You’ve built your practice from the ground up, and now you’re considering selling. But what if you didn’t have to walk away completely? What if, instead of simply cashing out, you could stay in the game, keep earning, and still reap the rewards of your hard work? The answer lies in retaining equity post-sale—turning you from dentist to investor in your own success story.
Selling your practice to a Dental Service Organization (DSO) doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you’ve built. By retaining some equity in the practice, you’re not just cashing in—you’re creating a powerful financial future for yourself. Let’s explore how this approach allows you to continue benefiting from your investment while enjoying a lighter workload and fewer responsibilities.
Why Retaining Equity Is the Smart Move
Most dentists think of selling as a one-and-done deal: You hand over the keys, collect a check, and ride off into the sunset. But retaining equity flips the script. It gives you a seat at the table, allowing you to continue earning from the practice’s future growth without bearing the full weight of ownership.
- Keep Earning While Reducing Your Responsibilities
One of the most appealing aspects of retaining equity is that it allows you to keep a financial stake in your practice’s success without the daily grind. DSOs handle the business side—HR, billing, marketing, and all the operational headaches of running a practice. You get to step back, reduce your stress, and focus on what you enjoy most, whether that’s treating patients part-time, mentoring younger dentists, or even just enjoying your newfound freedom.
Imagine this: You no longer have to worry about payroll, hiring, or dealing with vendor contracts. You’re free from the endless administrative burdens that used to eat up your time and energy. Yet, every time your practice grows, every time profits increase, you’re still earning your share. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.
- Benefit from the Growth Potential of Your Practice
DSOs don’t just buy practices—they invest in them. They bring capital, advanced technology, and professional management to drive growth, attract more patients, and enhance profitability. By retaining equity, you’re positioning yourself to benefit from these improvements.
Think of it like owning stock in a company that you know intimately. You understand its strengths, you see the potential, and now, with the backing of a DSO, your practice can achieve the kind of growth that would have been impossible on your own. Instead of cashing out once, you continue to earn dividends as the practice thrives under new, expert management.
- Mitigate Your Financial Risk While Securing Long-Term Gains
Selling part of your equity means you’re immediately securing a substantial financial windfall—money that can be used to pay off debts, invest elsewhere, or simply provide peace of mind. But by retaining a share, you also keep a foot in the door for long-term gains. This approach allows you to diversify your financial future without completely severing ties to the practice you’ve spent years building.
If the DSO takes your practice to new heights, your retained equity becomes even more valuable. You’re no longer shouldering all the financial risk, yet you’re still positioned to share in the rewards. It’s a powerful hedge against the uncertainties of the market.
- Transition to a New Role Without Losing Your Identity
One of the biggest fears dentists face when selling is the fear of losing their identity. Your practice isn’t just a business; it’s part of who you are. Retaining equity allows you to stay connected without being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of ownership. You can continue to have a say, influence the direction of the practice, and remain part of the team, but with a lighter load.
Whether you choose to stay on as a clinician, mentor, or consultant, you’ll maintain a sense of purpose and connection. It’s the best of both worlds: the security of a sale with the continued engagement of being part of something you care about.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
At Everything DSO, we help dentists navigate this process. We understand that selling your practice is about more than just a financial transaction—it’s about your future. By retaining equity, you’re not just selling a business; you’re setting yourself up for ongoing success.
If you’re considering selling your practice, contact us today. Let’s sit down together and look at options that allow you to keep earning, reduce your responsibilities, and stay connected to the practice you’ve worked so hard to build.
Give us a call today! We look forward to helping in every way we can.
Sincerely,
Your team at Everything
