How much does it cost to start a dental practice?

A new dental practice typically costs $350,000 to $750,000, making it one of the most expensive healthcare businesses to start. The largest expense is dental equipment, with a single operatory costing $50,000-$100,000 to equip. Many dentists finance 80-100% of startup costs through specialized dental practice loans with favorable terms.

Should I start a new dental practice or buy an existing one?

Buying an existing practice costs similar to starting new ($300,000-$700,000) but comes with an immediate patient base and cash flow. Starting from scratch gives you a modern office and no legacy issues, but building a patient base takes 2-3 years. Most dental consultants recommend purchasing if you can find a practice in your target market.

How long until a new dental practice is profitable?

Most new dental practices take 18-36 months to reach profitability. A dentist seeing 10-15 new patients per month can expect to break even around month 18-24. Once established, dental practices average 30-40% overhead on collections, making them among the most profitable healthcare businesses.

Dental Practice Startup Cost Comparison

Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Chicago, IL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

$328,000 - $821,000

COL Index: 120.4

Chicago, IL

$330,000 - $827,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Formation & Dental Licensing	$3,000 - $12,000	$5,600 - $12,000	-15%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$18,300 - $68,500	$23,500 - $88,000	-22%
Dental Equipment & Technology	$150,000 - $350,000	$150,000 - $350,000	Same
Dental Supplies & Materials	$10,000 - $30,000	$10,000 - $30,000	Same
Dental Office Build-Out	$68,400 - $171,000	$69,000 - $172,500	-1%
Malpractice & Business Insurance (Annual)	$8,000 - $20,000	$8,000 - $20,000	Same
Marketing & Patient Acquisition	$10,000 - $25,000	$10,000 - $25,000	Same
Working Capital (3-6 Months)	$60,200 - $144,500	$53,900 - $129,400	+12%
Total Estimated Cost	$328,000 - $821,000	$330,000 - $827,000	-1%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Fort Lauderdale	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	120.4	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$22 - $48	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.14	1.15
Sales Tax	7%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$13.00/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$125	$150

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