Navigating Leadership & Growth in Dentistry

Most dentists are never taught how to lead a business, only how to practice one. So what does it actually take to build a practice that grows without burning you out?

In this episode of the Practice Pulse Podcast, Dr. Aditi Aggrawal sits down with Dr. Sara Mahmood, who opened her first practice at 27 and now leads a six-location dental group.

Sara breaks down the practical side of practice ownership, how the right teams, systems, and boundaries make clinical days easier, how she reframes burnout and fear when the pressure hits, and what integrity does for hiring and patient trust. She also gives straight advice for new grads weighing associateship versus ownership, and makes the case for why there has never been a better time for women to lead in dentistry.

If you own, manage, or plan to build a dental practice, this conversation is a practical reset on leadership, growth, and running a business you actually enjoy.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and intro

00:31 – Opening a practice at 27

02:59 – Taking calculated risks daily

04:00 – The only thing stopping you

05:18 – Helping dentists find their voice

08:13 – Beating imposter syndrome

09:26 – Loving dentistry without burnout