At age 61, the word “retirement” feels funny to me. I put it in quotes because it means something different to everyone.
About 18 months ago, I decided to experiment—I listed my practice for sale with a well-known brokerage in the Southeast, and I also spoke with a private equity group. Let’s just say the equity deal didn’t pass the sniff test; my CPA, my son (also a dentist), and I all agreed it looked like a bad arrangement for both doctors and patients.
The broker, who handles only private doctor-to-doctor sales, explained that my office would require a rare buyer: someone with 10 to 15 years of experience in veneers, full-arch crown and bridge, extractions, and implant surgery, and equally important, someone who could handle very demanding Palm Beach patients with grace.
She also called mine a legacy practice: a small, relationship--driven office where every patient comes specifically to see me, not because I’m on their insurance plan. My practice has been in the same location since 1958. The paper charts go back so far that one shows “Moses—three gold shekels for a cleaning.” The receptionist thought it said three gold schmeckles and eloped with him.
A small practice that works
I’ve always kept it lean: three operatories, one hygienist, one assistant, one front desk, no associates. We work four days a week, with a solid lunch break (non-
negotiable). The office is 750 square feet of prime real estate tucked inside a luxury condo on the Intracoastal—beautiful, invisible, and efficient.
Even though I sometimes feel “less busy,” the numbers tell another story. The practice consistently grosses around $2 million a year with about 50% overhead. My CPA, who’s been with me for 33 years, keeps everything running smartly and legally.
When I listed the office for $2 million, prequalified buyers were ready. But I didn’t sell.
Why I didn’t sell
Here’s the math that made the decision easy: After brokerage fees and capital gains tax, I’d net roughly $1.2 million. Invested conservatively, that might yield about 5%, or $60,000 per year.
Why give up the “chicken that lays the golden eggs” for $60,000, when I can work just two days a week and earn $500,000, while still writing off legitimate business expenses and letting my existing investments keep growing?
I still enjoy cosmetic and implant dentistry. I just wish I didn’t have to come back after lunch. But at this stage, I can choose to work fewer hours, keep my skills sharp, and still do the kind of dentistry I love.
Simplifying life
Over the past few years, I’ve trimmed my expenses: smaller home, no car payments, reduced insurance premiums, and lower utility costs. The result? Freedom. I no longer need to stash away massive amounts for kids’ education, down payments, or retirement.
My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s, so I do everything I can to stay mentally active: drum lessons, guitar lessons, and I even play in a local School of Rock adult band. I exercise, read constantly, and surround myself with people—coworkers and patients—who keep me laughing and thinking.
The real exit strategy
I’ve read the same articles you have: “Keep your gross revenue high so you can sell for more.” But for me, the smarter plan is to keep the chicken laying the golden eggs. Just spend less time at the farm or hire a young farmhand.
Even if production dips a little, the practice remains a valuable asset, a reliable ATM that lets me draw income while my investments and real estate continue to appreciate. Someday, when I really am ready to hang up my handpiece, the practice and the property will still have significant value.
The longer I delay tapping into my nest egg, the better. In the meantime, I get to keep doing what I enjoy, on my terms.
And that, to me, is the best kind of retirement there is.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the February 2026 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
