About this episode

In this episode, Dr. George Hariri discusses how aspiring dental practice owners can build a real business rather than just a job.

Welcome back to the Shared Practices podcast. In this episode of Ask George, we’re diving into a question we hear all the time from aspiring owners: H ow do you build a real business instead of just buying yourself a job? Whether you’re preparing to purchase your first practice or thinking about expanding into your second or third location, this conversation will give you a clearer, more honest picture of what ownership really looks like today. Dentistry has changed a lot over the years. With more options like DSOs, choosing private practice is no longer the default—it’s a decision. And for many, that decision means stepping into the role of an entrepreneur. That comes with real challenges: managing rising staff costs, dealing with insurance reimbursements, and navigating tighter margins, especially in a post-COVID landscape. But at the same time, it creates an opportunity to build something that can grow beyond your own clinical work. So what’s the difference between a job and a business? If everything depends on you being in the chair day in and day out, it’s still a job—no matter how successful it looks on paper. A true business is built to operate and generate income even…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. George Hariri

Topics covered

• dental practice ownership
• entrepreneurship
• business management
• staff management
• insurance reimbursement

Keywords

• dental practice
• ownership
• entrepreneur
• business growth
• staff costs
• insurance
• DSOs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Shared Practices Network

Places: COVID

More episodes of Shared Practices | Your Dental Roadmap through Practice Ownership

• Unlocking Group Practice Opportunities For A Solo Dentist - Part 1 · May 4, 2026 · 30 min
• The CEO Mindset: Mastering Dental Business Strategies to Close the Trust Gap · April 20, 2026 · 44 min
• Ask George: The Real Reason Dental Practice Profitability Is Higher Today Than In The Golden Age · April 13, 2026 · 31 min
• How to Choose the Right First Job If Your Goal is Dental Practice Ownership · April 6, 2026 · 31 min
• Ask George - Does Dental Practice Ownership Still Make Sense Today? · March 30, 2026 · 36 min
• The #1 Reason Dental Practice Ownership Enters an Ugly Duckling Phase and How to Survive It · March 23, 2026 · 32 min

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