Founder of the nation’s largest student and new-dentist community, igniteDDS, David R. Rice, DDS, travels the world speaking, writing, and connecting today’s top young dentists with tomorrow’s most successful dental practices. He is the editorial director of DentistryIQ and leads a team-centered restorative and implant practice in East Amherst, New York. With 27 years of practice in the books, Dr. Rice is trained at the Pankey Institute, the Dawson Academy, Spear Education, and most prolifically at the school of hard knocks.
Link AI for A-dec+™: A Smarter Way to Manage Your Future Dental Practice
By: A-dec® Thinking about your future practice? With all the decisions ahead, here’s an easy one. Your…
The Start-Up Ownership Illusion: Part 1
Start-Ups & Dentistry’s Manpower Crisis – Your First Hire Will Break Your Practice By: Dr. David Rice…
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…
Top 5 Mistakes New Dentists Make When Buying Their First Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice Buying your first dental practice is one of the most exciting — and…
Busy ≠ Profitable: The February Reality Check Every Practice Owner Needs
By: Dr. David Rice While January often feels like a fresh start – schedules filling fast –…
Top 5 Mistakes Dentists Make When Starting a Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice There is no moment more exciting, or more overwhelming, than building your dream dental…
Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fail by February & How to Prevent It
By: Dr. David Rice, Founder & CEO IGNITEDDS Every January – dental practices around the globe set…
What Your Team Says in the First 30 Seconds Determines Everything
By: Dr. David Rice Ask most doctors or office managers what their #1 goal is when the…
Keeping Gingival Crevice Healthy
By: Pankey GramTopic Originally appeared on PankeyGram.org Gingival crevice is the space between the marginal gingiva and…
From Clinician to CEO: Part 3
Financial Control: Profit With Purpose By: Dr. David Rice Most dentists don’t hate numbers … they just hate…
Increasing Case Acceptance Through Hygienist-Led Conversations
By: Clayton Davis, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Davis granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. What if your hygiene team could help patients commit to treatment—before you even walk into the room?15 years ago, while visiting New York City, I dropped by a high-performing dental practice I’d heard a lot…
Why Having an Insurance Expert on Speed Dial Is No Longer a Luxury… It’s a Necessity for 2026
By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com The dental insurance landscape is constantly changing: carrier consolidations, new shared agreements, and ever-shifting reimbursement models. Managing it all while running a practice is like trying to fix a car engine while driving down the highway. It’s no wonder more…
How To Win at Work & at Home
By: Dr. Eric Recker Check out this scenario. You have had a day. Again. They seem to be happening more frequently, and it is getting harder to keep them to yourself. You are starting to realize you are at least a little bit fried, and you aren’t quite sure what to do about it. You…
Guiding Patients with Empathy & Purpose: Your Blueprint for Leadership in Dentistry
By: Paul Henny, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Henny granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Effective leadership in dentistry isn’t just about clinical excellence—it’s also about empathy, adaptability, assertiveness, and clear communication. That’s a powerful (and sometimes challenging) combination. In the pressure of a busy practice, it’s easy to default…
Why Your First Block Will Fail & Why That’s OK!
By: Michael Eid Your first mandibular block probably won’t work — and that’s part of the process. Learning local anesthesia in the clinic is less about perfection and more about troubleshooting, patience, and confidence. Here’s what I learned when I first started anesthetizing. 1. Landmarks Are Everything Diagrams make it look easy. Real anatomy isn’t…
That’s Not My Job: Why Clear Delegation Matters in Dentistry
By: Ronda Holman You’ve probably heard the old story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. A job needed to be done. Everybody thought Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. It’s a cute parable — but in the dental office, it plays out with serious consequences….
Say It So They Get It: How to Talk Dentistry with Patients
By: Clayton Davis, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. David granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of our biggest challenges in dentistry isn’t just diagnosing and treating problems; it’s helping patients understand what’s happening in their mouths and why treatment matters, eventually getting to case acceptance. Clear dentist-patient communication increases…
High Returns, Low Cost: The Power of Internal Marketing in Dentistry
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS When it comes to growing a dental practice, many doctors jump straight to external marketing — ads, mailers, or social media campaigns. While these have value, the most cost-effective, high-return strategy often starts within your own practice. A structured internal marketing plan can increase…
Adapting to Change in Dentistry is the Key to Career Longevity
By: John Cranham, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. No matter how many years in practice, dentists never have everything figured out. The things that you are doing now are not going to be right forever. My Advice for Young Dentists My advice to…
The Smart Path to Clinical Competence for Young Dentists
By: John C. Cranham, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Every hour you invest in your practice is an investment in your future—so choose wisely how you spend it. Many young dentists begin their careers with enthusiasm but find themselves caught in a chaotic,…