David Rice

David Rice

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.

busy does not equal profit

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 –…

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5 Mistakes Dentists Make When Starting a Practice

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…

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why most dental practice goals fail by February and how to prevent it

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…

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What Your Team Says in the First 30 Seconds Determines Everything

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…

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Keeping Gingival Crevice Healthy

Keeping Gingival Crevice Healthy

By: Pankey GramTopic Originally appeared on PankeyGram.org Gingival crevice is the space between the marginal gingiva and…

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from clinician to CEO

From Clinician to CEO: Part 3

Financial Control: Profit With Purpose By: Dr. David Rice Most dentists don’t hate numbers … they just hate…

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a-dec flush dock

When Time Is Tight: Fast, Smarter Waterline Safety

By: A-dec A complementary solution best paired with an A-dec 500 Pro or 300 Pro system, A-dec®…

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from clinician to CEO

From Clinician To CEO: Part 2

Part 2. Systems Control – Turning Chaos Into Consistency By: Dr. David Rice When a dentist shares…

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a-dec

6 Valuable Lessons Your DSO Can Learn from Dental Schools

By: A-decThis topic originally appeared on A-dec.com. They granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers….

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from clinician to CEO

From Clinician to CEO: Part 1

Part 1. Clinical Control: Leading People to Clinical Excellence By: Dr. David Rice Do you want to…

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How Young Dentists Can Succeed with Debt

By Dr. James Pitts | January 26, 2026

By: Dr. James Pitts As a former practicing General Dentist, I understand the challenges all Dentists face concerning debt. Over the last 10 years, the student loan debt problem has reached crisis levels. The cost of dental education has risen faster than inflation, leaving most young Dentists with student loan debt of $400,000 or more….

The Importance of Caries Risk Assessment and Management

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | January 26, 2026

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis article originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. For most of us, caries risk assessment feels second nature; we’ve been trained to do it from the start. Diagnosing caries and periodontal disease are among the first skills we develop in dental school. Early…

Top 5 Mistakes Dentists Make When Starting a Practice & How to Avoid Them

By David Rice | January 26, 2026

By: Dr. David Rice There is no moment more exciting, or more overwhelming, than building your dream dental practice from the ground up. But with no patient base, no production history, and endless decisions to make, a start-up can either launch your self-determined future or trap you in stress, debt, and discouragement. We coach fearless, trailblazing…

The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel When They’re Not Working

By Sable Muntean | January 19, 2026

Why Stepping Away From Dentistry Can Feel So Uncomfortable By: Dr. Sable Muntean For many dental professionals, time away from the office doesn’t feel restful—it feels wrong. Even on days off, vacations, or quiet evenings at home, there’s often a low hum of guilt in the background: This isn’t laziness. This isn’t poor time management….

Why Reviewing Your Financial Plan Matters More Than You Think

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | January 19, 2026

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, “the average person spends about 40 hours planning a week-long vacation, yet less than an hour a year on their finances.” With that in mind, we know many financial advisors are currently generating comprehensive financial plan documents representing the year ending 2025….

Saliva-Based Diagnostics for Preventive and Holistic Oral Care

By Dr. Kelley Brummett, DMD | January 19, 2026

By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Addressing Oral Inflammation with Saliva Testing In the pursuit of providing exceptional dental care, focusing on holistic oral health is essential. Addressing inflammation and limiting the risk of infection in patients is not just about…

Are You Unknowingly Rewarding the Wrong Thing?

By Candy Velez - CRDH, BSDH | January 19, 2026

The Hidden Messages Behind Our Praise (a Reflection for Dental Leaders) By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach As a leader or manager of a dental practice, have you ever considered how your words of praise are actually received by your team? As a hygienist — and as a coach who focuses on…

Holiday Recovery for Dentists: How to Reset After an Emotionally Draining Year

By Sable Muntean | January 12, 2026

By: Dr. Sable Muntean The holidays are often portrayed as a time of rest and renewal. For many dentists, however, the reality looks very different. December tends to bring packed schedules, end-of-year insurance pressure, emotionally charged patient interactions, staffing challenges, and the unspoken expectation to finish strong, regardless of the personal cost. As January begins,…

Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fail by February & How to Prevent It

By David Rice | January 12, 2026

By: Dr. David Rice, Founder & CEO IGNITEDDS Every January – dental practices around the globe set goals with the best of intentions. We strive to … And yet by February – just like the gym promise so many make –  most of those goals quietly fade into the background – replaced by overwhelming schedules…

Quick Relief: Minimizing Patients’ Discomfort in Aligner Therapy

By Dr. Kelley Brummett, DMD | January 12, 2026

By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As dental professionals, we often see patients experiencing muscle tension or jaw discomfort—sometimes even stemming from routine procedures like cleanings or treatments. For patients undergoing orthodontic therapy, this muscle tension can sometimes intensify, even though…