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Dr. David Willey: Expert Advice
25 Plays11 days ago
Finding Joy, Embracing Change & Avoiding Career Regrets in Dentistry
In this powerful conclusion to our series with Dr. David Willey, we dive into what it truly means to build a fulfilling, sustainable career in dentistry. Dr. Willey opens up about his biggest regret—not building his dream practice sooner and not bringing on associates earlier—and how mentoring young dentists has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
🎧 In this episode of Dental Fuel, Dr. Willey & Dr. Tanya Sue Maestas discuss:
✅ Why enjoying your journey in dentistry is key to long-term fulfillment
✅ How embracing change & mentorship sooner could transform your career
✅ The power of bringing on associates—and why waiting too long can hold you back
✅ Why physical fitness is a non-negotiable for longevity in dentistry
✅ How taking leaps of faith in your career leads to unexpected rewards
"It's very important to enjoy your journey in dentistry, because if you don’t enjoy the journey, you’re going to hate the ending." – Dr. David Willey
Connect with Dr. David Willey: @lakesidedentalarts
Connect with Ignitedds and Dr. David Rice: @ignitedds Free Intro Call
Connect with Tanya Sue Maestas: @tsmaestas.dds
Learn more about Ignite Coaching : https://ignitedds.com
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Transcript
Introduction to Dental Fuel and its Unique Focus
00:00:00
Speaker
Dental Fuel, the podcast that focuses on what no one else is talking about, mistakes. The dental world is full of before and afters, and no one is talking about the middle.
00:00:11
Speaker
Dental Fuel brings you the unspoken in between.
Sponsorship and Support for Dentists
00:00:14
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Dental Fuel is brought to you by Ignite DDS Coaching, empowering dentists to build self-determined futures. Together, we're shaping the next generation of leaders in dentistry.
The Journey of Dentistry: Learning and Growth
00:00:24
Speaker
Dr. Willey provides some invaluable advice gleaned from years of practice and mentorship. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the journey in dentistry. But I'll let him tell you.
00:00:35
Speaker
Let's tune in. You have shared some great mistakes and some advice along the way as well, too. i am curious of some additional thoughts that you might have and some expert advice that you'd like to share with myself and with our listeners today.
00:00:49
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Well, I had a mentor years ago tell me about the journey of life, and it's very important to enjoy your journey in dentistry. Because if you don't enjoy the journey, you're going to hate the ending because you get there and it's done.
00:01:00
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So our my advice to people is just enjoy the journey.
Adapting to Change and Making an Impact
00:01:04
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Every time I see an associate, how's the journey? are we are you Are you getting to where you want? Are you learning new things? Are you growing?
00:01:11
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And I think that's one of the things that we have to enjoy the journey and we have to be uncomfortable being uncomfortable. We have to be in that state where there's times where things don't feel right. We have to fight through it.
00:01:24
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And as the samurai says, and the day came when it was more painful to remain the same than to change, we all have to change eventually. And dentistry is changing with technology and how patients view us. And I think there's a great opportunity if people really enjoy the journey and understand what their goals are.
00:01:43
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And, you know, they're just, you know,
Finding Fulfillment in Dentistry: Advice from Dr. Willey
00:01:46
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it's a great profession. it gives us an opportunity really to have great memories with our family and our friends and also allows us to really kind of, uh,
00:01:54
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make a difference in our community. is Very well said. I think that there are many in our profession who may no longer enjoy their journey, may no longer feel fulfilled.
00:02:06
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What is your advice to them? um Look at what's frustrating you. Are there ways to solve some of those problems or is it time to move on? Because there are times to move on and there'll be a time in my life when it's time to move on also.
00:02:22
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But, you know, find what's frustrating you. Is there a way to solve
Reflections on Mentorship and Change
00:02:26
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that? You know, ah sit down with your friends, sit down with your significant other and and talk about it. Is it just working fewer hours? Is working fewer days and feeling refreshed? Is it bringing on an associate to free you up so you can do more of the things you enjoy doing? But, you know, I don't have all the answers. All I do is I analyze things and I try and figure out pathways that I can improve upon myself and help my our team members also.
00:02:54
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If you could go back in time in your own journey, would you do anything different? oh um Yes, I would have built my practice that I currently have much sooner in life.
00:03:08
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But ah I am one that analyzes and over analyzes. And, uh, but now I, I understand sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and I will bet on myself every day, just like I'll bet on my associates that I know that if I put them in the right place, they'll be successful.
00:03:28
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Why would you have built this practicing? Um, I just think the opportunity to um grow a little bit more and enjoy mentoring the associates earlier in life. I love teaching.
Balancing Work and Health for Career Longevity
00:03:42
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ah And there was some times where I did have an associate here or there, but ah for whatever reason, things just didn't work out. But now I really found that these associates, it's it's a lot of fun if you enjoy mentoring and teaching.
00:03:57
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and you know, I think that's all of us enjoy mentoring our patients and our team in some way. So, but I just feel that's the only thing that I i could have done this a little sooner, probably would have enjoyed ah maybe a little bit more of the fruits of my labor, but I'm not complaining now. it's it's a great It's been a great journey and it's going to continue for a number of years. and One of the things I've learned is not to get burnout in dentistry. So I i pace my hours, I pace my days. And you know the other thing I just encourage people is so work on your physical fitness because this is a is a brutal profession with our backs, our shoulders, our
Anticipating Growth and Connecting with Dr. Willey
00:04:36
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hearts and things. And we need to stay active so that we can continue to practice for many years.
00:04:42
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Where do you see yourself and your practice in the next 10 years?
00:04:47
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It will probably at least double, probably triple, I would say. um And I see me coming back to visit.
00:04:59
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but Very good. I love that. I will be happy to come back and visit.
00:05:07
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If our listeners would like to connect with you, what would be the best way? ah The best way if you want to connect would be doctor, spelled out D-O-C-T-O-R, at lakesidedentalarts.com.
00:05:21
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If you send me an email, if I don't answer right away, send it again. ah or you can contact the office, 863-382-7676.
00:05:31
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Leave a message with the front desk team about who you are and what you're interested in.
Final Thoughts: Passion and Connection in Dentistry
00:05:36
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And I'll do my best to return the phone calls within 24 hours. Dr. Willey, I have greatly enjoyed our conversation and learning about your journey.
00:05:45
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Do you have any last thoughts for our listeners today? No, just enjoy the journey. And it's a great profession and find your passion. That's what I would say. Well, Dr. Willey, thank you so much for your time. And we'll be sure to include your information in the show notes. And hopefully either myself or our listeners will be able to cross paths with you in the future.
00:06:05
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I look forward to it. Have a great day. You as well. Thank you for joining in in our conversation with Dr. Willie. Join us next week where we'll have another guest. Ready to take the next step in your journey? Book an intro call with Ignite DDS Coaching today and level up your future in dentistry.