Opening your own dental practice is one of the most rewarding moves in a dentist's career, and one of the most complicated. Dozens of decisions, vendors and deadlines overlap, and a delay in one area (say, insurance credentialing) can push back your opening day. This checklist walks through the major workstreams so you can see the whole picture before you begin.
1. Define your vision and business plan
Start with the practice you want to run: general or specialty focus, patient mix, number of operatories, insurance strategy and long-term goals. Turn that into a written business plan with a startup budget, projected revenue ramp and break-even timeline. Lenders will ask for it, and it will guide every decision that follows.
2. Arrange financing
Most startups are financed through lenders that specialize in dental practices. Prepare your business plan, personal financial statements and projections early. Understand what the loan covers (build-out, equipment, working capital) and plan for a cushion. New practices rarely hit full production in the first months.
3. Choose the right location
- Study demographics, population growth and the number of dentists per capita in the area.
- Look at visibility, parking, signage rights and access for patients.
- Evaluate the space for plumbing, electrical, HVAC and room for future operatories.
- Have the lease reviewed carefully before signing, including tenant-improvement allowances, renewal options and exclusivity clauses.
4. Design and build out the office
A good floor plan improves patient flow, staff efficiency and infection control. Work with a designer or contractor experienced in dental offices, confirm permit requirements with your municipality, and build a schedule that coordinates construction with equipment delivery.
5. Select and order equipment
Chairs and delivery units, imaging, sterilization, compressors, vacuum systems and cabinetry often have long lead times. Order early, compare options that fit your clinical style, and negotiate. Group purchasing can make a meaningful difference on large orders.
6. Set up IT, phones and software
Plan your network, workstations, practice-management software, imaging integration, phone system, backups and security before the walls close up, so cabling and equipment locations match your plan.
7. Start insurance credentialing early
Credentialing with PPO plans and Medicaid can take months. Begin as soon as you have your location and entity details so you can see insured patients from day one. (See our credentialing guide for details.)
8. Handle licenses, registrations and policies
Confirm state licensing and registrations, DEA registration, radiation equipment registration where required, OSHA and infection-control programs, HIPAA policies, and business insurance, including malpractice, property and liability coverage.
9. Hire and train your team
Define roles, hire ahead of opening, and give your team time to train on your software, scheduling, insurance verification and patient experience standards.
10. Launch your marketing
Build your website, claim your Google Business Profile, set up online scheduling, and plan a grand opening. Patients should be able to find and book you before the doors open.
How Excel Dental Solutions helps
Excel Dental Solutions coordinates every step above, including startup consulting, office setup, credentialing, IT and networking, equipment ordering and supply negotiations. Once you're open, we keep supporting billing, marketing and operations. Learn about our startup services or book a free consultation.
Need help with your practice?
Talk to Excel Dental Solutions about startups, billing, marketing and everything else it takes to run a dental practice.