Associate Dentist to Owner Podcast
Welcome to The Associate to Owner Podcast, the ultimate resource for dentists ready to make the leap from associate to practice owner. Hosted by Chris Marshall DDS, founder of Practice Ownership Advisors, this podcast delves into the strategies, challenges, and rewards of dental practice ownership. We specialize in helping dentists buy their own practices, offering actionable insights, real-life stories, and expert advice in every episode. Join us as we empower the next generation of dental entrepreneurs to take control of their careers and buy the practice of their dreams. Website: https://practiceown.com Email: [email protected]
What is the best location to buy a dental practice? (The data may surprise you)
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
What is the best location to buy a dental practice? I compare dentist competition, dental visits, and hygienist pay across the country, then look inside two practices in the same city with very different ownership outcomes. I explain why a seller's financial statements can miss the most important part of an acquisition. If you're deciding where to buy, this episode will help you understand what to evaluate before you commit.
What we cover:
- Alabama has about 2,424 residents per dentist, com...
This Dentist Made $1.1M His First Year After Buying This Dental Practice
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
A dentist I worked with made $1.1 million in his first year as a practice owner, at an office his CPA and ChatGPT both told him not to buy. In this episode I go through the actual numbers for that practice (adjusted by about 10% and renamed to keep it confidential), give the same documents to ChatGPT to see what it says, and then walk through the report I put together for him and exactly why I told him to strongly consider it.
What we...
Can You Back Out After Signing A Letter Of Intent?
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
A dentist recently reached out to me after signing a letter of intent on a practice they were no longer sure about. They were worried they were locked in. In this episode I read through a sample dental practice letter of intent section by section and explain what it actually commits you to, what you can walk away from, and the one section most buyers skip that really is binding.
What we cover:
- Why the LOI is not the pur...
7 Lies About Becoming A Dental Practice Owner
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
If you are a dentist thinking about buying a practice, you have heard most of these. Some come from the people who employ you, some from other dentists, and some you tell yourself. In this episode I go through the seven lies I hear most often about becoming a practice owner and explain what is actually true, using what I see every week evaluating practices for buyers.
What we cover:
- Why being an owner is not automatically better than bei...
I Became a Dentist 10 Years Ago (Was It Worth It?)
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
Was becoming a dentist worth it? If you had asked me during my first year out of dental school, my honest answer would have been no. In this episode I tell the whole story: why I chose dentistry over accounting, what associate life was really like, the practice I bought that turned out to be a serious mistake, and how ownership completely changed my answer. If you are not yet a dentist, this is the story I wish I had heard before dental school. If you alr...
How Long Does It Take To Buy A Dental Practice?
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
How long does it take to buy a dental practice? It's one of the most common questions I get, and most dentists go in with the wrong expectation. In this episode I break down both phases step by step, and I show you why rushing either one is the most expensive mistake you can make.
What we cover:
- The two phases of an acquisition, split at the letter of intent
- Median time to find the right pra...
New Data: How Much Do Dental Practice Owners Actually Make?
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median dentist makes $179,000 per year. I have looked at the profit and loss statements and tax returns of over 500 dental practices that sold in the last two years, and the real median owner income is $351,000. In this video I show you the actual numbers, the full distribution, and why the government figure is so misleading.
What we cover:
- Why the BLS number of $179,000 doesn't reflect what owners take home
- The...
Waiting To Buy A Dental Practice is Costing You $14,000 Per Month
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
Waiting to buy a dental practice could be one of the most expensive decisions you ever make. In this video, I break down the real cost of staying at an associate job, why the most common excuses don't hold up, and how even being conservative, you're leaving $14,000 per month on the table by not becoming an owner.
What we cover:
- The $500,000 difference between my first and second year
- Owner vs. associate income: $350K vs. $200K (conservative)
<...How This Dentist Saved $161,842 Buying A Practice
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
I recently helped a dentist save $161,000 on their dental practice acquisition. In this video, I walk through exactly how we did it, from negotiating $100,000 off the purchase price to saving over $60,000 on financing. When you're spending a million dollars, small decisions can make a massive difference.
What we cover:
- How we found the right practice after 3-4 months of looking
- Why we offered $100K below asking price (and the seller accepted)
- How time on...
If You Want Freedom, Become an Owner
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
The number one predictor of job satisfaction is autonomy. If you want freedom and control over your life as a dentist, you need to become an owner. In this video, I cover the four types of freedom you gain when you stop being an associate and start being the boss.
What we cover:
- Why autonomy is the #1 predictor of job satisfaction
- Freedom to control your schedule (my 3-day work week)
- Freedom to choose whi...
Your Accountant Is Wrong About Dental Acquisitions
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
If you're buying a dental practice, be very careful about listening to advice from accountants. Accountants are great for taxes, but they don't understand how dental practices actually work. In this video, I break down why financial statements alone can't tell you if a practice is worth buying, and how the wrong advice can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What we cover:
- Why accountants don't understand dental practice acquisitions
- The fundamental trap of assuming buy...
The Best Dental Practice To Buy
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
What type of dental practice should you actually buy? In this video, I break down exactly what makes a practice worth buying. The short answer: buy a practice with a lot of active patients where the seller's revenue per patient is as low as possible. That's where your growth opportunity is.
What we cover:
- Why two practices with identical financials can be completely different
- How to calculate active recall patients (not the broker's inflated number)
...
How to Buy a Dental Practice in 2026 (Complete Guide)
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
A complete, step-by-step overview of how to buy a dental practice in 2026. From saving your emergency fund to finding practices, negotiating the price, securing financing, and closing the deal. If you're a dentist thinking about ownership, this is the video to watch first.
What we cover:
- How much you need saved before buying (5-10% of purchase price)
- Why there's no "Zillow" for dental practices
- How practice brokers work (and their incentives)
- W...
I Analyzed 500 Dental Practices. Here's What I Found.
📋 Free Download: Practice Evaluation Checklist https://practiceown.com/pdf
I recently crossed 500 dental practice evaluations. In this video, I'm sharing the biggest lessons I've learned helping dentists buy practices over the last few years.
If you're thinking about buying a dental practice, these are the things you should know before looking.
What we cover:
Why 80% of practices on the market aren't worth buying
The one number that matters more than revenue
How to instantly tell if a practice has enough patients
Red flags about why the...
Why 2026 Is the BEST Year to Buy a Dental Practice
If you're a dentist thinking about buying a dental practice, it's an incredible time to be alive.
🔔 Learn More About Our Services: https://practiceown.com
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 The Associate's Core Dilemma
0:44 Understanding Associate Earnings
2:03 Same Work, Double Income
3:07 Financial Impact of Associate Status
4:14 The Cost of Waiting
5:40 Growing Income Gap
7:19 T...
RED FLAGS when buying a dental practice
Make sure you're buying the right dental practice. If you understand these 14 red flags, then you'll stand a much better chance at buying a practice that meets your goals.
🔔 Learn More About Our Services: https://practiceown.com
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 Buying the Right Dental Practice
1:06 Low Number of New Patients
2:07 Low Active Recall Patients
...How to Tell If a Dental Practice Is Actually Worth Buying
Buying a dental practice is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. This video shows how to tell whether a practice is actually worth buying and what most buyers fail to evaluate before committing.
🔔 Learn More About Our Services: https://practiceown.com
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 Why Most Dental Practice Evaluations Are Wrong
2:39 Where Real Value in a Practice Actually Comes...
Why Associate Dentists Work More Than They Need To
Most dentists are not training for the Olympics, but a lot of dentists feel like their job leaves no room for anything else. Today, we're going to talk about how you can reclaim your time while still being extremely successful as a dentist.
🔔 Learn More About Our Services: https://practiceown.com
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 The Tradeoff That Shouldn’t Exist
1:41 Why Ow...
Why Some Dentists Make $120k…and Others Make $800k+ Doing the Same Work
Dentist income isn’t distributed evenly and it’s not because of skill, effort, or procedures.
In this video, I explain why some dentists stay stuck around $120,000 per year while others earn $800,000+ and what actually separates the two.
🔔 Learn More About Our Services: https://practiceown.com
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 The Dentist Income Gap Explained
1:45 Why Dentist Income Is Right-Skewed...
Don't Buy A Dental Practice Unless It Has This Many Patients.
If you're buying a dental practice, how many patients does the practice need to have? I'm going to show you exactly how to calculate the number you need to make sure that you buy a practice where you're going to be profitable and successful.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 How Many Patients Do You Need?
Is Buying a Dental Practice Becoming Too Competitive?
Is it becoming too competitive to buy a dental practice? Today, we're going to talk about some of the changing market dynamics and what you can do to become an incredibly successful practice owner.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 More Dentists Entering the Market
2:19 DSOs (Dental Service Organizations)
8:58 Setting Yourself Apa...
What Happens If You Buy the Wrong Dental Practice?
Buying a dental practice will either be the best or worst decision you ever make. I want to help make sure you buy the right practice.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
Chapters:
Intro 00:00
I just had a call with a dentist. 00:22
They are not doing well. 03:06
Practice...
How Much Should You Pay For A Dental Practice?
Today, we are going to talk about how much you should pay for a dental practice. We are going to look at the different valuation methods practice brokers often use. And then finally, we're going to look at how you as a buyer can protect yourself and make sure that you are paying a fair price.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Webs...
Buying A Dental Practice: 10 Questions To Ask
Do not buy the wrong dental practice. These are the ten things you need to make sure you are asking before buying.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Buying the Right Dental Practice
01:42 Understanding the Seller's Plans Post-Closing
06:08 Seller's Expectations for Purchase Price
10:05 Number of Active Recal...
Buying a Dental Practice for $1,445,000
Today we're going to talk about all the steps that go into buying a dental practice by using a real-life example of a practice that was purchased recently. The buyer is doing very well already, just 6 months in.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 new owner
01:17 the first practice evaluation
02:20 seller out o...
How to Find a Dental Practice for Sale
Today I want to talk about how to find a dental practice for sale. These are the things I wish I knew when I was looking for a dental practice to buy.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 Finding a dental practice to buy
0:52 Understanding the market
3:41 Finding practice brokers
5:14 H...
New Student Loan Rules Could Break Dental Education
Big changes are coming to student loans that could reshape dental education and the future of the profession. I break down what the new rules mean, why they’re happening, and how they’ll impact dental students, new graduates, and current dentists.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 Massive student loan changes ahead
0:36 Cost of...
The best way to invest as a dentist.
A simple plan that works for dentists.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 Why dentists play a different money game
01:12 Your first move: qualify to buy a practice
02:19 Debt
04:35 Retirement Accounts
10:07 Brokerage Account
13:51 Real estate
15:29 Should you own the practice building
17:13 Oth...
Dentist’s Game Plan: $500K–$800K/yr in Just 2 Years
Many dentists never break past the income ceiling they hit as associates. In this video I show you the path I’ve seen work over and over again, the one that takes you from “comfortable” to real financial freedom. Even one step can keep you stuck for years.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
0:00 Introduction
...Dentists: Early Retirement Is Shockingly Easy
As a dentist, retiring early is surprisingly achievable if you plan for it properly. And even if you decide not to retire, reaching financial independence gives you freedom: freedom to choose how you work, when you work, and what kind of life you want. Today’s we’re going to break down exactly how dentists can build real financial freedom, and why it starts earlier than you might think.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7...
2 Dental Practices. Same Price. Same City. VERY Different.
In this episode, I walk you through a real case study comparing two practices that looked identical on paper, but had wildly different income potential once we dug into the numbers. We’ll look at: Active patient count, Revenue per patient, Procedure mix, Overhead breakdown, Rent traps and payroll pitfalls. If you're a dentist thinking about buying a practice, this is a must-watch before you make an offer.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7W...
Should You Buy a Dental Practice or House First?
I keep getting the question of should I buy a house first or buy a dental practice first? That's what I want to talk about today.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 House or Practice First?
01:21 House Before Practice Mistakes
03:51 Why Renting Can Be Smarter
06:06 Housing Costs vs Earnings
08:2...
The 7 Biggest Risks of Practice Ownership
Being an owner of a dental practice is amazing. It's incredibly rewarding and you can make a lot of money as well as have a lot of control and freedom, but only if you take into account these risks.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 The Path to Dental Practice Ownership
00:37 Risk #1: Understandin...
First Year of Dental Practice Ownership
I want to talk about what it's like to be a dental practice owner, especially during your first year of ownership.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 Ownership Benefits
00:27 First-Year Challenges
03:08 Avoid Big Changes
06:30 Hiring Right
08:50 Insurance Issues
14:51 Delegate Tasks
17:06 Money Decisions
22:08...
The Future of Dentistry: AI, Robotics, and Massive Corporations
Dentistry is evolving fast, and it’s not just software updates or digital X-rays anymore. In this video, I break down how AI, robotics, and automation are already reshaping the dental industry, and what it means for practice owners, associates, and patients alike.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
0:00 Future of Dentistry 00:49 3 Big Changes Coming to Dentistry 01:12 AI in Diagnostics 05:55 AI in Practice...
You’re a Dentist…So Why Aren’t You Rich Yet?
In this video, I break down the truth behind the income gap in dentistry : why some dentists are stuck earning $200K while others are making $500K–$1M+ with the same clinical skills and the same hours. Spoiler: It’s not about working harder. It’s about ownership, strategy, and discipline.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
This Dentist Made the Biggest Mistake of His Life (Buying the Wrong Dental Practice)
This is what happens when you buy the wrong dental practice. Collections looked strong , over a million dollars, but it was built almost entirely on one over producing crowns and Invisalign cases. If you’re thinking about buying a practice, here’s what you need to look out for, and how to avoid ending up in a situation you can’t undo.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email m...
5 Ways to Double Your Income as a Dentist [Fix 1 of These]
As a dentist, there are so many things you have to worry about. You shouldn't have to worry about making enough money. If you are making less than you would like to be making, just work on improving one of these things, and you could potentially double your income.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.practiceown.com
00:00 The...
How I Bought A Dental Practice 1 Year Out of School
I bought a dental practice just 1 year out of school. Was I ready? In this video, I break down what it’s really like to become a dental practice owner early in your career—both the upsides and the risks. If you're wondering whether you should wait or jump in, this is for you.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.prac...
How to Never Worry About Money Again As a Dentist
Most dentists stay broke because they never escape the associate trap. In this video, I’ll show you how buying the right dental practice can unlock financial freedom and let you work less while earning more. If you're tired of stressing about student loans and low pay, this is the game plan.
🔔 Download the Free Practice Evaluation Checklist: https://practiceown.com/pdf
📕 Check out my book "Buying Freedom" for a deeper dive into the process: https://amzn.com/dp/B0DGGC7WG8
💌 Email me at: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://www.pr...
