The scary statistic that's wrong

A viral claim says dentistry is 35% consolidated by private equity. The American Dental Association's actual number is about 16%. That gap matters because it's the difference between an unstoppable wave and a manageable trend.

“That's the difference between "the wave is unstoppable" and "most of the industry is still independent."”

How the number got inflated

The 35% figure mixes different questions: How many dentists work for corporate groups? How many have private equity upstream? How many practice alongside other dentists? Three partners owning one practice together counts as a group, but nothing consolidated.

Why you should be skeptical

A number that won't show its work deserves your skepticism, especially when it arrives with a prediction about your money. The ADA's strict measurement gets about 16% and is growing, but nowhere near a majority.

“A number that won't show its work deserves your skepticism.”

Consolidation happens everywhere

Corporate consolidation is real in dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, accounting, pet grooming and car washes. Mature industries consolidate at the edges. But there's a long distance between corporate groups existing and corporate groups winning.

The talent problem private equity faces

Dentists, dermatologists and optometrists spend 8 to 12 years training. They're ambitious and skilled, which makes them terrible long-term corporate employees. The best ones leave to start their own practices down the street.

Skills live in people, not systems

Private equity buys the skill of a doctor, but that skill is literally in the hands of a person, not a system or technology. An industry built on that kind of talent doesn't consolidate like a chain of car washes does.

“The skill that is ultimately being purchased by private equity is literally in the hands of a person, not a system or technology.”

No proof corporate is better

There's no good evidence yet that patients are better off or that profit margins are better in investor-owned practices. The independent practice's core advantage remains: a doctor who owns the relationship.

Step one: Know your numbers

Never sell into a narrative. Get an independent valuation from someone who doesn't earn commission on your sale. Know what your business actually produces in owner cash flow and compare any offer against the value of simply continuing to own.

“Never sell into a narrative. Sell into your numbers.”

Step two: Control the auction

The seller with the most options and least fear always gets the best price. Owners who do best in consolidating industries treat consolidation as one bidder in the auction, not the auctioneer.

“The seller with the most options and least fear always gets the best price.”

Spot the fear-based sales pitch

Salespeople who lead with scary statistics are telling you about their negotiating strategy, not your business. The same test works on any scary market claim: someone is usually selling the fear along with the solution.

“Salespeople who lead with scary statistics are telling you something about their negotiating strategy, not about your business.”

Your practice is worth protecting

Your practice took years to build. Don't let a statistic that can't survive basic research determine who controls your career. Verify claims, know your value and make decisions from strength, not panic.

“Don't let a statistic that can't survive some basic research determine who controls your career.”