Transition Talk

Financing plays a major role in nearly every practice transition, and today’s lending environment continues to shape how buyers and sellers approach the process. In this episode, Adam Schenck from Bank of America joins Christy and Charles to discuss the current lending landscape, from interest rate trends and loan approval factors to practice pricing, second locations, and what doctors should cons...

Choosing insurance coverage might not top your list of exciting ownership milestones, but it plays a vital role in safeguarding your future. Fortunately, there are many resources at your disposal to help you navigate all of the policy intricacies. In this episode, Christy discusses the insurance landscape with our guests, Tara Cain, Insurance Account Manager at CWA Risk Solutions, Claudia Glaubitz...

Dentistry offers many directions to pursue, and your journey should be guided by what truly excites and motivates you. If a dental specialty program is your passion and your goal, investing time and energy into the process can help you stand out and set a clear path forward. In this episode, Christy and Charles offer tips for getting selected to a program, preparing for the interview, and making a...

The question we hear most often from aspiring practice owners is, “How do I find the right practice opportunity?” Choosing the practice that truly aligns with your goals is one of the most significant life decisions you'll make. In this episode, Christy and Charles walk through practical ways to identify and secure your ideal opportunity, from networking and broadening your connections to continui...

Even though there are many benefits to practice ownership, there are also trade-offs. In this episode, Christy and Charles break down the realities of ownership, helping you decide if it’s the right path for you. They explore how various aspects of ownership can feel rewarding to some and challenging to others. From wearing many hats, managing a team, and handling business responsibilities, all of...

In most divorce cases, one of the biggest challenges is determining how assets should be divided. When one or both spouses have ownership stake in a healthcare practice, the process becomes even more complex. Enter the divorce valuation: this determines the worth of the practice and identifies the portion eligible for division, supporting a fair and defensible outcome in court. In this episode, Ch...

More locations don’t automatically mean more profit or value. In this episode, Christy and Charles unpack the realities of expanding into a satellite location and challenge common myths surrounding this growth strategy. The co-hosts provide a framework to approach expansion with clear goals and realistic expectations. They’ll show how owners can optimize their satellite practices to position thems...

Although the foundation of the dental industry has remained consistent, there have been some meaningful changes in recent years that have shaped the dental landscape for both buyers and sellers. Christy and Charles discuss updates in the private practice and DSO arenas, from elevated practice prices, satellite location trends, interest rates, buyer and seller demand, DSO consolidation and more. Th...

You’ve made one of the most significant transactions in your career, and you’re now the proud owner of a dental practice. Now you have to face your next hurdle: gaining new patients while also retaining the base. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition for the team and patients. In this episode, Christy and Charles discuss tips for rebranding the business, nurt...

Many buyers and sellers strive to close their practice sale by the end of the calendar year. Although this seems like a natural and satisfying bookend to the year, both waiting or rushing to close a deal will only cause unnecessary pressure. Whether your goal is to close on your practice sale before the year ends, or you have a different deadline in mind, Christy and Charles emphasize in this epis...

For dentists, and especially practice owners, it’s not easy to wear all of the hats, day in and day out. From the daily grind, managing employees, and handling difficult patients, it can all lead to stress and exhaustion, which can eventually result in burnout. Christy and Charles pull from their own career experience and client stories to offer insight and tips for navigating burnout. Their key m...

A valuation is more than applying a dollar amount to a business; it’s about thorough diligence and understanding the variables that tell the business’ story. Take a deep dive into this chapter as Valuation Manager Bryan Gooden helps break down the intricacies and offers his experience on valuations across multiple industries.

While start-up dental practices offer a blank slate to design the practice you’ve always envisioned, not having the built-in patient base and cash flow that a practice acquisition typically provides can be a big challenge. When it comes to specialty start-ups, this adds a different level of complexity. In this episode, we break down which specialties are in demand, which involve higher costs to la...

What factors make for a “Don’t Mess This Up” opportunity versus a “Buyer Beware” opportunity? This episode speaks to the buyers out there, helping to identify the differences between the right and wrong practice opportunity. Tune in as we take a look at the financials, doctor work, real estate, location and other aspects to consider as you explore different opportunities. This episode originally a...

Once you’ve sold your practice to a new owner, the reality of retirement can feel different than expected. With a lower income and a new routine, this next chapter can bring some uncertainty. Building a strategic plan can help you feel confident about the road ahead. Christy and Charles offer key considerations, from filling your time, budget management, tax planning strategies and more. GET MORE...

What dental buyers valued in a practice a decade ago isn’t the same as what they prioritize today. Buyers are diving deeper into the due diligence process, have different desires surrounding location preferences, real estate purchase options, and practice data, among other things. NDP Practice Listings Manager Kathy Whiting shares her experience, illustrating how buyers’ preferences have shifted t...

Purchasing a dental practice comes with unique challenges and variables at every stage of the process. Whether you’re doing your due diligence on a practice opportunity or finalizing your letter of intent, soliciting guidance from a professional can help bring confidence along every step of the way. Christy and NDP Head of Consulting Bridget Schwebke discuss the various options our buyer consultin...

While the financial pieces often dominate the conversation in a DSO sale, there are many more factors involved in the process other than EBITDA and multiples. Christy and Charles help practice owners take a step back and understand all the key considerations when partnering with DSOs. From how the practice value is truly calculated, your preferred workback timeframe and your life after the sale, u...

Practice price is only one component to a sale, yet it’s typically the one that sellers think about most. If you’re selling or transitioning your practice, and the valuation or market price comes in lower than expected, it can not only cause confusion, but also change the trajectory of your transition plan. Is there anything you can do about the price once it’s out in the open? What if you only ha...

As a dental student or resident, you're likely juggling graduation requirements, career paths and personal relationships. And with student debt looming, it can all feel like a lot of weight on your shoulders. Noah Jones from the University of Kentucky joins Charles on this episode to share how he’s managing his priorities in preparation for the future. The way that Noah sees it: this stage is fill...

While traditional financing is most often used to fund private practice acquisitions, seller financing can also be a tool to help pay for the purchase. Seller financing may sound like an attractive option, as many believe it offers the potential for better rates or terms, but that’s not exactly the case. To help you understand the full picture and implications, this episode discusses common scenar...

As you begin your career as an associate, practice ownership may seem more like a dream, rather than a milestone within reach. In reality, the preparation should start early. Practice owner Dr. Dan Butterman and his associate and son, Dr. Kevin Butterman, continue their story from episode 130 and talk about their future partnership. They discuss their initial ideas, transition timeframe and how th...

Stepping into associateship after dental school can feel like jumping off the deep end. This phase is about learning quickly and mastering not only the clinical skills, but also the people and administrative skills. To give perspectives from both sides, practice owner Dr. Dan Butterman and his associate and son, Dr. Kevin Butterman, discuss how they’re bridging the gap between dental school and re...

As you explore a potential practice to buy, how can you confirm that the opportunity is not only profitable, but also aligns with your personal and professional goals? This is where the due diligence process comes in. Charles and NDP transition consultant August Sandy give a rundown on what the process entails and how it can help provide reassurance that you’re making the right choice in a practic...

When the focus is on important life and career decisions, the thought of securing life and disability insurance often takes a backseat. We get it. No one wants to think about the “what if,” and there may not be any immediate circumstances pushing you to consider it. CWA Risk Solutions’ Tara Cain brings her insurance expertise to the podcast and discusses who needs it, when to get coverage, the ins...