SELLING A PRACTICE

Selling your dental practice is a serious matter.  Most often, the proceeds from the sale are a big part of your retirement plan, which means you have to get it right because your future and financial health are depending on it. You need someone that understands the sale process, can guide you through it, and will ensure that your rights and interests are always protected. A lawyer knows what is required, such as negotiating and finalizing all transaction documents, complying with due diligence, transferring the premises lease, and managing any unexpected issues that arise. At DMC, our lawyers have been helping dentists buy and sell practices since 2010 and have seen every type of transaction challenge and success allowing us to effectively advise you on your options when faced with a tough choice and how to maximize your results. Further, we negotiate hard to make sure that your rights are protected and your interests are promoted throughout the process.

Engaging DMC when you first consider selling your practice, which can even be a few years prior to actually selling, can help preserve or increase the value of your practice. As lawyers, we can help you incorporate a professional corporation or purify an existing corporation to take advantage of all possible tax-saving opportunities, transition your staff to written contracts and limit the liability a purchaser won’t want to assume, plus set up your transaction in a way that maximizes your return and minimizes your costs and risks. Furthermore with our unique fixed rate quotes, you’ll know the exact price for the transaction and you won’t have to watch the clock when dealing with us.

Yes. Listing your practice gives you access to a wide variety of potential buyers, allows you to sell on your terms, and offers you the luxury of choosing the right person to associate with after the sale. When you sell with DMC, we can advertise your practice to a wide range of prospective purchasers and professionals who know prospective purchasers (e.g. bankers, accountants, consultants, insurance agents, etc.). Through our website DentalPlace.ca, which is only available to a registered Ontario dentist or a professional advisor to dentists whom we have vetted, we can list your practice without the worry of your employees coming across the listing. We can also discreetly advertise your practice (without disclosing your name or address) through our bi-weekly emails, at trade shows, in dental trade publications, and through our network within the dental industry. You never have to worry about being inundated with questions from prospective purchasers that you don’t have time to deal with because DMC evaluates prospective purchasers to make sure they are serious about purchasing your practice and fit the requirements you have set out.

You only have one opportunity to sell your dental practice and secure a smooth transition for yourself, your team and your patients. There are many steps involved, and some practice sales require more than others based on your individual needs and selling choices. Generally, the process includes:

1. Considering your options

• When do you want to sell?
• Will your sale be a share sale, an asset sale or a hybrid?
• Will you stay as an associate, office manager, or consultant after the deal is complete? If so, for how long and on what terms?
• Will you sell the property (if you own it) along with the practice or keep the property and become the purchaser’s landlord?

2. Preparing your practice for sale

• Are you incorporated to take advantage of the lifetime capital gains exemption?  Do you qualify?
• Will you be terminating employees, or will the purchaser be hiring all of them?
• Is amending the lease required to allow for a sale or better the existing lease terms to make your practice more attractive?
• Cleaning up your books and records, which the purchaser and their advisors will be looking through as part of diligence.
• Getting an appraisal of your dental practice.

3. Marketing your practice

• It can be tricky to market your practice while keeping your sale confidential. DMC has experience marketing your practice as discreetly as possible while still reaching out to thousands of dentists to help you find the ideal buyer. Our marketing process includes
  • not disclosing any identifying information until AFTER the prospective buyer has signed a confidentiality agreement
  • sending eBlasts to thousands of dentists across Ontario
  • running an open house on a Sunday when the office is closed
  • reaching out to our dentist clients or other dental professionals who may be interested (or know someone who is)

4. Finalizing the sale of your practice

• This is all the legal and financial work necessary to close the transaction and manage any unexpected matters which may arise during the sale. This work includes
  • negotiating and finalizing a Letter of Intent, Agreement of Purchase and Sale and all closing documents
  • complying with purchaser’s due diligence requests
  • transferring the premises lease
  • formally closing the transaction

DMC can manage the entire sale process for you, from preparation to close. We know the process and the industry players. We have the background and the tools to help you set up your practice to appeal to purchasers and get you the best deal possible. With DMC on your team from the beginning, you have lawyers who are dental industry insiders committed to your goals, who will ensure your rights are protected, and your interests are promoted at every stage.