Where to get dental practice loans

Ready to expand your dental practice or open a new one? These tips can help you find a loan.

What loan options are available to finance my practice?

You likely won’t be able to finance your dental practice with just one loan, but you can find a variety of loans that can cover all the expenses that come with running your own business.

• Specialty lenders. There are lenders that specialize in funding dental practices. By researching these, you can find a partner that understands your business’s exact needs and will be able to work with you for years to come.
• Commercial real estate. Purchasing an office space may be one of the single most expensive costs to starting or acquiring a practice. Fortunately, financing options are available to help with commercial properties.
• Business equipment. Furnishing multiple dental suites can be an expensive task, especially when you’re just starting out. A loan for business equipment will allow you to finance and spread out the total cost over multiple years while you work on expanding your business.
• SBA loan. Many dental practices qualify as small businesses, which means yours might be eligible for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. However, you’ll need an exceptional business plan and good personal credit to qualify for one of these coveted loans.
• Invoice financing. Get an advance or line of credit on your accounts receivable to bridge the need between the time you invoice patients and when you’re actually paid.
• General purpose. There are also standard business term loans that can that can be used for just about any legitimate business expense that may fall outside of the specialized options above.

Compare loans for a dental office space

{"niche":"USFBL"}

Sort by:

Name	Product	Filter Values	Loan amount	APR	Requirements
First Down Funding business loans			$4,000 – $300,000	5.49% to 22.79%	At least 1 year in business, an annual revenue of $100,000+, and a minimum credit score of 300	Alternative financing up to $300K with highly competitive rates.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Lendio business loan marketplace			$500 – $5,000,000	Starting at 6%	Operate business in US or Canada, have a business bank account, 560+ personal credit score	Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Fundera			$2,500 – $5,000,000	7% to 30%	$300,000+ of annual revenue, 680+ personal credit score, in business for 3+ years	Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Kickpay e-commerce loans			$20,000 – $1,000,000	Not applicable	At least $250,000 in the past 12 months of revenue, e-commerce business, use a 3rd party fulfillment center for storing and shipping inventory, at least one US location.	Get a loan for your e-commerce business based on your sales history.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Credibly Business Loans			$5,000 – $250,000		6+ months in business, $180K annual business revenue, 500+ credit $15K+ in monthly deposits	Funding to cover business expenses with daily or weekly repayments.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
SmartBiz			$30,000 – $5,000,000	4.75% to 7.00%	650+ personal credit score, US citizen or permanent resident, 2+ years in business, $50,000+ annual revenue, no outstanding tax liens, no bankruptcies or foreclosures in past 3 years	Get funding for your small business with a government-backed loan and extended repayment terms.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
LendingClub small business loans			$5,000 – $500,000	9.77% to 35.98%	12+ months in business, $50,000+ in annual sales, no bankruptcies or tax liens, at least 20% ownership of the business, fair personal credit score or better	With loan terms that vary from 1 to 5 years, enjoy fixed monthly payments and no prepayment penalties through this award-winning lender.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Monevo Business Loans			$500 – $100,000	3.99% to 35.99%	Credit score of 500+, legal US resident and ages 18+.	Use this connection service to get paired with a loan you can use for business.	Check eligibility More Info		loading Fetching your data...

loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

What if I want to purchase a dental practice?

Buying a practice is a viable option for some, but it often comes with a high cost — you’ll be paying for the name of the business and the clients on top of all the equipment and space. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to go about buying a dental practice.

Financing can come from one of two sources: the seller or a third party. In either case, you’ll need to provide a good deal of information. Your resume, annual income and credit score are just a few of the items you may need. The purchase of an existing practice is also separate from the purchase of upgraded equipment — or real estate, if you plan on buying the location. Talk with your advisers in detail about your wants and needs so that they can assist you with determining what’s feasible.

What will I need to apply?

While requirements vary based on the lender, here are few basic details you can expect to provide:

• Your business plan
• Personal banking and income documents
• Business revenue documents
• Your dental and DEA license
• A statement of your personal net worth
• Details of what the loan is for and how much you need

Business tips to keep in mind

• Do your research. There are a lot of variables to calculate when you’re starting a business. Do you know what other practices are doing? Do you know which areas need dentists most? These and other factors are important to hammer out before you apply for a loan.
• Know your loan. Likewise, there are a variety of loan types out there that can be used to fund a dental practice. Know the type of loan you need, how much you need and what you’ll have to submit so you have the best chance of approval.
• Select trusted advisers. Dental school may not have provided adequate business lessons to run your own practice. Even if you have some business background, it can greatly benefit you and your practice to maintain a working relationship with specialized professionals.
• Plan, plan, plan. You should talk with the advisers you select, draw up your business plan and continue to refine it. It can also help to make sure your budget is lined up for worst-case scenarios, taking into account any future projects.
• Pay your bills on time. Keeping up with your finances keeps your overall creditworthiness in check, which can assist your chances of acquiring a loan. Dental lenders understand that you have debt because of school, but they won’t lend to you if you aren’t responsible with your money.
• Know your limits. Part of budgeting is knowing your limits. Carefully calculate — and recalculate — those financial limits to ensure you have solid numbers on your business cash flow.
• Maintain your insurance. Your practice largely depends on your well-being for success, and so a big chunk of business lenders will require you to have life insurance and disability insurance. Check for malpractice insurance requirements as well.

Have a business in another industry?

Bottom line

When you’re looking to start or grow your dental practice, you want the best that you can get. Financing options come in many different forms, with conditions and terms that vary depending on your needs. Carefully research your options based on your business plan, and don’t be afraid to compare your lenders to see what kind of offers you might qualify for.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take to get financed?

  It depends on the type of financing you’re seeking and the lender. If you’re just looking for a short-term solution, it could be a matter of days, whereas a traditional loan can take weeks to see your funds.

• What kind of credit score do I need to get a traditional bank loan?

  Traditional bank loans for large amounts often require excellent credit scores of 720 or higher for the best rates. You can be approved for a loan with a score that’s below 720, but your rate may not be as competitive and the lender may require more extensive documentation for approval.

• Do all lenders offer customized financing?

  No, not all lenders are able to create a package that is fully tailored to your needs. althought it’s likely you’ll be able to find a tailored business loan that fits your needs. But if not, there are general purpose business loans.

• Will I need insurance before I apply for a loan?

  You won’t necessarily need insurance before you apply, but you may need to work quickly to get if you’re approved.