Just Two Minutes: Investing

Bite-sized dental wisdom in under 2 minutes.

I wish someone had told me in dental school to spend my free time investing in myself. And no, I’m not talking about getting massages or manicures. I’m talking about acquiring real skills—ones that build on each other, can’t be taken away, and actually move the needle in your career.

Here’s the thing: from what I’ve heard, dental school hasn’t changed much since I graduated 11 years ago. They’re still not preparing you for the real world. When I graduated, I felt confident in my dental skills, I wasn’t afraid to learn as I went, and I had a yes mentality. I didn’t feel like I had to do an AEGD or GPR and honestly, I was over school and just wanted to start working.

But here’s the hard truth—there was still so much I needed to learn.

I don’t have regrets, but if I could sit down with my younger self and speed up my success, here’s what I’d say:

1. Master the Dental Skills You Don’t Know

Write down a list of the dental skills you don’t know yet, and start learning them now. For me, that was implants, cosmetics, and sedation. If you have the money, take a course. If you don’t, start saving. And don’t forget—there are free resources out there too.

Shadowing dentists is an incredible way to learn. But here’s the key: don’t just ask for something without offering value in return. If you’re shadowing a dentist for an implant case, say, “Can I watch this case and write up a checklist for you? That way, if you ever have an associate come in, you’ll already have a protocol ready to go.” Not only will you get hands-on insight, but you’ll walk away with a resource you can use for yourself.

2. Learn the Art of Selling (Yes, Selling)

If you can’t talk to patients about the services you offer, get used to staying broke. Dentistry isn’t just about being a great clinician—it’s about communication. If you can’t confidently explain the value of what you do, patients won’t say yes.

If you’re nervous about selling, start with the basics of how to talk confidently. And here’s a tip: the best advice about speaking and selling doesn’t necessarily come from dentists. Look outside the box—take a public speaking course, listen to sales podcasts, or read books on influence. 

3. Understand How to Run an Office (Even If You’re Not the Boss)

Let’s get one thing straight: even if you plan to be a forever associate, you still need to understand how a dental office runs. Why? Because your paycheck depends on it.

If you don’t understand write-offs, insurance adjustments, or how to read a profit and loss statement, you’ll always be in the dark about why your paycheck is what it is. Take the time to learn insurance, overhead, and the business side of dentistry. Not only will it help you negotiate better contracts, but it’ll make you indispensable to any practice you work in.

Investing in yourself is the most valuable thing you can do. Skills don’t depreciate. They don’t get outdated. They build on each other, open doors, and put you in control of your career.

So whether it’s learning how to place implants, understanding how insurance works, or mastering the art of patient communication, start now. Because the sooner you invest in yourself, the faster you’ll see the return.

-Dr. Alex

P.S. Learning new skills isn’t about talent—it’s about consistency. If you’re willing to suck at something long enough to get good, you’re already ahead of most people.