The beginning of your new professional career will bring a new set of challenges. If you are like most new dentists, you will graduate with considerable school-related debt.  Dealing with the repayment of that debt will be, for most new dentists, not only their first career challenge, but also an ongoing challenge. For many new dentists, their first professional employment will be that of an associate.  While providing an immediate income beyond the new dentist’s wildest imagination, most associateships have limited earning capacity.  As a dental practice owner, you will earn three-to-four times the average income of an associate.  Subsequently, every new graduate needs to set his or her sights on ownership as soon as possible. How all debt is handled, including school debt, between the time of graduation and practice ownership, is critical if ownership is to become a reality.