Being self-employed in dentistry is about far more than filing invoices or setting your own hours. It means recognising that you are a business owner — a dentalpreneur, a manager, and a clinician. When you start thinking like the leader of your own enterprise rather than someone who simply works for a practice, everything changes: your mindset, your conversations, and your success.
In Oldtown, Dr Solomon notices three ways patients seek care: those who prevent, those who act early, and those who wait until crisis strikes. A conversation under the wisteria arch with his coach, Purple Jane, reveals a parallel among practice owners: the navigator, the fire watcher, and the storm chaser. This parable invites dentists to reflect on their own path and what they might choose next
Your BDS, your driving licence, even your associate contract are not guarantees. They are entrance tickets. Their value lies in how you use them.
As household budgets tighten, many patients are delaying elective care, challenging young clinicians who have never worked through a recession. By strengthening core clinical skills, building trust, and adapting how you communicate, you can support patients through difficult times and position yourself for future growth.
Many dental principals feel exhausted, financially stretched, and unsure how to lead their practice. If you are overwhelmed, struggling physically and emotionally, or watching your relationships suffer, you are not alone. There is a better way to lead, grow, and enjoy your practice again