Shared Practices | Your Dental Roadmap to Practice Ownership | Custom Made for the New Dentist

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.

Patients aren't rejecting you—they're asking for trust. Caitlin and Dr. Andrew break down cost, fear, and “not now,” plus the simplest tech moves that turn objections into yes.

Am I too late to build real wealth in dentistry? George explains why you're on time, the “golden way,” and the best paths today: DSO equity, one mega practice, or multi-location growth.

What is the best first job if your goal is dental practice ownership? Andrew Clingan breaks down associate options, clinical skill development, financial preparation, and how new dentists should prepare for buying a practice.

Thinking about buying a practice? Learn how to avoid the “messy middle,” pick a ready-to-grow opportunity, and decide if you're built for ownership in today's market.

Adding an associate sounds exciting—until everything breaks. Andrew and Caitlin unpack the “ugly duckling” stage: lost cases, team tension, delegation, and the systems you must fix.

Ask George on dental CPAs in practice ownership: tax planning, embezzlement prevention, deposit ratios, expense categories, and why operational KPIs matter more than accounting for growth.

George finally drops the answer: minority equity + a workhorse anchor doctor. If recruiting is your bottleneck, this episode shows how to expand reach and close the right hire.

A returning Practice Under Water guest breaks down five associate hires, rapid growth to $3M, and why scaling a dental practice can still trap owners in the chair.

Thinking about buying a practice? Learn how to avoid the “messy middle,” pick a ready-to-grow opportunity, and decide if you're built for ownership in today's market.

In this Ask George episode, George breaks down leadership for dental practice owners, covering self-leadership, vision, culture, team development, and systems to help practices grow with clarity and purpose.

If you're investing in marketing but missing calls, you're leaking revenue. Learn how dental virtual assistants can boost conversions, improve verifications, and stabilize staffing.

Is rapid growth always worth it? This $8M dental owner reveals the stress, mistakes, and boundary-setting required to grow without sacrificing lifestyle.

What happens when you let your P&L get ugly on purpose? This dentist explains how he scaled to $8M fast—and why profitability became the next big challenge.

In this Ask George episode, George breaks down how to set practice ownership goals you'll actually be happy you hit. He walks through the three stages of a dental career, how to align qualitative lifestyle goals with quantitative income targets, and why bottlenecks and “surface area of luck” matter more than arbitrary production numbers. If you're a dentist who wants to grow your income without hating Mondays, this episode gives you a practical roadmap from today to your ideal Point B.

A real-world breakdown of multi-practice ownership, associate management, rural dentistry challenges, and the financial and emotional reality of scaling back to a profitable solo dental practice.

Private practice feels tougher than ever. George shows how embracing AI, automation, and team-driven tech turns staffing headaches, competition, and insurance frustrations into growth and better patient care.

On this episode of the Shared Practices Podcast, George sits down with Dr. Aditi Agarwal, co-founder of Practice by Numbers and practicing dentist, to unpack how AI and data are transforming private practice ownership. Aditi shares the origin story of PBN, practical examples of Operations AI, revenue finding, and call analytics, and why embracing technology is becoming essential for private practices competing with DSOs. They close with a candid look at team-led tech adoption and how to reduce stress for your front office while increasing performance.

Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your practice? In this powerful Ask George episode, George and Richard unpack exactly how to delegate without losing control—and why building leaders is the key to exponential growth. From patient ownership metrics to hiring the right office manager, you'll learn how to reclaim your time, energize your team, and scale with confidence.

Let's face it—no dentist got into ownership to handle HR headaches. Richard chats with Jill from HR for Health about how to finally stop worrying about HR. They cover everything from time-off tracking and employee handbooks to preventing team drama before it starts. Turns out, “compliance is caring”—and HR doesn't have to suck.

Tired of choosing between a great personality and plug-and-play experience? Richard and Caitlin show how real-world SOPs let you hire for attitude, train the skills, and stop feeling held hostage by turnover. Plus: easy ways to draft manuals with AI and keep a steady pipeline of candidates.

In Part 2 of Thor's return to Practice Under Water, George and Thor tackle the complexities of scaling a thriving $2.5M practice. From facility constraints to associate performance and insurance strategy, this episode offers a real-time masterclass in transitioning from hustle-based growth to systems-driven sustainability.

In this episode of Practice Under Water, returning guest "Thor" shares how he grew his suburban dental practice from $700K to $2.5M in just four years. George helps him evaluate the next strategic step—moving, expanding, or embracing a pseudo-specialist role—all while preserving income and quality of life.

Kick off 2026 with a plan that actually sticks. George walks through choosing your practice vision, pinpointing your #1 bottleneck, and installing a weekly operating rhythm so growth stops being random. Pick your avatar, align your team, and make the calendar turn count.

Richard and Caitlin break down a four-part framework for practice vision—anatomy/scale, philosophy of care, team culture, and life design—and show how to use it to drive buy-in, staffing math, and bottleneck-based prioritization. Learn cadence tips for communicating vision, preventing change fatigue, and creating clear pivot points that reduce burnout.

Join George Hariri and Richard Low as they dive into the real-world applications of AI in dental practice management. From co-diagnosis tools and automated SOP creation to marketing insights and team performance reviews, they explore how dentists can harness AI today—and what's just around the corner.

Struggling with low reimbursements and PPO chaos? In this eye-opening episode, Richard Low and Clint Johnson reveal the exact process for climbing the “PPO Profit Ladder,” negotiating higher fees, and simplifying your practice's insurance landscape—while boosting your bottom line and your peace of mind.

In Part 2 of this Practice Under Water interview, George helps Scuba Steve unpack the deeper reasons he doesn't love walking into his practice—despite impressive growth and income. Together, they explore team alignment, systems, environment, and the foundational role of pride in private practice ownership. A candid and tactical conversation for any dentist seeking fulfillment in ownership.

In this episode of Practice Under Water, George speaks with “Scuba Steve,” a dentist who purchased a struggling fee-for-service practice and quickly doubled production. They explore Steve's unconventional ownership journey, his challenges with infrastructure, hiring, and practice culture, and preview key decisions about whether to stay solo or expand. A must-listen for anyone navigating the early years of ownership.

In this Coaches Corner, Richard and Caitlin break down everything you need to know about chart acquisitions—how to negotiate the deal, analyze if it's the right move for your practice, and operationally prepare your team for the incoming patient load. Whether you're eyeing growth or simply curious about creative acquisition models, this episode provides clarity on a complex topic.

Join Richard and George as they dive into a real-world fee-for-service case study, uncovering the secrets to boosting new patient flow, overcoming hygiene bottlenecks, and scaling without sacrificing patient relationships. If you want to transform efficiency, retention, and profitability in your practice, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

AI isn't just coming—it's already answering your phones. Richard Low sits down with Mango Voice's Richard May to uncover how practices are using AI to transcribe, summarize, and even respond to patient calls. From never missing a lead to smarter call audits, this episode reveals the AI tools changing the dental front desk forever.

Tom's back—and he's ready to take control of his schedule. George helps him ditch the dreaded Fridays, streamline his hours, and plan a smart path toward a group practice, all while keeping his sanity (and family time) intact.

In this Practice Under Water episode, George sits down with Tom, a Canadian dentist navigating the challenges of ownership, financial pressure, and work-life balance. With high new patient flow and untapped expansion potential, Tom faces a critical crossroads: pursue group practice now or optimize his solo practice for sustainability and personal goals. This episode explores the nuanced considerations of timing, clinical growth, and long-term strategy.

In this episode of Ask George, Richard and George discuss the difficult decisions that come with dental practice ownership. They cover real-life examples of failed partnerships, premature hiring, and costly expansions, offering insights on how to navigate and recover from these challenges.

Struggling with last-minute cancellations and no-shows in your dental practice? In this Shared Practices Coaches Corner episode, Richard Low and Caitlin share proven scripts, cancellation policy strategies, and tips to train patients to respect your time. Whether you're considering broken appointment fees, patient deposits, or short-call lists, this episode delivers practical advice to protect your schedule and improve practice efficiency.

Discover how international virtual team members are transforming the dental industry. Richard Low sits down with Cory Pinegar, founder of Reach, to explore hiring trends, practice profitability, and operational strategy. They break down how to save $24K per hire while boosting team culture, patient satisfaction, and bottom-line growth.

In this episode, Richard Low and George Hariri explore the mindset and strategic responsibilities of a dental CEO. From defining management versus leadership to understanding how to align a team with a long-term vision, they provide actionable insights for practice owners looking to elevate from operator to executive.

In this episode, Richard Low and Alex Sharp dive deep into the role of hygiene in modern dental practices, asking whether hygiene-led growth is still viable in 2025. They explore recruiting strategies, economic realities, and leadership systems that make or break a hygiene department. Packed with tactical advice and forward-thinking insights, this is a must-listen for any practice owner navigating today's hygiene landscape.

In this impactful second part, George guides "Alejandro" through a real-time blueprint for sustainable growth in a fee-for-service practice. Learn how one owner is tackling hygiene capacity, strategic patient acquisition, and team development—all while staying true to a high-quality, low-drama vision of dentistry.

Dr. "Alejandro", a seasoned fee-for-service solo dentist, joins George to discuss the business evolution of his 20+ year-old practice. They unpack the challenges of dropping Delta, staffing hurdles, and a vision for sustainable growth with minimal drama. This episode offers a clear roadmap for mature solo owners striving to increase collections without changing who they are.

In this Ask George episode, George Hariri and Richard Low explore what it truly means to empower your team through effective leadership. Learn the crawl–walk–run framework for team development, how to create clarity and accountability, and why infrastructure—not charisma—is the key to sustainable growth. Plus, details on our free Pathway to Team Leadership course (Sept 19–20).

Think the fastest path to wealth is selling your practice or hustling outside of dentistry? Think again. In this powerful Ask George episode, George Hariri and Richard Low reveal how owning your practice long-term—on your terms—is the real key to financial freedom, sustainable income, and a life you love.

What happens when you buy a dental practice straight out of school? Richard and Andrew get real about the wins, the painful lessons, and the strategies that make it possible. If you're dreaming of ownership, this episode is packed with practical advice—and a few hard truths.

Thinking about buying your first dental practice? In this episode, George Hariri and Richard Low revisit Shared Practices' evolved approach: acquiring “ready to grow” practices. Learn how to identify these opportunities, avoid common acquisition pitfalls, and set yourself up for sustainable growth aligned with your long-term vision.

Thinking of buying a practice? Hear how Dr. Brian Belsterling used Shared Practices' tools to go from associate to thriving owner—without the stress. This candid interview with Richard Low unpacks the wins, setbacks, and strategy behind Brian's path to long-term growth.

Remember Nesto's wild story from last week? This time he's on the mic, and he's sharing what it's really like to manage two totally different dental practices while building a team, coaching his associate, and chasing a dual-group-practice dream.

In this solo Practice Under Water episode, George Hariri narrates the gritty and inspiring ownership journey of “Nesto,” a dentist navigating the challenges of two practices—one thriving, one bleeding cash. George details Nesto's path from a promising acquisition to hard financial lessons, culminating in a pivotal decision to persist with both practices. This episode is a deep dive into real-world ownership grit, strategic crossroad decisions, and long-term vision.

Richard and George explore the financial journey of a dentist's career through three key phases: income generation, wealth accumulation, and eventual stagnation. They discuss critical decisions around practice ownership vs. DSOs, income benchmarks, and strategies for building generational wealth. This episode offers practical financial guidance for dentists navigating each stage of their career. Check out our events page for our upcoming events https://sharedpractices.com/events/

This episode features Richard Low and Alex Sharp in a deep dive on culture as a foundational driver of practice success. From turnover and team expectations to measurable metrics and mission-driven leadership, they outline how to build a culture that's both intentional and resilient. Whether you're just starting out or refining your systems, this conversation offers actionable strategies you can implement tomorrow. Check out our events page for all 2025 events https://sharedpractices.com/events/