How a $50K Client Proved Dr. Lavine Was on the Right Track

Dr. Lorne Lavine’s journey from periodontist to tech entrepreneur is one of precision, passion, and pivoting with purpose. Disillusioned by the unpredictability of surgical outcomes, he left dentistry behind to create a company that now powers and protects the digital backbone of dental practices. His leap of faith crystallized with a major sale just six months into his new path—cementing his transformation and earning him a place in the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight series. Today, Lavine blends innovation and integrity, delivering cybersecurity and tech solutions that ensure dental professionals can thrive with confidence.

Hi, Dr. Lorne Lavine! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?

I own a tech company that powers and protects the dental industry. Everything from computers and networks to digital x-rays, cameras, AI, cybersecurity, data preservation, and HIPAA compliance.

Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.

My first big client ($50,000+ sale) happened about 6 months after I had left my career as a periodontist to pursue my IT career, it was then that I knew that I could be just as successful if not more so in my new career. 

Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.

It was about 3 years into my dental practice. I had slowly come to the realization that what I did as a gum surgeon didn't really have any long-term benefits for the patient, it was their brushing and flossing that was the key factor. I became very disillusioned and frustrated and decided I needed a career where I could do the same things over and over and get predictable results. Within another year, I was actively looking to sell my practice and move across the country.

Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?

Application whitelisting. This is special software that prevents unapproved software (like viruses and ransomware) from running on a computer. It's been a game changer for us as no clients have been hit with a virus since we started using it, which isn't something I could have said before that.

We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.

The first two years of my IT career were very lean as I hadn't planned to work exclusively in that field, I hadn't done enough research to know that my plan B wasn't an option so I had to devote myself full-time to the new endeavor. In retrospect it was the best thing that could have happened, but it certainly didn't feel so at the time!

What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?

Doing webinars for other companies. I really had no marketing experience but I had built up an opt-in email database of over 100,000 emails. I was able to promote that to other dental companies who had products and services to sell, not only has it been a significant source of revenue, it has strengthened my brand considerably.Doing webinars for other companies. I really had no marketing experience but I had built up an opt-in email database of over 100,000 emails. I was able to promote that to other dental companies who had products and services to sell, not only has it been a significant source of revenue, it has strengthened my brand considerably.

What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?

Don't wait too long to follow your passion. If you truly love something (and you're good at it), then go for it, the money will follow. Life is too short to be stuck in a miserable career.

Want to dive deeper into Dr. Lorne Lavine's work? Check out the links below!

• Visit The Digital Dentist's website thedigitaldentist.com
• Download the Security Preditor Checklist here.
• Connect with Dr. Lorne Lavine on LinkedIn: Dr. Lorne Lavine
• Follow The Digital Dentist on Facebook: The Digital Dentist
• Find The Digital Dentist on X: @digitaldentist