How to Sell a Dental Practice: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Selling a dental practice is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. This step-by-step guide walks you through every stage, from initial valuation to closing day, so you can sell confidently, whether you use a broker or go FSBO.
Step 1: Get a Professional Valuation
Before listing, understand what your practice is worth. Most dental practices sell for 60-80% of annual collections or 1.5-2.5x seller discretionary earnings (SDE).
Step 2: Prepare Your Financials
Clean up 3 years of tax returns, P&L statements, and production reports. Buyers and lenders will scrutinize every number.
Step 3: List Your Practice
Choose between a broker (8-12% commission) or FSBO listing on a marketplace like SellPracticeNow (free).
Step 4: Screen Buyers
Qualify buyers before sharing confidential details. Verify financing pre-approval, clinical experience, and timeline.
Step 5: Negotiate and Close
Work through the LOI, due diligence, asset purchase agreement, lease assignment, and closing. Typical timeline: 3-6 months from listing to close.