Choosing the wrong entity structure before buying or starting a dental practice can cost you valuable time. Most dentists don't find out until it's crunch time on a deal or they talk to an attorney about it. Thats why Tyler Jones of Helsell Fetterman joins Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn to break down everything dental practice owners need to know about entity formation. From the LLC vs. S-Corp confusion to the exact timing for startups and acquisitions. This is the stuff you should know to talk to a CPA or attorney before you start filing online.

3:57 LLC vs. S-Corp: What's the actual difference?
5:11 Why most dentists should start as an LLC (not S-Corp)
7:00 PLLC vs. LLC: Does your state require it?
15:06 Startups: Exactly WHEN to form your entity
20:20 Acquisitions: Why timing is more accelerated than you think
18:03 Can you reuse your old LLC from associate days?
22:28 Who should form your entity - Attorney, CPA, or DIY?
26:14 What entity formation actually costs (and what to bundle)
29:00 Operating agreements and EINs: What you need and when
31:56 Partnerships & multi-practice: When these rules change entirely

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Your LLC and your S-Corp election are two separate things, most dentists confuse them
✅ In most states, LLC and PLLC are functionally the same, just a naming distinction
✅ For acquisitions, form your entity early, deals now close in 30-60 days, not 90-120
✅ Reusing an old associate LLC is possible, but a fresh start usually wins with banks
✅ DIY entity setup is possible, but fixing mistakes costs far more than doing it right
✅ Your entity costs only ~$70/year to renew, don't let timing anxiety paralyze you
✅ Always have your operating agreement and EIN ready, banks and landlords will ask

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Tyler Jones, Attorney, Helsell Fetterman

• Dental and veterinary practice transaction specialist
• Nationwide entity formation, acquisition, and startup legal services
• Based in Washington State; serves dental professionals across the country
• Works alongside dental-specific CPAs and advisors on complex deal structures

🔗 Connect with Tyler:
https://www.helsell.com/helsell-attorney/tyler-jones/

CONNECT WITH MIKE & PAULA:
Michael Dinsio, MBA and Paula Quinn, BSDH are the founders of NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTS, a dental-specific advisory firm that guides dentists through practice acquisitions, startups, and operational growth. If you're serious about ownership, they're the team you want in your corner. https://nxlevelconsultants.com

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https://dentalunscripted.com

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🔔 Subscribe for new episodes on:
✔ Dental practice acquisitions & startups
✔ Practice ownership finances and legal strategy
✔ Tax planning and entity structure for dentists
✔ Team building, operations, and profitability
✔ Real talk from dental industry experts

#DentalUnscripted #BuyingADentalPractice #DentalStartup #DentalPracticeOwnership #DentalBusiness #PracticeAcquisition #DentalEntrepreneur #DentalPodcast #DentistPodcast #DentalManagement

Dental Practice Management | Dental Practice Growth | Running a Dental Practice

Stop hiding the scoreboard and wondering why your team isn't winning. Learn how to transition from a stressed boss to an intentional CEO by leveraging the power of financial transparency with Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn.

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode of Dental Unscripted, Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn tackle one of the most controversial topics in dental practice ownership: Should your team know the numbers? If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the financial weight of the practice alone while your team operates in manual chaos, this conversation is for you. Mike and Paula break down why keeping your dental practice metrics a secret is actually killing your positive team culture and how sharing the "why" behind the data can transform your staff into high-level producers.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why 9 out of 10 owners fail to share numbers (and what it’s costing them)
• The Gen Z Factor: Why "purpose" is the primary driver for the new workforce
• Dental practice management hacks for daily huddles that actually move the needle
• The 3x Wage Rule: How to determine if your hygiene department is truly profitable
• Why your case acceptance is likely stuck at 39% and how to fix it
• Tracking "Active Perio" vs. "Old Perio" to ensure a high standard of care
• Front office goals: Chasing $30 insurance claims vs. filling the schedule

KEY TAKEAWAY Numbers are just a story of how well you are caring for your patients. When you give your team a scoreboard, you turn a job into a mission, eliminating dental practice challenges and driving financial success in dentistry.

WORK Michael and Paula at NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTS
Website: https://www.nxlevelconsultants.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentalunscripted
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Xqs6V67yGWQ

STAY CONNECTED TO DENTAL UNSCRIPTED:
dental practice management, dental practice growth, running a dental practice, dental industry insights, dental practice metrics, hygiene revenue, dental case acceptance, dental practice ownership, dental consulting, dental coach, how to run a dental practice, dental leadership, dental team culture, dental office coach, dental profitability.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
© 2026 Dental Unscripted | Next Level Consultants. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or clinical advice.

3 Steps to Getting REAL Dental Practice Growth

Are you tired of stalled revenue, team turnover, and managing your clinic based purely on a "feeling"? Discover how to transform your clinic into a highly profitable, self-managing business. In this episode of Dental Unscripted, Mike Dinsio and Paula Quinn break down the exact leadership framework required for real dental practice growth. Practice owners can no longer rely on the outdated model of simply clocking in and treating patients; today, you must establish a structured business foundation to succeed.

In this episode, we break down the three critical steps to stopping revenue leaks and empowering your team:

• Step 1: Team Agreements. Establish clear behavioral and cultural expectations first, so your entire team commits to a unified practice vision and a positive attitude.
• Step 2: Job Descriptions. Stop the "we all do it" mindset that leads to forgotten tasks. Assign single-point accountability for specific tasks—like schedule auditing or insurance verification, to ensure one exact employee owns the outcome.
• Step 3: Systems. An assigned task without dedicated time is not a system. Learn how to provide the specific tools and proactive time blocks required for your team to execute their jobs properly.

Only after you have these three elements in place can you successfully hold employees accountable, close the 20% operational gap that costs practices thousands, and objectively determine if you need to get a toxic employee off your "energy bus".

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to Next Level Consultants for a no-obligation, low-pressure call that delivers a practice review/analysis. It's a fresh perspective on your practice's metrics and performance!

Michael Dinsio & Paula Quinn hosts of Dental Unscripted founded NEXT LEVEL CONSULTANTS. Get more info about the services they offer dentists helping them startup – buy – run and successful dental practice!

https://nxlevelconsultants.com/contact