Starting your own dental practice can be an exciting and rewarding journey. But it can also be overwhelming and daunting if you don't have the right guidance.
As a trusted expert in the dental industry, I’ve helped over 800 successful practices launch and thrive. And through that experience, I’ve developed a proven, step-by-step roadmap to get dentists from “just dreaming” to “doors open.”
In this blog, I’m walking you through my 13-stage process for opening a dental startup. Let’s go!
Some say 13 is an unlucky number, but I say it’s my favorite. Why? Because these 13 stages have helped thousands of dental associates across the country launch thriving dental startups.
1. Vision
This is where it all begins. You need clarity on what you want your practice to look and feel like. What kind of patient experience do you want to create? What innovations do you want to bring to your community? This step lays the foundation for every decision that follows.
2. Financing
Let’s be honest—no financing, no practice. But don’t worry. We’ve helped thousands of dentists secure loans with minimal stress. Banks love to lend to dentists, especially when you have the right plan.
Need help with this part? Check out our article: “How to Secure Funding for a Dental Startup.”
3. Demographics
One of the most overlooked steps. Who is your ideal patient? Where do they live? You’ll be working with these patients for years to come, so it’s worth taking the time—usually one to two months—to really define this.
4. Site Selection
Location matters more than you think. It affects your patient flow, your construction costs, and your marketing strategy. We follow the 1-to-2,000 rule: one dentist for every 2,000 residents. Choosing the right site often takes one to three months of research and scouting.
5. Design & Floorplan
Now it’s time to bring your vision to life. The layout and floorplan of your practice should be both beautiful and functional. Expect this to take one to two months. We’ll help you balance your wishlist with what’s realistic and budget-conscious.
6. Equipment Selection
What you choose—and what you skip—can make or break your budget. We run cost analyses to ensure you get exactly what you need and nothing you don’t. This step usually takes one to two months.
7. Construction Bidding
This step is fast if you know what you’re doing. Ideally, it should be wrapped up in about a month.
8. Permits
Permits are the gatekeepers of progress. From zoning to HIPAA to occupancy, there’s a lot to cover. Depending on your location, this step can take anywhere from one to five months.
9. Marketing & Hiring Begins
This is the phase where you start building your dream team and creating your buzz. Over the next three to five months, you’ll begin hiring staff and launching your marketing campaigns. We’ll guide you through strategies that align with your location, budget, and brand voice.
10. Construction Begins
It’s go time. The build-out begins and typically lasts three to five months. Our team will help you manage contractors, timelines, and costs so you can focus on staying sane (and excited).
11. Equipment Installation
Once the walls are up, the equipment goes in. This phase overlaps a bit with construction and usually takes three to five months.
12. Dress Rehearsal
Think of this as your soft opening. We’ll walk you through a detailed checklist and practice every part of the patient experience. This ensures that by the time your doors open, you’re confident and ready.
13. Grand Opening
You made it! After about 12 months of focused work, you’re ready to welcome your first patients. Take a deep breath, look around, and be proud. You built this from the ground up.
So… how do you actually start?
If you're ready to stop dreaming and start doing, we invite you to join us for the Startup Practice Blueprint—a 2-day event where we work one-on-one with you to build a real business plan for your dental startup.
This is your chance to work with the same team that’s helped hundreds of dentists open successful practices. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a personalized plan to move forward.
Don’t miss it—we’d love to help you take that first step toward your dream.