You Wouldn’t Treat Without an X-Ray. Why Sell Without an Appraisal?
As a dentist, you’d never diagnose a problem without the right tools. Before recommending treatment, you rely on x-rays to see what the eye can’t—bone loss, hidden decay, fractures, infection.
— The same logic applies to selling your dental practice.
An appraisal is your practice’s x-ray. It reveals the full picture—not just what’s happening on the surface, but the deeper financial, operational, and market-based factors that influence your value.
A Pro Forma Is the Treatment Plan—But an Appraisal Is the X-Ray
Sometimes dentists think an appraisal is going to spell out exactly how a deal will be structured, what the sale terms will be, or how much they’ll take home after taxes. That’s not the job of the appraisal.
Instead, think of it this way:
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Appraisal = Diagnostic Imaging
(Unbiased look at what’s happening in the practice)
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Pro Forma = Treatment Plan
(How the transition might be structured once a buyer is involved)
Just like you wouldn’t skip the imaging and go straight to the procedure, you shouldn’t skip the appraisal and assume the outcome of a future sale.
What a Dental Practice Appraisal Tells You
A well-done appraisal gives you:
- Fair Market Value of Your Practice
- Breakdown of income streams (doctor vs hygiene)
- Adjusted earnings after normalizing expenses
- Valuation of equipment, goodwill, and other assets
- Benchmark comparisons to similar practices
- Insight into what a buyer or bank would see
It’s not a generic estimate. It’s a data-driven, market-tested assessment of what your practice is really worth.
Why This Matters—Even If You’re Not Selling Today
Even if you’re a few years away from retiring or transitioning, having an appraisal now can help you:
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Set realistic expectations
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Identify weak spots before they impact value
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Make strategic upgrades or clean up financials
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Plan for taxes, retirement, or associate transitions
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Negotiate better with DSOs or private buyers in the future
— Dentists who plan ahead nearly always achieve better outcomes when they do sell—because they’ve had time to prepare.
What Happens Without an Appraisal?
Skipping this step can lead to:
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Overpricing your practice and scaring off buyers
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Underpricing it and leaving money on the table
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Getting blindsided by issues during buyer due diligence
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Delays, renegotiations, or failed deals
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Avoidable stress in a process that’s already emotional
An appraisal isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
Final Thoughts: Get the Full Picture Before You Decide
Your dental practice is likely one of your most valuable assets. Whether you plan to sell this year, in five years, or just want to understand where you stand—an appraisal gives you clarity, confidence, and control.
— Just like you’d never treat without a diagnosis, don’t plan your future without knowing what your practice is really worth.
Ready for a Confidential Appraisal?
At American Practice Consultants, we provide dental practice appraisals that are:
- Thorough and unbiased
- Backed by real-world market data
- Designed for both sellers and strategic planners
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.
— Contact us today to schedule your confidential dental practice appraisal.
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Would you like a companion one-pager that summarizes the “X-Ray vs. Treatment Plan” analogy to use in emails, presentations, or handouts?
