The Best Dental Career Advice Often Starts With This One Question

When you meet someone you admire in dentistry, whether it is at a conference, a networking event, or through social media, it is natural to ask about success. Most people default to safe questions like “Do you like your career?” or “Are you happy?” While those questions are polite, they rarely lead to insights that actually help you grow.

Paul “Dr. Nacho” Goodman, founder of Dental Nachos and Dentist Job Connect, believes there is a far more valuable question to ask.

"What do you wish you did sooner?"

That question opens the door to real lessons, the kind that usually take years to learn.

Dr. Paul Goodman’s Reflection

Looking back on his career, Dr. Goodman shares that he spent a tremendous amount of time and energy building his team, improving communication, and focusing on leadership. Those efforts mattered and helped shape his practice culture, but in hindsight, he wishes he had balanced that work with earlier attention to the business side of the practice.

He realized later than he would have liked that without regularly reviewing the right information, it is difficult to fully understand how a practice is performing or to make confident decisions about its future. That awareness, he says, is something he wishes he had developed sooner.

What Dentists Can Learn From This

Many dentists can relate to this experience. It is easy to focus on taking care of patients and supporting your team while assuming everything else will fall into place. Dr. Goodman’s reflection is a reminder that growth often comes from pairing strong leadership with a clearer understanding of how your practice is really doing.

It is not about becoming a numbers expert overnight. It is about paying attention earlier and asking better questions along the way.

A Question Worth Asking

Dr. Goodman’s advice is simple and practical. The next time you are meeting someone you admire, try asking:

“I really respect what you have built. What do you wish you had done sooner?”
“Is there anything you would do differently if you could go back?”

These conversations often reveal insights you will not find in textbooks or CE courses, and they can help guide your own career decisions.

Final Thoughts

Progress in dentistry is not just about experience. It is about perspective. By asking better questions and listening closely to the answers, you can learn faster and move forward with more intention.

Sometimes, the most valuable advice comes from someone else’s hindsight.

If you’re thinking about hiring an associate dentist—or wondering if your current associate is truly the RIGHT fit—we’re here to help. Connect with the Dentist Job Connect team here!