Let me tell you a story that still feels weird to say out loud:
I sold my dental practice, walked out with a check bigger than my first five years of revenue combined, and took a Tuesday morning nap… on a boat.
Yeah, a boat. Not a yacht (yet), but a salty little cruiser docked off the coast that I now call my part-time retirement office. Because after 27 years of root canals, payroll headaches, and “emergency” calls at 11 PM, I was done. But figuring out how to sell the business? That nearly killed me faster than that one patient who tried to bite me during a cleaning.
Let me walk you through what happened—maybe it’ll save you from the chaos I almost got swallowed by.
The Wake-Up Call (a.k.a. My Back Gave Out on a Thursday)
There’s a moment when your body tells you what your pride won’t. Mine was bending over to pick up a dropped tray of dental picks, and something in my lower back just said, “Nope. Not today.”
I sat on the floor of my office, surrounded by sterilized instruments and a dull ache in my spine, and thought: What the hell am I still doing here?
I had been “thinking” about retirement for years. You know how it goes—I’ll do it next year. Just need one more big case. Just need the books to look better. Just need that associate to finally stick around.
Spoiler: none of that magically works out.
Step One: Accept That Selling a Dental Practice Isn’t Like Selling a Used Car
At first, I thought I could throw the practice up on some biz-for-sale site and the offers would roll in. I imagined a younger version of myself walking in, check in hand, eager to take the keys.
Instead? Crickets. Or worse—lowballers who thought my 7-operatory setup with a loyal patient base was worth less than a used Tesla.
Here’s what I learned: you’re not just selling equipment. You’re selling goodwill, systems, reputation, and the future earnings potential of a very specific lifestyle business. If you don’t know how to present that right, the vultures will circle.
Step Two: Bring in the Pros (a.k.a. Why I Finally Listened to My Wife)
My wife had been gently pushing me to talk to a dental practice broker for months. I resisted because, let’s be real, I thought they’d just take a cut and do what I could do myself. Wrong again, champ.
The broker didn’t just slap a price tag on it and pray. They tore through my books, asked real questions about operations, contracts, hygiene schedules, patient retention, referral flow… even my Yelp reviews. Stuff I hadn’t thought about in years.
They helped clean up my financials, package the deal in a way that made sense to buyers, and screen the people who were actually serious. No tire kickers. No dreamers. Just folks ready to talk numbers.
Step Three: Negotiation Is a Blood Sport (But in a Good Suit)
Here’s where things got interesting.
One buyer wanted to cut the staff. Another wanted to rename the whole place and gut the branding. A third wanted me to stay on as an associate for five years, which I shut down immediately—if I wanted to keep working full time, I wouldn’t be selling.
I treated the deal like I used to handle poker nights with the boys: no tells, no rushing, and don’t show your cards too soon.
The final buyer? A young dentist with sharp skills and a deep respect for the legacy I’d built. We negotiated a fair price, a 90-day transition plan, and some bonus performance-based payouts that were smartly structured for both sides.
The Day I Handed Over the Keys
I wish I could say I cried.
I didn’t. I smiled, shook the guy’s hand, and walked out to my truck. Sat there for a minute. Let it sink in.
Then I drove straight to the marina, got on that little boat, and popped a cold one. No emails, no emergencies, no 7 AM Monday huddle to prep for.
Just waves, a seagull yelling something profane, and the weirdly quiet sound of freedom.
What I Wish I’d Known 5 Years Ago
Look, if you’re even thinking about selling your dental practice for retirement, don’t wait until your back screams louder than your logic. Here’s my punch list:
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Start grooming your financials now. Sloppy books kill good deals.
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Find a broker who specializes in dental practices. They know the terrain.
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Decide what matters to you post-sale. Money’s great, but legacy and peace of mind count too.
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Have an exit plan. What are you retiring to? You’ll need purpose, even if it’s fishing and golf.
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Don’t go it alone. Pride can be expensive. And lonely.
Final Thoughts from the Boat Deck
Selling my dental practice wasn’t just a business move—it was a life pivot. I didn’t retire because I was tired of patients. I retired because I finally valued my time as much as I valued theirs.
And if you’re on the fence, let me be your sign: start planning now. Set the terms before life sets them for you.
Because Tuesdays on a boat? They hit different when you’ve earned them. 😎
— A (mostly) retired dentist, still flossing.