Dr. Paul Goodman is the Founder of Dental Nachos, a professional development and continuing education company that supports dentists, dental students, and teams at every stage of their careers. Known as Dr. Nacho, he launched Dental Nachos in 2017 to foster community, reduce stress, and increase success within the dental profession. A practicing general dentist and managing partner of a multi-location group practice in New Jersey, he is also a transitions broker and the creator of Dentist Job Connect, a platform that helps match dental associates with hiring practices.

Feeling overwhelmed in the operatory and unsure how to chart a path to long-term fulfillment in dentistry? Many dental professionals silently struggle with stress, burnout, and uncertainty, often feeling alone in an industry that doesn’t always reward emotional honesty. What does it actually take to thrive as a modern dentist?

According to Dr. Paul Goodman, a seasoned dentist and industry thought leader, success starts with treating your career like a patient by diagnosing problems and building a treatment plan for personal and professional growth. He highlights that many dentists ignore critical outside-the-operatory stressors like insurance adjustments, hiring challenges, and team turnover until it's too late. The result is often unnecessary frustration and missed opportunities. Dr. Goodman emphasizes the value of community, mentorship, and strategic delegation to reduce stress and prevent burnout. By focusing on connection and showing up for real-world conversations, dentists can create more predictable, fulfilling careers.

In this episode of The Marketing 32 Show, host Brett Allen sits down with Dr. Paul Goodman, Founder of Dental Nachos, to talk about reducing stress and building a thriving dental career. They explore how to create a treatment plan for success beyond the operatory, why clinical predictability matters, and the true value of community support. Dr. Goodman also gives advice on transitioning out of the chair and into new leadership roles.

​JJ Littrell is the COO and Co-founder of Tuatara, a strategic finance agency dedicated to serving single-location dental practices. With a diverse background spanning Fortune 500 companies, top 50 accounting firms, and international startups, she has led teams of varying sizes, showcasing her versatility in the financial sector. JJ is passionate about connecting with practice owners, aiming to amplify their impact through ownership and purpose-driven partnerships. Beyond her professional endeavors, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Hospitality House of Charlotte, reflecting her commitment to community service. ​

Hiring the right associate, creating a brand that attracts ideal patients, and avoiding marketing mistakes that burn your budget are just a few of the challenges facing private dental practices today. So, how do you position your practice for long-term growth and freedom without sacrificing quality of life or profitability?

JJ Littrell, a dental growth strategist, shares how practice owners can regain control by shifting their focus from cost-cutting to people-powered growth. She outlines ways to define your ideal patient using creative frameworks, set realistic marketing budgets, and evaluate readiness for bringing on an associate dentist. JJ explains how aligning your brand, space, and operations to match your desired patient experience can create more effective marketing and lead to sustainable growth.

In this episode of The Marketing 32 Show, Brett Allen interviews JJ Littrell, COO and Co-founder at Tuatara, about building a thriving dental practice through smart strategy and team development. JJ discusses ways to attract ideal patients, develop future partners instead of employees, and prepare your practice financially and operationally for growth. She also touches on pricing alignment, marketing benchmarks, and how to create a compelling associate opportunity.

​Laura Nelson is the Founder of Front Office Rocks, a virtual training platform dedicated to enhancing dental office management and customer service. Drawing from her experience as a front office manager, she identified significant training gaps in the dental industry and committed herself to empowering dental teams. Laura has authored books such as Step Away from the Drill and Hiring Without Hesitation, offering valuable insights into practice management and effective hiring strategies. Beyond her contributions to dentistry, she co-founded Sober Life Rocks, advocating for sober inclusivity at professional events.

The dental industry is on the brink of a major transformation, one driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and a renewed focus on leadership. As daily tasks become more automated and practices look for new ways to increase efficiency, teams are left wondering: how can they stay relevant and thrive in this evolving landscape?

According to Laura Nelson, a nationally recognized educator and innovator in dental team training, the key is embracing AI not as a threat but as a tool to eliminate inefficiencies. She highlights that dental teams must shift their mindset, using AI to offload repetitive tasks and free up time for patient care and relationship-building. This shift creates opportunities for team members to grow into more strategic roles. Laura also emphasizes that leadership, not just technology, will be the deciding factor in which practices rise to the top, especially as office managers are increasingly expected to lead teams — not just manage tasks.

In this episode of The Marketing 32 Show, host Brett Allen sits down with Laura Nelson, Founder of Front Office Rocks, to discuss how dental teams can future-proof themselves through technology and leadership. They explore why AI should be viewed as an opportunity, how to vet the right tools, and the importance of upskilling team members for long-term success. Laura also shares tips on building stronger leaders within your practice.