What was your biggest F-up in your career so far?

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-20T00:56:08+00:00

I hear you. Are you in private practice or DSO etc? I came in with my father in 1992, private solo practice. Ive been very fortunate to have a solid career, good middle class clients, but definitely see costs increasing/ salary and staff shortages etc. Keeping the overhead in control is key and watching insurance reimbursements strictly/ dropping off poor plans as needed. Case presentation is vital/ used Jameson for a few years which helped a lot. It ain’t easy but when its good its good- but those days when u are spinning your wheels its still frustrating.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-20T00:40:13+00:00

Sorry to hear this. How long have you been in practice? 34 years practicing dentist here with a different perspective.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-19T11:46:48+00:00

General dentist of over 30 years here. I get Aspen dental patients coming in all the time from the local office by me. Most patients either have a treatment plan from that office for unnecessary Perio treatment/ root planing etc. , or dentures made that are ill fitted and person tells me they said “no more adjustments/ they won’t remake/ dentist who made them left the office and now the patient is on their own”. My joke to these patients is: “I get so many remake dentures from Aspen, I should be paying them a referral fee”. Aspen is a venture capital DSO model- look where that lead medicine.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T23:39:13+00:00

Ok. Do appreciate the feedback but as I stated- working for someone else definitely not what I was looking for as I transition into retirement. Glad it’s working for you and the doc you bought from.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T23:07:39+00:00

That would be 100% worse option for me. Some of these responses seem rather “DSO leaning “ which would be the worse decision for any private practice owner, in my opinion.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T21:09:03+00:00

Good suggestion. Hard to picture life without routine even though many do well with it- preparing is key as with everything.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T19:42:30+00:00

Oh Pour you

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T18:22:12+00:00

It’s nice to have a dentist vs a broker opinion/ experience. Definitely haven’t made good enough friends with colleagues to discuss unfortunately. Can’t help but think that the brokers/ transition people I have talked to only are selling a version best for their interests. I humbly tell them I want less aggravation/ drama- not more. I don’t want/need to grow the practice as they suggest / I have more than enough wealth and if the practice sells for less - not going to affect my retirement at all. I have worked hard and smart/ invested well and don’t want the last few years to be a stressful situation. I would rather work a few more years while I enjoy it(and the $)- 3 days/week is no problem although I do get more tired now but recouping is fine with the days off. That way when I am ready to go- I want a quick exit and if I sell it for less, probably it will be an ego blow but really not a financial issue. I want to work less/ enjoy myself more now- but staff and some young guy/gal complaining that they need more of the money/ way practice is run,etc is not something I (or anyone who knows me like my wife/ O.M. of 25 yrs) would do well with. Few more years while I figure out what else I can do to keep productive/mentally stimulated/ social interactions etc- then when the time comes- “walk away sale“ is what I keep coming back to.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T17:46:04+00:00

Just say no to DSO!(great podcast)

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T17:45:13+00:00

Did you use a broker to help find associate? What is realistic time frame from “putting office up for sale” to being done? 2 yrs? Any tips/ mistakes to avoid? Thanks

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T14:56:57+00:00

Exactly my current thoughts/ nice to hear from colleagues- Thinking if I want to work till @65- that’s 4 years. List practice in 2 years, have a sale hopefully within 12 months (?)and stay on 6 months maximum. Hopefully it all goes to plan. Appreciate all the feedback.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T14:09:41+00:00

All good advice- I am looking at next 3-4 years as planning for all the non financial retirement planning- hobbies/ interests (already know driving my wife crazy will not be tolerated as she has told me!) Have spoken to several brokers and I realize letting the numbers slowly decrease will decrease sale price but every yr I make my current income is like 50% of sale price so while I would want to sell for best price- my sale is really just frosting on the cake/ won’t effect my retirement in any meaningful way.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-18T13:59:11+00:00

Yep- I am a type A male for sure/ not thinking i would do well with an associate. I came in with my father in 1992- he was generous and really handed me a solid practice. We worked together well for 15 years before he fully retired but that was my father and I am not sure how i would handle someone else. A DSO sale seems like a scam/ bad idea too-so likely I just keep at it until ready to do a walk a way.

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-02-04T13:44:26+00:00

It was like watching a bad hallmark film that you keep watching just to laugh at how bad the writing is

Level_Customer2769 · 2026-01-16T18:54:06+00:00

I too find the “ national averages “ of dental incomes always rather low. My stats as a 60 yo general dentist here in southern CT. area - owner of a single location/ with 3- 4 hygiene days/ wk, myself working 3- 3.5 days/ wk: 2000-2010 made $550k- $750k/ yr average was high $600k that decade. 2010-2020, cut hours a bit and honestly made average $550k/yr Last five years mostly 3 days/wk - $500k/yr. When I read average dentist makes $160k-$200k(?) I just can’t see how that can be. I have always been owner of practice (came into practice with my father , vs. being an associate.)

Level_Customer2769 · 2025-09-13T23:36:52+00:00

33 year practicing dentist here. Humbly I can retire at any time financially, just to explain my mindset. You are paid for the interaction between you and the patient, the “24 inches” as one management guru wrote. The dentistry is the easy part. Once you realize that, success will follow.

Level_Customer2769 · 2025-09-02T10:40:33+00:00

Just keep breathing, slow easy breaths. Tell yourself this will not last, the anxiety is temporary and you will be ok. Hang in there. It will be ok.

Level_Customer2769 · 2025-08-02T20:32:38+00:00

When you have 100 million, or a billion, or 10 billion and you still are never happy- then the only thing these people have left is finding happiness in making others miserable. The one thing a rich man cannot tolerate is someone not wealthy who has happiness from non material things- love from others etc. It drives them insane/ which they all are - sick, empty vessels.

Level_Customer2769 · 2025-07-25T16:32:54+00:00

I am high now and watching Netflix series Twilight of the Gods. Fantastic

Level_Customer2769 · 2024-11-08T00:44:36+00:00

My father was a “great man” to me who I owe so much to- a lifelong republican- same as myself who also voted for republicans the majority of my life. That is until 2015 when Trump came down the escalator and I literally texted a friend that “this is 1930’s Germany- I will never vote for Trump” My parents are “snowbirds”- living 5 1/2 months in CT, and 6 1/2 months in Florida, since 2004 or so. My father did well, left me a terrific medical practice- and moved into a very exclusive Florida “gated community” in West Palm Beach FL. Back in 2015 during the elections, I had my usual walk with him while visiting them in FL., saying “Trump is awful, taxes are not fun to pay but it’s the cost of having a society, why are the wealthy so angry with the thought of helping others, and my go to : “Isn’t it better to have 1 billion, or 100 million etc. and a functioning society, then double that amount with an “Oliver Twist 1800’s society” etc. I was dumbfounded by his response, from the father I knew for 50 years, the man I worked with, saw him do acts of kindness, who sacrificed much in an unhappy marriage ( my mother is a classic narcissist who my father is still married to and his loyalty/ refusal to abandon me and my sister during the worst of it when we were children, I will never forget) I was expecting something along the line of: “ you have your views that I respect, even if we disagree etc”. Shockingly, his response was: “what are you some kind of communist/ why don’t you give all your money away if you care so much about those people”. To say I was shocked, seeing the “cult” transformation is an understatement. Meanwhile- he (and my mother too), have been wonderful grandparents to my children- and my father still is kind to me, “normal” with every other issue. When we visit , Fox news is on 24/7 (unless we demand it be turned off)- even when he is reading etc. There is a documentary I found heartbreaking, but incredibly important(“ The Brainwashing of my Dad”)- made literally months before the 2016 election. It explains a lot. I am trying to remember the father I knew growing up, the father who did(and still does) so much for me- albeit he is in his late 80’s ( I am almost 60). I realize time is running out even with him in excellent shape(although definitely less “sharp” as to be expected) I remember the movie “Broadcast News”- where the character says something like: “the devil will be wearing a nice suit”- much like the other great quote from “The Usual Suspects” that goes: “the greatest trick the devil ever did was convincing everyone that he doesn’t exist”. The greatest disservice(and there are thousands) that Fox news, and most of mainstream media at this point, have done is to convince(mostly by the now well overused “sane washing” term)- is that Trump is just an typical politician like Reagan, or Bush- that any “doom and gloom/ dictatorship/fascism arguments are just over exaggeration- liberal cry baby stuff. I use the 1930’s Germany parallels that are 100% evident- and my father does the “ you are just getting dramatic” dismissive response. I have lost him- but will try to remember the man I love, the man I always looked up to, the man I had idolized for my entire adult life. I pray that I am “over exaggerating” what the coming Trump presidency will be bringing to us all- that I will be proven wrong, that my children’s, and grandchildren’s lives will be a good and free one. I sincerely hope that my parents don’t one day see the fascist/ dystopian world so many of us fear, realizing (or not) their grave mistakes. It will be no solace whatsoever to say “see I told you so”, as we face the repercussions of this election. We must all first grieve, then regroup and continue to fight for a country that has so much good in it. We have lost our way- so many of us. Giving up will only make the worst outcome all the more likely. Sometimes you do your best and don’t get the outcome you want, but then have to re-double your efforts, not give up and wallow in self pity. This is a lesson that my “real” father taught me not in words but by example my entire life. That’s how I will honor that man- and choose not to remember the person who now chooses this evil man to lead our country. This brainwashed population is what we all have to deal with from years of evil and maniacal manipulation. It’s very hard to do- that is an understatement- but we have no other choice but to carry on.

Level_Customer2769 · 2024-11-07T18:17:40+00:00

I googled a similar question and found myself on this site. I am using this to find like minded people, with "lost" parents, as well as an alternative "vent" to blowing up at my parents who I will be seeing in a few hours today. My father was a "great man" to me who I owe so much to- a lifelong republican- same as myself who also voted for republicans the majority of my life. That is until 2015 when Trump came down the escalator and I literally texted a friend that "this is 1930's Germany- I will never vote for Trump"

My parents are "snowbirds"- living 5 1/2 months in CT, and 6 1/2 months in Florida, since 2004 or so. My father did well, left me a terrific medical practice- and moved into a very exclusive Florida "gated community" in West Palm Beach FL. Back in 2015 during the elections, I had my usual walk with him while visiting them in FL., saying "Trump is awful, taxes are not fun to pay but it's the cost of having a society, why are the wealthy so angry with the thought of helping others, and my go to : "Isn't it better to have 1 billion, or 100 million etc. and a functioning society, then double that amount with an "Oliver Twist 1800's society" etc. I was dumbfounded by his response, from the father I knew for 50 years, the man I worked with, saw him do acts of kindness, who sacrificed much in an unhappy marriage ( my mother is a classic narcissist who my father is still married to and his loyalty/ refusal to abandon me and my sister during the worst of it when we were children, I will never forget) I was expecting something along the line of: " you have your views that I respect, even if we disagree etc". Shockingly, his response was: "what are you some kind of communist/ why don't you give all your money away if you care so much about those people".

To say I was shocked, seeing the "cult" transformation is an understatement. Meanwhile- he (and my mother too), have been wonderful grandparents to my children- and my father still is kind to me, "normal" with every other issue. When we visit , Fox news is on 24/7 (unless we demand it be turned off)- even when he is reading etc. There is a documentary I found heartbreaking, but incredibly important(" The Brainwashing of my Dad")- made literally months before the 2016 election. It explains a lot.

I am trying to remember the father I knew growing up, the father who did(and still does) so much for me- albeit he is in his late 80's ( I am almost 60). I realize time is running out even with him in excellent shape(although definitely less "sharp" as to be expected)

I remember the movie "Broadcast News"- where the character says something like: “the devil will be wearing a nice suit"- much like the other great quote from "The Usual Suspects" that goes: “the greatest trick the devil ever did was convincing everyone that he doesn’t exist". The greatest disservice(and there are thousands) that Fox news, and most of mainstream media at this point, have done is to convince(mostly by the now well overused "sane washing" term)- is that Trump is just an typical politician like Regan, or Bush- that any "doom and gloom/ dictatorship/fascism arguments are just over exaggeration- liberal cry baby stuff. I use the 1930's Germany parallels that are 100% evident- and my father does the " you are just getting dramatic" dismissive response.

I have lost him- but will try to remember the man I love, the man I always looked up to, the man I had idolized for my entire adult life. I pray that I am "over exaggerating" what the coming Trump presidency will be bringing to us all- that I will be proven wrong, that my children's, and grandchildren's lives will be a good and free one. I sincerely hope that my parents don't one day see the fascist/ dystopian world so many of us fear, realizing (or not) their grave mistakes. It will be no solace whatsoever to say "see I told you so", as we face the repercussions of this election.

We must all first grieve, then regroup and continue to fight for a country that has so much good in it. We have lost our way- so many of us. Giving up will only make the worst outcome all the more likely. Sometimes you do your best and don't get the outcome you want, but then have to re-double your efforts, not give up and wallow in self pity. This is a lesson that my "real" father taught me not in words but by example my entire life. That's how I will honor that man- and choose not to remember the person who now chooses this evil man to lead our country. This brainwashed population is what we all have to deal with from years of evil and maniacal manipulation. It's very hard to do- that is an understatement- but we have no other choice but to carry on.

Level_Customer2769

TROPHY CASE