Getting Started

How does ADA Practice Transitions™ work?

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a practice, find a job, or hire an associate, ADA Practice Transitions can find you a dentist or practice that fits your needs.

Complete your profile to tell us your transition preferences, long-term goals, and work style. We will use this information to find dentists and practices that match your criteria and your approach to dentistry. 

After you’ve submitted your profile, you’ll have an onboarding call with our Advisory Team to confirm your goals and answer questions. From there, we will begin finding dentists or practices that meet your needs. As we search for opportunities, you’ll have access to our Get Ready resources to help you prepare for every aspect of your practice transition, including financial and legal templates.

 

Who can use ADA Practice Transitions?
ADA Practice Transitions serves general dentists as well as all specialists, with over 8,300 total dentists nationwide in our platform. We work with dentists at all stages - early career, mid career and late career dentists. Getting started is easy; just create your free profile.
 
I’m a student, can I use the service?
Yes, the beginning of your D4 year is a great time to get started. By then, you have likely begun to form an idea of what you want. If you are not quite to your D4 year, explore our Student Resource Center and subscribe to our blog for resources to help you find and prepare for an associateship.
Can I browse what practices/associates are available?
ADA Practice Transitions curates each and every match based on your unique criteria, so you cannot browse all available practices or associates. However, we do feature a handful of practices to showcase the available variety. If you are exploring what type of practice is right for you, these featured profiles can help you start narrowing it down.
How long does a practice transition take?

No two practice transitions are the same, so each has its own timeline. However, the overall readiness of both parties can have a significant impact on the length of a transaction. Factors that can affect a transition timeline include: 

  • Are the owner’s finances organized and ready for review?
  • Does the buyer have a pre-approval letter from a lender or two?
  • Does the hiring doctor have an associate contract ready to go?
  • Does the incoming associate have a firm understanding of what is most important to them?

For guidelines on how long a transition can take, download our practice transition roadmaps. We have one for buyers and sellers with an estimated timeline and a list of steps to complete a successful transition. We also encourage you to review the blog post How Long Does a Practice Transition Take for tips on how to speed up your timeline.

 

Creating a Profile

When is my profile active?

Once you submit your profile you will be encouraged to set up your onboarding call. This call is essential to ensure your team understands your transition goals. It’s also a great time to ask any questions about your next steps or to better articulate your goals, After the call,  your Advisor will begin searching for the right dentist or practice to fit your goals.  You will be notified via email as potential opportunities are identified.

While you wait for candidates, you will have access to an abundance of resources and materials in the “Get Ready” section of your member profile.

 

What can others see on my profile?
You can see what your profile looks like to hand-selected doctors at any time. Remember that until BOTH doctors agree, no identifiable information is shown. When you are logged into your account, you will see a Profile Preview button in a banner at the top of the page. Click this Profile Preview button to see exactly how your profile appears to other doctors. You can also see exactly what your ADA Advisor can review.
 
I would like my profile to be totally confidential – can you keep this a secret?
Confidentiality is our specialty. Your profile will only be shown to dentists or practices that your Advisor suggests and you ask to learn more about. When profiles are in the initial phases, no personally identifiable information is revealed – only details about your philosophy of care and general location. It is not until both parties have asked for additional information, that full profile and contact information are revealed.
 
Can I update my profile after I have submitted it?

You can edit your profile at any time throughout this process. In fact, you should! Doing so helps us serve you better by knowing exactly what you want. Updates go live immediately, so be sure to review your changes carefully. We do ask that you notify your Advisor of any significant changes that may impact our search efforts, such as a change in timeline or geographic focus.

 

How long will my profile remain active?

Your profile will remain active until you find your transition solution or you ask us to suspend your account. There is a chance that we may suspend your account if you are not responsive to other doctors or your advisory team for an extended period of time and/or after numerous failed attempts to get in touch with you. 

It is important that you are ready to begin conversations about your practice transition when you submit your profile. If you are unsure about your timeline, please get in touch with us. We are happy to help you think through the next step in your dental career.

Will my practice be listed on the ADAPT website?
We do not typically list practices as we aim to connect candidates with owners who share similar goals and a philosophy of care. However, we do feature a handful of practices that showcase the available variety.
 

Legal

When do I need a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement?

You will be agreeing to a limited NDA when you agree to the screening call. We recommend signing a more formal agreement before you share any financial or patient information regarding your practice. The practice owner typically initiates this process. If you are an ADAPT member, you will receive a free NDA template.  

Does ADAPT get involved in negotiations?
No. At no point will your ADAPT Advisor engage in the negotiation stage of your transition – and that goes for buyers and sellers, hiring doctors, and associates. We are happy to provide resources and supply you with the tools you need to conduct your own negotiations. Read our advice on how to prepare and prioritize so you can negotiate with confidence. If you are unsure that you can effectively negotiate on your own, our worksheets will help you think through your priorities so you can effectively work with your chosen counsel.
 
Do you have a referral for a good attorney or accountant?
Since laws and regulations vary greatly among states, your attorney and accountant should be well-versed in your state’s requirements. Many state and local dental societies maintain lists of vetted professionals, and you can also ask local colleagues for their recommendations. As you interview potential attorneys and accountants, make sure they have experience with the intricacies of dental practice transitions. Check out our webinar, Taking the Legal Pain Out of Buying and Selling a Dental Practice, for tips on assembling a good team or review our post, How to Build a Team for Your Successful Dental Practice Transition.
 

Pricing

How much does it cost to subscribe to ADA Practice Transitions?
It costs nothing to create a profile and there are no monthly fees or exclusivity clauses. You only pay when you sign a final contract with an ADA Practice Transitions candidate. You will see that ADA members receive substantial savings over non-ADA members. Review our current fees here.
 
At what point do I owe ADA Practice Transitions money?
As you go through the matching process, you can speak with as many potential dentists as fit your criteria. You only owe ADAPT money when you sign a contract at the time of closing or employment.
Who should I contact for a valuation? What should it cost to value my practice?
The cost can range tremendously – from $2,500 to $17,000. If you would like a referral, be sure to let us know during your onboarding call.  In the meantime, you can read about what it actually costs to sell a dental practice and review tips to prepare for your valuation.
What if an associate hired through ADAPT purchases my practice?

If the associate purchases any part of the practice within 5 years, the owner will be responsible for the purchase transaction fee listed below any associate match fee already paid.

Still Have Questions?

If your question is not answered above, we’re happy to help! Contact adapt@ada.org or 800.232.6119.

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