Business Loans for Medical & Dental Practices in 2026
Short answer: An SBA 7(a) loan is best for acquisition and real estate — up to $5M at 10.5%-14.5% APR with terms up to 25 years for real estate. It’s the right fit for buying an existing practice, building your location, or large equipment packages.
Lenders love healthcare practices — low default rates, high revenue per employee, professional owners. If you’re a practicing physician or dentist, you can access capital that other small businesses only dream of.
But “lenders love you” doesn’t mean “all lenders are equal.” The wrong product costs you hundreds of thousands in unnecessary interest.
Top Funding Options
1. SBA 7(a) Loans (Best for Acquisition and Real Estate)
- Amount: Up to $5M
- Rate: 10.5%-14.5% APR
- Term: Up to 25 years for real estate
- Best for: Buying an existing practice, building your location, large equipment packages
2. SBA Express (Fastest SBA Option)
- Amount: Up to $500K
- Speed: 36-hour decision
- Best for: Working capital, moderate equipment purchases
3. Practice-Specific Equipment Financing
- Amount: Up to $5M
- Rate: 6%-14% APR
- Best for: CBCT scanners, imaging equipment, dental chairs, lasers
4. Line of Credit
- Amount: $50K-$500K
- Rate: 8%-14% APR
- Best for: Covering insurance reimbursement gaps, payroll smoothing
Practice Acquisition: The SBA 7(a) Advantage
- 90% financing — Buy a $1M practice with $100K down
- 10-year term — Low monthly payment
- No balloon payment — Fully amortizing
- The practice secures itself
Capital Needs by Stage
| Stage | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Buying an existing practice | SBA 7(a) acquisition loan |
| Starting from scratch | SBA 7(a) startup + equipment |
| Adding new equipment | Specialty equipment financing |
| Buying your building | SBA 504 |
| Bridging insurance reimbursement | Line of credit |
Tips
- Your credit score matters more than revenue for practice lenders
- Get your CPA involved early
- Don’t shop rates alone — The difference between 11.5% and 13% on $1M is ~$150K over 10 years
- Equipment financing often beats SBA for pure equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best loan for buying or building a medical or dental practice?
An SBA 7(a) loan is best for acquisition and real estate — up to $5M at 10.5%-14.5% APR with terms up to 25 years for real estate. It’s the right fit for buying an existing practice, building your location, or large equipment packages.
How does SBA 7(a) financing work for a practice acquisition?
SBA 7(a) offers 90% financing, so you can buy a $1M practice with $100K down. The 10-year term keeps the monthly payment low, it’s fully amortizing with no balloon payment, and the practice secures itself.
What is the fastest SBA option for a medical or dental practice?
SBA Express is the fastest SBA option — up to $500K with a 36-hour decision, best for working capital and moderate equipment purchases.
How should a practice finance equipment like CBCT scanners or dental chairs?
Practice-specific equipment financing (up to $5M at 6%-14% APR) is built for CBCT scanners, imaging equipment, dental chairs, and lasers, and often beats SBA for pure equipment purchases.
What should medical and dental owners know before borrowing?
Your credit score matters more than revenue for practice lenders, so get your CPA involved early and don’t shop rates alone — the difference between 11.5% and 13% on $1M is about $150K over 10 years. A line of credit ($50K-$500K, 8%-14% APR) is useful for covering insurance reimbursement gaps and payroll smoothing.
Get
Funded
Compare your options with one application and a soft credit pull. Call (888) 490-3126 or apply now.
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See what you qualify for in minutes — soft credit pull, no FICO impact. $10K–$500K, funded in 24–48 hours from 75+ sources.
- Soft pull only
- $10K–$500K
- 24–48 hr funding
- No obligation
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