Bulletproof Dental Practice

Recent Episodes

1. Associate to Owner: Burn the Boats

   Sep 10, 2026

   A 2020 dental school graduate and Navy veteran who is three months from opening a $2.9M startup dental practice with seven operatories (expanding to 14) in a building he purchased seeks advice on two critical questions: when to give notice at his associate position and whether everything will be okay. Peter and Craig address his $20K monthly debt burden, the psychology of ownership, tax advantages of real estate ownership and cost segregation, and advise him to "burn the boats" by setting a firm date to leave his associate role rather than letting it become a safety net.

2. The 5-Point Fix for Unscheduled Treatment

   Sep 3, 2026

   Peter and Craig discuss the systemic problem of unscheduled diagnosed dental treatment, with more than half of proposed treatment walking out unenrolled. The episode provides a 5-point tactical framework to improve case acceptance: establishing follow-up protocols, reducing friction through pricing and anxiety management, owning the money conversation as the clinician, leveraging personal outreach (texts and 30-second videos) over generic campaigns, and presenting treatment with bedside manner, patient benefit, and urgency. The through-line emphasizes that personal relationships and authentic care from the dentist beat automation and generic reactivation campaigns.

3. Zombie DSOs and the Fear Merchants

   Aug 27, 2026

   Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh discuss the influx of external marketers and consultants targeting dentists, including figures like Alex Hormozi and Grant Cardone, and expose predatory sales tactics that prey on dental professionals' fear and isolation. They unpack the rise of "zombie DSOs"—50 to 60 private equity-backed groups unable to service debt or improve acquired practices—and analyze how the market correction signals a return to independent dental ownership. The hosts explore how AI is democratizing competition and leveling the playing field for solo practitioners, while emphasizing that dentists must make decisions from strength, not fear.

4. Bulletproof Summit: "The Best One Yet"

   Aug 21, 2026

   Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh recap the sold-out Bulletproof Summit 2026 held at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, discussing the world's first all-dental AI summit, keynote speaker Brian Harris's inspiring talk on compassionate dentistry, and an unplanned fireside chat with Dr. Richard Low that moved attendees to tears. The hosts highlight the event's unique 50/50 doctor-to-team split, vetted sponsor partnerships, and the transformative impact on attendees from across the globe, while announcing Bulletproof Summit 2027 in Orlando on August 19-21 with 120 tickets already sold and a 35-office waiting list.

5. If You're the Smartest in the Room, Leave

   Aug 5, 2026

   Peter and Craig discuss the power of proximity and peer groups in accelerating dental practice growth. Recorded during the sold-out Bulletproof Summit week, they explore why dentistry uniquely attacks its own success, the dangers of invisible currents that normalize misery, and how leaders in peer groups like YPO and mastermind communities grow 2–4× faster than comparable companies. They cover selecting the right peer ecosystem, taking advice only from people living the life you want, and leveraging patient relationships to build your inner circle.

6. Leaving the Chair Without Quitting

   Aug 3, 2026

   Dr. Todd Christensen, a 45-year-old dental practice owner from Minnesota with 20 operatories across two locations, calls in to discuss his struggle with transitioning out of clinical dentistry into an executive role. Peter and Craig challenge his framing of the problem, suggesting he may be conflating burnout with a need to leave dentistry entirely, and offer practical strategies for gradually reducing clinical duties, transferring patient relationships to associates, and discovering what he actually wants for the next chapter of his life.

7. Hotline Calls: When Is the Right Time to Sell?

   Jul 31, 2026

   This hotline episode features two callers: Dr. Cary Brown provides a 5-month follow-up on his My Story journey, reporting doubled Google reviews (14 to 27), consistent $75k monthly revenue, and a C-grade self-assessment on marketing efforts despite strong pre-appointment gains. A second caller, a 5-practice owner in Dallas, asks about optimal exit timing and DSO multiples, prompting Peter and Craig to deconstruct DSO valuation myths, earnout structures, and advocate for owning practices indefinitely if cash flow and lifestyle are strong—emphasizing honest math over headline multiples.

8. You Don't Have to Do This Alone [Special Episode]

   Jul 24, 2026

   This special episode features pre-recorded testimonials from five Bulletproof Dental Practice mastermind members sharing their transformational experiences. Members discuss how joining the community helped them shift from survival-mode practice ownership to building fulfilling businesses aligned with their personal values, covering themes of leadership development, delegation, community support, and achieving both financial success and life fulfillment. Peter and Craig respond emotionally to each story, reflecting on how their members did the actual work and highlighting the importance of finding authentic community in dental practice ownership.

9. Cialdini's 7 Principles, Ranked for Dentists

   Jun 30, 2026

   Dr. Christopher Phelps, a Cialdini-certified persuasion expert and dental practice owner, discusses how Robert Cialdini's seven principles of persuasion apply to dentistry. Phelps shares his journey from struggling practices during the 2008 financial crisis to building thriving multi-office dental operations by applying behavioral science principles to patient case acceptance, team management, and practice leadership. The episode covers Cialdini's principles (reciprocity, liking, unity, authority, social proof, scarcity, and commitment/consistency) and ranks their applicability in dental practice.

10. Hotline Call: The Hygienist Shortage Is Real

    Jun 25, 2026

    A new dental practice owner in a rural area calls the Bulletproof Dental Practice hotline to discuss an acute hygienist shortage. With one hygienist on maternity leave returning only part-time and no available candidates in the region, Jesse seeks solutions. Hosts Peter and Craig discuss the national hygienist shortage data, share their own staffing challenges, and provide actionable strategies including creative video recruitment, referral bonuses, social media outreach, and total compensation transparency.