Topics:
- Communication
- Inspiration/Motivation
- Leadership
- Stress Management
Alan Stern, DDS
Is the spark that inspired your dental career fading amidst burnout, conflict, and a shift toward an industrialized, impersonal model?
Join Alan Stern, DDS, for a transformative experience where you'll reconnect with the joy of your work while navigating the key internal and external challenges shaping the future of dentistry. Participants will learn how to combat the pressures steering dentistry into an industrialized model by reconnecting to humanity, humility, and servant leadership. We’ll explore the four cornerstones of love that foster meaningful relationships and build resilient teams, all while preventing burnout and depression. Practical strategies for self-care, professional growth, and creating a thriving, supportive work culture will be shared. Additionally, we’ll tackle the art of managing difficult conversations with grace, turning clashes into opportunities for understanding. By the end of this course, attendees will feel empowered to lead with love, foster happy teams, and embrace a sustainable, fulfilling dental career.
Career satisfaction starts to slip away when personal values and professional direction are misaligned—are you noticing the cracks?
Many dental professionals find themselves questioning their purpose, burdened by self-doubt and endless comparison, while misaligned choices quietly erode their happiness in work and in life. In this compelling course, Dr. Alan Stern challenges dental professionals to reflect deeply on their personal and professional choices, with the goal of building a life of purpose, authenticity, and fulfillment.
Discover the power of identifying your unique “why” and learn how to protect and apply it to craft a meaningful career path. We’ll explore how self-awareness, generous listening, and skill mastery form the backbone of true professional success. Discover how to conquer universal challenges like impostor syndrome and the comparison trap. Recognize the critical importance of integrity while navigating your career. Practical insights on financial discipline, choosing the right continuing education, and cultivating a strong network of advisors and peers will equip you for long-term prosperity. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of clarity, confidence, and commitment to pursuing a dental career that aligns with their values and goals.
Does a narrow view of diversity prevent your business from reaching its full potential?
Breaking free from innate biases and creating a harmonious, inclusive environment isn’t easy, but it is essential for business success. This keynote presentation invites professionals to explore the profound impact of curiosity and humility in building stronger teams and patient relationships. Through the lens of personal storytelling, attendees will gain a richer, more applicable definition of diversity and its ability to enhance the workplace in new and innovative ways.
Dr. Stern will address the destructive impacts of hate and bias, while offering practical tools to break generational cycles of bias with grace and understanding. Key topics include creating a shared vocabulary for inclusion, building partnerships across differences, and emphasizing the value of collaboration, even when challenges don’t directly affect you. You’ll also learn how cultural humility strengthens communication and enhances leadership skills. Leave inspired and empowered to create a more compassionate community – personally and professionally.
Many professionals struggle with burnout, lost purpose, and misaligned values, leaving them unfulfilled and disconnected. Challenges with bias, inclusivity, and empathetic leadership further hinder their ability to build meaningful relationships and cohesive teams.
With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Alan Stern has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship and overcome these hurdles, transforming financial and personal struggles into meaningful success. His commitment to realigning his values and focusing on personal fulfillment enabled him to build a career that has since inspired countless dental professionals.
Dr. Stern’s coaching business, Better Richer Stronger, guides professionals toward building stronger teams while rekindling their passion for dentistry. His unique insights into balancing professional success with personal well-being have made him a sought-after speaker at dental conferences and events.
His book Enjoy the Ride explores actionable strategies for breaking free from the daily grind and taking control of one’s professional and personal future. Dr. Stern’s clients frequently report greater confidence, energy, and focus - results they once viewed as unattainable.
Recognized for his impact on the profession, Dr. Stern was honored with the Nifty Award as the Most Inspiring Dental Professional in both 2023 and 2024. He was also awarded a Fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 2024, underscoring his contributions to dentistry. He holds memberships with the American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society, and the L.D. Pankey Institute Alumni Association. His influence as a thought leader has been widely acknowledged, including his recognition as a top Key Opinion Leader in Dentistry in a 2023 poll.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Alan exemplifies a dedication to health and personal growth. He continues to challenge himself with ever more ambitious fitness goals, embodying resilience and continuous improvement.
Dr. Alan Stern’s passion for coaching, speaking, and inspiring others - paired with his commitment to helping professionals across disciplines achieve their own “dream come true” - defines his legacy. His mission is clear and unwavering: to guide professionals toward not just professional success but also a richly rewarding life.
Benco Dental
Brookdale Community College
Dental Nachos (multiple)
Forum For Advanced Dental Studies (multiple)
Jersey Coast Dental Forum (multiple)
LD Pankey Institute Alumni Association
Monmouth Medical Center (multiple)
Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Assistants Association
New Jersey Dental Association Annual Session, Table Clinician
New Jersey Dental Assistants Association
Ocean County College
The Dental Mental Network (multiple)
The Happy Dentist Retreat
"We had the privilege and the honor of having Dr. Alan Stern as the keynote speaker at our event. Dr. Stern delivered such a well rounded session that had everyone captivated through its entirety. He masterfully and graciously led our audience through a highly complex journey of triumph, humor and lessons for a lifetime." - Christopher B. Williams; The Dental Culture Con
“Dr. Alan Stern has been a strong, positive influence on me, both personally and professionally. I am proud to consider him a mentor, and every interaction between us only helps me further on my journey. With the deepest respect, I will forever be able to thank Alan.” - Dr. Ben Klayman
"Dr. Alan Stern was the opening keynote speaker for our conference, and he far exceeded our expectations. From the start, he was a pleasure to work with - proactive in asking thoughtful questions to tailor his content to our audience’s needs and consistently delivering on all commitments in a timely manner. His session was engaging, insightful, and left a lasting impact, with many attendees sharing positive feedback. I highly recommend Dr. Stern as a speaker for any event looking to inspire and educate its audience." - Karese Laguerre; Dental Culture Con
“If you are looking for a speaker to captivate your audience with his stories of transformation and resiliency, look no further than Dr. Alan Stern. As a meeting planner for many years, I can count on Alan to deliver a meaningful message to my audience every time. Alan Stern shines a bright light on how we can work together for the good of our profession.” - Paul Goodman, DMD; Founder of Dental Nachos
“Dr. Alan Stern artfully combines humor, honesty, and vulnerability in his presentations and deeply connects with his attendees. His entertaining style engages listeners to help them effectively learn and grow. I highly recommend having Alan speak at your next event!” - Laura Brenner, DDS; Denver, CO
“Dr. Alan Stern is a rare gem in the dental world - genuine, authentic, and deeply committed to helping others succeed as humans first. With raw honesty, humor, and heartfelt wisdom, he shares both the struggles and triumphs of his journey, offering powerful lessons that go beyond dentistry. Audiences leave not just inspired, but equipped to become better dentists, leaders, and people.” - Margy Schaller; The Schaller Speaker Academy
“I have had the privilege of hearing Dr. Stern speak several times around the country. Each talk inspires me to put an idea into action. Book Alan to speak and your audience is in for a treat. He is so impactful, in fact, that I have had him speak at two of my own events. He is heartfelt. He is funny. He is real.” - Jim Kachmar; Doctors Disability Specialists
Why choose Alan?
- ACE Certified Health Coach
- Behavior Change Specialist
- Founder and operator of Better, Richer, Stronger, LLC
- Successfully restructured his dental practice around core values and personal happiness