Good dental health is invaluable for one’s overall well-being. As dental professionals, nothing is more meaningful than helping patients maintain their oral hygiene and treating any issues that arise. While rewarding, owning a dental practice does require a substantial financial investment to get up and running. 

Buying an Existing Practice vs. Starting from Scratch

One of the first major decisions to make is whether to buy an existing dental practice or open a new one from the ground up. Both routes require capital, but they differ significantly in startup costs.

Purchasing an Established Practice

The advantage of buying an existing practice is that much of the legwork has already been done. Key assets like equipment, supplies, and patient records are included in the sale. You can take over an already established patient base, location, and staff. This provides stability as you transition into ownership.

However, established practices generally sell for higher prices than starting a new operation. Expect to pay 1.5 to 3 times the annual revenues as the purchase price. With the median practice earning around $500,000 annually, plan to invest at least $750,000 to $1.5 million. Additional funds may be needed to renovate or upgrade facilities and technology over time.

Starting from Scratch

Opening a new dental practice from the ground up costs less initially but requires more ongoing investment to attract patients and turn a profit. Build-out expenses for a new location, equipment purchases, supplies, signs, marketing, and hiring staff can easily exceed $500,000. It may take 1-3 years to reach full revenue potential as you establish your brand and clientele.

The business startup phase necessitates flexible financial backing. Choosing experienced vendors and negotiating low-interest loans are crucial to keeping costs manageable over the long haul. With diligent planning, a solo start-up remains a viable path into dental practice ownership.

Funding Options for Initial Practice Investment

Now that you understand the practice startup models at a high level let’s explore specific funding vehicles tailored for dental businesses. These options can be combined to fully finance your purchase or build-out needs.

SBA Loans

The Small Business Administration partners with banks and non-banks to offer guarantee programs for small business loans. Their primary dental loan is the SBA 7(a) loan, with the maximum amount of $5 million. Interest rates on SBA 7(a) loans currently sit around 4-6% over prime for terms up to 25 years, making them quite affordable for large purchase amounts. No down payment is required, and the SBA may cover up to 90% of a real estate purchase or construction project costs.

SBA 504 loans focus specifically on major fixed assets and real estate acquisitions. They allow small businesses to borrow up to $5.5 million with low down payment requirements. Rates on 504 loans mirror current market mortgages and run around 5-6% over 25 years. The SBA backs 40% of the loan while participating banks and CDC (Certified Development Company) fund the remaining 60%. Both 7(a) and 504 loans require minimal documentation and expedited approval for qualifying dental practices.

Commercial Bank Loans

Many traditional and online banks cater loan products to the dental industry as well. Look for lenders experienced in practice acquisitions that offer competitive rates and flexible structures. Large regional and national commercial banks tend to have higher maximum lending capacities of up to $10 million compared to local credit unions. Terms of 5-20 years are common on commercial bank loans. Interest-only options are an appealing feature while your business is first getting established. Providing 2-3 years of personal financial statements and a strong credit score is key to approval.

Equipment Financing

Purchasing high-tech dental instruments and furnishings represents a substantial line item investment. Luckily many dental supply vendors provide their own financing programs for the gear they sell. Terms average 60 months with 0% interest, allowing you to upgrade crucial tools and furnishings without straining your operating budget. Make sure any equipment loans have flexible pre-payment options in case your needs change in the future. Pay attention to potential early payoff penalties as well.

Private or Hard Money Loans

For those who need funds faster than a traditional bank timeline, private or “hard money” loans offer funding within 1-4 weeks. These alternative loans carry higher interest rates of 8-15% due to increased risk. Private lenders usually require strong personal collateral to offset the lack of SBA backing. Hard money is best utilized as a bridge until permanent financing kicks in rather than as a long-term solution, given the costs. However, it remains an important option for pressing equipment purchases, building repairs, or urgent practice purchases before other loans are finalized.

Sources of Down Payment Assistance

Coming up with a sizable down payment or equity injection can be one of the biggest hurdles for new practice owners. Here are some potential strategies to supplement your savings:

SBA Down Payment Assistance Programs

Similar to its loan guarantees, the SBA connects qualified borrowers to additional down payment grants and loans through participating micro-lenders. One such program is the CDC/504 down payment loan, offering up to 10% or $100,000 (whichever is less) of a practice purchase price. The funds have flexible terms up to 10 years at around 4-5% rates. Another pathway is applying for SBA grant programs through state or local economic development authorities.

Practice Owner Incentive Programs

Some communities facing provider shortages offer financial incentives to attract new dentists. For example, loan repayment awards repaid over five years of service. Some programs directly subsidize a portion of down payment costs to encourage independent practice ownership amongst new graduates. This varies by geographic area – check with your local dental association or hospital authority for applicable programs in high-need regions.

Owner-Carryback Financing

When selling an established practice, owners may be willing to hold a portion of the sale price in a promissory note paid monthly over time. This lowers the cash needed upfront. The note interest rates range from 5-8%, set by the Internal Revenue Service annually. Just be sure any carryback amount is structured properly for tax reporting on both buyer and seller ends.

Additional Funding Beyond Initial Startup

While the initial launch requires substantial funds, ongoing financing options exist for future expansions, upgrades, equipment replacements, and other capital needs down the road. Here are top debt and equity choices as your practice matures:

Practice Line of Credit

An adjustable-rate line of credit tied to your practice receivables offers flexible liquidity. Borrow against 80-90% of your accounts receivable balance. Interest-only payments apply, and funds are accessible for paying bills, hiring temporary staff, or smoothing revenue dips. Look for credit lines of $100,000-$500,000 with variable rates around prime + 2-3%. Revolve the balance as cash flows permit.

Term Loans

If larger growth initiatives require funding above a line of credit limit, consider a fixed-rate commercial term loan. Non-real estate loans can reach up to $5 million, repaid over 5-15 years. Borrow against hard assets like leasehold improvements, new technology, or a larger facility purchase. Rates match current market indices. Save term loans for well-defined projects rather than operating needs.

Equipment Leasing

Certain high-priced equipment critical to service quality may qualify for tax-advantaged operating leases versus lump-sum purchases. This spreads acquisition over 3-5 years with 100% financing and no down payment. Leases come with built-in technology upgrades every 2-3 years before returning the prior model. Monthly payments function similarly to equipment financing but provide tax deductions on the lease payments.

Practice Acquisition Venture Funds

For established practices acquiring additional locations, an equity partner can inject growth capital in return for an ownership percentage. These specialized dental venture funds often cover 40-60% of new acquisitions, with the remaining balance financed traditionally. Entrepreneurial partners gain partial ownership without depleting savings. Just weigh control dilution versus capital infusion carefully.

Owner Financing Tap

As practice values and cashflows accumulate, owner draws or partnership distributions create an internal funding source for future growth. Profits not immediately needed for operations may pay down existing bank loans ahead of schedule or self-finance select upgrades. Just leave ample reserves for unforeseen expenses and loss of key personnel. Reinvest cash back into the business judiciously.

Application Process and Requirements Across Lenders

Now that the major funding models are outlined, let’s review best practices for securing approval:

• Gather 2 years of personal and 2 years of practice financials (tax returns, P&L statements, balance sheets)
• Obtain a practice valuation from an certified appraiser for purchase amounts above $250,000
• Assemble a sound business plan outlining growth strategies, market analysis, management resumes
• Maintain excellent personal credit scores above 700 for favorable rates
• Incorporate your practice as an LLC, PLLC or corporation
• Shop terms from multiple lenders and negotiate the best structure
• Apply early and allow 4-6 weeks for SBA loan processing
• Provide collateral like real estate

With thorough preparation and compliance to underwriting guidelines, you maximize your chances of obtaining the necessary funding to fuel your dental practice goals. Now let’s cover some frequently asked questions.