Anne: Hello, everyone. It's Anne Duffy. And this is dental entrepreneur, the future of dentistry podcast. I am so glad you're here today. And I have a really great friend, always a special guest with me today. Dr. David Rice. Hi, David. How are you?
David: I'm great. And thank you so much for having me.
Anne: Thanks for being here. And before we get started, I'm going to read your bio.
You're so cool. I love knowing you've grown since I first met you, I think what, seven years ago.
David: I think so.
Anne: When you started Ignite DDS. So David Rice, DDS is on a mission to improve our profession by leading the next generation of dentists to grow successful lives and practices. The founder of Ignite DDS, Dr.
Rice speaks to over 35 dental schools and residency programs a year on practice building, team building and wealth building. Dr. Rice is a private practitioner, educator. Author and mentor who connects students, young dentists and professionals from diverse dental related businesses, fueling passion beyond the classroom.
David, it's a joy to have you here today.
David: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Anne: What brought us here today was when I found out this great news that you were writing a book. And title just came out, I think sometimes you have to sit with it a while, So you wrote this book, Is Everyone Smiling But You, what made you do that, and what inspired you to write it?
David: gosh, what inspired me to write it was I really, in my heart know we've all felt that way. And hopefully most of us have only felt it for moments at a time versus extended periods of time. But boy, I know there have been times where I've felt it. I'm maybe I'm in a treatment room with a patient and people are laughing in the next room or down the hall and I'm like, why am I suffering in this moment?
And it's not just in the dental practice or in dental school. It's life. So for me, it was really relatable. I wanted to build a playbook for young professionals to realize that it doesn't have to be that way and to give them structure and process and and it's a really personal read and a lot of stories of things of myself and others I know that have gone through that I think will really hit home for people and, help people take like big giant leaps ahead.
Anne: First of all, I can't wait to read it because I've known you for super long time and you're always so upbeat. And now I know you're just, positive by nature. You love people by nature. So to hear a story that you've been, not smiling, if you will, or a little bit down or a little bit burnt out, it would be really interesting.
To read about, and then to see how you pushed through, got out of it, and didn't stay there for long. I think that is the key. And I think sometimes you have to have been there, and people don't realize that David Rice has ever been there before.
David: It's funny, right? Because social media makes us all look really shiny and happy and all the greatest things. And you're right. I'm, genuinely a happy guy. But I will tell you, I've had way more knockdowns than I think most people could ever imagine. And we go through a lot of them. But it'll be really real for people, I think to see themself in the stories and then to have, A way out to something much better than maybe you've ever dreamt because I really feel we're in the greatest profession in the whole world and my dreams were way too small when I was a student in a young dad.
I had no idea what was possible, but now I do I really just want people to know how to dream bigger and then how to go get them because it's frustrating when you can't go get it.
Anne: Well, And also, I love the fact that you focus on the young dentists. Because, as you and I both know, there are so many dentists that have had this long career. And they look back and they're unfulfilled and it didn't really meet their expectations. that can be depressing in itself as you go into retirement.
So I love the idea. Young dentists. And also, you know, I coined that for you years ago. You haven't changed. You're the Pied Piper of young dentists. And when David Rice speaks. They listen. this is going to be a great handbook. I look at it more like a handbook we all like takeaways in dentistry, don't we?
I mean, we like the stories, but the idea that you're giving them a takeaway in all of these chapters. Is going to give them something to really hold on to in those tough times. And as you said, we all have them. do you think is the focus, the short list? Because this is, how many pages is the book, by the way?
David: Oh a legit 12 chapters, couple hundred pages read. Yeah.
Anne: Okay. Okay. So it's short list. What do you think would be a place for them to begin?
David: I would argue that so many people tell you to figure out your why, and I like that, but I'm going to say you need to know where and with who. More important than why you have to know where you're going, where you want to be before you can figure out why you want to get there and pathways to getting there really important.
So like this concept of vision people make way too difficult. It's like just figure out how to wake up and have your very best day right now. What's it look like? we give you a map of how to make that happen, and then you go from one day to two days, and that evolves over time, and how to build mentors and character like, culture is just such an overused word in every industry, so we want to level you up to a culture of character.
As a leader, to build a team of people around you who have that character and then really have the processes in place to take steps from where you are to where you want to go get the right mentors, a lot of noise out there. We both know that. So figuring out who the right circle of people are is so important to so many dentists wake up and they're 65.
They can't afford to retire. They're miserable because they hung around with miserable people who. Gave them every reason why it wouldn't work instead of the one why it just was gonna work.
Anne: Well, It sounds like it's almost reverse engineering. And I really like that because. So many people have a why and it, feels like a pipe dream after about a week, right? It's because they don't have the tools to even take the next step.
And so that's when people quit, that's when they aren't 65 and they're looking back. like that idea. Where are you going? And then. Not only that, David, but I mean, with Ignite DDS you've actually built a community. I want to touch on that. That is a community of people that are going to lift you up.
you've always lifted me up whenever I've had a conversation with you. And every article that you write for Dental Entrepreneur, The Future of Dentistry, is always so positive. Not only that, it's very real. It's totally real talk. I Sometimes I read them like, Oh my gosh, David, he really let it all out there.
It's truth. It's truth. And you always give some takeaways. is the first step on where you go and then community help you get the why, developed and to broaden it and be bigger than you thought possible to begin with?
David: that's a really important point is I think niche wins ultimately, but before you can niche down, because I think a lot of people understand that concept, you have to see every single thing that's possible. You have to know all of your opportunities. So you've got to be curious and adventurous.
And then you have to have some who's on your team who can help you go do research and figure out like all these things are possible. But which one is the right one for you? then we've got to help you stop chasing other people's where they want to go and chase your own because I meet so many dentists who this week they want to own five locations and next week they meet somebody and they own 50 and they want to own that then they meet the person who's got one phenomenal practice and they travel the world they want to be that person well you can't be them all so we have to help you figure out where you want to go and who you want to be.
First, that's the biggest piece and it's so easy to get stuck in this FOMO world and look at all the wonderful things that are happening, people's worlds. And I'm just here to tell you guys, it's all artificial, all of it. Including mine. When you look at my snapshot, you're like, Oh my God, that's the most amazing view out his living room window.
Yep. That's what 80 hours of work a week does for you, you don't get those things without working really hard. And so don't fool yourself. No, what it's about and how to get there.
Anne: yeah, and head down, right? Head down, and lock arms, That's the other thing. I think that key to who is, and you touched on this, who are you hanging out with, lot of people don't realize they have a choice of who they hang out with. But we
David: do. And sometimes where we have really well intentioned people around us I can't tell you how many people, including me, made epic mistakes as a young dentist, because my parents really super lovingly gave me advice. Which applied when they were my age, but no longer applied in that world. And if I gave you the advice that worked for me 29 years ago when I graduated, it would not work today.
I have to give you advice based on what's happening right now and what we see trending in dentistry happening next year and the next five years. So those who's aren't always bad people. Sometimes they're just doing the best they can with the limit amount of information that they have.
Anne: Also it's a generational thing, right? I mean, don't do that. You're going to hurt yourself. Be careful. You know, all of those things. I mean, come on, these young, dentists, the sky is the limit. and actually when you think about, if you asked a group of young dentists, what their whys are, they're probably going to be very similar, but where they want to go is going to be very different.
Because they're so young, first of all, I didn't even know I could think about a why until I was in my mid 40s. It didn't even occur to me that I had a choice,
you know, One foot in front of the other. And then thank God that the light bulb went on and that was being mentored and that was joining some a community.
That was about personal development and personal growth in dentistry. They don't have any time for that. You lean into that when I was looking at the model of your book and the summary on Amazon, by the way, which is going to be released on October 3rd, which is so exciting and. thought it was really about a lot about character, really is about life, David, and you know, that kind of comes first, and then the dentistry is the I guess it's the business, the money that follows to give you the life you really want, and I would say, Most dentists, unless they get into a deep, dark debt hole, best dentists the world care way more about their patients and the people and the services they offer than the money, and the money will follow. Would you agree?
David: Entirely agree. Entirely agree. And I think unfortunately, like a lot of young dentists today feel super pressured into pursuing a certain model because it's just all that's in front of them all the time. And that is an option that can be really successful, but there are multiple options that are really successful.
And the key is to find the one that works for you and not for somebody else.
Anne: Yeah, and then their heads been down. I mean, they've been studying They don't even know what's going on in the outside world. Most of them this has to be at every dental school if you're listening to me dental schools Get it out there because it could be a book club for all dental schools?
To come up with because I think it'll be better for our profession because you're going to have happy dentist. You're going to have people that are living great lives with character with integrity, honesty, all of those things that we hold dear. you know, and then. you think that people can have it all, David?
I don't know. I'm so positive. I don't understand why people can't have it all if they set their rules in their life in order, right?
David: absolutely. You can have it all. I think biggest things that stand in the way from us having it all. The first one is what we've been talking about. I don't know that most people know what it all is for them. It's this elusive thing that they see someplace and they just. Put it in their brain like, oh, that's having it all, but if you with like super crystal clarity and really specific, no, this is my version of success.
I'm going to determine my version. It looks just like this professional, personal, all the stuff. And then the next part of it really, it's just fear, which I get. I've been afraid plenty of times. I'm still afraid sometimes. I think the difference between maybe my afraid today and my afraid as a young dentist is I know that if I have a strong vision and if I have character and I have strategy, I can overcome my fear.
Whereas a dental student and a young dentist, I didn't really know that. It was maybe I can and maybe I can't, I just don't want people to waste five, 10 years of their darn life this is really sad. this is the real side of me. If you get to year five and you're not doing what you want, I'm sadly here to tell you, you're not going to do what you want probably for the next 20 years because you're just going to be in it.
You're going to be on that hamster wheel. Churning, buying a house, buying a car, buying stuff for kids. Every penny you make is going to go out the other door and you're not going to be able to have real change in your life. Those first five years, man, are so impactful.
Anne: If not now, when, it's never too early to start learning about, your future and what you can attain and also dreaming big, so often when you're really. You can't see the dream, the big dream that maybe the world has a waiting for you, and having them with the tools to achieve that, if not you, who, right?
I mean, that's what you have to look at yourself. If, not me who, who can do this? And it just means that you've got to keep that determination. And that's where the community comes involved to hold you up. And I think when you're in it for a long time, you realize that. Yeah. have little minor setbacks, but you know that you're going to get on the other side.
And you'll have another minor setback, but you're going to get on the other side. And that's what I think your book is going to help those realize not to give up. But there's seasoned dentists out there that are thinking, oh gosh, is this going to be for me? I've already been, I'm 25 years in.
If they're listening, how can they be helped? And how are they different?
David: Yeah, so here's what I would say, if you're living your life exactly the way you want to, you don't need to read this book. But if you're like most people and you're not thrilled on Sunday night for Monday. Every single week and you're not just whipped at the end of every day and you're not getting all the time off that you want and traveling and family, like whatever that is for you, then This book is a recipe in a playbook. It doesn't matter how old you are. we work with a lot of young people because we want to give them a head start. I think I'm probably a pretty good example because at age 45, I woke up and said, I love seeing patients, but I don't want to do this every day. So I made a major 180 career shift.
I still see patients still do all the clinical stuff but 90 percent of my life has nothing to do with that. So if you're not loving where you are. And you're 40 or 50 or 60, let's figure it out because it's not too late. You can always change.
Anne: that is so true. I, I think it's very, telling when I tell people that I didn't start due until I was 62. I was just mad enough to do it at that moment. And that is the right time to do it. So we have to know that the timing is right. When it happens, but you've got to do the work.
You've got to put the work and you've got to join the people. You've got to find the mentors. You've got to read the book. David, how do they get the book?
David: Just head on over to Amazon type in, is everyone smiling but you, the good news is, 600 people already found it and it hasn't even officially been up for sale yet. So that's really cool.
Anne: How about that?
David: Yeah. Really good stuff. Amazon makes it really easy for us to get all things. They come to my house way too often and I'm probably, they're coming to your house too often too.
Anne: Well, It makes it easy. I know I went and ordered. I can't wait to get it. I'm really looking forward to reading it. And then there's a kindle version and a, is paperback or hardback?
David: Paperback.
Anne: Okay, I like a PR because I like to turn it around and I love to carry it with me and it's very easy and I'm, I actually was on a trip and I was going to take a book that's hard copy.
I'm like, it's too heavy. I don't want to take it. So this is a book that you, as you said, it's a playbook, it's a handbook. So you're going to carry this around and I'm sure you can just open it up. And is it just for dentists or could it be for all dental professionals or for anybody?
David: honestly, I very strategically wrote it as a life success book. It's got zero to do with the profession of dentistry and everything to do with success. So whether you're a dentist, a physician, an accountant, a hygienist, an assistant, an engineer, it doesn't make a difference. The playbook is the playbook, the people, the process, the production that we need to get three controls.
It's the same in every walk of life, you mentioned it earlier, this is about like total life success. You make a million dollars a year and you're unhappy. That's not success to me. Maybe to you it is, if it is awesome, keep doing it. But know a lot of people make a lot of money and aren't happy.
And I know a lot of people who make a little bit of money and aren't happy. So we've got to figure out both sides of that coin.
Anne: Both sides of that and everybody is seeking fulfillment and happiness So I can't wait for everybody that's listening here to get that book and then to put a review in I mean you've got so many reviews already. It's like kudos to you. You know what you're doing You are the pied piper of young dennis and for old ladies like me.
So, I adore you and thank you so much for being on this podcast david If they also want to get in touch with ignite dds just go to the website ignite dds
David: Yeah, go to the website or if it's easier for you on social media, you can find us pretty much everywhere. So find us in whatever platform is simple for you. And sadly, these smartphone things are strapped to all of our hips. So DM, email, text, phone call, that all works.
Anne: there is a playbook for life.
It's right in front of you. All right. Thank you, David I'll see you the next time
David: All right. And thanks.
Anne: a great day. Have a great day. Everybody. Keep doing you See you next time
