YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

By Lindsay Goss, DMD

A Dentist’s Response to “What is the Business of Dentistry?”

Can you categorize the business of dentistry? If someone were to ask you, what kind of business are you in? If you let your mind wander, there are many different answers to this question, but for me, it is simple. We are in the business of education and relationships.

Dentistry is what we do, but day to day, we are the true educators for our patients and teams. Every single conversation we have during the day revolves around sharing knowledge. You can put dental professionals who do not know each other in a room and everyone has a tooth story to share, a favorite product they love, or a patient who left an imprint in their lives. We share all day long.

As a dentist, I spend over forty percent of my day in conversations about diagnosis, risks, advantages, disadvantages, and alternative treatments. Proper education is what patients deserve. #googleisnotareplacementforadoctor

The Drive and Passion in Dentistry

So as a doctor, to prevent burnout or putting on a one-act play on repeat, what truly DRIVES me is knowing more about the procedures I do so I can have healthy conversations with my patients on their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.

MY PASSION is to learn as much about dentistry as I can. Why? There is literally no end to the sheer amount of education we can receive or share. For dental CE courses, I show up with a notepad in hand with only two expectations: First, is to learn at least 1% more than when I walked into that room, and second is to connect with others who attend too.

Being “The Best”

As humans, we are programmed to want to be “the best” we can be for ourselves, and for me as a dentist, this is achieving “Super GP Dentist” status. So, being in the profession for over 22 years now, I want to continue to grow. I found the most challenging part of the process of learning is FINDING the training available in my community. I was frustrated that a paper flyer or text message was the best way to find out about them. CE providers have a responsibility to reach as many people as possible when they host CE events. Because an educated room of dental professionals is an empowered group of healthcare professionals.

When I decided to build a dental business, instead of starting a dental practice, I built a tech-based software company. A dental CE event management platform called

CE.LIYA (Continuing Education Live in Your Area). to allow dental professionals to FIND dental CE by giving a place for dental CE providers to post and manage their events. I wanted accessibility to find in-person dental CE events like those hosted by dental reps, dental specialists, and speakers. From the ones that go over the weekend at a local hotel or the ones at night after work hosted at a local steakhouse or dental office.

What Are My Challenges?

My platform is fully developed, and it is ready to be used. But, there are multiple pathways full of new challenges, overwhelms, sleepless nights, financial strains, and tons of questions. I am completely overwhelmed by starting this business, and it creates a sense of paralysis at times that gets the best of me. Am I prepared to fail? Am I prepared to succeed? These are questions that need to be answered.

Good thing God created us to work really hard! Really hard work develops your confidence when doing something new. My mindset moving forward is that every obstacle is TEMPORARY.

As I move forward, I focus on what dental businesses do: Focus on building a business that attracts dental professionals who place value on continuing education and building relationships with those who choose my business to solve their problems.

The One Word I Use in My Business Every Day

As a dental entrepreneur, there are certain words that stick with me. My favorite word in my dental business is “BUILD.”

Build on the knowledge I currently have about my business so it can grow.

Build time into my schedule to market my business.

Build a business that solves pain points that improves life.

Build a company that helps dental professionals be the very best and increases their income.

Build relationships by following through with my commitments.

Build a life that follows my vision for freedom and family.

Build, Build, Build.

I have had to learn that there is a certain amount of mental toughness that is needed to be successful as a doctor, woman entrepreneur, and human being in general. I used to do things because I felt an emotional connection to them. But I realize that success, motivation, and drive do not come from emotion, but from having a clear life vision and living your passions. By continuing to BUILD my business by focusing on relationships and advancing the education available in our profession in general, I know I will get to step fully into my role as CEO soon. This will allow me to bring value to my profession today and, hopefully, for many years to come.

About the author:

Lindsay Goss, DMD, MPH, is the CEO and Founder of CE.LIYA, a dental CE event management platform for live in-person and live virtual dental CE events. CE.LIYA was created to solve the pain points that the dental profession has around live dental CE events. Mostly, there is a lack of accessibility to finding these events because of how they are marketed. It was created to allow for easier collaboration between those hosting live virtual and in-person dental CE events to those who desire/need to take the courses. Aside from building this company, Dr. Goss has been in the dental profession for over 22 years with a favor towards adultfocused dentistry. She is a general dentist at a thriving dental practice in Arizona. Off work hours, family time is very important to Dr. Goss. Her family enjoys their time together, living an outdoor lifestyle in Arizona.

Website: www.celiya.com

Email: Lindsay@celiya.com