Perfection Is the Enemy of Progress
If you’re searching for a dental practice to buy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting.
Waiting for:
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The perfect location
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The ideal number of ops
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The latest technology
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The exact production level you want
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The “right feeling” from a seller or staff
But here’s the truth: “Perfect” rarely shows up. And if you’re still waiting for it a year from now, you’ll have missed real opportunities that could have set you on the path to ownership, income growth, and long-term equity.
What Happens When Buyers Wait Too Long?
Buyers who hold out for the unicorn office often find themselves:
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Competing with more buyers as interest rates drop or demand rises
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Facing higher purchase prices due to inflation or market shifts
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Losing out on practices they were “still thinking about”
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Continuing to work as associates with little control or equity
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Second-guessing every listing and becoming paralyzed by indecision
Owning a practice is a powerful wealth-building tool, and the sooner you own, the sooner you begin building value.
“Good Enough” Can Be a Great Investment
You don’t need a fully digital, six-operatory, $1.2M-per-year practice to succeed.
In fact, many of the best deals are practices that:
- Have stable revenue, but need operational improvements
- Refer out specialty procedures you can keep in-house
- Are under-producing due to part-time owners
- Need marketing, updated systems, or expanded hours
- Are priced more affordably because they’re not flashy
These practices may not be “perfect,” but they’re profitable, and they come with upside.
You Don’t Need to Buy a Dream Office. You Can Build It.
Most successful practice owners didn’t buy a flawless office. They bought a solid foundation and made it better over time.
They:
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Upgraded technology when it made financial sense
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Hired and trained the right team
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Improved systems and marketing
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Grew collections with consistent recall and production
Don’t let surface-level issues (older chairs, outdated paint, paper charts) distract you from the fundamentals.
How to Spot a Smart Buy (Even If It’s Not “Perfect”)
Look for practices that have:
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Consistent collections over multiple years
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Strong hygiene recall and active patient base
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Loyal staff willing to stay post-sale
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Reasonable overhead and stable profit margins
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Room for you to grow the practice in your own way
Ask yourself: Could I succeed here with some thoughtful changes?
If the answer is yes, don’t wait.
Final Thoughts: Perfect Is a Moving Target
Every month you wait, you’re:
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Missing income you could be earning as an owner
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Delaying the equity you could be building
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Letting someone else run the show
There’s no such thing as the perfect practice – only the right practice for you, right now.
Ready to Find the Right Practice (Not a Perfect One)?
At American Practice Consultants, we help buyers focus on value, growth potential, and strategic fit, not just bells and whistles. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start building your future, we’re here to help.
👉 Schedule a buyer consultation and take the first step toward ownership.