Dear Reader,
There’s something powerful about December. It’s a natural pause in the year, a moment between what has happened and everything that could happen next.
For established dentists, this moment means even more. You’re not just thinking about January’s schedule or next quarter’s production. You’re thinking about long-term direction. You’re thinking about stability. You’re thinking about comfort, freedom, retirement, legacy, and what you want the next chapter of your life to look like.
Whether you plan to keep practicing for years or you’re quietly wondering whether 2026 or 2027 might be the right time to sell, this last month of the year is where your future begins.
Because starting the new year strong isn’t about motivation, it’s about clarity. It’s about intention. It’s about aligning your decisions with your goals, not drifting into another year out of habit.
Here’s how to make sure 2026 is one of your strongest, most strategic years yet.
- Begin With an Honest Look at Where You Stand
Before you think about goals, growth, or possible transitions, start with the big picture:
How is your practice really doing?
Not the surface-level answers. Not the “we’re fine” you say to colleagues. A real look.
Was 2025 stable?
Was it a growth year?
Was it a year where you felt yourself pushing uphill?
Did you feel energized by your practice… or drained by it?
These aren’t just emotional questions; they’re diagnostic ones. Your day-to-day experience tells you as much about the health of the business as any spreadsheet. If you felt strong, confident, and steady this year, you’re starting 2026 from a position of strength.
If the year felt heavy or inconsistent, that’s a signal. Not a failure, a signal. And signals give you direction.
- Decide What You Want 2026 to Actually Do for You
Too many dentists build goals based on production alone. Production is important, of course, but the real question is:
What do you want 2026 to give you?
Less stress?
More stability?
Better profitability?
More time off?
A more predictable team?
Clearer systems?
A practice that runs smoother without you?
Or perhaps clarity about whether you want to sell?
Different goals require different strategies.
If you want to grow, you need more high-value dentistry, stronger hygiene systems, and operational tightening. If you want more ease and predictability, you need better systems, stronger leadership support, and less owner-dependent scheduling.
If you’re thinking about selling, even just casually, you need to strengthen your valuation, boost EBITDA, and clean up any operational drift.
Start with the life you want. Then design the practice around it, not the other way around.
- Build a 90-Day Plan Instead of a 12-Month One
Most annual plans fail because they’re too big. They’re vague. They get forgotten. That’s why I encourage doctors to start the new year with a 90-day plan, something short, clear, and achievable.
Ask yourself:
“What three things would make the biggest difference in my practice if we fixed them by April 1st?”
It could be:
- Strengthening hygiene
- Increasing implant or cosmetic case acceptance
- Reducing cancellations
- Improving staff communication
- Getting supply and lab spending back under control
- Updating old equipment
- Bringing consistency to your schedule
- Or finally getting an honest valuation of your practice
Three goals. Ninety days. This creates clarity, momentum, and measurable progress, the opposite of drifting into another year.
- Make High-Value Dentistry a Priority (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
This one is simple: If you want higher profitability, more stability, and a stronger valuation, high-value dentistry must be part of your 2026 plan.
Not because it’s trendy. Not because DSOs love it (but yes… they absolutely do). It’s because it gives you more practice strength with less strain.
Fewer appointments. More meaningful treatment. Better patient outcomes. Higher EBIDTA. Stronger negotiating leverage. A more confident team. And a practice that isn’t dependent on volume to survive. No matter what 2026 holds, high-value dentistry strengthens your position.
- Take Control of Your Numbers Before They Take Control of You
If you’ve been meaning to take a closer look at your metrics… If you’ve been wondering whether your overhead is creeping too high… If you’ve noticed your hygiene reappointment rate slipping… If you’re unsure whether your case acceptance is where it should be…This is the time to get answers.
Not in June. Not “after things calm down.” Now. Strong numbers give you stability. Weak numbers give you information. Burying your head gives you nothing. Knowing exactly where you stand in January gives you power, the power to correct course before problems grow.
- If Selling Might Be in Your Future, Start Preparing Now
You don’t need to decide today. You don’t need a broker. You don’t need to sign anything. You don’t even need to know for sure what your timeline is. But you do need to be informed.
The strongest sales happen when the dentist isn’t rushed, isn’t stressed, isn’t burned out, and isn’t trying to fix five issues at once.
If 2026 might be the year you explore selling, or even if you’re just curious, start learning what buyers look for, how they evaluate practices, and how to position yourself for the best possible outcome. You deserve to sell from a place of strength, not necessity.
- The Strongest Possible Start Comes From One Thing: Clarity
Clarity takes away fear. Clarity reduces stress. Clarity gives you choices.
Clarity lets you design the future instead of reacting to it. As you close out this year, give yourself that clarity.
Look at your numbers. Reflect on your year. Decide what you want next. Take control of your timeline. And build your 2026 with intention, not inertia.
If you want help evaluating your options, strengthening your practice, or understanding what your future could look like, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
To your unstoppable success,
Your Team at Everything DSO
