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 Dr. David Feck as he transformed his practice, 29th Street Dental Care in Chickasha, into a thriving, team-centered operation.
Dr. Phillips’ connection to Sunrise goes back to its very beginnings.
“Well, my story is just a little bit different, because Dr. Feck was one of my mentors before Sunrise was even on the map. So I have been with Dr. Feck since the late 90s, and once he started Sunrise, I was all in.”
– Dr. Phillips
That decision set the stage for a culture of growth, mentorship, and leadership that continues to fuel his success today. One of Dr. Phillips’ core philosophies is making dentistry a game, He believes every member of the team plays a crucial role just like in sports.
“When you realize that everybody truly matters from the hygienist, the assistant to the person taking the phone call, it’s a beautiful thing.”
With clear goals, daily focus, and what he calls the win-win fishing bonus, his team rallies around a shared mission. Everyone rows in the same direction and that way everyone wins together!
For Dr. Phillips, one of the biggest shifts has been viewing dentistry not as a daily grind but as a game to be played by all. Instead of focusing only on procedures, he builds systems that let his team “win” together. Goals aren’t just about production and collections, they’re about alignment and energy.
Everyone has a role to play!
Just like a football team: some call the plays, others block or run routes, but everyone strives for touchdowns.
This team-driven approach has transformed his practice. What started with a daily production goal of $3,000 has grown to $37,000 or more. Phillips attributes the leap to one key factor: mindset. He sees challenges not as roadblocks, but as part of the journey. As he puts it…
“If it was easy, everybody would be doing it!”
While he still enjoys practicing dentistry every day, Phillips sees his greater responsibility in developing people. He believes human capital is just as important as new patients or updated equipment. His role is to empower leaders within his practice, who in turn inspire others on the team.
That philosophy led him to help create Next Level, a program for Sunrise doctors. Despite its name, it’s not just about production, it’s about leadership!
Despite his laser focus, Dr. Phillips admits something surprising, he’s become a hugger.
“When somebody’s done, and we’ve helped them out, I find myself giving them hugs. I never thought I’d do that as a dentist.”
One story that still moves him: a patient who needed his smile restored before walking his daughter down the aisle. Seeing the photos from that day reminded Dr. Phillips that dentistry is never just about teeth, it’s about the life moments that matter most.
As Dr. Phillips looks to the next decade, his mission is clear: To grow leaders who lead and empower their teams to reach another level.
His journey is proof that when you shift the mindset from “doing dentistry” to playing the game of dentistry, the wins go far beyond production numbers; they touch lives, build communities, and leave lasting legacies.
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🌟 Want to hear more stories of growth and inspiration from your fellow Sunrise doctors? Check out our DOC STAR stories.
And if your own practice has experienced remarkable changes you’d love to see highlighted, we’d love to share those with the community. Reach out anytime at info@mindtypes.com.
Your story might be the spark that inspires someone else to take their practice to the next level.