A cosmetic dental giant’s journey to $10 million revenue

US cosmetic dentistry titan Brian Harris explains how he built a family business up from $1.5 million to $10 million per year in revenue, plus what he learned about technology and information sharing along the way.

Alan Clarke (AC): For our next Stateside Sessions, I have the tremendous privilege to be here with Dr Brian Harris, a very accomplished cosmetic dentist.

Brian, I want you to tell your story, but in my opinion you have been known and present in aesthetic dentistry for a long time. You’ve also reconfigured the industry in the US: you’ve disrupted how dentistry can be delivered and you’ve also inspired a completely new generation to do things differently. It’s a privilege for me to have you here.

Brian Harris (BH): Thanks for having me. When I got the invite, I knew I had to make the time to be here because I’ve been so inspired by what you’re doing and and how you’re bringing the communities of cosmetic dentistry around the world together. I think it’s fascinating.

Maybe I’ll start with with my story. I grew up around dentistry. My dad was a dentist, and I saw him go through a transformation in the early 90s. That is what made me want to be a dentist.

He ended up signing up for the first over-the-shoulder cosmetic course, which was held at Baylor and called the Cosmetic Continuum. Bill Dorfman was there, and Bill Dickerson was there, and David Hornbrook, and so many others. From that course was born this first cosmetic revolution.

He went on to teach for many years at the various different Cosmetic Continuums. So that was my first experience with cosmetic dentistry – seeing how it transformed his life, going from a general dentist that enjoyed dentistry enough to being truly passionate about what he was doing.

From $1.5 million to $10 million