Meet Josh Lange | Adventurer and Dentist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Lange and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
In my life, risk has never been about recklessness, it’s always been about choosing purpose over comfort.
Some of the biggest decisions in my life looked risky from the outside, especially early on, but they were guided by direction and passion rather than fear.

I left home right out of high school to live in Mexico for several years. I arrived not knowing the language and had to learn Spanish through immersion and a lot of humility. That experience taught me adaptability, resilience, and how to be uncomfortable without being paralyzed by it. It set the tone for how I would approach challenges and showed me that growth often happens when you remove the safety net.

Later, when I was accepted to UC San Diego for my undergraduate education, my wife and I already had a young family. On paper, it did not feel like the safe or obvious move. We had limited margin and a lot of responsibility…we were young twenty year olds just trying to figure it out. I worked full time while going to school, taking late night sushi delivery shifts, working at the YMCA, and in restaurants like Puesto. Life was chaotic, but it was driven by purpose. Many people would have called that path risky, but for us, it was the only way forward.

That same mindset carried us to dental school in Detroit. We packed up our family and moved across the country to a city where we did not know anyone. It was another leap into the unknown, but it reinforced a pattern I had come to trust. Growth rarely happens in familiar places. One year out of dental school, I bought my first dental practice. It was a significant risk so early in my career, but it was a decision grounded in preparation, work ethic, and long term vision. That step opened the door to expanding into additional practices in Carlsbad and San Diego.

Dentistry itself is a profession rooted in calculated risk. Many of the procedures I perform are high stakes and require confidence, precision, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I have always been comfortable operating in that space. As I have gained experience, I have learned to better balance risk and reward, allowing patience and perspective to refine ambition.

Looking back, the biggest risks I have taken have led to the greatest lessons, the most introspection, and ultimately the most meaningful rewards. Risk has shaped not only my career, but who I am as a clinician, a leader, and a person. Today, my approach is more measured, but the philosophy remains the same. Move forward with intention, not fear.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Posh Dental is the result of years of intention and growth. Our practice in is built on the belief that dentistry should feel human, accessible, and comprehensive. From the start, my goal was to create an environment where patients feel genuinely cared for, not rushed or transactional. That philosophy is the foundation of our brand at getposhdental.com.

Before becoming a dentist, much of my life was rooted in service through humanitarian work, dental outreach, and volunteering in free clinics. Those experiences shaped how I view trust, empathy, and responsibility in patient care and ultimately influenced how I wanted my practice to operate.

What sets Posh Dental apart is how we show up for our patients. I have worked intentionally to provide as much dentistry as possible under one roof, supported by constant continuing education and a commitment to growth. Just as important, I have been fortunate to build a strong team by hiring intentionally, surrounding myself with people who share the same passion, values, and level of commitment.

The journey was not easy, but it was purposeful. What I am most proud of is the culture we have built. Posh Dental is about human connection, trust, and a shared dedication to showing up fully for the people we serve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place in San Diego will always be La Jolla Shores, especially when the leopard sharks are there, so that would be a must. We’d hike Torrey Pines for the views, spend a night in the Gaslamp District for the food and nightlife. I’d also take them through Balboa Park and Old Town for the atmosphere. To finish the trip, we’d head to Temecula for wine tasting at Danza del Sol, Lorimar, and Akash. It’s the perfect balance of ocean, outdoors, city life, and wine country.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been incredibly fortunate to never walk this path alone. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that any success I have experienced is the result of being surrounded by the right people at the right times, people who challenged me, supported me, and expanded the way I see both my work and the world.

I owe a great deal to the colleagues, peers, and mentors who have shaped my approach to dentistry and leadership. I have learned as much from those who practiced differently than I do as from those who shared my perspective. Being influenced by people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences has been one of the greatest gifts of my career. It pushed me to stay curious, adaptable, and grounded, and it reminded me that growth often comes from listening as much as leading.

Above all, my greatest shoutout belongs to my wife, Erin, and our children, Axton, Anchor, and Revè. They have been present through every stage of the journey, from the uncertainty and grit of the early years to the growth and momentum we experience today. They have lived the long nights, the moves, the sacrifices, and the risk right alongside me. Their belief in me, even during seasons when the outcome was unclear, has been my constant source of motivation.

My family keeps me grounded and reminds me why I do what I do. They influence how I show up as a dentist, a business owner, and a person. If there is any success worth recognizing, it belongs just as much to them as it does to me.

Website: https://www.getposhdental.com

Instagram: @dr.josh.dds @poshdentistries

Image Credits
Archer Dean Photography
Studio 8E8
Riley Clayton Photography