Why community matters more than ever for practice owners

From recruitment and profitability to leadership and succession, a weekend of honest conversations showed why community remains so important for today's practice owners.

Spending the weekend in La Manga, Spain at the Practice Plan club event was both energising and humbling. It offered a rare opportunity to step away from the day to day pressures of running a busy law firm and instead reflect, listen, and connect with dental practice owners who are navigating increasingly complex professional landscapes.

The setting itself played a quiet but important role. Spain, with its warmth and openness, created a natural space for honest conversations. Outside the usual constraints of the dental practice or office, people seemed more willing to share not just their successes, but also their struggles. There was a sense that everyone had momentarily stepped off the treadmill, allowing room for perspective.

Speaking to busy dental practice owners, one theme that came through again and again is the weight of responsibility. These are individuals who are not only clinicians, but also business leaders, employers, and often the emotional anchors for their teams. Many described the challenge of balancing high-quality patient care with the realities of running a sustainable business. Regulations, staffing issues, financial pressures, and patient expectations all compete for attention, and rarely in a neat or manageable way.

What I did notice is that we all care deeply about what we do. We care about their patients/clients, our teams, and the standards we uphold. That commitment is both our strength and, at times, the source of our fatigue.

The conversations were refreshingly candid. There was no need for pretence or polished answers. Instead, we spoke about real issues such as the recruitment difficulties, the changing expectations of younger associates, the pressure to invest in new technology, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining profitability without compromising care.

Another clear takeaway was the value of community. Several practice owners spoke about how isolating leadership can feel. Even within larger teams, ultimate responsibility often sits with one or two individuals. Events like this provide a rare chance to realise that others are facing the same challenges. There was reassurance in shared experience, and often practical insight gained simply from hearing how others approach similar problems.

For me, the weekend was a reminder of the importance of listening. It is easy to assume what practice owners need, but direct conversations reveal a more nuanced picture. Solutions must be practical, relevant, and grounded in the realities of everyday practice life. There is little appetite for theory without application.

Ultimately, the experience reinforced how resilient and resourceful this group of professionals is. Despite the pressures, there is a strong willingness to adapt, to learn, and to support one another. The challenge moving forward is to ensure that they are given the tools, guidance, and space to do so effectively.

Leaving Spain, there was a sense not just of having shared ideas, but of having built connections that will continue beyond the weekend.  Thank you to Practice Plan for organising such an outstanding event, I won’t spoil any of the surprises as there is another Club weekend in July (which I am also attending), but I will just say that if you are going, there is a lot to look forward to.