Dental Wealth & Exit Planning with Tim McNeely

If you’re a dentist wondering how to keep more of your income, pay less tax, and prepare for a high-value practice sale, the best time to start is now. Exit planning isn’t just about retirement — it's a strategy to keep your practice more profitable and less stressful today.

In this episode of Dental Office Rescue, Linda Kane talks with Tim McNeely, CFP®, CIMA®, CEPA®, founder of The Dental Exit Institute and author of Dental Wealth Nation. Tim shares how dentists at any stage can grow wealth, protect assets, and create a smooth, profitable exit — whether that’s years away or just around the corner.

Exit Planning Increases Practice Value

Many dentists think exit planning is only for retirement. Tim says that’s a mistake. Focusing on enterprise value early helps you:

• Improve cash flow and profit margins
• Build stronger team systems
• Keep clean, attractive financials
• Create better patient experiences

Even if you won’t sell for years, these improvements make your practice easier to manage and more enjoyable now.

“If you build a business to sell, you’re going to have a business that runs better today.” – Tim McNeely

Building Wealth at Any Stage of Your Dental Career

Early Career (New Dentists & Associates)
Track your practice-related finances from day one — know your student loans, equipment debt, and personal assets. Protect your income with an own-occupation disability policy designed for dentists. Seek out mentors who can guide you in both clinical skills and business management.

Mid-Career (Practice Owners & Growth Stage)
Apply exit planning strategies to improve production, collections, and profitability now. Decide if you’re running a lifestyle practice or building an enterprise for maximum valuation. Invest in systems, case presentation skills, and hygiene production training to grow your patient base.

Late Career (Preparing to Transition or Retire)
Calculate your wealth gap — the difference between current assets (practice value, investments, real estate) and what you’ll need after dentistry. Upgrade strategically before selling, and work with a dental-specific CPA, attorney, and broker for a smooth transition.

Protect Your Income & Build the Right Team

Income protection is often overlooked. Over a career, a general dentist can earn $7–10 million, yet one in three will face a disability long enough to need benefits. The right coverage protects your income and keeps your financial plan on track.

Tim recommends stress testing your financial plan, just like a health checkup, to confirm it will deliver the results you expect. Review your goals, make sure your advisors’ strategies align, and fix any gaps before they become costly problems. The right advisors save time, money, and stress — so get referrals from trusted peers and look for dental-specific experts, not generic influencers.

Action Steps for Dentists

1. Define your personal and business goals.
2. Review your practice systems with exit planning in mind.
3. Stress test your financial plan.
4. Protect your income.
5. Build a trusted advisory team.

Resources

Linda Kane
📖 Get your free copy of Dental Office Rescue: rescuemydentaloffice.com
🌐 Zeroed-In Dental Solutions — Helping dentists reduce burnout and regain control

Tim McNeely
🌐 timmcneely.com
📱 Call or text: (818) 534-4949
🔗 LinkedIn
📚 Dental Wealth Nation — A guide to building lasting wealth and legacy

Start today. The earlier you focus on building wealth, protecting assets, and planning your exit, the more options you’ll have — and the more you’ll enjoy your practice now.