Dear Reader,

Let’s cut through the noise, shall we? When it comes to partnering with a Dental Service Organization (DSO), most of the chatter focuses on dollar signs, buyout structures, and EBITDA multiples. And while money matters—let’s be honest, it matters a lot—there’s another element that can make or break your transition: cultural fit.

If you think culture is just a “feel-good” buzzword, think again. I’ve seen what happens when dentists ignore it. They walk into lucrative deals only to find themselves miserable, frustrated, and trapped in a partnership that doesn’t reflect their values, their approach to patient care, or their legacy. I’m here to help you avoid that fate.

Dear Reader,

Let’s have a heart-to-heart about your future. You’ve likely spent decades building a practice. You’ve put in the long hours, managed every curveball that came your way, and served countless patients. But now, the idea of retirement is creeping up—maybe sooner than you think. The question is: Will your practice be a bridge to the retirement you’ve dreamed of or a missed opportunity? Enter the role of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) in your exit strategy.

Here’s the truth: planning your exit isn’t just about selling a practice for a lump sum and riding off into the sunset. It’s about long-term financial security, preserving your legacy, and maximizing what you’ve spent a lifetime building. Done right, a DSO transition can be the key to a prosperous, worry-free retirement. Done wrong, it can leave you feeling shortchanged. Let’s dig into how to make sure you get it right.

Dear Reader,

Let’s be honest: the thought of negotiating a deal with a DSO can make even the most seasoned clinician sweat. You’ve built a successful practice, maybe over decades. And now, you’re considering selling part—or all—of what you’ve created. The stakes couldn’t be higher. The good news? With the right strategy, you can secure a deal that doesn’t just fill your bank account but aligns with your personal and professional goals. Let’s walk through how to do it right.

Dear Reader,

A DSO, or Dental Service Organization, is like a powerhouse behind the scenes of a dental practice. It’s a business model where the DSO handles the non-clinical parts of running a practice—everything from marketing and billing to HR, compliance, and even securing the best deals on equipment and supplies. In other words, they take over the operational side of things that frankly, let’s be honest, is often a huge hassle for dentists.

So, if you’re tired of spending your valuable time on paperwork, hiring staff, chasing insurance companies, or balancing the books, a DSO partnership could be what you need. Imagine focusing entirely on patient care, enjoying the clinical side of your practice without the constant distractions.

Dear Reader,

You’ve built a great practice. You’ve put in the years of hard work, and now, you’re enjoying the fruits of your labor. The income is good, your patients love you, and dentistry still brings you joy. So why on earth should you even consider joining a Dental Service Organization (DSO)?

Here’s the thing—joining a DSO doesn’t mean you don’t have a great practice. It doesn’t mean you’re giving up control or walking away from what you love. In fact, for many dentists like you, it’s the exact opposite. It’s about securing your future, enhancing your freedom, and getting more out of what you’ve built without sacrificing what makes your practice great.

Let’s break it down.

Dear Reader,

In a traditional doctor-to-doctor sale, the ultimate driver of the transaction is simple: how much a bank is willing to loan to the buyer. And here’s where the problem lies: banks are conservative. They’re not looking at the future potential of your practice or its true profitability. Instead, they’re looking at risk—how much risk they’ll have to take on when financing the sale.

What does this mean for you? It means that when you sell your practice to another dentist, the value is typically undervalued. The buyer has to rely on a loan, which is based on the current revenue and assets of the practice, with little to no consideration of its long-term growth potential or profitability. Banks simply don’t take those things into account—they care about protecting themselves, not maximizing the value of your practice.

Dear Reader,

Dentists who thought they’d ride out their careers owning their practices are now looking at DSOs in a whole new light. Why? Because they’ve discovered an incredible opportunity that’s allowing them to profit from the value discrepancy between Main Street and Wall Street.

Let me explain what that means and why it’s changing everything.

The Main Street vs. Wall Street Value Discrepancy

For years, dentists have been operating their practices, working hard, and generating good incomes. But what most haven’t realized is that there’s a massive difference between what a dental practice is worth to a single buyer on Main Street—a fellow dentist looking to own and operate the practice—and what it’s worth to a DSO on Wall Street.

Dear Reader,

Right now, DSOs are on a buying frenzy, and if you’re a dental practice owner, this should grab your attention. There’s a tidal wave of change happening in the dental industry, and it’s reshaping the landscape for dentists like you. Whether you realize it or not, this frenzy is driven by several industry-disrupting factors that are creating once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for practice owners.

The first thing to understand is that the business of dentistry is changing. DSOs—Dental Service Organizations—are snapping up practices left and right. Why? Because they see what many dentists don’t: dental practices are a goldmine of consistent, recession-proof revenue. People will always need dental care, no matter the economy. But it goes deeper than that.

Dear Reader,

Imagine this: a fortune in the bank, the freedom to earn as much as you want chairside, and all the free time you’ve been dreaming of. Life after selling your practice can be more exciting and fulfilling than you ever thought possible.

For years, you’ve been running a successful practice. You’ve built something you’re proud of, made a great living, and enjoyed taking care of your patients. But let’s be honest—it’s been a grind. Long hours, the stress of managing a team, endless paperwork, and the pressure of running the business have probably started to wear you down. You love being a dentist, but there’s more to life than just the daily hustle.

Dear Reader,

Let me tell you something that most dentists don’t realize: Wall Street wants your practice. Yes, you heard that right. Wall Street investors, the ones who usually focus on stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments, are now laser-focused on buying up dental practices like yours. Why? Because the yield a well-run dental practice generates is far greater than anything they could ever hope to get from a typical investment portfolio.

Let’s talk about yield—the holy grail of investing. Whether you’re talking about bonds, treasury bills, or even the so-called "high-yield" savings accounts, we all know the reality. Investors are lucky if they can squeeze out 4% or 5% returns annually from these traditional sources. It’s slow, it’s boring, and worst of all—it’s not profitable enough for the big players who want serious returns.