Finding the ‘Just Right’ Place to Practice Dentistry
Written by: Branden Franzen
An average conversation about my future tends to go something like this:
Them: “Are you from Florida, where you’re going to school?”
Me: “Actually, I’m from Illinois. I figured if I was going to be miserable studying, I might as well do it by the ocean.”
Them: “So you’re heading back to Illinois after graduation?”
Me: “No. My wife and I are moving to North Carolina.”
Them: “Do you have family or friends there?”
Me: “No.”
Them: “Then why there?”
Me: “I’m in a bit of a Goldilocks situation. Illinois was too cold. Florida is too hot. North Carolina feels just right.”
People are often surprised by that answer. In dentistry, many assume you practice where you’re from or where you went to school. But this stage of life is different. Until now, most of us have simply moved where we were accepted—undergraduate, dental school, residency. We didn’t choose the city; we chose the opportunity.
Graduation changes that.
For the first time, we truly get to decide where we build our life—not just where we train.
That freedom is exciting. It’s also overwhelming.
Starting With Lifestyle
To narrow the field, I created a priority list. At the top was geography and climate.
I knew I wanted to live within an hour of the ocean. I wanted seasons, but milder winters than Illinois and less humidity than Florida. Long falls. Manageable summers. A place that supported the life my wife and I want to build together.
Our hobbies are primarily outdoors—motorcycles, jet skis, dirt bikes, hiking, beach days, spontaneous picnics. Where you practice isn’t just about dentistry; it’s about sustainability. Burnout in this profession is real. Choosing an environment that energizes you outside the operatory is not indulgent—it’s strategic.
My wife and I approach every major decision as a team. This was no different. Geography wasn’t just about weather; it was about quality of life for both of us.
Once we identified regions that aligned with lifestyle, the analysis became more clinical.
Studying the Numbers
After narrowing by geography, I shifted to demographics and opportunity.
If you envision practicing a certain type of dentistry, you must determine whether the population supports it. I began looking at:
- Doctor-to-population ratios
- Median household income
- Growth trends
- Age distribution
- Insurance saturation
- Practice density
Growth trends may matter even more than current numbers. A region expanding steadily presents a very different opportunity than a static or declining market.
You have to define your ideal patient before you choose your location.
If you want to perform comprehensive treatment and complex surgical cases, does the area have the demand—and the financial capacity—to support that? If you want relationship-based, generational care, is the community stable? If you’re drawn to advanced implant dentistry, are there enough patients seeking that level of treatment?
Oversaturated areas may offer lifestyle perks but can make growth challenging. Underserved areas may provide opportunity but require broader scope and adaptability. There is no universally correct answer—only alignment.
There are no guarantees in any market. But informed decisions dramatically improve the odds.
Mentorship and Long-Term Vision
My plan is structured as an associate-to-ownership pathway.
That phased model allows for continuity for patients while giving me time to grow clinically and operationally before assuming full responsibility.
Because I intend to perform complex surgical procedures as part of my long-term practice model, mentorship was critical. Where you practice should support who you are trying to become.
Location and mentorship are not separate decisions—they are intertwined.
I’ve written previously about how I identified this particular opportunity, and for those interested in that process, I encourage you to read that article. The key takeaway here is simple: the environment you enter after graduation should accelerate your growth, not limit it.
The Financial Reality
Lifestyle and mentorship matter, but so do finances.
Student debt is significant for most new graduates. Cost of living, tax structure, housing prices, and state-level business climate all influence how quickly you can build stability.
A higher-income area with a higher cost of living may not accelerate wealth if overhead and personal expenses rise proportionally. Conversely, a moderately priced market with strong patient demand can create substantial long-term leverage—especially if ownership is part of the plan.
Where you practice directly impacts:
- Your take-home income
- Your ownership timeline
- Your overhead percentage
- Your ability to invest back into technology and continuing education
Dentistry is both a profession and a business. Ownership is not simply about income—it’s about equity, autonomy, and compounding value over time. Dentistry is both a profession and a business. Ignoring the financial component when choosing location is short-sighted.
Choosing With Intention
This season is exciting because it represents autonomy. For the first time, we aren’t relocating because we were accepted somewhere. We are choosing where to plant roots.
North Carolina may be my “Goldilocks” answer, but it wasn’t random. It was the result of evaluating lifestyle, demographics, mentorship, and long-term ownership goals—and ensuring alignment across all of them.
The decision may evolve. Plans can adapt. But intentionality at the outset matters.
Choosing where to practice after dental school is not simply a geographic decision. It shapes your clinical scope, your financial trajectory, your professional growth, and your personal life.
Dentistry is demanding. Where you build your life matters.
Choose deliberately.
Join me as I continue my journey into the world of dentistry—learning, growing, and advancing patient care. Visit my website to follow along: https://brandenfranzendent.wixsite.com/brandenfranzendental.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is another in the SHOFU ARTICLE PROGRAM. You can find the rest by clicking here.