Ladd Dental Group

There’s no one “best” model that fits every dentist — but joint ventures (JVs) are increasingly seen as one of the most strategic dental practice models in 2026 , especially for doctors who want ownership + operational support without the full burden of solo business risk. Here’s a breakdown of where the JV model fits in the current dental landscape: 🔑 What a Joint Venture Typically Is A joint venture in dentistry usually means a dentist partners with a Dental Support Organization (DSO) or group entity where: The DSO buys a majority equity stake (often 51–80%) of the practice. The dentist retains a substantial minority equity stake (often 20–49%). Both parties share profits and expenses through a JV entity. The DSO provides business infrastructure (HR, billing, recruiting, marketing, etc.). The dentist typically signs an employment agreement tied to the JV. This gives clinicians a balance between ownership and support — you’re not fully selling out, but you...

 When an owner dentist earns $5,000 more per month ($60,000/year) than an associate but works 260 additional hours per year to earn it, the financial math is only part of the story. Through the lens of provider burnout , it becomes much more significant. The Burnout Equation 260 extra hours per year = 5 extra hours per week The equivalent of adding ~6.5 additional 40-hour work weeks annually That’s not just “a little more work.” That’s essentially another month and a half of full-time labor — layered on top of clinical dentistry , leadership responsibilities, financial risk, and operational oversight. When that incremental effort only yields $60,000 more per year, the industry has to ask: Is ownership still delivering a proportional return — financially and personally? 1. Ownership Stress Is Different From Associate Stress An associate’s stress is primarily clinical: Production pressure Patient outcomes Schedule flow An owner’s stress is layered: ...

 When owner dentists make $60,000 more per year than associates but have to work on average  an extra 260 hours per year to earn it, it says a lot about margins, risk, and the changing value proposition of ownership in dentistry. Let’s break it down. The Math $5,000 more per month for owners = $60,000 more per year 260 additional hours worked per year = about 5 extra hours per week $60,000 ÷ 260 hours = ~$230 per extra hour What This Means for the Dental Industry 1. The Ownership Premium Is Shrinking Historically, ownership meant: Significant income upside Equity growth Wealth creation If the income gap narrows to $60,000 annually — and requires significantly more time and stress — the financial incentive to own becomes less compelling, especially for younger dentists graduating with heavy debt. This partly explains why: More dentists are choosing associate roles Large DSOs are able to recruit talent more easily Fewer dentists are pu...

 As we look ahead to 2026, one of our biggest strategic priorities is simple—but powerful: intentional co-marketing with best-in-class dental partners . Dentistry is evolving rapidly. Technology, patient financing, digital workflows, and clinical innovation are moving faster than ever before. We believe the best way to keep delivering exceptional care is by collaborating closely with organizations that share our commitment to growth, service, and innovation. That’s why we’re proud to be deepening relationships and launching co-marketing initiatives with outstanding partners like Dandy , AirPay , Patterson Dental , and Denticon —with even more collaborations on the horizon. Why Co-Marketing Matters More Than Ever Co-marketing is about more than shared logos or joint announcements. At its best, it creates aligned value for patients, team members, and the broader dental community . Through strategic collaboration, we’re able to: Introduce patients to innovative treatment so...

 At LADD Dental Group , we have always believed that our people are the heartbeat of our organization. The care we provide to our patients begins with the care, support, and investment we pour into our team members. That’s why we are incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with Peoplr — a collaboration that represents a major step forward in enhancing our workplace culture and team experience. Investing in Our Greatest Asset — Our People As we continue to grow across our communities, maintaining a strong, people-first culture is essential. Partnering with Peoplr allows us to be intentional and strategic in how we support, develop, and empower every team member across LADD Dental Group . Peoplr brings deep expertise in human resources, talent development, and organizational culture. Their partnership will help us ensure that our systems, communication, and leadership development pathways continue to evolve alongside our growth. What This Partnership Means for Our Team ...

 At LADD Dental Group , community isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a foundational pillar of who we are and how we serve. Dentistry , at its core, is a people-first profession. Every smile we care for belongs to a neighbor, a family member, a co-worker, or a friend. That perspective shapes every decision we make, from how we design our patient experience to how we communicate outside the walls of our offices. We believe that when a dental practice is deeply rooted in its community, patients feel it. They see it in the way they’re greeted, in the transparency of conversations about treatment, and in the consistency of care over time. Trust isn’t built in a single appointment — it’s developed through relationships, education, and authentic connection. Community Means Showing Up — Even Outside the Office For us, community involvement extends far beyond clinical dentistry . Whether we’re supporting local schools, sponsoring events, partnering with charities, or investing in outreach initia...