Maximizing Your Practice’s Value: Tips from Dental Brokers

Preparing your dental practice for transition—whether you plan to sell or hire a dental associate—requires strategic planning and insight into what makes a practice attractive to buyers and future partners. As seasoned dental brokers at CTC Associates, we’ve seen firsthand what separates high-value practices from those that struggle in the market.

Understand What Drives Dental Practice Value

When evaluating the value of your practice, prospective buyers focus on both tangible and intangible assets. Tangible elements include equipment, technology, and real estate, but practice valuation is heavily influenced by production, patient base, collections, and goodwill.

According to the American Dental Association, the average gross revenue for a dental practice in 2022 was approximately $1.1 million. Practices with a solid base of recurring patients, consistent year-over-year growth, and optimized overhead often command higher valuations.

Key factors that boost value include:

• Consistent annual collections over $750,000
• An EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margin of 15-25%
• Updated digital equipment and software
• A well-documented treatment protocol and loyal patient base

Build a Team That Supports Growth

Hiring the right associate is a critical component in long-term value creation. Whether you're filling an associate dentist position in Washington or an associate job in Utah, the goal should be to maintain production continuity and expand service offerings. Associates who are well-aligned with the practice’s culture and clinical philosophy are more likely to stay long-term, helping increase stability and future profitability.

If you're advertising an associate job, make sure the role is clearly defined, competitive, and includes a clear growth path. A well-integrated associate can boost collections and reduce the dependency of the practice on the owner—a factor that significantly increases resale value.

Timing Your Exit or Sale

The most successful transitions don’t happen overnight. Ideally, practice owners should begin planning at least three to five years before they intend to sell or buy a dental practice. Early planning allows time to:

• Strengthen financial records
• Increase new patient flow
• Streamline operations
• Update equipment and systems

Practices with declining revenue, outdated technology, or disorganized financials may face a lower valuation and fewer interested buyers. A well-documented track record of success is far more attractive to potential purchasers and banks providing lending.

Market Your Practice Strategically

Dental buyers—especially those searching for an associate dentist position in Washington or considering whether to buy a dental practice—rely on credible information to make informed decisions. That’s where expert dental brokers come in. At CTC Associates, we create custom marketing packages with confidential listings, financial summaries, and operational overviews to position your practice competitively.

We also ensure your opportunity reaches the right audience by targeting our expansive database of potential buyers, including those looking for an associate job Utah or surrounding areas.

Explore available opportunities on our Practices for Sale page.

Invest in Systems and Patient Experience

In today’s market, prospective buyers pay attention to more than numbers. A practice with an exceptional patient retention rate, online reviews, and efficient dental practice management systems is significantly more appealing. Consider implementing:

• Automated patient communication tools
• Online scheduling and paperless forms
• Digital imaging and diagnostic technologies
• Staff training and leadership development programs

A seamless patient experience not only improves day-to-day operations but signals long-term profitability to potential buyers.

Work with Trusted Dental Brokers

Attempting to navigate a sale or transition without a professional can result in undervaluation, missteps in negotiation, or lengthy closing delays. At CTC Associates, we have over 25 years of experience helping dentists across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest maximize their practice value and transition with confidence.

Whether you want to buy a dental practice, hire the right associate, or plan for your retirement, our team of expert dental brokers is ready to guide you every step of the way.