186. The Dental Bonus System That Actually Drives Growth & Profit - Millennial Dentist Podcast

April 21, 2026 00:31:10
186. The Dental Bonus System That Actually Drives Growth & Profit - Millennial Dentist Podcast
The Millennial Dentist
186. The Dental Bonus System That Actually Drives Growth & Profit - Millennial Dentist Podcast

Apr 21 2026 | 00:31:10

/

Show Notes

Most dental practices don’t have a motivation problem. They have a compensation problem.

If your bonus structure is based on emotion instead of data, you’re not incentivizing growth—you’re creating entitlement.

In this episode, Dr. Sully breaks down a proven, scalable bonus system that aligns your team with production, profitability, and accountability. From simple behavior-based incentives to advanced profit-sharing models, you’ll learn how to design compensation that actually drives performance.

You’ll discover how to control your biggest expense (team payroll), create buy-in across your entire team, and implement bonuses that reward results—not effort.

@01:10 Bonuses Based on Emotion (Biggest Mistake)

@06:34 Your Biggest Expense: Team Payroll

@10:39 How to Calculate Your BAM

@13:59 3-Month Rolling Average (Stop Gaming)

@17:27 When They Win, You Win System


Who is Dr. Sully Sullivan?

Dr. Sully is a fourth-generation dentist from Nashville, Tn. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, he moved back to Nashville to practice with his father. By continuing to invest in his education through adult orthodontics, soft tissue grafting, dental implants, third molar extractions, and obstructive sleep apnea, he helped double his practice in just 24 months.

As a millennial, he truly believes in working smarter not harder, which has led him to utilize technology to not only deliver better patient care but more efficient care. Dr. Sullivan regularly uses CEREC, 3D imaging with Galileos, 3D printing, and multiple lasers. In addition to his practice, he started the Millennial Dentist Podcast in February of 2017 to help push his fellow colleagues to take their dental careers to the next level. Dr. Sully lectures around the country on cone beam technology, cad/cam dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea, and practice management. He is also an ambassador for the 3D-Dentist teaching facility in Raleigh, NC.

As always, thanks so much for listening! If you like the show, we would love for you to review the show on Apple Podcasts as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [email protected] 

Links and Resources

Email: [email protected] 

The Millennial Dentist Website: http://millennialdentist.com/ 

Millennial Dentist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialDentist 

Millennial Dentist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/millennialdentist/ 

Other Episodes

Episode

April 10, 2018 00:36:44
Episode Cover

050 The future of dentistry for laboratory technicians with Bill Marais

This week’s episode is one of my favorite recordings from our trip to the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta a couple weeks ago. Bill...

Listen

Episode

May 01, 2018 00:56:22
Episode Cover

053 Occlusion and Spear Education with Dr. Jim Mckee

As some of you may know I am in the middle of going through the workshops at Spear Education. I really wanted to bolster...

Listen

Episode

March 27, 2018 00:47:54
Episode Cover

048 Two associates who need to own and another awesome reason to travel for CE!

 You have heard me say it probably a million times but nothing beats in person education. In this episode, live from Big Sky, MT...

Listen