The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 347   HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden & Dr. Craig Spodak GUESTS:  Dr. Sulman Ahmed   DESCRIPTION This week's episode of the Bulletproof Dental Practice podcast welcomes Dr. Sulman Ahmed, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of DECA Dental Group. Discover Dr. Ahmed's expertise in building a patient-centered organization with around 200 locations across nine states. Learn from his leadership insights and personal career achievements, including prestigious awards like EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Glassdoor's Top CEOs. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a trailblazer in the dental industry.   TAKEAWAYS

• Hard work, perseverance, and vulnerability are key to achieving success.
• Success is a journey, and it takes time and continuous growth to reach new levels.
• Giving back and helping others is a fulfilling way to create a legacy. Fatherhood can take different forms and evolve over time, with each individual having their own parenting style and experiences.
• The dental investment market is facing challenges due to high interest rates and the need for a proven track record of success.
• Consolidation in the dental industry is increasing, with more dentists joining group practices and DSOs.
• The future of dentistry looks promising for those who are passionate about providing quality care and are aligned with the values of the profession.
• It is important for dentists to focus on their core competency in dentistry and seek partnerships that align with their values and goals.
• Business training should be incorporated into dental school curricula to better prepare dentists for the realities of running a practice.
• Dentists should embrace their strengths and seek support from others to fill in the gaps in their knowledge and skills.
• The joint venture model can be a beneficial approach for dentists looking to partner with others and expand their practices.
• The dental industry is experiencing a shift towards valuing quality of care and differentiation, rather than just focusing on revenue and valuations.
• The future of dentistry will be shaped by factors such as competition, costs, negotiation with payers, and the ability to differentiate and provide value to patients.

  CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction and Background 03:10 - The Journey to Success 08:36 - The Importance of Hard Work and Vulnerability 13:37 - Balancing Work and Life 23:30 - The Impact of Family and Fatherhood 31:57 - The Increasing Trend of Consolidation in Dentistry 36:07 - Focusing on Core Competency and Partnerships 40:02 - The Importance of Business Training in Dental Education 41:34 - Embracing Strengths and Seeking Support 46:10 - The Benefits of the Joint Venture Model 49:33 - Valuing Quality of Care and Differentiation 52:57 - Factors Shaping the Future of Dentistry     REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Dental Practice Make Them Smile, Dr. Sulman Ahmed