FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions and our answers. If your question isn’t on the list or you need more clarification, please use our ADS Broker Locator to have your question answered by the ADS Broker nearest you.

BUYERS

Q: Describe what needs to happen in the transition of a dental practice.
A: Click to learn more about practice transitions. [PDF]

Q: Is it true that dental practices are worth 70% of their gross receipts averaged over the past three years?
A: While three years of financial information is important to determine the value of an office, rules of thumb are simplistic and don’t usually provide the correct value. To find out the true value of a dental office an expert in transitions should be consulted to conduct an evaluation or full appraisal on the practice.

Q: What is a reasonable Covenant Not to Compete?
A: The area of the Covenant is different for each practice. The distance for the Covenant is usually correlated to the service area of the practice which is where most of the patients live and/or work.

Q: Are covenants enforceable?
A: Generally speaking, yes, when they are written correctly.

Q: Will the staff stay after I purchase the practice?
A: The staff typically is as worried about keeping their job as you are about keeping them. If they leave, they have to start working for a new doctor anyway, so why wouldn't they give you a chance? Click to learn more about staff retention.

Q. Will my patients accept a new dentist?
A. Your patients will accept a new doctor if the introduction and transition are handled the right way. Your endorsement, coupled with staff acceptance and enthusiasm, is the key.

Q. How do you appraise a practice?
A. We utilize four different methods which we weigh and average in order to determine fair market value.

Q. What will my payments be on my loan?
A. Click to view Loan Calculator

Q. How do I get in touch with an ADS broker in my area?
A. Click to find your local ADS Broker

Q. What is ADS? Can any dental practice consultant join?
A. Click to learn more about ADS