Ask George: How to Survive Burnout in Dental Practice Ownership

In this episode of Ask George, Dr. George Hariri addresses a critical issue facing the industry: selling your practice early simply because you are tired. While the administrative and HR burdens of modern dental practice ownership drive many doctors to sell to DSOs, doing so prematurely cuts off your greatest wealth-building vehicle. George explains that burnout is not just a qualitative issue—it is a massive quantitative financial threat because the highest return on your investment in dental school comes from operating your cash-flowing practice for the longest possible time.

If you are feeling overwhelmed in your current stage of dental practice ownership, you haven't failed—you simply haven't "nailed" the systems required for that level of success yet. By proactively identifying and solving the specific bottlenecks causing your exhaustion, you can secure your equity, reclaim your time, and maximize your income.

Here is your guide to extending your career and maximizing the financial return of dental practice ownership:

• Audit Your Exhaustion: Track exactly what drains your energy over a two-week period, whether it is a specific type of demanding patient, a stressful clinical procedure like surgical extractions, or daily HR headaches.
• Delegate HR Burdens: If managing staff causes you severe stress, hire an office manager to handle schedule requests and team accountability. The cost of their salary is a small price to pay for the longevity it brings to your career.
• Design a Sustainable Schedule: Restructure your clinical days to prioritize rest, such as working an alternating three-day week that allows for a six-day weekend every two weeks without dropping your operational hours.
• Find Outside Outlets: Once your practice stabilizes and no longer needs aggressive growth, channel your entrepreneurial ambition into hobbies or fitness rather than constantly disrupting your business.
• Protect the Cash Cow: While outside investments like real estate are important, never fund them so aggressively that it ruins your personal lifestyle and causes you to burn out of dentistry.

Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.