Dental practice M&A questions, answered

In 2026, DSOs typically pay 4.0x to 9.0x adjusted EBITDA. A single-location general practice with $300,000 to $700,000 of EBITDA usually lands at 4.0x to 6.5x. Multi-location groups, specialty practices, and practices above $1M EBITDA command 6.5x to 9.0x or more.

Operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, with owner-specific and one-time expenses added back and a market-rate replacement salary for the owner-dentist subtracted.

No. It applies current market multiples to your stated inputs and returns a range. A detailed valuation normalizes EBITDA from your actual financials and typically moves the result 10% to 25% in either direction.

Usually by about a full turn of EBITDA, or the difference is shifted into an earn-out. Most DSO offers assume the selling dentist stays two to five years.

A portion of the purchase price paid in shares of the DSO's parent company rather than cash. It can appreciate if the DSO later sells at a higher multiple, but it is illiquid until then and carries the DSO's business risk.

A portion of the price paid later, only if the practice hits agreed targets, usually collections or EBITDA over one to three years. Earn-outs shift risk to the seller; the more of the price in earn-out, the more the offer depends on performance you may not fully control after the sale.

A portion of the price held in escrow for a period after closing, typically 12 to 24 months, to cover breaches of the seller's representations. It is normally released in full if no claims arise.

Most DSOs pay selling dentists 28% to 35% of their own collections as an associate. If you currently take more than that as an owner, your income will fall, and that difference should be part of how you compare offers.

Yes. Listings show region, practice type, revenue band, and EBITDA band only. Your practice name, address, and identity are released only to registered buyers you approve, after they sign an NDA.

Typically 4 to 7 months from listing to closing: 2–4 weeks to prepare financials, 4–8 weeks to receive and negotiate LOIs, 60–90 days of due diligence, and 2–4 weeks for definitive agreements and closing.

In most DSO acquisitions, staff are offered continued employment at or near current terms, often with better benefits. Staff retention is in the buyer's interest. You can and should ask each buyer to state its staff commitments in writing before signing an LOI.

It varies by DSO. Some are hands-off clinically and centralize only billing, purchasing, and HR. Others standardize treatment protocols, labs, and materials. Ask directly and get the answer in the LOI or employment agreement.

Three years of P&Ls and tax returns, production by provider, collections by month, payer mix summary, payroll totals, lease, and an equipment list. No patient-identifiable information is needed.

All terms are disclosed in writing before you list. Traditional dental brokerage is typically priced at 8% to 10% of the sale price; DentalDex is built as a lower-cost, transparent alternative. Current terms are available on request.

The selling dentist. Buyers register to receive matching practices and agree to platform terms, but DentalDex's role in the transaction is to help the seller understand value, reach qualified buyers, and compare offers.

Each buyer confirms its legal entity, acquisition contact, acquisition criteria, and funding source, and signs a platform NDA before receiving any teaser. The full verification standard will be published as it is finalized.

DentalDex is building a licensed, technology-powered alternative to traditional dental brokerage. Licensing and services vary by jurisdiction and will be disclosed for each engagement. DentalDex is not a law firm, CPA firm, or investment adviser.