# How does an associate become a practice owner? Ownership has become less common: 72.5% of U.S. dentists owned a private practice in 2023, down from 84.7% in 2005, according to the ADA Health Policy Institute. Associates reach ownership by buying in, buying an existing practice or opening a new one, as the [practice lifecycle](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle) guide outlines. By DDSIntel Editorial. Source: DDSIntel, https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/associate-to-owner. Published 2026-10-26; data as of 2026-10-25. ## Key numbers - **72.5%** of U.S. dentists owned a private practice (ADA Health Policy Institute, 2023; https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-practice-research) - **84.7%** owned a private practice in 2005 (ADA Health Policy Institute, 2005; https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-practice-research) - **21%** of 2016-20 dental graduates owned a practice three to seven years out (ADA Health Policy Institute (ADA News), 2025; https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/june/hpi-younger-dentists-still-become-practice-owners-just-later-in-careers/) - **5,000,000** dollars, the maximum SBA 7(a) loan amount (SBA, 2026; https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility) ## What are the paths from associate to owner? Three routes are common: an associate buy-in to the practice where the dentist already works, the purchase of an existing practice from a retiring owner, and a new start-up. A buy-in suits a trusted working relationship, a purchase brings patients on day one, and [starting a practice](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/starting-a-practice) avoids paying for goodwill. ## How common is ownership among younger dentists? Ownership comes later in a career than it used to. The ADA Health Policy Institute reports that 21% of 2016-20 dental graduates owned practices three to seven years after school. The institute’s own headline says younger dentists still become owners, just later in their careers, so early-career figures understate eventual ownership. ## How do associates finance a practice purchase? Many buyers use a practice-lender loan or an SBA 7(a) loan, and some sellers finance part of the price. The SBA states the maximum 7(a) loan amount is $5 million, and the program covers changes of ownership, complete or partial. Terms vary by lender, so a CPA and an attorney should review any structure. ## How do associates compete with DSOs for a practice? Dental support organizations are active buyers: TUSK Practice Sales reported at least 175 practice locations sold to DSOs in the first half of 2026. Associates often compete on continuity, since an owner may value a successor who keeps the team and patients, and a buy-in lets the owner choose the timing. Neither route suits every owner. Related guides: [how to start a dental practice](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/starting-a-practice), [what drives practice value](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/value-drivers), [dental practice succession planning](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/succession-planning). Owner age data is in [dentist age distribution](https://ddsintel.com/data/dentist-age-distribution), and [dental transition signals](https://ddsintel.com/signals) show in aggregate where owners may be planning. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I buy my first dental practice? Choose a route (buy-in, purchase or start-up), arrange financing, then search, negotiate and complete due diligence with a CPA and an attorney. ### Are fewer dentists owning practices? Yes. The ADA Health Policy Institute reports 72.5% in 2023 against 84.7% in 2005. ### What is an associate buy-in? An arrangement in which an associate buys an ownership share of the practice where they work, often in stages, so the owner can step back gradually. ### Can an SBA loan be used to buy a practice? The SBA lists changes of ownership, complete or partial, among 7(a) uses; lenders set their own terms. ## Sources 1. ADA Health Policy Institute. Dental practice research. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-practice-research 2. ADA News. HPI: Younger dentists still become practice owners, just later in careers. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/june/hpi-younger-dentists-still-become-practice-owners-just-later-in-careers/ 3. U.S. Small Business Administration. 7(a) loans. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans 4. TUSK Practice Sales, via PR Newswire. TUSK Practice Sales assesses the state of the dental industry in its Q3 2026 dental market report (July 10, 2026). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tusk-practice-sales-assesses-the-state-of-the-dental-industry-in-its-q3-2026-dental-market-report-302823046.html --- DDSIntel is a dental transition intelligence platform that detects pre-market dental practice transition signals for brokers, DSOs, lenders and the firms that serve them.