The Wild Ride of Buying Our First Dental Practice

In this inaugural episode of "Just a Couple of Dentists," hosts Eric and Alex dive deep into their personal journeys in the dental field, sharing the highs and lows of practice ownership, and the lessons learned along the way.

Eric and Alex reflect on their decision to start a podcast after years of navigating the complexities of dental practice ownership. They express their desire to cut through the noise and fluff often found in dental advice, aiming to provide real, actionable strategies based on their experiences.

The hosts share their backstory, detailing their paths from dental school to practice ownership. Eric discusses his military experience and the transition to civilian practice, while Alex recounts her journey of acquiring a practice in Newport Beach, California. They candidly address the mistakes made during this acquisition, including the challenges posed by a difficult retiring dentist who undermined their efforts and created a toxic work environment.

Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of due diligence when purchasing a practice, sharing insights on what to look for and what red flags to avoid. They discuss the significance of location, visibility, and the demographics of the area, as well as the impact of inherited staff dynamics on practice culture.

The hosts also touch on the importance of marketing and patient acquisition, reflecting on their experiences with low new patient counts and the need for effective branding. They highlight the lessons learned from their first practice, which ultimately paved the way for their successful startups.

In closing, Eric and Alex encourage listeners to embrace the challenges of practice ownership, reminding them that every experience—good or bad—contributes to their growth as dentists and business owners. They invite listeners to join them on this journey, promising to share more insights, strategies, and stories in future episodes.

Tune in to discover the realities of dental practice ownership and gain valuable knowledge that can help you navigate your own path in the dental world.