The Dental Lighthouse with Dr. Jason Tanoory

Just because you can add another doctor doesn’t mean it’s the smart move. In this episode, Jason shares a coaching story about a doc who expanded too soon and ended up with two under booked doctors and not enough hygiene to support them. It’s a common trap for growing practices that haven’t fully thought through the math, the ratios, or the realities of day-to-day scheduling. Jason breaks down when it makes sense to bring on a second provider and when you're better off adding a hygienist and grinding it out. He shares tactical ways to manage the short-term chaos, like adjusting your schedule, using bypass exam protocols, and making smart trade-offs. If your practice is at that tipping point, this episode could save you from an expensive misstep.

This hour-long episode is exactly what the title promises—Jason’s no-fluff guide to the actual habits, mindsets, and behaviors that define great leadership in a dental practice. Pulled straight from his coaching work and years in the trenches, this isn’t about lofty ideas. It’s about clarity, consistency, and courage. He covers: Why most “leadership problems” are actually clarity problems How to stop being the hero and start building real accountability The danger of trying to be liked instead of respected How to use the “5C’s” and servant leadership in real-world situations Packed with real stories and hard-won lessons, this episode is a roadmap for docs who want to lead without burning out—or bailing out. Whether you’re new to leadership or just tired of feeling stuck, this one’s worth every minute.

This week, Jason sits down with bestselling author and dentist Dr. Addison Killeen to talk about his newest release, The Shift—a leadership fable packed with real stories and actionable business lessons. Known for his system-heavy guides, Addison steps into a more personal, story-driven format to help young dental leaders navigate ownership, burnout, and the messy reality of building great teams. They talk about what inspired the book, why storytelling is such a powerful teaching tool, and how Addison weaves hard-earned lessons from real practices (and even welding shops) into a framework anyone can use. If you’re a new practice owner, a department lead, or just trying to figure out what kind of leader you want to be—this episode will hit home. Get ready for practical wisdom, a few laughs, and some seriously good reasons to order the book before the day’s over.  Link to purchase The Shift by Dr. Addison Killeen 

In Part Two, Jason continues answering big-picture leadership questions from the next generation of dentists—questions that matter more than any CE course ever could. He dives deeper into building real authority (not just a title), how to stop feeling like the bottleneck in your practice, and what most docs get wrong about accountability. Whether you’re months from ownership or already feeling the weight of a team looking to you for direction, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection. Missed Part One? Go back and catch it first—then come back ready for round two.

In this episode, Jason tackles real questions from early-career dentists who are hungry to lead—before they feel fully “ready.” From earning trust with seasoned team members, to navigating tension with owners and mentors, to knowing when (and how) to start building leadership depth, this conversation cuts through the noise. If you're thinking about ownership, culture, or how to avoid the landmines most docs don’t see coming until it’s too late—this one’s for you. This is Part One of the conversation, so stay tuned for more insights in Part Two dropping next week.

In this episode, Jason strips leadership down to the studs—no fluff, just the hard truths about what makes or breaks your practice. If you’ve heard him hammer on about “foundational principles” and wondered what the big deal is, this one’s for you. Jason walks through the core elements that most dentists skip over in their rush to “scale”—things like vision, core values, and team alignment. Sound soft? It’s not. These are the backbone of any practice that doesn’t leave you putting out fires and dragging your team uphill. You’ll hear why dentists lose good people (hint: it’s not about money), how to stop playing office telephone with your leads, and what happens when you climb the wrong ladder. Whether you’re a burned-out doc or a lead trying to run point without backup, this is your reset button.

What if you ran a successful multi-practice group without production targets, office bonuses, or metric-heavy meetings? Dr. Jan Jaffer has done exactly that, and the results speak for themselves. In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Jaffer to explore how he built a thriving dental group rooted in partnership, purpose, and people-first leadership. They unpack how prioritizing team health, exceptional care, and community impact—not KPIs—can actually drive more sustainable growth. From new patient experiences that build trust from day one to creative ways his team gives back without burning out, Dr. Jaffer offers a blueprint for leading with gratitude instead of grind. He also shares how his group uses AI and clinical mentorship to keep standards high without falling into the production trap. Whether you're managing one office or multiple, this episode is a refreshing reminder that culture and care are not soft. They're strategic.

In this episode, Jason breaks down his go-to tool for building a balanced, intentional life: the Four Futures Framework. If you’re tired of feeling like your days just happen to you, this is a blueprint for flipping the script. The framework divides your life into four key areas—Mind, Meaning, Muscle, and Money—and challenges you to invest in each every single day. Jason unpacks simple ways to boost your mental clarity, deepen relationships, improve health, and strengthen your finances, all in bite-sized daily chunks. You’ll also hear how others in the community have put this into practice—wins, struggles, and everything in between. It’s a practical, no-fluff guide to becoming a better version of yourself, one quadrant at a time. Dive in and see why spending just 15 focused minutes on each can radically change your life.

In this powerful and personal episode, Jason reconnects with Dr. Bill, a young dentist in the early stages of a scratch-start practice. Together, they explore what it means to live out your faith as a leader — not just in words, but through consistent, Christ-like actions in both business and life. From handling difficult staff and patients with truth and grace, to modeling agape love through honesty, humility, and accountability, Jason shares real-life strategies and lessons he's learned from his own leadership journey. They also unpack how to stay rooted in your values amid the pressures of growth and success, and how generosity can become a driving force in your business. If you've ever wrestled with how to blend faith and leadership, especially in a professional setting, this episode offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder that love and truth must go hand in hand — even when it’s hard.

In this focused coaching call, we tackle two critical leadership challenges in dental practices: how to handle a misaligned lead hygienist and what to do with underperforming associates. First, we unpack the emotional and strategic steps for demoting a team member who no longer wants a leadership role—without hurting culture or morale. Then, we shift to actionable strategies for managing low-producing associates, including setting clear goals, using data-driven scorecards, and improving case acceptance through coaching and video reviews. If you’re navigating tough conversations and team performance issues, this episode offers practical tools and real-world insight to help you lead with clarity and confidence.