The harsh truth about selling (or buying) a dental practice

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A strategic guide for dentists who want to sell, buy, or simply build a profitable, walkaway-ready practice Dentists ask me all the time—”With rising tariffs, inflation, and economic uncertainty… what’s going to happen to the dental practice market?” My answer? It hasn’t changed in 20 years. Because at the core of every dental market shift—whether … Read more

What’s ahead for marketing your practice on social

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Trends to watch for…GenAI and more! We like to say that online marketing for your dental practice is a sum of many parts. If one part is “lagging,” it can bring down the “whole.” Likewise, when one component is on the rise, it can help to support and lift all—resulting in the biggest return on … Read more

Office space: Bedford Periodontics

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The why: Background story As beautifully designed dental clinics emerge across the country, Dr. Erin Nowe has created something truly special—an environment where expert care, intentional design, and a deep sense of purpose come together. Being born and raised in Oakfield, Nova Scotia, Dr. Nowe decided to remain close to her roots by completing her dental … Read more

It’s like looking into the future of dentistry

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“I had never seen this before.” That’s how Dr. Peter Fritz, one of our esteemed Oral Health Board members, described a new robotic toothbrush device at the recent International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, Germany. I was fortunate to witness Dr. Fritz’s reaction as I attended IDS in March alongside three other board members. The … Read more

AI is revolutionizing healthcare — but is your patient data safe?

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Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare before our eyes. A key benefit is faster, more accurate diagnosis both in routine care and for more serious concerns, such as 3D dental imaging and computed tomography scanning used to examine thyroid tumours. There are many examples where medical care is benefiting from advanced technology using AI to assist … Read more

Dental stocks downgraded? Here is everything you need to know as a dentist

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If you’re a practicing dentist in Canada, it’s easy to dismiss the headlines about Henry Schein orDentsply Sirona getting downgraded on Wall Street. After all, you’re not a portfolio manager—you’rerunning a clinic, managing patients, and likely balancing corporate and personal finances. So, the realquestion is: should you care about what’s happening with dental stocks? The … Read more

U.S. tariffs and Canadian dentistry: How to shield your practice

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The recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, including critical dental products such as composite resins, metal alloys, digital scanners, and even consumer goods like toothpaste and dental floss, poses significant economic and public health challenges for Canada’s dental industry.1 Canada heavily relies on U.S. imports for essential dental equipment and materials, meaning these … Read more

Selling in uncertain times?  Lawyer up and find your peace

Deals still get done—even when the world feels upside down. With the right team and mindset, you can sell your practice on your terms, no matter what’s happening out there.

The outside world seems to be combusting nowadays: Countries are engaged in tariff wars. Stock markets are extremely volatile. Conflict rages on in Ukraine and the Middle East. Global climate change impacts our daily lives.  AI is sparking ethical debates. We’re in the midst of a very close federal election. Residential real estate sales across … Read more

The secret to sustainable growth in dentistry? Marketing smarter

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Every dentist wants more new patients, but not every practice knows where they’re really coming from—or how to consistently bring them in. In today’s digital world, the answer isn’t in billboards, radio ads, or local coupon books. It’s online, where nearly all patient journeys begin. Where new patients actually come from According to BrightEdge Research, … Read more

Smarter smiles: How AI is transforming dentistry in remote areas

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Access to quality dental care remains a significant challenge for populations living in remote areas. Geographic isolation, high costs, and socioeconomic disparities often prevent individuals from receiving timely oral healthcare, leading to severe long-term consequences. Traditional dentistry struggles to bridge this gap due to limited infrastructure and workforce shortages. However, advancements in Teledentistry, accelerated by … Read more

Are DSOs here to stay? Here’s what dentists need to know

As DSOs expand across the U.S. and Canada, dentists need to stay on top of trends to keep pace. (iStock)

Love them or hate them, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are here to stay—and they’re only going to get bigger.  Who benefits from the rise of DSOs? While many private practitioners are skeptical about DSOs, the reality is that lots of patients and retiring/selling dentists tend to favor them. However, selling to a DSO isn’t always a … Read more

Patients say “yes” to treatment in high-trust office environments

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Some environments are more comfortable than others. What does that really mean?  Especially in a dental or medical office.  Are we really trying to make our patients comfortable…or is there more to it than that? Patients want competent and caring doctors; they can readily discern whether you are caring, but competence is different. They didn’t … Read more

Can your associate set up shop across the street and solicit patients and staff?

Dentists should be aware of non-competition clauses.

As a dental lawyer/practice seller, I’ve written extensively over the years about the legality and enforceability of non-compete and non-solicit clauses in associate agreements and purchase and sale agreements. Non-competition clauses generally try to prohibit associates from setting up shop (directly or indirectly with anyone else) within a certain geographic distance of the principal’s practice … Read more

A turning point in trade: U.S. tariffs, global volatility, and what it means for Canadian dentists

Canada and Mexico were notably exempted from these April measures, but not entirely untouched. (iStock)

On April 2, 2025, the White House unveiled what it referred to as “Liberation Day,” announcing the most aggressive protectionist policy shift since the 1930s. In a sweeping press conference, President Donald Trump introduced a 10% universal tariff on all U.S. imports, effective April 5, alongside a system of “reciprocal tariffs” targeting approximately 60 countries. Some of … Read more

Office space: Transcend Specialized Dentistry

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The why: Background story In the heart of downtown Vancouver, Transcend Specialized Dentistry is more than just a practice. It’s a multidisciplinary prosthodontic, periodontic, and orthodontic specialty centre that reflects Dr. Faraj Edher’s dedication to precision, aesthetics, and uncompromising quality in dental care. As a student, he initially had a deep interest in surgical medicine … Read more

Creating an accepting environment at your practice | Weekly Wisdom

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Dentist and comedian Jeffrey Gurian shares his life motto and offers advice for new dentists about accepting and embracing everyone at your office. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!

AI in Dentistry: Study highlights risks of relying solely on technology

Concerns regarding deployment of AI-based applications in dentistry – a review

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in dentistry growing, a new study in Nature warns that clinical oversight remains crucial when integrating AI-driven diagnostics and treatment planning into practice. Aga Khan University researchers reviewed 44 studies on AI in dentistry, identifying key risks, including misdiagnoses, transparency issues, and inconsistent adoption across specialties. Case study: AI misidentification … Read more

No capital gains tax hike: Best financial moves for dentists

No hike in capital gains -- what are the best moves for dentists now

Mark Carney confirmed that his government will not proceed with an increase to Canada’s capital gains tax. This has significant implications for dentists—both as business owners and as investors. Dentists often have dual exposure to capital gains—through their practice sales and their personal investment portfolios. A proposed increase would have added another layer of complexity to tax … Read more

Don’t just drill and fill | Weekly Wisdom

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As new dentists, it’s important to take your time with your patients before picking up the drill. Dr. Aisling Whitaker, CEO of DentalHive, shares why you should spend more time on your diagnosis and treatment planning before jumping right into your treatment. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to … Read more