The Real Dr. Park Blog - Helping Dentists Become Practice Owners
The Real Dr. Park Blog - Helping Dentists Become Practice Owners
My blog is the go-to resource for dentists seeking more than just a career as an associate. Offering tips on clinical autonomy, building equity, and stepping confidently into practice ownership.
Dr_David_Park

My 8 Step Roadmap to Dental Ownership

12/9/2025 2:49:10 PM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 50
Creating your own dental practice is a dream for many associate dentists, but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. Over the last 8 years, I’ve helped multiple associates transition into ownership, and one thing is clear: the dentists who succeed the fastest are those who understand the key steps and avoid common mistakes. Here’s a practical roadmap we made for building a dental practice from scratch.

Step 1: Secure Financing
Even if you have limited savings from after dental school or if you are early on in your career, banks view dentists as a low-risk profession. Local banks often provide better support for first-time practice owners than larger institutions. Establishing a relationship early can help secure loans and lines of credit needed to start your practice.

Step 2: Register Your Business
Set up your legal entity (llc) with the help of a lawyer to ensure all paperwork is correct. Additionally, reserve your practice name on social media platforms and domains to protect your brand from the outset if you plan to expand your marketing and promotional content.

Step 3: Find the Right Location
A real estate agent who is experienced in commercial and dental areas can save you time and money by identifying properties, negotiating leases, and securing tenant improvement (TI) funds. Selecting the right location can make or break your practice, so rely on professionals who understand the dental industry. Make sure to ask questions about TI with the landlords to get ahead on construction costs and save you money. 

Step 4: Design and Architecture
Hire an architect familiar with dental regulations and dental blueprints to design your office. Proper planning ensures compliance with ADA guidelines, city codes, and workflow efficiency, while creating a space that’s functional and welcoming for patients.

Step 5: Construction
Find your build team, vet, and research your general contractor to make sure they have experience in the dental field or have a related and reliable history. A general contractor manages electricians, plumbers, and other subcontractors. Always obtain multiple bids, verify experience with dental builds, and plan carefully for high-cost areas like plumbing and electrical systems.

Step 6: Compliance & Systems
Licensing, insurance, OSHA/HIPAA compliance, and payroll are crucial to avoid burnout. Systems for credentialing, scheduling, and operations ensure that dentists can focus on patient care instead of administrative work.

Step 7: Final Preparations Before Opening

By this stage, your hiring should be complete and your team trained. Step 7 is all about refining workflows and ensuring everything runs smoothly before doors open. Test all systems (phones, scheduling, payments, clinical equipment) and walk your team through the full patient experience. A strong final week of preparation ensures your first day feels organized, confident, and completely under control.

Step 8: Opening Day and Beyond
Opening your practice is a milestone moment. Ensure workflow is ready, systems function correctly, and rely on your dental office manager (DOM) to handle daily operations. Take a moment to celebrate the accomplishment, the hard work and planning truly pay off.

Ready to Lead

Building a dental practice from scratch can seem daunting, but by following these eight steps, you can set yourself up for success. Knowing what to do and when helps reduce stress, avoid costly mistakes, and accelerate your path to ownership.

At Clear Lakes Dental, we support associates who want to own their practice by providing operational guidance and resources so they can focus on patient care while building equity and growing their practice

Watch the breakdown here:

Contact: 612-520-1545 | success@clearlakesdentalfranchise.com
 
 
 
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