What multiple do dental practices sell for?
Band for owner-operated dental practices under $1,000,000 of SDE. Source: sold-transaction comps (BizBuySell sold data and IBBA Market Pulse closed deals), never asking prices. Dataset v2026.07.0, refreshed 2026-07-06. Larger earnings move to higher bands: see the full multiples by industry reference.
Worked example: $450,000 of SDE at the typical 3.28x multiple prices around $1,476,000, inside a band of roughly $720,000 to $1,516,500.
What moves your multiple
A full hygiene schedule and strong recall rate are the practice’s recurring revenue. Buyers audit both.
Fee-for-service and PPO-heavy practices price above Medicaid-dependent ones for the same production.
Production concentrated in the selling doctor discounts the price; associates who stay strengthen it.
Digital radiography, modern operatories, and a transferable lease remove diligence friction.
The calculator asks about these drivers directly, so your range reflects where your dental practice actually sits in the band, not just the industry average.
Frequently asked questions
What multiple do dental practices sell for?
Sold-transaction data puts dental practices at roughly 1.60 to 3.37 times SDE (seller's discretionary earnings), with 3.28x as the typical mark for an owner-operated business under $1,000,000 of SDE. Where a specific business lands depends on the value drivers buyers actually price: recurring revenue, owner dependence, customer concentration, and team depth.
How do I calculate what my dental practice is worth?
Multiply your SDE by the market multiple for your size and quality band. Example: a dental practice with $450,000 of SDE at the typical 3.28x multiple prices around $1,476,000, inside a sold-comp band of roughly $720,000 to $1,516,500. The calculator does this with your numbers and shows which drivers push you up or down the band.
I keep hearing dental practices sell for 6 to 8 times. Why is your range lower?
Those figures are DSO offers stated as a multiple of EBITDA after subtracting a market salary for the dentist, a much smaller earnings number than SDE. Restated on the same SDE basis brokers use for owner-operated practices, sold transactions cluster in the range this calculator shows. Comparing a DSO EBITDA multiple to an SDE multiple overstates the gap; the honest comparison is dollars offered, not the multiple label.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. The estimate and the PDF valuation report are free, and there is no obligation. BridgeBook only earns anything if we later represent your sale and it closes.
Know what your dental practice is really worth
Free estimate, free PDF report, no obligation. If you decide to sell, you pay nothing unless your business sells.