How One Dentist’s Bankruptcy Changed the Conversation

The Truth Behind the Worst-Case Scenario: How One Dentist’s Bankruptcy Changed the Conversation

There’s a silent undercurrent in dentistry no one likes to talk about—but it’s there.

It’s the sinking feeling of a practice gone wrong. The worst-case scenario. Financial ruin. And the uncomfortable truth that, for some dentists, it’s not just a fear—it’s a reality.

Today’s podcast episode reveals the raw, unfiltered story of one Midwest doctor whose dream of practice ownership ended in bankruptcy. The damage didn’t stop with the practice—it extended to their family’s personal finances and jeopardized their future. And the hardest part to hear? It was entirely preventable.

If you're preparing to open your own practice, you need to hear this. Not to scare you, but to equip you. Because the right planning can mean the difference between thriving... and barely surviving.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

This episode isn’t just a cautionary tale. It’s a lesson in preparation, mindset, and the hard-earned wisdom that can help you avoid painful missteps.

Here’s what we cover:

• The key decisions that led one practice into financial crisis

• How lenders can (and do) impact your personal life if things go south

• The overlooked steps that would have changed the outcome

• What you can do now to prepare for long-term success, even before Day One

• Encouragement and hope—because for every failure, there are hundreds of thriving startups

Let’s Learn Together, So We All Rise

The story you’ll hear is a tough one. But stories like this are exactly why we need more honest conversations in dentistry.

The truth is, successful private practices are launching every week across the country—and they’re built by doctors who prepare smart, ask the right questions, and get the right guidance. You don’t have to learn the hard way.

So let’s support each other.

Let’s help more doctors build practices that last.

Take Action (You’ll Help a Colleague)

• Share this episode on Facebook: Click here to share

• Forward this episode to at least one colleague who’s considering practice ownership

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New stories, new strategies, and lessons that will shape your future in private practice—available weekly.

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The goal isn’t perfection. It’s preparation.

Let’s make sure you open your doors with confidence—and a plan.