Why Associates Rarely Grow Your Practice

Are you thinking about hiring an associate? You might want to rethink that decision.

Last week, I talked about opening a satellite and why it might be your biggest mistake and in this episode, I’m breaking down why bringing an associate into your orthodontic practice might be another big mistake you can make.

I've received countless messages from people who think hiring an associate will automatically reduce their working hours or increase their revenue.

The reality is that bringing on an associate often means more work (not less), at least for the first year or two. It can be an uphill battle, especially if you don’t have the right systems in place.

I will explain the core reasons why associateships often fail, from the mismatch of expectations to the financial realities that many don’t realize.

You can’t just hire someone and expect them to grow your practice automatically. Most associates don't make the kind of impact you expect, even if you give them all the resources they need.

Focusing on your existing practice, maximizing efficiency, and even raising your fees could be the better approach. By doing this, you’ll have a more profitable and less stressful practice without the added complications an associate can bring. Tune in to hear more!  

Key Takeaways

Introduction (00:00)

The truth about associates and work-life balance (00:52)

Why associates rarely increase practice profitability (01:35)

How raising fees might be the answer to growth (04:16)

Satellite offices and associates dont work out as people think (07:31)

Additional Resources

- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs