Financially Free Dentists

Dentists in their 30s and 40s are sitting on student loans, running successful practices, and often making solid incomes. But the gap between dentists who build wealth and those stuck mid-career is shockingly big, and it mostly comes down to one easy-to-miss habit. We dig into the data from our recent dentist income and investment survey and show you the single step that most reliably separates hi...

If you’re a dentist earning a strong income as an associate, practice ownership might sound like a huge leap — more stress, more management, and a lot you never learned in dental school. But is the payoff big enough to justify it? We’ll walk through real survey data and Federal Reserve numbers so you can decide whether owning a practice actually builds wealth faster, and how to know if “the juice...

If you're a dentist with a packed schedule, tired of the grind but not ready to quit — and especially if you have kids under 18 — there are two new realities you need to know about. The Treasury just auto-enrolled 60 million children into TRUMP accounts, setting up retirement savings by default. Plus, most dentists who picture financial freedom don’t actually dream of quitting, just working less....

If you’re a dentist seeing your profit margins shrink because insurance companies just will not raise reimbursement rates, you’re not alone. Nearly 900 dentists in our community named this the single biggest concern for 2026. I know it feels out of your control, but that’s only partly true. You’ll learn where you actually have power to move the needle, how to break the cycle of stress over rates,...

How does your financial life compare to other dentists? We surveyed over 800 dentists and dental specialists about income, investing, debt, and how confident they feel about reaching their financial goals. We compare income by specialty, show how much practice ownership pays, and look at why some dentists have more invested wealth at the same income. You’ll also hear what worries dentists most, fr...

If you locked in a 3% mortgage back in 2020 or 2021, you’re likely staring down a tough choice: stay put in a cramped house to keep that rate, or move to a better fit and face today’s 7% mortgages. This is the dilemma for a lot of mid-career dentists whose families are outgrowing their starter homes. Everyone told you never to give up your ultra-low mortgage — but what if holding on to it is actua...

Cash builds in your business account every month. How much of it is actually yours to take home, save, or invest? Most practice owners and 1099 associates can’t answer that with confidence. Learn exactly how to pin down your real take-home income and set up a system that makes your finances predictable and automated, even as your practice and profit grow. Key moments: (06:07) How 401(k) loans real...

If you're a dentist deciding between Roth and pre-tax retirement contributions, the answer you get on social media is usually “Roth is always better.” The reality is, choosing the wrong account could cost you tens of thousands in lost tax savings, especially if you’re in a high tax bracket or on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Learn when Roth makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to know wh...

There’s a lot of noise about inflation, government spending, and passive income “tricks”—but none of that matters as much as the fundamentals. This conversation is for dentists who want to know which everyday financial decisions genuinely push you closer to financial independence and which ones just distract you. You’ll walk away able to prioritize what matters most so you don’t waste years chasin...

Most dentists know the playbook for their 401(k) and Roth IRA. But what should you do after you’ve checked those boxes, have extra cash building up, and want to use your money flexibly before retirement? This week, I break down why taxable brokerage accounts fill that gap, how they work, and the mistakes I see most often when dentists open one. You’ll learn where the line falls between investing a...

Financial freedom for dentists looks very different in 2026, especially with the new student loan borrowing caps just rolled out. I sat down with Dr. Paul Goodman, founder of Dental Nachos and Dentist Job Connect, to explore how these changes affect access to dental school, practice ownership, and what it actually takes to build a fulfilling career as a dentist. We get into how capped federal borr...

If you're a dentist weighing whether to buy your first home or your first practice, you know there are big stakes—and it's rarely as simple as "just do both." We get into what really matters when you’re deciding which to buy first, the hidden costs of getting the order wrong, and how current interest rate moves actually impact your timing. You'll learn how things like community ties, mortgage qual...

We unpack the journey to achieving millionaire status as a dentist, the true impact of that milestone, and important mindsets to adopt on the path to financial freedom. We introduce a new segment, "The Root of It," providing a timely analysis of news affecting financial decisions in dentistry, starting with the latest developments in AI and how they might influence investing and the dental profess...

If you're a dentist juggling a high income, a big student loan balance, and the constant pull to chase the next hot stock, this one is for you. We break down the two mistakes we see most often: concentrating your wealth in a handful of tech or crypto stocks, and buying VTI or VTSAX without a plan for the taxes that come with it. We get into how to grow your net worth intentionally, what most denti...

Five student loan rules changed this year, and if you're a dentist carrying six figures of debt, most of the generic coverage you've seen doesn't tell you what actually matters for your situation. We’ll walk you through all five. You'll learn which changes hit practicing dentists, which ones don't, and how to tell whether you're still a good candidate for forgiveness or better off refinancing. Key...

Tune in to the new show, Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth, discover the biggest misconceptions people have about being "financially free," the various forms of FIRE ("Financial Independence, Retire Early"), and more. We're excited to launch this new podcast and hope you subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Follow on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Music , iHeart Radio , or Pocket Casts

Life insurance isn't the most exciting topic — but it can be an important one, especially as your career and family grow. We sit down with Ben Lacomis, CSLP®, a financial planner here at SLP Wealth, who started his career at one of the big Fortune 100 mutual insurance companies. Now, as a fiduciary advisor, he brings a balanced perspective on how to think through your options. We talk about when l...

What career decisions would you reconsider with the wisdom of hindsight? Dr. Cole Smith, DDS, shares the career move he'd revise if given a second chance, and why he might suggest skipping a general residency program. Learn how this Austin-area dentist transitioned to practice ownership without a down payment, discover tips to manage practice profits, and get an inside look at how he's redefined w...

So many dentists we work with are literally throwing money away at retirement — we're talking tens of thousands in unnecessary taxes. But a completely legal, under-the-radar approach lets dental practice owners slash their tax bills both now and in retirement. We reveal our "financial smoothie" approach and how the "three bucket strategy" creates the perfect blend to drop your tax rate. Learn exac...

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a dental practice from the ground up in one of America's most saturated markets? Join us as we chat with Dr. John Oganesyan, DDS, about his journey from USC endodontic residency to establishing a successful dental practice in the competitive Los Angeles market. He shares how he pivoted from larger dental corporations to private practice ownership, includ...

At first glance, investing seems simple — put money in, watch it grow. But just like a night at the casino, emotions, overconfidence, and bad bets can wreck your long-term success. Learn the biggest investment mistakes we see dentists make and how to avoid them. Through personal stories of financial missteps, we'll unpack the dangers of both overly complex and overly simplistic strategies. Plus, w...

Starting a family is a huge milestone, but how do you make it work financially as a dentist? Whether you're in dental school, working as an associate, or running your own practice, family planning comes with big decisions — both personal and financial. SLP Wealth partner and financial planner Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP® joins us to break down the real considerations dentists face when growing the...

You've invested years into building your dental practice — are you doing enough to protect it? We're addressing the essential steps every dentist should consider, from financial safeguards to operational planning and succession strategies. You'll learn how to shield your practice from risk, maintain its value, and ensure long-term success, no matter what challenges arise. Whether you're just start...

Learn how employment classification can make or break your financial plan as we explore the key differences between 1099 independent contractor roles and W-2 employee positions. Special guest Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, CSLP®, CBDA, from the SLP Wealth dental planning team, joins us and shares expert insights on how each option affects your taxes, benefits, legal protections, and long-term financial goal...

What does it take to achieve remarkable growth in your practice? We're joined by special guest Dr. Christian Mullin, a practice owner in Virginia Beach, who shares his inspiring journey of growing his practice's collections from $1.1 million to $1.85 million in just two years. He walks us through his journey from Michigan to Virginia and the mindset shifts, strategies, and relentless pursuit of le...