Dentists carry big school loans and often a practice loan on top. These posts each take one decision that comes with a dental career and turn it into a step a dentist can take this week.
Your first year as an associate sets the pattern for the next ten. A short list to work through. Read how your pay is figured, since many associate contracts pay a share of what you produce or collect. Check your disability coverage. Set a savings rate before the bigger checks feel normal. Make a plan for your loans. Which one is still on your list?
Your hands are the business. An "own-occupation" disability definition generally pays if you can't practice dentistry, even if you could do other work. Other definitions may not. Pull out your policy and look for that phrase. If you can't find it, ask your agent what yours says.
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness only counts years you work full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer. If you plan to join or buy a private practice, that time won't count toward forgiveness. That changes how many dentists think about income-driven plans and refinancing. Details at studentaid.gov.
Buying a practice is a big money decision. Four things to settle before you sign. Know what you'll take home after the loan payment. Keep a personal cash cushion, separate from the practice. Review your life and disability coverage, since the lender may ask about both. Have your attorney read the terms. What would you add?
If your practice offers a 401(k), here are three numbers for 2026. You can put in up to $24,500 from your pay. At 50 or older you can add $8,000 more. And you can put up to $7,500 in an IRA. Figures from the IRS 2026 contribution limits.
Type your website. In about a minute Watt writes 3 posts for your firm, with your colors, fonts and logo. Free, no sign-up.
Nothing posts without your approval.How to handle school loans, whether to buy into a practice, and how to protect an income that depends on their hands. Posts that take one of these decisions at a time get saved.
Use them as a starting point. Change the wording to sound like you, check the figures for the year you post, and run them through your firm's compliance review before they go out.
Use official figures with their source, avoid recommending a specific loan or policy, and keep advice for one-on-one conversations.
The graphics on this page were made by Watt for Harbor & Pine Financial, a sample firm. Figures are for 2026 and come from the sources named in each post. Check them for the year you post.