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For Associate Dentists Considering Practice Ownership | Application-Only
Startup Practice Blueprint™
1-Day Virtual Intensive
Learn the step-by-step framework that has guided nearly 1,000 dentists from associate to practice owner — the costly mistakes to avoid, the decisions that actually matter, and a clear path forward.
You don't need to take another weekend away from your family. You don't need to give up a day of production you can't make back.
You need clarity.
Why Most Associates Stay Stuck
You're producing for someone else. Building their equity. Following their systems. Working their schedule.
And every time you think about ownership, you hit the same wall:
Where do I even start?
You've Googled it. You've asked around. You've listened to podcasts and sat through CE courses that were really just sales pitches. Everyone has an opinion. The equipment rep. The real estate agent. The guy on Reddit who opened last year and thinks he's an expert now.
Meanwhile, your classmates are opening practices. Some are thriving. Some are struggling — trapped in something they built wrong.
And you're still not sure what the right next step even is.
The real fear isn't staying an associate.
It's becoming a struggling owner — $700K in debt, stuck in the wrong location, with a practice that drains you instead of fulfills you.
This Is How You Get Ahead of the Fear
The Startup Practice Blueprint isn't a webinar full of generic advice. It's the actual framework behind nearly 1,000 successful practice launches — compressed into 1 focused day.
You'll leave with a workbook, a clear understanding of the process, and a sense of whether you're ready — and what to do next if you are.
The Framework Behind 900+ Successful Startups
This isn't generic advice you could find on a podcast. It's the proprietary methodology Ideal Practices has developed over nearly 1,000 practice launches — the same frameworks our consulting clients use.
Vision First — Not Location First
Most dentists start by looking at real estate. That's backwards. We'll show you why every decision flows from your vision — the practice you want, the life you want, the patients you want to serve — and what happens when you skip this step.
The 3D Location Framework™
Choosing where to open is the most expensive decision you'll make. We'll walk you through the three dimensions of location selection — and why most dentists only consider one of them.
Financing & Loans
What lenders actually look for, how doctors fund $700K+ projects without $500K in the bank, and how to position yourself before you start talking to banks.
Construction & Equipment
Where the money goes, where it gets wasted, and the negotiation strategies that save our clients tens of thousands.
Marketing That Fills Your Schedule
How our clients open with 100+ patients ready to book — using systems you'll start building months before your doors open.
The Startup MBA™
Dental school taught you dentistry. It didn't teach you how to run a business — how to hire, how to build systems, how to actually operate a practice. That gap is where new owners struggle most. We'll cover what you need to know before opening day and what matters most in your first 90 days.
What You'll Walk Away With
- The Startup Practice Blueprint Workbook — the frameworks documented so you can reference them later
- A clear understanding of the 13-stage process from vision to opening day
- The costly mistakes mapped out — so you don't make them yourself
- Clarity on whether you're ready, and exactly what your next step should be
Who You'll Learn From
Stephen Trutter
CEO — Ideal Practices
Stephen has guided nearly 1,000 dentists through the startup process. He's seen what works, what fails, and what separates thriving owners from struggling ones. He developed the frameworks you'll learn in this intensive — the same methodology Ideal Practices uses with full consulting clients. He'll walk you through the entire process, answer your questions live, and give you the roadmap most dentists spend years piecing together on their own.
Mike Gharib
Director of Consulting — Ideal Practices
Mike leads the consulting team and oversees the demographics, real estate, and strategic planning aspects of every startup. With a background in dental banking and 10+ years negotiating leases and real estate purchases, he understands what lenders look for and how financing decisions impact long-term practice performance. He takes a 30,000-foot view of every transaction — ensuring that financing, demographics, and floor planning work together as a cohesive unit aligned with your vision, budget, and growth goals.
John Malone
Floor Plan Design Expert — Ideal Practices
John has designed over 7,000 dental floor plans across 40+ years in the industry. He understands how layout impacts efficiency, patient flow, and production — and why the "free floor plans" from equipment reps can trap you in an inefficient space for years. He'll show you how to think about design decisions that will shape your practice for the next decade or more.
Stacey Peters
Senior Startup Advisor — Ideal Practices
Stacey leads the Startup MBA — the business training that fills the gap dental school left. She's worked with hundreds of new owners on hiring, systems, and the operational decisions that determine whether your first year is chaos or confidence. If you've ever thought "I know how to do dentistry, but I don't know how to run a business" — Stacey's section is for you.
From Dentists Who Were Where You Are
"A great way to organize and line up information in a 'simple' and executable way."
— Dr. Paul, Pediatric Dentist
"It's compelling… this makes me want to believe that I can do this."
— Dr. James, Orthodontist
"Exceptional — very welcoming, engaging and exciting. Made me feel like my dream can become a reality and is not crazy!"
— Dr. Jordan, General Dentist
"Honestly the best course I have ever attended."
— Dr. Dan, Pediatric Dentist
"Gave me lots of great information."
"The best CE I have attended by far."
— Dr. Amy, Pediatric Dentist
This Event Is Application-Only
The Startup Practice Blueprint is for associate dentists who are seriously considering ownership — not anyone with a credit card.
We keep attendance limited to 75 to ensure real interaction. This isn't a passive webinar with hundreds of silent attendees. You'll have the chance to ask questions, get answers specific to your situation, and actually engage with the material.
Before you register, we'll have a brief call to make sure this is the right fit for where you are in your journey.
This is for you if:
- You're an associate dentist seriously considering practice ownership
- You haven't started the process yet — no lease signed, no LOI submitted, no offer made
- You want the full framework before you start making $700K decisions
- You're ready to invest a Saturday morning to get clarity
This is probably not for you if:
- You've already started the process (signed a lease, made an offer, mid-construction)
- You're a current practice owner looking for growth strategies
- You're just casually curious — not seriously considering ownership in the next few years
Get the Roadmap Before You Need It
Most dentists figure this out through trial and error — expensive error. Wrong location. Bad lease terms. Overpaying for equipment. Opening with an empty schedule.
No travel. No time off. Just the roadmap.
You don't have to do it that way.
📅 April 25th, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM EST
💻 Live on Zoom
💵 $289 (accepted applicants only)
👥 Limited to 75 attendees
What You'll Get:
- The full startup framework (13 stages)
- Your Blueprint Workbook
- Live Q&A with our team
- Clarity on your next step
"Honestly the best course I have ever attended."
— Dr. Dan, Pediatric Dentist
Apply Now
We'll be in touch within 1-2 business days to schedule a brief call.