Purchasing the Right Dental Practice: How to Avoid the Common Pitfalls of Buying a Practice

Let’s be honest—buying a dental practice sounds like the fast track to ownership. The patients are already there. The equipment’s in place. The team knows the ropes.

But here’s the reality I see every week: too many dentists buy the wrong dental practice for the wrong reasons… and spend years trying to fix someone else’s problems.

In this episode of The Startup Dentist Podcast, I talk about how to purchase the right dental practice the right way.

Buying a practice isn’t just a financial transaction—it’s a lifestyle decision. You’re not just buying revenue; you’re buying the systems, the culture, and the patient base. And if those don’t align with your vision, you’ll feel stuck from day one.

Before you sign anything, look deeper than the numbers:

• Financials: Does the net income cover your debt and your salary? Or are you falling for artificially boosted “free agent” revenue?
  
  
• Demographics: Would you actually want to live and work in that area? Are these the patients you want to serve every day?
  
  
• The Space: Is the facility compliant, modern, and scalable—or are you inheriting a renovation nightmare?
  
  
• The Team: Culture transitions are tough. You’ll likely lose some staff, and that’s okay—just plan for it.
  
  
• The Seller: They don’t need to stay forever. Give them 60 days, then make it your dental practice.
  
  

It’s not about buying a practice—it’s about buying the right dental practice.

I’ve seen too many dentists rush in, desperate for ownership, and end up with buyer’s remorse. Don’t be one of them.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now to learn how to evaluate a dental acquisition like a pro—and make sure your first purchase is your best decision yet.