Ever wondered if dental practice ownership is your path to success or a potential headache waiting to happen? Join Dr. David Keir and special guest Dr. Jesse Green from The Savvy Dentist Podcast as they dive deep into the realities of dental practice ownership.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• The essential mindset and personality traits needed for successful practice ownership





• How to determine if you’re building a lifestyle practice or scalable business





• The real-world challenges of balancing clinical excellence with business demands





• Practical strategies to avoid burnout while growing your practice





• Critical insights on managing risk and setting realistic expectations

This episode pulls back the curtain on what practice ownership truly entails – beyond the Instagram-perfect portrayal. Whether you’re a student contemplating your future or an associate considering the next step, this honest discussion provides the guidance you need to make an informed decision about your career path.

Ready to take control of your dental career? Subscribe to the Dental Head Start podcast and share this episode with a colleague who might benefit from these invaluable insights!

Key moments

00:00 – Introduction with Dr. Jesse Green

02:30 – The Journey to Practice Ownership

05:45 – Is Practice Ownership Right for You?

09:15 – Traits of Successful Practice Owners

13:30 – Finding Your Middle Ground

17:45 – Building a Job vs. Building a Business

23:10 – Expectations vs. Reality of Ownership

27:40 – The Perfectionist Dentist in Business

31:15 – Impact on Personal Life and Time Management

35:20 – Managing Your Time as a Practice Owner

39:45 – Avoiding Burnout in Practice Ownership

44:30 – Understanding and Managing Risk

48:20 – Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Thank you to our sponsors…

Dental Protection Limited

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Dental Protection have proudly been supporting the Dental Head Start podcast since day one! The Dental Protection team understands the ever-changing challenges faced by dental professionals and we take our responsibility to members seriously. Our professional protection package helps you practise with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we are always by your side if things go wrong. With over 40 years protecting Australian dental professionals, we have the global stability and financial resilience to be by you

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Dental Advice Network

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This episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast is proudly supported by Dental Advice Network.

Whether you’re one year out or forty, we all have clinical questions—and it’s OK not to have all the answers. That’s exactly why the Dental Advice Network exists. With leading experts like Dr Omar Ikram (Endodontist), Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen (Oral Medicine Specialist), Dr Steven Parker (Dental Sedationist), Dr Manu Ayer (Specialist Anaesthetist), Professor Ian Myers (Restorative expert), Dr Kar Mun Chan (Specialist Paediatric Dentist) and Associate Professor Geraldine Moses (Dental Therapeutics and Pharmacology expert), it’s your go-to place for clinical advice, case support, and evidence-based insights.

From medication queries to red flags in oral pathology—or even just a second opinion—Dental Advice Network connects you to trusted voices in dentistry and medicine, including an in-house medical doctor. You’ll also get access to clinical webinars, CPD content, and curated updates to stay ahead in your practice.

It’s peace of mind, peer support, and education—all in one place.

 And for Dental Head Start listeners, we’ve teamed up with Dental Advice Network to bring you an exclusive 10% discount when you subscribe. Just use the code HEADSTART10 at checkout. Plus—if you’re a first-year graduate, you already get a massive 50% off.

Check them out at dentaladvicenetwork.com.au, and thank you to Dental Advice Network for supporting the next generation of dental professionals and the Dental Head Start podcast.

The post Dental Business Head Start #1: The Hidden Realities of Running a Dental Business with Dr Jesse Green appeared first on Dental Head Start.