The Dentist’s Guide to Opening a Practice: From Lease to First Patient

Opening your own dental practice is an exciting step in your career. It’s a chance to shape your brand, build your team, and serve patients your way. But along with the clinical decisions come business and legal ones that can make or break your success.

At RAZ Law Group, we’ve guided hundreds of dentists through practice start-ups, purchases, and sales. Here are the key areas to focus on when opening your doors.

Start With the Lease

Your lease is often your biggest expense, and also your biggest risk. Look closely at terms like build-out allowances, renewal options, and exclusivity clauses. A poorly negotiated lease can limit your growth or leave you vulnerable to rising costs. Our team helps dentists secure leases that support their long-term success.

Secure Dental-Specific Financing

Not all lenders understand the unique financial needs of dental practices. Dental-specific lenders often provide better terms and flexibility than traditional banks. Having legal counsel review your financing documents ensures the loan aligns with your business goals.

Build Strong Associate Agreements

Even if you’re starting solo, many practices eventually add associates. Having clear agreements in place for compensation, responsibilities, and non-compete clauses protects your investment and sets expectations from day one.

Plan for Growth and Transition

It may feel early, but planning your exit strategy when you start your practice is a smart move. Structuring your entity, contracts, and real estate in the right way now makes selling or expanding much easier later.

A thriving dental practice isn’t built overnight- it’s built on careful planning and smart decisions. At R/A/Z Law Group, we handle the legal details so you can focus on what you do best, caring for patients.

Thinking about opening your own practice? Contact us today to learn how we can help you start strong.