Dear Reader,
Why the Valuation You’ve Been Given Might Not Tell the Whole Story
You’ve probably thought about your number. The number that would make you pause. The number that might make you sell. The number that says: I did it. I built something worth buying.
But here’s the hard truth most dentists don’t hear until it’s too late: The number you’re given isn’t the whole story. And in many cases… it’s not even the right one.
We’re not saying your practice isn’t valuable. It is. But if all you’re looking at is EBITDA × a multiple… you’re missing what the right buyer is willing to pay—and why.
Not All Buyers Value Your Practice the Same Way
A private equity-backed DSO sees your practice as a line on a spreadsheet. Their goal is to grow fast, sell faster, and squeeze as much margin out as they can. They’re focused on rollups, not relationships. Efficiencies, not excellence.
That doesn’t make them bad. But it does mean they’ll value your practice based on:
- Hard numbers (collections, adjusted EBITDA)
- Their ability to cut costs post-sale
- Their timeline to flip your practice as part of a larger sale
So if their model is based on streamlining operations, replacing staff, or reducing hygiene hours… your valuation is built on that assumption. It’s not based on your goals, your vision, or what you want next.
That’s why many “high” offers still leave doctors feeling shortchanged.
What the Right Buyer Looks For
At Everything DSO, we approach valuation differently. We don’t buy practices to flip them. We buy them to grow with them. Which means:
- We don’t assume we’ll cut staff or reduce hours
- We do prioritize what makes your practice unique, respected, and enduring
- And we do structure our offers around long-term value—not short-term upside
Because of that, we often see more in your practice than a spreadsheet does. That’s how we’re able to make stronger, more flexible offers—offers that aren’t just bigger, but better.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Accept Any Offer
- Is this number based on how the buyer plans to change my practice?
If the valuation assumes major cuts, that tells you everything about their future plans—and their priorities. If they see your culture as a cost to cut, they’re not valuing you. They’re valuing the parts of your practice that don’t need you at all. - What portion of the offer is guaranteed—and what’s “performance-based”?
Many deals have large earn-outs or equity swaps that sound generous, but are tied to aggressive benchmarks you can’t control. Always separate what’s real from what’s promised. - Does this offer reflect what I want next in life?
Even a “great” number can create a terrible experience if it forces you into years of burnout, replaces your team, or changes the way you serve patients. The best transitions preserve what matters.
You Deserve More Than a Valuation. You Deserve a Vision.
Too many dentists sign deals that look good—only to feel stuck, sidelined, or invisible six months later. That doesn’t happen here.
When you talk to Everything DSO, we’re not just trying to “win” a deal. We’re trying to build a partnership that lasts.
That means:
- A deeper dive into what makes your practice special
- A collaborative plan for your future (whether you want to stay, phase out, or step away)
- A real number, built around real goals—with every piece of the structure explained and protected
No surprises. No shortcuts. No bait and switch. Just a smart, strategic partnership designed to support you—not replace you.
Let’s Talk Numbers (the Right Way)
If you've received an offer—or you’re thinking about what your number might be—it’s time to talk.
We’ll walk you through:
- What your practice is really worth (beyond EBITDA)
- What the right buyer might see that others miss
- And how to structure a deal that puts you in control—financially and professionally
Because the only thing worse than undervaluing your practice…
is selling it to someone who doesn’t see its full worth.
From your team at Everything DSO
