The Guide to Selling an Oral Surgery Practice

Are you ready to transition out of your oral surgery career and move on to life after practice ownership—but feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of selling your oral surgery business? Even amid rising demand for healthcare services and increased interest from buyers, getting a premium sale price for an oral surgery practice requires strategic planning, smooth operations, and a clear roadmap. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the unique aspects of the oral surgery industry, explore key valuation drivers, and outline the steps you can take to position your practice for a successful sale.

Why Oral Surgery Practices Are Unique

Essential Healthcare Services

Oral surgeons deliver specialized, critical healthcare solutions to patients dealing with a wide range of concerns—from impacted wisdom teeth to maxillofacial trauma. This subfield of dentistry benefits from a relatively steady patient stream, as many procedures are medically necessary and cannot be postponed indefinitely. As a result, many oral surgery practices:

• Maintain consistent patient demand, insulating the business from severe economic fluctuations.

• Rely on physician and dentist referrals, reinforcing a stable pipeline of new patients.

• Often enjoy higher margins than general dentistry, due to the specialized skill set required for oral surgery.

These factors help support a robust market value when selling an oral surgery business, especially if the practice demonstrates strong clinical outcomes and superior patient satisfaction.

Specialized Training & Licensure

Unlike a general dental practice, an oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) practice operates under specialized licensure and board certifications. Oral surgeons typically undergo four to six additional years of surgical training after dental school, and may hold certifications from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This rigorous process:

• Contributes to a limited supply of qualified practitioners, potentially driving higher demand for existing practices.

• Emphasizes the importance of a well-documented record of compliance with state and federal healthcare regulations.

• Helps secure a reputation for elevated expertise, which can further increase a practice’s market value when it’s time to sell.

Complexity of Procedures & Patient Care

Oral surgeons perform a broad array of treatments—bone grafting, implant placement, reconstructive jaw surgery, facial trauma repair—often under sedation or general anesthesia. Such high-level procedures:

• Generate attractive fee-for-service revenue streams.

• Require specialized equipment (e.g., digital imaging tools, advanced anesthesia machines).

• Demand meticulous record-keeping for medical and insurance billings.

This mix of advanced procedures, specialized staff training, and critical equipment investments makes the sale of an oral surgery business particularly appealing to buyers seeking a practice with strong profit potential and established referral relationships.

Services & Patient Base

In-Office Procedures vs. Hospital-Based Cases

Oral surgeons typically split service offerings between in-office surgeries and more complicated hospital-based procedures. In-office visits often focus on routine oral surgeries—like wisdom teeth extractions and dental implant placements—while hospital-based cases handle extensive facial, jaw, or trauma issues. Balancing both can increase overall practice diversity and attract a wider range of patient referrals.

• In-Office Procedures:

  • Consistent, predictable revenue streams.

  • Build strong patient relationships and brand loyalty.

  • Allow for more efficient scheduling and resource allocation.

• Hospital-Based Procedures:

  • May lead to higher fees and expansions of your professional network.

  • Require strong hospital affiliations and additional accreditation.

  • Can enhance your practice’s prestige, benefiting overall valuation.

Insurance Reimbursements vs. Private Pay

Your revenue model also affects how appealing your oral surgery practice is to potential buyers. A balanced mix of insurance reimbursements combined with private-pay or fee-for-service income signals a well-rounded business poised to withstand insurance reimbursement changes or policy shifts. Key revenue segments might include:

• Medical or Dental Insurance:

  • Higher patient volume and reduced out-of-pocket costs.

  • Potential billing complexities and lengthy reimbursement cycles.

• Private Pay / Fee-for-Service:

  • Lower administrative burdens and more immediate cash flow.

  • Typically attract patients seeking higher-end care or comprehensive procedures.

  • Can demand premium pricing for convenient, top-tier surgical services.

Referral-Focused Patient Base

Referrals from other dentists, orthodontists, or healthcare providers often drive new patient growth in oral surgery. A robust referral network:

• Ensures consistent case flow, especially for high-value procedures.

• Reflects strong professional relationships and local brand recognition.

• Reinforces a stable new patient pipeline, which can be instrumental in negotiating a premium price when selling an oral surgery business.

Operational Factors Affecting Value

Staff Expertise & Training

From surgical assistants to front-office coordinators, the individuals who run your oral surgery practice day-to-day have a substantial impact on patient satisfaction and practice success. Ensuring you have:

• Certified surgical assistants who maintain current anesthesia certifications (e.g., DAANCE).

• Team members skilled in patient comfort and pre- and post-operative care.

• Cross-trained administrative staff adept in insurance billing, scheduling, and patient follow-up.

When staff can efficiently manage procedures and patient care, buyers see reduced transition risks. This stable foundation often supports a higher valuation multiple, as it demonstrates the practice can smoothly operate without over reliance on the owner for day-to-day management.

Compliance & Regulation

Healthcare providers must meet rigorous standards to protect patient wellbeing, privacy, and data. An oral surgery practice, in particular, must adhere to:

• HIPAA regulations for patient privacy.

• OSHA standards for infection control, staff safety, and operating room protocols.

• State board requirements for safe anesthesia administration and sedation permits.

A spotless regulatory record gives potential buyers peace of mind and justifies a higher listing price, underscoring that your business is well-managed and free of major compliance risks.

Technology & Practice Management Software

Reliable practice management systems and technology can streamline multiple processes:

• Scheduling and Triage: Automated appointment reminders and queue management reduce no-shows and keep wait times short.

• Insurance Billing and Coding: Proper coding for both medical and dental insurers prevents claim denials and streamlines reimbursements.

• EMR Integration: Electronic medical records keep documentation consistent and reduce paper clutter in your office.

A modern digital infrastructure signals efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and a forward-thinking approach—key factors that enhance a practice’s perceived value in the eyes of serious buyers looking to purchase an oral surgery business.

Owner Dependence & Transition Strategy

If the owner (i.e., selling surgeon) is responsible for all major decisions, specialized procedures, and practice management, that can raise red flags for prospective buyers. Mitigating owner dependence:

• Allows a transition that does not jeopardize goodwill or disrupt patient flow.

• Assures buyers they won’t have to retrain an entire staff to replicate your operational success.

• Improves the practice’s resilience, appealing to private equity groups and dental service organizations (DSOs) alike.

Documentation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), robust training manuals, and a well-structured management hierarchy can further boost your practice’s valuation.

Growth Potential & Market Trends

Expansion of Services

Adding complementary services can increase revenue streams and diversify your practice’s offerings. Some possibilities include:

• Advanced implant procedures, such as zygomatic implants for severe bone loss.

• TMJ treatment programs that address jaw pain and chronic headaches.

• Collaboration with orthodontists for corrective jaw surgery procedures.

• Cosmetic facial procedures (e.g., Botox for TMJ, certain injectable fillers) that align with your surgical expertise.

Expanding your scope of services showcases innovation and continuous growth, prompting buyers to view the practice as a scalable venture.

Geographic Reach & Brand Reputation

A strategic approach to marketing drives patient growth and brand awareness. Potential strategies include:

• Opening additional satellite offices in neighboring communities to increase your referral network and patient base.

• Building an online presence with SEO-optimized content, patient testimonials, and targeted digital ads focusing on oral surgery keywords.

• Leveraging social proof—such as Google or Yelp reviews—to highlight patient satisfaction and build credibility.

A practice with a strong local or regional reputation is better positioned to attract premium offers, particularly from DSOs seeking to consolidate high-quality dental and oral surgery assets.

Emerging Buyer Categories

Market trends suggest a growing interest from:

• DSOs looking to expand specialized oral surgery offerings.

• Private equity firms attracted by the stability of healthcare investments.

• Dental professionals seeking a turnkey practice with established operations and referral streams.

Capitalizing on these trends requires strong financial records, well-documented protocols, and a clear plan for practice transition. Demonstrating that your oral surgery practice is both profitable and well-positioned for further expansion can result in higher valuations.

Practical Steps to Increase Your Valuation

Below are recommended actions you can take to prepare for a profitable sale. By addressing these factors, you enhance both the immediate financial health of your practice and the intangible aspects that resonate with serious buyers.

Maintain Clean Financial Records

• Separate personal expenses from legitimate business expenses.

• Adhere to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for transparent financial statements.

• Track seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE) or EBITDA consistently so prospective buyers can gauge true profitability.

Maintaining precise documentation helps prospective buyers proceed with confidence, knowing the financial outlook of your oral surgery business is both accurate and stable.

Focus on Recurring, High-Value Procedures

• Prioritize consistent referrals for procedures like implants, jaw realignment, and bone grafting.

• Nurture relationships with top-referring dental offices, ensuring a steady flow of complex surgical cases.

• Consider implementing follow-up and maintenance programs that generate predictable revenue from repeat patients, particularly implant check-ups and sedation consultations.

Emphasizing high-margin cases and ongoing patient relationships can lift valuation multiples by showcasing steady cash flow.

Strengthen Your Staff & Create SOPs

• Cross-train your clinical staff to handle administrative tasks and schedule follow-ups.

• Maintain documented protocols for sterilization, medication management, and safety procedures.

• Encourage continuing education for your surgical assistants and front-office employees.

A practice armed with robust SOPs and skilled staff will impress buyers looking for a low-risk, ready-to-operate acquisition.

Optimize Practice Management Systems

• Integrate advanced software solutions that handle patient records, insurance claims, and scheduling all in one place.

• Enable automated appointment confirmations via text or email to boost patient retention rates.

• Use data analytics tools to track case acceptance rates, no-shows, and billing trends for improved decision-making.

Cutting-edge technology combined with digitized processes demonstrates a modern, efficient practice with a lean cost structure—attributes that frequently translate into higher sale prices.

Demonstrate Growth & Scalability

Buyers want to see exactly how your practice can expand beyond its current performance:

• Define clear marketing plans for increasing patient volume, especially for high-revenue procedures.

• Highlight potential territory expansions, such as opening a new location in an underserved market.

• Present documented patient satisfaction metrics, social media engagement data, and referral network growth.

When you show how your oral surgery practice has strong, achievable avenues for growth, buyers are more inclined to pay a premium price.

Example Scenario: Two Oral Surgery Practices

Practice A commands a notably higher valuation because of its balanced procedure mix, diversified referral sources, robust infrastructure, and clear growth trajectory. Practice B, on the other hand, may still attract offers but will likely see a lower multiple thanks to fewer advanced services, weaker referral relationships, and limited expansion strategies.

Summary & Next Steps

Selling an oral surgery practice can be an exciting and profitable venture—provided you conduct thorough preparation and effectively demonstrate your practice’s strengths to potential buyers. Remember:

• Show that your practice offers stable, high-value services with strong patient demand.

• Maintain tight operational systems—clean financials, standardized staff training, and comprehensive SOPs—so buyers see minimal risk.

• Emphasize growth potential through geographic expansion, advanced procedures, and an optimized marketing strategy.

By enacting strategic improvements and highlighting the unique attributes of your oral surgery business, you’ll maximize your chances of a successful sale, capture the best possible market value, and leave a legacy of excellent patient care.

For more personalized insights or a confidential consultation:

• Discuss your current financial statements and get clarity on typical multiples for oral surgery practices in your region.

• Identify immediate steps to strengthen your valuation.

• Formulate a practical plan to attract the right buyers—whether they’re private equity firms, DSOs, or fellow oral surgeons.

Selling your oral surgery business can be a turning point in your career, opening new doors in both your professional and personal life. With the right preparation and an actionable strategy, you’ll ensure that your transition is not only smooth for you and your staff but also highly rewarding from a financial perspective.

OffDeal leverages advanced technology and expertise to help small business owners achieve the same quality of M&A service previously reserved for large corporations. Our mission is to ensure every business owner has the opportunity to maximize their value when they're ready to sell.