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3 Takeaways from Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Published 21 days ago • 4 min read

I just got back from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

It’s one of the biggest dental conferences in the world.

And three things became very clear to me.

There are more people trying to help dentists than dentists trying to receive help.

That’s not a bad thing.

It means there are solutions. It means innovation exists. It means people care.

But it also means something else.

When the market gets crowded, quality gets diluted.

A lot of people from outside dentistry see opportunity here. Dentists have revenue. Dentists have practices. Dentists have decision-making power. That attracts attention.

Some of that attention is good. Some of it isn’t.

So here’s the takeaway:

Ask better questions.

Don’t just take a vendor’s word for it. Ask for proof. Ask for timelines. Ask what happens if it doesn’t work.

And remember this:

Most decisions are reversible.

Set a time frame. Define success ahead of time. Mitigate risk.

You don’t need to be skeptical of everyone. But you do need to be thoughtful.

⸻

Dentistry is far more welcoming than people think.

A year ago, I’d walk into conferences and maybe a few people recognized me from Instagram.

Now?

I know a lot more people. And more importantly, I have more real conversations.

That didn’t happen because I got lucky.

It happened because I showed up consistently. I shared what I was building. I added value where I could.

When you lean into your truth, people respond.

If you’re willing to be open about your journey, your struggles, and your wins, other people will meet you there.

Dentistry isn’t closed off. It’s just waiting for you to step into it.

⸻

If you’re buried in your practice, you will fall behind.

If you are slaving away every day, only working in your business and never on it, you’re going to miss what’s happening around you.

Solutions exist. Communities exist. People are solving problems you’re currently tolerating.

I promise you this:

There are more solutions than you have problems.

The gap isn’t availability. The gap is exposure.

You have to get out. You have to communicate. You have to network. You have to actively look.

Yes, it takes time. Yes, it feels uncomfortable. Yes, it feels easier to just stay in the operatory.

But staying on the sidelines is the most expensive decision you can make.

Go find the rooms. Go have the conversations. Go test ideas thoughtfully.

Your practice won’t grow because you worked harder.

It grows because you worked smarter.

Video of the Week

video preview​

What does success in modern dentistry really look like?

In this episode of The Dr. Avi Show, Dr. Avi sits down with entrepreneur and clinician Dr. Naved Fatmi to discuss scaling without burnout, building strong systems, and redefining ownership in today’s dental landscape. They cover why most dentists get in trouble, the importance of communication and culture, the myth that everyone needs to own a practice, and how to optimize for time, money, and fulfillment — not just production. A must-listen for dentists, associates, and DSO leaders looking to build smarter, not just bigger.

-Dr. Avi

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