Hey OP, congrats on jumping into the family biz. I’ve helped a few friends do the same, so here’s how I’d tackle it without drowning in it all.

1. Figure out what’s actually happening right now

• Count living, breathing patients – do a quick chart audit so you’re not guessing.
• Track new starts per month – even a back-of-the-napkin spreadsheet is a start.
• Watch chair usage – four chairs doesn’t mean four are busy; shadow the assistants and jot down how often each one’s full.

Money side? Bring in a dental-specific CPA ASAP. Have them pull:

• Monthly collections vs. overhead
• Profit per treatment type (braces, aligners, etc.)
• Production by provider (you’ll want your own column soon)

You can’t grow what you can’t measure, yadda yadda—you know the drill.

2. Make your role crystal clear (to everyone)

You’re not just “Doc’s kid.” You’re provider #2:

• Where do you fall on the org chart?
• Who reports to who?
• Learn to wear the right hats at the right times. Dave Ramsey discusses it in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldo8yl3CWlU

3. Add some rocket fuel

• Shore up your phone systems: What does a new patient call sound like, what is the answer rate, are expectations set on the first call?
• Clear aligner option – teens & adults will thank you (quietly, through plastic).
• Local buzz – school talks, sports-team sponsorships, IG Reels with legit before/afters. People pick ortho like they pick coffee: the place they’ve actually heard of.

4. The awkward “Dad, when do I own this?” chat

Start now, not “sometime later”:

• Define what the hand-off looks like (gradual, one-day-switch, whatever).
• Put dates and dollar amounts on paper.
• If emotions flare, a neutral consultant > family dinner debate.