Selling a dental practice is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’re planning for retirement, relocating, or transitioning into a new phase of your career, having the right plan—and the right people—by your side can make all the difference.
At DDSmatch, we’ve helped countless dental professionals across Colorado and Wyoming, and all over the U.S. transition out of practice on their terms. With over 20 years of experience in dental finance, real estate, and transition consulting, Jeremy Keck leads our local team with integrity, strategy, and care.
Through our Trusted Transition Process® and Practice Optimizer Experience™, we don’t just help you sell—we help you move forward with peace of mind.
This Article Will Address:
- How to sell a dental practice step-by-step
- How long it takes to sell a dental office
- What you should do before putting your practice on the market
- Whether to sell to a DSO or a private buyer
- How to sell quickly—without sacrificing value
How Do You Sell a Dental Practice? A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Selling your practice isn’t just about finding a buyer—it’s about understanding your goals, protecting your legacy, and maximizing your return. Here’s how DDSmatch guides you through each step:
Step 1 – Know Your Goals and Exit Timeline
Before anything else, get clear on what you want.
- How much do you need from the sale to support your lifestyle post-practice?
- Would you prefer a lump-sum payout or installment plan?
- How soon do you want to exit? Or are you open to working part-time during the transition?
- Is your ideal buyer an associate, a DSO, a family member—or the highest qualified offer?
Your answers here will shape everything that follows.
Step 2 – Interview and Hire a Dental Practice Broker
Most dentists sell a practice once in their lives. We do it every day.
A reputable broker like DDSmatch:
- Keeps your sale confidential while you continue seeing patients
- Handles the valuation, marketing, and buyer screening
- Leads negotiations and connects you with trusted legal and financial pros
We do the heavy lifting—so you don’t have to.
Step 3 – Get a Professional Practice Valuation
Before you list your practice, you need to know what it’s worth.
- We often coordinate with Certified Valuation Analysts (CVAs) to provide fair, accurate valuations
- A proper valuation impacts pricing, tax planning, and buyer negotiations
Step 4 – Prepare Your Practice for Market
Here’s your checklist before listing:
- Accounts Receivable: Write off old debts or send them to collections
- Fee Schedule: Are you charging competitively? Now’s the time to raise underpriced services
- Recall System: Reactivate lapsed patients and fill your schedule
- Office Appearance: Paint, clean, organize—curb appeal matters
- Associate Agreements: Use non-solicit and non-compete clauses to protect value
Buyers love clean, well-run practices with strong systems in place.
Step 5 – Market the Practice Confidentially
The average practice takes 6–18 months to sell. Why?
Because the right buyer isn’t always looking today.
DDSmatch:
- Promotes your practice discreetly to vetted candidates
- Uses local and national networks to identify qualified matches
- Screens buyers for cultural fit, clinical philosophy, and financial readiness
Step 6 – Negotiate and Finalize the Sale
Once a buyer is selected, we’ll help guide:
- Letters of Intent (LOI)
- Due Diligence: Financial statements, lease review, employment contracts, financing
- Final Contract Negotiation & Closing
You’ll know what’s happening every step of the way.
Step 7 – Transition and Exit Support
A smooth handoff is key for your patients, team, and peace of mind.
- Announce the transition to your patients and staff with confidence
- DDSmatch assists with buyer onboarding and transition planning
- You’ll remain supported post-sale through our Trusted Transition Process®
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Dental Practice?
Most dental practices sell in 6 to 18 months. Here’s what affects that timeline:
- Location: Rural practices often take longer than urban ones
- Performance: Stronger financials attract more buyers
- Type of Buyer: DSOs may move faster than private individuals
- Preparation: The more organized your practice, the faster it can sell
Start early and plan ahead—your future self will thank you.
What Should You Do Before Selling a Dental Practice?
Here’s your 10-step checklist from DDSmatch:
- Get your calendar out: Set your ideal exit window
- Clean up accounts receivable
- Evaluate and update your fee schedule
- Rebuild your patient recall system
- Refresh your office space and equipment
- Meet with financial and tax advisors
- Hire a trusted dental transition broker
- Get a third-party practice valuation
- Update employment contracts with associates
- Finish strong with consistent production numbers
Should You Sell to a DSO or a Private Buyer?
Every seller is different, and both options have pros and cons.
DSO Advantages:
- Higher sale prices
- Quick closings
- Reduced management burden
DSO Trade-offs:
- Less control
- Cultural shifts that may impact staff
Private Buyer Benefits:
- More cultural continuity
- Easier patient transition
DDSmatch helps you weigh both paths and negotiate the deal that fits your goals, not someone else’s.
How Can You Sell Your Dental Practice Quickly Without Sacrificing Value?
Here’s how to speed things up without cutting corners:
- Start early—even if you’re not selling yet
- Keep your financials clean and up to date
- Raise your fees if they’re below average
- Protect your practice with contracts
- Maintain production—buyers love strong, stable performance
- Hire DDSmatch—our buyer-ready network shaves months off your timeline
You Don’t Have to Navigate Your Dental Practice Sale Alone
Selling your practice is more than a transaction—it’s a personal transition.
Whether you’re in Denver, Fort Collins, Cheyenne, or anywhere in between, DDSmatch is here to help you move forward with confidence. From personalized valuations to connecting with the right buyers, Jeremy Keck and the DDSmatch team bring unmatched insight and trusted guidance to dentists across Colorado and Wyoming.
Ready to start your journey? Contact DDSmatch today for a no-obligation consultation.