From Good Dentistry to Great Leadership: The La Costa Story

They Don’t Train Dentists to Run a Business. We Had to Figure That Out.

After 21 years, La Costa Dental Excellence reflects on the real lessons that transformed their practice.

At La Costa Dental Excellence, the dentistry was never in question. Drs. Steve, Kim, and Piper Dankworth had clinical excellence down to a science. What they didn’t have, at least not initially, was a roadmap for how to effectively run the business of a practice.

“We weren’t great at numbers,” Piper admitted. “We weren’t tracking metrics month to month or year to year. Sunrise made us do that, and it changed everything.”

For years, like many successful dentists, the Dankworths were busy. The schedule was full. The work was good. But there was an underlying sense that something more was possible if only they had the tools to unlock it. It wasn’t sparked by a single moment or crisis, just a growing realization that they had reached a ceiling. The dentistry was solid, but everything around it—leadership, systems, team dynamics needed structure, clarity, and strategy. They didn’t just want to work harder. They wanted to work smarter. And for that, they knew they needed help.

When Great Clinical Skills Aren’t Enough

In the early days, these challenges became clear through missed opportunities and inefficiencies. There were no clear training systems, the office culture shifted with every new hire, marketing lacked focus, and burnout quietly crept in. All of that changed once they partnered with Sunrise Dental Solutions.

21 Years In, We Still Needed Help

After more than two decades with Sunrise, the Dankworths openly acknowledge that the learning never stops. Piper, who joined the family practice after growing up in a Sunrise-supported environment, brings a fresh perspective shaped by that experience. Even major milestones—like Piper buying into the practice—were navigated with the guidance and support of Sunrise advisors.

The Power of Having Someone in Your Corner

Each month, the Dankworths meet with their Sunrise advisor to discuss whatever they faced—from growth strategies to navigating difficult team dynamics. This ongoing support goes far beyond business tactics; it’s about building a lasting legacy.

Lessons Worth Sharing

Reflecting on their journey, the Dankworths emphasize the importance of seeking help early rather than waiting until burnout or overwhelm sets in. Even after 21 years, they recognize the value of investing in the right guidance and support to continue growing. Most importantly, they understand that clinical skill alone doesn’t guarantee practice success—strong leadership and management are equally essential.

Explore their practice and philosophy at: La Costa Dental Excellence

 

Related Posts

Sunrise Summit Kickoff: Behind the Scenes!

Sunrise Dental Solutions Kicks Off 20th Anniversary Summit in Grand Cayman The 20th Anniversary Sunrise Summit is officially underway in beautiful Grand Cayman, and the excitement is building at the Ritz-Carlton. From the setup to the speakers, every detail came...

read more

Day 2 at the Sunrise 20th Summit in Grand Cayman

From preparation to celebration: highlights of Day 2 Day 2 of the Sunrise 20th Summit in Grand Cayman focused on preparation, connection, and celebration. Our team spent the day getting ready for clients, capturing interviews, and finishing the day with a team dinner....

read more

Are Your Ad Dollars Promoting Your Competition?

Yep and it’s no joke…Get this. You spend good money on paid traffic. You expect phone calls and new patients.Then what? Crickets. Goose egg. Zippo.What happened? Your AI optimized competitor has taken your leads. The prospects called them and not you.How’s that...

read more

Day 1 in Grand Cayman: Kicking Off the 20th Sunrise Summit

The 20th Sunrise Summit has officially begun! After months of preparation and anticipation, Dr. Feck and the Sunrise team have touched down in Grand Cayman for what promises to be a truly unforgettable milestone event. This year’s Summit wasn’t just a gathering, it...

read more

Turning Dentistry into a Game and Winning Big!

From Stuck to Scaling: The Dentist Who Turned Work Into Play At Sunrise Dental Solutions, we believe every doctor’s journey holds valuable lessons. In a recent conversation with Ridgely Goldsborough, Dr. John Phillips shared his powerful story, from mentorship under...

read more

The AI Earthquake in Dental Marketing

The AI Earthquake: Stand Still and Get Swallowed — or Seize the Moment to Crush Your Competition A Presentation by Ridgely Goldsborough at the 20th Anniversary Sunrise Dental Solutions Summit – Sept. 18-20, 2025 Google just pulled the rug out from under your dental...

read more