About Me
I am Dr. Ryan Smith DDS, and I love the field of dentistry. I am here to empower others to achieve excellence and envision futures beyond their wildest dreams. I want to use my experience to help everyone be better dentists and provide clarity for them to help accomplish all of their goals. As we navigate this path together, I will share the valuable insights and lessons that I have accumulated and continue to learn. Join me in this adventure, where learning and growth go hand in hand.
My Journey in Dentistry
From the moment I was accepted into dental school, my fascination with the business of dentistry was ignited. As I jumped through the never ending hoops of dental school, I found myself equally as interested in the business as the clinical. During these busy years, I built a successful business specializing in LED loupe lights. This venture was more than a side hobby; it was a crucible where I forged skills that would become instrumental in my future.
Joining the Family Practice
Upon stepping into the professional arena, I joined my father’s dental practice. It was a well-established medicaid office. This setting swiftly brought to light a critical realization: a surplus of patients does not necessarily equate to business success, and merely providing high-quality dental care, though essential, is not the sole key to prosperity. Despite my father’s unwavering commitment to exceptional care, the practice faced financial challenges. This critical early experience was eye-opening, underscoring the importance of marrying clinical expertise with a smart business strategy.
Turning the Tide
I embarked on a journey not only to find a way to make a living but also to morph my father’s practice to a level more fitting to the quality of dental care he was providing. I acquired a smaller practice from a retiring dentist and, shortly after, merged it with my father’s. Even though it accounted for over 70% of the patient base, I made the decision to immediately discontinue all Medicaid services. Remarkably, this shift didn’t dent our productivity or revenue. From that point, the practice grew exponentially, now generating over seven times its original level of production. This success was a testament to the effectiveness of smart, incremental improvements. I look forward to sharing with you these same strategies that I have implemented across my other practices over the years.
A Serial Entrepreneur in Dentistry
Once I started buying and building practices, I found that I really liked the challenge. I began acquiring or starting at least one practice a year, with the peak being three in a single year. My entrepreneurial journey expanded to include building a centralized management office, a dental lab, handpiece repair business, dental assisting school and a dental supply company, complete with an amazing warehouse. As the ventures grew, I began selling some of these businesses and practices, strategically focusing on growth and consolidation where it made sense.
Diversification into Real Estate
Alongside my dental journey, I delved into a variety of real estate purchases, encompassing long-term rentals, short-term rentals, vacation properties, rural land development, medical buildings and property development. Real estate’s become more than just an investment; it’s a passion. I’m constantly learning new things and grabbing new opportunities in this field. It’s been an exciting ride, and I’m keen to see where it takes me next.
A Humble Sharing of Experience
Please don’t take any of this as boasting. Honestly, if you saw the full spectrum of complexities and challenges that come with this journey, you might not envy it in the slightest. My intention in sharing this is to offer a window into the wide array of activities that I am excited and passionate about. It’s been a wild ride, for sure, but along the way, I’ve gathered a wealth of experience that I’m eager to share with you.
My Mission
Through this journey, I’ve discovered a real passion for delving into and discussing the business aspects of dentistry. It all started with helping my family’s practice, where I focused on enhancing its business operations. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how a well-run business can profoundly impact a family’s life. Seeing the opportunities, fulfillment, and improved quality of life that a successful dental practice brought to my father and our family has been truly rewarding.
This transformation isn’t just limited to my family. Working with numerous other dentists, I’ve seen similar positive changes in their lives too. It’s incredibly exciting for me to think about the potential impact I can have. Helping more people in the dental profession to shift the trajectory of their future, to achieve a level of success they never thought possible, is something that really drives me.
Everyone can be successful in dentistry. You don’t have to have some amazing turn around story. Even if you can improve 10%, that can be enough to change your life.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re a budding dental entrepreneur, a seasoned practitioner looking to expand, or someone curious about the intersections of dentistry, business, and real estate, I’m here to help. Let’s embark on this journey of growth and success together.
