Skip To Content

7 Tips for Purchasing a Dental Practice


For assistance with selling or purchasing a dental practice, don't hesitate to contact CTC Associates to talk about dental acquisitions and sales!
A+ A- A Main Content front desk area of an office

Buying an established dental practice is a huge life and career decision. Before making this investment, it's smart to do your research and due diligence to make sure you're successful! Below are some tips on dental practice purchases.

7 Tips for Purchasing a Dental Practice

  • Tip 1 – Verify that you have an accurate count of active patients. The numbers can sometimes be inflated to look more attractive to buyers. Inaccurate counts are less of an issue now than in the past, thanks to practice management software, but it's still important to do your due diligence.
  • Tip 2 – If extensive dentistry has already been done on most patients, then much of the future production from active patients will be in hygiene. In short, the more complete dentistry that has been done, the less ROI.
  • Tip 3 – Accounts receivables can be incorrect if the practice hasn't been running day sheets, generating statements each month, tracking insurance claims, or closing out their month- or year-end reports.
  • Tip 4 – A dentist to patient ratio of 1:2,000 is the lowest you should consider going. A ratio of 1:3,000 would indicate success, and a ratio of 1:4,000 would be lucrative. Keep in mind that these numbers may be lower in rural areas.
  • Tip 5 – Always review the seller's insurance agreements. It can be dangerous to assume that everything you're being told is accurate.
  • Tip 6 – After purchase, avoid pushing procedures or treatments on the existing mature patients. Make sure to gain the trust of the older, established patients before making changes or pushing treatments.
  • Tip 7 – Lastly, request that the selling doctor sends out a letter on the office's current letterhead. Where appropriate, include a personal note and the patient's first name. A few months after taking over the practice, the buyer can send out their own introductory letter or pamphlet.

For assistance with selling or purchasing a dental practice, don't hesitate to contact CTC Associates to talk about dental acquisitions and sales!

Posted on Nov 9, 2020
Image Credit:
File ID 30567205 | © Xiaofeng123 | Dreamstime.com

Share:

Archived Articles


November 25th, 2024

Buying or selling a dental practice for sale is an intricate process involving multiple legal considerations. Navigating…

November 11th, 2024

When considering a dental practice transition, whether buying or selling, one of the most critical steps is determining the…

October 28th, 2024

Selling a dental practice for sale can be a complex transaction, especially when it comes to understanding the tax…

October 14th, 2024

When considering a dental practice transition, whether buying or selling, one of the most critical steps is determining the…

September 23rd, 2024

When it comes to selling a dental practice, there are some differences between selling an orthodontic practice and a general…

Insights & Resources

Whether you're a seasoned dental professional planning your next big move or just beginning to explore the possibilities of buying or selling a dental practice, you've come to the right place. Our blog is designed to provide valuable insights, expert advice, and the latest industry trends to help you navigate the complexities of dental practice transitions. With decades of experience serving Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii, we are your trusted partners in building successful dental careers. Explore our articles and discover how we can support your journey toward achieving your professional goals.