---
title: "What Is Group practice? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "A group practice is a dental practice owned and run by more than one dentist, or by an organization, with shared systems, staff and often shared ownership."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/group-practice
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Ownership and transitions

# Group practice

A group practice is a dental practice owned and run by more than one dentist, or by an organization, with shared systems, staff and often shared ownership.

Group practice takes several forms. The ADA describes a partnership as an arrangement in which two or more dentists share ownership of the practice. ADA News reported in December 2021 that while private practice ownership rates have declined, group practice affiliation has risen. Other forms include larger multi-office groups owned by an organization. Group settings may spread costs and offer a ready team, but decision-making and ownership terms vary widely. Anyone joining or buying in should read the agreement with an attorney. The ADA also covers buy-ins and buy-outs for associates and owners. See [solo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/solo-practice) for the single-owner model and [practice ownership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-ownership) for how ownership rates have changed over time.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Solo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/solo-practice)
-   [Practice ownership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-ownership)
-   [Associate dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-dentist)
-   [Associateship](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associateship)

## Sources

1.  [ADA News, HPI Shifting practice patterns (December 2021)](https://adanews.ada.org/new-dentist/2021/december/hpi-shifting-practice-patterns/)
2.  [ADA, How to purchase with confidence](https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-planning/how-to-purchase-with-confidence)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)