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Start Strong. Scale Fast.
Own Your Dream Practice
Whether you’re launching a new dental startup or acquiring an existing practice, our proven process helps you open with confidence—faster, safer, and more profitably
The Nation’s Leading Experts in Dental Practice Startups & Acquisitions
Trusted by Over 900 Associate Dentists Nationwide
With more than 900 successful practices opened and acquired, Ideal Practices brings unmatched experience and a proven process to guide dentists through one of the biggest decisions of their careers—with clarity, confidence, and results that exceed industry standards
Predictable Success—Customized for Your Vision
Whether you’re launching from scratch or acquiring an existing office, every decision is reverse-engineered from your unique vision. Our clients don’t just open doors—they learn how to be leading business owners and open thriving practices built around their values, ideal patients, and long-term goals
Avoid Costly Mistakes. Accelerate Your Freedom.
Startups and acquisitions are filled with risks most associate dentists never see coming. Our 13-Stage Consulting Model eliminates guesswork, protects you from hidden traps, and accelerates your path to ownership, profitability, and purpose
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Why Hundreds of Dentists Trust Ideal
Practices With Their Future
"In our first year, we brought in 2,000+ new patients, tripled our team, doubled our ops, and crossed $1M in collections—all while giving over $10K to charity. Ideal Practices made our dream of ownership real and guided us every step of the way.”
"We were fully booked on day one—with the exact patients I dreamed of treating. I love coming to work in a practice I built from the ground up. My only regret? Not doing it sooner."
"I was nervous leaving the DSO world—but Ideal Practices made it seamless. We were profitable in month one, surpassed our projections, and built a practice patients truly love. This changed my life."
Get Your Free Copy of
The Startup Dentist
Starting your own practice is a big leap—The Startup Dentist gives you a step-by-step plan to do it right. This 200+ page book, trusted by over 2,000 dentists, reveals the exact process used by hundreds of successful startups to open without costly mistakes.
Join the 2,000+ dentists who have used this book to build their dream practice.
A step-by-step breakdown of the 12-18 Month Startup Timeline
The critical systems to have in place before Day One for a smooth launch
How to build a private practice that aligns with your values and vision—not just some DSO’s agenda
What dental school never taught you: how to lead, grow, and think like a true business owner
The top mistakes most startup dentists make—and how to avoid them
Real-world timelines, checklists, and tools used in over 800 successful practices
How to negotiate the ins and outs of financing your startup (even if you have student loans!)
STARTUP PRACTICE BLUEPRINT
Launch Your Dream Practice
in Just 2 Days
Startup Practice Blueprint is the #1 live event for associate dentists ready to own a private practice—done right, the first time.
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In just two days, you'll learn exactly how to:
Open with patients scheduled before Day 1
Secure the funding you deserve
Choose the right location for long-term success
Avoid construction and floorplan mistakes
Launch with confidence, clarity, and profitability
📅 Only Available Twice a Year! 📅
This is your chance to access the same game-changing insights we provide our private clients—live and in person.
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America’s Leading Consulting Firm for Dental Startups and Acquisitions
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own private practice, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. Ideal Practices is the nation’s leading consulting firm focused exclusively on helping associate dentists start or acquire private practices with confidence and clarity.
Whether you're launching from scratch or taking over an existing office, our 13-Stage Consulting Systems—for both startups and acquisitions—give you a step-by-step plan to succeed on your terms, from vision to ownership day and beyond.
Unlike other approaches, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter templates or recycled strategies. Every practice we help open—or transition into—is 100% customized to your vision, your values, and how you want to practice dentistry.
No vendor kickbacks. No corporate agendas. Just honest, proven guidance from a team with thousands of successful practices behind them.
At Ideal Practices, the only thing we don’t do is place the crown. We’ll leave that to you.
Our experienced team and industry connections are your keys to profits and purpose.
Are you ready to launch your Dental Practice with profits and purpose?
With our step-by-step guidance, we'll help you navigate the complexities of starting a dental practice, ensuring you avoid common pitfalls and set up for long-term success.
Meet Doctors Who Took
Control of Their Future
At the end of my very first day as an associate at a corporate dental place I went out to my car in a shady part of TN and sat there in the dark for another hour and a half.
I was on the phone completing my vision call with Ideal Practices. Ideal practices has been my partner in this from day one. Financing during COVID was a pain but when banks refused to lend to me, Kyle led me through all the roadblocks and I ended up with great terms and was fully funded.
Steve Burns saved me $80k on equipment and another $80k on the contractor.
"The Best And Quickest ROI I'll Ever See."
Dr. Jonathan
$1,000,000 in production
in his FIRST year
18 Head-Hunted Masters of Dental Practice Growth
Meet The Team Who Has Opened Over 3,000 Dental Practices
STEPHEN TRUTTER
CEO
STACEY PETERS
DIRECTOR OF STARTUP MBA
MIKE GHARIB
DIRECTOR OF CONSULTING
KYLE OLDING
STARTUP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
Dr. Lauren
"Before Ideal Practices, banks wouldn’t lend what I needed to start. Once we partnered, that changed—they helped us secure funding and build the practice of my dreams."
Dr. Bryan
“In just 2 months, we’ve already seen over 200 patients. That speaks to how intentional every step was—Ideal Practices helped us create something truly special.”
Dr. David
“We’ve welcomed over 1,000 new patients in our first year. I don’t think we’d be anywhere near that without Ideal Practices guiding us from day one.”
Stay ahead with expert advice on practice startups, acquisitions, and growth strategies
Insights, Strategies, and Success
Stories from the Experts
Can You Help With Marketing My Startup Practice?
Yes! We know that the key to any successful practice is getting patients in the door. Marketing is a big part of our 13 Stage Process. In fact throughout the 12 months you spend with us you'll be working on the profitability of your practice for 5+ months.
We will teach you how other startup dentists have developed marketing strategies to open with new patients on day 1.
However, please note we don't work with dentists who only need marketing training. A successful dental practice is built on the foundations of our 13 stages. We lead you through the entire process to launch a successful startup dental practice.
How Do I Know If Working With Ideal Practices Is Worth the Investment?
Great question—and one we hear often from associate dentists who are serious about doing this the right way.
The truth is, most dentists only get one shot at a startup. When mistakes are made early, they cost time, money, and confidence. Ideal Practices exists to prevent that.
We’ve guided over 900 successful startups across the country using a proven 13-Stage system that’s 100% customized to your vision. Our clients consistently launch with patients scheduled before opening, strong financials from month one, and the confidence to lead their own practice without guesswork.
So is it worth it?
Ask the dentists who went from associate roles to fully booked practices, $1M+ in collections, and freedom to practice on their terms. That’s the kind of return that changes your career—and your life.
Can I Hire You Just for Demographics Research?
Relying on demographic reports without strategic research is often times the reason behind a slow growing startup practice. Great and effective demographic research goes far beyond just looking at numbers and ratios. We have an in-house team for our demographics research lead by Stephen Trutter and Mike Gharib.
Will You Still Support Me After My Practice Opens?
The Mastery Elite community is a 2 year-long program exclusively for select Ideal Practices clients.
I Already Chose My Space—Can I Still Work With Your Floorplan Designer?
John Malone is our amazing designer (he's designed over 4,000 dental practices after all). I am not surprised you would want to work with him!
However, his service is part of our 13 Stages Service and is not available as a standalone service.
Do You Provide Help With Lease Negotiation?
Yes! We are here to help you negotiate leases, real estate, financing, equipment, etc…. But only as part of our core 13 Stages Service. We do not offer any services as standalone services.
I’m Already in the Middle of Construction—Is It Too Late to Work With You?
Unfortunately, you are probably too far along. We believe that in order to help build the most successful practices, everything about the startup process begins with vision. Do not sign a lease, start construction, or choose a site before scheduling a consultation call with our team.
How Are You Different From Other Dental Startup Consultants?
Most consultants in dentistry are solo operators with limited experience—and many only support one or two startups a year. Ideal Practices is different.
We’re a full team of 20+ dental-specific experts, each with deep experience in financing, demographics, construction, marketing, and more. Together, we’ve opened over 800 successful practices using our proven 13-Stage Startup System.
Every practice is 100% custom—no templates, no vendor kickbacks, no cookie-cutter plans. We walk with you from vision to opening day (and beyond), guiding every decision so you can avoid costly mistakes and launch with confidence.
Our goal isn’t just to help you open a practice.
It’s to help you open the right practice, built around your values, your ideal patients, and your vision for life as an owner. That’s what sets us apart.
What Types of Doctors Do You Work With?
Our team's expertise and our proven track record is in dentistry. We work with all kinds of dentists, including pediatric dentists, general dentists, orthodontists and periodontists.
Can You Help Me Buy or Acquire a Practice?
Yes—we don’t just help dentists open startups. If your dream is to acquire a practice, we’ll guide you through every step of the process. From analyzing cashflow and demographics to financing, credentialing, team transition, and long-term growth—we’ve built a proven, 13-Stage system to help associate dentists buy the right practice the right way. No guesswork. No shortcuts. Just clear, customized guidance to help you become a confident and successful practice owner.
My Practice Is Already Open—Can You Help Me Grow It?
What’s the First Step to Working With Ideal Practices?
If you are an associate dentist practicing in the United States, then schedule a consultation call with our Startup Specialist today.
During the call we will discuss your current situation, your vision, your goals, and next steps in the process. This free, no obligation call could change your life. We can't wait to hear about your dreams!
What If I’m Still an Associate But Not Ready to Start Yet?
That’s actually the perfect time to start learning.
Many of the most successful dentists we’ve worked with began preparing 6–18 months before they opened. Why? Because a great startup doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design.
If you’re not ready to start, you can still build a strong foundation now. Explore The Startup Dentist book, attend our in-person Startup Practice Blueprint event, listen to the Startup Dentist Podcast, and subscribe to our emails and blog.
Every resource is designed to help associate dentists like you gain clarity, eliminate overwhelm, and take smart, strategic steps toward ownership—whenever you're ready.