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Selling Your Dental Practice to a DSO? Know What the Offer Is Really Worth

DSO offers are built by professional acquisition teams. We help you evaluate the structure behind the headline number, compare it against private-buyer alternatives, and negotiate terms that protect your income, your team, and your legacy.

An unsolicited DSO offer can look compelling on paper. The purchase price may include cash at closing, earnouts, equity rollovers, holdbacks, and work-back commitments, so the value and timing can differ from the headline number.

Practice Transitions Institute helps you understand what you are actually being offered, whether a private buyer would serve you better, and how to negotiate from a position of knowledge instead of guesswork.

How We Help You Evaluate a DSO Deal

Offer and LOI Review

We organize the business terms for review, including cash at closing, earnouts, equity, holdbacks, exclusivity, and post-sale obligations. Your attorney reviews the legal effect.

Independent Valuation

A documented opinion of value gives you a planning baseline for comparing the offer with the practice's financial performance and market context.

DSO vs Private Buyer

We compare the DSO path against a private sale on the dimensions that matter: certainty of proceeds, timeline, work-back expectations, team continuity, and legacy.

Negotiation & Closing

We advocate on your behalf through negotiation, due diligence, and closing, working alongside your attorney and CPA to protect the terms that matter to you.

What's Behind a DSO's Headline Number

Cash at Closing vs Contingent Value

Earnouts and holdbacks depend on future performance or events. We separate the amount contractually payable at closing from proceeds that remain contingent.

Equity Rollovers

Rolling part of your proceeds into DSO equity adds risk and potential upside. Its value depends on the company, security terms, and a future liquidity event that may not occur on your preferred timeline.

Work-Back Terms

Most DSO deals require you to keep practicing for years under new ownership. Compensation, production targets, and autonomy all belong in the negotiation.

Team & Legacy

Team roles, patient continuity, and the practice's identity should be discussed before you sign, with the final obligations documented by your attorney.

What to expect from an engagement

Clear scope, clear responsibilities, and no surprises about how the work is structured.

What you receive

  • Offer and business-term comparison
  • Independent valuation planning baseline
  • Negotiation, diligence, and closing coordination with your advisors

Timeline and communication

An initial offer review can begin before a letter of intent is signed. A full engagement may continue through negotiation, diligence, and closing, with phases and timing defined in writing.

Your written engagement identifies the PTI lead, milestones, and how progress and decisions will be communicated.

Roles, fees, and outside advice

Before work begins, PTI explains its role, who it represents, potential conflicts, the scope of work, and fees in writing.

PTI can coordinate with your attorney, CPA, and lender. Legal, tax, and lending advice remains with those licensed professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Reading

Weighing your options? Our decision guide compares both paths in detail: Should You Sell Your Dental Practice to a DSO or a Private Buyer?

Not sure what your practice is worth yet? Start with an Opinion of Value or our practice sale readiness checklist.

What Our Sellers Say

Seller reviews presented as recorded in PTI's review library

I have known Dr. Michael Njo since 2016, and over the years he has played an important role in some of the biggest professional decisions of my career. When Michael sold our practice in 2020, he delivered exactly what he said he would. His valuation proved accurate, the process was smooth, and his guidance gave us confidence every step of the way. In an environment where uncertainty can be overwhelming, Michael brought clarity, honesty, and calm leadership. I've also watched him step in for colleagues during some of the most stressful moments of their careers - navigating difficult partnership disputes, unexpected health crises, and other situations that required not just expertise, but compassion. He never shrinks from the hard conversations, and he always leads with integrity. Michael has also helped me personally during a very contentious partnership situation. His advice steadied me when I could have easily made decisions I would have regretted. His perspective was invaluable, and his loyalty was unwavering. What makes Michael unique is that he doesn't just act as a broker - he becomes a trusted advisor. He engages deeply with each client's goals, fears, and priorities. He takes the time to truly understand the full picture before offering guidance. Beyond his professional skill, Michael is someone I consider a friend and like family. He has a steady, calm presence that reassures you in difficult moments, and a genuine passion for helping dentists succeed - not just in transactions, but in building meaningful careers. I recommend him without hesitation to any dentist facing a transition, partnership decision, or major career move. Few people combine experience, integrity, and genuine care for their clients the way Michael does.

Dr. Lee Boese

Practice Seller

After 35 years of owning my private dental practice, deciding to sell was both a deeply personal and professional milestone. I was fortunate to work with Michael Njo at Practice Transitions Institute, whose expertise, integrity and calm guidance made all the difference in this life changing process. Michael approached the transition with genuine care. As a fellow dentist himself he understood the emotional weight of passing on a practice built over decades - not just the business side, but the relationships with my patients, staff, as well as the legacy I wanted to preserve. His firsthand experience gave me confidence and I knew I was in good hands. Michael navigated every stage of the transition with professionalism and respect for my goals. He found the perfect buyer who shares my commitment to high quality dental care and will carry on the legacy I worked so hard to build. I know my patients and staff will be left in good hands. If you are considering selling your practice and want a team that truly understands the emotional and practical complexities of the process, I highly recommend Michael and the Practice Transitions Institute.

Brian Valle

Practice Seller

I attended Mike's practice transition seminar and read his book. He was a very knowledgeable and seasoned expert in this area. I decided to use his consultation service to handle my practice sale. He was able to match a buyer within 2 weeks and completed the transaction within 45 days. He was so amazingly efficient throughout the transition process. I highly recommend him to any dentist interested in selling or buying a dental practice. Thanks again, Mike, you are my Superman.

Tony Choi

Practice Seller

Received a DSO Offer?

Have the business terms and valuation context reviewed before you sign a letter of intent.

Request a DSO Offer Review