61. From Associate to Owner

In this episode of the KLAS Solutions Dental Business Podcast, Phil Cole (CEO of KLAS Solutions) talks about one of the biggest moves in dentistry: going from being an associate to becoming a practice owner. Phil shares real-world insight from helping dentists through practice transitions and breaks down what associates need to know before they buy a practice. They cover common mistakes, why understanding the business side of dentistry matters (especially since most of it is not taught in dental school), and what can go wrong when buyers rush the process. They also talk about the team you should have in place before starting conversations, including a dental CPA, transition consultant, attorney, and lender who understand dental deals. This episode is all about helping associates make smart decisions, do proper due diligence, and set themselves up for long-term success in practice ownership.