Thinking About Buying a Practice in 2026? Start Now.
If practice ownership is on your radar for the coming year, you may be tempted to wait until January to get serious.
But here’s the truth:
The most successful buyers start preparing months before they submit an offer.
December is the perfect time to lay the groundwork so that when the right opportunity hits the market in early 2026, you’re ready to move quickly and confidently.
Here’s your strategic pre-ownership checklist.
1. Get Financially Organized
Start by getting a clear picture of your current financial standing:
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Review your credit score (680+ is a common benchmark for lending)
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Reduce high-interest debt where possible
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Save for a down payment (typically 0–10% depending on the deal)
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Gather recent tax returns, pay stubs, and personal financial statements
Then, connect with a dental-specific lender to get pre-qualified. This shows brokers and sellers that you’re serious—and speeds up your timeline when you’re ready to make an offer.
📝 Pro tip: Pre-qualification is based on your financials. Loan approval will ultimately be tied to a specific practice’s numbers.
2. Define Your Ideal Practice (With Flexibility)
Now’s the time to reflect on what kind of practice fits your clinical skills, lifestyle, and goals.
Ask yourself:
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Do I want a solo GP office or multi-doc setup?
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Urban, suburban, or small-town community?
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Bread-and-butter dentistry or room to add specialty services?
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Do I prefer a fixer-upper or a turnkey practice?
Be clear about your preferences—but stay open-minded. No practice will be perfect, but plenty can be profitable and fulfilling.
3. Build Your Professional Team
Don’t wait until you’ve found a practice to build your advisory team. Start identifying and connecting with:
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A dental CPA who can help review financials
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A transaction attorney with dental experience
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A broker or advisor who specializes in your region
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A dental lender with industry knowledge
You don’t need to hire everyone just yet, but establishing these relationships early gives you guidance when decisions get real.
4. Learn the Process Before You’re in It
Understanding how a dental practice sale works can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Use December to:
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Read up on due diligence steps
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Learn how practice valuations work
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Understand how deals are structured (AR, real estate, seller financing, etc.)
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Follow dental transition blogs (like this one!)
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Attend webinars or workshops on ownership
🎯 You’ll feel more confident and be less likely to miss red flags or opportunities.
5. Get Mentally Ready for the Shift
Buying a practice is more than a financial decision—it’s a mindset shift.
Ask yourself:
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Am I ready to be the leader in a practice?
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How will I manage staff, schedules, and patients?
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Do I have a vision for the kind of office I want to build?
This is a great time to talk to current owners or mentors and get a real sense of what day-to-day ownership looks like.
Final Thoughts: Smart Buyers Start Early
January listings are coming. If you wait until the new year to get organized, you might lose valuable time—or worse, miss out on the right opportunity entirely.
Make December your launchpad, not your off-season.
Ready to Prepare for 2026 Ownership?
At American Practice Consultants, we work with buyers at every stage—from “just curious” to “ready to close.” If practice ownership is your goal for 2026, we’ll help you get everything in order now, so you can act when the right practice appears.
👉 Schedule a confidential buyer planning call today.