We hear it all the time from dentists sitting on the fence: “I’m just waiting for the right time.” They’re waiting for the kids to be a little older, for the market to stabilize, or for a magical sign from the universe that they are finally “ready” to take the leap into ownership. But if you ask Dr. Veena, a pediatric dentist who recently closed on a 50% partnership in Southern Maine, she’ll tell you the truth: The “perfect time” is a myth.
Veena didn’t buy her practice during a season of calm. She bought it while:
- Moving her entire family from Boston to Maine.
- Uprooting her husband from his career.
- Navigating a pregnancy with her first child.
- And finally closing the deal while on maternity leave with her second child.
“I probably did all of the hardest things at once,” Veena laughs. “It wasn’t ideal, but we made it through. And on the other side? I’m living in a place I never want to leave.”
The “Family” Trap: Recognizing When the Path is Blocked
For seven years, Veena practiced as an associate at the same office. It was the only professional home she knew, and the team felt like family. But when she asked about the road to partnership, she got a roundabout answer that provided painful clarity: there was no path forward.
“To think outside of that was uncomfortable, to say the least,” she admits. But that discomfort was the catalyst. It forced her to stop waiting for permission and start looking for an advocate.
Lessons from the Trenches: What “Ready” Actually Looks Like
If you’re waiting to feel 100% confident before reaching out to a buyer advocate, you might be waiting forever. Here are three takeaways from Veena’s journey to help you gauge your own readiness:
1. Trust the Professionals & the Numbers Along with Your Gut
When life is moving fast (like, “moving-to-a-new-state-with-a-newborn” fast), your emotions will be all over the place. Veena leaned on the DBA team to be her “logic center.” Dr. Veena said:
“Why use your valuable time trying to do [valuations] when someone who does this all day does it much better and faster? Having someone to advocate for me was a huge piece because brokers are only showing you the sunny side of the picture.”
2. The “Lifestyle Check” is More Important Than the P&L
Veena’s husband was the “numbers guy,” but he was also the “lifestyle guy.” While Veena looked at patient counts, he looked at traffic patterns and school districts. They realized that a 90-minute commute in Boston traffic wasn’t worth any amount of production. They chose Maine because it offered direct flights to family and a community they loved.
3. Partnership is a “Try Before You Buy” Strategy
Veena’s deal involved a two-year associateship before the 50% buy-in was finalized. “The two years were a great stepping stone. The staff knows me, I know the ropes, and I don’t feel like a ‘new boss’ coming in and trying to learn everything at once.”
A Word to the Dentist Who is Still Waiting
When asked what she would say to a dentist putting off ownership because they don’t feel ready, Veena’s advice is simple: Keep considering it.
“If you’re thinking about it, you want autonomy. And the only way to get true autonomy is ownership. If the numbers make sense and it feels right in your gut, take the leap of faith.”
Veena’s story proves that you don’t need a perfectly clear schedule to buy a practice. You just need the right team in your corner to help you crunch the numbers while you handle the rest of your life.
Ready to take the next step? Download the first chapter of How to Buy a Dental Practice, 5th Edition free, or book a no-pressure consultation at dentalbuyeradvocates.com.
