Dawn has 30+ years of dental experience spanning all facets of dentistry including pediatric, cosmetic, complete health, and sleep.
During her career, Dawn enjoyed 25 years in practice management including marketing, team training, and consulting.
She joined IgniteDDS in June 2022 as Director of Operations.
Dawn enjoys working directly with teams and customers to create a win-win. She is passionate about creating systems and processes that allow teams to excel.
In her spare time, Dawn enjoys time with family, her two Goldendoodles, and traveling with her husband, Jon.
The one thing that dental team members want more than anything else
There is one thing that your team members want more than anything else in 2021. No, it’s not more money.
Using Science, Common Sense, and Communication to Bust Those Dental Myths
You know the funny thing about myths? Often, if you use your brain and think about them for a few minutes, you’ll figure out exactly why they’re called myths and not facts.
6 common dental myths that you need to know … and debunk
Let’s talk about some common dental myths that your patients might be hearing … and accepting.
How To Have “Courageous Conversations” in the Dental Practice
How can you have “courageous conversations” in the dental practice? Katherine Eitel-Belt talks you run through it.
The Importance of Honesty in the Midst of a Pandemic
Honesty is now more important than ever, because honesty can help your team prepare for a potential exposure to COVID-19.
10 simple things you can do to get through hard times
Life is a series of peaks and valleys. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. But it’s the difficult times where we need a little more support and guidance. Here are some tips that can help.
Why You Need to Hit the Reset Button Heading into 2021
Take a step back. Take a breath. 2020 has been a lot to take in, but now is the time to plan for what’s to come in 2021.
Preparing for the Waves to Come in 2021
None of us knew that 2020 would bring a pandemic into our industry and society. What will 2021 bring? None of us know for sure. However, we do know that you can learn from the past and prepare for the future using analysis and trends from a pair of experts who have been tracking what has been happening in the industry before, during, and after the COVID-19 disruption.
What Tax Challenges Await Dental Practices in 2021?
With a new year comes new tax codes and rules that you and your dental practice need to know.
When You Have Everything You Need in the Dental Practice … Except Patients
You have everything you need in your practice … except for patients. Now what? Dr. David Rice will discuss this and more in a riveting talk.
Preparing Your Patients for Removable Prosthodontics
By: Ronda Holman For many patients, transitioning to removable prosthodontics, whether partial dentures or full dentures, can feel intimidating. As dental professionals, one of our most valuable roles is helping patients understand what to expect and guiding them through the adjustment period with clear explanations and supportive coaching. When patients are properly prepared, their confidence…
Hope Isn’t on the Menu: Planning a Profitable Dental Year
By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS It’s almost the end of the first quarter of 2026. How’s “hope” working for you? At this point, you’ve either planned a successful year and had an amazing first few months, or you are winging it and hoping for the best each month. Think about…
Going From Conventional to Digital Denture Fabrication
By: Lee Culp, CDTThis article originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. igniteDDS was granted permission to share with our readers. For years, creating dentures was a time-consuming process, requiring multiple patient visits, manual wax-ups, and trial-and-error adjustments. However, the rise of digital dentistry has revolutionized denture fabrication. From AI-assisted design to dental 3D printing, digital workflows have…
6 Strategies to Lead an Old Team as a New Dentist
By: Dr. David Rice Imagine this … or maybe you don’t need to because you’re already living it … you’re a new dentist … passionate … skilled … and ready to crush it in practice. But the team that’s been there for 10… 15… 20 years … they know the patients … the systems (or…
Why Dental Photography Is Essential in Modern Dental Practice
By: James Wanamaker, DDS – IgniteDDS Clinical Coach In my private practice centered on esthetics and function, dentistry is never just about restoring teeth. It’s about restoring confidence, improving function, and creating harmony between the teeth, lips, and face. When you approach dentistry at that level, one tool that becomes absolutely indispensable is dental photography….
Stop Choosing Sides: The Secret Ingredient for Next-Gen Dentistry Is Fusion
By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach For a long time, dentistry has lived in two very different worlds. On one end, you have corporate dentistry — highly structured, efficient, protocol-driven, and focused on numbers. On the other end, you have private practice — often rooted in relationships, autonomy, and heart, but sometimes…
Advancing Implant Dentistry Through Digital Precision
By: Lee Culp, CDTThis article originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. igniteDDS was granted permission to share with our readers. The advancements in digital dentistry have redefined implantology, making it faster, more predictable, and highly precise. Traditional workflows relied heavily on physical impressions, wax-ups, and manual adjustments, often requiring multiple appointments and increasing the risk of inaccuracies….
Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up: Part 3
Building Financial Accountability Without MicromanagingDid you miss Part 2? Catch up on Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up, Part 2 By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS Here’s the balance every dentist wants: “I want accountability — not hovering.” Good systems do exactly that. 1. Ownership vs. Delegation You can delegate tasks….
The Tip Of The Iceberg
By: Eric Recker You get that call. Again. Lately, it feels like it’s every week. Your hygienist isn’t coming in because of a migraine, a sick kid, another illness, a family emergency, a last-minute appointment they forgot to tell you about, or some other vague reason. You look at your schedule and realize you have…
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 3
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel Toward Their Partners and Families By: Dr. Sable Muntean Guilt is a common, yet often unspoken, challenge for dental professionals. It creeps in when you miss family events, work long hours, or feel emotionally unavailable at home. Over time, this guilt can quietly affect your mental health and strain your…