Step 1: What goes into the application?
The application asks for basic practice details, the amount you are considering, what the funding is for and some owner information. It takes a few minutes. You do not need a final quote or signed purchase agreement to start, and many dentists apply early to understand their options before choosing equipment or a practice.
Helpful to have in mind when you start:
- The project: equipment, acquisition, buy-in, build-out, added operatories or cash flow
- An approximate amount and timing
- How long you have owned the practice, or your associate history if you are buying in
Start the application whenever you are ready.
Step 2: What documents will I need?
Most requests start with recent business bank statements and a collections summary. Depending on the product, funders may also ask for tax returns, a vendor quote, a contractor bid, a lease, or a purchase agreement and the seller's financials. Never send patient information. Funders need financial documents only, with summary totals from your practice software.
- Equipment: vendor quote, bank statements, collections summary
- Working capital or line of credit: bank statements, collections and accounts receivable summaries
- Build-out or renovation: lease, contractor bid, equipment list
- Acquisition or buy-in: letter of intent or agreement, seller financials, valuation, personal tax returns
- De novo: lease or letter of intent, bids, and a monthly forecast
Requirements vary by product and funder. See what lenders review.
Step 3: How do I compare offers?
Compare total repayment, term, payment amount and frequency, fees and prepayment terms, not just the rate or monthly payment. A lower payment on a much longer term can cost more overall. Also check that the product matches the project, so a long-term purchase is not funded with short-term money. We help you line offers up side by side.
- What is the total amount repaid over the full term?
- Are payments monthly, weekly or daily?
- What fees apply at signing, per draw or annually?
- Can you finish early, and does that save money?
- For leases, what happens at the end of the term?
Initial review is often a soft credit inquiry, and a hard inquiry may follow if you move ahead with a specific offer. Confirm this with each offer.
Step 4: How long does funding take?
Timing depends on the product and how complete your documents are. Some equipment and working-capital approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents. Build-out loans release funds in stages as work is completed. Practice acquisitions and SBA loans usually take longer, often weeks to months, because of valuations, lease assignments and closing coordination.
After signing, equipment funders usually pay the vendor once the order or delivery is confirmed. Working capital is typically deposited to the practice account. Build-out funds are drawn against milestones or invoices. Explore funding solutions to see which path fits your project.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply before I pick equipment or a practice?
Yes. Many dentists apply early to understand their options, then come back with a vendor quote, contractor bid or letter of intent. Final offers depend on those details, but an early conversation helps with planning.
Does applying affect my credit?
Initial review is typically a soft inquiry. A hard inquiry may happen later if you move forward with a specific offer. Practices vary by funder, so confirm how each offer handles credit checks before you accept.
Who pays the equipment vendor?
With equipment financing, the funder usually pays the vendor directly after you sign and confirm the order or delivery. That keeps the purchase simple and means the practice does not need to front the cost.
Am I obligated to accept an offer?
No. Applying lets you see and compare options. You decide whether any offer fits your practice, and choosing to wait is always a valid outcome.
Why do acquisitions take longer?
Practice purchases typically need a valuation, seller documents, a lease assignment and closing coordination with attorneys and advisors on both sides. Those steps can take weeks to months, so start the financing conversation early.
Start with a short application
Share a few details about your practice and project, and we will help you compare options through our funding partners.
Updated September 14, 2026 · SmileBright Capital Funding Team