Making an associate into a partial or full owner of your dental practice can feel like a natural step. However, associate buy-outs carry legal risks that can compromise your long-term plans and finances. Understanding the key areas where disputes come up—timing, valuation, and contractual protections—can protect your interests and keep the transition...
Lease vs. Purchase: Legal Considerations for Your Dental Clinic’s Real Estate
Deciding whether to rent a building or purchase your own real estate for your dental clinic can have significant legal implications for you and your practice. It’s essential to consider various factors, including your control over the space, financial and legal liability, build-out viability, long-term stability, and contract terms.
Protecting Dental Records: Malpractice Defense
If you’re facing a dental malpractice claim, your patient’s records can become one of the most essential pieces of evidence you have to defend yourself against the patient’s allegations. As a result, protecting these records is one of the most critical steps you can take as you prepare your defense.
Navigating Dental Practice Sales to DSOs
In the dental field, dental support organizations (DSOs) provide non-clinical administrative support to practices. Many dentists partner with DSOs to handle the business side of their practices so they can focus on patient care.
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of DSOs acquiring dental practices. Dentists...
Employee or Independent Contractor? What New Dental Practices Need to Know
As a dental practice owner, you may have a choice between filling your staff with employees or independent contractors. However, before you make a hiring decision, you should understand the differences between employees and independent contractors and the legal and financial implications of those differences.
Understanding the DifferenceLegal Tips for Dental Startups Looking to Sell Equity or Bring on Investors
Newer dental practices may seek outside investment to finance continued growth, such as through opening new locations. However, practice owners should familiarize themselves with best practices to follow when selling equity.
Understanding the Type of Entity You’ve FormedThe first step in bringing on investors...
Can You Own a Dental Practice Without Being a Dentist? A Legal Deep Dive
Can a Non-Dentist Own a Dental Practice?
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Non-dentists generally cannot own or control a dental practice directly in states that follow the corporate practice of dentistry doctrine. However, many states allow non-dentists to participate legally through management service organizations (MSOs) or related business structures. Understanding your state’s rules...
Risk Management Strategies for New Dental Practices
Starting a new dental practice can offer practitioners an exciting professional and financial opportunity. However, opening a new practice comes with risks that owners should recognize and understand how to manage. Risk management for new dental practices should involve more than reacting when issues arise. Instead, risk management should also include proactively...
Wage and Hour Laws for Dental Startups: Avoiding Common Mistakes
One of the early mistakes practice owners and managers may make when starting a new dental practice is violating state and federal wage and hour laws. Practices should familiarize themselves with the applicable laws and the common mistakes dental startups make when paying workers.
Understanding Wage and Hour...How AI and Technology Are Changing Dental Insurance Agreements
Are you noticing more AI-driven changes in your insurance agreements and wondering what they could mean for your dental practice? Here’s what you need to know about these developments and how a lawyer can help you protect your business.
Automation and AI in Claims Processing