Transition Talk

When Christy and Charles decided to start Transition Talk in 2018, they didn’t know what a valuable resource it would become and the impact it would have today, but they knew they had educational content to share. The co-hosts celebrate the milestone of 100 episodes by reminiscing about their favorite moments and episodes and sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the road traveled to where they are today.

With the implications of inflation, interest rates and economic volatility looming, some doctors may feel uncertain about making a big career decision. How can current and future practice owners make sense of it all? What can they do to stay positive as they approach a future practice sale? Brian Bortz, Cain Watters & Associates Partner, joins this episode to provide an update on the economy and investment markets. He addresses concerns that buyers and sellers may have and shares how they can navigate the current climate.

Managing the clinical, business and operational side of a dental practice is a juggling act, which means owners likely have a lot of questions swirling in their minds. Charles and Christy use this episode to answer common transition and ownership questions. From preparing for a transition, assessing potential buyers to building and lease questions, this episode provides clarity and insight on a wide range of topics.

With a constant buzz surrounding dental service organizations (DSOs) and private equity (PE) firms, practice owners may wonder if this is the appropriate route for them and their practice. Christy and Charles explain the types of qualities that DSOs and PE firms look for, while also while also illustrating both the opportunity and risks of the corporate sale.

From navigating a three-doctor partnership, a child’s health diagnosis, busy schedules and much more, pediatric dentist Dr. Michelle Decere had to figure out what works and what doesn’t to keep the wheels moving. In this episode, she shares her story and shows that sometimes the keys to a fulfilling lifestyle are leveraging your support system, setting priorities and finding balance.

Dr. Christy Marcello is the only female specialist dual trained in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the state of Louisiana. And as a practice owner, wife and mom, she understands the weight and stress that many women endure as they seek perfection. Tune in to hear her story and how she strives to be not the best, but rather be the best version of herself.

Not only is goodwill a large contributing factor to the overall practice value, but because it’s intangible, the handoff between the buyer and seller isn’t as simple as handing over the keys. Yet, it has to be addressed. In this episode, Christy and Charles discuss why goodwill matters, when it’s worth more or less, what sellers may be expected to do to transition goodwill, what buyers can reasonably ask for and ways a buyer and seller can tarnish goodwill.

We get it. You are ready to close that deal. Whether it’s excitement, anxiety or another feeling or reason, many people just want to get through their dental transition and close the deal as quickly as possible. However, speeding through the process can lead to oversight of important details and even complications to the overall transition. NDP’s Head of Consulting Bridget Schwebke joins Christy on this episode to walk through some common occurrences and provide tips on how to slow down and treat each phase with diligence.

Dental transitions between family members come with their own set of expectations, obstacles and even perks. Charles welcomes a father-son duo, Drs. Rick and Kyle Washut, to share their transition story, the lessons learned and wins along the way.

In the world of dentistry, it’s not uncommon to see two young people meet in dental school and journey together into their careers. That’s where it began for Drs. Todd and Terrah Larrabee, owners of a family dentistry and orthodontic practice and parents of two boys. Their message to any other couples in dentistry is clear: Practice ownership is about creating your own dream rather than fitting into someone else’s. If you desire it, find a way to make it happen. Tune in for their full story.