
Hosted by Elijah Desmond · EN

Season two of Closing the Deal featured nine guests who've completed the complex process of selling their dental practices. From strategic planning years in advance to managing the unexpected realities of life after the sale, each conversation revealed what it really takes to close a successful deal.Clear themes emerged throughout the season: the importance of early preparation, maximizing practice value before listing, and understanding what buyers actually want. Our guests shared what it’s like selling to DSOs, managing team transitions, and the operational changes that follow a sale. They also shared what they'd do differently, from engaging brokers sooner to preparing for the emotional side of letting go.This finale brings together the most powerful moments from all nine conversations, focusing on how to position your practice for success and the lessons our guests learned along the way. Whether you're considering a sale next year or just thinking ahead, these insights provide a practical roadmap for your own journey from dentists who’ve been through it all.In This Episode:Why mental readiness matters more than you think (Dr Glenn Vo)Tracking your numbers and the importance of transparency with your team (Dr Jeff Buske)Understand what buyers really look for and why scaling to multiple practices might make sense (Dr Uzma Ansari)Approaching the DSO relationship as a partnership, not a battle (Dr Steven Rasner)The value of thinking like a CEO and doing everything with intention (Dr Christopher Hoffpauir)Planning EBITDA better and the critical importance of knowing your contract (Dr Lou Chmura)Working with a team of people through the sale and trusting your gut (Dr Devinn Geeson)Managing your team through the sale and having one-on-one conversations (Christine Diehl)Ignoring outdated stigmas around DSOs and when to call a broker (Dr Tyler Brady)Resources:Listen and connect with Glenn: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e2-how-dr-glenn-vo-expanded-his-practice-to-land/id1786408189?i=1000716619178Listen and connect with Jeff: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e5-grow-your-practice-with-passion-reverse/id1786408189?i=1000724938621Listen and connect with Uzma: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e8-biggest-lessons-from-selling-my-dental-office/id1786408189?i=1000735521278Listen and connect with Steven: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e4-would-i-do-it-again-a-dentists-honest-take-on-selling/id1786408189?i=1000721911232Listen and connect with Christopher https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e7-life-after-the-sale-a-dentists-journey/id1786408189?i=1000732099725Listen and connect with Lou: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e3-the-biggest-lessons-learned-from-selling-a-practice/id1786408189?i=1000718783536Listen and connect with Devinn: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e6-the-emotional-side-of-selling-a-dental-practice/id1786408189?i=1000728345866Listen and connect with Christine: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e1-everything-changed-overnight-or-did-it/id1786408189?i=1000714616945Listen and connect with Tyler: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s2e9-closing-with-confidence/id1786408189?i=1000739637931Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

Dr. Tyler Brady opened Haven Dental in 2018 in Southlake, Texas as a general practice. As he specialized in cosmetic dentistry and built a presence on social media, the practice grew to something he’d dreamed about in dental school. But that growth brought complexity many dentists are all too familiar with.In this episode, Tyler shares what led him to consider selling, the mental shift that helped him make the decision, and how he evaluated potential buyers. He talks about what actually changed after selling to Lumio, the financial reality of the transition, and the operational adjustments that came with it.He also opens up about what he’d do differently if he could go back, the mistakes he nearly made by going it alone, and how selling created opportunities to pursue teaching cosmetic dentistry and launching his own product line.In This Episode:Tyler's background and journey building Haven DentalHow cosmetic dentistry and social media shaped his practice growthWhy he initially resisted selling and what changed his mindHis experience with Lumio so far and what the first month of transition looked likeThe financial and operational reality after the saleWhat he'd do differently: calling a broker soonerThe risks of selling without professional guidanceHow his team and patients reacted to the newsNew opportunities: teaching courses and launching a toothpaste brandHis advice for dentists considering a saleResourcesFollow Haven Dental on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haven.dental/Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-brady-30641435/Visit Haven Dental’s website: https://www.haven-dental.com/Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

Dr. Uzma Ansari has built dental practices with intention. As the first Pakistani female to graduate from the University of Alabama in 1998, she joined the U.S. Air Force before 9/11, then partnered with colleagues to create a successful practice that she eventually sold to Guardian.In this episode, Uzma shares the practical steps she took to maximize her practice value, from optimizing production per chair to understanding what buyers really look for. She talks about what actually changed after selling to Guardian, the support systems that opened up, and the value of meeting with wealth advisors before the sale. She also opens up about what she'd do differently if she could go back, including exploring the possibility of scaling to multiple practices, and how selling created space for her to pursue coaching and mentoring other dentists.In This Episode:Uzma's background and journey into dentistryHow she partnered with like-minded entrepreneurs to build her practiceWhy she chose to sell to Guardian and what that decision allowedKey strategies for maximizing practice value before a saleWhat she'd do differently: thinking about scale earlierThe operational changes that came with selling to a DSOBenefits she didn't expect: team growth opportunities and centralized supportWhy working with wealth advisors matters when preparing to sellHow the sale opened doors to coaching and consulting workResources:Follow Uzma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uzma-ansari-b6454938/Visit Lowes Island Dentistry’s website: https://www.lowesislanddentistry.com/Visit Guardian Dentistry Partners’ website: https://www.guardiandentistry.com/Visit Smile Concierge Services’ website: https://www.smileconciergeservices.com/Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

Most dentists dream of building a practice they can eventually sell. But Dr. Chris Hoffpauir? He built his practice knowing he'd sell it from day one - and that made all the difference.Chris opened Winning Smiles in 2013 as a scratch startup in rural Texas with just three operatories. Fast forward to 2020, and he sold 70% of his practice to MB2 Dental while producing $1.58 million annually working just three days a week. Chris had three things they couldn't ignore: impeccable systems, sky-high profitability, and a practice built to thrive without him.In this episode, Chris breaks down exactly how he engineered his practice for maximum value, the creative marketing tactics that slashed overhead while boosting patient acquisition, and the honest truth about what it's really like to sell to a DSO.In This Episode:Doc Hoffpauir’s unconventional path from academic struggles to successful dentist and entrepreneurWhy he built Winning Smiles with an exit strategy from day oneThe 2019 white paper that triggered his decision to sellHis formula for practice value: the levers and dials that actually matterCreative marketing tactics that slashed overhead and boosted referralsHow he produced $1.58 million from three operatories working three days a weekWhy MB2 Dental stood out from other DSOsThe $150K mistake sitting in his "closet of regrets"His top advice: think like a CEO, not just a clinicianResources:Doc Hoff Investments: https://www.dochoffinvestments.comFollow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

Building and selling three practices for a 10x multiple in just five years is a gigantic success. By industry standard, Dr. Devinn Geeson aka Dr. G, the CEO of Smiles at Sea, had made it.But the real story of success came after the champagne had been popped and the speeches had been made. It was then that Dr. G discovered the opportunities that lay ahead of her after the deal was closed.She joins this episode to share her story on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with selling a dental practice. Dr. G talks about the identity crisis that hit after the sale, what she’d change if she could go back, and why she coaches others like her on maintaining work-life boundaries.Dr. G's is about how selling her practices ultimately opened doors to new passions and paths she never could have imagined, proving that sometimes the most challenging transitions lead to the most rewarding chapters of our lives.In This Episode:Devinn gives us the backstory on setting up and growing her practicesWhy she decided to sellWhy selling felt like a “breakup”How to prepare for the emotion of sellingWhy she walked away from the final 25% of her selling figureHer expert advice for anyone sellingHow selling ultimately opened up new opportunitiesResourcesSmiles at Sea: https://smilesatsea.com/The PEP Talk Doc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeptalkdoc/?hl=enFollow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

Loving practice work and running a business for it are two entirely different beings, and it can take a lot of adjustment to get to a good place. But when Dr. Jeff Buske was close to throwing the towel in, a chance meeting with his future practice partner changed everything.Jeff partnered up with Dr. Bruce Baird at Granbury Dental Center, growing the small-town practice in Texas into a highly popular spot, pulling in patients from Dallas, Fort Worth, and even Oklahoma. So, what was the secret ingredient that made it work? A unique blend of genuine passion and reverse-engineered production.In 2012, they sold to Heartland Dental. But 13 years later, Jeff still practices there a few days a week. When he’s not working on teeth, he runs The Limitless Dentist Academy, a coaching business that helps dentists like him maximize their practice’s potential with great wellbeing strategies.In This Episode:Jeff’s background of 28 years practicing dentistry and how he became a “super GP”How meeting his future practice partner Bruce Baird changed his lifeWhy they chose to sell and how they maximized production beforehandJeff’s approach to niche marketingWhy Jeff opted to be fully transparent about the sale with his teamJeff’s advice for anyone thinking of sellingWhy Jeff built a coaching business after a tough time in his lifeResources:Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jeffbuske/Follow Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeff-buske-12201010a/Visit The Limitless Dentist Academy website: https://limitlessdentistacademy.com/Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

A simple breakfast meeting with a DSO rep opened Dr. Steven Rasner’s eyes to the possibilities of growing his practice.He knew he wanted to sell one day, but at that moment, he knew he wasn’t ready and would be leaving millions of dollars on the table if he went through with it.Fast-forward to today. After growing it across two locations and pulling in around $5 million a year in a tricky rural area, he decided to sell to a DSO. What makes Steven’s story interesting is that he was a little anti-DSO for years before the sale. While his perspective has changed, Steven reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly of selling your practice to a DSO in this episode. You’ll get an honest look at the realities of selling your practice, what he’d do differently, and how selling opened the door for new opportunities that keep him busy alongside practicing today.In This Episode:How Steven grew his practice and why he decided to sellWhy he's stayed 3+ years past his exit dateHow his team reacted after hearing about the saleHis biggest regret: not giving key employees raises BEFORE the saleWhy having a "partnership mindset" instead of an "us vs. them" mentality made all the differenceThe operational changes he likes and dislikesResources:Rasner Institute: https://www.rasnerinstitute.com/Connect with Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrasner/Contact Dr. Rasner at drrasner@rasnerinstitute.comFollow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

The top fear we hear from dentists looking to sell is “what if everything changes?” Well, some change is inevitable and at times surprising, but it doesn’t have to be scary.In this episode, we hear Dr. Lou Chmura’s story. He sold his practice, Chmura Orthodontics, a couple of years back after building it from the ground up. Now, he runs an orthodontics coaching company called Egghead Ortho to help orthodontists and dentists live a balanced, fulfilling life both in and out of the office.While his sale worked out well in the end, Lou doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of selling your practice. He gets super honest about what he would have done differently if he could do it all again and shares some great advice for dentists looking to sell.In This Episode:Lou shares the background on his orthodontics practice and its unique approach to proactive careWhy he decided to sell despite his love for practicing orthodonticsWhy getting into the “mode of more” makes dentists burn outThe top things Lou would have done differently if he could go back in timeHow his team and patients reacted to the saleHow Lou is spending his free time now coaching other orthodontistsResources:Connect with Lou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-chmura-dds-ms-a624456/Follow Egghead Ortho on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eggheadortho/Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

The number one question we get is, “when should you sell?” But maybe a more important one is when should you start planning? Get ready to hear a perfect example of why planning years ahead is the key to securing an amazing deal.Dr. Glenn Vo, Founder of Nifty Thrifty Dentist and Dental Lifestyles Magazine, remains a part-owner and practicing dentist at Denton Smiles Dentistry. He built this practice from the ground up before selling to MB2 Dental a few years ago. And it’s a pretty sweet deal! But what’s his secret? Planning ahead.He knew that someday he wanted to sell so he got to work expanding his practice. He shares his story and advice for dentists looking to sell in this episode, along with tips on what he’d do differently if he could go back in time. Even if you’re a brand new practice owner, there’s so much to take away from this episode, because it’s never too early to start thinking of your sale.In This Episode:Glenn’s story of how and why he sold his practiceHow Glenn and his wife expanded the practice’s operations and revenue before sellingWhy you need to be in alignment with the buyerThe one thing he would’ve done differently Why you need to be 100% before assembling your teamHow Glenn’s team reacted to the saleHow Glenn’s deal opens the door for future financial windfallsWhy you should plan ahead way before you’re ready to sellResources:Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drglennvo/Nifty Thrifty Dentists: https://niftythriftydentists.com/Follow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ Download The Dental EBITDA Handbook: https://link.dentalpitchbrokerage.com/widget/form/x45Iy9iZhayIriHmfNfb

A team can make or break a practice, and the same goes for when you eventually sell it. Selling might be a time to celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief. But for your team, things can be more complicated.Emotions run high during a practice sale. There’s confusion, worry, uncertainty, and everyone’s going to be asking: what next? That’s where managing the transition is essential to making sure your sale goes smoothly.Christine Diehl, Dental Team Transition Specialist for her company, The DSO Team Transition, has been on the other end of a sale. When her practice was sold, she experienced those same feelings of uncertainty firsthand. Today, she helps practice owners successfully manage that transition to DSO ownership. She joins this episode to share her top advice for practice owners, how team members can manage change, and what to avoid when you sign and break the news to them. Hear about the realities of selling to a DSO and Christine’s experience of the post-transition process and what every practice owner needs to know.In This Episode:Christine shares her experience of how her practice was sold to a DSOWhy she decided to launch her business and podcast to help practice owners manage team transitionsThe overlooked value of becoming part of a DSOCommon challenges during a transition and why it’s important to be positiveHow teams can prepare for changeWhat Christine would do differently if selling todayGiving grace to the practice owner during a saleWhy you should avoid bashing DSOs to your teamHow the sale opened up new opportunities for ChristineHow to connect with Christine and listen to her podcastResourcesFollow Dental Pitch Brokerage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentalpitch/Visit our website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/ The DSO Team Transition website: dsoteamtransition.comThe DSO Hygienist Podcast: https://www.dsoteamtransition.com/podcast