What Dentists Can Learn From Dr. Collin Myrick About Mentorship, Community, and Building a Dental Career

For many dentists, the transition from dental school into the real world of dentisting comes with a steep learning curve. Dental school provides the clinical foundation to begin treating patients, but much of the professional growth that follows happens through mentorship, continuing education, collaboration, and experience.

Dr. Collin Myrick, a dentist and multi-practice owner in Northwest Florida, experienced that transition firsthand. Today, he leads a growing dental group with multiple locations and a team of dentists. In a recent interview with Dentist Job Connect founder Dr. Paul Goodman, Dr. Myrick discussed his journey from dental school to practice ownership, what he has learned about attracting and retaining associates, and why he believes dentists benefit from working in an environment where they can learn from one another.

Continuing Education Is an Investment in Your Clinical Career

One of the central topics Dr. Myrick discussed with Dr. Goodman was the importance of continuing education early in a dentist's career. Dr. Myrick shared that he invested heavily in continuing education during the first several years after dental school. His perspective was that dental school provides the foundation to begin practicing, but it does not represent the end of clinical education.

For newer dentists, the value of a course or mentorship opportunity can sometimes be difficult to recognize before experiencing it firsthand. Developing a new clinical skill may require an investment of time and money, but those skills can continue to influence a dentist's career for years to come.

He also emphasized the importance of finding the right mentor or coach. Dentists can benefit from learning from someone whose professional path resembles the type of career or practice they ultimately want to build. For example, a dentist who wants to become a multi-practice owner may benefit from learning from someone who has already navigated that process.

Dentists Benefit From Working Alongside Other Dentists

Another recurring theme in the interview was community.

Dr. Myrick deeply enjoys working alongside other dentists who can understand the clinical challenges that come with practicing dentistry. That peer-to-peer connection can be particularly valuable because not every professional challenge is easy to explain to someone outside the profession.

A dentist may understand the clinical frustration of a difficult procedure, a treatment-planning decision, or an unexpected complication in a way that another team member cannot. Having other dentists nearby creates opportunities to discuss cases, share ideas, ask questions, and learn from one another.

For associates evaluating potential employers, this is one aspect of a position that can be worth exploring during the interview process.

Instead of only asking about compensation and scheduling, consider asking:

• How often do the doctors discuss cases together?
• Is there structured clinical mentorship?
• Are associates able to observe or learn from other doctors?
• How does the practice support continuing education?
• What opportunities are available for professional development?
• How involved are doctors in the broader practice community?

The answers can provide insight into what the day-to-day professional experience will actually look like.

Hiring the Right Associate Starts With Building the Right Opportunity

As a multi-practice owner with experience hiring associates, Dr. Myrick has also learned that recruiting dentists is not simply about finding someone to fill an open position. His perspective is that practice owners should focus on creating the type of associate position they would have wanted earlier in their own careers.

That includes considering mentorship, culture, opportunities for growth, and the ability to work alongside other dentists.

This approach also changes how an owner evaluates candidates. Rather than simply looking for the next person who can fill a schedule, the goal becomes finding a dentist who is a strong fit for the practice and its long-term direction.

A Thoughtful Interview Process Goes Both Ways

Dr. Myrick shared an interview process designed to evaluate candidates while also giving candidates a realistic understanding of the practice. After an initial application, candidates may complete additional questions and participate in a virtual interview. Final candidates are then invited to spend time in the office. One particularly interesting part of his approach is that the visit is intended to work both ways.

The candidate has an opportunity to meet the doctors, experience the practice, and ask difficult questions. At the same time, the existing team gets to know the candidate and evaluate how they might fit within the organization.

This creates a more complete picture than a traditional interview alone.

For associates, it is a useful reminder that an interview should not be viewed as a one-sided evaluation. You are also evaluating the practice. Pay attention to how the team interacts with one another, whether the practice seems organized, and whether the opportunities described during the interview match what you actually experience when you visit.

Explore Opportunities With Walton Dental Group

Dr. Myrick's current associate opportunities reflect many of the themes he discussed with Dr. Goodman.

Dr. Myrick's approach to building a dental organization is reflected in Walton Dental Group, a growing dental group serving Northwest Florida. The organization is built around collaboration, clinical development, strong leadership, and long-term professional growth. Rather than focusing solely on filling schedules, Walton Dental Group aims to create an environment where dentists can develop their clinical skills, work alongside other doctors, and pursue opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and partnership. The group is continuing to grow across Northwest Florida and currently has multiple associate dentist opportunities available through Dentist Job Connect.

Dentists interested in learning more can explore the current Walton Dental Group opportunities on Dentist Job Connect here: position in Freeport, FL and position in Panama City Beach, FL.

Hear More From Dr. Myrick

Dr. Myrick's conversation with Dr. Paul Goodman covers much more than his current associate opportunity. They discuss his transition from dental school to associateship to ownership, continuing education, mentorship, hiring associates, building a community of dentists, and the lessons he has learned while growing his organization.

Watch the full interview with Dr. Myrick on YouTube here.