Let me guess:

You’re the one everyone turns to when there’s a tough case. You’re the highest producer in your office. You diagnose faster, treat better, and have a clinical mind that’s saved more than a few patients from disaster.

You’re a great dentist.

But the truth is, being a great dentist doesn’t mean you’ll win when it’s time to sell. In fact, some of the most clinically gifted doctors I’ve met have walked away with far less than their practice was worth.

Because they made one big mistake: They thought they were the smartest person in the room.

Excellence Can Blind You to Weakness

When you're the expert in your world, you get used to being in control. You trust your instincts. You make decisions fast. You know what you’re doing.

But when it comes to exiting your practice—especially in the DSO landscape—those instincts can actually work against you.

Here’s why:

• Clinical excellence doesn’t translate to financial strategy
• DSOs speak a different language (EBITDA, roll-up equity, clawbacks, etc.)
• The deal terms that sound good on the surface often have sharp hooks underneath

And if you’re not used to being out of your depth, you won’t realize it until you’re already locked in.

Confidence Without Context Is Costly

I once watched a doctor—Harvard grad, top 1% producer, brilliant clinician—negotiate his own DSO deal. He read every line of the contract. He asked sharp questions. He also lost $800,000 in post-sale value because he misunderstood the EBITDA adjustment language.

Why?

Because he assumed his intelligence in one domain would carry over into another.

And DSOs are counting on that.

The Smartest Move Is Knowing What You Don’t Know

Look—this isn’t about playing small. You’ve earned your success. You deserve to walk away with every dollar your practice is worth. But you won’t get that if you treat your exit like a DIY project.

DSOs are sophisticated. They are backed by private equity firms with entire teams focused on deal structure, downside protection, and maximum return.

If you’re walking into that arena alone, with a clinical background and a high IQ, you’re still walking in unarmed.

The Other Thing Smart Dentists Miss

The more the practice depends on you, the less valuable it is. That’s the paradox. The smarter you are, the more production you do, the more patients ask for you by name—the more the DSO sees risk. Because if you leave, the practice suffers. So your most loyal, highest-producing, totally doctor-centric model? It could actually lower your multiple.

This is where strategic planning comes in:

• Building systems that reduce dependence on you
• Empowering associate production
• Optimizing overhead and reporting structure
• Structuring your practice to look attractive on paper—not just in the operatory

At Everything DSO, We Level the Playing Field

We work with smart dentists every day. And we help them:

• Understand how DSOs really value practices
• Avoid common deal traps and inflated promises
• Maximize value based on their specific strengths
• Create a plan that protects their legacy and lifestyle

And we do it with zero pressure. Our fee is paid by the DSO, not you. Because the smartest person in the operatory still deserves an expert in their corner.

Don’t Let Your Genius Be the Thing That Trips You Up

The market is moving. Valuations are shifting. The window of maximum leverage is open—for now. Even if you’re just exploring options, take the first smart step:

Talk to someone who’s helped dentists like you navigate deals totaling over half a billion dollars.

Clarity beats confidence.

To your unstoppable success,
Your Team at Everything DSO