For Bruce (E.157)

“Some people build practices. Others build people. Bruce did both.” – Regan Robertson

Brief Overview of the Episode

This episode is a pause. A moment of reflection.
Regan Robertson speaks directly to the Productive Dentist Academy and Everyday Practices community to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Bruce Baird.

Listeners hear Bruce’s story, his values, and the quiet principles that guided his leadership. The episode also shares how PDA will move forward, rooted in the foundation Bruce helped build, and invites the community to participate in honoring him through shared memories and service.

This is not a business episode.
It is a gratitude episode.

What This Episode Reveals

• Why Bruce believed dentistry was always about people first
• How legacy is built through consistency, generosity, and trust
• What it means to lead without needing recognition
• How Productive Dentist Academy plans to carry Bruce’s vision forward

What You’ll Learn

• The leadership traits that made Bruce unforgettable to those he mentored
• Why doing good while doing good was never a slogan to him
• How impact multiplies when knowledge is shared freely
• What it looks like to build something that outlives you

If This Sounds Familiar

• You’ve been shaped by a mentor whose influence still guides your decisions
• You believe leadership is measured by who grows because of you
• You want your work to mean more than production numbers
• You care about legacy, not just success

Next Steps

Visit productivedentist.com/bruce to share a memory, message, or story honoring Bruce.
Your words will help preserve his impact and continue the work he believed in.

TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:00] Regan Robertson: Hello listeners. This is a very special message for the Productive Dentist Academy podcast community. This includes the Productive Dentist podcast listeners, investment grade practices podcast listeners, and my own Everyday Practices Dental podcast listeners. My name is Reagan Robertson, and I’m the Chief Communications Officer at Productive Dentist Academy.

[00:00:21] Regan Robertson: If you have not already heard, productive Dentist Academy’s co-founder Dr. Bruce B. Baird, sadly passed away January 7th, 2026. I’m recording this message for you today to honor a tremendous leader, mentor, and friend to many. In fact, it was my true honor to have served with him for 15 years and taken to root many of the lessons that he taught us and thousands of others all over the globe.

[00:00:45] Regan Robertson: I am going to also share in this episode today, um, the Future for Productive Dentist Academy and one small way that we are honoring Bruce’s legacy moving forward, plus an invitation for you, our listener, in honoring Bruce. I’m going to read his obituary to you in [00:01:00]case you didn’t have a chance to see it, and I find it not ironic and there are no coincidences here, but it happens to be hosted on legacy.com, and legacy is something that Bruce thought about.

[00:01:11] Regan Robertson: Every single day. It was very important to him. What type of memory are you going to leave for others? So I wanted to point that out in love, that it’s being hosted on legacy.com. A life so beautifully lived, it deserves to be beautifully celebrated. Bruce Burland Baird of Granbury, Texas was born on September 27th, 1955 to Brisco Burlon Baird and Barbara Midge.

[00:01:33] Regan Robertson: Joan Lamba Baird in Pensacola, Florida and passed away on January 7th, 2026. Bruce moved with his family to Mineral Wells, Texas in the summer of 1959 when his father began working at Fort Walters training helicopter pilots. He graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 1973, laying roots in a community that would remain close to his heart Throughout his life, the older brother to Bonnie and Brian Bruce’s [00:02:00] childhood was shaped by close relationships, strong family bonds, and a deep connection to both his immediate and extended family.

[00:02:07] Regan Robertson: Those early years were filled with meaningful traditions, shared experiences, and memories that reflected the love, support, and sense of belonging that would remain important to him throughout his life. From a young age, Bruce knew he wanted to become a dentist. Inspired by his admiration for his maternal grandfather, Papa Harry, that early calling shaped a life of service and leadership.

[00:02:29] Regan Robertson: He attended Tarleton State University on an ROTC scholarship, and upon graduating from dental school at the University Health Science Center at San Antonio was commissioned as a captain in the United States Army. Bruce served one year in Korea, three years in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and four years in the US Army Reserves serving his country with honor and pride.

[00:02:52] Regan Robertson: In 1984, Bruce and his family moved to Granbury, a decision that would shape the rest of his life and legacy. One weekend while [00:03:00] driving home to Mineral Wells, they passed through Granberry and were immediately drawn to the charm of the historic square. It felt welcoming, full of character, and full of possibility.

[00:03:10] Regan Robertson: When they discovered the perfect lot available across from the hospital that sealed it, they knew they had found the community they wanted to build their lives in. Bruce pursued his dream of opening a small town dental practice, and in 1985, Grandbury Dental centered opened its doors from the very beginning.

[00:03:27] Regan Robertson: Bruce built more than a successful practice. He built a place rooted in trust, compassion, and genuine care for people. Over the course of his remarkable career as a dentist and entrepreneur, Bruce made a profound impact, not only through his exceptional clinical skill, but through the way he treated every patient and team member.

[00:03:48] Regan Robertson: He believed dentistry was always about people first, listening, earning trust and changing lives. One smile at a time. The many individuals who worked alongside him or [00:04:00] were mentored by him were deeply shaped by his leadership, encouragement, and example. Bruce had a rare gift for making others feel seen and valued, and his legacy continues today through the incredible practice of Grandbury Dental Center, which has served the community he loved for more than 40 years.

[00:04:17] Regan Robertson: As well as through the lives he touched, the professionals, he helped shape, and the enduring standard of care, compassion, and integrity. He modeled every day. Never content to keep his knowledge to himself. Bruce generously shared his expertise with dental and medical professionals across the country and around the world.

[00:04:35] Regan Robertson: In the early 1990s, he published a technical dentistry book that showcased his depth of clinical knowledge and innovative thinking. In the late 1990s, he hosted a local television show on Channel 97 titled Tooth Talk, where he highlighted everyday life inside the dental center and helped make dentistry approachable and accessible to the community building on that foundation.

[00:04:57] Regan Robertson: He founded the Productive Dentist [00:05:00]Academy in 2004, an organization dedicated to teaching, mentoring, and equipping dentists to build strong, ethical and successful practices. Always guided by the philosophy of doing good while doing good. In 2022, he authored Legendary Leadership, a book on how ordinary people can become uncommon leaders through his work, along with hosting the Productive Dentist podcast and authoring hundreds of articles, Bruce.

[00:05:27] Regan Robertson: Bruce became the trusted voice in the profession, sharing his insights at conferences and seminars worldwide. His influence extended far beyond his own practice, shaping countless careers and elevating the profession he loved, known and respected across the world. Bruce’s, absent will be, will be deeply felt, but his legacy of excellence, generosity, and leadership will endure.

[00:05:52] Regan Robertson: Outside of work, Bruce found great joy on the golf course, delighting in the opportunity to explore courses around the world regardless of [00:06:00] how he happened to be playing that day. What drew him to the game wasn’t just the sport itself, but the friendships forged, punching out of the trees, putting on the greens, and sharing laughs along the way.

[00:06:11] Regan Robertson: His favorite outing was playing with his buddies in the.game, a tradition full of comradery and friendly competition for nearly 20 years. He and his friends also made an annual pilgrimage to Pebble Beach, a trip he treasured as much for the company as for the course itself. He also loved to travel and took special pride in planning meaningful trips for his family and his friends, creating memories that will be cherished forever.

[00:06:36] Regan Robertson: Bruce loved sports and could often be found coaching his Chi Children’s teams throughout their childhood, proudly cheering from the sidelines, sometimes yelling at officials when he didn’t agree with a call, but always leading with love and encouragement. He was a devoted fan and season ticket holder of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys remaining loyal through winning seasons and losing years alike.

[00:06:58] Regan Robertson: His relationship with the [00:07:00] Lord was an integral part of his life and shaped how he loved others and viewed the world. Although he had been baptized as a child, his experience at Walk to Amass in 1998 profoundly, deeply and deepened and energized his faith, giving him renewed clarity and purpose, his faith guided his actions, strengthened his compassion, and anchored the way he approached each day, influencing not only how he treated others, but how he lived fully and intentionally.

[00:07:33] Regan Robertson: Bruce was a devoted and deeply loving father, and his girls were truly the pride and joy of his life. He had. He was endlessly proud of all they accomplished and of the beautiful lives they built. In addition to his four daughters, Bruce was a father figure to many loving generously and wholeheartedly embracing each one as his own.

[00:07:53] Regan Robertson: His love was big, steady, and unwavering, and those who knew him felt it in the way he [00:08:00] showed up, supported and celebrated them. Bruce was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Cynthia, the love of his life and the center of his world. Together, they embraced a life full of adventure, shared laughter, and countless cherished moments.

[00:08:14] Regan Robertson: Their children and grandchildren were a constant source of joy and pride, and their family was at the heart of everything they did lovingly called Doc by his grandchildren. He delighted in every moment with them attending their games, school functions and celebrations, making them laugh, sharing advice, and imparting his wisdom with love and encouragement.

[00:08:34] Regan Robertson: His guidance and playful spirit left a lasting impact on his family. Bruce was known for his unmistakable larger than life, charisma, his boundless energy and the warmth he brought into every room. His sense of humor and playful spirit made people laugh, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was always willing to help anyone in need, quietly, humbly, and without expectation of recognition.

[00:08:57] Regan Robertson: Yet, even with his vibrant [00:09:00] personality, he never dimed the light of those around him. He encouraged, inspired, and lifted everyone he encountered. Bruce leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, and a life fully lived. He impacted countless people always wanting more for everyone, encouraging them to dream bigger, live fuller, and love deeper.

[00:09:20] Regan Robertson: He truly squeezed every ounce out of life, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him. Bruce is proceeded in death by his father, Risco Burlon Baird Jr. And his mother, Barbara Midge. Joan Lamba Baird Kund. He has survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Baird. His daughters Amanda Rogers and son-in-law.

[00:09:40] Regan Robertson: Ryan Maggie Walton and son-in-law, Griffin, Mallory, Merrill and son-in-law. Charles and Micah Baird and his stepchildren. Brandon McGraw and daughter-in-law. Courtney and Amanda Brown and son-in-law. Charles. He was a proud grandfather to Cooper and Collins, Rogers, Baird Sawyer and Graham Walton, Molly and [00:10:00] Jojo, Merrill Miles and Clara McGraw, Skylar Sloan and Elijah Brown and Brady Eckles.

[00:10:06] Regan Robertson: He’s also survived by his stepmother, Judy Buchanan, his sister Bonnie Ferner and brother-in-law, Paul Ferner, along with their children, Brianna Na Nation and Luke Ferner. And his brother Brian Bair Baird and sister-in-law, Robin Baird, along with their children, Dalton Baird and Braden B. In Leo of any flowers, the family requests, donations be made to the XI River Children’s Advocacy Center.

[00:10:30] Regan Robertson: A cause that was close to Bruce’s heart. Donations can be sent to 1540 Southtown Drive, suite 1 0 3, Granbury, Texas 7 6 0 4 8, or online@www.secure dot q. giv.com/four/plexi River Children’s Advocacy Center slash, or you can Venmo at Xi River cac. You know, reactions to grief [00:11:00] are very unique to that individual, and there is no right or wrong way to grief.

[00:11:05] Regan Robertson: I sit with you today with a big smile on my face because I think I can’t help it. Bruce’s spirit is so larger than life and I feel him around me all the time that although my tears have flowed often since this has happened, and um, it’s kind of a rollercoaster at the times when I am calm, I feel peaceful and I feel.

[00:11:27] Regan Robertson: Filled with motivation, um, to move his legacy forward. And I think that to me was one of his last acts as a tremendous leader. When we look at the future of Productive Dentist Academy and what’s on the horizon, I feel so secure because. He made sure that everything was going to be okay. Bruce and Victoria had a joint vision together that said that this organization can live on beyond either one of the founders.

[00:11:55] Regan Robertson: And so for years, they planned to create their own investment grade [00:12:00] practice, if you will, a business that could stand the loss of one or both of its founders, and they went to work in order to do that. So productive Dentist Academy and its future is bright. That would be just the way that we think that Bruce would absolutely want it.

[00:12:14] Regan Robertson: In honoring Bruce’s legacy, there’s. Endless ways. I think we’re going to do that moving forward. But immediately the first thing that came to my mind was Bruce’s generous heart. He gave to everyone that I, I mean, everyone that I kind of knew or came in in contact with, they all seemed tended to have a Bruce story about how generous he was.

[00:12:36] Regan Robertson: And I am no exception either. He gave of his knowledge, he gave of his time, he gave of his money, he gave you anything. I feel like he was. The epitome of if there’s a shirt on my back and I need to give it to you, I will absolutely do that. And so one of the ways that, that we feel we can honor Bruce at Productive Dentist Academy is, is that for 2026 and indefinitely into the future.

[00:12:59] Regan Robertson: Anytime. [00:13:00] If you’ve been a client of PDAs and it’s really helped you and made a great impact, or you’ve listened to our podcast and put some of those things in play and that’s also helped you out, there’s any way that you have been positively impacted by PDA and you feel like another doctor deserves to know about PDA.

[00:13:16] Regan Robertson: When you make a referral in and send people into, um, getting a free discovery call with us, we’re gonna donate $250 to the charity of that doctor’s choice, and it’s gonna be in the honor of doing good while doing good. Uh, a really funny story about doing good while doing good was that. Phrase has been present the, the whole time.

[00:13:37] Regan Robertson: I think that I’ve been at PDA for the last 15 years, and when I joined Productive Dentist Academy, I certainly wasn’t a Chief communications officer. I was, I was, they called me an art director. I was really a graphic designer of one. I was, we were very small marketing agency at that time. Under PDA’s umbrella.

[00:13:54] Regan Robertson: And one of the things that I had to make was a notepad. And on the bottom we put our little tagline, doing good while [00:14:00] doing good, went off, got printed, great, getting sent out to clients until one day somebody noticed down at the bottom and really read it and said, Reagan, did you realize that this doesn’t say doing good while doing good?

[00:14:10] Regan Robertson: And I said, well, of course it does. And I looked at it and I reread it slower and it said, doing good while doing God. The embarrassment that I felt and like, not fear, but definitely apprehension about, oh my God, how many people have seen this? How many people are noticing, how many people are writing notes on this?

[00:14:28] Regan Robertson: I was kind of mortified. And Bruce and Victoria in, in their true fashion, when they heard about it, they didn’t freak out, they laughed. They thought it was hilarious. And we moved on. And that was really one of the best things I think about, uh, Bruce’s leadership was, you know, it was okay to make mistakes.

[00:14:43] Regan Robertson: You just gotta learn from them. And move on. So carrying forward with this and Bruce’s generous heart, we are gonna see how many donations we can make in Bruce’s Honor and continue our doing good while doing good streak. Also, this is an invitation for you [00:15:00] as our listeners. Um, many of you have listened to Productive Dentist Podcast, uh, or benefited from Bruce in some way, maybe worked with Bruce, maybe been a client of ours.

[00:15:09] Regan Robertson: If you would like to share a memory of how, like, maybe advice that he gave you or a way that he personally reached out and touched your life. We’ve created an environment for you to do that. So go to productive dentist.com/bruce right now. That’s productive dentist.com/bruce, B-R-U-C-E, and you can fill out and add your memory for Bruce so that we can share this with our community.

[00:15:33] Regan Robertson: We can also share this with his family, and there’s an opportunity if you wanna be recorded to share your story about Bruce with us. We think that that would be a beautiful way to memorialize him. As for the Productive Dentist Podcast, I have great news. We. As planners that we are had been planning a transition for the Productive Dentist podcast.

[00:15:55] Regan Robertson: And in fact, I had just spoken to, to Bruce recently before he [00:16:00] passed away, and we were eagerly excitedly, um, discussing bringing in. Two new co-hosts to host with him. And so we are still moving forward with that plan. Um, I won’t announce it yet. You’ll have to listen to see who our new co-hosts are.

[00:16:13] Regan Robertson: You’re going to love them. Uh, but we are gonna be moving forward with the Productive Dentist Podcast. So it is not going away. In fact, it is just getting the addition of two incredible productive dentists that I know you’re going to love learning from. Thank you so much for being part of our community.

[00:16:31] Regan Robertson: We really do believe in patient-centered care. We are so passionate about it and not care that sacrifices your own life as a dental professional, a dentist, a team member, it really matters that you live a life that feels full and fulfilling just like Bruce did. And his teaching was really rooted in that so that you could celebrate who you are, but also, you know, take the best care that you possibly could of patients.

[00:16:57] Regan Robertson: Thank you for listening to this special message. I [00:17:00] look forward to seeing any of the messages you have. Remember productive dentist.com/bruce. We would love to hear your story and be sure to check out all of our podcasts, everyday Practices, dental Podcasts where I’m the co-host with Sarah Hanson, uh, investment grade practices with our host, uh, productive Dentist Academy, CEO Victoria Peterson, and the Productive Dentist Podcast, which will have a new host and same.

[00:17:25] Regan Robertson: Great. Amazing focus very soon. Thank you for listening. If you have any questions, you can always email meregan@productivedentist.com. That’s REGA n@productivedentist.com. Thanks again to honor Bruce and his incredible life and the future that he paved the way for all of us. I would love to take five minutes of silence so you can just leave this running and we will.

[00:17:54] Regan Robertson: Give you some space to think about Bruce and honor him. [00:18:00]

[00:18:00] Dr. Bruce Baird: Hello everyone. This is Dr. Bruce B. Baird and you’re listening to the Productive Dentist Podcast. In this podcast, I will give you everything that I’ve learned over the last 40 years in dentistry, working with thousands of dentists. I’ll tell you, it’s not that my way’s the only way, it’s just one that has worked extremely well for me, and, and I’d love to share that with you.

[00:18:20] Dr. Bruce Baird: So you too can enjoy the choices and lifestyle. The productivity allows more time for things you love, increased pay, better team relationships, and lowered stress. Let’s get into it with this week’s episode of The Productive Dentist [00:19:00] [00:20:00] [00:21:00] [00:22:00][00:23:00] Podcast.