Debt Free Dr
Debt Free Dr
To help other dentists obtain financial independence within 5-7 years by investing in passive real estate investments.
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From Drill to Developer: How This Endodontist Built Wealth After an Injury

From Drill to Developer: How This Endodontist Built Wealth After an Injury

3/31/2025 5:28:10 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 98

What would happen to your income if you couldn’t practice dentistry tomorrow?

It’s a scary question—but one that every dentist needs to answer.
That’s why I sat down with Dr. Simon Beylin, an endodontist whose career took an unexpected turn after a vaccine injury left him unable to practice clinically. Instead of giving up, he pivoted to real estate development and built a portfolio of over 1,000 units.

?? Prefer to watch instead of read? Click below to watch the full interview on YouTube.

Here’s how Dr. Beylin transitioned from root canals to real estate—and what you can learn from his journey to protect your income and create long-term wealth.

A Career-Ending Injury That Changed Everything

Like many of us, Dr. Beylin planned to practice for decades. He loved endodontics, worked in both his wife's pediatric dental offices and others, and was fully committed to the clinical life.

But in 2021, everything changed. After receiving a vaccine injection—administered improperly—he experienced severe joint damage. The injection caused a condition called psoriatic arthritis, which led to chronic pain and stiffness. Eventually, it became too much to continue treating patients.

He knew it was time to pivot.

From Paint Shop to Practice to Passive Income

Dr. Beylin’s path to dentistry wasn’t typical. Before dental school, he ran a paint and body shop customizing cars. That experience taught him how to work with his hands and run a business—skills that transferred directly into dentistry… and later, real estate.

After leaving clinical practice, he leveraged his previous experience in commercial construction (from building his own dental offices) and dove headfirst into ground-up multifamily development.

Why He Chose Development Over Buying Existing Properties

At first, he looked into value-add multifamily deals—just like many investors do. But cap rates were too low. He realized he could build properties at a better return than he could buy them.

And that’s exactly what he did.

With the help of a mentor, he tackled his first few projects. Today, Dr. Beylin is developing everything from 33-unit apartment buildings to a 500-unit project outside of Austin.

His model? Build to hold. Create cash-flowing assets, refinance to get capital out tax-free, and hold them long-term.

The Infinite Return Model: How It Works

Let’s break this down in simple terms. Here’s the process Dr. Beylin follows:

        
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    Buy the land (often with a small group of dentist/physician partners).

        
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    Get entitlements and permits to build.

        
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    Secure financing (typically 90% loan-to-cost).

        
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    Build the property.

        
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    Stabilize it (fully leased and producing income).

        
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    Do a cash-out refinance to return the original investment—tax-free.

        
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    Hold the property for long-term cash flow and appreciation.

        

Because he and his partners often put up their own money, they have complete control and no pressure to sell. Investors stay in the deal and continue to receive distributions—even after their original capital has been returned.

Why Dentists Are Getting Serious About Real Estate

In Dr. Beylin’s mastermind group (which includes nearly all dentists and physicians), he sees one thing again and again: a wake-up call.

It might not be an injury like his. It might be burnout. Or a desire to stop trading time for money. But the outcome is the same—they want to build passive income before it’s too late.

He reminds his peers: "Your practice won’t always be there. Clinical careers are limited. You need to plant seeds now."

What About the Tax Benefits?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of real estate investing for dentists. Dr. Beylin breaks it down:

        
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    If you're a limited partner in a real estate syndication and not a real estate professional, you cannot use depreciation to offset your clinical income. Period.

        
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    However, if you’re actively involved in a project and qualify for real estate professional status (based on hours worked), the tax benefits can be massive.

        
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    He personally uses cost segregation studies on his properties, allowing him to reduce his active income tax liability through bonus depreciation.

        
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    In Opportunity Zones, holding a project for 10+ years means no capital gains when you sell—an often-overlooked benefit.

        

What If You’re Starting from Scratch?

If you’re a full-time dentist with no investing experience and just a 401(k), here’s what Dr. Beylin recommends:

        
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    Follow someone 10 steps ahead of you. Find a mentor who's doing what you want to do.

        
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    Attend in-person events. Groups like The Passive Investors Circle and summits with real estate-focused dentists can help you see what’s possible.

        
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    Choose your lane. Whether it’s multifamily, mobile home parks, or short-term rentals—get clarity on your path.

        
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    Start small. Partner on a deal or shadow someone. Bring a deal to a developer (like Dr. Beylin) and learn by doing.

        
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    Focus on cash flow and control. The more hands-on you are, the more upside and tax benefits you’ll receive.

        

Bonus: Planning for a Practice Sale? Start Early

Many dentists are getting hit with major tax bills after selling their practice. Dr. Beylin recommends looking into Deferred Sales Trusts (DSTs). These let you defer capital gains taxes and reinvest your money, keeping more of your proceeds working for you.

Final Thoughts: Think Beyond the Op

Dr. Beylin didn’t expect to leave clinical practice so early—but real estate gave him the freedom to pivot, keep earning, and make an impact on his own terms.

Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, his story is proof that dentists don’t have to rely on their hands forever.


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