They don’t wear scrubs. They don’t pull teeth. They don’t know the difference between a bicuspid and a br. But they know your practice is valuable. We’re talking about private equity firms. The so-called “sharks.”
Love them or hate them, they’re circling the dental world—and they’re not going anywhere. But here’s what most dentists miss:
You don’t have to fear them. You don’t have to fight them. You just have to understand how they think. Because once you do, you can start playing a much smarter—and much more profitable—game.
Why Private Equity Is So Interested in Dentistry
Dentistry checks all the boxes for investment firms:
- Recession-resistant: People still go to the dentist in tough times.
- Predictable cash flow: Insurance billing and recurring hygiene visits make revenue relatively stable.
- Fragmented market: Most practices are still privately owned, which makes roll-ups and consolidation highly profitable.
- Strong margins: Compared to many healthcare fields, dentistry is lean and efficient.
To a private equity firm, your practice isn’t just a healthcare facility. It’s a business unit—a highly valuable, cash-producing asset. They don’t see the blood, sweat, and late nights you put into it. They see numbers. And those numbers can make them millions.
What Can Dentists Learn From This?
Rather than feel threatened, smart dentists can take a page from the PE playbook.
Here are three key lessons:
- Value Is Created Before the Sale
Private equity firms don’t “get lucky” on the day of a deal. They plan for years in advance. They optimize. They streamline. They reduce risk. They make the asset irresistible before they take it to market.
As a dentist, this means:
- Clean financials
- Strong associate contracts
- Consistent production across providers
- Healthy hygiene recall
- Operational systems that don’t rely on your daily presence
The more your practice looks like an investment—rather than a personality-driven operation—the more valuable it becomes.
- Timing Is Everything
PE sharks don’t buy when they’re desperate. They buy when the deal makes sense. And you should sell the same way.
Too many dentists wait until they’re burned out or in crisis to start exploring options.
At that point, leverage is gone. Valuations dip. Emotions cloud judgment. But private equity? They buy when the business is at—or near—its peak. That’s when the numbers are strongest. That’s when negotiation favors the seller. And that’s when you, as the dentist-owner, are most likely to walk away with options and capital, rather than regret.
- They Never Make a Deal Without a Strategy
PE firms don’t chase “interesting” opportunities. They look for strategic fits—practices that align with a bigger plan. You should do the same.
Before selling, ask:
- What do I want next?
- How much control do I want to keep?
- What kind of buyer aligns with my values?
- How will this impact my staff, my schedule, my identity?
This isn’t just about selling a business. It’s about protecting the life you’ve built and designing the one you want next.
You Don’t Need to Become a Shark. Just Learn to Swim With Them.
You don’t have to think like Wall Street. But if you understand how private equity evaluates businesses, you’ll make better decisions—period.
That doesn’t mean you have to sell to a DSO or a PE-backed group.
It just means you’ll recognize a good offer when you see one. You’ll know when the timing is right. And you’ll be able to structure a deal that works for you, not just for the buyer.
Who’s In Your Corner?
Private equity firms have analysts, lawyers, accountants, and negotiators working around the clock to protect their interests.
So who’s protecting yours? This is why dentists shouldn’t go into these conversations alone.
You need a guide who understands both sides of the table—who can decode the offers, translate the jargon, and make sure you walk away with clarity, not confusion. Because when it comes to your future, “good enough” isn’t.
You only get one shot to sell the practice you’ve spent your life building.
And that deal should reflect the true value, not just of your numbers, but of your legacy.
The sharks aren’t the villains. They’re just players in a game most dentists never got taught how to play.
But now you know more. And now you get to choose: Will you keep drilling until the tank runs dry, or will you finally take the wheel and make your next move count?
You don’t need to become a shark. Just be smarter than the one circling your practice.
To your unstoppable success,
From your team at Everything DSO
