---
title: "What Is Private equity in dentistry? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "Investment firms that buy ownership stakes in dental groups or support organizations, aiming to grow the business and later sell it, a trend the ADA tracks in..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/private-equity-in-dentistry
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Dental service organizations

# Private equity in dentistry

Investment firms that buy ownership stakes in dental groups or support organizations, aiming to grow the business and later sell it, a trend the ADA tracks in its research.

Private equity in dentistry refers to investment firms that fund and own parts of dental groups, often through a [DSO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dso). The firm usually plans to grow the business and sell it later.

The ADA Health Policy Institute reports that the share of dentists affiliated with private equity increased from 6.6% in 2015 to 12.8% in 2021. The ADA News report on the paper says the percentage nearly doubled over six years, with increases among larger practices and among some specialists.

Private equity is a way to fund a group. It is not a type of practice. Terms differ by deal, so dentists who consider any offer should ask an attorney and a CPA to explain it. This entry reports data and gives no opinion.

[Next stepIndustry work with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=industry)

## Related terms

-   [DSO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dso)
-   [Dental service organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-service-organization)
-   [Dental support organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-support-organization)
-   [Exit strategy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/exit-strategy)

## Sources

1.  [ADA News, Private equity affiliation among dentists increases](https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2024/august/private-equity-affiliation-among-dentists-increases/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

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