Thinking about owning your own dental practice — but not sure if you're truly ready? In the debut episode of The Dental Associate Edge, hosts Dr. Dave Striegel and Sandy Baird, MBA, cut through the noise and deliver the unfiltered truth about dental practice ownership. Drawing on Dave's three decades in performance psychology and Sandy's deep roots in dental practice management, they walk aspiring owners through the critical balance between clinical excellence and business acumen — and the honest self-reflection every dentist needs before taking the leap. From risk tolerance and leadership mindset to the impact on family and finances, this episode asks the questions most people are afraid to answer. Hit play before you sign anything.

Is practice ownership the path to financial freedom — or just a new set of challenges you haven't faced yet? In Episode 2 of The Dental Associate Edge, Dr. Dave Striegel and Sandy Baird, MBA, get into the real conversations dental associates and students rarely hear: how to manage debt strategically, avoid lifestyle inflation, build cash reserves, and understand exactly what banks expect from buyers. With relatable stories and actionable advice, this episode gives aspiring owners the clarity and confidence to take their next step. Hit play before you make any major financial moves.

Finding the right dental practice isn't just about what's listed—it's about knowing what to ask before you commit. In this episode, Dave and Sandy revisit the three "doors" to practice ownership and dig into the self-reflection questions every prospective buyer needs to answer first: What kind of seller relationship do you want? Are you ready for the weight of real ownership decisions? From evaluating location and insurance mix to looping in your significant other, this episode gives you a framework to search smarter—and avoid costly regrets before you sign.

Not all dental practice opportunities are listed on a broker site—some of the best ones are hiding behind doors most associates never even knock on. In this episode, Dave and Sandy walk through three distinct paths to practice ownership: the public broker market, relationship-driven private sellers, and overlooked fixer-uppers with untapped potential. You'll leave with a concrete action plan, financing knowledge, and the right questions to start your search today.

Becoming a practice owner means wearing three hats—clinician, manager, and owner—and most dentists are only trained for one. Sandy Baird, MBA and Dr. Dave Striegel walk through the three paths to ownership, what banks and advisors expect, and how to avoid the missteps that destabilize a team during a transition.

Owning a dental practice requires a mindset shift that starts long before signing on the dotted line. In Episode 6, Dr. Dave Striegel and Sandy Baird, MBA, explain why dental associates shouldn't wait to build an ownership mindset—from building a strong financial foundation and evaluating lenders to mastering leadership and aligning personal lifestyle goals.

Leadership doesn’t start the day you buy a practice — it starts in how you show up as an associate. Dave and Sandy walk through five mindset shifts, from leading by example to mastering practice-wide systems and protocols, that prepare associates to think and act like owners long before ownership is official.