She Couldn’t Practice Dentistry Anymore. Here's What Happened Next. | Dr. Mariz Tanious

What happens when a dentist can no longer practice? In this episode of The Dr. Avi Show, Dr. Avi Patel sits down with Dr. Mariz Tanious, Chief Dental Officer at Affinity Dental, to discuss an unexpected career pivot that transformed her perspective on dentistry, leadership, and the future of DSOs. After being diagnosed with arthritis, Dr. Mariz Tanious was forced to step away from clinical dentistry. Rather than leaving the profession, she found a new way to make an impact—leading quality management and clinical excellence across large dental organizations. In this conversation, they discuss: • Why dental school doesn't prepare you for the realities of practice. • Student loans, burnout, and financial pressure in dentistry. • The importance of mentorship and continuous learning. • What Chief Dental Officers actually do (and why no one trains them). • The biggest challenges facing DSOs today. • Why conferences need more honest conversations and less surface-level content. • How AI is changing dentistry—and what it takes to implement it successfully. Whether you're a dental student, associate, practice owner, or DSO leader, this episode offers an honest look at career growth, leadership, and building a profession through collaboration instead of competition. Shoutout to our sponsors: SprintRay Midas: https://bit.ly/SprintRay-Podcast OrthoBrain: https://bit.ly/4vFk9OI Neer: https://bit.ly/4vzRFG3 Connect with Clear Aligner Advisor: https://www.clearaligneradvisor.co/ Connect with Dr. Mariz Tanious :   / mariz-tanious-dds   Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of dentistry. Dr. Avi Patel shares real conversations and practical insights on modern dentistry — including DSO growth, associate retention, clinical execution, aligner implementation, leadership, and personal development in the profession. This channel is built for dentists, leaders, and operators who want clarity on what’s actually working today. --- 🔹 General Dentists If you’re looking to implement clear aligners confidently and predictably: Free Training → https://www.clearaligneradvisor.co/ 🔹 DSOs & Group Practices If you’re exploring doctor activation, aligner adoption, or associate retention strategy: Learn more → https://www.clearaligneradvisor.co/al... About Dr. Avi: Dr. Avi Patel is a general dentist and founder of Clear Aligner Advisor. He works with solo practices and DSOs nationwide to bridge the gap between education and real-world execution — helping doctors grow with clarity and confidence. Connect with Dr. Avi Instagram →   / doctor.avi   LinkedIn →   / dr-avi-patel-clearaligner-advisor