Dental Practice Seller FAQs

The location of your dental practice will often determine how quickly it sells. In an urban environment, your practice may sell in as few as 6-12 weeks from the time the dental practice valuation is completed. If located in a rural community where the demand for a dental practice is possibly lower, it could take anywhere from 2-5 years to sell your practice. You can read more about factors that affect how long it takes to sell a dental practice here.

• We provide listings on leading industry websites, including Dental Economics, Dental Town, Texas Dental Association, WBA, and ADS.
• In print classifieds, including Texas Journal (TDA) and Dental Economics.
• We present your practice to 4th year students and residents at Dental Schools, such as Baylor College of Dentistry and University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston.
• We network with local attorneys, accountants, practice management consultants, and lenders who work in the dental industry. (See our list of professional referrals.)
• We are the sole ADS Member in Texas and possess a national network of local brokers that provide buyer referrals.
• We exhibit your practice at the TDA Texas Meeting (San Antonio), Southwest Dental Conference (Dallas), and Star of the South (Houston).
• Through direct mail.
• At our monthly Dental Practice Transition Dinners held in Dallas/Ft Worth, east Texas or Houston.

In most cases it is possible for the buyer to secure 100% financing for the purchase of a practice. We have established excellent relationships with a number of large national lenders who specialize in dental practice acquisition financing, as well as SBA and local lenders that make these loans. In fact, purchasers often secure 100% financing plus working capital as well.

• Reassess your fees. Your fee structure should be updated annually and can add value to your practice.
• Conduct a cash flow analysis.
• Maintain a high level of production. You may be tempted to decrease productivity as you approach retirement, but by raising or continuing your production levels you maintain practice value.
• Keep patient numbers high. The total active patient count is one of the principle metrics used to calculate practice value.
• Keep organized financial records. Ask your accountant to organize records so that you can easily determine your actual overhead and profits accurately.
• Maintain accurate patient records. A purchaser will likely review the condition of these records.
• Improve the appearance of your office. Clean and redecorate to ensure a good first impression.
• Service dental equipment. Poorly maintained equipment will result in a lower offer.
• Seek professional advice. Qualified consultants may identify opportunities to improve your practice before placing it on the market.

A private seller does not have access to the resources needed to effectively sell a practice. A broker can provide a potential buyer with a compelling appraisal, cash flow assessment, and risk analysis information that documents your practice’s true value. Other benefits include:

• Brokers offer accurate valuations.
• Brokers can offer your attorney and accountant tax advice on how to structure your sale.
• As experts in dental practice transitions, brokers can recommend legal measures to protect you in a transaction.
• Brokers can interpret financial statements and articulate the actual value of your practice.
• Brokers provide maximum listing exposure in a wide range of media outlets.
• They save you money. A broker frees you to continue working and earning an income.
• Brokers lend legitimacy to a sale. Their expertise inspires confidence in both parties.
• Brokers keep the transition confidential. This may assist in avoiding loss of patients or issues with competing practices.