Dental practices typically sell for 5.0x to 9.5x+ EBITDA (or 70% to 120%+ of gross collections), with higher multiples paid to multi-location groups, specialty surgical practices, and practices with high hygiene recall revenue.

The DSO acquires non-clinical administrative assets and provides management services under a Management Services Agreement (MSA), while licensed dentists retain clinical ownership in compliance with state dental boards.

Acquirers offer competitive production compensation (typically 30% to 35% of collections), equity rollover opportunities, and clinical autonomy to ensure smooth staff retention.

Clinical real estate can be purchased alongside the practice at fair market value, or retained by the selling dentist under a long-term commercial lease to generate steady rental income.

Most DSO buyers prefer the selling dentist to continue practicing clinical dentistry for 1 to 3 years post-closing, though management-only transitions are common for multi-associate clinics.