Dental practices
Sell your dental practice to the right buyer, not just the first one.
Canada's dental market is the most active healthcare M&A market in the country. Corporate groups and private dentists compete for good practices, and how you run the process can move your price, your cash at close and your post-sale obligations.
Who's buying
Know your buyers
Dental service organizations (DSOs)
Groups like dentalcorp, 123Dentist and others often pay the highest headline multiples, but typically pay part of the price in rollover equity or earn-outs and ask you to work back for several years.
Associates and private dentists
Often pay mostly cash at close and keep the practice's culture intact. Financing from Canadian banks is readily available for well-run dental practices.
Regional groups and family offices
Smaller multi-clinic owners looking to add a location in your area, sometimes with more flexible transition terms.
Public filings show dentalcorp paid roughly 6.3× to 7.5× adjusted EBITDA (after rent) for practices it acquired in 2025.
What buyers pay more for
- Hygiene department producing 30%+ of revenue with a strong recall program
- Steady new-patient flow and a clean, active patient list
- Overhead under ~65% with normalized, accountant-prepared financials
- Associates who produce independently of the owner
- A long, assignable lease (or owned real estate) and modern equipment
Watch out for
- In Ontario, voting shares of a dentistry professional corporation can only be held by RCDSO-registered dentists, which shapes how corporate buyers structure deals.
- You must notify patients in writing of the change in ownership and arrange proper custody of records.
- Compare DSO offers on cash at close, equity terms and work-back years, not headline price alone.
FAQ
Selling a dental practice
How much is a dental practice worth in Canada?
Broker commentary commonly puts general dental practices at roughly 60% to 130% of annual collections, with competitive urban markets sometimes higher. Corporate buyers price on adjusted EBITDA. Your hygiene ratio, overhead, location and how dependent the practice is on you make the biggest difference.
Should I sell to a DSO or a private dentist?
It depends on your goals. DSOs can pay more on paper but often include equity and work-back requirements. Private buyers usually pay cash and let you leave sooner. Running a confidential process with both lets you compare real offers side by side.
What is your dental practice worth?
Answer a few questions about your practice. It takes about three minutes, and your information stays confidential.