Grow Your Profit
Not Your Stress
Take control now and align your practice with your vision
to build a thriving future on your terms.
Which Path Are You On?
Overworked, overwhelmed, and dealing with too many insurance plans that pay too little? You're not alone. Many dentists feel stuck in a system that drains their time, energy, and passion. But there's a choice—you’re either on the red line or the green line.
- Red Line: Declining profitability, disorganized systems, and clinical overwhelm. Every week on this path pulls you further from the practice and life you dreamed of.
- Green Line: Financial control, efficient systems, and clinical clarity. This is the path that leads to growth, sustainability, and the freedom to focus on what matters most—your patients and your life.
With three key levers, you can move from burnout to breakthrough. It’s time to reclaim your time and energy - optimize your people, process, and production - build predictable, repeatable success
Financial Control
Focus on building systems
Focus on building systems that drive stability and consistency, creating a foundation for long-term success. By implementing streamlined processes and comprehensive care systems, your practice moves away from reactive decision-making to a proactive, strategic approach. This ensures predictable revenue streams, reduced financial stress, and a steady workflow. Comprehensive care not only enhances patient outcomes but also maximizes your production potential. When every team member understands and follows clear processes, your practice achieves financial stability, patient satisfaction, and sustainable growth.
Systems Control
Unlock your full potential
Unlock your full potential by transforming chaos into clarity. It’s not just about building processes—it’s about cultivating a culture that drives character and aligns everyone with a shared vision. Moving from "winging it" to implementing best practices empowers your team to deliver consistent, exceptional care. With the right systems in place, you create an environment where efficiency thrives, confidence soars, and both patients and team members experience the very best of your practice.
Clinical Control
Empower your dental team
Empower your dental team to move beyond routine care and embrace a comprehensive approach to treatment. It’s about elevating your practice from treating single teeth to transforming whole smiles while strengthening the culture and character of your team. Through strategic systems and seamless collaboration, we help you deliver complete care that enhances patient outcomes, builds trust, and positions your practice as a leader in excellence. Together, we’ll redefine what’s possible in clinical dentistry.
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The 90-Day Jump Start has been transformative for our office. It has helped me to implement very important systems, processes, and team members that are imperative to everyday life. Dawn and Dr. Rice have been able to walk my team and me through everything from the new patient intake phone call to treatment planning and case acceptance. They have many years of experience in knowing what works well for the long-term health of the practice. They have a major focus on patient care, while also focusing on implementing everything that is needed for the doctor and team to have the best work/life balance possible. They are patient and listen to hear what our pain points are and work with us to find the best solution for our practice. We are extremely grateful for all of the assistance that we have obtained and have the tools that we need to hold each other accountable as a team to ensure that we are meeting our goals consistently and effortlessly. In the short time that we have worked together, our office has evolved drastically, and we are so excited to see what the future holds. If you are stressed and want to make a change to start loving the practice of dentistry again, reach out to the team at the 90-Day Jump Start for help. You won't regret it! "
Dr. Ronnetta Sartor
"I can't express enough how transformative our experience with IgniteDDS has been for my practice. After partnering with them, we saw an incredible increase in our accounts receivable collections by $30K in just a few months! Their expertise in outlining our practice procedures and policies provided a solid foundation for our team, streamlining our operations significantly.
What truly set IgniteDDS apart was their step-by-step guidance on practice ownership tactics. They took the time to understand our unique challenges and tailored their approach to fit our needs perfectly. Their insights not only improved our financial health but also enhanced our team's efficiency and morale.
Thanks to David and Dawn, we now feel more empowered and organized than ever before. I highly recommend their services to any dental practice looking to elevate their operations, improve team culture, and reach financial stability!"
Dr. Chandler Oldenburg
"Working with Dr. David Rice through IgniteDDS was a game-changer for our Doctor Development Program. We have a solid foundation with our business content and organizational support, but Dr. Rice brought in the critical pieces that truly completed the puzzle. His seamless integration of dental expertise, vendor relationships, and mentorship made an undeniable impact."
Dr. Layla Lohmann
"Dr Rice brought a fresh batch of ideas and structure for our docs and offices. He always leads discussions with knowledge, enthusiasm, empathy, insight, and motivation. He got everyone out of their self-made boxes and sparked a fire to grow and be better. He was always modest in his approach and methods, but it was evident he had found a way to live better and be happier. He makes one want to be a better version of themselves, while at the same time, seizing every opportunity.
He has created a realistic roadmap to get each person where they ultimately want to be. He taught a great balance of work and personal happiness. I don’t think our inaugural Catalyst program would have had the impact on our docs and managers that it did without him."
Dr. Brad Eller
"Dr. David Rice and IgniteDDS is just what every young dentist needs! He is extremely helpful in both the clinical and business side of dentistry. His genuine kindness is contagious and he just makes you want to keep striving for the best."
Dr. Andrew Le
Meet Your Coaches
Dr. David Rice
Dr. David Rice
Leadership Accelerator Coach
Founder, CEO and Lead Strategic Coach at igniteDDS, David travels the world speaking, connecting and coaching first practice owners, as well as stuck seasoned pros looking to elevate their success and achieve a truly self-determined future. With 30 years of practice in the books, David has personally run 5 multi-million dollar dental businesses and coaches over 15 practices who consistently see a 5:1 minimum their coaching investment.
Dawn Patrick
Dawn Patrick
Dawn is a dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience across all facets of dentistry, including pediatric, cosmetic, complete health, and sleep dentistry. With 25 years spent driving practice management success, she’s mastered marketing, team training, and consulting to optimize practice performance.
Since joining IgniteDDS as Director of Operations and a Dental Coach in 2022, Dawn has been instrumental in transforming dental teams and creating systems that improve efficiency, profitability, and patient care. Her hands-on and accountability coaching style empowers practices to thrive, achieving long-term growth and success.
Beyond work, Dawn enjoys baking, family time, traveling with her husband Jon, and spoiling her two Goldendoodles.
Dr. James Wanamaker
Dr. James Wanamaker
Dr. James Wanamaker earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2016 with a concentration in pediatric dentistry. While at Buffalo, he served in multiple roles in organized dentistry, including National Chair of the Council on Advocacy for the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).
Following dental school, he then completed a General Practice Residency at SUNY Upstate Hospital and the Syracuse VA Hospital. Dr. Wanamaker graduated from the Dawson Academy in 2023. Additionally, he has completed training with Invisalign, imP.R.E.S, and surgical implant placement at the Brighterway Institute.
He is heavily involved in organized dentistry on a local, state, and national level. Dr. Wanamaker currently serves on the ADA New Dentist Committee and is the Past Chair of the New Dentist Committee for the New York State Dental Association. In 2020 Dr. Wanamaker was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists.
Dr. Wanamaker began working with IgniteDDS as a 3rd year dental student. Since then, he has spoken at dental schools and conferences across the country. Dr. Wanamaker currently is the Director for Study Club Education at IgniteDDS.
Dr. Wanamaker is a partner in his dream private practice, Smiles of Skaneateles, located outside of Syracuse, NY. He resides in Upstate New York with his wife, Francesca, his two kids and Goldendoodle, Chewbacca.
Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH
Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH
Candy Velez is a passionate dental hygiene professional with over a decade of hands-on experience, dedicated to enhancing patient care and operational efficiency in dental practices. With 11 years as the lead hygienist in a thriving office, Candy discovered her true calling in coaching and consulting, helping practices elevate their standards and create harmonious environments where patients and teams thrive.
Driven by her mission to inspire and empower people to take positive actions that create lasting impact, Candy specializes in refreshing hygiene protocols, implementing effective periodontal maintenance programs, and designing custom training sessions. Her methods have consistently driven impressive growth in hygiene departments, particularly in challenging areas like patient retention in maintenance programs.
While still active in clinical practice, Candy's influence extends to the Florida Board of Dentistry's Council on Dental Hygiene. Her initial appointment in 2020 and reappointment in 2024 until 2028 highlight her commitment as an influential advocate for quality care in the dental community. Her 'why' is at the heart of her work: to inspire and empower dental teams to create positive, lasting impacts in their practices.
Candy is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to your practice, helping you achieve a higher standard of care and a more rewarding workplace for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental coaching involves personalized mentorship to help dental professionals optimize their practice operations, enhance leadership skills, and achieve sustainable growth. By focusing on areas such as team dynamics, financial management, and patient communication, coaching aims to improve overall practice efficiency and profitability.
Our coaching programs encompass:
- Leadership Development: Cultivating effective leadership skills to inspire and guide your team.
- Team Building: Enhancing team cohesion and communication for a harmonious work environment.
- Practice Management: Implementing efficient systems to streamline operations and boost productivity.
- Financial Strategies: Guiding financial control to increase profitability and reduce stress.
- Clinical Excellence: Supporting the development of a strong clinical reputation through best practices.
Our coaching program is custom tailored to meet the unique needs of each practice and typically includes:
- Initial Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of your practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Customized Action Plan: Development of a strategic plan with clear objectives and timelines.
- Regular Coaching Sessions: Ongoing one-on-one or team sessions to implement strategies and monitor progress.
- Resource Access: Provision of tools, templates, and educational materials to support your journey.
Our coaching services are designed for:
- Practice Owners: Seeking to enhance practice performance and achieve a self-determined future.
- Associates: Aiming to increase production and prepare for future ownership.
- New Practice Owners: Looking to maximize return on investment during the critical early stages.
- Dental Teams: Desiring to improve collaboration, efficiency, and patient care.
We conduct a thorough assessment that includes:
- Financial Analysis: Reviewing financial statements to assess profitability and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Operational Review: Evaluating current systems and processes for efficiency.
- Team Assessment: Analyzing team dynamics and communication to identify areas for development.
- Patient Experience Evaluation: Assessing patient feedback and satisfaction levels to inform service improvements.
Yes, we focus on:
- Building Self-Esteem: Implementing strategies to boost team confidence and job satisfaction.
- Long-Term Commitment: Fostering a culture of appreciation to encourage team loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Effective Communication: Training teams in clear and compassionate communication to improve patient interactions.
We provide guidance on:
- Active Listening: Encouraging teams to attentively listen to patient concerns and questions.
- Clear Explanations: Training on conveying complex dental information in understandable terms.
- Empathy Building: Promoting empathetic interactions to build trust and rapport with patients.
We address resistance by:
- Inclusive Planning: Involving team members in the change process to foster ownership and acceptance.
- Transparent Communication: Clearly explaining the reasons for changes and the benefits to the team and practice.
- Supportive Environment: Providing support and resources to help team members adapt to new processes.
The timeline for seeing results varies based on the specific goals and starting point of your practice. Some practices experience improvements within a few weeks, while others may take several months to achieve significant changes. Consistent effort and commitment to the coaching process are key factors in realizing desired outcomes.
To begin, schedule a discovery call with us. During this initial consultation, we'll discuss your practice's current situation, challenges, and goals. Based on this conversation, we'll outline a customized coaching plan tailored to your needs.
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