Blog

Welcome to the Polished Legal Blog where you'll find clear insight, real guidance, and no fluff.  We provide entrepreneurial dentists with smart, accessible content on practice ownership, legal strategy, and building a business that reflects their values.

Categories

Resources

    • A clean, modern dental office with a blue dental chair, overhead light, and various dental instruments. White cabinets and a computer are visible in the background on wood-patterned flooring. Sunlight streams through a window.

      Dental Practice Purchases: A Checklist for First-Time Buyers

      Buying a dental practice typically follows a sequence of legal, financial, and operational steps. While every transaction has unique details,…

      March 13, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A close-up of various dental tools and instruments arranged in a holder at a dentist’s office, with a blurred background.

      Financing a Dental Practice Purchase: What Your Lawyer Wants You to Know

      Many dental practice purchases occur through financing, whether from a traditional financial institution, the SBA, a state business agency, or…

      March 13, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A modern dental clinic with an orange dental chair, dental equipment, cabinets, and a clock on the wall. Sunlight streams in through a window, brightening the clean, organized room.

      How Much Does Buying a Dental Practice Cost?

      When you decide to acquire an existing dental practice or learn that a dentist has decided to put their practice…

      March 10, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A dental mirror, explorer, scaler, and a row of artificial teeth are arranged on a blue disposable dental bib.

      Turnkey vs. Growth Opportunity: Which Type of Dental Practice Should You Buy?

      Dental practices that come up for sale present various business opportunities for buyers. Some practices have stable finances and operations,…

      March 5, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A clean, modern dental office with a blue dental chair, overhead light, and various dental instruments. White cabinets and a computer are visible in the background on wood-patterned flooring. Sunlight streams through a window.

      How to Analyze a Dental Practice’s Financials Before Buying

      Before you buy a dental practice, you should carefully review the business’s financial records to assess its current financial health,…

      March 2, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • Buying a Dental Practice: Things to Consider and Mistakes to Avoid

      Buying a dental practice can be a smart path to ownership, but it also carries legal, financial, and operational risks…

      February 13, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A weathered metal weather vane with directional letters (N, S, E, W) is mounted on a pole, pointing west under a partly cloudy sky.

      Can a Non-Dentist Own a Dental Practice in California?

      No. California law generally prohibits non-dentists from owning or controlling a dental practice. Ownership and clinical control must remain with…

      February 10, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A yellow sticky note with a black drawing of a light bulb is pinned to a corkboard using two red push pins in the top left corner. The rest of the corkboard is empty.

      What to Know About SBA 7(a) Loans for Dental Practice Acquisitions

      Can SBA 7(a) loans be used to buy a dental practice? Yes. SBA 7(a) loans can be used to finance…

      February 5, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • Modern office building entrance with revolving doors, wall-mounted directory, mailboxes, and sunlight streaming through large windows onto a tiled floor with dark floor mats.

      Should I Buy an Existing Dental Practice or Start My Own?

      There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Buying an existing dental practice often provides immediate cash flow and an established patient base,…

      February 2, 2026
      Levi Barlavi

    • A person writes in a planner at a wooden desk with a keyboard, mouse, smartphone, glasses, mug, and paper airplanes. An open notebook and eraser are also on the desk beside the persons hands.

      Associate vs. Owner: What’s the Real Financial Difference for Dentists?

      Dentists often compare associate compensation to practice ownership income without seeing the full financial picture. While ownership can offer higher…

      January 14, 2026
      Levi Barlavi