The Dental Associate Edge’s mission is to help dental students, residents, and associates understand the process of building towards practice ownership.

Through real-world experience and practical guidance, we want to equip dentists with the mindset, knowledge, skills, and business understanding needed to transition confidently into ownership and leadership.

Dental schools develop exceptional clinicians. What they rarely teach is how to buy, lead, and manage a thriving private practice — and that gap has left too many dentists frustrated, financially unprepared, and burned out before they ever reach their potential.

The Dental Associate Edge exists to change that.

Hosted by performance psychologist Dr. Dave Striegel and dental practice management consultant Sandy Baird, MBA, this podcast equips dental students, residents, and associates with the mindset, knowledge, and practical tools needed to transition confidently into ownership and leadership — on their own terms.

Whether you're weighing your first associateship contract, exploring buy-in options, or simply wondering if ownership is right for you, this is the show that gives you the unfiltered truth and the roadmap to get there.

• Whether practice ownership fits your personality,  goals, values, and lifestyle

• What to focus on during associateship so you are prepared to step into your own practice 

• What mindset, tools, and habits do future dentists/leaders/owners need to succeed

• To understand the reality of debt, compensation, contracts, and financial readiness

• The value of a healthy work culture, best-practice operating systems, effective leadership skills, and team development that drive healthy dental practices

• To evaluate various ownership pathways, including buy-ins, buy-outs, startups, and DSOs