Category Archives: Finding a Practice

If you’ve been reading my stuff for a while, you know about the “80/20 rule” already. When looking for a practice to buy, spend 80% of your time networking with other dentists and 20% with brokers.

But I might call it the “79/19 rule,” which just isn’t as catchy. What I mean is that there are other methods for finding a practice, and while they’re usually not as reliably effective, I have seen plenty of cases where it worked out.

If you’re looking for a dental practice to buy, follow my 80/20 rule. It’s pretty simple: When you’re looking for a practice, you should spend 80% of your time networking with other dentists, especially grey-haired ones. That’s where most of my clients find their eventual practices, and it’s usually how you’ll find the best ones (the ones that never even hit the other market.

The other 20% should be spent with brokers, also an excellent resource. You can do that passively, just by checking their websites, or proactively, by connecting with them personally. Connecting with brokers is both easier and trickier than working with other dentists.

Finding a dental practice to buy can be a marathon, and I’ve known many dentists who’ve been frustrated by the effort. But what’s the best way to run a marathon? One step at a time. Let’s talk today about just that first step.

Finding a dental practice to buy can be a marathon, and I’ve known many dentists who’ve been frustrated by the effort. But what’s the best way to run a marathon? One step at a time. Let’s talk today about just that first step.

The question is: “What do I actually say when I’m trying to network?” And like your favorite teacher back in school, I’m going to give you the answer before the test.

Starting the search for a practice to buy can feel like staring over a cliff edge into a black abyss. You don’t know what’s down there, so jumping is scary.

Take the leap now.

Here’s why.
Here are the top 3 three things I look at when I’m helping a client assess a potential practice to buy.

If you’re on the hunt for a great practice to buy, knowing how to look is one thing, but knowing just what you’re looking for? That’s something else entirely.

Here are the top 3 three things I look at when I’m helping a client assess a potential practice to buy.

“Networking” evokes images of schmoozy glad-handing at industry functions, passing out and taking business cards with promises of keeping in touch. And for some people, it *is* that!

That style of networking isn’t invalid, but it is tough for a lot of us, especially the introverts out there.

This is a topic I’ve hit recently, but I continue to get enough questions about it that I wanted to revisit it one more time.

“I want to buy a practice. Where should I start looking?”

I get this question a LOT. In fact, it’s usually the next question right after “How do I find a practice to buy?” Here’s my approach.