How to Leave With Integrity (and a Solid Game Plan)

How to Resign with Integrity and Step Confidently Into Practice Ownership

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention in the dental startup journey: how to leave your current job with integrity—and a solid strategy.

If you’re on the path to opening your own dental practice, this phase is more than a formality. It’s a bridge between what you’ve built and what you’re creating next. And how you cross that bridge matters.

Resigning with Purpose (Not Panic)

Quitting your job isn’t just about giving two weeks’ notice. It’s about doing it in a way that protects your professional reputation, safeguards your financial future, and sets you up for success as you transition into practice ownership.

Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of doctors navigate this exact moment. What I’ve seen? The dentists who leave with purpose—not just urgency—are the ones who enter ownership with clarity and confidence.

Here’s the framework I share with Ideal Practices clients:

What to Know Before You Give Notice

There’s more than one way to leave. And not every route protects your future.

Before you say a word to your employer, make sure you’ve considered:

• The four possible paths post-notice (hint: one of them could sabotage your startup timeline)

• What your employer might be thinking (and what they might not be saying)

• How to avoid financial and legal missteps that can follow you into ownership

Timing Is Everything

Yes, there’s a right time to have the conversation.

Too early, and you risk complications with licensing, financing, or employer retaliation. Too late, and you might burn a bridge or lose momentum with your buildout or staffing plan.

We walk our clients through exactly when to initiate that conversation so it aligns with their startup timeline—not just their emotions.

Protect Yourself—Professionally and Personally

Leaving your job isn’t just a logistics puzzle. It’s an emotional one too. You’re stepping out of the known and into the unknown. That’s real.

That’s why we also help dentists prepare mentally for the shift—from associate to owner, from employee to leader. It’s not just a title change; it’s an identity shift. And preparation matters.

Key Takeaways to Exit Gracefully

Before you submit that resignation letter, review this checklist:

• Know your options (all four of them)

• Time the conversation strategically

• Have a plan for finances, contracts, and benefits

• Mentally prepare for the emotional shift

• Lead the conversation with clarity and professionalism

Ready to Map Out Your Next Chapter?

We’ve helped over 900 dentists step confidently into ownership. Resigning the right way is just one step in a larger strategy.

If you’re ready to learn the full process, explore the 13-step startup blueprint at www.idealpractices.com/course. It’s helped doctors just like you create successful, fulfilling practices from the ground up.

The transition from associate to owner doesn’t have to feel uncertain. It can feel intentional—and empowering.

Let’s build your future, together.

—Stephen Trutter