How Any Dentist Can Get Approved for a Dental Practice Loan

If you can use assets as collateral instead of cash for your down payment, do it. Every time.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get bank approval for dental loans, the two types of loans available, and why dentists have a major advantage when it comes to financing.

Why Dentists Get Special Treatment from Banks

Let’s start with why banks love lending to dentists.

According to multiple sources, nearly 60% of restaurants fail in the first year, and 80% fail within five years. Now compare that to dental practices, that have a failure rate of less than 1%, according to Henry Schein (about 2.1% at most).

That’s why banks view dentists as “safe bets.” You’re a low-risk, high-reward borrower — which means better access to funding and higher approval odds.

How Dentists Can Access Loans

If you’re a dentist planning to own your own practice, understanding how to get approved for dental practice loans is essential. Dentists are considered low-risk borrowers, giving you access to both SBA loans for dentists and conventional dental loans. In this video, I explain the steps you need to secure financing, including preparing a pro forma, completing the bank’s checklist, and using assets as collateral instead of cash for your down payment..

Key Loan Options and Strategies

We cover the key differences between SBA dental loans and conventional loans, along with strategies for negotiating better interest rates and minimizing down payments. Even dentists with credit challenges can explore seller financing for dental practices, which allows you to take ownership of an existing practice without a bank loan. These tips are perfect for anyone starting a scratch start dental practice or looking to transition from associate to owner.

How Clear Lakes Dental Helps You Start a Dental Practice in 2025

At Clear Lakes Dental Franchise, we specialize in helping dental associates become practice owners without the usual overwhelm.

Our system assists you with construction, hiring, operations, marketing, and forever ongoing business support (as much as you want or need). This allows you to focus on what you do best: dentistry.

Watch the full video to see real examples, step-by-step guidance for dental business financing, and actionable tips that can help any dentist become an owner. By following these proven strategies, you can secure the funding you need and start building the dental practice of your dreams.