We were lucky to catch up with Kathryn Alderman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathryn, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Definitely. One of the biggest turning points in my career happened during my second year of dental school. I had the chance to be part of a dental startup, and honestly, I wasn’t fully prepared for what that meant. At the time, I was laser-focused on learning clinical skills and getting through school, but this opportunity gave me a glimpse into the entrepreneurial side of dentistry—a world I hadn’t even thought about before.

It was overwhelming, to say the least. Balancing school, studying, and helping to build a startup was no small feat, but it was also incredibly eye-opening. I started to see how dentistry isn’t just about treating patients; it’s about creating systems, solving problems, and building something bigger than yourself. That experience lit a fire in me and changed the way I saw my future.

Looking back, it was one of those moments where I realized growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable. It happens when you take on challenges that scare you a little—or a lot! That leap taught me to trust myself, think creatively, and embrace opportunities that push me beyond what I thought I was capable of.

Since then, my passion has been about helping other dentists bridge the gap between clinical work and building practices that thrive. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: never underestimate what you can handle. Sometimes the scariest opportunities turn into the most rewarding experiences.

Kathryn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Dr. Kathryn Alderman, a dentist, entrepreneur, and mentor with over 20 years of experience in the dental industry. My journey into dentistry started with a passion for helping people achieve better health and confidence through their smiles. However, as my career evolved, I discovered that my true calling wasn’t just in patient care—it was in helping dentists and healthcare professionals navigate the challenges of growing and managing successful practices.

I’m the founder of Intelligent Care Alliance, an agency dedicated to solving the toughest problems in healthcare and dentistry. We specialize in business growth, marketing, branding, and integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI to improve practice efficiency and enhance patient care. Whether it’s mentoring a new dentist, guiding a practice through scaling up, or helping clients understand how technology can revolutionize their business, our goal is always to empower healthcare professionals to focus on what they do best while we handle the rest.

What sets me apart is my experience as both a practitioner and an entrepreneur. I’ve walked the path of launching startups, scaling businesses, and dealing with the unique challenges of balancing patient care with practice management. I’ve also completed an MBA and a program in designing AI products for healthcare, giving me a strong foundation to help practices embrace innovation in meaningful ways.

I’m most proud of the impact my work has had on others. Whether it’s helping over 600 dental professionals achieve their goals or supporting a startup that’s now thriving, seeing the growth and success of others is incredibly fulfilling.

For me, it’s all about creating solutions that work for real people. I want potential clients and followers to know that my mission is to simplify their journey, give them tools for success, and help them unlock their full potential—whether that’s through growing their practice, adopting AI solutions, or simply having more time to focus on their passion.

At Intelligent Care Alliance, we’re not just a service provider; we’re a strategic partner. Our work is built on understanding your needs, solving your problems, and helping you build a thriving practice that aligns with your vision. That’s what excites me every day, and I’m grateful to be part of such a dynamic and rewarding industry.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey in the United States started with a chapter I’ll never forget—living in a homeless shelter. When I first arrived in this country, I had big dreams but very little to my name. I came here seeking opportunity, but the reality of starting over in an unfamiliar place, with no safety net, was overwhelming.

Finding myself in a homeless shelter was humbling and, at times, frightening. It wasn’t the future I had envisioned, but it was the reality I had to navigate. Those early days were filled with uncertainty, but they also became a defining period in my life. I learned resilience in its purest form—waking up every day determined to take one step forward, no matter how small, and refusing to let my circumstances define my future.

While I was in the shelter, I made a promise to myself: I would use this experience as fuel to build a better life, not just for myself but for others who might face similar struggles. I focused on finding work, building connections, and eventually pursuing my education in dentistry—a dream that had always driven me.

Looking back, I see that those difficult times taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons: humility, gratitude, and the power of persistence. They shaped me into a person who understands what it means to struggle and why it’s so important to lift others up whenever possible.

Today, as a dentist, entrepreneur, and mentor, I carry that experience with me in everything I do. It drives my passion for helping others, whether it’s empowering dentists to grow their practices or working with underserved communities to provide care. My story is proof that even when life feels like it’s at its hardest, resilience and hope can lead to something extraordinary.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

Have you ever bought a business or practice? Can you tell us about the business, why you bought it, and what the acquisition process was like?

I haven’t bought a business or practice, but I’ve done something just as exciting—built multi-location dental groups from scratch. Starting with single-location practices, I worked to grow them into thriving, million-dollar businesses. It wasn’t just about opening doors; it was about creating places where patients felt genuinely cared for and teams loved coming to work.

The process was challenging but incredibly rewarding. It involved everything from choosing the right locations to building systems that made the practices efficient and patient-focused. Along the way, I learned that running a successful practice isn’t just about clinical skills—it’s about strong leadership, strategic planning, and being willing to try new approaches to make things better.

Now, I’m taking everything I’ve learned from building those practices and applying it to something even bigger. I’m creating an AI-driven agency to help other dental and healthcare practices achieve the same kind of growth. Our goal is to make it easier for practices to grow into million-dollar businesses by using AI tools to streamline operations, improve patient care, and make the team’s workday smoother.

It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I love knowing that the strategies we’re developing will help others build successful practices with less stress and more time to focus on what they do best. Seeing it all come together is what keeps me excited about what’s next!

Contact Info:

• Website: intelligentcarealliance@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkathrynalderman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntelligentAllianceGlobal/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkathrynalderman/
• Other: My Book is coming soon: https://intelligentcarealliance.com/the-ai-advantage-book/