As an innovator and practitioner devoted to continuous improvement, Dr. Robinson has written Bridging Smiles: The Evolution of a Small-Town Dentist to Healthcare Renegade to coach readers to replicate his success in building an impactful, lucrative, and expansive business that also makes a difference. Robinson walks the reader through his works growing a thriving practice into the Pain and Sleep Therapy Center of Delaware Valley, carving and illuminating a path along the way for burned-out and unfulfilled professionals.
When Robinson’s professional and personal lives collided as his own child was diagnosed with respiratory problems, he began to notice the gaps between medical practices and decided to start building bridges. This led to risky moves—working shoulder to shoulder with the best in the business to start up new practices beyond traditional dentistry to address the problems being overlooked in the airway.
As these ventures continually expanded, he had a front-row seat to the personal and professional curriculum no one had ever given him. Having codified what worked—and what didn’t—he is now using these lessons to coach others to think big, think differently, and create a “wow! experience” for everyone involved.
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Problem with the Curveball
Chapter 2. The Awakening
Chapter 3. Renee and the Great Escape
Chapter 4. The Wow! Experience and the Beginning of Freedom
Chapter 5. The Young Me
Chapter 6. The Next Big Thing?
Acknowledgments
About the Author
“I've had the privilege of knowing Dr. Robinson since our youth, and Bridging Smiles perfectly captures the inspiring journey of someone who has always taken the path less traveled; especially now with his mission in bridging healthcare and dentistry. His competitive nature fuels his pioneering success, but it's his ability to motivate and empower those around him that truly sets him apart. This book offers a glimpse into the person behind the achievements, inviting each of us to be part of the mission to make life better for this generation and the next. This book will leave you inspired to make a difference, to understand what you are capable of, and to take steps towards truly living a fulfilling life.”
— Dane Stokes
“Dr. Robinson proves that he isn’t just a dentist but a true thought leader and visionary in the healthcare space. His perseverance and dedication to his craft left me inspired to ponder my own journey and what my legacy will be. Thought-provoking, easy to read, and extremely identifiable regardless of your profession, Bridging Smiles is a must-read for anyone who wants to delve deeper into their own inner self.”
— Andrew S. Rosen, CFP
President, Diversified LLC
“This book is more than a memoir; it’s a powerful resource for anyone interested in the intersection of healthcare and entrepreneurship. Dr. Robinson's story is one of perseverance, growth, and a relentless pursuit of a more comprehensive approach to patient care. It ultimately sheds light on the profound impact of holistic dentistry and the drive it takes to transform challenges into opportunities.”
— Kyle Green, DDS
"Good leaders are easy to spot and great leaders are easy to follow. In Bridging Smiles you'll get a behind the scenes look at the secret sauce that propelled Dr. Robinson to his success. You'll learn, like most great stories, it isn't just one thing but a culmination of work ethic, grit, and passion. This book is a great read for so many people and you'll find it entertaining, motivating, and expanding your vision of what's possible."
— Daniel Klauer, DDS
“It made me chuckle to read how Dr. Ryan Robinson’s moment of Awakening to sleep, breathing, and wellness began with him feeling ‘breathless.’ We can all think of life events—both good and bad—that take the breath away. Connecting the dots backwards though, what seems terrible now may be the bedrock to a transformative experience later. For Ryan, losing his career on the mound as a youth, coupled with his relentless drive, led him to be a major league all-star of sleep and airway doctors. As a colleague, teammate, and fellow disruptor, I caution you that Ryan’s stories are inspiring and some moments purely riveting. Just remember to breathe as you read.”
— Stanley Liu, MD, DDS, FACS
Sleep surgeon
“Always growing and always learning, Ryan Robinson takes us through his journey from a rebellious but talented child from meager beginnings to the hard-charging innovator of a comprehensive dental healthcare system unlike any other. Ryan’s willingness to commit and execute and his passion for people are a true inspiration for clinicians and business leaders alike.”
— Aaron Vickers, DDS, MD
“Dr. Ryan Robinson is a man on a mission. In all my years of supporting the visions of entrepreneurs who make it their mission to create good for the world, Dr, Robinson ranks at the top for having the most passion and perseverance to bring his vision to life. Having the honor to get to know Dr. Robinson, I can promise you one thing, his story will be an inspiration for anyone who is willing to relate to his experiences and use his testimony as a catalyst to create their own good in the world … embrace your ‘Inner Renegade!’"
— Kevin Kowalke
Business coach, mentor, and investor
“Good leaders provide direction, purpose, and reason for a group or organization to follow. They also share their knowledge, wisdom, and experience with others. Their leadership becomes a calling to serve others. Dr. Robinson is a leader who has risen to his position in his company and industry through his action and his words. His thoughts on leadership, business and personal success are clear, specific, and on target in today’s business and social climate.”
— Leo Malin, DDS
"In Bridging Smiles: The Evolution of a Small-Town Dentist to Healthcare Renegade, Dr. Ryan P. Robinson shares his inspiring journey from a traditional dentist to a visionary leader in holistic healthcare, offering groundbreaking insights into craniofacial pain and dental sleep medicine. This compelling memoir challenges the status quo, showcasing resilience and innovation in the pursuit of transformative patient care. A must read for anyone keen on revolutionizing dental and medical practices!"
— Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman
"Being a dental specialist with multiple offices myself, I have always had that competitive spirit to be the best in whatever I do and have gone against the status quo several times. Throughout my journey, I have always had 'what if' questions and possible regrets about some of the decisions that I have made. After reading Dr. Robinson’s story, not only do I not have any regrets, but I am even more driven to becoming even bigger and better than what we are today.
Throughout this book, Dr. Robinson shows how amazing leaders can give their organizations purpose and how this directly leads to exponential growth for all those involved. Bridging Smiles is a must read for any business owner that is not satisfied with mediocrity but wants to leverage their talents and efforts to the highest level in order to grow significantly in both their professional and personal lives. If you want to be the best, then you need to follow the advice of the best—and Dr. Robinson shows how he has achieved this throughout this motivational book."
— Amit M. Patel, DDS, MSD
Periodontics specialist
"Dr. Ryan Robinson’s journey from traditional dentistry to a holistic, functional approach addressing TMJ, sleep, breathing, and complete oral health is a remarkable testament to his dedication to patient well-being. His commitment to uncovering root causes and advancing functional solutions in sleep and breathing care is inspiring. His work serves as a guiding light for anyone seeking more comprehensive, lasting outcomes beyond conventional dentistry."
— Soroush Zaghi, MD
The Breathe Institute, Los Angeles