Dr. Eric Recker is a dentist, husband, father, keynote speaker, Elite Success Coach, author, pilot, mountain climber, and recovering triathlete.
For most of his dental career, he was convinced that the burnout he was feeling was just what happens to dentists and business owners and it led him to nearly sell his practice and walk away from dentistry.
In his second half of life, he is committed to helping people shorten the distance to becoming their best version and learning to #WINtheNOW through one-on-one and group coaching.
Would It Even Matter If I Wasn’t Here?
By: Eric Recker I froze. Where were those thoughts coming from and why were they in MY…
The Most _____ Time of the Year
By: Dr. Eric Recker Christmas is over. New Year’s is over. We have officially settled into the…
How Many Days Have You Missed?
By: Dr. Eric Recker This past weekend, I got sick. I will spare you the details, but let’s…
How To Win at Work & at Home
By: Dr. Eric Recker Check out this scenario. You have had a day. Again. They seem to…
This Is Just How It Is, Right?
By: Dr. Eric Recker I remember so vividly being in the throes of burnout. My life had…
The Dreaded Transfer Request (Part 2)
By: Dr. Eric Recker Your front desk sends a message to you in your treatment room. They…
The Dreaded Transfer Request (Part 1)
By: Dr. Eric Recker It’s a normal Tuesday, or as normal as they get in our world….
You Can Have This But You Can’t Have That
By: Dr. Eric Recker Don’t take me back too far! I need that neck pillow. That’s too…
We Can All Wear A Cape!
By: Dr. Eric Recker Monday morning 8 AM. First patient of the week. Maybe our mind is…
Learning to Talk Teeth: Why Communication is Your Most Important Skill in Dentistry
By: Michael Eid Dental school will teach you how to perform basic dentistry—but one thing that often gets overlooked is how to communicate with patients. The truth is, patients don’t just buy treatment; they buy trust. The way you talk to them will make or break whether they accept your recommendations. Listen First Most patients…
Chairside Air Abrasion: A Game-Changer in Modern Adhesive Dentistry
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The need for precise, clean tooth preparation methods has increased, especially in adhesive dentistry. One tool that has risen in popularity is chairside air abrasion. Once dismissed due to logistical headaches, this technique…
The Most Important Thing to Become Financially Independent
By: Dr. James Pitts Have you ever wondered what is the most important item in becoming financially independent in Dentistry? Certainly, there are many factors. High-Producing Practice? Some Dentists would think having a high-producing practice is the key. While producing a lot of revenue makes it easier to become wealthy, it is not the most…
Creating Success-Oriented Patient Relationships in Dentistry
By: Paul A. Henny, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Henny granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The word “prescriptive” recently got stuck in my head. It made me think about the important distinction between a relationship that’s primarily focused on “giving directions or injunctions” versus mutually goal-oriented and collaborative. It’s…
Management of Congenitally Missing Teeth in Ectodermal Dysplasia
By: Daren Becker, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Becker granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Case Presentation A 16-year-old girl presented with the worst case of ectodermal dysplasia I had ever seen. She was missing all of her lower teeth except for her 12-year molars. She presented with a lower…
Don’t Guess Your Way Through Credentialing — Maximize ROI from Day One
By: Angela Holland Stepping into your first dental practice is like jumping into the deep end — exciting, but full of unknowns. You’re a clinician, not an insurance guru, and that’s okay. You don’t know what you don’t know, especially when it comes to strategic credentialing. But here’s the truth: a sloppy approach to insurance…
Lessons Learned From Listening to Different Preceptors as a D4
By: Michael Eid One of the hardest parts of dental school isn’t the hand skills or the exams — it’s treatment planning. One thing I’ve learned is that every preceptor has their own philosophy. At first, you want to take every word as gospel. But the deeper you get into clinic, the more you realize:…
Mentoring the Next Generation of Dentists: Your Legacy Matters
By: Edwin A. McDonald, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. McDonald granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. After over 40 years of offering relationship-based dentistry, I’ve learned that while the clinical aspects of dentistry continue to evolve, the core human needs remain the same. Patients still want to be heard, understood,…
Removing Saliva Contamination Effectively from Indirect Restorations
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of the most common and frustrating challenges with indirect restorations is achieving a strong bond after intraoral try-ins. Saliva contamination during this step is nearly unavoidable, yet even a small amount can…
Equal Pay vs. Fair Pay: What’s Best for Your Practice?
By: Garrett Wilson Compensation is one of the toughest decisions dental offices face. Limited access to reliable data, a lack of clear best practices, and the absence of a consistent structure can make it overwhelming. But one choice every practice must make is whether to follow an equal pay or a fair pay philosophy. Equal…