Every month, a new group of associate dentists stops waiting and starts owning. January 2026 brought four more to that list.
For associate dentists researching a dental practice startup, these openings are more than a list of names and addresses. They're proof of what becomes possible when the planning is done right. Starting a practice requires $750,000 to $800,000 in total investment, which means the decisions you make before you sign anything matter more than most associates realize.
Each doctor who opened this month worked with Ideal Practices and followed the same 13-stage process that has guided 900+ successful practice launches since 2009.
Here's who opened their doors in January.
Dr. Preet Kulaar officially opened Ingalls Family Dental, and the momentum was immediate. On day one, the schedule already included 10 patients, with 42 additional patients booked in the coming weeks.
Ingalls Family Dental | Pendleton, IN
That kind of start doesn't happen by accident. It's what results from building the right foundation during the planning stage, before the doors ever open.
Congratulations to Dr. Kulaar on this milestone.
Dr. Chrystopher Perez has opened a pediatric-focused practice serving Las Vegas families:
So-HI Kids and Teens Dentistry | Las Vegas, NV
Congratulations to Dr. Perez on launching a practice built around caring for kids and teens in his community.
Dr. Brandon Morales and Dr. Cody Miller opened Rise Modern Dentistry together in Davidson, North Carolina.
Rise Modern Dentistry | Davidson, NC
Congratulations to both doctors on their opening and the partnership they built to get there.
Dr. Alexandra Zabala launched Ocean Vibe Dental in Fort Myers, Florida, welcoming her first patients into a practice that is entirely her own.
Ocean Vibe Dental | Fort Myers, FL
Congratulations to Dr. Zabala on opening day and everything ahead of her.
Dr. Zabala's ownership journey began at the Startup Practice Blueprint™, Ideal Practices' live training event for associate dentists who are serious about starting their own practice the right way. If you're ready to see how the process works, view the details and apply here.
The doctors above didn't figure this out on their own. They worked with Ideal Practices.
Since 2009, Ideal Practices has helped launch 900+ dental practice startups by guiding associate dentists through a structured 13-stage process that covers every decision in the right order, before costly commitments are made. The result is what you see above: practices that open with patients already scheduled, partners already aligned, and owners who are confident in what they built.
If you want to understand what that process looks like before talking to anyone, The Startup Dentist book walks through the full ownership journey step by step, and the free course hub covers the foundational decisions every associate needs to make before moving forward.
Associates who are ready to see the complete framework come together attend the Startup Practice Blueprint™, a live event taught by the same team behind 900+ successful launches. If you're ready to see how the process works, view the details and apply here.
Every dentist featured here was an associate first. They wanted more control over their schedule, their income, and the way they practice dentistry.
The best first step is clarity. Not a lease, not a lender conversation, not a commitment of any kind. Just an honest look at whether ownership is the right move for your situation and what that path actually looks like.
Book an Ownership Clarity Call to start that conversation.
The next group of openings is already taking shape. One day soon, your practice could be on that list.