Before You Buy a Practice, Answer These 5 Questions

📝 Goal: Acquisition-minded associates who are curious about ownership, but unsure how to start.

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Most dentists I talk to have the same quiet thought:

“I think I want to own a dental office, but I don’t know where to start.”

They’re not afraid of hard work.

They’re afraid of making the wrong move.

So they stay in the in-between:

• consuming podcasts and forums
• saving random listings
• waiting to “feel ready”

If that’s you, here’s the reframe:

The first step to buying a practice is not finding a practice.

It’s getting clear enough that when the right opportunity appears, you can move with confidence.

Today I’m sharing a simple checklist I’d use if I were starting over from scratch.

The acquisition-minded dentist checklist (start here)

You do not need a spreadsheet marathon.

You need a few strong decisions.

• Define your “why” in one sentence.

  • What will ownership give you that you cannot get as an associate?
  • Examples: control of schedule, autonomy, income ceiling, identity, leadership.

• Pick your target lifestyle first.

  • Ideal weekly schedule?
  • Do you want a single-location owner-operator, or eventually multi-site?
  • How much clinical do you want in 2 years?

• Decide what you will not do.

  • No Medicaid-heavy practices?
  • No 6-day schedules?
  • No 45+ minute commute?
  • No major ortho-heavy model?

• Choose your deal “lane.”

  • Startup vs acquisition vs partnership?
  • If acquisition: solo purchase, partner, or DSO-backed?

• Get your numbers baseline (simple version).

  • How much cash do you have available?
  • What monthly payment would feel safe?
  • What minimum take-home would make the stress worth it?

• Interview 3 owners before you look at listings.

  • Ask: what they wish they knew, what surprised them, what almost broke them.
  • This is the fastest way to shortcut your learning curve.

The “what should I do this week?” plan

If you want a concrete next step, do this:

1. Write your “why” sentence.
2. Write 5 non-negotiables.
3. Send 3 texts to owners asking for a 20–30 min call.

That’s it.

Why this works

Because ownership is a strategy problem before it’s a money problem.

When you can clearly say what you want (and what you won’t tolerate), you stop being at the mercy of:

• shiny listings
• other people’s opinions
• fear-driven indecision

You start building your own filter.

Quick question for you

If you’re ownership-curious, what’s the biggest thing holding you back right now?

• Finding the right practice?
• Feeling unprepared?
• Fear of debt?
• Not knowing who to trust?

Hit reply and tell me. I’m collecting patterns and I’ll share what I’m seeing.

• Jennifer