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944: From Burger King to Dental School: Dr. Louis Kaufman’s Unconventional Path to Success – Dr. Louis Kaufman

Dentistry is a difficult and demanding profession. But with the right people and the right resources, you can make it rewarding and worthwhile. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Louis Kaufman from Smile Source Chicago to share his journey from his time at Burger King to becoming a successful practice owner. To hear about his incredible path and the lessons he’s learned, listen to Episode 944 of The Best Practices Show!

 

Learn More About Dr. Kaufman:

Learn More About ACT Dental:

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

Episode Resources:

Main Takeaways:

  • Attend the Smile Source Exchange, not just for the CE but to find your community.
  • Take continuing education. It will play a big role in your life and your practice.
  • Always look ahead to the next year. Be intentional in planning your life.
  • Don't let your current financial burden define your next ten years.
  • Be around and listen to other experienced entrepreneurs.

Quotes:

“I learned along the way you have to become intentional in terms of planning your life as best as you can. I mean, there are things we just can't control. But time off, time away from the office, going to continuing education, blocking time, making time for family — I knew in the early years I had to take CE, and I had to grind.” (17:24—17:43) -Dr. Kaufman

“The biggest challenge, I think, for the young dentists coming out right now — and it's no surprise — is that financial burden they have when they graduate. But don't let that define what it's going to look like ten years out.” (20:18—20:37) -Dr. Kaufman

“Get a good mentor to look out for you, somebody to talk to. Join study clubs. One of the things about Smile Source is we have a whole mix of dentists, from younger to old guys like me, and there's free sharing of information, of ideas exchanged. A younger dentist can ask an older dentist who has, I guarantee you, been through it, they’ve experienced it, and they’ve come across those hurdles and those challenges.” (21:56—22:28) -Dr. Kaufman

“Everybody who is a part of Smile Source brings that passion of wanting to preserve private practice because they like calling their own shots. They like running their own practice, they like determining their own hours, and they don't want to be defined by financiers or private equity telling them how many patients you have to see, what you have to do, what you have to go through. They're not living their life by quotas or what they're producing. I think these are people who really, really care about that fellow human in that dental chair and the type of service that they can provide them. They're passionate about that, and I also think they really care about their teams.” (27:00—27:47) -Dr. Kaufman

“When the young guys start talking, I start listening because I want to hear what's going on there. They're faster, they're smarter about a lot of the tech that's going on out there, and, to me, what a great way to learn because you have these other colleagues to bounce it off of.” (32:41—33:02) -Dr. Kaufman

“[Younger people] make you think because they challenge you, and I like that. I like being in a room with somebody who is smarter that can offer different perspectives and different ideas because I want to learn from that individual. You become a sponge. I like reading murder mystery books and all because you pick up information. I like picking up new hobbies sometimes because you learn and you challenge the mind, especially as you get older. I'm 63 now. I feel like I'm kind of ancient in the dental world. But you’ve got to keep challenging your mind.” (33:37—34:21) -Dr. Kaufman

“I know it's easy to get down about being in this industry because it's demanding. It's a very demanding profession. It's so important to take care of ourselves. So, I hope to be able to offer some of that messaging along the way and do what I can to keep growing Smile Source and ACT for future generations.” (38:48—39:09) -Dr. Kaufman

“Look ahead at the next year. Think about what you want to accomplish, what you want to do. Set goals for yourself and block out time to live your life. I would say if you can get a week or a quarter away from your office, do it. If you are married and you have kids, make sure you're making time for them. The time is going to go fast. It's quick. When I say my son just turned 29 on the 16th of this month, that happened like that. We had a lot of great times together, but there were times that I wasn't with my kids. Make sure you make time for exercise, meditation, and reading. Put the phones away. No offense to the podcasts out there — turn it all off. Go take a walk in nature. Surround yourself with the people you care about. Don't waste your time with the ones that are causing a negative effect in your life.” (39:25—40:31) -Dr. Kaufman

“A book I read a long time ago was by Walter Payton, an ex-running back for the Chicago Bears, and Matt Suhey. One of the biggest takeaways was — and Walter died in his 30s — tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. And it isn't. All we've got is here and now. What are we going to do with it? How are we going to impact it? It's your life. You lead it.” (40:34—41:01) -Dr. Kaufman

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

0:43 From Burger King to dental school.

7:23 After dental school and taking CE.

11:18 Purchasing the practice and helping it evolve.

15:33 The best business decisions Dr. Kaufman has made.

16:59 A week in Dr. Kaufman’s life.

19:58 The biggest challenges for young dentists today.

22:28 Dr. Kaufman’s history with Smile Source.

28:58 GPO, explained.

31:47 The importance of being around other entrepreneurs.

34:23 Why you should attend Smile Source Exchange.

37:26 The next chapter for Dr. Kaufman.

39:16 Final thoughts.

Dr. Louis Kaufman Bio:

Dr. Louis Kaufman is a nationally recognized educator, author, and practicing clinician. Born into a dental family, Dr. Kaufman is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Dentistry. In 1995, he joined his father’s well-established, 50-year-old general dentistry practice treating third and fourth generation patients.

Dr. Kaufman is a member of the Chicago Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. He also serves on the advisory board of numerous dental manufacturers, consults on product development, and educates clinicians around the globe. He lectures at approximately 20 continuing education programs annually and has published numerous articles focused on restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
ACT Dental Team

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