If you're a dentist in your late 40s or early 50s, there's a good chance you're asking yourself some version of this question:
"What’s next?"
You might not be ready to retire. You might still love the work. But that quiet voice—the one that wonders about freedom, flexibility, and what comes after clinical life—is getting louder.
You’ve built a successful practice. You’ve invested in your team, your patients, and your community.
But here’s the thing…
If you wait too long to explore your options, you may run out of good ones.
And if you're someone who cares about a dentist, a spouse, a colleague, a CPA, a financial advisor—this article gives you the framework to start an important conversation, gently and wisely.
Below are seven questions every dentist should answer before they turn 55. Because these questions are the ones that separate dentists who retire on purpose from those who burn out and bail.
Most dentists spend decades focused on everyone else—patients, staff, vendors, family. Very few spend real time exploring what they want when the drills stop buzzing.
If the answer is “I don’t know,” it’s time to get curious.
You might have retirement accounts, a paid-off house, and a solid income.
But how much of your current lifestyle—vacations, savings, tuition, hobbies—depends on you showing up and producing dentistry?
The more your lifestyle depends on your hands, the more vulnerable your future becomes.
You may have a number in your head, but have you ever seen what private equity, DSOs, or strategic buyers would actually pay?
Hint: it’s often more than what a colleague down the street could offer… if you know where to look and how to structure the deal.
Too many dentists have no idea what their practice is worth until it’s too late to maximize it.
It’s not a fun question, but it’s a real one.
What happens to your business if you have to take 6 months off?
What’s your backup plan?
Could the practice survive… or would you be forced to sell under pressure?
Protecting your practice before that happens is the key to staying in control.
Are you still investing in equipment because you want to grow, or because it’s what you’ve always done?
Are you hiring because you're scaling, or because you're filling gaps from burnout or turnover?
This is the age where many dentists hit “cruise control” without realizing they’ve stopped driving with purpose.
Many dentists delay exit planning because they don’t want to leave their team hanging.
But the right kind of deal—structured properly—can protect and even reward your team.
We’ve seen associates become partners, longtime hygienists get better benefits, and office managers thrive under new leadership.
It’s not a betrayal to think about your exit. It’s a gift to prepare for it well.
You may have a financial advisor or a CPA. But do you have someone who truly understands the DSO and private equity landscape?
Someone who can break down complex offers into plain language. Someone who can tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear. Someone who can help you evaluate, not just execute.
If not, it’s time to meet that person. (Hint: We’d be happy to make the introduction.)
The Best Decisions Come From Clarity, Not Pressure
None of these questions are designed to make you panic. They’re designed to help you prepare. Because the worst time to explore your options is when you're tired, burnt out, or facing a sudden life change.
The best time? When you still have energy, options, and control.
You don’t have to sell tomorrow. You don’t even have to decide. But if you’re over 50, these questions aren’t optional anymore. They’re necessary. And the sooner you start answering them, the more power you have to shape your next chapter on your terms.
To your unstoppable success,
From your team at Everything DSO