A life insurance policy is not a person and does not work therefor it does not have a professional occupation.

This will have a LOT to do with the definition of total disability your policy provides you. If you purchased a True Own Occupation Disability policy, then Yes you can work as a practice owner and still receive 100% of your Disability benefits. The primary requirement is that you continue to be unable to perform the material and substantial duties of a Dentist.

If the policy you purchased has a Modified Own Occupation definition of disability that working as a practice owner and earning an income will have a negative effect on the benefits you receive from your Long Term Disability insurance.

You need to check the definitions in your policy related to "Own Occupation", "Any Occupation" and the definition of "disabled". There are also time frames - 2 years for this, 5 years for that... specified in the policy.

Furthermore, if your reference to "on full disability" is referring to Social Security Disability (rather than a private disability policy), there are other applicable limitations on earnings so as not to disqualify you from or reduce SSDI payments.

There are many insurance companies in the marketplace that offer top quality Own-Occupation Disability insurance for doctors. True Own-Occupation Disability insurance will pay benefits if "due to an injury or illness, you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation, regardless of whether you are employed elsewhere." Own-Occupation coverage is the best way for Doctors to protect their specialty.

No. You do not own the policy. You will only receive the policy proceeds after the insured person dies.