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What One Dental School Student Did That Most Doctors Only Dream Of

 

What One Dental School Student Did That Most Doctors Only Dream Of

Here’s a twist most dental students wouldn’t expect: what if you could build and sell your first dental practice… before even graduating?

That’s not a fantasy. That’s the true story of Dr. Tom Larkin. And if you’re a dentist preparing to open your own practice, this conversation will change how you think about ownership.

In this candid episode of the Ideal Practices Podcast, Dr. Larkin shares decades of insights from the trenches—covering everything from startup strategies and system design to how he creates transformational patient experiences. If you're five months or five years away from practice ownership, you’ll walk away with real strategies and serious inspiration.

A Dental Entrepreneur Before Graduation

Dr. Larkin didn’t wait until after graduation to become a business owner. He opened and sold his first dental practice while still in dental school—and never looked back.

Since then, he’s launched multiple successful practices, written a powerful business book for dentists, mentored rising doctors, and even created one of the most unique hospitality-driven practices in Kentucky.

The thread that ties it all together? A deep belief that dentistry is about total patient health—not just teeth.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • How Dr. Larkin built and sold multiple practices—and remained in the top 5% of profitability nationwide

  • The 4 business pillars every dental startup should be built on (especially in hygiene)

  • The 6 startup strategies he wishes more dentists understood earlier

  • The smart way to balance systems with personalized care

  • How to reverse-engineer an exceptional patient experience—step by step

Bonus Takeaway: Adopt the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Dr. Larkin doesn’t just talk about operatory design or numbers. He talks about why ownership matters—and how to stay passionate and purposeful through the ups and downs of private practice.

He reminds us that building a business is about more than operations. It’s about leadership. Vision. And sustainability. That mindset alone can make all the difference as you move from associate to owner.

Want More From Dr. Larkin?

Download a free copy of his book, The Dental Entrepreneur: A Mini MBA here:
https://idealpractices.com/startup-dentist-book

Ready to Launch Your Own Practice With Strategy?

Take the next step:

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to learn from doctors who’ve done it right.

Let’s build something lasting.
—Stephen Trutter