If you own a thriving dental practice generating seven figures or more, the decisions you make in the next twelve months could define the financial legacy of your entire career. Right now, the dental industry is in the middle of a massive consolidation wave. DSOs are buying aggressively. Private equity money is flowing in. And practice valuations for top-performing offices are at levels most doctors have never seen before.

This is a real, measurable shift that’s reshaping the economics of dentistry. Those who understand what’s happening and act strategically are walking away with life-changing outcomes. Those who wait are watching the window narrow.

The DSO Boom: Hard Numbers, Not Hype

Over the past decade, the rise of DSOs has accelerated from a trend to a dominant market force. Ten years ago, DSOs represented less than 10 percent of the dental market. By 2020, that number grew to roughly 18 to 20 percent. As of late 2025, industry analysts estimate that between 45 and 50 percent of dental practices are now affiliated with a DSO, with projections climbing toward 60 to 65 percent by the end of this decade.

Why is this happening? DSOs have cracked the code on scale. They’re backed by institutional investors who want stable, recession-resistant assets. Dental practices fit that profile perfectly. People need dental care in every economic cycle. A well-run practice produces predictable cash flow, which makes it highly attractive to private equity firms and strategic buyers who are looking for returns with less volatility than traditional investments.

The result is a highly competitive acquisition environment. DSOs are offering two to three times yearly profit for profitable practices in desirable locations. That is significantly higher than the one-to-one-and-a-half times profit typically offered in a traditional dentist-to-dentist sale. For many doctors, that difference amounts to millions of dollars.

High-Value Practices Are in the Driver’s Seat

Not every practice qualifies for top-tier offers. DSOs are selective. They look for practices generating $1 million or more in revenue, ideally with multiple doctors, a solid hygiene program, strong operational systems, and room for growth. They value profitability, operational consistency, and infrastructure that can scale under their management.

For these practices, the market is extremely favorable right now. DSOs are competing for deals. Multiples are strong. Strategic buyers are willing to move fast to secure the right practices before their competitors do.

If your practice meets those criteria, you’re in the driver’s seat. You have leverage. You have negotiating power. You have the ability to shape the terms of your exit in a way that protects your legacy, rewards your years of work, and positions you for your next chapter on your terms.

The Window of Opportunity Is Narrowing

Every consolidation cycle follows a pattern. The early sellers, who understand market timing, secure the highest valuations. Mid-cycle sellers get fair offers but face more competition. Late sellers often find themselves negotiating with fewer buyers, lower multiples, and stricter terms.

Dentistry is no different. By late 2025, the industry is well into the middle of this consolidation wave. Many DSOs have already completed their initial rounds of acquisitions and are becoming more selective. The flood of capital that’s driven valuations upward will not last forever. As more practices sell, supply increases. When supply increases and demand stabilizes, valuations flatten or decline.

In other industries, this cycle has played out the same way. In veterinary medicine, early sellers saw unprecedented valuations. Within a few short years, late sellers were accepting significantly lower offers, sometimes as much as 30 percent less than peak valuations. Dentistry is now on the same trajectory.

The message is clear. If you’re even considering a sale in the next few years, now’s the time to strategically position your practice. Waiting until 2027 or 2028 may mean missing the peak entirely.

I’ve spent my career on both sides of the table. I’ve been directly involved in over two hundred million dollars in dental practice transactions and indirectly involved in over two hundred million more. I’ve seen practices positioned correctly receive multiple offers and command premium valuations. I’ve also seen great practices lose millions because they entered the market too late or without the right strategy.

DSOs are sophisticated buyers. They know exactly what they want. They understand how to structure deals to their advantage. If you want to maximize your outcome, you need to understand what drives value from their perspective and position your practice accordingly.

The first step is a strategic appraisal. Not a generic broker valuation, but a comprehensive analysis that looks at your practice through the eyes of a DSO buyer. This reveals exactly where you stand, what your practice is worth in the current market, and what strategic adjustments can increase that value before you sell.

I offer a full appraisal and strategic positioning report valued at $2,743 at no cost to qualified practice owners. If your practice is generating $1 million or more, this is your opportunity to get the unvarnished truth about where you stand and what the market will pay.

The DSO wave is here. The market is strong. The opportunity is real. But like all waves, it will crest. The smartest practice owners are positioning now, while buyers are still competing and valuations are at their peak.

To your unstoppable success,
Your Team at Everything DSO