How do I find the right person to eventually take over my practice?
For many dentists approaching retirement, one question keeps coming up:
"How do I find the right person to eventually take over my practice?"
The answer isn't simply finding an associate—it's finding the right associate who shares your philosophy of patient care, fits your practice culture, and has the desire to become an owner.
At The People Link Corp., we specialize in helping practice owners build exactly that type of transition.
Our Process
We begin by learning exactly what you're looking for in your future successor.
We discuss questions such as:
- What clinical skills are essential?
- What type of personality fits your team?
- How much experience is required?
- Are you willing to mentor a recent graduate?
- What timeline works best for your transition?
Whether your goal is for the new dentist to purchase the practice in 6 months, 1 year, or several years, we identify candidates who fully understand that the position is designed to become a partnership and ultimately ownership.
A Real Success Story
Back in 2018, a practice owner in North Carolina contacted me with a very specific vision.
He wanted to hire an associate who could eventually purchase his practice.
He wasn't convinced that someone with the right combination of skills, personality, and long-term commitment could be found.
His ideal candidate needed to perform:
- Preventive dentistry
- Restorative procedures
- Crown and bridge
- Implant restorations
- Dentures and partials
- Root canal therapy
- Non-surgical periodontal treatment
- Extractions
- Cosmetic dentistry including veneers, bonding, and whitening
He offered:
- 35% of collections
- Paid exams
- Daily minimum guarantee
- New graduates were welcome to apply
I began an extensive recruiting campaign.
After interviewing 10 qualified candidates, one dentist clearly stood out.
That dentist was A.S., DDS.
Ashley graduated near the top of her class from East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and possessed exceptional clinical training in restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, removable prosthetics, and oral surgery.
Before dental school, she worked as both a dental assistant in an endodontic practice and a surgical assistant in an oral surgery office, giving her a unique understanding of comprehensive patient care.
She also demonstrated outstanding leadership by serving as President and Co-President of several dental organizations while mentoring fellow students and volunteering through dental mission programs and community outreach clinics.
She was exactly the type of candidate my client envisioned.
My client hired Ashley.
She remained with the practice, earned the trust of the owner, the staff, and the patients, and successfully transitioned into ownership.
Today, the practice continues to thrive because the transition was planned years in advance.
Could This Work for Your Practice?
If you're thinking about retiring, now is the ideal time to begin planning.
Finding the right successor doesn't happen overnight.
The earlier you begin, the more successful and profitable your transition can be.
At The People Link Corp., we specialize in identifying dentists who aren't simply looking for another job—they're looking for an opportunity to build a future.
If you're considering an associate-to-owner transition, I'd be happy to discuss how we can help make that happen.
Mya Borgman
President & CEO
