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Are You a Dentist Preparing to Open Your Own Practice? Here's What You Need to Know About Associate Contracts
If you’re gearing up to open your own dental practice—whether it’s a true startup or an acquisition—one of the smartest moves you can make is to get crystal clear on your associate contracts.
At Ideal Practices, we’ve helped over 900 practices launch successfully. And if there’s one area that dentists consistently underestimate, it’s the legal side of associate relationships. A great clinical team can crumble under a vague or flawed agreement—and your long-term stability depends on protecting both your practice and your team from day one.
So let’s talk about how to do it right.
Let’s be honest—most dentists aren’t trained to understand the legal nuances of employment structures, termination clauses, or non-compete language. And for associates, signing a contract without fully understanding the implications could cost them thousands in income, autonomy, or future opportunities.
That’s why we brought in some of the sharpest minds in dentistry for a no-fluff roundtable discussion to break down the must-know legal concepts around associate agreements.
This conversation includes insights from:
Rob Montgomery – Top dental attorney and trusted advisor on legal risk
Dr. Paul Goodman – Multi-practice owner and residency faculty
Dr. Richard Low – Military-trained dentist and host of the Shared Practices Podcast
Myself, sharing real-world lessons from hundreds of startup owners and associates
Together, we unpack critical topics like:
The W2 vs. 1099 debate—what’s legal, what’s practical, and what’s changing
The biggest contract failure point that trips up most associates and owners
The Olympic Ring Theory—and how it frames your long-term growth and exit strategy
How contract priorities shift between corporate DSOs and private practices
When it’s actually time for an associate to say, “I quit”—and how to handle it professionally
Whether you’re the one hiring or the one signing, these insights will help you make smarter, more protected decisions.
Want to go even deeper? Our Startup Practice Blueprint Course is designed specifically for dentists launching their own practices. It’s packed with proven strategies, real-world tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom from hundreds of successful practice launches.
This isn’t just theory—it’s the real stuff that separates the dreamers from the doers.
You’ll learn how to:
Set your practice up legally and financially
Choose a site that matches your vision and patient base
Structure contracts, marketing, and systems the right way
It’s the roadmap we wish every dentist had access to before opening their doors.
For even more insights from industry leaders and real startup stories, don’t forget to subscribe to The Startup Dentist Podcast. We share the kind of advice most dental schools skip—and most dentists don’t get until it’s too late.
Solid associate contracts are more than a legal formality—they’re a foundational piece of your practice’s success. And with the right experts in your corner, you can avoid costly mistakes and build a thriving, values-aligned team from day one.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to help. Reach out to Ideal Practices and join a community of dentists who are building the practices—and lives—they’ve always envisioned.
Let’s make it happen. Together.
