DSO Deal Roundup – December 2024

🎊 Happy New Year! As we enter 2025, the trajectory of DSO and dental M&A activity remains a critical focus. How will the U.S.’s new administration’s new policies and economic priorities shape 2025 deal-making? Will the industry regain its previous momentum, or will challenges persist in the evolving group landscape? The question remains: can we expect a return to the robust transaction levels of prior years?

At Group Dentistry Now (GDN), we continue to be your trusted resource for monitoring these pivotal trends. As the only platform offering a comprehensive, monthly roundup of dental service organization (DSO) transactions, GDN ensures you’re equipped with insights to navigate the shifting industry dynamics. Rest assured, we’ll provide timely updates as the market adjusts to the new administration’s impact.

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Here is GDN’s exclusive list of DSO and emerging group M&A for December:

Tusk Practice Sales advised:

• North Mississippi Endodontics in its sale to Endodontic Practice Partners
• Dental Co. of Leesburg on its Affiliation to Partnerships for Dentists

Emerging Dental Group to Watch in 2024 winner, Southern Family Dental Partners (SFDP), announced its acquisition of Schmitt Dental. With six locations in the Nashville metropolitan area, the addition of Schmitt Dental represents a significant milestone for SFDP, enhancing its presence in Tennessee and bringing the total number of managed practices in the state to twelve, with twenty-two locations across the Southeast.

PDS Health added 14 de novos in December. The integrated healthcare support organization has added a total of 63 practices in 2024. PDS Health now supports more than 1,000 offices in 24 states.

• PDS Medical Group Green Valley in Henderson, Nevada.
• Kennesaw Modern Dentistry in Kennesaw, Georgia.
• Beckett Ridge Modern Dentistry in West Chester, Ohio.
• Boynton Mall Modern Dentistry in Boynton Beach, Florida.
• The Dental Office of Rancho Cucamonga in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
• The Dental Office of Bellflower in Bellflower, California.
• Dentists of Green Valley in Henderson, Nevada.
• Orange Modern Dentistry in Orange, California.
• Norco Modern Dentistry in Norco, California.
• Fremont Hub Dentistry in Fremont, California.
• Dentists of Elk Grove in Elk Grove, California.
• Garden Grove Modern Dentistry in Garden Grove, California.
• Dentists of Vallejo in Vallejo, California.
• The Dental Office of Katy in Katy, Texas

Orthodontic Experts acquired Smiles by Schuberth in Willowbrook, Illinois. This marks the group’s 29th location. Orthodontic Experts is a doctor-owned OSO founded in 2013, and operating orthodontic clinics in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

Little Rock-based Rock Dental Brands announced it has secured $90 million in additional funding from two private equity groups. TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners has committed $50 million in senior debt financing. Audax Private Debt has committed $40 million in mezzanine financing. Rock Dental Brands plans to use the money to fuel expansions in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri and Tennessee. The company also announced the launch of two new partnerships in Birmingham, Ala. With 109 dental clinics under its banner, Rock Dental Brands is poised for more growth.

Abra Health Group expanded to Connecticut with acquisition of the four locations of All About Kids Pediatric Dentistry, based in Connecticut. Founded in 2008 by Doctors Michael and Brooke Skolnick, a husband-and-wife dental team, Abra Health Group’s vision is to become a leading provider of integrated medical and dental care to underrepresented communities. In addition to this acquisition, Abra is announced plans for a brand-new location in Bridgeport, Connecticut, set to open in 2025. This expansion underscores the organization’s dedication to addressing the growing need for specialized pediatric dentistry services in the region.

Children’s Choice Dental Care opened two new pediatric dental offices in Bakersfield and Redding, California, bringing much-needed services to regions grappling with some of the state’s highest rates of childhood tooth decay. For families in the Central Valley and Shasta County, securing regular dental visits has often felt like an uphill battle. Children’s Choice is stepping in to change that by creating welcoming, family-centered environments that make essential dental care easier to access and more enjoyable for kids. By prioritizing prevention and early intervention, these new offices hope to reduce barriers and build a foundation of lifelong health. With over 27 locations across the state, Children’s Choice’s mission is to make essential dental care available to every child.

Burch Dental Partners has completed its merger with Dental Specialists of Northern Florida. Burch Dental Partners is headquartered in Rockford, Il and was founded in 2006 by U.S. Veterans.

• Joseph B. Pantaleo in Smithtown, NY
• Brush and Floss Dental Center in Stratford, CT
• Miller Oral Surgery in Harrisburg, Pa and Hershey, PA

SGA Dental Partners is welcomed six partner doctors in Q4 2024 across four practices and three states in the Southeast. Learn more about the specialty powerhouse HERE.

• Lady’s Island Dental, located in Beaufort, South Carolina (Acquisition)
• Columbus Periodontics & Implant Center, located in Columbus, Georgia (Acquisition)
• Smile Advanced Dental Center, located in Summerville, South Carolina (Acquisition)
• Scott Blanchard Periodontics & Implants, located in Nags Head & Elizabeth City, North Carolina (Acquisition)

Aspen Dental office openings:

• Stafford, TX – led by managing clinical director Hetty Hong, DMD
• Schaumburg, IL – led by practice owner Jerome Austriaco, DDS and managing clinical director Justin Song, DMD
• Goldsboro, NC – led by practice owner Ali Altak, DDS
• Noblesville, IN – led by managing clinical director Todd Myers, DDS
• Laurinburg, NC – led by practice owner Yonathan Nigatu, DDS
• Papillion, NE – led by practice owner Josue Covarrubias, DMD
• Holbrook, NY – led by managing clinical director Shahzaib Tariq, DDS

Espire Dental Management, a fast-growing, cosmetic and multi-specialty group practice, has recently announced a significant strategic move in the Pacific Northwest, further strengthening its position in the western United States. With the acquisition of Sauvage PLLC, a five-location dental practice based in Seattle, Washington, and Tranquility Dental Wellness, a four-location practice serving the Tacoma/Olympia area, Espire continues its rapid expansion and growth strategy. This move is supported by a subordinated debt investment from Ironwood Capital, signaling strong confidence in Espire’s ability to execute its ambitious vision. Learn more about the acquisitions HERE.

Beacon Oral Specialists announced their latest partnership with Dr. R. Jason J. Hehr and the Hehr Oral Surgery team. Dr. Hehr practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to advanced implant restoration procedures in North Charleston, SC. This partnership with Dr. Hehr expands Beacon’s oral surgery network into South Carolina now with 130+ clinicians in 32 practices across 12 states.

Complete Dental Care, an independent dental practice supported by North American Dental Group, announced it has opened a new practice in Bellaire, OH.  This new facility consolidates the former Shadyside and Martins Ferry locations into one enhanced space, designed to deliver exceptional care in a modern and welcoming environment. North American Dental Group is a Pittsburgh-based DSO that provides non-clinical services to over 220+ dental practices across 15 states.

Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, one of Arizona’s top-rated specialists in dental care for children and adolescents, has revealed the opening of a sixth center located in the city of Mesa. The company’s sixth practice takes its services to the third-largest city in the Grand Canyon State. PVPD already has offices located in Scottsdale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise, and Chandler. The emerging dental group is founded and led by Dr. Olga Dolghier.

InterDent Service Corporation‘s principal brand, Gentle Dental, expanded to North Las Vegas. Gentle Dental has over 160 locations across eight western states, providing comprehensive care including general dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. Headquartered in Inglewood California and Vancouver Washington, InterDent’s brands include Gentle Dental, Smile Keepers Dental, and Dedicated Dental.

From its start in 1997 with Willow Creek Dental, Stanbrick Dental Group has grown into a network of nine practices across the Denver metro area. They have embraced the trend of integrated dental care and have recently rebranded to convey that commitment to patients. Learn more about the emerging dental group HERE.

Imagen Dental Partners announced the following new locations:

• Pleasant Dentistry, located in Cumming, GA, led by Dr. Stanley Ryals
• Highgrove Dental Care, located in St. Paul, MN, led by Dr. Jadilyn Grittner and Dr. John Grittner
• Roberts Family Dental, located in Decatur, GA, led by Dr. Marc Howard Roberts

U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM), the first and largest physician practice management (PPM) company focused exclusively on the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty, announced that it has closed on a new $175 million credit expansion. This new round of financing is an expansion of USOSM’s current credit facility with its existing lenders and is expected to position USOSM for continued and accelerated growth through 2026. Founded in November 2017, USOSM has more than 250 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in 28 states.

SALT Dental Partners announced its newest partnership with Smile Valley Pediatric Dentistry, led by Dr. Roya Pilcher, in Washington DC. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, SALT has 150+ offices in 20 states and Washington D.C.

Innovate 32 announced its partnership with Rachel Johnson & Associates (RJA), which is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Innovate 32 was formed by Shore Capital Partners. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Josh Johnson and Innovate 32’s Board of Directors, Innovate 32 has partnered with dental practices throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic. RJA was founded in 2006 by Dr. Rachel Johnson.

beBright welcomed The Smile Spot Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics as their newest partner. InTandem Capital Partners, LLC, a healthcare services focused private equity firm, formed beBright, a doctor-owned, doctor-led collaboration of several pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practices. Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, beBright is led by Dr. Bobbi Augustyn. Learn more about beBright HERE.

MB2 Dental introduced four new practices and welcomed four doctor partners across four states, bringing its 2024 total new practice count to 108. The company also entered its 44th state, Iowa. Continuing its growth trajectory, this latest announcement follows the company’s completion of its third recapitalization event in just seven years.

• Knoxville Dental Center in Knoxville, IA, Acquisition
• Gloss Dental at Pharr Plaza in Pharr, TX, De Novo
• Capitol Oral Surgery & Implant Center in Little Rock, AR, De Novo
• Dr. Bob’s Dental Care in Niagara Falls and Amherst, NY, Acquisition

DECA Dental Group announced the following Joint Ventures:

• Dr. Alexa Briggs, Prosper, TX
• Dr. Carol McCabe, St. Johns/Jacksonville, FL
• Dr. Jennifer Steele, Baybrook/Houston TX

Shared Practices Group grew with the addition of Kansas City Dentures and Implants. The currently operate nearly 40 locations. Shared Practices Group is a dental group which was founded in 2021 by six equal dentist partners through merging the existing locations of its founding partners. Shared Practices Group is 100% remotely operated and dentist owned. Learn more about this Emerging Group to Watch in 2023 winner HERE.

Provident Healthcare Partners, a healthcare investment banking firm, announced it has advised Mid-Florida Endodontics on its partnership with SRM Equity Partners.

GPS Dental welcomed the following practice locations to its growing network:

• Mid-Columbia Dental Kennewick
• Mid-Columbia Dental Pasco
• Pinnacle Peak Family Dentistry
• AZ Sleep and TMJ Solutions
• Prosthodontics of New York
• Timber Dental Bethany
• Timber Dental Downtown Portland
• Timber Dental East Burnside
• Timber Dental Lombard
• Timber Dental NE Portland
• Timber Dental Sherwood

P3 Partners Oral Surgery, headquartered in Charleston, WV, has launched a robust practice acquisition campaign and recruitment drive, targeting established oral surgery practices and skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. It is supported by HealthEdge Investment Partners. P3 Partners, through its Mountain State Oral & Facial Surgery nine location network, focuses on providing care to underserved communities in locations like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. For more details or to apply, visit P3 Partners Oral Surgery.

UK-based Dental Beauty Partners welcomed the following, bringing their total number of supported practices to 50:

• ConfiDental Clinic in Streatham, led by Dr. Kunal Patel
• Teddington Dental, led by Dr. Manraj Kalsi
• Jasmine Dental Studios in Clapham, led by Dr. Kunal Patel and Dr. Jaya Patel

Scottish Dental Care acquired Platt & Common Dental Practice in Stirling’s historic centre. The practice had been led by John and Jennifer Denham.

Dental Care Ireland acquired its 34th practice and their 12th in Dublin, Tully House Dental in Clondalkin. The dental group was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has completed the sale of Castelnau Dentists in Barnes, South West London, to the nationwide dental practice operator, Envisage Dental, which owns and operates 68 practices. Castelnau Dentists is a large, five-surgery dental practice (with plans in place for a further two surgeries) that was set up nearly 30 years ago by the former owner and Principal, Dr Alex Jabour.

The DSO Deal RoundUp is sponsored by TUSK Practice Sales, the premier M&A Advisor for healthcare practices looking to maximize their value in a sale. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace, collective experience of over 125+ years, and access to hundreds of buyers nationwide, TUSK helps their clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. They offer their clients solutions that help them achieve their strategic and financial objectives. If you’re interested in knowing the true value of your practice, click here for a complimentary practice valuation.

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