Running a dental practice

Practical guides for owners of independent dental practices: billing and insurance, staffing, marketing, technology and margins, and what to know when you buy or grow.

Regretting Your Dental Practice Purchase? Here's What to Do
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 15 min read

Regretting Your Dental Practice Purchase? Here's What to Do

Struggling in your first year of practice ownership? Most regret stems from fixable problems—cash flow, staffing, or unrealistic expectations.

Buying GuidePractice ManagementFinancing
Tax Deductions in Your First Year Owning a Dental Practice
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

Tax Deductions in Your First Year Owning a Dental Practice

First-year practice owners can claim $200,000+ in deductions through equipment expensing, goodwill amortization, loan interest, and retirement contributions.

FinancingBuying GuidePractice Management
Can You Buy a Dental Practice with $400K in Student Loans?
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

Can You Buy a Dental Practice with $400K in Student Loans?

Student loan debt doesn't block practice ownership—lenders care about DTI and production, not your total balance. Here's what actually matters.

FinancingBuying Guide
Buying a Dental Practice Directly from the Seller Without a Broker
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

Buying a Dental Practice Directly from the Seller Without a Broker

Buying directly from a seller can save broker fees, but requires assembling your own team and managing the entire process. Here's what changes.

Buying GuideDue DiligenceFinancing
Should You Wait to Buy a Dental Practice Until Interest Rates Drop?
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

Should You Wait to Buy a Dental Practice Until Interest Rates Drop?

Interest rates are higher than they were—but waiting to buy a dental practice until they drop could cost you more than moving forward now.

Buying GuideFinancingMarket Trends
Where to Get Down Payment for Dental Practice Loan
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 10 min read

Where to Get Down Payment for Dental Practice Loan

Most dental lenders require 10% liquidity, not a down payment. Here's where buyers actually find that cash—and which sources lenders accept.

FinancingBuying Guide
What Happens If You Can't Make Your Dental Practice Loan Payments
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 12 min read

What Happens If You Can't Make Your Dental Practice Loan Payments

Missing loan payments triggers consequences fast. Here's what happens at each stage and what you can do before default becomes permanent.

FinancingPractice Management
Dental Practice Loan Personal Guarantee: What Am I Risking?
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 10 min read

Dental Practice Loan Personal Guarantee: What Am I Risking?

Personal guarantees put your home, savings, and other assets on the line when you finance a dental practice. Here's what you're actually risking.

FinancingBuying Guide
Moving to Another State to Buy a Dental Practice: What to Know
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 10 min read

Moving to Another State to Buy a Dental Practice: What to Know

Relocating to buy a dental practice involves licensing, credentialing, market research, and timing challenges most buyers underestimate.

Buying GuideLocation AnalysisFinancing
When Your Spouse Isn't On Board With Buying a Dental Practice
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

When Your Spouse Isn't On Board With Buying a Dental Practice

Your spouse's hesitation isn't a dealbreaker—it's a signal. Here's how to address concerns, align on risk, and move forward together.

Buying GuideFinancingPractice Management
Dental Practice Seller Financing Terms: What's Normal for Buyers
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 11 min read

Dental Practice Seller Financing Terms: What's Normal for Buyers

Seller financing in dental practice deals typically covers 10-20% of the purchase price at 6-9% interest over 3-7 years. Here's what buyers need to know.

FinancingBuying Guide
LLC vs S Corp for Buying a Dental Practice: Which Structure Fits
Eric ChenEric Chen
·· 12 min read

LLC vs S Corp for Buying a Dental Practice: Which Structure Fits

When buying a dental practice, choosing between LLC and S corp taxation affects your payroll taxes, compliance burden, and take-home pay for years.

Buying GuideFinancing