Thinking about buying a dental practice but overwhelmed by insurance, student loans, and timing? 🦷💼
In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Kachmar to break down what dentists actually need to know before taking the leap into practice ownership.

We cover the often-overlooked (but critical) topics of disability insurance, life insurance, and student debt strategy, and how these financial decisions can directly impact your ability to buy a practice. Jim explains why waiting to “pay off all your loans first” may hold you back, how practice income can accelerate debt payoff, and why pre-planning your insurance coverage—even during dental school—can open doors later on.

You’ll also learn what non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies really mean, how collateral assignment works when buying a practice, and why stacking life insurance policies can be a smart move depending on your situation. Plus, we talk about networking, timing, and how connecting with the right insurance experts can help you make confident, informed decisions.

Whether you’re a dental student, new grad, or early-career dentist thinking about dental practice ownership, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you plan smarter and move forward sooner.

🎧 Perfect for: dental students, associates, and anyone exploring buying a dental practice.

Connect with Jim at Doctor’s Disability Specialists: ⁠https://www.ddsteam.net/team/jim-kachmar⁠

Disability Insurance! advice for figuring out the right agent for you and understanding your plan (215) ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LnlANyGXIWVes0MXHFHr6?si=CdNs12RlQ8iUjOeV-4tw4A⁠

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

** Set yourself up for financial success with Twinleaf Financial Advisors: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.twinleafadv.com/⁠⁠⁠ or or text 321-521-3133 for a free consultation.

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dentaldownloadpodcast⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keywords: personal growth, 2026 resolutions, 2026 goals, 2025 reflections, self-improvement, new year, new years goals, new dentist, new dentist finance, dentist finance

Learn More About A-Dec*: https://bit.ly/3M6Hbfr

In this episode, Dr. Hannah shares her journey from dental school to becoming a pediatric dentist. She discusses her experiences during residency, the challenges of passing oral boards, and her passion for working with children. Dr. Hannah also provides valuable insights for those considering a career in pediatric dentistry, including tips for residency applications and the importance of finding the right job fit. She emphasizes the significance of support systems in balancing personal and professional life and expresses her aspirations for the future. She also shares a bit about being married to an oral surgery resident and how they have balanced each other's professional goals navigating life as a couple.

Dr. Hannah's TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hannnaholiviaa_

Podcast TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dentaldownloadpodcast

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

Keywords

pediatric dentistry, dental residency, oral boards, dental school, pediatric dentist, career advice, dental profession, job search, work-life balance, dental education

** Set yourself up for financial success with Twinleaf Financial Advisors: ⁠⁠https://www.twinleafadv.com/⁠⁠ or or text 321-521-3133 for a free consultation.

This episode is all about embracing your own unique timeline and letting go of the pressure to compare yourself to others. We break down why jealousy happens, how to acknowledge it without shame, and how these emotions can actually guide you toward personal growth.

You’ll learn why comparison stalls progress, how emotional awareness accelerates self-improvement, and practical ways to work through feelings of inadequacy constructively. Whether you’re feeling stuck, behind, or just needing reassurance, this conversation encourages you to refocus on your journey and celebrate every step forward.

Pre-Dental Acceptance Day Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkBijsRVQdY&list=PLiqDha6b4hP95WsGi1A37xP5RMiOedP2D&index=4

Application Tips Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiqDha6b4hP95WsGi1A37xP5RMiOedP2D

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dentaldownloadpodcast

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

Keywords: personal growth, individual timelines, jealousy, self-improvement, emotional awareness

** A-Dec Smart Start: https://www.a-dec.com/new-dental-practice

Stepping into your first dental job can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode of The Dental Download, Haley is joined by Matthew Nelson and Michelle Coker to break down the biggest mistakes new dentists make and how to avoid them. Whether you're evaluating job offers, shadowing potential employers, or trying to understand employment classifications in California, this conversation gives you the clarity and confidence you need.

Matthew and Michelle share actionable advice on everything from finding strong mentorship and documenting agreements to building leadership and communication skills that actually translate chairside. You’ll also hear practical tips on networking, asking the right interview questions, role-playing tough conversations, and staying committed to continuous learning as you grow in your career.

If you're a new dentist, dental student, or California practitioner trying to choose the right path, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling dental career.

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

*** Save now with Net32: https://net32.com/dentaldownload

Answering some of your most asked questions about life as a new dentist! From challenges, comparison, self-doubt and building confidence, Dr. Haley opens up about many aspects of life as an associate dentist in private practice.

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

Save with Net32 Dental Supplies*: https://net32.com/dentaldownload

In this episode, Dr. Madison LeBlanc joins us to share her inspiring journey through dental school and her current experience as a third-year oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) resident at the University of Michigan. She opens up about what motivated her to pursue OMFS, how a gap year job in oral surgery shaped her path, and the misconceptions that often surround the specialty — including the idea that you need to be top of your class to succeed.

Dr. LeBlanc also discusses what daily life looks like as an OMFS resident, how mentorship and externships play a vital role in growth, and why self-acceptance and individuality are key to thriving in dental education. Whether you’re a pre-dental student exploring specialties or a dental student considering surgery, this episode offers valuable insight, motivation, and real talk from someone living it every day.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• What it’s really like to be an OMFS resident

• How mentorship can shape your path in dentistry

• Why your unique journey matters — not just your grades

• Tips for finding purpose and confidence in your career decisions

Dr. Madison's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maxfacemads?lang=en

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

** A-Dec Smart Start: https://bit.ly/4oGoIUV

Dr. Haley shares valuable insights on personal growth, emphasizing the importance of reading and self-improvement for dental professionals. She discusses various book recommendations across categories such as life direction, motivation, dental practice management, communication skills, and financial literacy. Dr. Haley encourages listeners to explore these resources to enhance their understanding of dentistry and personal development, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling career and life.

Engage with the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dentaldownloadpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.haley.dds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Haley's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.haley.dds?lang=en⁠⁠⁠

BOOK LIST---

• Enjoy the ride- Dr Alan Stern

• Atomic habits
• Defining Decade
• Start with Why Simon Sinek

• Never play it safe- Chase Jarvis
• Deep Work- Cal Newport
• Grit- Angela Duckworth
• One Thing- Gary W Keller
• Get out of your own way- Mark Goulston

• EMyth dentist:

• Lifestyle dental practice - Scott Manning
• PRIDE, POWER, AND PROSPERITY OF THE PRIVATE PRACTICE DENTIST How To Save Independent Dentistry In America and Why Your Future Has Never Been Brighter - Scott Manning
• Creating a profitable dental practice - Scott Manning
• Travis Campbell’s dental insurance book
• How to Buy a Dental practice - Brian Hanks
• The Price We Pay - Marty Makary

• Saved by the mouth - Dr Katie Lee
• Breath - James Nestor
• The dental diet - Dr Steve Lin
• Teeth - Mary Otto

• exactly what to say - Phil M jones
• One word that will change your life - Jon Gordon
• The gift of influence - Tommy Spaulding
• The first rule of mastery: stop worrying about what people think of you — Michael Gervais

• White coat investor and there is a student version

• Psychology of Money
• Money for Couples

Keywords

personal growth, dental education, self-improvement, communication skills, financial literacy, dental practice management, book recommendations, motivation, dental insurance, dental skills, leadership, networking, clinical practice, new dentist, associate dentist