When Dentistry Breaks You: Burnout, Anxiety, and Reclaiming Your Career

In this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of The Real Talk of Dental, I sit down with Dr. Eric Block—practicing dentist, entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and co-founder of the International Academy of Dental Life Coaches.

Eric shares his real, unfiltered journey through burnout, anxiety, and regret in dentistry, including the moment he hit rock bottom and questioned whether he could stay in the profession at all. What followed wasn’t a dramatic overnight fix, but a commitment to therapy, self-awareness, and taking responsibility for his own well-being.

We explore how perfectionism, introversion, and the emotional labor of dentistry quietly fuel burnout, why so many high-achieving dental professionals struggle to ask for help, and how systems, leadership, and personal growth can radically change the day-to-day experience of practice ownership.

Eric also shares how entrepreneurship reignited his passion, why creating systems like SOPs reduces mental overload, and how building community through coaching is saving careers—and lives—in dentistry.

This conversation is equal parts reflective, practical, and hopeful. If you’ve ever felt trapped, exhausted, or wondered if it’s supposed to feel this hard, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn:
What dental burnout actually feels like when no one is talking about it
How perfectionism and introversion silently drain dentists
Why asking for help is a strength, not a failure
The role therapy and coaching play in sustainable success
How systems and SOPs reduce daily stress and decision fatigue
Why entrepreneurship can reignite passion inside clinical practice
How the International Academy of Dental Life Coaches supports struggling professionals
Simple mindset and lifestyle shifts that create real relief

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https://leadhershipexperience.com/

We talk about:
00:00 Intro and meeting through the IADLC
03:00 Music, Phish, and creative inspiration
08:00 Eric’s origin story and path into dentistry
10:00 Hitting rock bottom and regretting the profession
14:00 Therapy, perfectionism, and self-awareness
18:00 Why burnout doesn’t go away on its own
22:00 The emotional labor of dentistry for introverts
26:00 Creating the International Academy of Dental Life Coaches
30:00 Systems, SOPs, and reducing daily overwhelm
34:00 Entrepreneurship as a burnout antidote
38:00 Staying energized with new techniques and modalities
41:00 Final reflections, hope, and taking action

Connect with Eric:
Facebook:   / eric.block.790  
LinkedIn:   / eric-block-dmd  
Instagram: @thestressfreedentist
Website & Podcast: https://www.thestressfreedentist.com/...

Connect with me:
LinkedIn:   / brandimarzolino  
Instagram:   / brandi.marzolino  
https://courageandjoyatwork.com/
https://leadhershipexperience.com/
Phone: 616-682-6222