How we work
A dental practice sales agent built by dentists
Selling your dental practice is the biggest single transaction of your career. The price you achieve depends on three things – whether the valuation is defensible, whether the practice is properly prepared before it hits the market, and whether the right buyer is matched to it. Get those three right and the price looks after itself.
Samera have been supporting dental practice sales since 2002. We have also started, grown and sold our own practices. That gives us first-hand insight into what buyers look for, what can affect value and where problems can emerge during due diligence and negotiation.
When you sell your dental practice with us, we work exclusively for you. We do not charge buyers on the transactions we manage, we do not represent both sides of the same deal, and our sales fee is only payable when your practice sale completes.
How we charge – and how we don’t
Our sales fee is 2.5% of the final sale price, capped at £50,000, and is only payable when your sale completes.
There are no upfront fees, marketing fees or withdrawal fees. If your practice does not sell, you do not pay us a sales commission.
The £50,000 cap becomes particularly valuable on larger transactions because your fee does not continue increasing once the sale price reaches £2 million.
See the pricing examples and calculator further down the page.
Dental practice valuations
Start with a realistic valuation of your business
Getting the valuation right is one of the most important decisions at the start of a dental practice sale. Price the practice too high and you can lose momentum with serious buyers. Price it too low and you risk leaving value on the table.
A useful valuation is not simply a single number. We look at a realistic range based on factors such as EBITDA, NHS and private income mix, location, practice size, lease or freehold position, patient base and how dependent the business is on the principal dentist.
Our calculator below gives you an indicative valuation range using turnover, EBITDA and surgery count. It is a useful starting point, but a proper valuation needs to look at what sits behind the numbers and how buyers are likely to assess the practice.
If you are planning ahead, we can also identify areas that could improve value before you go to market. For formal valuations required for divorce, probate, partnership disputes or other legal purposes, get a practice valuation now.
Find out how much your practice is worth
Get an independent valuation based on EBITDA, income mix, contracts, property position and the factors buyers are likely to scrutinise.
Turnover:
Net Profit:
EBITDA: ? Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is a measure of a company’s operating performance. Essentially, it’s a way to evaluate a company’s performance without having to factor in financing decisions, accounting decisions or tax environments.
Number of Surgeries:
Practice Type:
We estimate your practice is valued between
For a more detailed valuation please call us on:
020 7100 8788
or
Click Here to Get in Touch
Practice Value Range:
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Get ready for sale
The 6 to 24 months before sale that change the price
In our experience, some of the biggest opportunities to improve the outcome of a dental practice sale appear well before the practice goes to market.
Across the practices we work with, we regularly see 5–15% of unrealised EBITDA tied up in areas such as pricing, treatment mix, costs and unused capacity. Addressing those issues 6 to 24 months before a sale can strengthen profitability and make the practice more attractive to buyers.
The areas we typically focus on include:
- EBITDA and profitability: Identify where margins can improve through pricing, treatment mix, cost control and better use of surgery capacity.
- Accounts and financial reporting: Make sure the numbers reconcile, unusual items are clearly explained and buyers can understand the underlying performance of the practice.
- Principal dependency: Reduce reliance on the owner by strengthening the associate and hygiene team and spreading patient relationships across the practice.
- Lease, property and contracts: Resolve issues that could create delays or become negotiation points during due diligence.
From the practice sales we have worked on, sellers who prepare properly before going to market can achieve stronger buyer interest and, in some cases, around 0.5x more on the EBITDA multiple than they might otherwise have achieved.
Our accountancy, tax and growth teams can support this preparation directly, either as individual pieces of work or through our structured Practice Exit Accelerator programme.
Are you ready to sell?
Our one-off Exit Readiness Audit reviews your EBITDA, financials, operational risks and likely valuation, then gives you a prioritised action plan before you go to market.
Grow the value first
Not ready to sell yet? Start with our Practice Exit Accelerator
If you are planning to sell in the next 6 to 24 months, our Practice Exit Accelerator is designed to help you strengthen the business before it goes to market.
We review the areas that can affect both buyer appetite and valuation, then work with you over time to address them before the sale process begins.
What we focus on
- Improve EBITDA: Identify opportunities around pricing, costs, treatment mix and capacity.
- Strengthen the financials: Improve management reporting, normalise EBITDA and make the numbers easier for buyers to understand.
- Reduce principal dependency: Build a practice that relies less heavily on the owner for clinical income and day-to-day operation.
- Prepare for due diligence: Identify financial, operational or structural issues before a buyer finds them.
- Plan the exit: Understand likely valuation, tax implications and the steps needed before going to market.
Grow the value before you sell
The Practice Exit Accelerator is our structured 18-month programme for owners who want ongoing help improving EBITDA, reducing buyer risks and preparing the practice for sale.
Price: £650/month + VAT
Dental practice exit accelerator
Find the right buyer
How We Find the Right Buyer for Your Dental Practice
Finding a buyer is only part of the job. The right buyer also needs to be able to fund the acquisition, move at the right pace and offer terms that work for you.
We confidentially introduce practices to suitable individual dentists, dental groups and DSOs from our buyer network.
When offers come in, we help you compare more than just the headline price, including:
- how the purchase will be funded
- how much is payable on completion
- any deferred consideration or earn-out
- conditions attached to the offer
- the proposed completion timetable
- what the buyer expects from you after the sale
A slightly lower offer with clean terms and secure funding can sometimes be a better deal than a higher headline price with significant conditions attached.
We help you understand those trade-offs and negotiate the offer before you decide which buyer to proceed with.
From offer to completion
Managing Your Dental Practice Sale Through Due Diligence and Completion
Once you accept an offer and agree heads of terms, there is still a significant amount of work before the money reaches your account.
The buyer will usually carry out financial and legal due diligence, confirm funding and negotiate the final deal structure. For NHS practices, the process may also involve NHS contract arrangements and other regulatory requirements.
We stay on the seller’s side throughout the transaction. We help coordinate financial due diligence, respond to queries alongside your accountant and solicitor, and support negotiations where issues arise.
We also look at how the deal is structured, including:
- cash paid on completion versus deferred consideration
- share sale versus asset sale
- working capital and completion adjustments
- warranties, indemnities and other financial negotiation points
- the tax implications of the proposed structure
In our experience, this is often where an apparently strong offer can start to change. Our role is to help protect the commercial terms you agreed and keep the transaction moving towards completion.
Our pricing
2.5% commission. Capped at £50,000. Paid only on completion.
We charge a flat 2.5% of the sale price, capped at £50,000. That cap is the part most sellers miss when comparing agents.
- On a £1 million sale, 2.5% is £25,000 against a typical 3% market rate of £30,000 – a £5,000 saving.
- On a £2 million sale, 2.5% would be £50,000 (where the cap kicks in) against £60,000 at 3% – a £10,000 saving.
- On a £3 million sale, the cap means you still pay £50,000 against a market £90,000 – a £40,000 saving.
The bigger the sale, the more the cap matters.
There are no upfront fees. No marketing fees. No withdrawal fees. We don’t bill by the hour, we don’t add disbursements, and we don’t take any payment until the deal completes. If the practice doesn’t sell, you don’t pay us.
Our incentive is straightforward – we get paid when you do, at a rate that’s tied to the price we achieve. That alignment is the point.
Who you’ll work with
Speak to the Samera practice sales team
Selling a dental practice involves more than finding a buyer. You need people who understand valuation, negotiation, financial preparation, tax and the issues that can emerge during due diligence.
Book a free, no-obligation call directly with the Samera team member whose experience best matches what you need.
CEO and Founder – Samera
- Dental Practice Sales
- Deal Structure and Negotiation
- Dental Accountancy and Tax for Dental Groups and DSOs
- Dental Practice Valuations
Director of Operations – Accountancy and Tax
- Exit Planning and EBITDA Preparation
- Tax-Efficient Sale Structuring (CGT, BADR)
- Dental Accountancy and Tax for Practice Owners
- Financial Due Diligence (Seller-Side)
Get in Touch
Other ways to reach us
Prefer not to book a call? You can also get in touch directly or send a message and we’ll get back to you.
- Email: info@samera.co.uk
- Phone: (+44) 20 7100 8788
- WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
What clients say
Reviews
I have nothing but praise for Samera. I had a dental sale which lasted 2 years due to COVID. An extremely stressful experience. Throughout the whole process Samera, and in particular Arun, were totally amazing. There were a few occasions that the sale almost never went ahead. Samera were absolutely pivotal in ensuring that things progressed till completion. I’m so grateful to Arun and Team Samera …
Qazafi Khalil – 5 Stars
Arun, Natasha and all the team at Samera have provided outstanding service to me over a number of years – they are experts and are friendly and easy to deal with – would thoroughly …
Peter Grimes – 5 Stars
The experienced, knowledgeable and approachable Samera team presented a comprehensive overview of group dentistry – from marketing and growth at practice level, to structure and exit at group level. The all-encompassing team were able to advise candidly on all aspects of this journey. Would highly recommend!
AJ – 5 Stars
Related services
Other ways Samera supports practice sellers
Tax Planning for Dentists
Selling a practice can create a significant tax liability, and the structure and timing of the transaction can affect the final outcome. Our dental tax specialists help you understand the implications of the deal and plan for the sale before the terms are locked in.
Financial Due Diligence
Buyer scrutiny can uncover issues that affect price, terms or even whether the transaction completes. We help organise and explain the financial information, respond to due diligence queries and make sure buyers understand the underlying performance of the practice.
Accountants for Dental Practice Owners
Clean, reliable accounts make a practice easier to value, easier to sell and easier for a buyer to understand. Our dental accountants support practice owners with annual accounts, management reporting, tax, payroll and the financial information needed throughout ownership and eventually at sale.
Grow a Dental Practice
Not ready to sell yet? Improving profitability, financial visibility and the way the practice operates can strengthen the business before you eventually go to market. Our growth services help practice owners improve performance, build stronger financial systems and plan for the next stage of the business.
Related reading
Guides to selling a dental practice
Determining the value of a dental practice
Understand how dental practices are valued, the factors that influence multiples and what buyers look at when assessing a practice.
How to sell your dental practice in 9 steps
The complete process from deciding when to sell through valuation, buyer selection, due diligence and completion.
Maximising your dental practice’s EBITDA
Practical ways to strengthen profitability and financial performance in the months and years before going to market.
7 essential things to consider when selling
The key decisions to think through before committing to a sale, from timing and valuation to your role after completion.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about selling a dental practice
How much is my dental practice worth?
From the transactions and valuations we work on, dental practices commonly fall within 4x to 8x depending on contract mix, location, size, profitability and how much the goodwill depends on the principal personally. NHS practices and large group-quality private practices command the higher end of the range; smaller principal-led practices sit lower. The calculator on this page gives an indicative range in 30 seconds, and our full guide to dental practice valuations covers the methodology with worked examples. The accurate answer for your practice needs a proper conversation so book a call.
How is your commission calculated?
We charge 2.5% of the sale price, capped at £50,000, paid only on completion. There are no upfront fees, no marketing fees, no withdrawal fees. If the practice doesn’t sell, you don’t pay us. Many dental practice sales agents charge 3% with no cap, which means on larger sales the cap saves you tens of thousands of pounds. The calculator in the pricing section above shows the saving against a 3% market rate.
How long does it take to sell a dental practice?
From going to market to completion typically takes 6 to 12 months. Heads of terms usually agreed within 2 to 4 months of marketing. Financial due diligence, legal completion and NHS contract novation (if relevant) then run in parallel for a further 3 to 6 months. Sellers who prepare properly before going to market (lifting EBITDA, cleaning the accounts, sorting the lease) often see faster sales at stronger prices – that 6 to 24 month pre-market preparation is the most underrated part of the process.
How much tax will I pay on the sale?
It depends on your circumstances and how the deal is structured. From 6 April 2026, Capital Gains Tax is generally charged at 18% or 24% for individuals. If your disposal qualifies for Business Asset Disposal Relief, qualifying gains are currently taxed at 18%, subject to the relevant conditions and lifetime limit.
The tax position can also differ significantly between a share sale and an asset sale, and deferred consideration or group structures can add further complexity.
This is why tax planning should happen before the deal structure and heads of terms are finalised, rather than after.
Will my staff and patients find out the practice is for sale?
Not unless and until you choose to tell them. We market practices confidentially – matched against our active buyer database rather than listed on public portals. Only qualified buyers under signed confidentiality agreements see your practice’s identity and accounts. Most of our clients tell their staff and patients about the sale only once heads of terms are signed with the chosen buyer.
What happens to NHS contracts when I sell?
If your practice holds an NHS dental contract, the contract position needs to be considered carefully as part of the sale. The process depends on the type of NHS contract, how it is currently held and the structure of the transaction.
Depending on the circumstances, the sale may involve changes to the existing contractual arrangements, partnership changes or a formal transfer or novation process. This can affect both the transaction structure and the sale timetable.
We make sure the NHS contract position is identified early and work alongside your dental solicitor and the relevant NHS bodies so it can be dealt with as part of the wider transaction.
Can you value a practice for divorce, probate or a partnership dispute?
Yes. We provide independent dental practice valuations for legal and contested situations – divorce proceedings, probate, partnership splits, and shareholder disputes. These valuations are transparent, balanced and accurate, prepared with both parties’ interests in mind so a meaningful settlement is possible. The valuation methodology is the same as for a sale, but the deliverable is a formal report rather than a marketing plan. See our Practice Valuations service for the full methodology, or book a call to discuss the specifics.
Should I use Samera if I’m planning to sell to my associate, my family or a known buyer?
Yes – the valuation and deal structure work matters just as much for an internal sale as for a market sale, and often more. Family and associate sales can go wrong precisely because both sides assume the other is being fair, then disagree about the number. We do these regularly. The commission is the same 2.5% capped at £50,000, and the value is in the valuation, the structure and the tax planning rather than the buyer search.
Thinking About Selling Your Dental Practice?
Whether you are ready to sell now or planning several years ahead, an early conversation can help you understand what your practice is worth, what buyers are likely to look for and what you could improve before going to market.
Samera has supported dental practice sales since 2002, and we have started, grown and sold practices ourselves. We can help you prepare properly, find the right buyer and manage the transaction through to completion.
Free, no-obligation initial consultation. Book a call at a time that suits you.