Our Blog - Everything DSO

There’s something deeply satisfying about the idea of blowing it all up. We all fantasize, now and then, about erasing the chaos and starting fresh. No more staff drama. No more insurance nonsense. No more weekends worrying about Monday. No more patients who want champagne results on a dollar menu budget. Just clean, charred closure. But in the dental world, that fantasy usually pops up right...

It wasn’t an email. It was a letter. Handwritten. Mailed in. Tucked in with a practice valuation request form. And it started with three haunting words: “I waited too long.” The letter went on to describe a story that I’ve heard, in pieces, dozens of times—but rarely with this level of honesty. It came from a dentist I’ll call “Dr. L,” who had every intention of exiting...

Most dentists assume the real danger is the big, obvious stuff: A lawsuit A malpractice complaint A competitor opening down the street But here’s the truth: The real time bombs are quiet. They don’t explode overnight. They leak value, inch by inch, until your retirement dreams shrink by six figures or more—and you don’t even notice until it’s too late. Let’s defuse a few of them right now. Time...

He looked like the kind of guy who calls everyone “buddy.” Cool blazer. No tie. Designer watch. Whiskey in hand. And a smile that said, “I’m not here to sell you anything.” Except he was. He was the DSO’s closer. The friendliest face of the sharpest contract you’d ever sign. And I watched a very smart dentist—a respected, successful, clinically gifted doctor—get taken...

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…...

How One Dentist’s Million-Dollar Payday Turned Into a Multi-Year Regret (and How You Can Avoid the Same Fate) Dr. Jen C. didn’t hesitate when the offer came in. She had been approached by a fast-talking rep from a large national DSO. They said all the right things—praised her numbers, flattered her team, promised an easy transition. Within 30 days, she had a letter of intent and a valuation just...

Why the Best Time to Explore a Sale Is When Things Are Going Well—Not When You’re Burned Out “I’m not ready to sell—I’m still growing.” We hear that a lot. And we get it. You’re not tired. You’re not slowing down. You’re not desperate. But here’s what most dentists don’t realize: The best time to explore a sale isn’t when you’re ready to leave. It’s when your practice is thriving. Because that’s...

The Part of the DSO Deal Most Dentists Never Think About—Until It’s Too Late Most dentists spend all their time thinking about the offer. What’s the multiple? How much will I net after taxes? How soon can I close? But the smartest doctors we work with ask a different question: “What happens after I sign?” Because that’s where the real story begins. Unfortunately, too many dentists find...

Dear Reader, How to Avoid the “One-Size-Fits-All” Trap When It’s Time to Sell Your Dental Practice Your practice isn’t just a business. It’s your legacy. Your team. Your patients. Your values. And yet—when it comes time to explore selling, most of the offers on the table treat you like just another cog in a massive machine. Cookie-cutter deals. Templated contracts. High-pressure tactics. And vague...

Dear Reader, Why the Name on the Letterhead Isn’t Always the One Pulling the Strings You’ve probably heard this before: “We’re a doctor-led group.” “We value your autonomy.” “We’re not corporate.” It sounds reassuring. And for some doctors, it’s all they need to hear. But here’s the truth you won’t find in most emails, calls, or shiny pitch decks: The name you see isn’t always the real buyer....