The 13 Stages To Opening YOUR Successful Practice

How to Build a Dream Team for Your Dental Startup (Without the Headaches)

If you're preparing to launch your own practice, you’ve probably felt that surge of excitement... quickly followed by the “oh no” moment of realizing you now have to hire a team. For many dentists, building and managing a team can feel like the most overwhelming part of starting a practice.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with the right approach—and a little wisdom from those who’ve walked this path before—you can create a high-performing, values-driven team that actually makes your life easier.

And yes, dental startup consulting plays a key role in helping you get this right the first time.

Let me explain.

Why I Used to Get Hiring Wrong

When I started my first business, I did what most entrepreneurs do: post the job, read some resumes, go with my gut, and hope for the best. Spoiler alert—it was exhausting. That business grew quickly, with over 30 employees and over a million dollars in revenue. But it nearly drained me.

Now, years later, at Ideal Practices, we run a lean team—one-third the size—but we accomplish four times the results. And here’s the kicker: my life is better, my company is healthier, and our team is stronger than ever.

That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we changed our approach to hiring.

And you can do the same for your dental startup.

The 4 Core Strategies for Building Your Dental Dream Team

If you want to build a team that fuels growth (instead of draining your energy), start with these four foundational strategies:

1. Define Your Vision Beyond the Ops Room

This goes way beyond procedures or how many ops you want. Ask yourself:

• What reputation do I want in my community?

• How do I want patients to feel when they walk in?

• What kind of impact do I want this practice to make?

When your vision is clear, you’ll attract team members who are drawn to it—and naturally repel those who aren’t aligned.

2. Call Your Shot Like Babe Ruth

This isn’t just about hiring—it’s about leading. Before your doors open, you need to define what “great” looks like for your practice. Not just profit margins or patient volume—but team culture, growth trajectory, and values in action.

Great teams are built with intention. Not job ads.

3. Lead with Your Values (and Then Pay Accordingly)

Do you want to attract bargain-hunters—or value-driven patients?

The same logic applies to hiring. Hire based on shared values. Then pay generously to get the best talent on board. It’s not about overpaying—it’s about showing your team that what they do matters.

Values-led practices attract values-led people. And that’s where alignment begins.

4. Don’t Let “Experience” Fool You

Here’s the unpopular truth: sometimes, too much experience can be a red flag in a startup. Why? Because you don’t want someone trying to recreate their last office—you want someone excited to build your vision from scratch.

Hire for fit, not just background. The right fit will learn quickly. The wrong fit will resist your leadership.

Bonus Tip: Use This Hiring Shortcut

Want to understand a potential hire before they step into your practice? Use a personality tool like 16personalities.com. It’s a quick, insightful way to understand the tendencies of your candidates—and yourself.

This isn’t about pigeonholing people. It’s about alignment, communication styles, and culture fit. All critical for a thriving startup environment.

Final Thought: Culture Isn’t an Afterthought—It’s a Strategy

Too many new practice owners think team culture “just happens.” It doesn’t.

Culture is built the moment you define your vision and begin choosing your people. So be intentional. Be clear. And know that the time you invest upfront will pay dividends every single day after you open.

If you're considering a dental startup, this is the perfect time to start thinking like a leader—not just a clinician.

With the right team in place, your startup won’t just be profitable. It will be a place you love walking into each morning.

Need help creating a hiring plan that fits your vision? That’s where expert dental startup consulting can make all the difference. Let’s make sure your first hire—and every hire after—is a step toward your best future in practice ownership.