Ash is live at the Southwest Dental Conference, and he welcomes
David Mitchell Mejia a third-year dental student at Texas A&M with a background in accounting. David joins the show to ask key questions that many dental students have about transitioning from school to the business side of dentistry. Ash provides guidance on topics including choosing a practice location, building a team of professional advisors, exploring financing options, and the importance of reviewing associateship agreements.

The conversation covers practical steps dental students and new grads can take to better position themselves for professional and financial success. Ash discusses building relationships with legal, accounting, and insurance professionals, and emphasizes tailoring decisions to individual circumstances—whether deciding to open a practice, join a DSO, or remain an associate. Other important topics include managing personal finances, setting up retirement savings, and the differences between working in DSOs versus private practice.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Transitioning from dental school to professional practice

• Choosing a practice location and its impact on personal life

• Importance of building a trusted team of legal, accounting, and financial advisors

• How to evaluate and negotiate associateship agreements

• Deciding between opening a practice, joining a DSO, or becoming an associate

• Understanding compensation structures and non-compete clauses

• Differences between DSO/corporate dentistry and private practice

• Managing personal finances and planning for taxes as a new dentist

• Retirement planning options such as IRAs, SEP, and 401k

• Recommended resources and strategies for gaining business knowledge in dentistry