Free Resource
Practice Sale Readiness Checklist
The documents, numbers, and decisions to line up before you talk to buyers — compiled from the transitions PTI has guided for dentists across the country.
1. Financial records
Serious buyers and their lenders ask for these within days of signing an NDA. Having them organized signals a well-run practice.
- Profit and loss statements for the last three years
- Business tax returns for the last three years
- Year-to-date production and collections reports
- Accounts receivable aging report How AR is handled in a sale →
- Payer mix and insurance participation summary
- Notes on discretionary or one-time expenses that affect true profitability Full document prep guide →
2. Practice performance and value
Valuation is more than a revenue multiple. These numbers tell the story behind your practice's worth — and where to strengthen it before listing.
- Production by provider, including hygiene share
- Active patient count and new patients per month
- Procedure mix breakdown
- Equipment inventory with age and condition notes
- An independent opinion of value from a transition specialist PTI's Opinion of Value service →
- A list of value improvements worth making before you sell Ways to improve value first →
3. Legal and facility documents
Deals stall more often on leases and agreements than on price. Confirm these are current, signed, and transferable.
- Lease agreement with assignment and renewal terms Lease assignment checklist →
- Corporate formation documents and ownership agreements
- Associate, employment, and independent contractor agreements
- Equipment leases and financing agreements
- A nondisclosure agreement ready before sharing financials What your NDA should include →
- Licenses, permits, and OSHA/HIPAA compliance records
4. Team, patients, and transition plan
The decisions in this section protect your legacy — and they're easier to make before a buyer is at the table.
- A realistic timeline from preparation through closing How long a sale really takes →
- Your preferred post-sale workback period, if any How long sellers typically stay →
- A staff communication plan — and when to share the news When to tell your team →
- A patient communication plan for after closing How to tell patients →
- Your buyer profile preferences — private buyer, associate, or DSO DSO vs. private buyer →
- Goals around legacy, continuity, and associate retention
Not sure where you stand?
Most dentists are 6–24 months away from being sale-ready when they first work through this list — and the gap is usually fixable with time. PTI can help you prioritize what to tackle first, from cleaning up financials to strengthening practice value before you go to market.