The looming question
As our dental training nears its end, one question inevitably looms: Where will I work after graduation? I see it as a spectrum. On one end, you can associate with a corporation; on the other, you can open a practice from scratch. For me, it didn’t take much soul-searching to realize that opening a start-up orthodontic practice was my only option, as I’ve always been drawn to dentistry for its entrepreneurial aspects—the beautiful blend of healthcare and business.
Choosing what’s right for you
Opening my own practice was the right choice for me, however, it may not be for everyone. Joining an established clinic offers stability, allowing you to focus on dentistry and earn a good living. But for those who want to bring a clinic vision to life, starting from the ground up is an exciting challenge. If you’re considering this path, I hope to share some insights from my perspective: 12 months into the start-up journey, and (hopefully) 4 months from opening.
The rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship
Starting a practice is like the tortuous descent of a canine—full of unexpected twists and turns. Some weeks, everything moves quickly; emails get answered, deals are signed, and designs come back spot on. Other weeks, delays, mistakes, strained negotiations, and miscommunications bring me crashing down. I quickly realized that measuring progress day to day is futile. Focusing on the big picture showed me that, over the months, things were moving forward.
The expensive truth of starting from scratch
I knew opening a practice would be expensive, but the reality knocked me out once those first invoices arrived. When I regained consciousness, discussions with my accountant and banker reassured me that everything would balance out. While financial challenges can be daunting, technology has made some aspects of running a practice more manageable. Tasks that once required specialized services can now be done in-house to reduce expenses—from website design to aligner production. Ultimately, it comes down to efficiency and the best “bang for your buck” … or maybe it doesn’t, and you’ll make choices simply because you want to! And as a small business owner, that’s a valid reason.
Staying grounded through stoic wisdom
Stoic philosophy has been invaluable during this journey. As dentists, we’re perfectionists who like to control everything, but in small business, we must rely on others with different skill sets. Stoicism teaches us that we control our minds, actions, and reactions—not external events. When setbacks arise, I try to focus on my response rather than the situation itself, which helps me stay grounded and make clearer decisions.
Betting on yourself
I chose to gamble on myself. Time will tell how it all works out, but when it feels overwhelming, I remind myself that I’m living my dream—making business decisions and bringing my clinic vision to life. As my dad says, as a business owner, you live and die by your own decisions. If this resonates with you, don’t be afraid to take the leap. With determination, you can make it happen. If you’re interested, I’ve been vlogging my journey in the series “Start-Up Ortho Practice” on YouTube to demystify the process. Follow along at www.youtube.com/@dr.danielorthodontics.
About the Author
Dr. Daniel Richmond grew up in London, Ontario and attended the University of Western Ontario where he earned his BMSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology. He received his DMD from McGill University in 2019 and subsequently worked with his father in his paediatric dental practice for one year. Following this, he pursued specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Toronto, graduating in 2023. Daniel then completed a fellowship in Craniofacial Orthodontics at New York University. He plans to open an orthodontic practice in London in the near future.