Eric Nuss
Dental business strategist, educator, and advisor helping practices achieve clarity, sustainable growth, and lasting value.
About Eric
Eric Nuss is a dental industry consultant, educator, and strategic advisor with deep experience in dental practice management and group practice growth. He has led business education programs for dentists, advised doctor-led groups across the United States, and focuses on helping practices reduce waste while improving patient care.
Today, Eric works with entrepreneurial dentists and dental groups to align strategy, operations, and financial performance—so owners can build practices that are both profitable and sustainable. Through his work at eric-nuss.com, he delivers practical guidance on dental practice growth, leadership development, and business strategy tailored to the unique challenges facing modern dental practices.
With lean in-office teams already managing clinical responsibilities, many dentists now recognize that trying to handle administrative, financial, and operational tasks in-house is not just inefficient—it's costly. This shift in awareness is fueling one of the fastest-growing trends in the dental world today: the rise of specialized dental practice consultants who step in to manage the non-clinical workload and help practices operate more like streamlined, financially healthy businesses.
Professional Journey & Impact
From Education to Leadership
Eric began his professional career as a middle school teacher in Colorado Springs, where he worked closely with young athletes and learned the power of structure, discipline, and adaptability—skills that later proved invaluable in business. Over time, he transitioned into sales and management, mastering workflow, communication, and leadership in practice settings worldwide.
Supporting Growth in Dentistry
Over more than twenty years, Eric has dedicated his efforts to supporting dentists and practice owners through all stages of change and expansion. He has guided practices on core goals around revenue planning, leadership development, and clear operational direction.
Driving Sustainable Success
Eric helped dentists understand of change and complexity—from guiding practices on accounting, integrating new systems, to creating structures for finance, compliance, and human resources. His focus ensured that doctors could concentrate on their clinical work while the business side ran smoothly. He also worked to refine their systems, scale their organizations, and structure for growth while preserving long-term value.
As a dental business consultant and DSO advisor, Eric helped practices navigate dental M&A strategy and prepare owners for successful dental practice exit strategy transitions, ensuring clarity and sustainability through every phase of practice management.
Industry Recognition & Thought Leadership
Forbes Recognition
Eric was highlighted in Forbes magazine for his pioneering work in founding and scaling Henry Schein's Business Solutions Division and for creating the Dental Business Institute (DBI). His introduction of MBA-level business education into clinical education has been transformational. This model has helped thousands of dental practices achieve clarity, sustainable growth, and lasting value nationwide.
Published Authority
He has authored numerous articles featured in respected publications, including Dental Economics, Dentistry Today, Inside Dentistry, and Dental Products Report. His writing offers practical strategies and original curriculum for practice growth and operational excellence. These publications regularly present his insights at professional gatherings, providing actionable knowledge to audiences nationwide through dental business education initiatives.
Speaking & Curriculum
His influence extends to speaking roles where he delivers keynote addresses and participates in panels at significant events, including the Voices Conference and numerous seminars. Publications are regularly presented at these gatherings, sharing insights on practice growth and leadership with dental professionals across the country.
Building for the Industry
At Henry Schein and the Dental Business Institute, Eric was recognized internally for creating programs that continue to impact dental practices and businesses nationwide. His focus on practice growth, adaptability, and leadership helped hundreds of dental businesses thrive. Learn more about his work at ericjnuss.com.
The Championship Mindset
Eric's leadership philosophy extends from his early years as a coach at STMS Baseball Academy, where he spent nearly four years coaching a group of twelve-year-olds who went on to win a National Championship. This experience taught him the power of alignment on a baseball field and instilled values that would later become central to his approach in guiding dental organizations.
At the start of every season, the team didn't begin with drills or lineups. They began with values. Together, they built team identity around passion, consistency, creativity, and fun—with the rally cry: "Play with Pride. Win with Honor."
This discipline carried through tough games and high-pressure moments. Those kids weren't just playing to win. They were playing to prove their values in action. Walking into dental practices years later, Eric saw the same challenge: talented people, good intentions—but no shared standard.
Through his dental leadership coaching, Eric helps practices adopt this championship mindset, transforming teams into aligned, values-driven organizations.
Building Real Values, Not Wallpaper Words
Technology and tools help, but what truly transforms a team is behavioral alignment. When values are clear and consistent, they guide decisions, unify culture, and inspire performance. Too often, practices adopt generic values like Integrity or Excellence. The intent is good, but these are table stakes. Real values should feel personal, specific, and practical enough that team members know exactly how to live them daily.
At XpoDental, Eric and his team use values like Outrageously Brave—lean into tough conversations and bold decisions. These aren't just posted on walls; they're reinforced daily through practice behavior and decision-making. Follow his insights on Instagram for real-world examples of values in action.
Life, Faith & What Matters Most
Family & Freedom
Eric lives in Parker, Colorado, with his wife and their six children. Their family life is filled with energy, featuring activities that range from attending games to sitting down for dinner or exploring new places. He values the moments that remind him what time spent together means. That time remains among his priorities.
Whether attending games, sitting down for dinner, or exploring new places, he values the moments that remind him what freedom really means. This personal commitment to creating freedom and building lasting opportunities for those he serves drives his professional approach.
Faith & Perspective
A significant influence in Eric's life was a trip to Tanzania with his family and church. The experience reshaped his perspective on faith, frugality, and materialism, while also deepening his respect for simplicity and what truly matters in both personal and professional relationships. This journey reinforced the importance of humility and purpose beyond business success.
The Power of Family
Another defining influence has been his blended family. The challenges and lessons that come from raising a large family have shaped his understanding of empathy, patience, and how different challenges call for different approaches. These qualities inform how he responds to both personal and professional situations, providing a broader perspective on leadership and responsibility. Connect with Eric on Reddit to learn more about his journey.
"With a career marked by teaching, consulting, and leadership, Eric Nuss continues to dedicate his work toward helping others succeed. His focus on growth, adaptability, and building value reflects not only his professional goals but also his personal commitment to creating lasting opportunities for those he serves."