In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Brad Hughes, a third-generation dentist, entrepreneur, and mentor, to talk about what truly drives success in dentistry — leadership, empathy, and connection.

They dive into:

• Why empathy and soft skills matter more than technology


• How to lead your dental team with intention and culture


• Overcoming burnout, ego, and comparison


• Building resilience and confidence as a clinician and leader

If you’ve ever struggled with balancing patient care, leadership, and personal growth, this episode will reignite your “why.”

Connect with Brad Hughes:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bdhughesdds

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com

About Brad Hughes:

Dr. Brad Hughes is the Founder & CEO of Vision Dental Partners, a rapidly growing dental group with 9 locations across Indiana and South Carolina. Under his leadership, VDP was named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies and recognized by Group Dentistry Now as one of the “Emerging Groups to Watch” in 2025—cementing its place as a rising force in the dental industry.

A third-generation dentist, Dr. Hughes proudly follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. For over 18 years, he has blended clinical excellence with entrepreneurial grit. A graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry, he is deeply passionate about building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and helping others grow both personally and professionally.

Dr. Hughes’s entrepreneurial spirit and relentless drive continue to shape not only his expanding dental group, but also the broader conversation around what’s possible in dentistry when culture, leadership, and execution align.