Dental Practice for Sale Near Me

Introduction

Purpose of the article is to help potential buyers understand what to look for when searching for a dental practice for sale . for sale nearby. Growing demand for dental services post-pandemic. As the demand for Medicare has increased after the covid pandemic because people are now more concerned about their health. This is why there is also rising trend in dental practice acquisitions and transitions

Why Buy an Existing Dental Practice?

• Faster patient base acquisition vs. starting from scratch (If you start from scratch it will take much time andalso costs you more).
• Immediate cash flow and infrastructure.
• Lower marketing costs and operational setup.
• Backed by ADA (American Dental Association) surveys showing 68% of buyers preferred buying over starting new (ADA, 2021)

Dental Practice Market Trends (Research-Based)

1. Increase in Practice Listings Due to Retirements

According to the ADA Health Policy Institute (2022):

• A significant percentage of dental practice owners aged 55+ plan to retire within the next 5 years.
• This trend has accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to early retirements or burnout in many older practitioners.

Implication: There’s currently a larger-than-usual supply of dental practices for sale — particularly solo practices  which creates opportunities for buyers

. Shift Toward Dental Service Organizations (DSOs)

• DSO acquisitions have increased steadily over the past decade, with corporate groups buying up small tomid-sized practices.
• ADA research (2021) shows DSO ownership grew from 7.4% (2017) to over 10.4% (2021) among U.S.dentists, especially in urban areas and group practices.
• Younger dentists (<35 years) are more likely to work in or sell to DSOs due to reduced administrativeburden and guaranteed salaries.

Implication: Independent buyers face competition from DSOs but may still find deals in suburban/rural areas where corporate chains are less active

. High Demand in Underserved Areas

• Rural and mid-sized cities often have a shortage of dental professionals, as shown in HRSA (Health
• Resources & Services Administration) dental health professional shortage area (HPSA) maps.
• Incentives such as state grants or loan forgiveness are available in some regions for dentists who buy practices in underserved areas.

Implication: Buyers willing to relocate can access lower-cost practices with built-in patient bases and less competition.

4. Revenue and Valuation Benchmarks

• The average gross revenue of U.S. dental practices is around $500,000–$1.2 million/year, depending on location and specialty (IBISWorld, 2023).
• Practices are typically valued at 60%–80% of their annual collections, depending on goodwill, equipment, and patient retention.
• ADA research suggests solo practices have been shrinking, while group practices are on the rise, with more buyers looking for multi-chair facilities with digital integration.

Implication: Knowing these numbers helps buyers avoid overpaying and identify practices that offer good ROI.

5. Rise in Younger Buyers and Early Ownership

• A trend toward early career practice ownership is growing due to student loan repayment strategies and
• the desire for autonomy.
• ADA 2022 data shows that nearly 22% of dentists under age 35 now own or co-own a practice — up from
• 18% in 2018.
• This is also supported by lenders offering tailored dental business loans for first-time buyers.

Implication: If you’re a new dentist, market conditions and support systems may favor ownership earlier than

traditionally recommended.

6. Technological Expectations

• Patients now expect digital scheduling, paperless billing, digital imaging, and CAD/CAM systems.
• Practices with modern technology command higher sale prices and faster turnover.
• A 2021 survey by Dental Economics found that 91% of patients prefer digital appointment reminders,and 61% say technology affects their loyalty to a practice.
• Implication: When buying, favor practices with up-to-date systems or factor in the cost of tech upgrades during due diligence.

Factors to Consider When Searching “Dental Practice for Sale Near Me”

• Location: Urban vs. rural demand, based on patient density and competition studies.
• Practice Size and Revenue: Data from industry benchmarks (e.g., median revenue per chair).
• Equipment and Technology: Up-to-date vs. outdated systems.
• Staff Retention: Importance shown in Harvard Business Review on practice value.
• Reputation & Online Presence: Study links high Google reviews with new patient growth.

Due Diligence: What Research Says You Should Check Valuation best practices – based on American Dental Association & Practice Transitions data.

• Legal and financial checklist (taxes, debt, lease terms).
•  Average acquisition prices by state or region (backed by industry-specific reports).
• Profit margins by specialty (general, ortho, endo, etc.).

Financing and Support

• Financing options: SBA loans, dental lenders (e.g., Bank of America Practice Solutions, Wells Fargo).
• Research on loan approval rates for dental buyers.
• Mentorship programs or transition support (e.g., ADA Practice Transitions).

Where to Find Dental Practices for Sale Near You

• Online marketplaces (e.g., DentalPost, PracticeExchange, ADA Practice Transitions).
• Local dental associations and brokers.
• Networking and referrals – research showing 80% of buyers find leads through referrals (Practice Finance Study, 2022).

Challenges and Common Mistakes (Backed by Case Studies)

• Overpaying due to emotional buying – supported by dental broker insights.
• Failing to retain existing staff.
• Ignoring patient turnover and retention metrics.
• Underestimating transition time and training.

Conclusion

Buying a dental practice can be a rewarding investment if researched properly. Always remember the value of using

reliable data, market studies, and financial diligence. Focus on working with legal, financial, and industry experts during the buying process. Contact us for more details visit my site.