Group Dental Practice vs Private Practice: The Startup Loophole Most Dentists Don’t Know About

Group Dental Practice vs Private Practice: The Startup Loophole Most Dentists Don’t Know About

If you’re preparing to open your own dental practice, you’ve likely heard the chatter around group dental practice vs private practice.

Maybe you’ve wondered:
“Is the window closing on private startups?”
“Can I actually compete with corporate-backed giants?”

Here’s the truth we’ve seen play out over and over across the country: with the right strategy, startup practices not only compete—they thrive. And yes, there’s a proven loophole that makes it possible.

Let’s break it down.

The Startup Loophole That Levels the Playing Field

The group dental practice vs private practice conversation often centers around scale and speed. Corporate groups have deep pockets, systems, and brand power. But here’s where private practices have the edge:

They can move faster—and open first.

The strategy is called first mover advantage, and it works like this:
When a startup opens as the first practice in a demographically ideal location, it captures the patient base before anyone else does.

If you choose your location wisely, patients will come. They’ll stay.
And they’ll be yours.

But if you wait, or if a group practice gets there first? Those patients are gone.

We’ve seen practices attract 1,000+ new patients in their first year by executing this strategy—because they were the first to meet the need in that community.

The Private Practice Advantage—If You Move First

When a private dental office opens before a corporate group moves into town, the private practice wins the new-patient game every time.

Why?

Because in dentistry—unlike retail—the relationship matters. Patients form bonds with their doctors. They stay where they feel known and cared for.

This isn’t a hardware store, where the corner shop gets swallowed by a chain. A dental practice with two years of loyal patients? That’s not going anywhere.

And loyalty like that is built when you open first, with a strategy that works.

The Risk of Waiting: When the Corporate Group Gets There First

Let’s be honest. If you try to open in a town after a corporate group has planted a flag there, you’re in for a tough fight.

Think Mike Tyson vs. Mickey Mouse.

But when you execute a startup plan that includes smart location strategy, timely launch, and the right team behind you?
That’s where real growth happens.

We’ve seen it firsthand—with doctors like the one who hit $1.7M in production just four years after startup.
(Read his story here).

Here’s Why This Works (and Why It’s Working Right Now)

Startup practices today have more tools, more access, and more growth opportunity than ever before. Here’s why the timing is on your side:

• Faster Growth Potential
  Tools like Google SEO, targeted social media, and optimized websites accelerate visibility and new patient flow.
  (Explore our New Patient Explosion strategy)

• Higher Profit Margins
  With smart systems and training, your per-hour production can far exceed what was possible a decade ago.

• Smarter Financial Planning
  Tools like DoctorsPersonalCFO.com are helping dentists keep more of what they earn—without working more hours.

• Better Technology
  From diagnostics to same-day treatment, today’s tech improves outcomes for patients and profit margins for you.

• Leverage with PPOs
  Done right, PPOs can actually broadcast your practice name to thousands of households.
  (Here’s how to negotiate well)

Private Practice Isn’t Going Away—It’s Evolving

Some fear that private dentistry is being squeezed out. We see something different:
A new era of ownership, powered by strategy, not size.

But the key is timing.
You must open before the corporate players arrive.
Open right. Open first. And your practice won’t just survive—it will flourish.

Key Takeaways for Future Practice Owners

• The first mover strategy can yield hundreds or even thousands of new patients

• Patient loyalty in dentistry is strong—if you earn it, they’ll stay

• Location is everything—choose wrong and it could cost you years

• Group dental practices aren’t unbeatable—but they’re hard to beat if they get there first

• Smart planning is the real differentiator in the group dental practice vs private practice debate

Ready to Build with Strategy, Not Stress?

If you want to position your dental startup for long-term success—no matter the competition—you need a plan that works from Day One.

That’s exactly what we walk through at the Startup Practice Blueprint, and it’s what’s helped over 900 dentists launch practices that thrive.

Grab your copy of the Startup Dentist Book for more behind-the-scenes strategy, or book a consultation call to see how this applies to your vision.

Want real proof? Read stories from doctors just like you who beat the odds—right here.

And don’t miss Part 3 of this series, where we unpack the 6 Patient Grades that influence how people choose between group dental practice vs private practice.

It’s your future. Let’s build it the smart way.

—Stephen Trutter