Recently, I received heartbreaking news: my former boss and his wife were killed in a plane crash shortly after takeoff. He was a skilled and experienced pilot, which made the tragedy even more surreal. What began as a routine mission trip ended in unthinkable loss. 

He wasn’t just a dentist. He was the cornerstone of the community trusted provider, a mentor, and a respected leader. Though time moved me forward, I remain deeply grateful for the season we spent working side by side all those years ago. He played a starring role in the first half of my career, helping to shape the leader I would eventually become. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through his practice, his patients, and far beyond. In an instant, his team and his business partner were thrust into a reality none of them were prepared for—one filled with grief, uncertainty, and the sobering question: what now?

 The sudden loss of a partner owner in a dental practice is more than just a professional disruption; it’s a deeply personal tragedy that ripples through every layer of the business. One moment, you’re planning your day, coordinating care, reviewing schedules—and the next, you’re met with the shock of losing not just a colleague, but a friend, mentor, and leader. The grief is raw, the responsibilities feel heavier, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming.

In moments like these, it’s important to acknowledge the emotional chaos that comes with loss. Shock, sadness, confusion, even guilt, these feelings can cloud your judgment, weaken your resolve, and create a sense of paralysis. It’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Give yourself space to grieve. Leaders often feel pressure to be the steady hand in the storm, but vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s human. Surround yourself with trusted advisors and lean into your support system, whether it be family, colleagues, spiritual leaders, or mental health professionals. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Your team is also feeling the weight of this loss. They may be looking to you not just for guidance, but for permission; permission to grieve, to express uncertainty, and to slow down. Take time to gather your team and acknowledge the loss together. Don’t rush to return to “normal” too quickly. Grief has no timetable, and pushing through it too soon can lead to suppressed emotions and long-term burnout. Consider bringing in a grief counselor or mental health professional to meet with the team onsite. Sometimes just knowing there is a safe space to talk, without judgment or expectations, can provide immense relief. Share stories, honor the memory of your partner, and create room for team members to ask questions or simply sit in silence. Sometimes the most powerful leadership is presence, not answers.

Patients will also feel the absence. In a relationship-based practice, patients often build long-standing connections with their providers. The sudden loss of a familiar face can leave them confused or concerned about the future of their care. Be transparent, but reassuring. A simple, heartfelt message expressing your sadness and commitment to continuing excellent care can go a long way in building trust during uncertain times. Patients don’t expect perfection—they expect honesty and compassion. If your partner is well-known in the community, consider writing a tribute to them or offering a brief statement on your website or social channels that reflects both the loss and your team’s dedication to carrying their legacy forward.

In the immediate aftermath, it’s essential to locate and review any life insurance policies held by or for the deceased partner, especially if the policy was designed to fund a buy-sell agreement. These funds may be crucial in ensuring the business remains financially stable and that the partner’s heirs are compensated according to prior agreements. If your practice had a formal partnership agreement, now is the time to revisit it with your attorney and CPA. These documents typically outline next steps in the event of a partner’s death, including valuation processes, ownership transitions, and succession planning. If no agreement exists—or if it hasn’t been updated in years—there may be unexpected legal or financial hurdles, which is why involving legal counsel early is critical. You may also need to initiate estate-related conversations with your late partner’s family or appointed executor, particularly if ownership shares or operational rights are involved. A transition team or board of advisors can help navigate these conversations with compassion and professionalism. Delegating the day-to-day administrative work will allow you to focus on leadership and stability during a time of emotional upheaval.

It’s also wise to create a unified communication plan for the days and weeks ahead. Assigning a point person, whether it’s your practice manager, attorney, or communications advisor, to handle updates for staff, vendors, and referring providers can ease the load and prevent miscommunication. Having a single voice for messaging ensures clarity and consistency while allowing you the emotional space to process the loss.

Short-term operational decisions will also need attention. If your late partner managed finances, scheduling, or vendor accounts, you’ll need to ensure administrative continuity. Review access to essential platforms—bank accounts, payroll systems, insurance portals—and begin the process of securing control if permissions were tied to their name alone. Some of these transitions may require legal intervention, especially when tied to estate proceedings, so time is of the essence.

As you move forward, take time to consider how the legacy of your partner might live on within the culture of your practice. Whether it’s naming a treatment room, creating a scholarship in their honor, or hosting an annual community service event, these gestures can provide a sense of continuity and meaning for both your team and patients. Loss becomes part of your story—but so does how you choose to honor that story moving forward.

And while no one likes to imagine such devastating moments, the most thoughtful thing partners can do for each other, for the practice, is to prepare in advance. Establishing a clear, comprehensive partnership agreement that outlines what happens in the event of death, disability, or retirement is critical. Consult with your lawyer, CPA, and financial advisor to discuss whether you could fund the agreement with life insurance so that transitions are financially possible. Ensure shared access to all banking, payroll, and clinical systems to avoid workflow disruption. Create a written continuity plan that includes legal, operational, and communication protocols, and store it in a secure but accessible location. Don’t wait until it’s too late to have the hard conversations; discuss now how each of you would want the practice to move forward in the face of sudden loss. Your team doesn’t need to know all the details, but knowing a plan is in place gives them peace of mind and reinforces their trust in your leadership.

Grief and leadership can coexist, but they require care and compassion—first toward yourself, then toward others. You may not feel strong right now, but simply showing up, even quietly, speaks volumes. Leadership in grief isn’t about having all the answers about walking through the pain with honesty and heart. Over time, the rhythm of the practice will return. The laughter will come back. The heaviness will lift. But for now, hold space for the sorrow, trust the process, honor the legacy of your partner, and take one moment at a time.

Final Thoughts

No one likes to imagine the sudden loss of a business partner, but proactive planning is a powerful act of leadership. Establishing clear partnership agreements, funding them with life insurance, ensuring shared access to operational tools, and building a continuity plan are not just business decisions—they are commitments to your team, your patients, and each other. 

And for solo practitioners, these steps are just as critical. Without a partner to carry on the mission, it’s even more essential to have your wishes documented, your systems accessible, and a transition plan in place to protect what you’ve built. Grief may come without warning, but with the right steps in place, your practice can honor the legacy of those lost while continuing to thrive with clarity, compassion, and strength. Preparing today doesn’t just protect your business—it preserves your peace tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

Whether you’re in a partnership or practicing solo, these foundational elements should be reviewed and updated regularly:

• Wills and Trusts: Make sure your personal estate documents clearly state who should inherit your ownership interest if something happens to you.
•  Partnership Agreements: These should spell out what happens if a partner passes away—who buys their shares, how the business continues (or doesn’t), and how the process unfolds.
• Buy-Sell Agreements: Think of these as your game plan. They outline how ownership will be handled, valued, and transferred if one partner dies or becomes incapacitated.
• Succession Plans: Identify the person—or people—who will step into your role to lead or own the business when you’re no longer able to.
• Access to Essentials: Be sure a trusted person knows how to access key accounts, contracts, and business records. Don’t leave them locked behind passwords no one else knows.
•  Life Insurance: Have policies in place that are not just active—but structured correctly to fund a buy-out or cover financial losses if a partner passes unexpectedly.
• Check in Regularly: Revisit these plans yearly, or whenever there’s a major change. Outdated plans won’t help in a moment of crisis.

No matter your structure, the goal is the same: protect your legacy, support your team, and safeguard your peace of mind.

In Loving Memory
This article is dedicated to Dr. Mark Bowman, Greenville, NC—a gifted dentist, respected leader, and guiding light in the early years of my career. Your legacy lives on in every patient you served, every colleague you mentored, and in all of us who had the privilege of walking beside you.