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In this episode, Dr. Eric Block sits down with Dr. DeAngelo Webster to explore how dentists can build a lean, stress-free practice that allows for more efficiency, profitability, and personal well-being.
Dr. Webster shares his remarkable journey—starting his own practice while still in dental school—and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses the principles of lean efficiency, breaking down how dentists can remove excess stress, improve workflow, and focus on what truly adds value to their practice.
Key Takeaways
- How mentorship provided Dr. Webster a competitive edge and why learning from experienced dentists helped him succeed early.
- The truth about dental practice ownership—why it doesn’t have to mean more stress and how to structure it for more freedom.
- Selective case acceptance and why referring out certain procedures can be more profitable and reduce burnout.
- Applying Kaizen principles to dentistry—small, consistent improvements that lead to long-term success.
- Avoiding common pitfalls in practice ownership—how to filter out the noise from vendors and brokers and make informed decisions.
- Why self-care and mindset are crucial—prioritizing mental and physical well-being to build a sustainable career.
Dr. Webster also shares insights from his book, You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: Seven Lessons for Life in Dentistry, where he compiles practical advice to help dentists avoid common career mistakes and build a successful practice.
Tune in now to learn how to simplify, streamline, and stress less—while building a thriving, patient-focused practice!
Episode Timestamps
- 00:12 – Introduction
- Overview of the episode’s focus: building a lean and stress-free dental practice.
- 01:22 – Meet Dr. DeAngelo Webster
- Dr. Webster’s background and what inspired him to become a dentist.
- 03:33 – Starting a Practice While Still in Dental School
- How Dr. Webster strategically planned his practice while still a student.
- 07:05 – The Power of Mentorship and Learning from Others
- How interviewing dentists gave Dr. Webster an advantage in starting his practice.
- 10:52 – Lessons from ‘You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know’
- Insights from Dr. Webster’s book on avoiding common mistakes in dentistry.
- 12:30 – The Kaizen Philosophy: Small Improvements Lead to Big Results
- Applying Japanese business efficiency principles to dentistry.
- 13:56 – Common Mistakes in Dental Practice Ownership
- The biggest challenges dentists face when buying or starting a practice.
- 16:01 – The Importance of Selective Case Acceptance
- Why referring out procedures can reduce stress and increase profitability.
- 18:29 – Avoiding Burnout by Simplifying Your Practice
- How to structure your schedule for a sustainable, stress-free practice.
- 20:32 – Final Thoughts & Advice for Young Dentists
- Dr. Webster’s top advice for new dentists: start by taking care of yourself first.
- 22:27 – Closing Remarks
- Dr. Eric Block wraps up the episode and encourages listeners to subscribe and leave a review.
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