Shared Practices | Your Dental Roadmap through Practice Ownership

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri breaks down the common—yet avoidable—trap where adding an associate leads to a massive drop in dental practice profitability. George shares his own Dental Moneyball cautionary tale: how he went from a thriving income to making zero dollars after hiring his first associate. This episode serves as a survival guide for any dentist moving from clinician to CEO, ensuring that your associate to owner transition actually results in more freedom, not just more expenses. George explores the "perfect storm" that kills dental practice profitability: rising overhead costs paired with a less efficient provider seeing your patients. You will learn specific dental business strategies to mitigate these risks, including the "two-to-one" hygiene-to-restorative ratio and how to expand your office capacity by modifying your schedule. We discuss why owner doctors are typically more efficient and how to train your team for co-diagnosis so that your associate walks into a well-oiled system of case acceptance. Whether you are looking to work fewer days or simply want to scale your net worth, George provides the roadmap for delegating lower-level procedures while keeping your high-production hourly rate intact. Stop guessing and start using data-driven insights to ensure your next hire is a catalyst for dental practice profitability rather than a drain on your bank account. Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Caitlin Embree and Morgan Hamon from EAG Dental Advisors bridge the gap between daily operations and proactive financial management for dentists. Transitioning from clinician to CEO requires deep financial clarity. Most owners only speak to their CPA during tax season, but advanced financial management for dentists transforms raw data into insights that fuel long-term dental practice profitability.  If your goal is sustainable dental practice growth, this is your survival guide. Morgan explains how specialized CPAs act as your financial radiologist—diagnosing cash flow bottlenecks—so your dental practice management team can perform the operational surgery. We explore why standard profit and loss statements hide critical metrics like debt service.  Here is your blueprint to master dental business strategies and dental practice ownership:Master the Rule of Threes: Hygienists must produce three times their total pay to sustain dental practice profitability.  Calculate Cash Reserves: Keep one to two months of break-even capital, combining operating expenses and debt service, to eliminate stress. Optimize Distributions: Implement structured monthly or quarterly distributions to maximize personal wealth.  Demand Strategy: Stop accepting tax-season surprises. Demand year-round communication to track liabilities as you scale.  Proactive financial management for dentists protects your revenue. Contact Morgan Hamon at [email protected] or visit https://eagdentaladvisors.com/.  Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Transitioning from a clinician to a CEO requires a fundamental shift in how you view your bank account. In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri reveals the "survival guide" for mastering dental practice profitability. If you’ve ever felt the frustration of a packed schedule and high production that never seems to translate into a growing bank balance, you are likely missing the "Moneyball" discipline required for true dental business ownership. George shares his personal journey from a revenue-only focus to becoming a disciplined CFO, providing the roadmap for every future owner to follow.The core of dental practice profitability lies in understanding three financial pillars: the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Cash Flow Statement. George explains why your practice management software might lie to you about your revenue and how to reconcile bank deposits with collections. By mastering financial management for dentists, you can stop guessing and start leading. This episode breaks down the "one month break-even" liquidity rule, ensuring you have enough cash on hand to weather the volatility of dental practice management without the stress of payroll cycles or credit card bills.For those looking to scale, George explores dental growth strategies that prioritize cash-on-cash returns over "paper wealth." He discusses how to utilize a quarterly distribution schedule to accumulate cash before deciding whether to reinvest in the practice or take a personal draw. This approach to sustainable dental practice growth ensures that every dollar you spend—whether on a new operatory, marketing, or coaching—acts as a soldier sent out to bring more soldiers back.Don’t let your practice be a high-revenue trap. Learn the dental business strategies that separate struggling associates from wealthy owners. By focusing on dental practice profitability through the lens of cash flow and disciplined reinvestment, you can build a business that generates consistent, predictable wealth.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Transitioning from a clinician to a CEO is the ultimate hurdle in dental practice ownership. In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri and Elizabeth navigate the "logistical nightmare" of scaling an eight-month-old practice that is already bursting at the seams. With 3,000 patients and only six operatories, Elizabeth faces a pivotal choice: stay in a challenging second-floor space or chase a "shiny object" real estate deal with mismatched timelines.George reframes the traditional dental business ownership mindset by challenging the urge to move too soon. They break down the ROI of a $43,000 construction project to add two operatories versus the capital-intensive trap of buying a building that doesn't fit the long-term vision. This is a survival guide for any dentist wrestling with dental growth strategies and the fear of patient attrition.The conversation pivots to the "Mega Group" concept, where George introduces the power of the 12-operatory model. For those pursuing sustainable dental practice growth, reaching 12 operatories allows for a three-doctor rotation, providing the owner with the "school schedule" flexibility they crave without sacrificing dental practice profitability. Elizabeth gains clarity on why settling in her current space—for now—is the fastest way to hire an associate and preserve her patient base. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership?Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri sits down with a dentist, Elizabeth, to discuss the initial hurdles she faced following an associate to owner transition.They analyze her impressive growth as a new dentist, jumping from a projected $1.2M to a $1.4M finish within eight months, while exploring dental business strategies to manage a bursting 3,000-patient base with only 11 hygiene days.The core strategic debate centers on whether to simplify the schedule via a fee-for-service model or expand into a multi-doctor setup by hiring another dentist, a dilemma complicated by real estate constraints discussed through a Shared Practices framework.This is a must-listen for any dentist weighing the long-term flexibility of group practice against the streamlined profitability of staying solo.In this episode:• Scaling production from a projected $1.2M pace to over $1.4M.• Managing a bottleneck of 3,000 patients with only 11 hygiene days.• The strategic debate: dropping insurance versus hiring an associate.• Evaluating real estate options for a growing team.• Balancing clinical autonomy with family flexibility.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Welcome back to the Shared Practices podcast.In this episode of Ask George, we’re diving into a question we hear all the time from aspiring owners: How do you build a real business instead of just buying yourself a job? Whether you’re preparing to purchase your first practice or thinking about expanding into your second or third location, this conversation will give you a clearer, more honest picture of what ownership really looks like today.Dentistry has changed a lot over the years. With more options like DSOs, choosing private practice is no longer the default—it’s a decision. And for many, that decision means stepping into the role of an entrepreneur. That comes with real challenges: managing rising staff costs, dealing with insurance reimbursements, and navigating tighter margins, especially in a post-COVID landscape. But at the same time, it creates an opportunity to build something that can grow beyond your own clinical work.So what’s the difference between a job and a business? If everything depends on you being in the chair day in and day out, it’s still a job—no matter how successful it looks on paper. A true business is built to operate and generate income even when you’re not there. That shift in mindset is what separates operators from owners.George breaks down a practical path to get there, including how to build around multiple providers, improve efficiency, and create systems that support long-term growth. From bringing on associates to optimizing your space and team, it’s all about creating a structure that doesn’t rely solely on you. Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Transitioning from a skilled clinician to a successful practice owner requires a radical shift in how you view the operatory. In this high-stakes episode of Coaches Corner, Caitlin Embree and Dr. Andrew Clingan break down the essential dental business strategies that separate struggling associates from thriving owners. The secret isn’t just in the hand-piece; it’s in the psychology of case acceptance and the internal systems that turn "maybe" into "yes."Dr. Clingan pulls back the curtain on the "trauma" and wisdom gained during his associate to owner transition, revealing that clinical excellence is secondary to patient trust. If a patient doesn't understand the "why," they won't value the "how." This conversation serves as a masterclass in dental practice management, focusing on the "micro-trust" moments—those small, honest interactions that build a foundation for sustainable dental practice growth. You’ll learn why "creating space" and embracing silence is more effective than any sales script, and how to handle the "not now" objection without sounding like a corporate salesman. Implementing these specific dental business strategies allows a doctor to maintain clinical integrity while ensuring the practice remains a viable, profitable entity.A critical component of modern dental business ownership is the integration of high-ROI technology. Caitlin and Andrew discuss how utilizing AI-driven radiographs and intraoral cameras isn't just about clinical accuracy; it's about shifting the burden of proof from the doctor to the data. By treating the patient as a co-diagnostician, you eliminate the friction of "supervised neglect" and move toward more predictable financial management for dentists. Whether you are currently navigating how to buy a dental practice or looking to optimize your existing startup, adopting these dental business strategies will help you stop playing "ignorant to finances" and start leading your team and patients with the conviction of a true CEO. This episode is your survival guide to navigating the complexities of patient behavior and modern clinical technology.

Are you worried that you missed the "Golden Age" of dentistry? Many dental students and associates look back at the 1980s with envy, assuming that high insurance reimbursements and low competition made that the only era for true wealth. In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri deconstructs this myth and explains why dental practice profitability in the 2020s actually offers a superior path for the entrepreneurial dentist.We shift the focus from the "Golden Age" to the "Golden Way"—a modern survival guide for transitioning from a clinical technician to a high-performing CEO. George breaks down why the current landscape of dental practice ownership is ripe with opportunity for those who embrace technology over tradition. Whether you are navigating an associate to owner transition or managing a growing firm, understanding the levers of dental practice valuation methods is critical to your exit strategy.This episode explores three distinct paths to building a $5M–$10M net worth:The Mega Practice: Why a single 14-operatory office with high dental growth strategies often outperforms a multi-location portfolio with less risk.The Multi-Location Venture: The "irrational" drive needed to scale past four locations and the financial controls required to maintain margins.The Platform Play: How modern DSOs allow for wealth creation through equity without the traditional burdens of solo ownership.Success in the mid-2020s requires extreme efficiency in marketing, patient retention, and clinical productivity. George explains how AI, guided surgery, and 3D printing have replaced "hanging a shingle" as the primary drivers of entrepreneurship for dentists. If you want to stop trading time for money and start building a "Practice 401k," this deep dive into the 170-billion-dollar dental industry is your roadmap. You aren't too late; you are exactly on time to leverage the consolidation wave and modern clinical systems for maximum financial freedom.

How do you bridge the gap between being a clinical student and achieving dental practice ownership? In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Dr. Andrew Clingan returns to the mic to deliver a "survival guide" for D4s and associates planning their move from clinician to CEO. Andrew bought his practice straight out of school in 2023, and he’s pulling back the curtain on what it actually takes to double revenue in year one. If your goal is dental practice ownership, your first job is not an investment—it is a means to an end. This episode breaks down the four pillars of readiness: clinical confidence, practice management, cash runway, and leadership.We address a common dilemma for future owners: choosing between a DSO, a private practice, or a multi-location group. Andrew argues that if you want to succeed in dental practice ownership, you must prioritize clinical volume over brand names or base pay. We analyze why many private practice associate roles are "dead ends" for growth and why the "dead space" of mid-sized groups can hinder your development. Transitioning to a CEO mindset means understanding financial management for dentists; Andrew explains why keeping your personal overhead low is the key to securing bank financing for acquisitions in dentistry.Stop waiting for the "perfect time" to start your journey. We discuss how to identify a ready-to-grow practice and why most buyers pass on "diamonds in the rough" because they lack the dental business strategies to see past old wallpaper and film X-rays. This is a masterclass in dental practice management designed to help you build the clinical and financial cushion necessary for sustainable dental practice growth. Whether you are navigating the associate to owner transition or performing due diligence red flags checks on a potential acquisition, this episode provides the roadmap. Don't let your "pre-owner angst" fade into the comfort of a corporate paycheck. Learn how to stack your skills now so that when the right opportunity appears, you are prepared to execute.

Is dental practice ownership still a viable path for aspiring dentists in today's rapidly changing landscape? Join Dr. George Hariri as he navigates the complexities of dental practice ownership in the latest episode of Shared Practices. This enlightening discussion delves into the critical factors that every dentist must consider when contemplating their career trajectory in the field of dentistry.Dr. Hariri emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and self-reflection for dental professionals, urging them to assess whether dental practice ownership aligns with their personal and professional goals. With the realities of increased competition and rising operational costs, particularly in a post-COVID world, understanding the nuances of ownership is more crucial than ever.The episode outlines essential principles for a successful dental career, including job satisfaction, income needs, and the importance of asset accumulation. Dr. Hariri also contrasts traditional dental practice ownership with the growing appeal of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), which present attractive opportunities for those who may prefer a non-ownership track. This is particularly relevant for dentists who are exploring their options in the face of changing dynamics within the profession.For those considering a leap into dental practice ownership, Dr. Hariri provides invaluable insights into entrepreneurship for dentists, offering guidance on how to buy a dental practice and navigate the complexities of dental practice acquisition. He discusses key topics such as dental practice valuation methods, due diligence red flags, and financial management for dentists, equipping listeners with the knowledge needed to excel in their ownership journey.As Dr. Hariri articulates, ownership is increasingly suited for those with an entrepreneurial mindset who are willing to actively engage in the business side of dentistry. He encourages listeners to reflect on their leadership in dental practice and consider strategies for scaling their practices while avoiding common ownership mistakes.This episode is a must-listen for any dentist contemplating their career path, offering a comprehensive overview of the dental landscape and practical advice on navigating ownership transitions. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an established owner looking to refine your dental practice marketing strategy, this episode provides a roadmap to success.Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights from a seasoned expert in the field.

Adding an associate to your team should be the ultimate win for dental practice ownership, but it is often the exact moment where your existing systems begin to break. In this episode, Andrew Clingan and Caitlin Embree unpack the "ugly duckling" stage—that uncomfortable transition where your previous business strategies no longer scale to support multiple doctors. If you are navigating the complexities of dental practice ownership, this episode is your survival guide for the inevitable systems failures and team tension that occur when scaling toward a sustainable dental practice.As we discuss in this segment, entrepreneurship for dentists is about developing people as much as it is about fixing teeth. Andrew gets vulnerable about the "super solo" trap: trying to out-produce your problems rather than fixing the underlying systems. We dive into the specific financial management for dentists necessary to weather the "stings" of growth—like losing $15,000 cases because the team wasn't ready to present new clinical codes.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Are you stuck in the "defensive" trap of dental practice ownership? In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri breaks down a controversial reality: your CPA should not be your most trusted advisor if your goal is growth. While dental CPAs are essential for tax compliance and embezzlement prevention, their inherent bias toward historical data often creates a "growth ceiling" for ambitious owners. This episode serves as a survival guide for the transition from clinician to CEO, helping you identify when to listen to the brakes and when to hit the gas.We dive deep into the world of dental practice management to explain why traditional accounting metrics like staff cost percentages can be misleading. George shares his personal "Dental Moneyball" story of growing a practice from $90k to $150k and how listening to a defensive advisor during a dip could have stifled his long-term success. You will learn about the "deposit ratio"—a critical tool for spotting embezzlement—and why your CPA is the gold standard for historical accuracy but a poor guide for future projections.If you are currently navigating dental practice ownership, you need to understand the difference between offensive and defensive strategies. We discuss how to use dental growth strategies to justify temporary spikes in overhead, such as hiring a new hygienist or investing in marketing, which a standard CPA report might flagged as "red." This episode challenges you to become your own most trusted advisor, using financial management for dentists as a data point rather than a final decision.We also explore the future of dental practice profitability in the age of AI and why using tools like ChatGPT can prepare you for more nuanced conversations with your professional team. Whether you’re an associate in transition or a seasoned owner, this roadmap ensures your business decisions are fueled by vision, not just tax efficiency. Stop letting the "brakes" drive your vehicle and start mastering the levers of dental practice management today.

The wait is over for the conclusion of Nate’s journey from a solo practitioner to a multi-million dollar dental group practice owner. In Part 2 of this Practice Underwater special, Dr. George Hariri reveals the high-leverage recommendation that will allow Nate to escape the "yo-yo" effect of clinical scheduling and finally achieve sustainable growth. While Nate’s practice is already a financial powerhouse—grossing over $3.15M with elite-level systems—the missing piece isn't operational; it’s a specific human resource strategy that bridges the gap between a solo clinician and a true CEO.George breaks down the "Anchor Dentist" concept: the necessity of finding a high-caliber, workhorse provider who is incentivized through a minority equity stake. This episode acts as a survival guide for practice management in secondary or tertiary markets where doctor attraction is the primary bottleneck. You will learn why typical associate recruitment often fails in these areas and how to structure a transition that aligns a new doctor’s clinical drive with your own need for long-term stability and reduced chair time.As Nate considers his practice's terminal velocity of $4–5M, the conversation shifts to aggressive recruitment volume. George challenges Nate to move beyond local ads and use "megaphones" to find doctors willing to relocate for a significant dental financial opportunity. If you are navigating entrepreneurship and feeling stuck in the whirlwind of daily production, this episode provides the blueprint for using minority partnership as a tool for longevity, allowing you to maximize your practice valuation without selling prematurely.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Transitioning from a solo clinician to a CEO is a journey fraught with operational hurdles, particularly when navigating the "yo-yo" effect of doctor turnover. In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri sits down with Nate, a 2011 grad who successfully grew his office from $700k to over $3.1M. Despite this massive financial success, Nate finds himself back in the "whirlwind" of daily clinical operations, struggling with the common industry Achilles' heel: attracting and retaining productive associates. This conversation serves as a survival guide for any future dental practice owner looking to build a sustainable group practice without being tethered to the chair for the next twenty years.The transcript reveals a common paradox in dental practice management: having world-class systems—including a 97% reappointment rate and an impressive AR ratio—yet still facing a revolving door of providers. George analyzes Nate’s history with five different associates to determine the difference between a "good leave" and a "bad leave". For dentists pursuing sustainable dental practice growth, understanding these nuances is critical. Are you settling for the wrong cultural fit because the candidate pool feels thin? George challenges the listener to move beyond the desperation of hiring and into a phase of selective patience.As Nate looks toward an associate to owner transition or an eventual dental practice valuation for a DSO sale, the focus shifts to long-term profitability and cash flow. George argues that many owners sell too early, missing out on years of EBITDA. Instead, the discussion explores whether offering a minority equity stake is the key to stability. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship for dentists, emphasizing that while doctor turnover is a natural part of the business, it shouldn't dictate your personal life or your clinical schedule.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Is dental practice ownership still a viable path for aspiring dentists in today's rapidly changing landscape? Join Dr. George Hariri as he navigates the complexities of dental practice ownership in the latest episode of Shared Practices. This enlightening discussion delves into the critical factors that every dentist must consider when contemplating their career trajectory in the field of dentistry.Dr. Hariri emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and self-reflection for dental professionals, urging them to assess whether dental practice ownership aligns with their personal and professional goals. With the realities of increased competition and rising operational costs, particularly in a post-COVID world, understanding the nuances of ownership is more crucial than ever.The episode outlines essential principles for a successful dental career, including job satisfaction, income needs, and the importance of asset accumulation. Dr. Hariri also contrasts traditional dental practice ownership with the growing appeal of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), which present attractive opportunities for those who may prefer a non-ownership track. This is particularly relevant for dentists who are exploring their options in the face of changing dynamics within the profession.For those considering a leap into dental practice ownership, Dr. Hariri provides invaluable insights into entrepreneurship for dentists, offering guidance on how to buy a dental practice and navigate the complexities of dental practice acquisition. He discusses key topics such as dental practice valuation methods, due diligence red flags, and financial management for dentists, equipping listeners with the knowledge needed to excel in their ownership journey.As Dr. Hariri articulates, ownership is increasingly suited for those with an entrepreneurial mindset who are willing to actively engage in the business side of dentistry. He encourages listeners to reflect on their leadership in dental practice and consider strategies for scaling their practices while avoiding common ownership mistakes.This episode is a must-listen for any dentist contemplating their career path, offering a comprehensive overview of the dental landscape and practical advice on navigating ownership transitions. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an established owner looking to refine your dental practice marketing strategy, this episode provides a roadmap to success.Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights from a seasoned expert in the field.

In this masterclass episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri pulls back the curtain on the "invisible" side of dental practice management—the leadership dynamics that dictate your take-home pay and your team’s sanity. For most, the associate to owner transition is a shock to the system because dental school teaches you how to prep a crown, not how to lead a human being. George provides a survival guide for the future owner, breaking down the essential shift from clinical technician to high-level CEO.True dental practice management isn't about micro-managing every tray setup; it is about strategic resource allocation. George identifies the "Goodwill Bank Account" concept, explaining how leaders must deposit trust through leading by example before they can withdraw effort during high-stress growth phases. We dive deep into the "unspoken culture" of a practice—what you tolerate becomes your standard. If your dental business ownership journey feels like a constant uphill battle with staff, the bottleneck is likely your relational leadership, not your clinical skill.This episode covers the "Vision Avatars" necessary for sustainable dental practice growth, helping you decide if you are building a productive solo or a mega group. George also breaks down the "Operational Rhythm"—the cadence of huddles and meetings that transform dental practice management from a reactive chore into a proactive engine for dental practice profitability. By the end of this episode, you will understand how to audit your own self-leadership, set non-negotiable standards for what you tolerate, and empower an office manager to handle the details so you can focus on entrepreneurship for dentists. Whether you are currently in the middle of acquisitions or just starting your roadmap, this is the blueprint for leading a team that actually wants to follow you.

In this episode of Coaches Corner, we dismantle the myth that clinical excellence alone is enough to scale a practice. As you move from solo clinician to the head of a growing group, your dental business strategies must evolve or your systems will shatter. Dr. Andrew Clingan and Caitlin Embree dive deep into the "Ugly Duckling" phase of ownership—that volatile period where adding an associate reveals every crack in your foundation. Transitioning into dental practice ownership requires more than just hiring more hands; it demands a total shift in how you view dental practice management. If you are out-producing your problems rather than solving them with systems, you are sitting on a ticking time bomb.For the future dental practice owner, this episode serves as a survival guide for the associate to owner transition. We discuss the hard reality of "losing" high-value cases simply because your team wasn't trained on the right codes or verbiage. We explore dental business strategies that focus on empowering an Office Manager to lead, rather than the owner micromanaging every $15-an-hour task. This is the core of sustainable dental practice growth: building a culture of leadership where your team is self-accountable and your dental practice profitability isn't solely dependent on your time in the chair. We break down the "Time and Energy Audit," a tool designed to help you buy back your time and focus on the high-level dental business ownership tasks that actually move the needle. Stop acting like an employee in your own business and start implementing the dental business strategies that allow you to lead with vision and clarity.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In Part 2 of this Practice Underwater episode, Dr. George Hariri continues his conversation with "Bob," a mega-group owner generating nearly $8 million in revenue. Despite scaling massive topline numbers, Bob faced severe burnout by failing to establish personal boundaries and neglecting his own dental practice profitability during acquisitions. By working clinically up to five days a week to cover gaps in a new location, he sacrificed his leverage as a CEO.Rapid growth can become a financial and emotional grind if you do not properly utilize your leadership team. George helps Bob construct a personal "bubble" to reclaim control of his time and guarantee his cash flow, ultimately securing true dental practice profitability.Here is your blueprint for protecting your sanity and maximizing dental practice profitability as you scale:Build Your Bubble: Restrict your clinical schedule to three days a week focused strictly on specialty procedures you enjoy, forcing your infrastructure to handle operational gaps.Take a Guaranteed Draw: Establish a non-negotiable monthly owner's draw to ensure you are consistently rewarded for your equity, eliminating personal financial stress.Trim Minor Expenses: Shaving just 1% to 2% off supply and administrative costs in an $8M group can fund your entire owner's draw and significantly boost dental practice profitability.Scale Into Your Infrastructure: Dilute your central management overhead by acquiring additional "ready to grow" practices before you reach the ceiling that requires overhauling your current operational systems.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri sits down with "Bob," a mega-group owner who successfully scaled from a single solo clinic into an $8 million powerhouse spanning 17 operatories. For the ambitious dentist, Bob’s journey is a masterclass in aggressive expansion and mastering dental practice profitability. He shares how he temporarily abandoned traditional accounting advice, allowing his profit and loss (P&L) statements to look "ugly" while investing heavily in staff and marketing to secure unprecedented growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.The conversation shifts to evaluating true dental practice profitability. When Bob ran out of physical space in his flagship office, he leveraged his centralized infrastructure to seamlessly acquire an adjacent 2,000-patient practice. George breaks down Bob's margins on air, revealing that keeping management costs at a lean 3% while heavily funding the clinical team is the ultimate secret to sustaining dental practice profitability at scale.Here is your survival guide to mastering dental business strategies through rapid expansion:Embrace the "Ugly Duckling" Phase: Temporarily accept high staff costs (like Bob's 36%) and a skewed P&L in exchange for explosive patient flow and long-term equity growth.Build Infrastructure Early: Establish a centralized call center and administrative team before you actually need them, ensuring your management costs remain incredibly low as you acquire more locations.Target "Ready to Grow" Clinics: Accelerate your timeline by acquiring underperforming offices with massive, untapped patient bases.Assess the Grind: Evaluate whether your current infrastructure can absorb another location before deciding to push forward or pause for operational optimization.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this deep-dive "Ask George" session, Dr. George Hariri tackles a silent epidemic among high-achieving dentists: hitting massive financial milestones only to feel a sense of emptiness. If you are navigating the complex associate to owner transition or currently feel trapped by your own success, this episode serves as your ultimate survival guide for evolving from a clinical workhorse to a strategic CEO. George breaks down why traditional dental practice management often fails by focusing solely on "numbers" while ignoring the qualitative lifestyle design that prevents burnout.We explore the three distinct stages of a dentist’s career arc and how to identify your current "bottleneck"—whether it’s patient flow, team leadership, or clinical efficiency. You will learn how to use dental business strategies to increase your "surface area of luck," ensuring that your growth is both predictable and sustainable. George also introduces the "Venn Diagram of Success," a framework for aligning your quantitative income targets with your unique ability and desire for autonomy.Stop chasing arbitrary production numbers and start building a business that gives you energy instead of draining it. Whether you are implementing new dental growth strategies to scale to a multi-doctor facility or looking to optimize a "smart solo" setup, this episode provides the roadmap to earning a seven-figure income while working only three days a week. We discuss how to delegate the "C-level" tasks that cause anxiety and how to empower your team to handle conflict, allowing you to stay in your zone of genius.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Most ambitious dentists are taught that dental practice ownership success is a linear climb from one location to three, five, or ten. In this episode, Dr. Megan Timm joins Caitlin Embree to pull back the curtain on the "sexy" allure of the dental empire and explains why she made the difficult decision to offload two locations to return to a single-doctor model. If you are currently navigating the associate to owner transition or feeling the pressure to expand, this survival guide explores the hidden costs of growth—including the financial strain of multiple mortgages, the "revolving door" of rural recruiting, and the mental toll of managing personalities rather than practicing dentistry.Megan shares the raw reality of the "tipping point" where three practices resulted in zero personal take-home pay for six months. We deep dive into the logistics of a practice merger, how to communicate office closures to patients without losing your reputation, and the importance of clinical alignment when hiring. You will learn why sustainable dental practice growth is often found by increasing efficiency per patient and dropping insurance dependence rather than adding more chairs. Megan’s journey from a stressed multi-practice owner to a thriving, "productive solo" dentist proves that dental practice management is not one-size-fits-all. We discuss the "ego stroke" of expansion versus the actual dental practice profitability of a well-oiled, single-doctor machine.Whether you are performing acquisitions in dentistry or looking to optimize your first office, this episode challenges the "bigger is better" narrative. Learn how to protect your vision, set boundaries with high-level team members, and design a life that allows you to be both a CEO and a present parent.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

The transition from clinician to CEO is often paved with unexpected roadblocks: wage inflation, shrinking insurance reimbursements, and a staffing crisis that makes 2026 feel like a battleground for private practitioners. In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri breaks down why traditional dental practice management is no longer enough to stay profitable. If you are a future owner, you must realize that the "Golden Age" of dentistry has evolved into the "Golden Way"—a high-tech roadmap where artificial intelligence acts as your digital co-pilot.George moves beyond the hype of AI to provide a tactical survival guide for the modern dental entrepreneur. He explores the sequential flow of a patient's journey, identifying specific bottlenecks where technology can replace manual labor. From AI receptionists that mitigate missed call rates to radiograph software like Pearl and Overjet that revolutionize co-diagnosis, this episode explains how to reduce your dependency on a shrinking labor pool while increasing case acceptance.True dental business ownership requires becoming a "technological champion." George emphasizes that while the dentist must provide the vision, the team must drive the implementation. You will learn how to use dental growth strategies that prioritize objectivity, such as using AI to audit phone calls or scribe treatment notes, allowing your staff to focus on high-level patient care.This is more than a discussion on software; it is a masterclass in dental business strategies for the current economic landscape. Whether you are navigating an associate to owner transition or looking to scale your first acquisition, understanding how to negotiate the "how" while remaining firm on the "why" of technology is critical. Stop struggling with 20th-century systems in a 2026 world. Learn how to lean into the unique strengths of the technological revolution to ensure your practice isn't just surviving, but thriving. Success in dental practice management today requires more intentionality than ever—it’s time to build your roadmap.

The leap from clinician to CEO is the most significant hurdle in any associate to owner transition. Most dentists enter ownership with world-class clinical skills but find themselves practicing blind when it comes to the business side of the chair. In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Dr. George Hariri sits down with Dr. Aditi Agarwal, co-founder of Practice by Numbers, to discuss how to navigate this high-stakes shift using the power of data and AI dashboards.Dr. Agarwal shares her personal journey of launching a startup in a depressed market and the "aha moment" when she realized that her case acceptance issues weren't a clinical failure, but a data-driven financing gap. This episode serves as a survival guide for dental practice ownership, moving beyond simple spreadsheets to embrace sophisticated dental business strategies. We explore the concept of "Operations AI" and how it acts as a co-pilot for the modern dentist, automating the revenue finder process to locate thousands of dollars in unscheduled treatment.As a future dental practice owner, your success depends on your ability to implement dental business strategies that don't rely solely on your own manual effort. We break down the importance of team-led technology adoption, showing you how to empower your front office to reduce their workload while simultaneously increasing dental practice profitability. From call sentiment analysis to AI-assisted perio charting, learn how to leverage the "great equalizer" of technology to compete with DSOs while maintaining the personalized touch of private practice. This is the roadmap for turning dental business ownership into a predictable, data-backed success story.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Are you the primary force rolling every "boulder" up the hill in your office? In this insightful Ask George episode, George and Richard explore why building leaders is the non-negotiable secret to exponential growth and true leverage. Most future owners struggle with the transition from clinician to CEO because they fear the "drop-off" in quality when delegating. However, effective dental practice management requires a team-led approach where you empower others to perform tasks at 80% of your capacity so you can focus on your zone of genius.We dive deep into the hierarchy of leadership, from the essential role of an Office Manager to the strategic deployment of Lead Assistants and Lead Hygienists. George introduces the A/B/C task audit—a powerful framework for identifying your highest-value "A" tasks while offloading energy-draining "C" tasks to team members who actually enjoy them. This shift isn't just about giving orders; it’s about fostering a "sense of ownership" where your team cares about results (like reappointment rates) as much as you do.You’ll learn the "Document, Demonstrate, Observe" system for error-proofing your delegation and why the cost of a team member's mistake is actually a necessary investment in your associate to owner transition. Whether you are refining your dental growth strategies or preparing for dental business ownership, this episode provides the survival guide for building a culture of accountability and purpose. Stop being the bottleneck and start building the leverage required for a high-income, high-freedom practice.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Transitioning from a skilled clinician to a successful CEO requires a fundamental shift in how you view dental practice management. Most dentists enter ownership to focus on patient care, yet they quickly find themselves bogged down by the "human" element of human resources. In this episode of Shared Practices, Richard Low sits down with Jill Hasselmann from HR for Health to dismantle the myth that HR has to be a source of constant stress. For future owners, understanding these systems is not just about staying organized; it is about protecting the legacy and financial health of your dental practice ownership journey.Jill explains that "compliance is caring," reframing bureaucracy as the baseline for treating a team with respect. We dive into the "Anatomy of HR," breaking it down into five critical pillars: hiring and onboarding, benefits administration, conflict resolution, payroll logistics, and legal compliance. Many owners struggle with wage and hour claims—which have seen a 450% increase over the last 20 years—simply because they lack a digital paper trail or clear time-off policies. This episode serves as a survival guide for dental business ownership, highlighting why relying on a "friend’s handbook" or unverified AI tools like ChatGPT can create massive legal exposure.We also explore the modern expectations of Millennial and Gen Z team members who demand transparency and digital-first experiences. By implementing a "True North" via a customized employee handbook, you can remove the emotion from difficult conversations and lead with consistency. Whether you are navigating a startup or an acquisition, mastering entrepreneurship for dentists means having a proactive plan for everything from cell phone policies to pregnancy leave. Jill shares how automated systems can handle the tedious tracking of CE certifications and performance reviews, allowing you to shut your brain off and focus on dental growth strategies. Stop reacting to crises and start building a foundation where you never have to worry about HR again.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Are you choosing the wrong candidates because you’re afraid you don't have the time to train the right ones? In this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, Richard and Caitlin unpack why dental practice ownership often feels like an uphill battle—and how to fix it. We discuss the mindset shift required to move from "panic hiring" to building a continuous candidate pipeline, much like you would for patient marketing.The secret to scaling your practice lies in breaking free from the "experience trap" by creating a living Operations Manual. Caitlin explains the difference between a static employee handbook and a dynamic standards of care (SOC) guide that allows for consistent dental practice management as you grow. We explore how future owners can use the hiring process itself as a catalyst to document systems, ensuring you never have to reinvent the wheel when turnover inevitably occurs.We also dive into the "lowest hanging fruit" of AI in dentistry: using tools like ChatGPT and Loom to draft training manuals and SOPs in record time. By utilizing voice-to-text and screen-recording technology, you can turn your clinical frustrations into clear, step-by-step instructions for your team. This episode is a survival guide for any dentist moving through an associate to owner transition, providing the tools to hire for attitude and train for skill so that your practice can scale without being held hostage by staffing gaps.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Think you could grow a suburban dental practice from $700K to $2.5M in four years without burning out? In this high-stakes episode of Practice Under Water, George sits down with "Thor," a high-intensity owner who has done exactly that. Thor shares the raw numbers behind his explosive associate to owner transition, revealing how he moved from 15 new patients a month to over 90 by mastering Google reviews and direct mail.However, success has brought a new challenge: the "Sunday scaries". George helps Thor evaluate the dental business strategies needed to stop being the bottleneck in his own five-operatory building. They discuss the "pseudo-specialist" pivot—moving away from general dentistry to focus on high-value ortho and implants—as a way to maintain dental practice profitability while regaining control of the schedule.This episode serves as a survival guide for dental practice ownership, tackling the psychological hurdles of dropping insurance, hiring a second associate, and the risk of taking a temporary income hit to achieve long-term longevity. Whether you are looking for sustainable dental practice growth or trying to navigate the complexities of dental practice management, Thor’s journey offers a roadmap for high-producing dentists who want to lead a team-led practice rather than grinding in the chair forever. Learn how he leveraged dental growth strategies to build a practice that produces $250,000 a month with only five operatories.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Scaling a $2.5M practice while only working two clinical days sounds like the ultimate goal, but it often brings you face-to-face with a massive facility bottleneck. In Part 2 of Thor’s return to Practice Under Water, George and Thor break down the logistical gymnastics required to maintain sustainable dental practice growth when your building is bursting at the seams. Thor is currently managing 94 new patients a month in just five operatories, a situation that George identifies as being at total capacity.The conversation centers on the essential transition from a "hustle-based" model to dental practice management that is truly systems-led. George suggests that to preserve quality of life, Thor must evolve into a pseudo-specialist role—focusing on high-value ortho, cosmetics, and implants—while training his hygienists to lead a co-diagnostic process that feeds these cases to his chair. This episode acts as a strategic survival guide for dental practice ownership, offering a masterclass in dental business strategies for owners who are ready to let the team handle the "daily rush".We explore the gritty reality of "scheduling Tetris," including split shifting, no-doctor hygiene days, and why a six-operatory setup is a game-changer for multiple providers. Whether you are navigating an associate to owner transition or looking for ways to maximize dental practice profitability, Thor’s dilemma offers a clear roadmap for long-term success. Learn how to move from being the person propping up the practice to an owner who has built a self-sustaining engine for sustainable dental practice growth.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri guides you through "The Ownership Reset," a strategic process designed to align your dental practice ownership with your long-term life goals. As we head into 2026, George emphasizes that successful dental practice ownership requires more than clinical skill; it requires a clear vision and a refined sense of direction. Whether you are a productive solo or looking to scale into a mega group, this episode serves as a survival guide to help you identify your "vision avatar" and move from being a clinician to a true CEO.George breaks down the clinical entrepreneur spectrum, identifying five distinct models for dental practice ownership: the Productive Solo, the Smart Solo, the Profitable Group, the Pseudo Specialist, and the Mega Group. You will learn how to identify the specific bottleneck—be it patient flow or clinical calibration—inhibiting your growth and how to implement dental business strategies like the "operating rhythm" to solve it. By transitioning to a team-led approach to entrepreneurship for dentists, you can increase your "surface area for luck" and ensure your practice values grow alongside your income.Stop letting growth happen by accident. Learn how to use Dental Moneyball principles to audit your administrative time and focus on the tasks that actually move the needle. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools to communicate a clear vision to your team, ensuring everyone is rowing in the same direction for a profitable 2026 in dental practice ownership.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Richard and Caitlyn Embree discuss why effective dental practice management begins with a clear, articulated vision that the entire team can buy into.They break down a four-part framework for dental roadmap success, covering practice anatomy, philosophy of care, team culture, and the owner's desired lifestyle. By implementing better dental practice management systems, owners can identify bottlenecks and transition from feeling trapped by overhead to finding financial breathing room. Because high-level dental practice management requires team buy-in, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to turn dental business ownership into a structured journey toward professional and personal freedom.In this episode:The four pillars of a comprehensive strategic vision.How clear vision prevents team change fatigue.Using mathematical benchmarks for front office hiring.Leveraging vision to overcome practitioner burnout.Communication cadences for high-growth dental practices.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this Ask George episode, Dr. George Hariri and Richard Low explore the ultimate cheat code for dental practice management: Artificial Intelligence. Moving from a clinician to a CEO requires scalable systems. If you are navigating dental practice ownership, AI is a mandatory survival guide for streamlining operations and writing SOPs. George argues that building Custom GPTs will vastly improve your dental business strategies by standardizing team training and cutting administrative bloat. For the future owner, this technology bridges the gap between chaotic clinical days and sustainable dental practice growth.We explore practical dental practice management tools you can deploy today, like feeding real Google reviews into AI to extract marketing pillars. This drives dental practice profitability by letting you delegate low-level tasks. The hosts discuss using AI to grade front office phone calls and monitor case acceptance—eliminating subjective reviews. This shift is the pinnacle of entrepreneurship for dentists: leveraging tech to build a business that operates without your constant presence. Embrace learning these tools, create custom GPTs, and cement your foundation for elite dental practice management.In this episode:AI co-diagnosis for improving case acceptanceCustom GPTs as a 24/7 team training resourceJudging team members on effective AI usageUsing patient reviews for AI-generated marketingAutomated phone grading for front desk successUtilizing AI for SOPs during the associate to owner transitionReady to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Shared Practices, Richard Low sits down with Clint Johnson to unpack high-level dental business strategies and the core metrics driving true dental practice profitability.They dissect the exact financial impacts and administrative burdens of heavy PPO participation, revealing how properly organizing fee schedules can add $330,000 to a two-doctor bottom line over an 18-month timeline without having to work any harder.The core strategic debate centers on whether to add more insurances to drive volume or drop bottom-tier plans—like those under 3% of total collections—to optimize dental practice management and elevate long-term dental practice profitability.Whether you are tuning into this dental startup podcast for pre-launch tips or are deeply entrenched in dental practice ownership, this is a must-listen for anyone ready to master their PPO game and secure lasting dental practice profitability.In this episode:Why PPOs are often the most expensive form of marketing.The hidden administrative and emotional costs of low fee schedules.Dropping plans that make up 3% or less of total practice collections.Climbing the PPO profit ladder over a realistic 18-month timeline.Starting the credentialing process five months before a new startup opens.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Welcome back to Practice Underwater, where Dr. George Hariri sits down with Scuba Steve to unpack the operational hurdles every dentist faces when transforming a chaotic clinic into a thriving enterprise.Despite growing collections from a $500,000 baseline to a $1.3 million yearly pace, this dentist's journey into dental practice ownership reveals aesthetic challenges, missing systems, and team misalignment.They debate essential dental practice management tactics, highlighting how an intentional team reset can foster sustainable dental practice growth and shift the administrative load away from the dentist.This is a must-listen for any dentist navigating the associate to owner transition who wants to finally fall in love with their clinic.In this episode:- Overcoming aesthetic hurdles in a historical building without a dedicated consult room.- Scaling collections from a $500,000 baseline to a $1.3 million yearly pace.- Transitioning a mature team toward a comprehensive, fee-for-service vision.- Hosting a strategic office reset meeting to acknowledge progress and align future goals.- Building strong administrative systems to reduce owner burnout and increase clinic pride.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Welcome to Practice Underwater, where Dr. George Hariri kicks off part one with Scuba Steve to explore the gritty realities of becoming a practice-owning dentist.Despite buying a messy, former Medicaid DSO-managed building, this ambitious dentist successfully transitioned into dental business ownership by immediately boosting collections from a historical $500,000 average to a $1.3 million yearly pace.They debate the next phase of his dental practice management, comparing the merits of building a highly systematized solo clinic versus pursuing sustainable dental practice growth through a multi-doctor group.This is a must-listen for any dentist charting an associate to owner transition who wants actionable insights on navigating the chaos of early dental practice ownership.In this episode:- Leaving a corporate-leaning job to purchase a 50-year-old, fee-for-service clinic.- Overcoming massive due diligence hurdles, including locked software and missing digital access.- Growing collections from roughly $500,000 to over $1.2 million almost immediately.- Rebuilding a skeletal team after a legacy hygienist's retirement.- Choosing between a highly profitable smart solo model and a multi-provider group.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this episode, Richard and Caitlin dive into a unique scenario within acquisitions in dentistry, focusing on the strategic and operational breakdown of chart mergers.They explore a case study involving a solo doctor with five operatories and 1,000 active patients looking to purchase 1,000 charts from a retiring dentist, offering tactics for acquisitions in dentistry like paying $125 per converted patient or a percentage of production.The hosts debate essential dental business strategies and dental practice management logistics needed to support such acquisitions in dentistry, highlighting the need to expand hygiene capacity and refine front office protocols.This is a must-listen for anyone in dental practice ownership seeking unconventional dental growth strategies and insights from Dr. George Hariri to rapidly scale their patient base.In this episode:- Negotiating a chart merger deal structure.- Paying per patient versus production percentage.- Preparing your schedule for an influx of new patients.- Adding hygiene days to absorb chart acquisitions.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this Ask George segment, Dr. George and Richard explore essential dental practice management for a multi-location, fee-for-service clinic navigating new patient bottlenecks.Analyzing specific metrics like a 72% pre-appointment rate and a $616 average diagnosis per exam, they reveal how current dental practice management might be adding friction to the hygiene schedule.The core strategic debate contrasts doctor-first new patient exams against hygiene-led visits, emphasizing that optimal dental practice management requires seamless integration into a recare pool.This is a must-listen for anyone engaged in dental practice ownership who wants to apply the lessons of Dental Moneyball for sustainable dental practice growth alongside the Shared Practices community.In this episode:- Evaluating a 72% hygiene pre-appointment rate.- Doctor-led versus hygiene-led new patient exams.- Minimizing friction for patients joining the recare pool.- Diagnosing $616 per exam during doctor-side visits.- Strategies for a relationship-driven, fee-for-service environment.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this episode of the Shared Practices podcast, Richard Low speaks with Richard May from Mango Voice to explore how AI phone solutions can help the modern dentist capture more leads.They discuss the staggering statistic that average practices miss over 30% of calls , illustrating how an AI receptionist and automated call summaries can drastically improve sustainable dental practice growth and overall dental practice profitability.The core strategic debate centers on whether to replace human interaction entirely or use AI as a vital safety net for overflow, ensuring any dentist can support their dental practice marketing strategies without sacrificing patient care in dental business ownership.This is a must-listen for any dentist looking to optimize their front desk operations and utilize cutting-edge technology for better Practice Underwater metrics.In this episode:- Automated call summaries seamlessly logged into your software.- Using sentiment analysis to identify poor or good interactions.- How the AI receptionist Margo captures missed opportunity calls.- Addressing the 30% missed call rate in typical offices.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Welcome back to Practice Underwater, where Dr. George Hariri helps Tom map out a plan for sustainable dental practice growth.After scaling his clinic from $1.1 million to $1.65 million , Tom realizes that true sustainable dental practice growth requires optimizing dental practice management rather than working grueling 10-hour days and half-staffed Fridays.They debate the merits of expanding his clinical procedure mix versus adding a third hygienist using the Dental Moneyball approach to boost dental practice ownership and overall efficiency.This is a must-listen for any owner looking to achieve sustainable dental practice growth while radically reducing their clinical hours to prime for a future group practice transition.In this episode:- Cutting unproductive Friday shifts immediately.- Transitioning from 10-hour to 9-hour workdays.- Adding a third hygienist to boost efficiency.- Growing top-line revenue without expanding procedures.- Priming a solo clinic for a future group practice.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Welcome back to Practice Underwater, where Dr. George Hariri helps Tom map out a plan for sustainable dental practice growth.After scaling his clinic's collections from $1.1 million to $1.65 million, Tom realizes that continuing this sustainable dental practice growth requires optimizing dental practice management rather than working grueling 10-hour days.They discuss the heavy toll of a $10,000-per-month consulting program and debate whether successful entrepreneurship for dentists means pushing for an immediate group practice or maximizing dental business ownership as a highly profitable smart solo.This is a must-listen for anyone seeking sustainable dental practice growth while redesigning their clinical schedule to prioritize their personal life.In this episode:- Scaling a clinic from $1.1M to $1.65M in collections.- Escaping a limiting $10,000/month coaching trap.- Transitioning from a 10-hour schedule to a smart solo model.- Balancing heavy debt with a $450,000 take-home pay.- Priming your solo clinic for a slow group practice transition.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership?Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

Dr. Richard Low welcomes back Dr. George Hariri for an "Ask George" episode focused on the painful underside of dental business ownership.The duo discusses why acquisitions in dentistry often fail when buyers lack due diligence, leading to negative equity and the stress of "building on top of broken" systems.Using Practice Underwater principles, George explains how to fix dental practice management and your dental business ownership by identifying the root cause of profit loss.This is a must-listen for clinicians struggling with dental business ownership who need a tactical exit strategy or a "worst case scenario" reality check.In this episode:- Analyze commercial real estate feasibility to ensure assets exceed the high costs of construction and debt.- Stop "building on top of broken" by confronting toxic partnerships and premature associate hiring decisions.- Write a detailed "worst case scenario" document to mentally de-risk professional failure or bankruptcy.- Shift from a "long, slow bleed" to break-even by laser-focusing on the single source of monthly loss.- Leverage expert perspective and dental moneyball metrics to avoid buying tapped-out practices with low growth.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership? Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

In this episode of shared practices, hosts Richard and Caitlin dive into the critical world of dental practice management to help listeners navigate dental practice ownership by tackling the persistent operational pain point of patient cancellations.Caitlin shares her proven dental business strategies for minimizing schedule holes, detailing a framework that leverages a $50 hourly broken appointment fee for no-shows or requiring upfront prepayments for large production cases to ensure patients have skin in the game.The hosts engage in a strategic debate regarding whether strict financial penalties risk damaging patient goodwill and triggering negative reviews, or if failing to implement firm boundaries under modern dental practice management ultimately leaves the practice owner to suffer.To optimize your dental practice management protocols and retrain your patient base to respect provider time, this is a must-listen for clinicians managing an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry.In this episode:- Emphasizing the mindset that last-minute schedule changes are completely abnormal.- Scripting strategies to confront cancellations and uncover the patient's true objection.- The operational debate surrounding a $50 hourly broken appointment fee versus preserving patient goodwill.- Requiring upfront case deposits and prepayments to protect high-production blocks.- Transitioning chronic offenders to a short-call or same-day scheduling list via a three-strike rule.Whether navigating an associate to owner transition or vetting acquisitions in dentistry, this is your survival guide. Ready to scale your dental practice ownership?Visit https://sharedpractices.com/ for our "Free Look" service and follow our social channels for roadmap updates. Join the community and turn your clinical skills into a thriving business.

For a future dental practice owner, the reality of shrinking margins is harsh. With insurance fees stagnant and labor costs skyrocketing, achieving dental practice profitability is incredibly difficult. Richard Low and Cory Pinegar, founder of Reach, explain how an international virtual workforce is the ultimate survival guide. Moving from a stressed clinician to an empowered CEO requires delegation. Elite dental practice management dictates that you can no longer overpay for routine administration.If your front desk is buried, your dental practice profitability bleeds. Cory reveals shocking data: the average office misses 32% of inbound calls and abandons $2.4 million in unscheduled treatment. To execute scalable dental business strategies, systematically outsource these bottlenecks:-Insurance Verification: End hours spent on hold.-Revenue Cycle Management: Delegate claims and billing.-Call Capture: Use bilingual virtual assistants to secure leads.Using these dental growth strategies instantly slashes overhead. Replacing a U.S. administrative package with a HIPAA-compliant virtual team member saves $24,000 annually. In financial management for dentists, adding $24k to your bottom line at a 5x multiple raises your practice value by $125,000 overnight. Guarantee sustainable dental practice growth and maximize your dental practice profitability by engineering a highly efficient operation.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri and Richard Low redefine what it actually means to master dental practice ownership. Many dentists get trapped acting as the lead clinician and the daily manager, constantly playing whack-a-mole with operational fires. However, mastering true dental practice ownership requires stepping completely out of the "Technician" and "Manager" roles to become the visionary CEO. This episode provides a survival guide for the future dental practice owner, showing you exactly how to make the critical leap from clinician to executive.You cannot achieve sustainable dental practice growth if you are bogged down by routine dental practice management. George explains that a CEO’s primary job is not fixing the day-to-day issues, but effectively allocating three limited resources: time, money, and focus. This means evaluating your metrics to identify the true bottlenecks in your operation. For example, if you are planning an associate to owner transition, your focus must be relentlessly locked on increasing patient flow rather than getting distracted by case acceptance seminars. Elite dental business strategies require the discipline to know exactly what to say "no" to.We also explore the compounding power of micro-interactions. If you want a team-led office, you must stop answering every question your staff brings you and start redirecting them to your Office Manager. Every time you step in to solve a problem that belongs to your manager, you erode your own dental practice ownership and stall your progress. By utilizing frameworks like Shared Practices | Your Dental Roadmap, you can align your daily decisions with a long-term vision that serves your life, not just your schedule. Learn how to stop managing and start leading.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode, Richard Low and Alex Sharp tackle a critical question facing every ambitious dentist today: is hygiene-led growth dead? With rising labor costs and shifting insurance economics, many practice owners are reevaluating their dental growth strategies. Is a bustling hygiene department still the key to dental practice profitability, or is it just an expensive headache? The hosts break down why abandoning this model is a massive mistake and reveal why hygiene remains the undisputed flywheel for sustainable dental practice growth.For a future owner navigating the associate to owner transition, hygiene isn't just about cleanings—it is about delegation, retention, and high-leverage case acceptance. To master dental practice management, you must stop treating hygienists as mere teeth cleaners. They must be developed and calibrated like an associate dentist.Here is your survival guide to mastering modern hygiene economics:-Calculate True Break-Even: Measure acquisition costs against the direct and doctor production generated from that chair.-Empower Co-Diagnosis: Train hygienists to educate patients before you enter the room, boosting case acceptance.-Implement Clinical Calibration: Host meetings using bite-wings to align the team's diagnostic philosophy.-Proactive Recruiting: Move beyond job boards to strategies like "lunch and learns" to fuel your dental growth strategies.By empowering your hygiene team, you protect your time and elevate patient care. Treating hygiene as a strategic pillar is still the most predictable of all dental growth strategies.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri consults with Dr. "Alejandro," a solo dentist who has navigated dental practice ownership in the Midwest for over 20 years. Four years ago, Alejandro made the leap to drop Delta Dental and transition to a fully fee-for-service model. While this shift elevated his clinical freedom and defined his dental practice ownership style, it brought new challenges to his dental practice management, including patient attrition and staffing shortages.For any ambitious dentist evaluating their own dental business strategies, Alejandro’s journey offers a transparent look at the realities of fee-for-service dentistry. With $1.13 million in collections and an active patient base of 875, Alejandro has successfully established himself as a productive solo doctor. However, to reach his stretch goal of $1.5 to $1.6 million, he must evolve his dental practice ownership systems to address his primary bottleneck: keeping the restorative schedule full without compromising his "one patient at a time" philosophy.Here is your survival guide to optimizing a productive solo practice:- Navigate Network Drops: Understand the hurdles of requiring patients to prepay for services when going out-of-network.- Expand Hygiene Capacity: Recognize how relying on a single full-time hygienist mathematically limits your restorative growth.- Define Your Clinical Box: Maximize dental practice profitability by focusing heavily on the specific procedures you actually enjoy, such as crown and bridge or night guards.- Clarify Your Vision: Avoid the pressure to build a mega-group if your true passion is performing high-quality restorative dentistry four days a week.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Practice Underwater, Dr. George Hariri consults with Dr. "Alejandro," a solo dentist who has navigated dental practice ownership in the Midwest for over 20 years. Four years ago, Alejandro made the leap to drop Delta Dental and transition to a fully fee-for-service model. While this shift elevated his clinical freedom and defined his dental practice ownership style, it brought new challenges to his dental practice management, including patient attrition and staffing shortages.For any ambitious dentist evaluating their own dental business strategies, Alejandro’s journey offers a transparent look at the realities of fee-for-service dentistry. With $1.13 million in collections and an active patient base of 875, Alejandro has successfully established himself as a productive solo doctor. However, to reach his stretch goal of $1.5 to $1.6 million, he must evolve his dental practice ownership systems to address his primary bottleneck: keeping the restorative schedule full without compromising his "one patient at a time" philosophy.Here is your survival guide to optimizing a productive solo practice:- Navigate Network Drops: Understand the hurdles of requiring patients to prepay for services when going out-of-network.- Expand Hygiene Capacity: Recognize how relying on a single full-time hygienist mathematically limits your restorative growth.- Define Your Clinical Box: Maximize dental practice profitability by focusing heavily on the specific procedures you actually enjoy, such as crown and bridge or night guards.- Clarify Your Vision: Avoid the pressure to build a mega-group if your true passion is performing high-quality restorative dentistry four days a week.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode, George Hariri and Richard Low explore the transition from "muscling" your practice to achieving true team-led success. If you are a burnt-out clinician, your dental practice management strategy needs an immediate overhaul. Stop stepping in to solve every operational problem and start building the infrastructure necessary to empower your staff.To achieve sustainable dental practice growth, George and Richard introduce the "Crawl, Walk, Run" framework for developing leaders within your office:Crawl (Clarity): Provide ultra-clarity with detailed checklists, scorecards, and clearly defined roles so your team knows exactly what "good" looks like.Walk (Delegation): Install a strong Office Manager to enforce accountability and handle recurring day-to-day operations so the dentist does not have to.Run (Self-Managing): Evolve into a self-managing team capable of downstream decision-making, including hiring, training, and onboarding new staff without the owner's input.They also discuss why you should only promise career growth based on the "adjacent possible" six months out, rather than making unkeepable long-term promises. Finally, they explain why losing a toxic team member—while temporarily disruptive—almost always leads to better dental business strategies and a stronger culture on the other side. Master these steps to truly level up your dental practice ownership.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri and Richard Low tackle a dangerous mindset trapping the modern dentist: treating your practice like a stressful job you must escape. True financial management for dentists dictates that your clinic is the ultimate wealth-building asset, not just a stepping stone to fund outside investments. When you rush to sell to a DSO or divert focus to side hustles, you abandon your highest ROI vehicle. We reveal why making the transition from an exhausted clinician to an empowered CEO is the only true path to financial freedom.If your ultimate goal is sustainable dental practice growth, you must stop sprinting toward burnout. The hosts break down the math behind smart financial management for dentists: a well-run $2.5 million clinic can easily yield over $300,000 in passive cash flow annually. Compare that to the massive effort required to manage 80 rental properties for the exact same return! By implementing elite dental business strategies, you can step back from the chair, practice only one or two days a week doing the dentistry you love, and let your trained team handle the rest.Here is your survival guide to mastering dental practice ownership and long-term wealth:- Retain Your Primary Asset: Cashing out today loses decades of compounding cash flow and predictable dental practice profitability.- Build a Self-Managing Team: Delegate the daily, recurring operations to a strong office manager so you do not have to manage.- Reinvest Internally: Use coaching, advanced marketing, and scalable systems to consistently break through your clinical bottlenecks.- Master Your Cash Flow: Implement quarterly profit distributions to optimize your financial management for dentists.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

Are you wondering how to buy a dental practice out of school? Richard Low and Dr. Andrew Clingan share the reality of early dental practice ownership via Shared Practices. Mastering dental practice management provided Andrew a safety net while his clinical speed developed.Learning how to buy a dental practice requires looking past shiny equipment. Acquisitions in dentistry hide challenges like deferred maintenance and paper charts.Execute these dental business strategies:- Off-Market Deals: Source clinics via networking, mailers, and supply reps.- Use Representation: Negotiate with sellers logically using data.- Hidden Costs: Budget for structural upgrades and technology.Knowing how to buy a dental practice correctly helps skip burnout and build equity.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri and Richard Low redefine the approach to dental practice acquisitions for the modern dentist. Instead of buying a maxed-out, highly polished clinic, the key to sustainable dental practice growth lies in finding a "ready to grow" practice. Buying an under-optimized office with a massive overdue recare base allows you to rapidly increase dental practice profitability through strategic hygiene expansion.If you want to waltz into ownership with confidence, you must evaluate clinics differently than a bank does. Here is your blueprint for navigating dental practice acquisitions:Avoid the "Ready to Shrink" Trap: Steer clear of practices heavily dependent on complex procedures and aggressive treatment planning that you cannot replicate.Identify the Vision Avatar: Determine if you want a productive solo practice or a profitable group, and buy an office exactly one stage behind that goal.Reactivate the Backdoor: Use the overdue recare list to immediately fill a new hygiene column, securing a massive post-acquisition revenue bump.Lower Your Debt Burden: Purchasing a smaller clinic means a lower bank loan, resulting in significantly higher monthly cash flow as you grow the business.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.