Bridging the gap: Business education for the modern dentist

Dr Sriram, you’ve been a dentist, an educator, and now a pioneer in dental business education. Tell us what led to the creation of these unique programmes — APLBED and EBMD.

After years of working closely with dentists across India and globally, I realised that many brilliant clinicians struggle with managing the business side of their practices. Clinical skill alone isn’t enough in today’s competitive, tech-driven environment.
Dentists need to understand finance, operations, branding, patient experience, and even AI. That gap led us to create two structured programmes:
• APLBED – Advanced Programme in Leadership & Business Excellence in Dentistry, for experienced dentists aiming to grow or scale.
• EBMD – Essentials of Business Management in Dentistry, tailored for young dentists starting and looking to build strong foundations.

Let’s start with APLBED. What is it about, and who is it for?

APLBED is a 12-week, high-impact programme developed with the Indian School of Business (ISB). It’s for senior, ambitious dentists who want to move from being good clinicians to successful dental entrepreneurs.
It includes core modules on finance, marketing, operations, leadership, and patient centricity — taught by ISB faculty and top dental business experts. A standout feature is the Dental Business Design Workshop, where participants develop a real, actionable business plan under the guidance of mentors.

We’ve already completed the first cohort with fantastic results — many participants recovered their programme fee before the course even ended.

What is EBMD, and how does it differ from APLBED?

While APLBED is designed for growth-stage practices, EBMD is for dentists at the early stage of their careers. Many young dentists leave dental school with great clinical skills but struggle with real-world challenges:
• How do I attract patients?
• How do I price my services?
• Should I start my own practice or join one?
• How do I grow professionally and financially?

EBMD answers these questions.

It’s a 12-week online programme designed with blended faculty from the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the dental industry.

It includes a Career Design Workshop instead of a business plan, helping young dentists map their path with clarity, confidence, and competence.

How are the programmes structured? Are they online or in-person?

Both programmes are primarily online, with a final in-person graduation at ISB.
• APLBED: 12 weeks, part-time, includes live sessions, mentor guidance, assignments, and culminates in a business pitch.
• EBMD: 12 weeks, part-time, focused on practice readiness, patient flow, life skills, and career decision-making.

The goal is to make these programmes accessible to busy professionals without disrupting their current work.

What outcomes can participants expect from these programmes?

Let me give it to you straight:
• For APLBED:
o Clarity on how to grow or scale their practice
o Stronger control over finance, operations, and team performance
o A practice pitch deck that can be used to raise funds or expand
o A new network of driven dentists and ISB alumni status

• For EBMD:
o The confidence to launch or grow a practice
o A clear understanding of costing, pricing, marketing, and patient retention
o Exposure to AI tools that can make young practices more efficient
o A career road map that aligns with each dentist’s ambition

Why do you think business education is becoming essential for dentists today?

Dentistry is no longer just about treating teeth — it’s about running a patient-focused, financially viable, and future-ready business. With rising costs, AI integration, increased competition, and growing patient expectations, dentists need to think like CEOs.

What used to be optional knowledge has now become non-negotiable. That’s why our motto at The Gold Collar is “Beyond Dental Skills.”

What’s next for The Gold Collar and your mission in dental education?

We’re just getting started. After the strong success of APLBED and the upcoming launch of EBMD, we plan to introduce more top-of-funnel programmes like AI in Dentistry, which is a one-day mass workshop. The goal is to build a career ladder for dentists, where they can start with awareness, build foundational skills, and eventually grow into true dental leaders.

We want to transform how dentistry is practised and run in India — and beyond.

How can interested dentists apply for these programmes?

It’s simple. Visit www.thegoldcollar.com. You’ll find programme brochures, upcoming start dates, and a form to apply.
The next cohort of APLBED starts soon, and EBMD is launching shortly. Both have limited seats, so early registration is encouraged.

Any final thoughts before we conclude, Dr Sriram?

• “If you’re a dentist who believes that clinical skills alone are no longer enough, you’re right.
• The future belongs to dentists who can manage, lead, and grow. That’s exactly what we’re here to help you do.”

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