Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence
This Fourth of July feels different.
As we mark 250 years of American independence, I keep coming back to the same thought: this country was built by people willing to put in the work for something bigger than themselves. From the founders who risked everything to the entrepreneurs building something new today, that's always been the heart of the American story — people with the courage to invest in a future they might not fully see themselves.
As a former dentist who now spends my days helping other dentists navigate practice transitions, I get to watch that same spirit play out constantly. It never gets old.
Building a Legacy
Every dental practice starts as a dream. For most dentists, that dream took root decades ago — through the long nights of dental school, the years of continuing education, the slow, steady work of earning a community's trust one patient at a time. What grows out of all that isn't just a business. It's a legacy.
America has spent 250 years protecting freedom for generations it would never meet. In a much smaller way, that's what dentists do too — they build something that keeps serving their community long after they've handed over the keys. That kind of legacy deserves real planning, not an afterthought.
Independence means having choices
One of the things I love most about this country is that we get to choose our own path. The same should be true when you're thinking about your practice transition.
Maybe that means selling to another dentist. Maybe it's bringing in an associate with a future ownership track. Maybe it's a partnership, or a DSO conversation, or easing into retirement gradually rather than all at once. There's no single right answer — but there is a right amount of time to figure out what's right for you.
That's why I always tell dentists to start thinking about this three to five years before they plan to retire. Planning early doesn't mean selling early. It means giving yourself the room to choose well, instead of being forced into a decision later.
Honoring those who serve
This Independence Day, I also want to take a moment for the men and women of our Armed Forces, our veterans, our first responders, and our healthcare workers — everyone who has given something of themselves to protect freedoms the rest of us get to take for granted.
I served in the Indiana Army National Guard earlier in my career, and that experience left me with a lasting respect for what service really costs. Freedom has never been free. It comes with responsibility, sacrifice, and people willing to show up for it.
Looking toward the next 250 years
America's story isn't finished. Neither is yours.
If retirement is somewhere on your horizon — even a few years out — now is a good time to start thinking about what you want your legacy to look like. At Legacy Practice Transitions Southeast, my goal has never just been to help dentists sell their practices. It's to help them walk into that next chapter with confidence, knowing what they built will be in good hands.
From my family to yours, I hope you have a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July.
Happy 250th birthday, America. Here's to building legacies worth celebrating for another 250 years.
Dr. Rod Strickland, DDS
Transition Consultant, Legacy Practice Transitions Southeast
"Helping dentists protect their legacy and transition with confidence."
