Thinking about selling your practice? You're not alone. It's one of the biggest decisions a dentist can make, and one that could shape the future of your finances, your freedom, and even the dental profession itself. At The Dental A Team, we’re not here to tell you whether selling is right or wrong. We’re here to help you ask smarter questions and explore all your options before making the leap.

What is the real impact of selling to a DSO?

Selling to a DSO can offer financial rewards, but it also comes with trade-offs: loss of control, culture changes, and uncertainty around long-term payouts.

What to consider before selling:

Are you clear on your post-sale lifestyle goals?
Do you know your practice’s true value (not just EBITDA)?
Have you optimized your profitability before selling?

“If a DSO is offering you $5M, ask yourself: could you generate that in 2 years and still keep your practice?” — Kiera Dent

Can you build your dream life without selling?

Yes. In many cases, you can create the life you’re hoping a DSO sale will give you, without giving up your practice or control.

We’ve helped clients:

Work just 2 days a week while taking home $1M+
Boost production and reduce overhead in under 6 months
Maintain ownership while offloading management to their team

When you define your “North Star” (financial goals, lifestyle, exit timeline), we can design the systems to make it happen.

What if you're already in a DSO?

You still have power. Even within a DSO model, you can influence:

Culture: Great leaders shape practice morale, no matter who owns it.
Patient care: Advocate for your clinical integrity and billing accuracy.
Profitability: The better your performance, the more influence you’ll earn.

“You’re the product. You matter. Your leadership can change the culture of even the largest group.” — Kiera Dent

What’s the smarter way to prepare for a sale?

If you're 1–3 years from selling, now is the time to increase your value. DSOs pay based on performance, so your best move is to grow your practice before talking deals.

Steps to take now:

Reduce overhead and increase EBITDA
Streamline systems for a smoother handoff
Boost production without burning out
Work with a financial advisor to define your “magic number”
Partner with a consultant to make execution easy

What’s the takeaway?

You don’t have to sell your practice to get your dream life. And if you do want to sell, don’t leave money (and impact) on the table.

There are more options than you think:
- Internal partnerships
- Strategic growth before sale
- Partial exits with strong transition plans
- And yes, smart, well-negotiated DSO deals

Need help exploring your next move?

Let’s make sure you’re building a profitable practice that serves your life, not the other way around.

To connect with us, schedule a call at TheDentalATeam.com.

Don't forget to check out our podcast for more tips!

Last updated: June 2025

Author: Jacintha Ham, Dental A Team

Selling or Building your Dream Dental Practice