mindset, and practical advantages of ownership — including higher profitability, more flexible scheduling, and long-term equity. Plus, you'll hear how dentists who take early action set themselves up for career success, financial freedom, and more control over their work-life balance.

If you want to escape the associate hamster wheel and finally become the CEO of your own dental business, don’t miss this one. We cover everything from dentist tax strategy, practice cash flow, and lifestyle design, to how TLP coaching can help you find, evaluate, and purchase your first practice confidently.

Connect with us:
• Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/
• Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

288. Is Opening a Second Practice Worth It?

Thinking about buying a second dental practice? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van De Graaff unpacks one of the biggest decisions every growth-focused dentist must face:
“Should I expand to multiple dental practices or go all in on one highly productive office?”

If you're a dentist looking to increase production, reduce stress, and build long-term financial freedom, this episode offers critical insights into what actually drives dental practice growth.

This episode also dives into the real numbers behind practice profitability, the challenges of associate dentist retention, and what separates the 10% of dentists who scale successfully from the 90% who actually earn less after expansion. Whether you're considering private equity, transitioning into a dental CEO role, or just want to improve profitability in your current dental office, you'll get actionable advice to help you grow smarter—not just bigger.

Connect with us:
• Learn more about 1 on 1 coaching
• Get access to TLP Academy
• Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com