Practice Transitions
Transitions are Inevitable.
Strategy is Intentional.
Practices evolve. Ownership structures change. Markets shift. The dentists who navigate those changes well are the ones who have the right financial guidance before the transition happens – not after. What all of these transitions have in common is that they carry real financial complexity – and real financial risk if they are navigated without the right support.

TRANSITION ADVISORY
Change Comes in Many Forms. We Navigate All of Them.
This guidance is for any dental practice owner who is navigating, or anticipating, a significant change in how their practice is structured, operated, or positioned. That could look very different from one dentist to the next. You may be bringing in an associate, preparing to sell your practice to a partner, exploring a DSO relationship, or shifting your insurance payer mix. If your practice is at a crossroads of any kind, we can help you see the financial picture clearly before you commit.
Financial Architecture for Practice Transitions.
Our transition work is not a single service. It is a set of capabilities we bring to bear depending on the specific change you are navigating. What stays consistent is the approach: understand the financial reality first, model the implications carefully, and structure the transition in a way that protects your position on both sides of it.
01
Practice Valuation & Due Diligence
Establish a fair, defensible starting point for any negotiation. We provide rigorous financial due diligence for incoming buyers, ensuring you understand exactly what the numbers actually show before committing to a transaction.
02
Deal Structure Analysis
How a transaction is structured heavily dictates taxes, cash flow, and long-term outcomes for both parties. We analyze the economics to ensure the arrangement is clear, documented, and equitable.
03
Partnership & Associate Buy-Ins
A handshake agreement on a percentage of collections is not a partnership structure. We model the precise pathway from associate to ownership to ensure the financial journey works securely for everyone involved.
04
DSO Offer Review & EBITDA Analysis
Understand exactly what a DSO headline number means in practice. We conduct precise EBITDA analysis and model earnout structures, equity rollovers, and deferred compensation arrangements before you sign.
05
Payer Mix & Network Transitions
We model the exact revenue impact of dropping insurance carriers or moving toward a fee-for-service model, ensuring you have clear financial projections before making a commitment that affects your patient relationships.
06
Market & Strategic Shifts
When your market changes, your practice must adapt. We evaluate the financial case for adding new clinical services, responding to local demographic shifts, or repositioning your practice against new corporate competition.
Client Insights
Endorsements of Excellence.
Shannon’s attention to detail and deep knowledge of accounting principles have helped us navigate complex financial situations with confidence and clarity. She is exceptionally organized, prompt, and thorough in her work, ensuring that nothing is overlooked and that we are always in compliance with current regulations.
Beyond her technical skills, Shannon is a true partner to her clients. She takes the time to understand our unique goals and challenges, and she always goes the extra mile to offer proactive solutions and sound advice. Her calm demeanor, clear communication, and genuine care for our success have made her an indispensable part of our team.
If you are seeking an accountant who combines professional excellence with a personal commitment to her clients’ best interests, I wholeheartedly recommend Shannon Duke. She has earned our complete trust and highest regard.
She has functioned as my accountant for dental practice finances and for my personal taxes for several years.Leading up to working with Shannon and when I first became a client of hers: my dental practice had greatly expanded and my business partner of 23 years had just retired, my office building had been bought and sold, and a side business involving rental needed cleaning up with accounting, my husband's business that has complex legal obligations in multiple states needed more scrutiny and expertise, inheritance monies were being distributed, and personal life changes involving adult children and marriage financial issues were all in flux. Wow! I needed help!
Shannon worked out all the above financial issues for me with finesse, efficiency, and she taught me how to look after myself better. She helped me to financially firewall my dental practice and oversaw the splitting up of my large dental practice into smaller separate practices, protecting my assets. This was a very complicated topic, but I knew I was in excellent hands. She also worked with my practice attorney in this matter seamlessly.
I have had many financial conversations with Shannon. She does not nickel and dime me. She charges me a flat rate monthly. Sometimes, I need a lot of help, requiring a large chunk of professional time. Other months, it is less. I really appreciate Shannon's generosity with her time and quick responsiveness when I have concerns and questions. If you would like to speak with me privately about why I highly recommend this excellent accountant, please feel free to call me at (678) 327-9661.

After April 15: Proactive Tax Planning for Dental Practices
For high-performing dental practices, April 15 isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting point. Discover how transitioning from reactive compliance to proactive tax planning can reduce liability, optimize compensation structure, and
Strategic Insights, Delivered.
Join a private network of practice owners receiving our monthly tax and operational briefings.

Every Transition Has a Financial Story. Let Us Help You Write the Next Chapter.
What all of these transitions share is that they involve significant financial decisions being made under uncertainty, often on a timeline that does not allow for much second-guessing. The dentist who is selling to an associate is making a decision they may only make once in their lifetime.
The practice that is dropping its largest insurance carrier is making a choice that will ripple through its revenue for years. The incoming partner who is buying in without a thorough financial review is taking on risk they may not fully understand. The ultimate antidote to uncertainty is clarity.
That is exactly what we provide. We do not just offer a set of accounting services, but a financial perspective grounded in deep dental practice experience. We have worked with practices through every kind of transition, and we know what a well-structured outcome looks like on the other side.
Navigating a Change? Start With a Conversation.
Whether your transition is weeks away or still taking shape, the earlier we are involved, the more we can help. Financial clarity at the beginning of a transition protects you throughout the entire process. We are at our most useful before decisions get made, not after.
Schedule a free consultation and tell us where your practice is headed. We will help you think through the financial picture and figure out exactly where we can add the most value.