Wednesday, February 23, 2011

To associate, or to own?

We have a doozie today, so I don't want to talk too much. But I have to tell you one story. Noah was at it again this weekend. He said he wants to be an inventor when he grows up. I said, "I think you would be a great inventor. What are you thinking you would want to invent?" He then went on to tell me that he wanted to invent a machine so we can interpret what ants are saying. No, this is not a misprint; he thinks it would be beneficial to humans to know what ants are saying.

I said, "What do you think they are saying that we need to hear?" He said, "Oh, no here comes a foot!!" I am telling you, this kid is a riot and he doesn't even know it. He did another beaut, but I will tell you about it on Friday. Today we have a special guest writer. This writer emailed me in a quandry and wanted the readers’ advice. This dentist is happy being an associate (and has been for 10 years), but feels like he/she might be missing something by not being an owner.

So this is what we are going to do: I want you to read the blog and think about it a second then give us your best advice. Today, I will say nothing (even though I have lots to say about this topic), but I will write a blog (on Friday) with my answer.

I've been an avid reader of John's blog now for close to 2 years now, and I’m really enjoying it. I hear John and others speak about the troubles and triumphs of owning a practice in today's world, but I can only relate so much, as I’m still currently working as an associate dentist.

I’m happily plugging along trying to practice dentistry better every day, just like the rest of you. I try to find the best balance between work and life away from work. I continue to feed my hobbies and attempt to lead as stress-free a lifestyle as possible, but, I’ve had a question on my mind, nagging me, recently. When is a good time to make the transition from associate dentist to owning a dental practice?

I read a response recently to the question "When are you ready to have kids?” The answer? NEVER! The point of that article was that no one is fully prepared for the life changes and responsibility of having kids, and not much can prepare you. So, is this the same thing with owning a dental practice? I truly don't know. I’m doing some thinking. Should I? Shouldn't I? Am I ready? Where do I start? Am I going to be a life-long associate? What do I prepare myself for?

I’m assuming that unless we're lucky enough to have great mentors through our careers, we usually make these decisions alone, based on educated guessing and our own research. We don't know precisely what to expect, but do our best not to have those "Boy, I wish I would have known about this earlier" moments. I'd really like to minimize those moments. What I’m looking for is some advice.

I've been an associate for close to a decade, and have worked in a number of offices. I have worked alone for about half of my career, and in group settings with other dentists for the rest. I’m in my mid-30s, debt-free, financially OK, and currently have tons of freedom. I’m not "tied down" by anything, so to speak. But I also realize that "freedom" is not all that it's cracked up to be. Here are some of my thoughts.

I do enjoy ALOT of the benefits of being an associate. I like leaving work, not having to think about the office until the next morning. I like not thinking about the office overhead. I like not having to hire and fire staff. I like taking a couple of 3-week holidays and not thinking about the practice when I’m gone. I like that the staff can relate to me without worrying about me being their "boss." I like that I don't have to really "market" myself or the office if I choose not to. I like not thinking about month-end or year-end (at least as far as a balance sheet is concerned).

I think about dentistry. I complain occasionally about staff, but that's really all. If I don't feel comfortable with a procedure, I see if the principal dentist wants to do it, otherwise I refer it. I don't think too much about collections, receivables, and all that jazz. Do I have it too easy? I’m not sure. I’m starting to look at guys who own their own practices, and really try to figure out what some of the benefits are, whether these guys are happier, and if it's for me.

Here's the flip-side. I’m starting to think "If this were my office, I would change this". I wonder how much income I am missing out on from not sharing in the hygiene revenue and the tax benefits of ownership. Money isn't everything, but the world today is a financially different one than I thought it would be.

I see new equipment and technology that I would like to try, but must use what is available to me. I essentially have to practice dentistry similarly to the principal dentist where I’m at. I go to conventions where salespeople ask if I own a practice, and I reply with "Sorry, but I’m just a lowly associate, sir". I’m kidding actually, that part really doesn't bother me that much. I wonder sometimes if I could put together (or make better) a dental team/staff than what I’m currently working with. I wonder if I would be a good boss.

So, I guess I have some questions to those of you out there. I’m gonna shoot from the hip. Tell me straight. Tell me I’m crazy. Tell me something. I do have one request though. If you could, please try to assume that the recession hasn't totally gotten you down. I’m not blind to the fact that times are tough right now, but I would really appreciate as many non-jaded responses as possible. I know that some of you might think I’m crazy for even considering buying a practice now. There are parts of the country (a lot of rural areas for instance), as well as in Canada, where the recession hasn't totally affected dentists. So, for the sake of optimism, try to assume that all other things are equal, so to speak. I would likely be considering a very reasonably priced, rural (or small city) practice with a retiring (or semi-retiring) owner. I’m not looking to purchase a high-end practice in a large city. Just an average, steady dental practice.

Ok, here goes. What were the biggest changes you had to adjust to? What did you really love? What did you really hate?

Did your income increase dramatically (or at all) when you transitioned to ownership? I’m not a high-producing guy, but making and efficient income is always important.

Can I kiss my 2 or 3-week vacations goodbye for a while (or forever) if I purchase a practice? Time off to enjoy other things is VERY important to me.

Does the power to call all the shots as an owner offset the freedom of virtually no responsibility as an associate?

How badly do staffing issues stress you? Have you learned how to delegate properly, and if so, how difficult is that?

Does it make a difference as to what age you make the transition to ownership?

Do any of you ever stare at your associate and envy the heck out of them? Not because they may have a gorgeous wife, but because they are not dealing with the responsibility that you are. Do you really appreciate your associate?

Do you ever feel "tied down" to your practice?

Basically, I want to know the nitty gritty. Do any of you regret the decision of purchasing a practice?

Would anyone recommend not buying an existing practice, but setting up their own?

Does ownership suit a married or single person better?

Do you actually practice dentistry differently as an owner? I mean, do you feel yourself pressured to "sell" dentistry more? Are you more aggressive as a treatment planner?

Are you happy with your current practice? I mean, is it the practice that you really dreamed it would be?

Ok, that's enough questions. I threw a lot out there. Obviously these are not questions that are easily answered, nor is it a topic that you can scan through quickly. Hopefully I’m not opening a big can of worms here...

Make me wiser. Help me avoid pitfalls. Enlighten me. Share whatever is on your mind.


I know we have a real mixed bag of readers. We have students, associates, and owners. I want to hear from everyone. I would even like to hear from our dentists that live in other countries. Think about it....marinate on it. Try to think outside your present economic situation. Then start to type. Then we will talk again about it on Friday.

Have a great Wednesday.
john

8 comments:

Dentist Los Angeles said...

Sounds like you like the associate path. I have owned my own practice for 7 years and there are many days I wish I could just show up, do the work and get paid. However, being your own boss has many benefits as well. Time off when you want, you can't fire yourself, and potential tax benefits. Both are good options and depend on what you want out of your career and personal life. Good luck and thanks for the post! Dentist Los Angeles

kaz said...

you know your comment about having kids? how you're never ready, but you JUST KNOW when you want to have kids? this is the same way. if you start looking at your practice and start seeing things you want to change, then you're ready. if you're happy coming and going, and don't want to shake the boat, enjoy what you have. the questions you asked can have a million different answers. the hardest/best answer is this: you either want more, or you're happy with what you have.

good luck

kaz

Anonymous said...

I would agree with both the other posters - I sometimes 'sigh' when I think of my associate days with the carefree lifestyle, leave when you want to and no guilt over your practice. If you are definitely making 'enough' money and you are really enjoying yourself, then by all means stay an associate - but upgrade your skills so that your productivity improves and that you are bringing more and more to the table. This will ensure your necessity and may even help shoe you into a practice opportunity without much effort.
I enjoy the benefits and respect, income ect ownership brings. But I don't enjoy the stress, financial headaches, little nonsensical issues and infrastructure glitches that are part of owning a practice.
If you have a niche, make good money and are happy, stay associating!
My two cents,
KenJ (toronto canada)

Anonymous said...

I'm married to a dentist; we've been married since before he was in dental school. 4 years ago he stopped being an associate and went out on his own. Long story short... it was stressful, scary, almost caused us to divorce because of the stress. HOWEVER... 4 years out I'd say it was the best decision he ever made. Absolutely no doubt about it. The benefits of ownership (ie job security, equipment he got to pick out, setting his own schedule, and, finally, 4 years into it, better income) far out weigh the carefree life of an associate. Associate = job. Owner = career. That's the difference, in my opinion. I tell everyone to TAKE THE PLUNGE. So glad we did.

Anonymous said...

This particular blogger brings to light what I feel is a tremendous air pocket in our profession. It seems that very little mentoring takes place prior to the commitment dentists make on ownership. The entire subject of associate vs owner, scratch start vs buy-in or buy-out is a huge nut to crack for anyone entering private practice whether they are a gp or specialist. So many variables enter into the equation that I find it tough to encompass it all in an email response, and I concur with the parallel to starting a family. Below is the Cliff Notes version of my own experience

I am in my 16th year of practice with the recent 10+ as an owner, 5 as an associate and 1 year of GPR. The GPR and associate arrangement taught me a ton with respect to comprehensive dentistry but virtually nothing on the day to day business decisions of ownership. I had no mentoring in that department but have relied on an undergrad degree and background in economics as a basis for my business plan. I feel mentoring should not fall to the hands of "luck or chance" but represent an integral part of every dentist's career both in receipt of and hopefully the return favor later on in life.

Approximately 11 years ago I elected to enter into an associate arrangement dovetailed onto a buy out of a retiring doc. In addition, this equity position equated to a 1/5th ownership of a very large group practice in a sizable metropolitan area. Due to health complications for the retiring doc, the associateship ended within the first month and I was on my way to ownership! I cruised along nicely for a number of years, I cash flowed the debt to $0, we built out a high tech new space, our new patient flow and recall was very healthy,etc. Things were cooking. Then we ran into classic partnership headaches. In short, 3 of 5 were not carrying their share of the load. The reasons boil down to a vastly underperforming younger partner and two elderly dentists on the downhill run. My other high flying partner and I crafted and executed a successful buy out of the other three partners, acquired a local retiring doc's practice, hired and lost our first two associates, ultimately arriving where we are today.

We operate an efficient group ffs practice (2 partners), 2 full time associates, 5 full time hygienists, 5 front desk team members and 1 office manager. The transformation required about 3 years coupled with a lawsuit and a ton of $$ spent, but it was worth every element of it

For me, being in command of a large, urban group practice has always been the goal. Now it is a function of continually tweeking it to fit the mercuric nature of the industry and our economy. As a dental practice owner, one certainly wears many hats while balancing a healthy family life. It can be equally challenging as rewarding.

Contrary to popular belief, I feel the money is good but it is by no means a bell ringer salary. For me, it is the autonomy, flexibility and personal gratification of helping others in need that ring true words of praise for dentistry as a profession. I never doubted the fact I was to be an owner, but I appreciate the merits of career associateship opportunities if it fits the individual. As I reread the questions posed by the blogger, I find myself tempted to try and answer each one line by line only to look at the word count of this current response and feel the pressure of "doctor you're needed"! I cannot stress enough the need for this individual to locate a good mentor in their community or a strong focus group/study club to sound these questions off of live! There will always be the hindsight type occurrences that we all have experienced, and this can best be expressed in a face to face format.

I guess I had one question in response...I thought the associate was to be on board in order for the owner doc to take a few three week vacations? Just kidding of course.

Cheers to all in the AGD out there toiling in the trenches.

Tom Reed

Anonymous said...

This particular blogger brings to light what I feel is a tremendous air pocket in our profession. It seems that very little mentoring takes place prior to the commitment dentists make on ownership. The entire subject of associate vs owner, scratch start vs buy-in or buy-out is a huge nut to crack for anyone entering private practice whether they are a gp or specialist. So many variables enter into the equation that I find it tough to encompass it all in an email response, and I concur with the parallel to starting a family. Below is the Cliff Notes version of my own experience

I am in my 16th year of practice with the recent 10+ as an owner, 5 as an associate and 1 year of GPR. The GPR and associate arrangement taught me a ton with respect to comprehensive dentistry but virtually nothing on the day to day business decisions of ownership. I had no mentoring in that department but have relied on an undergrad degree and background in economics as a basis for my business plan. I feel mentoring should not fall to the hands of "luck or chance" but represent an integral part of every dentist's career both in receipt of and hopefully the return favor later on in life.

Approximately 11 years ago I elected to enter into an associate arrangement dovetailed onto a buy out of a retiring doc. In addition, this equity position equated to a 1/5th ownership of a very large group practice in a sizable metropolitan area. Due to health complications for the retiring doc, the associateship ended within the first month and I was on my way to ownership! I cruised along nicely for a number of years, I cash flowed the debt to $0, we built out a high tech new space, our new patient flow and recall was very healthy,etc. Things were cooking. Then we ran into classic partnership headaches. In short, 3 of 5 were not carrying their share of the load. The reasons boil down to a vastly underperforming younger partner and two elderly dentists on the downhill run. My other high flying partner and I crafted and executed a successful buy out of the other three partners, acquired a local retiring doc's practice, hired and lost our first two associates, ultimately arriving where we are today.

We operate an efficient group ffs practice (2 partners), 2 full time associates, 5 full time hygienists, 5 front desk team members and 1 office manager. The transformation required about 3 years coupled with a lawsuit and a ton of $$ spent, but it was worth every element of it

For me, being in command of a large, urban group practice has always been the goal. Now it is a function of continually tweeking it to fit the mercuric nature of the industry and our economy. As a dental practice owner, one certainly wears many hats while balancing a healthy family life. It can be equally challenging as rewarding.

Contrary to popular belief, I feel the money is good but it is by no means a bell ringer salary. For me, it is the autonomy, flexibility and personal gratification of helping others in need that ring true words of praise for dentistry as a profession. I never doubted the fact I was to be an owner, but I appreciate the merits of career associateship opportunities if it fits the individual. As I reread the questions posed by the blogger, I find myself tempted to try and answer each one line by line only to look at the word count of this current response and feel the pressure of "doctor you're needed"! I cannot stress enough the need for this individual to locate a good mentor in their community or a strong focus group/study club to sound these questions off of live! There will always be the hindsight type occurrences that we all have experienced, and this can best be expressed in a face to face format.

I guess I had one question in response...I thought the associate was to be on board in order for the owner doc to take a few three week vacations? Just kidding of course.

Cheers to all in the AGD out there toiling in the trenches.

Tom Reed

Anonymous said...

Today's not a good day to ask. I just had my vacuum go out and have a full schedule. As owner, I can't punt this one.

But, by and large, ownership advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Advantages: you are the BOSS. You set the schedule, you work with what materials and procedures you want. Money-wise, tax-wise it's a plus. For me and my personality, I work much better for me than for someone else.

Disadvantages: you are the BOSS. That means all the headaches with staff are yours, the building, the practice, etc. (Damn vacuum!) Insurance, taxes, cash flow, etc.

By the way, when your service guy is 3+ hours away, a shop vac will do in a pinch.

Anonymous said...

I for one cannot comment on being an associate as I started my own right out of residency. I do know that despite my training as a specialist I knew very little about running a business. I did have a vision of exactly how I wanted the practice to run. It has changed as I have matured and the demands of a busy practice sometimes trump my desires. I try to not let the practice run me but sometimes a child in pain takes precident over my golf schedule!!!. I personally don't think I would do well as an associate, that does not mean that it is not right for you. If you have a good relationship with the owner doc it may be possible to change some things where you are. OR you may be allowed to purchase some equipment for your exclusive use etc. It is like difficult endo, risk v. reward. I have left some stomach lining in the toilet and spent a number of nights tossing and turning, that is my nature tho. If the financial benefit is there for you then I say go for it.

Good luck

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