You didn’t go to dental school to feel stuck.
But here you are, working long hours, following someone else’s clinical standards, building their practice and wondering when it’s your turn.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, 84% of associate dentists say they want to own their own practice, but most of them never take the leap.
In a recent episode of The Startup Dentist, I broke down the exact reasons that keep associate dentists stuck and how to know when it’s time to move on. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered.
- The Hidden Costs of Staying Too Long
Sure, your paycheck might be predictable, but at what cost? Every day you stay in a role that isn’t aligned with your vision, you’re paying in lost potential, lost time, and missed opportunity.
One doctor we worked with admitted he almost stayed for the “security.” Today? He owns a million-dollar startup and works four days a week with a team he handpicked.
- Burnout Isn’t a Failure It’s a Signal
Working in a high-volume, high-pressure associateship isn’t just exhausting, it's often unsustainable. If you’re questioning your future in the profession, it might not be dentistry that’s the problem. It might be your environment.
- Freedom Day Is Real and Worth Planning For
We help our clients set a date and literally circle it on the calendar for when they’ll walk away from their associateship and into practice ownership. That moment is what we call Freedom Day. You’ll hear about how to plan for it in the podcast.
- Don’t Leave Without a Plan
It’s tempting to slam the door shut and walk out. But real success comes from strategy. We walk through how to prepare financially, emotionally, and professionally so that when you do walk away, it’s not a risk. It’s a launch.
This episode is one of the most important ones we’ve ever recorded.
If you’re even thinking about leaving your associateship, do it the right way.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
Stephen Trutter
CEO, Ideal Practice