From Silicon Valley Roots to Dental Tech Leadership: How One Innovator Is Shaping the Future of Dentistry
Born and raised in Silicon Valley, Travis Rodgers developed a keen interest in technology and startups from a young age. His early entrepreneurial ventures included founding Mustang Technology Inc. in college, building computers and websites for students and local businesses, and ultimately selling the company in 1998. Following that, he joined Oracle and Taleo, where he played key roles in driving substantial software sales before rising to leadership positions at ADP and IBM, consistently outperforming sales targets.
Entering the World of Dental Technology
In 2003, Rodgers took a bold leap by merging his tech prowess with healthcare, specifically dentistry. He founded RecordLinc, creating the first electronic dental referral system and patient file-sharing tools tailored for dental practices. These early breakthroughs would set the stage for the next evolution of his career in dental innovation.
Founding DrDDS Innovations
Building on the successes of RecordLinc, Rodgers launched DrDDS Innovations, where he has developed 27 distinct dental software programs and helped bring hundreds of dental technology products to market since 2003 . Under DrDDS, he led the introduction of electronic referrals, online appointment scheduling, and lab-management integrations, solutions now utilized in over 15,000 dental offices.
DrDDS not only focuses on software development, but it’s also a venture studio cultivating startup growth with pitch coaching, investor connections, and hands-on strategic and operational support .
Thought Leader and Industry Advocate
Known affectionately as “The Technology Guy” of the dental community, Rodgers extends his influence as the Technology Editor for Dental Entrepreneur magazine and speaks frequently at conferences on tech implementation and change management in clinics.
He promotes his “Three C’s” methodology, Communication, Coordination, and Conviction, to help dental practices fully embrace new technologies. Through emphasizing clear team messaging, structured rollout plans, and confidence-building leadership, he guides firms toward lasting and effective adoption strategies .
Dental Venture Capital and Startup Mentorship
Rodgers’s impact goes beyond product creation. He plays an active role in DentalVC, a dental venture capital and incubator platform that has mentored over 500 startup companies, launched hundreds of new products, built 27 proprietary tech tools, and created seven distinct dental businesses.
Through DentalVC and his DrDDS Venture Studio, Rodgers not only helps emerging dental tech firms refine their products and messaging, but also assists them in raising capital, developing pitch decks, navigating regulatory implications, and securing strategic partnerships.
Personal Life and Passion Projects
Despite his intense involvement in business and tech, Rodgers remains deeply committed to family and personal passions. He dedicates weekends to coaching his son Blake’s baseball, basketball, and football teams, blending mentorship and athletic encouragement. Meanwhile, he’s developed a love for ballroom dancing, often competing and performing alongside his fiancée, Dr. Lauren Cole .
This balance of professional and personal pursuits enriches his approach to leadership, making him relatable to entrepreneurs and clinicians alike.
Current Initiatives and Vision
Today, Rodgers is the Founder and CEO of OneClick Referral, a referral-management platform directed at reducing patient leakage and strengthening communication between generalists and specialists.
He also serves as Vice President of Business Development at Revere Partners Venture Capital, identifying valuable opportunities across the healthcare and dental tech sectors .
Looking ahead, Rodgers plans to expand his influence through tech-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, connectivity, and patient care, whether through platform innovation, investor ventures, or industry education. His trademark ability to fuse tech acumen with clinical insight makes him a sought-after mentor, consultant, and advisor across the dental ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
Travis Rodgers’s story is nothing short of inspirational: from Silicon Valley startup founder to the foremost authority in dental technology, he has shaped how clinics operate, how they adopt new tech, and how entrepreneurs enter the space. His holistic vision, combining technical innovation, startup mentorship, operational excellence, and heartfelt coaching, stands as a blueprint for meaningful impact in healthcare.
In short, Travis Rodgers is more than a tech entrepreneur; he’s a transformational leader helping dental professionals and innovators build a smarter, more connected future, one software program, one startup, and one coachable moment at a time.
