28. How to Be the CEO of Your Dental Practice (Without Going Crazy)

Let’s be real—most don’t into dentistry thinking, “I can’t wait to be the CEO of a fast-growing business.” But then it happens. 

In this episode, we talk about what it actually feels like to wear the CEO hat inside your practice. From making hard calls on insurance and team culture to the weight of leadership and wondering if being “the guy” is all it’s cracked up to be—this one's honest, raw, and hilarious (per usual).

We also break down:

• Why Chase was rethinking the whole CEO thing mid-book read 😬
• How Ryan’s been stepping into leadership by still showing up in the operatory
• The tension between scaling and simplifying
• And how different types of dentists need different types of leadership paths (yes, we made ourselves into video game characters...again)

If you're feeling the pressure of running a business and practicing full time, this episode will make you laugh and maybe cry (or at least feel seen). Whether you're solo with one op or overseeing 7+ practices, there’s gold here for anyone trying to lead well without losing it.

👉 Hit play to listen now—then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front desk MVP who’s ready to level up. Or send it to that other dentist you know needs to hear this.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute: 

• 00:00 – Welcome to the chaos: voices, video, and Mickey Mouse
• 01:45 – Getting called back into the chair: Chase returns to clinical work
• 03:00 – Turning around an office through treatment planning
• 04:20 – What makes a good CEO? Looking 5 years ahead
• 06:10 – The loneliness of leadership (according to a book we can’t remember)
• 08:00 – Org charts, awkward titles, and the "CEO weight"
• 10:15 – The Chandler insurance debate: drop or double down?
• 12:30 – Are insurance companies helping or hurting?
• 14:30 – The "good stress" that comes with growth
• 16:00 – Chase’s all-star clinical day (root canals and humble brags)
• 18:00 – Wild detour: glow worms, Mickey Mouse accents, and Australia stories
• 23:30 – From hands-on to hands-off: how your role evolves with growth
• 25:00 – Would you ever go back to a tiny practice and no insurance?
• 27:00 – CEO mindset: seeing your practice like a business
• 29:00 – Wrapping it up: be the leader your team needs, whatever your size