How to Finance The Dentist’s Choice Franchise: Handpiece Repair
By Anthony Cornella
The Dentist’s Choice franchise loan funds a business-to-business repair service that keeps dental offices supplied with working handpieces. Because The Dentist’s Choice is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, a buyer can weigh SBA-backed financing against conventional, equipment and working capital options when opening a territory or buying an existing one.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Dentist’s Choice; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Read the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
The Dentist’s Choice Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: repair, refurbishment and maintenance of dental handpieces and small dental equipment, sold to dental practices rather than to patients.
- Customers: general and specialty dental offices, which depend on high-speed and slow-speed handpieces every working day.
- Revenue streams: repair work, instrument sharpening and retipping, sales of new and refurbished handpieces and instruments, and trade-ins.
- Fees and investment: we could not verify a current franchise fee, royalty or Item 7 range from franchisor materials; use Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S3090, with no special note attached.
- Likely loan uses: franchise fee, repair bench tools and test equipment, parts inventory, a service vehicle, a small workspace and working capital.
What Is The Dentist’s Choice?
The Dentist’s Choice is a franchised dental handpiece repair brand. Its owners service the drills and related instruments that dentists and hygienists use all day, so a practice can send a worn or broken handpiece out for repair instead of buying a new one. The business is a technical service for dental offices; owners do not treat patients.
Websites run by individual franchised locations describe the core services: high-speed and slow-speed handpiece repair, refurbishment and preventive maintenance, sharpening and retipping of hand instruments, and repair of small dental equipment. Those locations also sell new and refurbished handpieces, buy used handpieces and accept trade-ins, offer on-site training on handpiece care, and provide shipping kits so offices outside a local route can mail in repairs.
Why the model looks different to a lender. A handpiece repair territory is closer to a skilled trade than a storefront: repeat work from dental offices, little space and value tied to the owner’s skill and relationships. Lenders like recurring business customers but will ask how quickly a new owner can learn the work and win accounts.
A brand with little public data. The franchisor’s own franchise materials were not available for us to review, so this article does not state a fee, unit count or investment range. That makes the FDD the central document in any loan request, and it is one reason a lender may look harder at your personal liquidity and experience.
The Dentist’s Choice Franchise Costs
Every figure that matters to The Dentist’s Choice franchise loan comes from the current FDD. Here is how each cost category usually shapes the request for this kind of business.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee for a territory and any discount for additional territories. It is usually paid at signing, so many lenders treat it as part of your own equity unless it is rolled into the loan before you pay it.
Workspace and vehicle. Handpiece repair needs a clean, well-lit bench area, storage for parts and a way to pick up and deliver work. Depending on the territory, that may be a small office or light-industrial suite, plus a vehicle for route visits. Item 7 and Item 8 explain what the franchisor requires.
Repair tools and equipment. Turbine and bearing tools, presses, test stands, cleaning and lubrication equipment, sterilization-related supplies, sharpening equipment and diagnostic tools are the backbone of the investment. These are also the assets an equipment lender can finance.
Opening inventory. Replacement turbines, cartridges, bearings, chucks and other parts, plus new and refurbished handpieces for resale, tie up cash before the first invoice is paid.
Training and working capital. Technical training, travel, insurance, licenses, marketing to local dental offices and a cash cushion for the months it takes to build a customer list all belong in the plan.
Total investment. Item 7 gives a low and high estimate. Your loan request should map to its categories, for example:
- Initial franchise fee
- Training-related travel and lodging
- Repair tools, test equipment and bench setup
- Opening parts and resale inventory
- Service vehicle or vehicle upgrades
- Workspace deposits, utilities and minor improvements
- Computer, software and phone systems
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Grand-opening and local marketing
- Additional funds for the period stated in Item 7
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the ongoing fees: royalty, any advertising or brand fund contribution, technology or software charges, training fees for additional staff, transfer and renewal fees. Some service franchises charge a percentage of sales, while others use flat or minimum fees, so read the structure carefully.
Lenders subtract these fees before they measure debt service coverage. A flat or minimum royalty affects a new owner more in the early months, when repair volume is still building, so model the first year conservatively and show how you will cover payments if account growth is slower than planned.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify the franchisor’s minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements. Ask for them during discovery and compare them with what a lender will want to see. As a rule, financing goes more smoothly when your cash covers the down payment, the franchise fee if paid upfront and a separate reserve.
Expect the franchisor to look for mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, comfort calling on dental offices and the discipline to run a one- or two-person service operation. A background in dental equipment, dental office management or precision repair can help with both the franchisor and the lender.
Ways to Own The Dentist’s Choice
A new territory. A start-up territory is financed on projections. Lenders will focus on your training plan, the number of dental offices in the territory and your sales approach. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how start-up requests are structured.
Buying an existing territory. A resale comes with customer accounts, repair history and tax returns, which gives a lender real numbers to underwrite. The franchisor must approve the transfer. Read our guide to buying a franchise resale, and see how acquisition financing works for service businesses.
Adding a territory. An owner who has built a base of dental offices may later add an adjacent territory, financed partly on the first territory’s results.
Financing Options for The Dentist’s Choice Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, tools, inventory, a vehicle and working capital in one loan. The program maximum is currently $5 million, though a handpiece repair territory will typically be far smaller.
Conventional term loans. A borrower with strong credit, collateral and repair experience may qualify for a conventional business loan, especially when buying an established territory with steady accounts.
Equipment financing. Test stands, presses, sharpening machines and a service vehicle can be financed separately so the asset secures its own loan. See our equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Dental offices may pay on account, and parts must be bought before repairs are billed. A working capital line of credit can bridge that gap and fund inventory for handpiece sales.
SBA 504 loans. Because the business needs little real estate, SBA 504 financing rarely fits a single territory. It may become relevant only if an owner later buys a building.
Seller financing. In a resale, a seller note can close a gap between the price and the loan. It is usually subordinate to the main lender, and program rules may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for The Dentist’s Choice Franchisees
SBA lenders use the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. The Dentist’s Choice is listed under code S3090, and the listing carries no special note. That means no extra addendum or lease restriction is flagged for this brand, though the lender will still review the franchise agreement and your application.
A listing does not mean a borrower is approved. You must still meet the SBA’s eligibility rules and the lender’s credit standards.
SBA application tips. Bring the current FDD and signed or draft franchise agreement, a business plan with a realistic ramp-up for dental office accounts, personal and business tax returns, a personal financial statement, quotes for tools and a vehicle, and a clear source of your equity. Running numbers through our SBA loan calculator helps you see how payments fit your projections.
How Lenders Evaluate The Dentist’s Choice Deal
Personal credit and financial history. For a small service franchise, the owner is the business. Expect a full review of your credit, debts and payment history.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want to see cash for the injection and a reserve after closing. Thin liquidity is a common reason small franchise loans stall.
Industry experience. Experience in dental equipment, dental office operations, sales to medical or dental practices, or mechanical repair supports the request. Without it, show how the franchisor’s training closes the gap.
Business plan and projections. Base projections on the number of dental offices in your territory, how many you expect to sign each month, typical repair frequency and a mix of repair and product sales. Avoid assuming the territory fills quickly.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20. Our article on using the FDD in franchise financing explains what each item means for underwriting.
Workspace or lease. If you lease a small suite, the lender will review the term, rent and any assignment clause.
Historical financials for a resale. For an existing territory, lenders look at tax returns, account concentration and whether the seller’s customers are likely to stay after the sale.
Repair Equipment and Parts Inventory
Equipment and inventory are central to this business. Tools and test equipment tend to hold their value and can serve as collateral, while parts and resale handpieces are working capital that turns over. Separate one-time equipment purchases from ongoing parts buying so the lender can match each to the right financing.
Multi-Unit Growth
Growth in a territory-based service brand usually means adding territories or hiring technicians. A lender will want at least one full year of results from the first territory, a plan for training additional staff and evidence that quality will not slip as volume grows.
Real-World Scenarios
A dental equipment technician going independent. A technician with years of handpiece experience buys a new territory, and an SBA 7(a) loan covers tools, a vehicle and working capital.
A former dental office manager. An office manager with strong relationships in the local dental community has little repair experience. The lender wants a clear training schedule and a larger cash reserve before approving the request.
A resale purchase. A buyer acquires an established territory with a steady list of dental practices. The lender underwrites the seller’s tax returns, and a small seller note helps bridge the price.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on rough cost estimates instead of the current FDD’s Item 7.
- Underestimating how long it takes to sign enough dental offices to cover fixed costs.
- Spending all available cash on tools and inventory and leaving no reserve.
- Skipping a review of the territory’s size and the number of practices it contains.
- Ignoring transfer terms when buying an existing territory.
Read more in our list of common technology company loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Dentist’s Choice Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20 with an attorney.
Step 2: Confirm franchisor requirements. Ask for net worth, liquidity and experience requirements in writing.
Step 3: Study the territory. Count dental practices and identify how you will reach them.
Step 4: Build projections. Use a conservative account ramp and include all Item 6 fees.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA, conventional and equipment structures.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit a complete package and coordinate the closing with the franchisor’s timeline.
The Dentist’s Choice Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does The Dentist’s Choice franchise cost?
The total investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify a current range from franchisor materials, so request the FDD before you plan your budget.
What is the franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD states the initial fee and any multi-territory pricing.
What royalty does The Dentist’s Choice charge?
Item 6 discloses the royalty and other ongoing fees. Ask whether it is a percentage of sales, a flat amount or subject to a minimum.
Can I get an SBA loan for The Dentist’s Choice?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3090 with no special note, so The Dentist’s Choice franchise loan can be considered under SBA 7(a), subject to approval.
Is this a healthcare business?
No. Owners repair and sell equipment for dental offices and do not provide patient care, so lenders treat it as a business-to-business service.
Can I finance repair equipment separately?
Yes. Tools, test equipment and a vehicle can often be financed with equipment loans or leases, which can preserve cash for inventory and working capital.
Can I buy an existing territory?
Yes, if the franchisor approves the transfer. A resale gives the lender historical financials and an existing customer base.
Can a first-time business owner qualify?
Yes, if you have solid credit, enough liquidity and a credible plan to learn the repair work and win accounts.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing the franchisor offers. If it offers none, outside lenders fund the deal.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the initial term, renewal rights and transfer conditions.
What documents will I need?
Expect the FDD, franchise agreement, business plan, tax returns, a personal financial statement, equipment quotes and proof of equity.
Final Thoughts
The Dentist’s Choice gives an owner a technical, business-to-business service built on repeat work with dental offices. Because public data on the brand is limited, a strong The Dentist’s Choice franchise loan request starts with the current FDD, a realistic account ramp and enough cash to carry the business while it grows.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers compare SBA, conventional, equipment and working capital financing for new and existing territories. Explore our franchise financing solutions and our technology business financing to start planning your request.
