In the latest episode of Beyond Bitewings, the team at Edwards & Associates dives into a critical topic for dental practice owners: investing beyond your practice to build long-term wealth and financial freedom. Host Ash is joined by investment experts Paul Montelongo, Eric Miller, and Nathan Turner, who share a range of strategies designed to help dentists grow their income streams and secure their financial future.

Building Wealth Outside the Practice

While your dental practice is a powerful income generator, it shouldn’t be your only source of wealth. As the episode highlights, real financial freedom comes from creating multiple income streams, ones that can eventually support you when you step away from day-to-day operations.

The key takeaway? Start early and think of your household as your “parent company.” Just as large corporations build a structure of profitable subsidiaries, your practice and investments should support the financial health of your family unit.

Alternative Investment Options

The episode introduces several compelling investment strategies:

• Multifamily Syndications
  Paul Montelongo explains how these investments typically involve 5-year business plans, but many properties are sold within 33 months based on market readiness. Investors, or limited partners (LPs), enjoy passive income and ownership without day-to-day involvement. Distributions are made quarterly, with clearly defined rates of return.
• Note Investing
  Nathan Turner discusses buying residential mortgage notes, essentially becoming the lender without owning the property. These offer stable returns (8% fixed in some cases), quarterly distributions, and the potential for asset control with less operational risk. Turner highlights the importance of understanding property value, clean title, and lien positioning before purchasing.
• Traditional and Diversified Portfolios
  Eric Miller outlines a well-rounded investment strategy, which includes:
  • Stocks and bonds (especially dividend-paying or municipal bonds)
  • Real estate holdings (individually or via syndicates)
  • Insurance-based products (such as annuities or cash value life insurance)

He emphasizes that a diversified portfolio can provide tax benefits, predictable returns, and long-term security.

Pay Yourself First, But With Purpose

One of the most important themes discussed is the idea that many practice owners underpay themselves. Miller recommends allocating 10% of your practice revenue to yourself, not for spending, but for investing. This helps create new income streams that can support your family long after you stop practicing.

Many dentists underestimate how much revenue they truly need to cover operational and personal financial goals. By reworking your budget and investing strategically, you can eliminate cash flow stress and build meaningful reserves.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to investing or looking to diversify beyond the stock market, this episode offers practical insights tailored to dental professionals. The experts reinforce that smart investing isn’t about chasing the next big thing, it’s about building consistent, long-term growth that supports your goals both inside and outside your practice.

Ready to put your money to work? Start thinking beyond the chair and into a future where your financial health is just as strong as your clinical expertise.