The Millennial Dentist

*/ ?>

Latest Episodes:

179. Breaking Growth Ceilings in Dentistry – Millennial Dentist Podcast Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Is your dental practice stuck at $3M, $5M, or even $10M in revenue? The growth strategies that worked early on won’t carry you past the next ceiling.

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, Dr. Sully Sullivan is joined by his longtime friend and business partner, Dr. Tarun "T-Bone" Agarwal—Founder/CEO of 3D Dentists and Raleigh Dental Arts. They share proven strategies to scale your dental business, shift from solo operator to CEO, and build systems that sustain growth without burnout.

@00:35 – Recognizing the Signs It’s Time to Change

@04:54 – Owner Mindset After $3M

@09:05 – Understanding Profitability & “Mailbox Money”

@15:00 – Branding & Marketing Beyond the Dentist’s Name

@18:00 – Seats on the Bus: Making Tough Team Decisions

@25:50 – The Backup Quarterback Problem in Dentistry

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/

178. Breaking Revenue Ceilings in Dentistry - Millennial Dentist Podcast Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Do you feel like your dental practice has hit an invisible ceiling, where no matter how hard you work, growth feels out of reach? Many dentists unknowingly operate in a cycle where their strategies, mindset, and daily habits keep them stuck.

In this episode, we break down the three major revenue ceilings in dentistry, the mindset shifts needed to push past them, and the five levers you can pull to unlock exponential growth. You’ll learn why scarcity thinking holds so many dentists back, how to grow without doubling your patient base, and why leadership—not just clinical skill—is the key to sustained success.

@02:24 – Why Old Strategies Don’t Work for New Levels

@08:32 – You Don’t Own a Business, You Own a Job

@09:56 – The 5 Levers to Break Any Ceiling

@15:53 – The Scarcity Mindset Trap

@22:02 – Growing to $3M Without More Patients

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/

177. Building Surgical Confidence Through Mentorship - Millennial Dentist Podcast Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful and impromptu episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, Dr. Sully Sullivan takes us behind the scenes immediately following a surgery with Dr. Z, highlighting the immense value of hands-on mentorship and what it truly takes to build surgical confidence. From tooth extractions and flap design to bone grafting and sticky bone application, they walk through the case step-by-step—candidly discussing the mental, emotional, and technical evolution required to level up in dentistry.

00:36 – Welcome & Live Surgery Setup

03:13 – Overcoming Fear in Extractions

04:50 – Flap Design & Visualization

06:47 – Managing Complications & Staying Calm

10:12 – Confidence After One Surgery

12:31 – Teaching vs. Mentoring in Clinical Growth

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/

176. Great Leadership Actually starts with YOU! - Millennial Dentist Podcast Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Do you find yourself constantly chasing new ideas—new CE courses, new systems, new technologies—only to feel stuck or overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Sully Sullivan breaks down the common trap of jumping on a “great idea” at the wrong time.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the psychology of “great idea, wrong time” and how it impacts your leadership, systems, and case acceptance strategy. Whether you're an experienced dentist or just getting started, this episode will help you refocus and maximize traction with what you already have.

@00:36 – Bootcamp Recap & Mastermind Takeaways

@02:44 – The Trap of “Great Idea, Wrong Time”

@05:50 – Why You Need to Stick to One Strategy

@09:02 – Awareness, Not Case Acceptance, Is the Problem

@11:04 – Foundational Habits Must Come Before New Tools

@16:00 – Success Might Be What’s Holding You Back

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/

175. How to Set Goals That Actually Get Results - The Power of Focus - Millennial Dentist Podcast Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Are your team metrics too complex to drive real change? Or are you constantly switching hats throughout your day with no time to focus? In this episode, Dr. Sully Sullivan shares two powerful strategies to simplify operations and improve leadership: setting clear, actionable scorecards and reducing the chaos of context switching.

Learn how a 40% missed-call rate turned into a game-changing lesson in team communication, systems thinking, and the power of small wins. If you’re looking to streamline your practice, lead more effectively, and protect your time, hit play now.

Download the 3D Dentists App

Get exclusive content, live surgeries, and access to the Growth Club community.

Upcoming Courses You Don’t Want to Miss:

July Mastermind – Final spots available

Full Arch Express Continuum – Digital full-arch implant training

Beginner Implants – September – Perfect for getting started confidently

Have questions or want to sign up?

Email Meredith: meredith@3d-dentists.com

03:05 – Creating Metrics That Drive Action

06:29 – Realizing the Cost of Missed Calls

08:15 – Focusing on What Really Moves the Needle

10:23 – Building Habits That Deliver Results

13:06 – Leading with Curiosity, Not Control

14:57 – The Hidden Cost of Context Switching

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/

174. Thriving Through Schedule Gaps: Fixing the Fundamentals When Business Slows May 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, Dr. Sully Sullivan dives deep into the common yet challenging experience of downtime in dental practices. Instead of reacting with anxiety or fear, Dr. Sully offers a proactive framework to turn slow periods into opportunities for growth, system improvement, and long-term success.

We explore how to assess internal issues, optimize follow-up protocols, improve patient communications, and leverage technology and team coordination—even when you're not holding a handpiece. It’s all about embracing the calm, analyzing the root causes, and refining the fundamentals.

Timestamp:

02:13 – Auditing Systems During Downtime

05:01 – Staffing Shortages & Schedule Gaps

08:38 – Fixing Missed Calls & Front Desk Flow

11:48 – Brand Building & Virtual Consults

14:54 – Closing the Financing Gap

17:36 – Leading Through Observation

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/

173. Lower Case Acceptance, Higher Value Dentistry May 13, 2025

Show notes

Do you feel frustrated when patients say no to treatment? Do you wonder if pushing for higher case acceptance is always the right move? In this episode, I’m breaking down why lowering your case acceptance rate might actually be a sign you’re leveling up—and how to turn those "nos" into long-term wins.

I’ll share why I’d rather have a 20% acceptance rate on 10K cases than 100 500 fillings, how to spot the real reasons behind patient objections (hint: it’s not always money), and my team’s proven scripts for leaning into "no" without sounding pushy. Plus, I’ll reveal why I lead every case with sedation and flexible payment options—even for patients who don’t "seem" anxious.

Timestamp:

@07:41 – Case Acceptance Math

@08:28 – 4 Reasons for "No"

@12:59 – Sedation Secret

@14:18 – Financial Menu Hack

@16:08 – Patient Booking Truths

@17:07 – 3 Types of "No"

Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

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/

172. Profitability Mindset: Procedural vs. Business Growth in Dentistry May 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, I’m talking about something that I think trips up a lot of dentists—the difference between procedural profitability and overall business profitability. Early on in my career, I got obsessed with the per-procedure margins, but I’ve since learned that running a profitable practice is about so much more than that.

Sharing how placing implants completely changed my trajectory as a dentist—not just clinically, but from a business perspective too. I dig into how practices can grow more profitably by understanding fixed vs. variable costs, and why it’s okay (and even smart) to do procedures that aren’t super profitable on their own.

@01:17 – Why dentists should learn to place implants

@02:27 – Shifting from procedural to business profitability

@03:37 – The grocery store analogy: how low-margin services fit in

@05:22 – The value of being a one-stop shop for patients

@07:33 – High-cost vs. high-margin procedures: why the difference matters

@10:07 – Fixed vs. variable costs: the real key to profitability

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/

171. Leading a Dental Team in an Era of Inflation - Millennial Dentist Podcast Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Millennial Dentist Podcast, we dive into the real impact of economic inflation on our dental teams. As costs rise, team members feel the pressure, and as leaders, it's crucial to navigate these challenges while maintaining a strong, motivated workforce. We discuss practical strategies for supporting your team, adapting to financial shifts, and continuing to work smarter, not harder.

@02:25 - Challenges of Giving Raises

@04:00 - Team Compensation Explained

@06:25 - Flexibility vs. Risk Tolerance

@08:50 - Asking for a Raise the Right Way

@12:05 - Team Members’ Value vs. Cost

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/

170. When to Add or Remove Procedures in Your Dental Practice - The Millennial Dentist Podcast Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that every dentist faces—how to manage your menu of services to maximize productivity and efficiency. I’ll share insights on when to expand or cut back on procedures, strategies for avoiding burnout, and the importance of flexibility in your offerings for long-term success. Additionally, I’ll break down how transitioning patients to associates can help free up your schedule for larger cases and explain why setting limits on certain procedures can actually boost your practice.

@1:42 - Expanding & Refining Your Menu of Services

@4:18 - The Impact of Service Selection on Production

@11:05 - Transitioning Patients to Associates

@12:15 - Setting Limits on Procedures to Increase Efficiency

@15:17 - Adjusting in Tough Times

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/