What a Buyer Checks First
- Collections for the last three years, not only production
- Active patients, new patient flow and the hygiene schedule
- Mix of insurance plans and the fees each one pays
- Associates, hygienists and staff who stay after the sale
- Equipment age, the lease and how long the owner will stay on
Collections Count More Than Production
Buyers care about money that reaches the bank. They compare production with collections, look at write offs and study overhead as a share of collections. A practice with steady collections and sensible costs earns a firmer price.
The Patient Base
Active patients are the real asset. Buyers ask how many were seen in the last eighteen months, how many are new each month and where they come from. A strong hygiene program shows patients who return on schedule.
Patients choose their dentist, so a smooth introduction helps keep them.
Insurance and Fees
A practice that depends on a few plans with low fee schedules is worth less than one with a balanced mix. Buyers read the contracts and ask about recent changes in what each plan pays.
Staff and the Transition
A buyer wants to keep the team. Long serving hygienists and a capable office manager reassure them. Many sales include a period where the seller works alongside the new dentist, often for several months, so patients see continuity.
The buyer must hold a Nebraska license. Patient records transfer under health privacy rules, so involve your attorney early.
Equipment and Space
Chairs, imaging and software are priced by age and condition. A lease with years left and a landlord who will sign matters, because moving a practice is costly. Read more on asset sale or stock sale.
Getting Ready
Have your attorney review the lease and staff agreements, ask the office manager for a patient count and gather three years of collections reports. Tell staff only when your broker says the timing is right.
For a first range, ask for a confidential estimate, and see how seller financing can help a buyer close.