If a friend built a million-dollar business, you'd say "good for them." If a dentist does it, suddenly someone's getting ripped off.
In this episode, Dr. Kyle Stanley and Dr. Martin Mendelson take on money shame in dentistry the guilt, discomfort, and defensiveness that shows up when dentists have to talk about fees, accept high incomes, or watch patients push back on treatment costs. It comes from everywhere: patients, family, team members, other dentists, and often from inside the dentist's own head.
Kyle didn't feel money shame early in his career he had no money. He was $2 million in debt between his house, his practice, and his school loans. But he was deeply uncomfortable talking about fees, especially with friends and family. It took him 8 or 9 years to get there.
The fix, as Martin frames it, isn't toughening up it's communication. A doctor at an urgent care laid out the fees and the alternatives matter-of-factly before treating Martin for an allergic reaction. No guilt, no apology. Just clarity. That's the model. You're not withholding care when you present the cost. You're actually doing the patient a disservice when you don't.
Selling isn't sleazy when it's about helping someone get what they actually need. Set the expectation. Own your fees. Be ready for a no and be okay with it.
For more info or to join their live CE course, go to www.wellnessindentistry.com
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