Roadmap to Financial Freedom Series

Course Details

The 5 Financial Stages Every Dentist Must Master

Most dentists earn substantial incomes but still face uncertainty when it comes to retiring on their own terms.  This five-day masterclass takes a holistic approach, showing dentists how to strategically grow wealth, optimize their practice, reduce taxes, plan their practice exit, and protect their assets in retirement.  Using real-world case studies, proven strategies, and actionable insights, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools to make confident financial decisions, maximize lifetime earnings, and secure a retirement that aligns with their personal goals.  By the end of the program, you will have a clear roadmap to turn your years of hard work into lasting financial freedom. 

Daily Summary: 

• 7:30-8:30am:  Check-In / Breakfast
• 8:30am–12:30pm:  Half-Day Sessions (4 CE hours each)
• Afternoons free to enjoy paradise!

Full Schedule

Monday, January 25, 2027

8:30am – 12:30pm
Building Personal Wealth

Dentists earn great incomes, yet surprisingly few are financially ready to retire when they want. This opening session reveals the financial habits, planning strategies, and investment principles that separate the small percentage of dentists who achieve financial independence from those who feel stuck working longer than planned.  Drawing on decades of experience working exclusively with dental professionals, you will learn practical strategies to grow your net worth, reduce financial stress, and build a clear path toward retirement.  If your goal is to join the top tier of dentists who can afford to retire at 65 or sooner, this session will show you how. Topics covered include:

• The biggest financial mistakes that keep dentists working longer than they planned 

• Proven saving and debt reduction strategies that accelerate wealth building 

• How to significantly reduce the cost of your children’s education 

• Structuring disability, life, and personal insurance the right way while avoiding unnecessary costs 

• Increasing tax advantaged retirement plan contributions 

• Principles of tax efficient investing for high income professionals 

• The academic drivers of long term investment returns 

• Smart diversification and avoiding common investment mistakes 

• Managing emotions and avoiding the trap of market timing 

Tuesday, January 26, 2027

8:30am – 12:30pm
Creating a Highly Profitable Practice

Your dental practice is the single most powerful engine for building long term wealth.  Small improvements in profitability, efficiency, and growth can translate into millions of dollars in additional lifetime savings without requiring you to work longer hours.  In this session, we focus on the operational and financial strategies that allow dentists to build highly profitable practices while maintaining balance and avoiding burnout.  You will learn how to grow revenue, control overhead, and make smarter growth decisions so your practice consistently generates the cash flow needed to achieve financial freedom. Topics covered include:

• Identifying hidden profit opportunities inside your existing practice 

• Fee analysis strategies to ensure you are charging appropriately for your services 

• Reducing PPO insurance write offs and improving insurance participation decisions 

• Marketing strategies that consistently attract high value patients 

• Staff hiring, retention, and compensation strategies that improve productivity 

• Practical approaches to controlling overhead without sacrificing growth 

• How to evaluate whether you should hire an associate 

• Deciding between bringing on a partner, expanding, or maintaining a solo model 

• Building systems that allow your practice to grow without overworking the owner 

• Turning incremental profit improvements into long term retirement wealth 

Wednesday, January 27, 2027

8:30am – 12:30pm
Keeping More of What You Earn

Many dentists work incredibly hard to build profitable practices, only to watch a large portion of their income disappear to taxes.  The reality is that most dentists receive little proactive tax planning and rely on accountants who focus primarily on compliance rather than strategy.  In this session, we explore how smart tax planning and disciplined accounting can dramatically reduce your lifetime tax burden while strengthening the financial performance of your practice.  Through practical examples, stories, and real world case studies, you will learn how proper documentation, timely financial reporting, and thoughtful use of the tax code can help you keep more of what you earn. Topics covered include:

• Why many dentists overpay taxes and how strategic planning changes the outcome 

• The critical role of accurate and timely financial statements in driving profit and lowering taxes 

• Accounting for success.  Using financial data to manage your practice more effectively 

• Strategies to increase legitimate business tax deductions 

• Tax deductible retirement savings strategies for high income practice owners 

• Creative strategies to reduce taxes while remaining fully compliant with the tax code 

• Documentation and record keeping strategies that strengthen deductions and reduce risk 

• Internal controls, fraud prevention, and financial discipline within the practice 

• The most common IRS audit targets for dental practices and how to avoid them 

• Understanding and navigating new tax law changes affecting practice owners 

5:00pm – 7:00pm
Cocktail Reception

Join us Wednesday evening for refreshing cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy the sunset while socializing with your speakers and fellow attendees.

Thursday, January 28, 2027

8:30am – 12:30pm
Maximizing Your Practice Exit

For most dentists, the sale of their practice represents the single largest financial transaction of their lifetime.  Yet many practice owners approach this decision with limited planning and little understanding of the forces shaping the future of dentistry.  In this session, we examine the rapidly changing landscape of the profession and how these trends affect practice value, transition options, and retirement timing.  You will learn how to position your practice strategically so that when the time comes to transition, you maximize value, minimize taxes, and maintain control over your future. Topics covered include:

• Where dentistry is headed and how industry changes affect practice values 

• PPOs, DSOs, and the shifting economics of dental reimbursement 

• Understanding the drivers of fair market value and how to increase your practice value 

• Timing your transition to maximize financial outcomes 

• Associateships and how to structure them for long term success 

• Partnerships, buy ins, and buy outs.  Keys to successful ownership transitions 

• Preparing your practice today to improve future transition options 

• Tax reduction strategies when selling your practice 

• Avoiding common transition mistakes that cost dentists significant value 

Friday, January 29, 2027

8:30am – 12:30pm
Turning Your Wealth into Retirement Income

After decades of building wealth and eventually selling your practice, the focus shifts from accumulation to preservation. Many dentists enter retirement without a clear strategy for converting their savings into reliable income while managing taxes, market volatility, and estate planning decisions. In this session, we walk through the financial strategies that help ensure your assets support your lifestyle throughout retirement while protecting your family and legacy. You will learn how to coordinate retirement income planning, Social Security, tax strategies, insurance protection, and estate planning so your nest egg continues to work for you long after your clinical career ends. Topics covered include: 

• Determining when you can realistically afford to retire 

• Turning retirement savings into reliable income and meeting cash flow needs 

• When and how to take retirement plan and IRA distributions 

• Social Security timing strategies to maximize lifetime benefits 

• Strategies to reduce taxes on the sale of your practice and retirement withdrawals 

• Protecting retirement assets through proper insurance coverage and risk management 

• Estate planning fundamentals including trusts and asset protection strategies 

• Current estate and gift tax rules and opportunities for lifetime gifting 

• Disposition of IRAs and retirement plan accounts for the next generation 

• Marital rights considerations and common estate planning mistakes to avoid 

Location

Ritz-Carlton Resort
St. Thomas, USVI

Discounted room rates available

Our group rate of $699/night (plus taxes & fees) is available through December 23, 2026 or when all rooms are reserved, whichever comes first. Room availability begins on Saturday, January 23 through Sunday, January 31. Rooms are not guaranteed to all registered attendees and are on a first come, first-served basis.  Booking instructions are provided upon registration. Upgrades and additional nights are subject to availability and must be requested directly with the resort.

Hotel Description

Nestled on the island’s idyllic east end, our resort offers breathtaking views of Great Bay and seamless access to the neighboring islands of St. John and the British Virgin Islands. Relax in our elegantly appointed rooms and suites, all designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Caribbean Sea right outside your window. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is not just a destination—it’s an invitation to create unforgettable memories in paradise.

Airport Transportation

Cyril E. King Airport (STT)
Hotel is located 12 miles east of airport.

Airport Website
+1 340-774-5100
View on Google Maps

*This hotel does not provide complimentary shuttle service

Alternative Transportation

Red Car USVI
www.redcarusvi.com
Private and Shared Airport Transfer Services Available
$150 USD per vehicle (one way)

Estimated Taxi Fare
$30 USD per person (one way)

Hotel Address

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

6900 Great Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (US), 00802

Coordinator’s Note

As you prepare for our upcoming St. Thomas seminar, we wanted to share a few helpful travel notes to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. St. Thomas is considered a safe and welcoming destination for travelers, especially in the main resort and tourist areas where you will be spending most of your time. While U.S. citizens are not required to have a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands, we strongly recommend bringing one, as it can make your travel experience more efficient and streamlined, particularly when navigating airport procedures.

Transportation on the island operates a bit differently than what you may be used to. Taxis typically charge per person rather than per ride, so we suggest bringing ample cash for convenience. U.S. dollars are widely accepted across the island, making transactions easy. Although the resort is located a bit farther from the airport, it is ideally situated near some of the best dining options on the island, many of which are just a short drive away. Additionally, the resort is conveniently located on the side of the island where you can easily access the ferry to St. John, should you wish to explore beyond St. Thomas during your stay.

Important Information

Travel

Passports are not required for entry and reentry but always encouraged for efficiency. Global Entry does allow you to skip to the front of the customs line on busy days upon your island departure.

What’s Included In Your Registration?

Your registration fee covers all 5 days of the series, including daily breakfast, session attendance, and social events for each registered attendee. Unregistered guests cannot attend the sessions or daily breakfast but are welcome to join us for Wednesday’s cocktail reception. For the most valuable experience, we highly recommend attending all 5 sessions. Course and event RSVPs will be requested in the weeks prior to the seminar. Maximum (1) additional attendee per registration.

Late/Onsite Registration

Please call Sarah at 877.306.9780 to register after December 25, 2026. Spots and materials cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Cancellation Policy*

60 or more days prior to event, receive future seminar credit or refund minus $50 processing fee. Between 30-60 days of event, receive a future seminar credit. Less than 30 days prior to event, no refund or credit can be given as your attendance has already been confirmed with the hotel.

*Cancellation Policy applies only to seminar registration fees. McGill and Lyon Dental Advisors is not responsible for reimbursement of any registrant’s other expenses related to a cancelled or postponed event. Understanding the cancellation policy for any hotels, flights, car rentals, park tickets, etc. is the responsibility of the individual.

Media Disclosure

Photography, filming, audio recording, and/or interview(s) may occur onsite at any McGill and Lyon event and may be used for the purposes of highlighting the event, promoting future events, and/or other lawful purposes.

Register Today!

Main Attendee = $2,000

Main Attendee & Guest* = $2,500

*only one guest per Main Attendee

Members of The McGill & Lyon Dental Advisory receive 10% off seminar registration. Log in to the portal, go to the Seminars page, and use the promo code listed there to apply your discount at checkout.*

*Members who do not register with the member code are not eligible to receive a refund for their member discount. If you have difficulty locating the code, please call 877.306.9780. Trials are not eligible to receive the member discount.