Getting Down to Business

Although many dentists who go into private practice do so with altruistic goals related to the provision of superior care, let's face it: owning a dental practice is owning a business, and if you are unable to run it successfully and profitably, you will be unable to deliver the care that you've envisioned and may even become burned out or disillusioned with practice. The fact that a lack of business-related education in dental school programs leaves many graduates unprepared for the rigors of practice ownership has always been a problem in the profession; however, with the industry affected by the practice changes and staffing shortages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflation-plagued economy that has developed in its wake, understanding the business of dentistry is more important to a dentist's success than ever before. In Inside Dentistry's October special business issue, we examine the current and future state of dentistry and present articles addressing essential nonclinical aspects of practice, including leadership, marketing, finance, improving treatment acceptance, and more—all of which are intended to inform and inspire.