🎯 What happens when unlimited opportunity meets limited capacity? Dr. Allison House shares her $100K failure—and why she'd do it again.

As 2025 wraps up, we're sitting in our new studio having the conversation every dental professional needs before stepping into the new year. This isn't your typical goal-setting episode. It's a raw, honest look at what it actually takes to live authentically in an era where AI, new technology, and endless opportunities are creating both unprecedented possibility and overwhelming paralysis.

"I don't know what to do with limited capacity, limited bandwidth, and seemingly unlimited opportunity," Shawn admits. "The disparity between the two is bigger than I've seen ever in my life." If you're a dentist scrolling through Facebook groups seeing colleagues doing all-on-fours, veneers, and every new procedure—while wondering if you're falling behind—you're not alone. Dr. House responds with hard-won wisdom: "I can't do all of it. And that's okay."

Dr. Allison House opens up about her toughest year yet—speaking out against an ethical violation and finding herself without the support she expected from colleagues she'd helped for years. Her response? "That doesn't mean you stop being who you are." This is what authentic dental practice leadership looks like when the cost is high and the applause is silent. For anyone who's ever taken a principled stand in dentistry and felt isolated, this moment will resonate deeply.

We also dive into the story Allison rarely tells: spending $100,000 on a CEREC machine in 2004 that became an "abject failure" within six months. But here's what most people miss—that failure transformed how she understood crown preparation, patient communication, and clinical excellence. "I all of a sudden had to see my preps up close," she recalls. "I could see if something wasn't smooth." Sometimes the wrong decision is exactly the right teacher.

If you're feeling the weight of FOMO, drowning in opportunities you can't possibly pursue, or wondering whether to take that risk you've been avoiding—this episode is your permission slip to move forward imperfectly and discover who you really are in the process. Whether you're navigating dental burnout, questioning your practice model, or simply trying to find fulfillment as a dentist in an overwhelming landscape, this conversation offers both wisdom and encouragement.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The flywheel principle: "Even if I pick the wrong thing, it's still moving me forward." Getting momentum started takes enormous effort, but once moving, it builds on itself. Stop waiting for the perfect decision.

• Fear is just a shadow: Most of what stops us isn't real—it just seems big and loud. Name your greatest fear and examine it. Often, it's smaller than it appears.

• Failure reveals identity: "If everything you do is something you knew for sure you could do, you never get to see who you really are." Stretching beyond certainty is where self-discovery lives.

• Ethical courage costs—stay you anyway: When Allison spoke out and no one came to help, she learned that integrity isn't about reciprocation. Keep being who you are regardless of support.

• Memory is a choice: Every memory you revisit, you strengthen. Choose to reinforce the wins and the wisdom, not just the wounds.

🕐 Episode Highlights:

Year-end reflection framework: 8:04

The $100K CEREC failure story: 17:30

Allison's ethical stand moment: 22:50

"Fear is just a shadow" insight: 25:15

Final encouragement for 2026: 27:17

👨‍⚕️ ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Allison House is a practicing dentist with over 25 years of clinical experience, known for her ethical leadership and commitment to authentic practice. She's served in organizational leadership...

What happens when a dentist who started with pegboards faces down stage four cancer and emerges with the wisdom of 44 years in practice?

In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas sit down with Dr. Michael Thompson, a pioneering Arizona dentist whose career spans from the pre-internet era to today's AI-driven landscape. This isn't just another career retrospective—it's a masterclass in building authentic dental practice while maintaining unwavering integrity.

Dr. Thompson opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his authentic leadership journey: from that first meeting with Dr. House at Bucky's Barbecue 25 years ago, to the gut-wrenching decision to replace 50+ failed crowns at his own expense, to facing his mortality with stage four lymphoma and choosing to dedicate his "bonus years" to mentoring the next generation at A.T. Still University.

The conversation tackles the profession's greatest challenges with refreshing honesty. When did the pressure to produce 100 new patients a month become the industry standard? How do you maintain ethical practice when overhead keeps climbing? What's the real cost of losing human connection in an increasingly automated healthcare system?

Dr. Thompson shares his three-part formula for daily success—feeling well-compensated spiritually, professionally, and financially—and why compromising any one dimension leads to burnout. He reveals how his father's dinner table lessons about entrepreneurship shaped his practice philosophy, why he believes "you're only as ethical as you can afford to be," and what it really takes to build 30-year patient relationships in an era of corporate consolidation.

But perhaps most powerful is his cancer journey: diagnosed at 67 while in the prime of his practice, facing refractory stage four B-cell lymphoma, and ultimately experiencing what he calls "a story too good to be true" through CAR-T immunotherapy. His reflection on looking back without regrets—"I don't regret the things I did, I regret the things I didn't do"—offers profound wisdom for practitioners at every career stage.

This episode is essential listening for any dental professional wrestling with authentic practice in today's commoditized healthcare landscape, seeking to understand how to maintain integrity when business pressures mount, or simply wanting to hear what sustainable success looks like over a four-decade career.

Subscribe to the podcast on APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authentic-dentist/id1487586274

Or SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qapfaNRkcIlCjgIsftb60?si=d02c74cf4f924897

In this groundbreaking first in-studio episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas sit down with Adrian Lefler, founder of My Social Practice, to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping dental marketing and practice management.

Adrian's journey into dentistry began unconventionally—emerging from bankruptcy in 2009, he discovered how to get businesses on the front page of Google and partnered with a colleague who had access to 3,500 dental practice contacts. What started as survival became a 15-year deep dive into understanding the unique challenges dentists face in marketing their practices.

The conversation reveals why dentists make ideal clients: they're intelligent, ethical, pay their bills on time, and navigate extraordinary complexity managing both clinical excellence and business operations. Yet this same complexity creates vulnerability to marketing companies that don't understand the nuances of local, relationship-based dental practices versus national brand strategies.

Adrian delivers immediately actionable insights, emphasizing that Google Reviews remain the most critical marketing investment. With three out of four potential patients checking reviews before making decisions, a robust Google Review profile becomes the filtering system for all other marketing efforts—making or breaking even six-figure advertising campaigns.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn into AI's disruption of traditional search engine optimization. As Google integrates AI overviews at the top of search results, conventional advertising models are collapsing. Ad costs have doubled or tripled as fewer people scroll past AI-generated answers to click on paid advertisements. Adrian explains how AI doesn't just match keywords—it analyzes context, sentiment, and nuance in longer conversational search queries, fundamentally changing how dental practices must approach content creation.

Perhaps most provocative is the revelation about practice management system data ownership. While doctors legally own their patient data, PMS companies charge multiple third-party vendors for API access to that same information—costs ultimately passed to dentists. Adrian proposes a revolutionary solution: an open-source PMS where dentists receive payment when vendors access their data, potentially reducing costs by hundreds of dollars monthly while maintaining superior functionality.

The conversation doesn't shy away from emerging challenges: cloud-based systems that hold data hostage when contracts end, the rapid proliferation of AI products promising to revolutionize everything from scheduling to note-taking, and the consolidation wave that will inevitably follow as successful solutions absorb competitors.

Adrian's vision for dentistry's future includes AI receptionists that never tire, conversational interfaces replacing traditional search, and the potential for collaborative dental centers—hospital-like facilities where practitioners share expensive technology like CBCT machines, CEREC equipment, and specialists under one roof, dramatically reducing individual overhead while elevating care quality.

This episode challenges dentists to think differently about marketing, data ownership, and practice structure. It's a masterclass in understanding not just what's changing, but why it matters and how to position yourself for success in an AI-transformed landscape.

Subscribe to the podcast on APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authentic-dentist/id1487586274

Or SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qapfaNRkcIlCjgIsftb60?si=d02c74cf4f924897

🎯 Why discounting your dental services is actually stealing from your team—and the data-driven framework that transforms how you price with confidence and integrity.

Ever feel like insurance companies control your fees? Struggle with pricing because you want to be "accessible"? Dr. Allison House reveals the uncomfortable truth: when you discount out of sympathy, you're not just reducing your income—you're giving away your team's raises. In this game-changing conversation, discover the Pankey Institute framework that helped Dr. House build a sustainable dental practice based on real data, not fear or false humility.

Learn why a $150 bleach treatment that "saves money" leads to patient complaints, while the same treatment at $600 (in a Tiffany box) creates raving fans. Explore the dangerous trap of overpricing before you have the skills to deliver—and how to align your fees with your current expertise. Most importantly, understand how authentic dental practice pricing isn't about maximizing profit; it's about creating a sustainable model that honors your team, serves patients with integrity, and prevents the burnout that plagues our profession.

Whether you're building an authentic dental practice from scratch, transitioning to fee-for-service, or simply questioning if your current pricing model serves you and your values, this episode provides the framework for making ethical, data-driven decisions that support dental practice profitability ethics without compromising your integrity.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- Calculate your true hourly rate: Divide total annual collections by hours worked, then factor in ALL expenses plus appropriate owner compensation—not just what's "left over" [03:18]

- The psychology of value: Underpriced services signal low value; patients won't commit to or complete treatment they don't perceive as valuable [13:00]

- Discounting steals raises: Every sympathy discount takes money from your team's bonuses and competitive salaries—budget charity care instead [11:21]

- The overpricing trap: Charging premium fees before developing premium skills attracts demanding clients and creates stress for everyone [21:37]

- Know your hygiene economics: If you're collecting less per hour than you're paying out, that insurance relationship needs to end [24:42]

👨‍⚕️ ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Allison House is a practicing dentist with over 24 years of experience, ethical leader, and advocate for authentic dental practice. She brings clinical expertise, organizational leadership experience from dental associations, and deep understanding of day-to-day practice realities.

Shawn Zajas is a dental marketing expert and authentic brilliance strategist with entrepreneurial insight into building distinguishing brands. He connects dental practice challenges to broader life principles with creative thinking that makes complex concepts accessible.

💬 What's your biggest struggle with pricing your services? Share in the comments—we read every one and often feature your questions in future episodes!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations that bridge clinical excellence with personal fulfillment in dentistry. Join the movement toward authentic leadership and sustainable success!

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#AuthenticDentist #DentalLeadership #DentalPracticeManagement #DentalPricing #EthicalPractice #SustainableDentistry #DentalBurnoutPrevention #PracticeOwnership #DentalCoaching #AuthenticLeadership #DentalProfitability #TeamCulture #FindingFulfillment #DentalSuccess #ValuesBasedPractice

What story are you writing that you'll be proud to tell your grandkids? In this milestone 100th episode, discover the decision-making framework that transforms how you approach every choice in your dental practice and life.

After six years and 100 episodes, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas step back from clinical techniques to explore something more profound: the legacy we're creating through the courage we demonstrate and the authenticity we express. What begins as a conversation about preserving loved ones' voices on old cassettes evolves into a revolutionary framework for decision-making that cuts through fear, overthinking, and playing small.

The core insight? Live your life in a way that you're actually proud to tell your grandkids. This simple question becomes a powerful filter for choices both personal and professional in dental practice. Should you speak up about that ethical concern? Pursue that innovative treatment approach? Redesign your practice to align with your values? Ask yourself: What story am I creating?

Dr. House shares the profound experience of hearing her late father's voice on coaching videos from the 1990s—a reminder that the wisdom and authenticity we express today become the inheritance we leave tomorrow. This vulnerable moment opens a broader conversation about how dental professionals can ensure their legacy extends beyond clinical excellence to encompass the whole person they've become.

The episode tackles a powerful truth revealed by someone facing mortality: "I didn't regret anything that I did. I regretted things that I didn't do." This becomes a clarion call for dental professionals to step off the sideline, share their message imperfectly, and live authentically even when outcomes are uncertain. Whether you're experiencing dental burnout, questioning your path, or simply wondering if there's more to practice than production numbers, this conversation offers clarity through the legacy lens.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The "Grandkids Framework" for decision-making: Before major choices, ask "How will I explain this to my grandchildren?" - transforms ethical dilemmas, career pivots, and practice decisions [6:33]

• We don't regret what we tried and failed at; we regret dreams never pursued - reframes risk-taking in dental practice and authentic leadership [8:37]

• "Cheap lessons vs. expensive lessons": Learning to pivot, persist, and stay authentic costs less early in your career than building a practice you'll need to redesign later [13:36]

• The compound effect of showing up: Six years and 100 episodes later, meaningful impact exists simply because they made the decision to begin imperfectly [16:47]

• Your patients are full of wisdom and stories - creating space for authentic connection transforms practice dynamics and professional fulfillment [0:41]

👨‍⚕️ ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Allison House is a practicing dentist with over 24 years of experience, organizational leadership in dental associations, and a commitment to ethical practice and patient-centered care. She brings pragmatic wisdom on building sustainable practice models that honor practitioners' values.

Shawn Zajas is a dental marketing expert and authentic brilliance strategist who helps dental professionals discover their unique voice and build brands aligned with their authentic self. He brings entrepreneurial insight and strategic business perspective focused on transformation before transaction.

💬 What story are you currently writing through your dental practice? What would you want your grandchildren to know about how you showed up professionally? Share in the comments - your insight might inspire another practitioner to step into their authentic brilliance.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations bridging clinical excellence with authentic leadership, ethical practice, and personal fulfillment in dentistry!

🎧 Listen on all podcast...

Discover dentistry's best-kept secret: how 16 dentists created an unbreakable safety net that protects practices during crises—completely free.

What happens when a dentist gets cancer mid-veneer case with six weeks of patients scheduled? Dr. Allison House reveals how her dental disability group mobilized 15 colleagues to cover the practice for two months, each sacrificing one day monthly with zero compensation. This isn't theory—it's authentic community in action.

After 18 years in this remarkable system, Dr. House shares the practical realities of creating genuine professional support networks. From navigating different clinical specialties to managing practice operations during coverage, this conversation challenges the isolated, competitive mindset plaguing modern dentistry. Instead, it offers a proven model for sustainable practice protection built on authentic relationships rather than legal contracts.

This episode exposes how good faith agreements between caring professionals create more security than traditional insurance models. Dr. House demonstrates that when dentists genuinely care about each other as a community, extraordinary support becomes possible—even when it costs time and money.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• How 16 dentists protect each other's practices using only good faith agreements (no legal contracts required)

• The real-world logistics of covering a colleague's practice during cancer treatment—including specialty procedures and practice management

• Why compensation-free coverage actually works better than business transactions for building authentic professional community

• Practical steps for starting your own disability group, including minimum member requirements and governing document essentials

• How this model provides deeper security than traditional disability insurance by ensuring patient continuity and practice preservation

Key discussion at 7:10 about non-solicitation agreements, breakthrough insight at 14:25 about good faith vs. legal protection

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Allison House brings 24+ years of clinical experience and ethical leadership, having served in dental association leadership while maintaining a thriving private practice focused on authentic patient relationships.

Shawn Zajas combines dental marketing expertise with authentic brilliance strategy, helping dental professionals align their practices with their values for sustainable success.

What would change in your practice if you knew 15 colleagues genuinely had your back during any crisis?

Subscribe for weekly conversations that bridge clinical excellence with authentic leadership in dentistry!

Listen on all platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

#AuthenticDentist #DentalLeadership #DisabilityGroup #DentalCommunity #PracticeManagement #SustainableDentistry #AuthenticLeadership #DentalSupport #ProfessionalNetwork #EthicalPractice #DentalSafety #CommunityBuilding #DentalProfessionals

🎯 Why every dentist feels like a fraud despite years of education - and the authentic path forward that changes everything.

If you've ever felt like an imposter despite your dental degree and clinical expertise, this vulnerable conversation will transform how you see yourself and your practice. Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas tackle dentistry's most pervasive yet unspoken challenge: imposter syndrome that's crushing practitioners at every career stage.

This episode reveals why the "perfect dentist" model from the 1980s creates impossible expectations in today's complex landscape. With $700,000 student debt loads, exponential technology changes, and patients expecting perfection, modern dentists face pressures their predecessors never imagined. Dr. House courageously shares her own struggles with perfectionism and the myth that dentists must "know everything" to be credible.

Discover why authentic leadership in dentistry isn't about having all the answers - it's about embracing vulnerability while maintaining excellence. This conversation bridges clinical expertise with emotional intelligence, offering a sustainable path to dental practice authenticity that honors both your values and your patients' needs.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The "do good dentistry and you'll be successful" formula died decades ago - patients can't judge clinical quality (15:10)

• Modern dental graduates face $600,000-700,000 debt while society expects instant wealth - a setup for imposter syndrome (13:35)

• Authentic dental practice means choosing your niche instead of trying to serve everyone - like Netflix's targeted approach (27:50)

• Connection cures burnout more than efficiency - spending 5 minutes talking with patients while they get numb transforms both experiences (35:40)

• Perfectionism creates imposter feelings even for experienced practitioners - vulnerability and continuous learning are the antidotes (32:45)

👨‍⚕️ ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Allison House brings 24+ years of clinical experience and ethical leadership, serving as organizational leader in dental associations while building a values-driven practice. Her vulnerable insights help practitioners navigate professional challenges with authenticity.

Shawn Zajas combines dental marketing expertise with authentic brilliance strategy, helping practitioners align their unique gifts with sustainable business success. His perspective bridges entrepreneurial insight with heart-centered leadership.

💬 What's one area where you've felt like an imposter in your dental career, and how did you overcome it? Share your story below - your experience might help another practitioner!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations that bridge clinical excellence with authentic leadership in dentistry!

🎧 Listen on all platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

#AuthenticDentist #DentalLeadership #ImposterSyndrome #DentalBurnout #AuthenticPractice #DentalProfessionals #ProfessionalGrowth #DentalCommunity #PracticeManagement #DentalMentorship #SustainableSuccess #EthicalDentistry #DentalWellbeing #ProfessionalDevelopment

In this transformative episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast, Dr. Allison House sits down with Dr. Lauren Yasuda Rainey, a dentist who courageously stepped away from the traditional "successful" practice model to discover what authentic fulfillment actually looks like.

Dr. Rainey shares her vulnerable journey from having what appeared to be the perfect practice—fee-for-service in Berkeley, California, with intelligent, engaged patients—to the devastating realization that she had created an "expensive hobby" with a $275,534 annual write-off. This wake-up call forced her to confront the gap between external success and internal fulfillment, a theme that resonates deeply with The Authentic Dentist's mission of bridging clinical excellence with personal authenticity.

Through candid conversation, Lauren reveals how working with an executive coach helped her shift from being just a provider to becoming a whole person—partner, parent, and individual. Her transformation led her to sell her practice and create a 50/50 split between clinical work and teaching composites, allowing her to be present for her children's lives while building a career that energizes rather than depletes her.

This episode challenges the conventional definition of dental success and offers hope for practitioners feeling trapped in the "golden handcuffs" of ownership. Lauren's story demonstrates that authentic leadership sometimes means having the courage to step off the hamster wheel and create your own path—one that honors both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.