Financing for Dental Practice Owners: How to Choose the Right Lending Partner and Build Wealth Early – webinar by Dr. Scott Leune
In today’s dynamic dental landscape, financing a dental practice—whether it’s a startup or an acquisition—can feel daunting. That’s why this webinar, “Aligning with the Right Capital Partner,” brought together Dr. Scott Leune, founder of Breakaway Seminars, and financial experts Paul Mater and Gina Buchmeyer from Provide, a dental-focused lender and subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank. Together, they unpacked how to choose the right lending partner, navigate dental practice financing options, and set up long-term success through smart financial alignment.
About the Hosts
Dr. Scott Leune – Founder of Useful Seminars & Dental Entrepreneur
Dr. Scott Leune is one of the most respected thought leaders in the business side of dentistry. Known for his sharp business acumen and no-fluff education style, Scott has coached thousands of dentists through their journeys of opening, acquiring, and scaling dental practices. As the founder of Dr. Scott Leune Seminars, his mission is to equip dentists with the real-world financial and operational strategies needed to thrive as business owners—not just clinicians.
His expertise spans dental practice startups, multi-location growth, operational efficiency, and associate-to-owner transitions. Whether it’s navigating dental practice financing, understanding P&Ls, or making critical hiring decisions, Scott blends practical wisdom with strategic foresight. His teachings have helped accelerate the path to ownership for countless dentists across the U.S.
Paul Mater – National Sales Manager, Provide
Paul Mater brings over two decades of experience in dental lending, private practice, and the DSO (Dental Service Organization) world. His role at Provide—a fintech lender focused on healthcare—centers on educating and supporting dentists as they explore financing for dental practice ownership, expansion, and long-term career growth.
With deep knowledge of dental practice acquisition loans, scalability strategies, and lender expectations, Paul advises doctors not just on securing a loan, but on how to align their funding with their vision. His real-world insights into practice growth and operational transitions are particularly valuable for dentists aiming to build a multi-practice portfolio.
Gina Buchmeyer – Regional Director, Provide
Gina Buchmeyer specializes in dental practice startup loans and commercial real estate lending, and has become a trusted guide for new and seasoned dentists navigating the complexities of launching a practice. Her territory covers the Southern Central U.S., where she’s known for her consultative approach and ability to structure creative financing packages tailored to each doctor’s goals.
Gina not only understands the numbers—she deeply understands the journey. From initial planning and pre-qualification to permitting, construction draws, and post-launch coaching, Gina is hands-on in helping clients secure the right funding at the right time. Her passion is empowering doctors to dream big and build practices that reflect their values and ambition.
Key Highlights
1. Mindset and Strategy When Seeking Financing
When it comes to financing a dental practice, Scott Leune emphasizes that the journey starts with mindset, not money. Too many doctors assume they need “perfect” finances before even speaking to a bank—but that’s a myth.
“Even if your finances aren’t perfect, go through the process. You’ll learn where you stand and what’s possible.”
Scott encourages doctors to approach lenders early—whether they’re opening a practice next month or in five years. Understanding what you qualify for today helps you create a roadmap for tomorrow.
2. Choosing the Right Capital Partner
Scott believes the capital partner you choose can significantly impact your practice’s trajectory. A strong partner isn’t just a lender—they’re a collaborator who understands the nuances of dental practice financing and is prepared to grow with you.
“Provide is strong on fully capitalizing dentists—offering higher loan amounts and more flexibility than most.”
He recommends working with a lender that supports all stages of ownership—from startup loans to practice acquisition, real estate, and even working capital. Flexibility, relationship, and transparency are key.
3. What Lenders Look For
Dr. Leune breaks down what banks actually care about when reviewing business financing for dental ventures:
- Cash flow is king: Banks need to see that for every $1 you owe, you’re earning at least $1.25.
- Personal expenses matter: Keep your cost of living lean, especially in early ownership years.
- Outside income helps: Holding onto a part-time associateship during the first year of ownership significantly strengthens your profile.
- Liquidity is more important than debt repayment: Don’t rush to pay down student loans if it depletes your savings.
“Don’t rush to pay down student loans. Build liquidity—that’s your war chest.”
4. Optimizing for Startups
When pursuing a dental practice startup loan, Scott emphasizes the need for proactive planning:
- Get prequalified before you choose your space.
- Build your vision around what the bank will fund—not the other way around.
- Retain part-time work during the early phase of your startup.
“The higher your income and the lower your personal expenses, the stronger your profile.”
He stresses that securing startup financing is not just about financial readiness—it’s about telling a compelling story, backed by production history, associate income, and a smart strategy.
5. Smart Acquisition Moves
On the topic of dental practice acquisition loans, Scott recommends:
- Using pro forma analysis to evaluate real post-sale profitability—not just seller P&Ls.
- Understanding that outdated practices (paper charts, aging equipment) can be golden opportunities when paired with the right renovation budget.
- Partnering with a lender like Provide who can finance not just the purchase, but modernization, equipment upgrades, marketing, and coaching.
“It’s like buying a house with an old kitchen. You get to redesign it—and with the right lender, you can finance that too.”
6. The Value of Coaching
Scott is a vocal advocate for dental coaching—and sees it as a make-or-break factor for doctors who want to succeed early.
“Provide will even finance coaching into your loan. That tells you how important this piece is.”
He compares it to opening a restaurant—no one would launch one without guidance. Dental practices are no different. Good coaches can shorten your learning curve, protect you from costly mistakes, and help you scale smarter.
7. The Big Picture: Build Wealth Early
Scott closes with a powerful reminder: waiting until your finances are “perfect” could delay ownership—and cost you years of income potential.
“Let’s not make any assumptions about whatever financial situation we’re in. The fastest way to wealth is owning the practice sooner.”
He encourages dentists to shift their mindset from fear to action. Building wealth in dentistry isn’t just about clinical skill—it’s about strategic ownership, and that starts with smart dental practice financing decisions.
Takeaway:
This webinar served as an essential guide for any dentist navigating the road to ownership. With insights from both financial professionals and Dr. Scott Leune’s real-world experience, the session shed light on everything from dental practice financing strategy to securing business financing for dental ventures. Whether acquiring your first practice or launching a startup, aligning with the right capital partner is not just smart—it’s essential.