Dentist coaching is changing lives inside and outside the operatory — and Dr. Alan Stern is living proof. In Episode 39 of The Technology Evangelist Podcast, sponsored by Medidenta Digital Solutions, Dr. John Flucke sits down with Dr. Alan Stern, practicing dentist, ACE Certified Health Coach and Behavior Change Specialist, and founder of Better, Richer, Stronger, LLC. After 30 years of struggling in his own practice, Dr. Stern found a path to genuine prosperity by rebuilding everything around his core values — and now he dedicates his work to helping other dentists find that same clarity, purpose, and happiness in a profession he believes is truly terrific.
Key Insights on Dentist Coaching and Wellness:
- Thirty Years of Struggle, Then a Turning Point: Dr. Stern doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts of his story. For the first three decades of his career, he felt unfulfilled despite working hard. The shift came when he stopped chasing external benchmarks and started restructuring his practice around his own core values and what actually made him happy. That realignment changed everything — clinically, financially, and personally. He shares this story not to dramatize his past, but to give hope to the dentists sitting in the audience who feel exactly the same way and don’t know where to turn.
- Core Values as a Business Strategy: One of Dr. Stern’s central messages in his dentist coaching work is that clarity precedes prosperity. When dentists define what they actually value — not what they think they should value — they can build a practice that reflects those priorities. The result, as he has experienced firsthand and seen with clients, is more money with less stress and a renewed passion for dentistry. It sounds simple, but for many dentists, it requires a complete shift in how they see themselves and the business they’ve built.
- Keynote Speaker and Individual Coach: Through Better, Richer, Stronger, LLC, Dr. Stern works with study clubs, dental conferences, and individual dentists. His keynote is built to help dentists move from frustration to focus, and his one-on-one coaching digs deeper — helping dentists define the practice of their dreams and then actually build it, step by step, with accountability along the way. Attendees regularly report rekindling their passion for the profession after years of going through the motions.
- Behavior Change, Not Just Motivation: As an ACE Certified Behavior Change Specialist, Dr. Stern understands that inspiration alone doesn’t create lasting results. A great keynote can light a fire, but without a structured approach to change, that energy fades. He applies evidence-based behavior change principles to help dentists make sustainable shifts — in how they run their practices, how they engage with patients, and how they show up for themselves every single day.
- Earning More With Less Stress: One of the most compelling outcomes Dr. Stern describes from his dentist coaching work is that financial results actually improve when dentists stop grinding and start aligning. Dentists who restructure around their values tend to attract better-fit patients, reduce chair-time stress, and build practices that are more profitable and more enjoyable at the same time. It’s a counterintuitive result that he’s seen repeat itself across the dentists he works with.
- The Physical Side of a Healthier Career: Dr. Stern is a compelling example of what’s possible at any stage of life. He held a plank for eight full minutes on his 65th birthday and is actively training to hit ten minutes on his 66th. He views physical fitness as deeply connected to professional performance — energy, focus, resilience, and confidence all flow from taking care of the body. He brings that same discipline and intentionality into his coaching work, treating the whole person, not just the practice owner.
Dr. Stern’s message to dentists is both honest and hopeful: it’s never too late to find what you’re actually looking for. Whether you’re burning out, feeling stuck, or simply wondering if this is all there is, dentist coaching grounded in core values and behavior change science can help you build something you’re genuinely proud of — a practice that energizes you instead of draining you, and a career worth showing up for.
To learn more about Dr. Stern’s keynote, coaching programs, and upcoming speaking events, visit betterricherstronger.com.
