Codrea Financial Services

You can have a completely full schedule and still feel like the practice is eating you alive if overhead is out of control.

Overhead is the number that quietly determines whether practice ownership is actually worth it financially. And it's the number that gets the least attention in most practice acquisition conversations.

What counts as overhead? Staff costs, supplies, lab fees, rent, equipment, marketing, utilities, and everything else that isn't your take-home pay. A practice with strong revenue but bloated overhead can leave an owner with less financial flexibility than a smaller practice running lean.

Before you buy or evaluate a practice, understand the overhead percentage and how it compares to what is realistic for your practice type and size. That number tells you more about the financial health of the business than the gross revenue does.

Questions about what to look for in a practice's financials? That's exactly what we work through with dentists at Codrea Financial Services.

Dental school taught you how to save teeth. Nobody taught you what to do with your first paycheck while also owing more than most people's mortgages.

The first year out of dental school is genuinely one of the most financially loaded years of your life. You're finally earning real money, but the decisions you make right now about your loans, your savings, and your spending set the trajectory for everything that comes next.

A few things worth getting right in year one:

1. Know what kind of loan you're holding before you do anything. Federal vs. private changes every decision downstream.
2. Decide on your repayment philosophy early. Aggressive payoff and income-driven forgiveness are both legitimate paths, but they require completely different financial behaviors.
3. Build a basic emergency fund before you throw every extra dollar at debt. One unexpected expense can derail a payoff plan fast.
4. Start retirement contributions even if they feel small. The math on time in the market is not kind to people who wait.
5. Find a financial advisor who has actually worked with dentists before, not one who will look up your loan servicer while you watch.

What was the financial topic nobody warned you about going into your first year? Share below.

Ready to tone up your financial habits this summer? ☀️

Our latest blog shares simple, actionable steps to help you strengthen your “fiscal fitness," from refreshing your budget to reviewing long-term goals.

Read the full article to kick off your strongest financial season yet: https://www.codreafinancialservices.com/articles

Tips to Shape Up Your Fiscal Fitness this Summer Boost your fiscal fitness this summer with smart savings habits, goal‑setting tips, and strategies to trim high‑interest debt.