The Real Strategy to Tackle Dental School Debt—Without Delaying Practice Ownership

The Real Strategy to Tackle Dental School Debt—Without Delaying Practice Ownership

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough honest airtime in dental circles: dental school debt. If you’re a dentist preparing to open your own practice, chances are you’re also carrying six figures of student loans on your back. And for many of the doctors we work with, that number can cross $400,000 before they’ve treated a single patient in their own office.

The good news? You can take control of your dental student debt—and you don’t have to sacrifice your dream of practice ownership to do it.

Dental School Debt Is Skyrocketing—But There’s a Smarter Way Forward

There’s no denying the math is daunting. Recent data shows that average dental school debt is hovering around $240,000, with many new grads burdened by $300K to $500K loans.

The problem isn’t just the number—it’s the impact that debt has on your confidence, decision-making, and willingness to take the leap into ownership.

But here’s what most dentists don’t realize: there are real, proven strategies to reduce your total loan cost—sometimes by as much as six figures.

A Smarter Approach to Dental School Debt Reduction

In a recent episode of the Ideal Practices Podcast, we sat down with Dan Macklin, co-founder of a $2.5 billion financial firm helping dentists refinance their student loans the right way. This wasn’t a theoretical conversation—it was full of hard data and actionable advice that can start saving you money immediately.

Here’s what you’ll learn in the interview:

• How over 1,000 dentists lowered their debt obligations—some by more than $35,000

• When it’s not the right time to refinance (yes, that’s a thing)

• What the average new dentist’s debt load really looks like—and what to do about it

• Refinancing options available to both general dentists and specialists

• A simple, 10-minute process that could cut your repayment costs dramatically

Start Owning Your Debt Strategy (Before It Owns You)

Before you assume your debt disqualifies you from opening a practice, I encourage you to run the numbers. Better yet, let a tool do it for you.

Visit www.sofi.com/crown to see if you qualify for lower student loan payments—and potentially cut years off your repayment timeline.

Key Takeaways for Future Practice Owners

Whether you’re six months from startup or still mapping your timeline, here’s what I recommend:

• Don’t ignore your debt—strategize it. Avoiding it won’t make it go away. But addressing it head-on can shift your entire financial picture.

• Evaluate refinancing early. Especially if your rates are high, this can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

• Align your debt strategy with your ownership goals. Don’t delay practice ownership out of fear. A smart financial plan can create both stability and opportunity.

Ready to Learn More?

Listen to the full podcast episode to hear directly from Dan Macklin about how dentists across the country are tackling debt and building successful practices:

Click here to listen now on iTunes

Because the sooner you take control of your dental school debt, the sooner you can move forward—with clarity, confidence, and the kind of financial freedom that makes practice ownership possible.

—Stephen Trutter