The Millennial Dentist

Latest Episodes:

189. The Tech Problems Costing Dental Practices Money - Millennial Dentist Podcast Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Most dentists only think about IT when something breaks. But as practices scale, weak tech systems quietly create bigger problems: slow workflows, disconnected software, cybersecurity exposure, wasted monthly expenses, and missed opportunities with AI.

In this episode, Dr. Sully sits down with IT Tim to break down what modern dental practices should actually expect from their IT partner. They cover fragmentation, mobility, security, ransomware, servers, backups, internet contracts, managed print costs, and why “my computers work” is no longer the standard.

They also dig into where AI is headed in dentistry, from self-hosted practice assistants to Open Dental data access, patient segmentation, daily schedule summaries, chart review automation, and the future of diagnosis, radiology, and clinical execution.

@02:56 How IT Tim Got Into Dental Technology

@05:44 The Three IT Problems Dentists Ignore

@14:31 Where Practices Quietly Leak Money

@19:57 Ransomware: The Threat That Can Shut You Down

@24:01 Server Backups That Actually Protect You

@27:18 Why Dentists Feel Behind on AI

@32:05 AI-Driven Patient Segmentation and Marketing

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.

As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.

As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at millennialdentist@gmail.com

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

188. The Insurance & AR Mistakes Quietly Killing Your Practice Cash Flow - Millennial Dentist Podcast May 18, 2026

Show notes

Most dentists think revenue problems start at collections—but they actually start long before the patient ever sits in the chair.
Broken insurance systems, unclear financial arrangements, and outdated workflows quietly create chaos behind the scenes, leading to stressed teams, frustrated patients, and massive accounts receivable.

In this episode, Dr. Sully breaks down the full patient financial journey—from insurance verification and treatment planning to out-of-network estimates and AR management. He shares the systems his practice uses to create clearer patient communication, reduce surprises, and build scalable revenue cycle processes that actually work.

You’ll learn why most offices are handling insurance backwards, how to confidently present treatment costs, and the small operational changes that can dramatically improve cash flow and patient trust. Plus, Dr. Sully shares stories from his recent wedding, Summit event, and his own “flu game” moment after injuring himself minutes before taking the stage.

This episode is a reminder that great dentistry alone isn’t enough—strong systems are what turn skill into a scalable business.

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

187. Stop Trying to “Save the Day” – The Costly Mistake That Hurts Your Practice & Patients - Millennial Dentist Podcast Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Most dentists don’t struggle with skill—they struggle with decision-making under pressure.
When things go off schedule or unexpected issues arise, the instinct to “save the day” can actually create worse outcomes for your team, your patients, and yourself.

In this episode, Dr. Sully shares a raw, real clinical story where he ignored his own systems, jumped into action without proper planning, and paid the price. He breaks down why this happens, how it impacts clinical care and team dynamics, and what to do instead.

You’ll learn how to slow down in high-pressure moments, make better strategic decisions, and avoid turning small disruptions into full-blown chaos. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the best move isn’t action—it’s restraint.

@00:00 When Things Go Off Plan (The Trigger Moment)
@02:43 The “Save the Day” Trap in Action
@06:34 Why Acting Fast Can Backfire
@10:15 The Hidden Cost: Team, Patient & Energy Drain
@13:48 The Right Move: Pause, Assess, Strategize
@17:00 “Live to Fight Another Day” Mindset

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

186. The Dental Bonus System That Actually Drives Growth & Profit - Millennial Dentist Podcast Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Most dental practices don’t have a motivation problem. They have a compensation problem.

If your bonus structure is based on emotion instead of data, you’re not incentivizing growth—you’re creating entitlement.

In this episode, Dr. Sully breaks down a proven, scalable bonus system that aligns your team with production, profitability, and accountability. From simple behavior-based incentives to advanced profit-sharing models, you’ll learn how to design compensation that actually drives performance.

You’ll discover how to control your biggest expense (team payroll), create buy-in across your entire team, and implement bonuses that reward results—not effort.

@01:10 Bonuses Based on Emotion (Biggest Mistake)

@06:34 Your Biggest Expense: Team Payroll

@10:39 How to Calculate Your BAM

@13:59 3-Month Rolling Average (Stop Gaming)

@17:27 When They Win, You Win System

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

185. Why Your Practice Isn’t Closing Big Cases (And How to Fix It) - Millennial Dentist Podcast Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Most dentists do not have a production problem. They have a case acceptance problem.

In this episode, Dr. Sully reveals the real bottleneck. There is no dedicated treatment coordinator.

If you are presenting treatment in hygiene, you are not closing cases. You are losing them.

Learn how to build a simple system to increase acceptance and grow your practice.

0:00 – The metric that reveals your case acceptance
3:09 – Why you are stuck in small dentistry
4:40 – Why big cases do not close in hygiene
5:24 – The missing role in your practice
11:07 – Why marketing fails without systems

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources
Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com
The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/
Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist
Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

184. SMART Goals, Real Accountability - Millennial Dentist Podcast Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Do missed goals leave you second-guessing your leadership or unsure how to keep your team motivated? Hitting targets is great—but knowing how to set, own, and respond to goals is what actually drives growth.

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, Dr. Sully breaks down why accountability can’t be shared, how to set goals that actually work, and what to do when your team falls short. This conversation reframes missed goals as leadership data—not failure—and shows how behavior change matters more than the final number.

@00:00 - Delegation of Bandwidth & Accountability
@03:12 - Setting SMART Goals That Actually Work
@05:48 - Keeping Goals Top of Mind as a Leader
@09:24 - What Missed Goals Really Mean
@13:15 - Using Failure to Diagnose Leadership Gaps

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

183. The Hardest Part of Leadership: Outgrowing Team Members Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Do you find yourself holding on to team members longer than you should, avoiding hard conversations, or carrying the emotional weight of leadership decisions home with you? For many practice owners, letting go of an employee or associate isn’t about conflict—it’s about growth. As practices evolve, not everyone can grow at the same pace, and knowing when to make a change is one of the hardest (and most important) leadership skills to develop.

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, Dr. Sully Sullivan shares a raw, honest look at outgrowing team members, moving people into the right roles, and ultimately making the tough call to part ways when it’s best for both the individual and the practice.

Hit play now!
@04:22 – “Seats on the bus”: adapting roles as your practice grows
@10:19 – Casualties of growth and setting clear expectations
@15:16 – How to handle letting someone go with respect
@22:13 – Moving forward after tough decisions and supporting your team

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

182. Managing Demand, Staffing Shortages & Holding the Line Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Sully breaks down a real hygienist loss and reframes it as a supply-and-demand issue. He shares how intentional scheduling, reducing demand, protecting new patient blocks, and disciplined leadership help practices grow under pressure.

Key Takeaways:
• Staffing issues are demand problems in disguise
• Choices drive outcomes
• Not every recall or patient should be automatic
• Priority scheduling protects growth
• Leadership means holding the line

@0:00 Resetting for 2026 & goal pressure
@7:30 Losing a hygienist: the real issue
@10:30 Reducing demand strategically
@15:30 Confirmation & priority scheduling
@20:30 Leadership under pressure

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

181. Does Your Team Really Know What You Do? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Most dentists invest heavily in clinical CE – but still struggle with true growth. Why? Because the real bottleneck isn’t always skills… it’s leadership, communication, and clarity.

In this solo episode, Dr. Sully Sullivan breaks down the Four Buckets of Growth every dentist must intentionally invest in if they want to win in 2026:

Key Takeaways:

Your team is part of your case acceptance strategy.
Leadership isn’t motivational speeches — it’s clarity and communication.
Technology should make you faster, more profitable and more affordable.

Timestamp:

@02:06 — Summit Lineup is Borderline Silly

@04:04 — The CE Bucket Imbalance

@08:01 — Your First Audience Is Your Team

@13:47 — Sedation: The Ultimate Multiplier

@19:26 — You Already Have a Brand

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/

180. Secret to Scaling Without Burnout - Millennial Dentist Podcast Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Sully shares his journey from joining his father’s practice to transforming it into a thriving multi-doctor business. He opens up about the turning points that helped him embrace implants, build systems, and ultimately reclaim time for what matters most—family, freedom, and fulfillment. From replacing yourself in the operatory to creating community through 3D Dentists, Sully reveals the mindset shifts every dentist needs to break free from burnout and design a career they truly love.

@02:48 - Choosing Growth: More Patients vs. More Procedures

@04:59 - Why Implants Transformed Sully’s Career

@07:45 - Replacing Yourself & Scaling Beyond the Operatory

@12:55 - The Power of Mentorship, Masterminds & Community

@17:57 - Building a Dental Business That Supports Life & Freedom

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Links and Resources

Email: MillennialDentist@gmail.com

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/