New Dental Practice Startup Manual 2026

A complete step-by-step planning guide for Australian dentists starting a new dental practice from scratch — 30 pages, 10 sections, covering every stage from your initial 'squat vs buy' decision through to opening day and your first 12 months of operation. Written by Resolve Dental Consultancy with over 37 years of Australian dental industry experience, including building and selling three practices.

Starting a dental practice from scratch — known as a 'squat' — is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make as a dental professional. Done with proper planning and the right support team, it is the foundation of a highly rewarding career. Done without adequate preparation, it can become years of financial pressure and professional stress.

This manual gives you a structured, comprehensive framework to plan every dimension of your new practice — so you move through each stage with clarity, confidence, and the right questions already answered.

Works alongside the Resolve Dental Practice Business Plan, Resolve Financial Forecast, and Resolve Practice Purchase Guide for a complete practice ownership planning system.

✔ Fully editable Microsoft Word format
✔ 30 pages — 10 complete planning sections
✔ Includes checklists, scorecards, planning tables, budget planners, and a 12-month action plan
✔ 2026-compliant — references Fair Work Act, Payday Super (1 July 2026), AS/NZS 5369:2023, WHS Regulations 2023
✔ Instant digital download
✔ Single-practice licence

What's Included:

Section 1 — Squat vs Buying: Making the Right Decision
A detailed comparative analysis across 10 factors — initial cost, Day 1 revenue, cash flow risk, design control, staff, systems, patient attrition, timeline, location choice, and long-term value — to help you make an informed decision before committing to either path.

Section 2 — Location Selection
Location Assessment Framework (11 criteria with Strong/Neutral/Concern rating), Location Research Checklist (10 items), and a Shortlisted Locations comparison table. Includes Resolve's guidance on identifying genuine market gaps rather than just low-competition areas.

Section 3 — Premises and Lease Negotiation
Premises Requirements planner, Lease Negotiation Checklist (14 items), and a full lease terms summary table. Includes critical warnings on lease review, rent review structures, assignment rights, and personal guarantee limitations — with Resolve's recommendation to budget $2,000–$5,000 for a dental-specific solicitor.

Section 4 — Planning Permission and Practice Design
Planning and Approval Requirements checklist (10 items) covering Development Applications, change of use, radiation safety authority approvals, and disability access. Surgery Design Essentials checklist (10 items) covering infection control zoning, equipment positioning, and fit-out design.

Section 5 — Equipment and Technology Selection
Equipment Budget Planner covering all major equipment categories (chairs, OPG, X-ray, autoclave, washer-disinfector, compressor, suction, handpieces, intraoral cameras), plus a Technology and Software Setup planner covering practice management software, online booking, digital X-ray, patient communications, accounting, payroll, IT, and HICAPS.

Section 6 — Building Your Team
Staffing Plan table (6 positions × opening day / 6 months / 12 months), Employment Compliance Checklist (10 items including Payday Super effective 1 July 2026, AHPRA verification, Modern Award identification), and Staff Training Before Opening Checklist (8 items). Includes Resolve's recommendation to begin clinical recruitment at least 6 months before opening.

Section 7 — Compliance, Accreditation and Legal Setup
Business and Legal Setup Checklist (15 items), Clinical Compliance Setup Checklist (12 items including AS/NZS 5369:2023, radiation safety, clinical waste, and AED requirements), and WHS Compliance Checklist (10 items including 2023 psychosocial hazard regulations).

Section 8 — Financial Planning and Funding
Startup Cost Summary table (10 cost categories), Funding Structure planner, and a 12-month Revenue Ramp-Up Projection table. Includes Resolve's working capital warning: your reserve must cover a minimum of 6 months of fixed overhead costs — many new practices take 9–18 months to reach consistent break-even.

Section 9 — Pre-Launch and Launch Marketing
Pre-Launch Marketing Checklist (12 items, 3–6 months before opening), Launch Marketing Plan, and an Ongoing Marketing Activities table covering Google Ads, Google Business Profile, Instagram, Facebook, SEO, letterbox drops, referral programs, and local health provider networking. Includes Resolve's benchmark: budget at least 3–5% of projected Year 1 GFI for marketing in your launch year.

Section 10 — Launch Timeline and 12-Month Action Plan
Complete milestone timeline from decision through to opening day and Month 12 review, with a 12-Month Action Plan across 6 focus areas: Financial Performance, New Patient Growth, Team Development, Systems and Operations, Compliance and Quality, and Clinical Services.