Is it better to buy an existing dental practice or build one from scratch? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr Matt Vogt interviews TLP coaching client and startup owner Dr Dawson Urrutia, who shares his powerful journey of launching and growing a dental office from the ground up.
If you’re a dentist exploring whether to pursue a startup vs acquisition, this conversation offers real world insight into what it takes to open a dental practice successfully. Dr Urrutia reveals how he overcame fear, figured things out in real time, and grew his practice in a small town while serving a wide range of patients while offering most procedures in house.
You’ll also hear the hard leadership lessons Dawson learned while building a team, managing staff dynamics, and learning to lead authentically. This episode is packed with actionable advice on how to grow a dental office sustainably, lead your team with confidence, and create real momentum in your career.
Whether you’re looking to improve your dental practice marketing, expand your clinical procedures, or develop a stronger dentist leadership mindset, this story proves it’s possible to do dentistry your way and do it profitably.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What to consider when opening a dental practice from scratch
How to build a loyal team and lead with confidence
Why offering in house dental procedures accelerates patient growth
Common startup mistakes and how to avoid them
How Dawson used TLP coaching to stay accountable and grow faster
The mindset shifts needed to become a successful dental business owner
If you’re ready to create a practice that aligns with your values and lifestyle goals, this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration to move forward with confidence.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro from Dr Matt Vogt
00:16 Meet Dr Dawson Urrutia and his path to ownership
01:00 Dawson’s background and why he chose dentistry
03:45 Choosing a startup over acquisition
07:00 Launching in a small town and trusting his gut
10:16 Leadership challenges and early mistakes
12:30 Hiring, firing, and learning how to manage a team
18:00 Building staff culture and communication systems
21:30 The unique challenges of leading a team as a new dentist
28:20 Navigating insurance, Medicaid, and community access
34:30 Why Dawson offers most dental services in house
40:00 Building clinical skills through CE and mentorship
44:00 Learning ownership through real world feedback
48:20 Mindset, discipline, and doing what you say you’ll do
52:00 Coaching, personal growth, and investing in yourself
57:00 Final reflections and advice for new owners
01:00:00 How to work with The Lifestyle Practice
Whether you’re struggling with unfilled appointments, want to improve treatment case acceptance, or are just tired of feeling reactive in your day, this episode gives you a proven path to maximize dental production without burning out.
If you’re serious about growing your dental practice and improving your lifestyle, hit the like button, subscribe, and reach out at 👉 https://www.thelifestylepractice.com to learn more about working with our coaching team of dentists.
Ready to take the next step. Start here: 📩 https://thelifestylepractice.com/contact
