Dental Practice Due-Diligence Checklist, Sorted by Who Handles What

Buying a practice has a lot of moving parts. This sorts them by who usually owns each one, so you can walk into every conversation knowing what to ask and of whom.

A general guide, not legal, tax or lending advice. Every deal, state and lender is different, and your own CPA, attorney and lender have the real list for your situation. Nothing here values any practice.

0 of 30 items covered

You 0/6

The part only you can do.

Write down your must-haves and deal-breakers before looking at any numbers.Visit more than once, on different days and times.Look at a sample of patient charts when the seller allows it, to judge record quality and philosophy fit.Meet the team and, if the seller agrees, a few key referral partners.Walk the neighborhood: nearby practices, parking, growth, how it feels.Line up your own CPA, attorney and lender before you make an offer.

Your CPA 0/6

Review the seller's statements and tax returns for the years provided.Check that production, collections, bank deposits and tax returns tell the same story.Look at each add-back the seller or broker claims, and the support for it.Review receivables, payables, payroll and sales-tax items.Talk through how the purchase structure and the allocation of price affect you for tax purposes.Plan the entity you will buy through.

Your attorney 0/6

Review the purchase agreement: what you assume, what you do not, and the promises each side makes.Review the lease and the landlord's consent to assignment.Review employment agreements and any restrictions that will apply to the seller after the sale.Confirm licenses, permits and compliance matters (privacy, safety, radiation, controlled substances) are in order.Search for liens, pending claims, board complaints and litigation.Review equipment leases, vendor contracts, payer agreements and software licenses.

Your lender 0/5

Have a pre-qualification conversation with a lender who finances dental practices. (See the Offer-Ready Checklist for what lenders commonly ask of you.)Ask what they need about the practice itself, and who orders any appraisal or inspection.Ask about working capital and closing costs, not only the purchase itself.Ask about the realistic timeline from application to closing and what slows it down.If a building is involved, ask what changes for the real estate.

Ask the listing broker or seller (through the broker) 0/7

The listing broker represents the seller. Be friendly and clear, and expect details to open up in stages after an NDA.

Which documents are available, and when do they become available?Why is the owner selling, and what do they plan to do afterward?What is included in the sale, and what is not?Can you see an equipment list with ages, a staff list with roles and tenure, and the lease?How will patient records transfer, and how will patients be told?What help will there be with insurance credentialing and with the transition?How long will the seller be available after closing?

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Due-diligence checklist, sorted by who handles what

You 0/6

Your CPA 0/6

Your attorney 0/6

Your lender 0/5

Ask the listing broker or seller (through the broker) 0/7