In this episode of CEO Chairside, Dr. Greg Grillo sits down with Dr. Doug Sandquist for a raw, honest, and deeply practical conversation about what it really takes to build a successful, and sustainable, dental practice.

This is not another discussion about doing more dentistry, chasing production, or scaling at all costs.

Instead, Dr. Sandquist shares the hard-earned lessons from nearly three decades in practice, including how he transitioned from chasing “what works” to building a model rooted in clarity, confidence, and fulfillment. From walking away from implant surgery to redefining case acceptance through trust, not pressure, this episode challenges many of the assumptions dentists are taught early in their careers.

You’ll hear how slowing down can actually accelerate growth, why multiple consult visits can outperform same-day closes, and how defining non-negotiables, both clinically and personally, can transform not just your practice, but your life.

This conversation also goes beyond dentistry. It dives into burnout, identity, and the reality that success is not just about profit; it’s about profit plus fulfillment. From the “10 summers with your kids” mindset to designing a practice that aligns with your values, this episode is a powerful reminder that you have more control than you think.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the best dentists focus on trust-building, not speed

• The hidden downside of “strike while the iron’s hot” case acceptance

• How to design a practice around your strengths—not industry norms

• The real difference between fee-for-service and PPO stress

• Why taking more time off may actually increase productivity

• The importance of defining personal and professional non-negotiables

• How discovering your “why” can reshape your entire career

If you’ve ever questioned whether the traditional path in dentistry is the right one, or felt the tension between production and purpose, this episode will hit home.

Listen now and rethink what success in dentistry really looks like.

What would actually change in your practice… if someone with fresh eyes took it over tomorrow?

In this episode of CEO Chairside, Dr. Greg Grillo breaks down exactly what he would do in the first 30 days of owning a dental practice; no fluff, no theory, just real-world execution.

From hidden production leaks to underperforming hygiene systems, weak case acceptance, and inefficient schedules, most practices aren’t broken. They’re leaving massive opportunity on the table. The problem is, these gaps are often invisible to the doctor living in it every day.

This episode walks through a clear, week-by-week plan to uncover what’s really happening inside your practice and fix the issues that are quietly costing you growth, profitability, and time.

If you’ve ever felt busy but not as productive or profitable as you should be… this will hit home.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most practices misdiagnose their real problem
• Where $300K–$1M in lost production is hiding
• How to immediately improve hygiene performance and diagnosis
• The biggest breakdowns in case acceptance and follow-up
• What separates a full schedule from a truly productive one

This isn’t about working harder or chasing more new patients.

It’s about fixing what’s already there, and finally running your practice like a CEO.

In this episode of CEO Chairside, Dr. Greg Grillo sits down with a multi-million dollar a year dental practice owner operating in a typical PPO-heavy market. Dr. Mike's no-BS approach breaks down what actually drives growth inside a practice.

At first, it sounds like a straightforward conversation.

Production per visit. Case acceptance. Hygiene performance. Scheduling discipline.

But as the discussion unfolds, there’s a level of clarity… and consistency… that feels different.

Not theoretical. Not polished. Just… unusually precise.

The kind of perspective that makes you stop and think:

Why don’t more practices operate this way?

If you’ve ever felt like your practice should be producing more with the patients you already have, or that something in your system just isn’t clicking, this conversation will challenge the way you think about growth.

Listen closely.