How to Open a Dental Practice That Generates $2 Million
If you’re searching for a guide for startup dental practice, this webinar from Dr. Scott Leune offers a direct, data-driven path. He breaks down exactly how to open a dental practice that reaches $2 million in collections by year three—with low overhead, a lean team, and no need for advanced procedures.
His central message: you don’t need to buy an existing office, become a “super dentist,” or risk burnout. You just need the right model and the confidence to follow it.
About Dr. Scott Leune
Dr. Scott Leune is a national leader in the dental startup space. After a back injury ended his clinical career, he shifted to building and selling practices. Over two decades, he has helped launch more than 200 dental practice startups. He’s experienced the full range—successes, failures, and turnarounds—and uses those lessons to coach dentists on building profitable, independent practices from scratch.
Notable quotes from Dr. Leune
- “I’ve made and lost millions—I’m not here to guess.”
- “This is a guide for startup dental practice owners who want control, freedom, and wealth.”
The $2 Million Dental Startup Model
If you want to know how to open a dental practice and hit $2M in annual revenue, this is the model Dr. Leune teaches. It’s designed for general dentists—not specialists—and focuses on efficiency over volume.
Practice blueprint:
- 5 operatories;
- 1 general dentist;
- Lean team: 2 front desk, 2 assistants, 2 hygienists;
- Goal: $2M in collections, $1M take-home;
- Overhead: Around 50%;
This isn’t about luxury or scale. It’s about building smart, staying lean, and creating a highly profitable operation.
Why Now Is the Best Time for a Dental Practice Startup
If you’re considering a dental startup, the timing couldn’t be better. Dr. Leune calls this the “golden age” for private practices. COVID reshaped the industry in ways that now favor individual dentists: DSOs slowed growth, landlords need strong tenants, and patients are actively seeking new providers.
What makes now the right time:
- DSOs have paused new locations—less competition;
- Landlords are offering favorable lease terms;
- Patients are more open to switching dentists;
- Banks are funding dental practice startups at higher levels;
Scott’s advice:
- “Don’t wait for perfect timing. It’s already here.”
Startups vs. Buying a Dental Practice
Many dentists default to buying an existing practice. Scott warns that this often leads to disappointment. Existing practices come with old equipment, outdated teams, and unprofitable systems. With a dental startup, you control every detail—from layout to staff culture—and can launch with a modern, optimized business model.
Why Scott prefers startups:
- Full control from day one;
- No need to “fix” inherited problems;
- Smarter, safer, and more profitable over time;
- Easier to brand and grow with intention;
Learn more about Dental Practice: Startup vs. Acquisition
Location, Demographics, and Budgeting for Your Startup
Location is non-negotiable in your dental practice startup. Scott teaches that population size and population-to-dentist ratio are the two key metrics to assess. Once you’ve found a viable area, create a mock budget before negotiating or signing any lease. Budgeting drives every decision in your launch.
Steps from the guide for startup dental practice:
- Identify areas with at least 30,000 people;
- Favorable dentist-to-population ratios;
- Avoid choosing locations based on “gut feeling”;
- Build a budget before lease negotiation begins;
Designing the Right Dental Office
When planning how to open a dental practice, many dentists think bigger is better. Scott argues the opposite. He recommends a compact, beautifully designed space that includes only what’s necessary to operate efficiently.
Ideal setup:
- 1,650 sq. ft. with 5 ops;
- Modern amenities: beverage bar, kid zone, CBCT-ready;
- Clean workflow, strong patient experience;
- Private rooms, ample storage, 2 restrooms;
Scott’s advice:
- “Build small, run lean, and scale profit—not size.”
Smart Equipment Choices for Your Startup
One of the biggest mistakes new owners make is overspending on equipment. Scott urges dentists to purchase brand-new, functional gear—without overpaying for dealer markups. You don’t need luxury brands to build a high-performing practice.
Equipment strategy:
- Avoid overpriced packages from big suppliers;
- Use quality, affordable brands;
- Skip unnecessary extras like high-end cabinetry;
- Save $50K–$100K on equipment alone;
Marketing: What Really Brings in New Patients
Marketing is a make-or-break piece of your dental startup. Dr. Leune outlines a modern approach that blends branding with science. It includes targeting, real photography, conversion-focused landing pages, and email automation.
What to include:
- Real images of your team and office;
- Landing pages for each major service;
- Lead magnets to capture emails;
- Email nurture sequences;
- Paid ads + organic content + phone call handling;
Scott emphasizes:
- “Your phone is where most startups lose money—train your team and track every call.”
Staffing a $2M Dental Startup
You don’t need a massive team to run a successful dental practice startup. Scott shows that with seven team members (plus a virtual assistant), you can run an efficient, high-output operation that stays under 50% overhead.
Suggested team:
- 1 dentist;
- 2 hygienists;
- 2 assistants;
- 2 front desk;
- 1 virtual assistant
Why it works:
- Easier to manage
- Lower payroll burden
- More room to pay top-tier wages and keep staff happy
In conclusion
Dr. Leune closes with a clear message: don’t wait, and don’t settle. Whether you’re wondering how to open a dental practice or already convinced a dental startup is your next move, you need to act with intention—and follow a plan that works.
Here’s what Scott wants every dentist to remember:
- Now is the golden age for startups;
- Most dentists don’t know what’s possible until they see it;
- Startups are safer than buying—if you follow the recipe;
- Size doesn’t equal success—efficiency does;
- Bad advice is everywhere—avoid Facebook ‘experts’ and overpriced reps;
- Smart marketing + beautiful design = fast patient growth;
- Betting on yourself is the most conservative move you can make;
- Every day you wait, you’re losing time and money;