Press Start to Innovate: The Dentist Who Coded a Modern Practice from the Ground Up | Dr. Tej Shah

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Show Notes

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Discover how this dentist used high-tech innovation and low-overhead strategies—powered by his love for video games—to build his startup from the ground up!

In this episode, Dr. Tej Shah invites us into his multifaceted world, sharing how his early love for gaming and programming evolved into a drive for innovation in dentistry. You’ll hear about his journey from designing games and solving engineering puzzles at Lockheed Martin to navigating rigorous coursework at Carnegie Mellon and Tufts—all before taking the leap to open his own dental practice in Ashland, Massachusetts. Dr. Shah candidly shares what made him leave a secure tech path behind, and how seeing limitations in traditional dental software inspired him to develop his own Linux-based system tailored to real clinical needs.

But that’s just the start. Dr. Shah unpacks the creative marketing tactics—like hosting "Smash Bros" tournaments—and bold decisions, like offering dental care on weekends, that set his practice apart. He discusses the operational challenges, from wrestling with insurance claims to building a reliable team, all while keeping overhead surprisingly low. Through it all, Dr. Shah’s commitment to innovation and genuine patient care anchors his advice for anyone blending technology and entrepreneurship: help people first, and the success will follow.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why Dr. Shah traded a tech career for dentistry—and what fueled the transition
Creative strategies for attracting patients, beyond traditional marketing
The advantages of custom, open-source (Linux) dental software in running a modern practice
How to balance practice ownership with independent software development
Practical lessons in managing staff, insurance, and keeping costs down
Insights on making your business stand out—like weekend hours and community events

Tune in now for an inspiring blend of tech ingenuity, creative grit, and real-world lessons in building a unique dental practice from scratch.

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