Living Without Regret: What Your Dental Legacy Really Means

How the stories we tell ourselves today become the inheritance we leave tomorrow

The Voice That Changed Everything

Dr. Allison House recently experienced something that stopped her in her tracks. After waiting three months for a DVD to arrive (and then hunting down a DVD player in 2025), she finally heard her late father's voice again—his coaching wisdom from the 1990s preserved on grainy footage, his presence somehow still tangible across the decades.

"It was tremendous for me just to hear his voice and the way that he looked," she shares in the 100th episode of The Authentic Dentist podcast. "It's a legacy that I get to see him and hear him and remember who he was."

This moment catalyzed a profound conversation about legacy—not the carefully curated highlight reels we sometimes imagine, but the authentic story of who we are, how we show up, and the courage we demonstrate when facing uncertainty.

For dental professionals navigating an increasingly complex landscape of practice management challenges, ethical dilemmas, and burnout concerns, the question of legacy offers unexpected clarity: What story are you living that you'll be proud to tell?

The Grandkids Framework: A Decision-Making Revolution

During a hike in the Superstition Mountains, Shawn Zajas found himself dispensing advice to a younger man struggling with whether to pursue a romantic relationship. The wisdom that emerged became a transformative framework for decision-making:

"Live your life—write your story—in a way that you're actually proud to tell your grandkids."

This simple question cuts through the noise of overthinking, analysis paralysis, and fear-based decision-making that plagues so many dental professionals. When you're unsure whether to pursue that innovative treatment approach, speak up about an ethical concern, or invest in that professional development opportunity, ask yourself: What story am I creating?

Do you want to tell your grandchildren about the time you saw an opportunity and went for it, despite fear and uncertainty? Or do you want to explain how you stayed safe on the sideline, watching others take the risks you were too afraid to attempt?

Finding Your Authentic Voice in Dentistry

The framework applies equally to professional identity and personal decisions. Consider these scenarios familiar to many practitioners:

The Ethical Stand: You notice a colleague recommending unnecessary treatment. Do you speak up, knowing it might create conflict? The legacy question clarifies: Will you tell the story of silence or courage?

The Innovative Leap: You've developed a unique approach to patient care that differs from conventional wisdom. Do you share it publicly, risking criticism? Ask yourself: What narrative are you creating about innovation versus conformity?

The Career Pivot: Your current practice model is profitable but soul-draining. Do you redesign your approach to align with your values? Consider: How will you explain this chapter to those who come after you?

The Only Regrets That Matter

One of Dr. House's friends, facing a cancer diagnosis, shared a revelation that illuminates the entire legacy conversation: "When I thought I was gonna die, I looked back at my life and I didn't regret anything that I did. I regretted things that I didn't do."

This truth resonates powerfully within dental practice. We rarely regret:

• The continuing education course that challenged us

• The difficult conversation with a team member that improved culture

• The fee-for-service transition that aligned with our values

• The speaking opportunity that pushed us beyond our comfort zone

But we do regret:

• The years spent in practices that didn't reflect who we are

• The silence when we should have advocated for patients or peers

• The dreams postponed indefinitely while waiting for "the right time"

• The authentic expression suppressed to maintain false safety

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Legacy Thinking

The legacy framework offers an antidote to the imposter syndrome plaguing dentistry. When you're questioning whether you're "qualified enough" to share your insights, lead your team differently, or challenge industry norms, shift the question: What example are you setting?

Your grandchildren won't ask about your credentials before being inspired by your courage. They'll want to know: Did you bet on yourself? Did you use your voice when it mattered? Did you contribute to making dentistry better?

Cheap Lessons vs. Expensive Lessons

Dr. House shares wisdom from her parenting journey that applies perfectly to professional development: "They're cheap lessons in high school and middle school. They're expensive lessons as you get older."

The lesson about persistence, pivoting, and resilience? Better learned early in your career when stakes are lower. Waiting until mid-career to discover you've built a practice that doesn't align with your authentic self? That's an expensive lesson indeed.

This reality creates urgency around authentic practice building:

For Early-Career Dentists

Don't wait a decade to start practicing in alignment with your values. The "cheap lessons" period is now—experiment, fail forward, discover what energizes versus drains you, and build accordingly.

For Mid-Career Practitioners

If you're experiencing dental burnout or questioning your path, recognize that pivoting now is still cheaper than another decade of misalignment. Your experience becomes part of your story, not a reason to stay stuck.

For Established Practice Owners

Your legacy includes what you model for younger colleagues. Are you demonstrating that success and authenticity are compatible? That ethical leadership matters? That sustainable practice models honor practitioners' values?

The Rocky Principle: Winners Keep Moving Forward

"Life is hard," Dr. House observes, "and the winners are the ones that can just keep moving forward. That's how winning is done."

This isn't toxic positivity or a dismissal of genuine struggle. It's acknowledging that the path to authentic dental practice—to sustainable success that honors your whole self—includes setbacks, failures, and recalibrations.

Developing Resilience in Dental Practice

The legacy perspective reframes failure entirely:

Traditional View: "I tried that new patient communication approach and it didn't work. I'm not good at this."

Legacy View: "I experimented with patient communication because I believe in authentic connection. Some approaches worked better than others, and I learned from each attempt. That's the story of someone committed to growth."

The first perspective breeds timidity and playing small. The second creates a narrative of courage and continuous improvement—exactly what you'd want future generations to emulate.

Six Years and 100 Episodes: The Compound Effect of Showing Up

The Authentic Dentist podcast itself embodies the legacy principles being discussed. When Dr. House and Shawn Zajas started in 2019, they used mediocre equipment, had no proven formula, and couldn't guarantee success. As Shawn admits: "I don't know how I was okay with using the microphone we used."

But they started anyway. And six years later, they've created 100 episodes of content that bridges clinical excellence with personal fulfillment, technical expertise with emotional intelligence, and professional success with authentic living.

"If it hadn't been for someone else saying 'let's jump in,'" Shawn reflects, "I would still probably be on the sideline, wondering why things haven't worked out, wondering why I haven't yet figured everything out."

The Permission You Don't Need (But We'll Give You Anyway)

You don't need perfect conditions to begin building your legacy. You don't need all the answers before sharing your message. You don't need external validation before betting on yourself.

What you need is the willingness to begin imperfectly, knowing that:

• Clarity comes through action, not endless planning

• Your unique perspective has value even if it's not fully formed

• The authentic voice only you possess needs expression, not perfection

• Waiting for readiness is often just fear dressed up as wisdom

Practical Applications: Building Your Legacy Today

1. Audit Your Current Story

What narrative are you currently creating through your:

• Clinical decisions and patient interactions?

• Leadership style and team culture building?

• Response to ethical challenges and industry pressures?

• Investment in professional growth versus comfort?

2. Apply the Grandkids Framework

Before major decisions, literally ask: "How will I explain this choice to my grandchildren?" Notice how this clarifies what matters.

3. Document Your Journey

Don't wait for perfect circumstances to capture your voice, values, and wisdom. Whether through:

• Writing (blog posts, articles, journal entries)

• Speaking (podcast interviews, conference presentations, team trainings)

• Video (patient education, procedural explanations, reflections)

• Mentorship (formal programs, informal guidance, leading by example)

4. Identify Your Unique Message

You have insights forged through your specific combination of:

• Clinical experiences and challenges overcome

• Personal story and growth journey

• Strengths, passions, and zone of genius

• Values and ethical commitments

This intersection creates authentic brilliance that only you can express.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot

Legacy doesn't mean locking yourself into a single path. As Dr. House taught her children: sometimes the lesson is persistence; sometimes it's knowing when to pivot. Both contribute to a story worth telling.

The Public Service Announcement: For Women in Dentistry

Dr. House offers a pointed reminder, particularly for women dentists: "You always hate the way you look always. And when you look back 20 years, you're like, I looked great... Take your picture, get in the bathing suit, whatever it is."

This extends beyond physical appearance to professional presence. Stop waiting until:

• You feel more qualified before speaking up

• You've achieved "enough" before mentoring others

• Your practice is "perfect" before sharing your approach

• You've overcome all insecurities before stepping into leadership

Your grandchildren won't remember your imperfections. They'll remember whether you showed up authentically and courageously.

Beyond Clinical Excellence: The Whole Practitioner Legacy

The Authentic Dentist podcast distinguishes itself by addressing not just what dentists do, but who they are and how they show up. This holistic approach to legacy recognizes that:

Technical mastery matters, but it's not enough. Your clinical skills will advance dentistry, but your character, courage, and authenticity will inspire future practitioners.

Financial success is important, but insufficient. Redefining success beyond production numbers—to include fulfillment, integrity, and sustainable practice models—creates a more valuable inheritance.

Individual achievement pales beside collective elevation. The legacy that transforms dentistry isn't built alone; it emerges through authentic leadership that empowers others, builds community, and challenges industry norms.

The Story Only You Can Tell

Six years into their podcast journey, Dr. House reflects on wanting to ensure "when they see this podcast or my grandchildren see this podcast, that I've said something important, that I've left a legacy of who I am and what I believe in, and it's something that's positive."

This isn't about perfection or having all the answers. It's about authentic expression of values, courage to keep showing up, and willingness to contribute to something larger than individual success.

Your legacy in dentistry isn't written in a single dramatic moment. It's composed of daily decisions to:

• Lead with integrity even when costly

• Speak up for what's right when silence would be easier

• Build practices aligned with values despite industry pressures

• Share your authentic brilliance even when you feel unready

• Keep moving forward despite setbacks and uncertainty

The Invitation: Begin Your Legacy Today

You're already creating your legacy—the question is whether you're doing it intentionally. Whether you're a dental student forming your professional identity, an early-career dentist building your practice, or an established practitioner considering what comes next, the same principle applies:

Write a story you're proud to tell.

Not someday when conditions are perfect. Not after you've achieved some arbitrary milestone. Today, in your next patient interaction, your upcoming team meeting, your response to that ethical dilemma, your decision about that professional opportunity.

As Dr. House powerfully states: "I wanna tell the story that I tried, I failed, but I picked myself back up and then I did this. That's the story I wanna tell. Not that my life is perfect. It certainly has not been, but that I just kept going."

What story are you telling?

The Authentic Dentist podcast bridges the gap between clinical excellence and personal fulfillment in dentistry. Hosted by Dr. Allison House, a practicing dentist with over 24 years of experience, and Shawn Zajas, a dental marketing expert, this show offers wisdom for the whole practitioner—addressing not just what you do, but who you are and how you show up in your practice. Join the conversation at [podcast link] and discover how embracing your authentic self can transform patient care, team dynamics, and personal satisfaction in dentistry.