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. And if you don’t know who’s behind the curtain, you can’t protect what matters. At Everything DSO, we help dentists see the full pcture—because understanding who is buying your practice is just as important as knowing what they’re offering.

The Rise of “Doctor-Led” DSOs Backed by Private Equity

In today’s market, many DSOs brand themselves as “doctor-founded” or “clinician-owned.” And that may be technically true. But in many cases, the funding—and final authority—comes from private equity groups whose goal is simple: scale fast, squeeze hard, and sell high.

Here’s what that can mean for you:

• Strict cost-cutting measures
• Turnover in staff and leadership
• Pressures to increase production at the expense of patient care
• Sale of the larger roll-up within 3–5 years (with new management and new rules)

It’s not personal. It’s just the model. But if you don’t know that’s the model going in, you could end up stuck in a deal where you become the commodity.

You Deserve to Know Who’s at the Table

When you work with Everything DSO, we help you:

• Peel back the layers behind any offer you receive
• Understand the difference between the name on the offer and the firm holding the checkbook
• Evaluate the track record of the group—not just their pitch
• Ask the questions that most dentists don’t know to ask—until it’s too late

We’re not trying to scare you. We’re trying to equip you—so you can negotiate like the CEO you are.

Real Story: Dr. Sam Dodged a Bullet

Dr. Sam received an offer from a group that branded itself as a regional “doctor-led DSO.” Their team talked a great game. Said all the right things. But when he brought the offer to us, we dug deeper. Turns out, the group was 91% owned by a private equity firm that had flipped two dental platforms in the last six years. Their standard play was:

• Buy
• Consolidate
• Cut costs
• Sell to a bigger group

Dr. Sam didn’t want to be part of that. We helped him find a buyer whose long-term goals aligned with his own—and we structured a deal that protected his staff, honored his culture, and gave him time to exit on his terms.

“I Thought I Was Selling to Another Dentist…”

We’ve heard that sentence more times than we can count.

And in some ways, it’s true. But those dentists are often just operators, not decision-makers. The funding group—the one with control—isn’t always visible. And they’re not always interested in the same things you are. That’s why you need someone in your corner who’s not pushing one buyer or one model… but focused solely on your best interest. That’s where we come in.

You’re Not Selling a Widget. You’re Selling a Legacy.

And that means:

• You need to know who is really buying
• You need to know why they want your practice
• And you need to know what’s going to happen next

At Everything DSO, we help you answer all three. Because protecting your future starts with knowing who you’re handing the keys to.

Let’s Talk—Privately, and On Your Terms

Whether you’ve received an offer or are just starting to explore options, we’ll help you understand what’s real, what’s risky, and what’s possible.

No pressure. No agenda. Just the clarity you need to make the right call. Because the wrong buyer can cost you more than money. And the right guide can help you protect everything you’ve built.

From your team at Everything DSO