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Associate to Owner: The Modern Dental Ownership Series

Part 2 — The DNA of a Successful New Practice Owner

 

📅 February 12 | ⏰ 7:00 PM EST | 💻 Live + Free

A free, live educational conversation for associate dentists who want to understand what separates thriving practice owners from struggling ones—before they make the leap.

This session is Part 2 of a 6-month series designed to help associates think through ownership the right way: with context, real-world patterns, and long-term perspective.

Most associates do not stop caring about dentistry...

They get worn down practicing inside systems they do not control. For many dentists, that tension is what starts the ownership question.

That’s why we created Associate to Owner: The Modern Dental Ownership Series—a 6-part educational series built for associates who want to explore ownership thoughtfully, without pressure or hype.

Each month focuses on a different decision point associates face before ownership, so when the time comes, you’re not guessing or reacting.

This session focuses on a question most associates don't think to ask early enough:

What kind of owner do I need to become—and am I willing to do what that takes?

dna of an owner webinar (1)

Opening a practice is one thing...

Becoming the kind of owner who thrives is another.
👉 Some owners hit the ground running.
👉 Others struggle for years wondering what went wrong.


The difference usually isn't the location, the equipment, or even the business plan. It's the traits and habits the owner brought to the table from day one.


This live conversation with Stephen Trutter and Dr. Paul Goodman, Founder of Dental Nachos, explores what we've seen across nearly 1,000 practice openings—and what actually separates owners who thrive from those who don't.

Success Stories From Associates Like You

Hear how associate dentists gained clarity and confidence in their ownership journey after attending our webinars.

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The webinar with Stephen cleared up all my confusion about practice ownership. Finally, I have a clear roadmap for my career that aligns with my values and standards.

Mark Robinson

Dr. Sarah Johnson

Associate Dentist, Chicago
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I was on the fence about ownership for years until Ideal Practices' guidance helped me understand the startup vs. acquisition decision. Their expertise was exactly what I needed to take the next step.

Meg Riley

Dr. Michael Chen

Associate Dentist, Denver
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The mental exhaustion I felt from compromising my standards disappeared after working with Ideal Practices. Their webinar was the turning point in my professional journey.

Mark Robinson

Dr. Emily Roberts

Associate Dentist, Atlanta
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After receiving conflicting advice about startups vs. acquisitions, Stephen's webinar provided the clarity and factual information I needed to make an informed decision about my future.

Meg Riley

Dr. James Wilson

Associate Dentist, Seattle
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The strategies I learned from Ideal Practices' webinar gave me the confidence to pursue practice ownership. Now I have more control and alignment in how I practice dentistry.

Mark Robinson

Dr. Alisha Patel

Associate Dentist, Dallas
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I was overwhelmed by the ownership decision until I attended Stephen's webinar. His practical approach and industry knowledge transformed my uncertainty into a clear action plan.

Meg Riley

Dr. Thomas Rodriguez

Associate Dentist, Phoenix

What This Session Covers

Part 2: The DNA of a Successful New Practice Owner

In this session, we'll walk through:

  • The traits that separate thriving owners from struggling ones

  • Why being uncomfortable is part of the job—and how to embrace it

  • How to build trust with your team and your community before you even open

  • What successful clients actually do differently during the process

  • The mindset shifts that set you up for long-term success

This conversation is based on patterns we've seen across nearly 1,000 dental practices opened nationwide.

 

Not all advice is equal

We know that dentists hear strong opinions about ownership everywhere...

Friends.
Colleagues.
Facebook groups.
Podcasts.

Most advice comes from people who have only opened 1 or 2 practices... or watched a friend do it. Or maybe they have even helped docs open 100 offices. Ideal Practices has helped over 900 dentists open the practice of their dreams..

This conversation is grounded in patterns seen across the real practices we've worked with and  the  500+ years of collective experience (from DSOs to private practices, floor plan design, banking, real estate and more) to show you:

  • What works
  • What causes stress later and
  • What dentists often underestimate at the start.

Not theory.
Real outcomes.

This series is for associate dentists who:

  • Are starting to feel the limits of associate life
  • Want ownership eventually—but aren’t rushing blindly
  • Feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice online
  • Want to make decisions that support both their career and their life outside dentistry

What you’ll walk away with

  • A clear picture of what thriving owners do differently
  • Why comfort is the enemy of patient growth
  • How to start building community connections now—before you open
  • The time and mindset commitment successful owners make
  • A realistic view of what ownership actually requires

If ownership has crossed your mind at all, this conversation is designed to help you think it through clearly.

➡️ Join the live conversation on startup vs acquisition for associate dentists. 

Whether you attend just this session or follow the full 6-month series, you’ll walk away with clearer thinking and fewer unknowns.

Future sessions in the Associate to Owner series will explore readiness, financial preparation, leadership skills, and long-term planning—but each session stands on its own.

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