New York is really two dental markets wearing one name. Selling a practice in Manhattan and selling one outside Rochester are different experiences with different buyers. Here’s what’s specific about selling in New York, and what isn’t.
The math is the same everywhere
Buyers price EBITDA, not collections, in New York like everywhere else. If that sentence isn’t familiar, start with how much is my dental practice worth and come back. This guide covers what’s specific to the state.
What’s different in New York
- The taxes stack. State income tax, plus city tax if you’re in New York City. The after-tax number moves more with deal structure here than in most states, and it’s worth modeling before the first buyer conversation, not at closing.
- Two markets. Downstate is one of the densest, most competitive dental markets in the country, with heavy DSO and group activity. Upstate practices trade on different terms with a thinner buyer pool. Who’s likely to buy you should shape how you run the process.
- Ownership rules. New York keeps ownership of dental practices with licensed dentists through professional entities. DSOs operate through management arrangements, and the deal you sign reflects that structure.
- Non-competes. Enforceable when reasonable in time and geography, and courts here scrutinize them. If you’re staying on after close, the scope of what you can’t do matters as much as the paycheck.
I'm a dentist, not a lawyer or CPA. Structure, tax, and contract questions deserve professional advice specific to your situation.
What I’d do first
Know your own EBITDA and know who’s actually buying in your metro before you respond to anyone. If you want a second set of eyes on your numbers, send them through the free valuation review. I’ll reply within 48 hours with my honest read.
— Kevin