The Dental Hacks Podcast

"I think we're reaching a breaking point where people are starting to reflect and say, 'Man, I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze anymore.'" — Dr. Paul Etchison Recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026 in sunny Gilbert, Arizona, Alan sits down with a VOD favorite, Dr. Paul Etchison of the Dental Practice Heroes podcast. They dive deep into the staggering reality of modern dental school debt, the "juice vs. the squeeze" of ownership, and why dentists should probably stay away from the restaurant business. The Debt Wall The financial landscape for new dentists has shifted dramatically. Alan and Paul compare the "then vs. now" of education costs: The 1997 Reality: Alan graduated with roughly $85,000 in debt. The 2009 Reality: Paul finished with around $235,000. The 2026 Reality: In-state tuition at schools like the University of Michigan can exceed $400,000 before living expenses, often resulting in $4,000–$5,000 monthly loan payments right out of the gate. Ownership: The Only Way Out? Whil