--- title: Making the Jump from Dental Associate to Practice Owner description: Are you a Dental Associate considering the next step in your career? Transitioning from an associate to an owner doesn’t have to be difficult. image: https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/Making%20the%20Jump%20from%20Dental%20Associate%20to%20Practice%20Owner.jpeg --- **[Contact Us](https://jpatransitions-3431298.hs-sites.com/contact-us) ****[**LIST MY PRACTICE **](https://www.jpatransitions.com/list-my-dental-practice-dental-transitions)[![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/JPA/Home/Header/call-gray.png) ![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/JPA/Home/Header/call-black.png) 980.283.7355](tel:+9802837355)** [![JPATransitions23](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/JPATransitions23.png?width=455&name=JPATransitions23.png "JPATransitions23")](https://www.jpatransitions.com) ![Making the Jump from Dental Associate to Practice Owner](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/Making%20the%20Jump%20from%20Dental%20Associate%20to%20Practice%20Owner.jpeg) # Making the Jump from Dental Associate to Practice Owner ![JPA Transitions Team](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Site%20build%20-%20leave%20in%20place/Home/Header/headerlogo.png?width=100&height=100&name=headerlogo.png) Author: JPA Transitions Team, on January 16 2018 # Making the Jump from Dental Associate to Practice Owner We’ve noticed a growing trend with associate dentists waiting longer than previous associates to make the leap from associate to owner. Historically, a doctor works as an associate for a year, gets financing and they feel comfortable going out on their own. Now, associates are waiting up to four years to make the next step. There's no need to wait. ## **The Fear of the Unknown** The fear of the unknown is very real, we get it. We can tell associates that transition is safe and has little risk, but it’s up to them to make that decision. Very few transitions fail. **What Are You Waiting For?** We hear from dental associates all of the time about why they don’t want to make the move to an owner role. Are any of these holding you back? - Student loan debt - Cost of cold starting - A good practice isn’t available Often the hesitation behind transitioning to a practice owner is due to the fear of financial risk. From our experience, the risk is very low. Finding financing should not be a problem if you have a yearlong production track record as an associate, decent credit, and the practice has a good foundation. **Why Associates Succeed When Becoming an Owner** We typically notice a jump in revenue when an associate becomes an owner of a practice. We attribute this to an associate’s excitement and enthusiasm of finally owning a practice. New energy, new skills and a new thought process are injected into the practice. Do your [due diligence in the transition process](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/practice-due-diligence). It’s rare for an associate to not succeed when they become an owner.  ## **Ready to Buy a Practice? Keep These Tips In-Mind** We have some basic questions to think about before you purchase a practice. [You can watch a video from Joe Jordan on this subject.](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/3-tips-before-you-buy-a-practice) **1. What Type of Practice Do You Want?** Do you want your practice to be insurance based? Do you want a fee for service practice? Do you prefer a large practice or a small lean practice? **2. Where Do You Want to Work?** What area do you want to serve? Buyers have different priorities. Figure out what you want from your location when researching practices. Keep this in mind when you enter an associateship agreement. Areas may be restricted for you after you transition out of your associateship position. **3. Do You Want Help From a Dental Broker?** [You don’t have to go through this process alone.](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/what-is-a-dental-broker) We will help you through every step. If you have any questions about owning a practice, we'd be happy to help! Also, check out the free resources available to you in our Transition Prep Tools for Buyers:  [![GET YOUR BUYER PREP TOOLS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3431298/c90bf12c-1da3-4fd5-8641-07eb28974808.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3431298/c90bf12c-1da3-4fd5-8641-07eb28974808)   ### Share : [![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/social/faceboo-1.png) ](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/making-the-jump-from-dental-associate-to-practice-owner#) [![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/social/Twitter.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/making-the-jump-from-dental-associate-to-practice-owner) [![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/social/linkedin-1.png) ](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/making-the-jump-from-dental-associate-to-practice-owner#) [![](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hubfs/social/Google-Plus.png) ](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/making-the-jump-from-dental-associate-to-practice-owner) [** Previous post ](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/for-sale-by-owner-dental-practice) [Next post ** ](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/6-tips-to-get-info-you-need-to-sell-your-practice) ![JPA Transitions Team](https://www.jpatransitions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Site%20build%20-%20leave%20in%20place/Home/Header/headerlogo.png?width=100&height=100&name=headerlogo.png) *Written by* #### [JPA Transitions Team](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/author/jpa-transitions-team) [![facebook](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2550933/Blog-post-images/faceboo-1.png)](https://www.facebook.com/JPADentalTransitions/) [![linkedin](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2550933/Blog-post-images/linkedin-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/10787226/) ## Comment ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Selling a Practice (20)](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/tag/selling-a-practice) - [Practice Transitions (14)](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/tag/practice-transitions) - [Buying a Practice (12)](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/tag/buying-a-practice) - [Associateship (4)](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/tag/associateship) - [jpa blog (2)](https://www.jpatransitions.com/blog/tag/jpa-blog) ## ALREADY FOUND YOUR PRACTICE? ### We can accelerate the process, contact us to learn more about our legal representation services for dental or veterinary practice buyers. 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