20 Questions

Questions to Ask When Buying a Dental Practice

Essential questions to help you evaluate dental practice opportunities, understand the business, and make informed decisions about your investment.

1

What's the current financial performance and revenue history of the practice?

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Why this works

Understanding the financial performance helps you assess the practice's profitability and growth potential.

2

What's the patient base like and how has it grown or changed over time?

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Why this works

Learning about the patient base helps you understand the practice's stability and growth opportunities.

3

What are the current expenses and overhead costs?

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Why this works

Understanding the expenses helps you calculate the true profitability and what you'll need to manage financially.

4

What equipment and technology does the practice have and what's its condition?

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Why this works

Learning about the equipment helps you understand what you'll be working with and what might need upgrading.

5

What's the staff situation and how long have key employees been with the practice?

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Why this works

Understanding the staff helps you see what human resources you'll have and what stability exists.

6

What's the practice's reputation in the community and how is it marketed?

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Why this works

Learning about the reputation helps you understand the practice's standing and how it attracts patients.

7

What are the lease terms and what's the relationship with the landlord?

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Why this works

Understanding the lease helps you know your ongoing costs and what security you have in the location.

8

What's the current owner's role in the practice and how will the transition work?

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Why this works

Learning about the transition helps you understand how the handover will work and what support you'll have.

9

What are the practice's biggest challenges and opportunities?

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Why this works

Understanding challenges helps you see what problems you'll need to solve and what growth potential exists.

10

What's the practice's approach to patient care and what services does it offer?

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Why this works

Learning about the care approach helps you see if it aligns with your philosophy and what services you'll be providing.

11

What are the practice's policies and procedures for operations?

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Why this works

Understanding the policies helps you see how the practice is run and what systems are in place.

12

What's the practice's approach to continuing education and professional development?

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Why this works

Learning about their development approach helps you see how they stay current and what support exists for learning.

13

What are the practice's relationships with suppliers and vendors?

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Why this works

Understanding the vendor relationships helps you see what suppliers you'll be working with and what terms exist.

14

What's the practice's approach to insurance and billing?

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Why this works

Learning about the billing approach helps you understand the financial systems and how payments are handled.

15

What are the practice's plans for growth and development?

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Why this works

Understanding the growth plans helps you see what opportunities exist and what direction the practice is heading.

16

What's the practice's approach to quality control and patient satisfaction?

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Why this works

Learning about quality control helps you understand how the practice maintains standards and what systems are in place.

17

What are the practice's relationships with other healthcare providers?

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Why this works

Understanding the provider relationships helps you see what referrals exist and what networks you'll be part of.

18

What's the practice's approach to technology and digital systems?

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Why this works

Learning about the technology helps you understand what systems you'll be working with and what might need updating.

19

What are the practice's plans for the future and what changes are anticipated?

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Why this works

Understanding the future plans helps you see what changes are coming and how you'll need to adapt.

20

What support and resources will be available during the transition?

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Why this works

Learning about the support helps you understand what help you'll have during the handover and what resources are available.

Evaluating Dental Practice Opportunities

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Effective Evaluation Strategies

Conduct Thorough Due Diligence

Review all financial records, contracts, and legal documents to ensure you have a complete picture of the practice.

Get Professional Advice

Consult with accountants, lawyers, and dental practice brokers to get expert guidance on the purchase.

Understand the Market

Research the local dental market to understand competition, demographics, and growth potential in the area.

Key Discussion Areas

Financial performance and revenue
Patient base and growth
Expenses and overhead
Equipment and technology
Staff and employees
Reputation and marketing
Lease and location
Owner transition
Challenges and opportunities
Patient care approach
Policies and procedures
Professional development
Supplier relationships
Insurance and billing
Growth and development plans
Quality control and satisfaction
Healthcare provider relationships
Technology and digital systems
Future plans and changes
Transition support and resources

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