The 3 Questions That Will Shape Your Dental Practice (and Your Life)

The 3 Questions That Will Shape Your Dental Practice (and Your Life)

Every major leap in private practice ownership—whether it’s opening your first dental startup, expanding your existing office, or even acquiring someone else’s—starts with questions.

But not just any questions.

I’m talking about the questions that cut through the noise. The kind that guide your decisions today and shape the future you're building—as a clinician, a business owner, and a leader.

These three questions? They’ve helped hundreds of dentists shift from burned-out associates into inspired, confident owners. They’ve changed how doctors lead their teams, serve their communities, and grow their practices.

Let’s walk through them.

The 3 Big Questions Every Dentist Should Ask

No matter where you are on the journey—still dreaming of your startup, exploring acquisitions, or managing an active practice—these three questions will sharpen your thinking and point you in the right direction:

1. What kind of impact do I want to make?

2. What does success look like for me and my patients?

3. What am I building—today—that my future self will thank me for?

These aren’t just lofty ideas. They’re the starting point of strategy. Because when your vision is clear, your decisions get easier—about your location, your equipment, your team, your branding, your marketing. All of it.

Let’s break it down even further:

• You: What drives you beyond the handpiece? Is it lifestyle? Leadership? Leaving a legacy?

• Your Patients: What do they value—and how can you create systems that truly serve them?

• Your Practice: How do your answers shape where you build, how you hire, and the culture you create?

• Your Growth: Are you setting a course for long-term alignment—or just surviving your daily to-do list?

One of my favorite quotes here:
"Facts are stubborn things." – John Adams

And the fact is, most dentists who struggle early in practice ownership never asked these questions. The ones who thrive? They start here.

Resources to Help You Build with Clarity

If you want to turn these questions into an actionable plan, we’ve got your back.

• Get the Startup Practice Blueprint Course
  Learn the exact steps successful dental startups are using right now. The strategies that have helped launch over 900 thriving practices. Start here: Startup Practice Blueprint Course

• Get our Best-Selling Startup Book
  Discover real-world insights, mistakes to avoid, and lessons from hundreds of successful practice launches: Startup Book for Dental Practice Owners

• Join Us on Facebook
  For behind-the-scenes stories, practical advice, and a chance to engage directly with our community, follow us here: Ideal Practices Facebook Page

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. The dentists who succeed with the most confidence are the ones who ask better questions—and then align with a better strategy.

Here’s to building a dental practice that reflects your values, honors your goals, and serves your patients with excellence.