# How do I choose a dental practice broker? Choose a dental practice broker on process, buyer reach and dental deal experience rather than on fee, since McLerran & Associates says most 2026 commissions fall between 6% and 12% of the sale price. A written process and the right buyer pool matter more to the outcome than a point of commission, at this stage of the [practice lifecycle](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle). By DDSIntel Editorial. Source: DDSIntel, https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/choosing-a-dental-practice-broker. Published 2026-10-28; data as of 2026-08-21. ## Key numbers - **6%** the low end of one firm’s 2026 range for broker commissions (McLerran & Associates (Dental Transitions), 2026-08-21; https://dentaltransitions.com/articles/dental-practice-broker-commission-rates/) - **12%** the high end of that range (McLerran & Associates (Dental Transitions), 2026-08-21; https://dentaltransitions.com/articles/dental-practice-broker-commission-rates/) - **135** DSOs and private-equity groups in the buyer universe (more than), per TUSK Practice Sales (TUSK Practice Sales, Q3 2026 Dental Market Report (PR Newswire), Q3 2026; https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tusk-practice-sales-assesses-the-state-of-the-dental-industry-in-its-q3-2026-dental-market-report-302823046.html) - **175** practice locations reported sold to DSOs in the first half of 2026 (at least) (TUSK Practice Sales, Q3 2026 dental market report (press release), H1 2026; https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tusk-practice-sales-assesses-the-state-of-the-dental-industry-in-its-q3-2026-dental-market-report-302823046.html) ## What should a sell-side broker do for the fee? A full sell-side process covers valuation, confidential marketing materials, outreach to screened buyers, a managed bid window, comparison of letters of intent, diligence coordination and closing support. With more than 135 DSOs and private-equity groups in the 2026 buyer universe, reaching the right ones is the core of the work. Ask each candidate to walk through a recent sale stage by stage. The glossary entry for [sell-side process](https://ddsintel.com/glossary/sell-side-process) defines the term; buyers working with brokers from the other side are covered in [working with brokers as a buyer](https://ddsintel.com/deal-sourcing/working-with-brokers-buyer). ## Which questions separate a strong broker from a marketer? Ask how many dental sales the team closed in the last two years in practices like yours, how they decide between private and DSO outreach, who calculates adjusted EBITDA and defends add-backs, what happens if an offer is cut after diligence, and whether they attend diligence calls themselves. Written answers are easier to compare than a pitch. A broker who will prepare the practice for a [quality of earnings review](https://ddsintel.com/deal-sourcing/quality-of-earnings-review) before launch reduces the risk of a price cut later. See the glossary entry for [adjusted EBITDA](https://ddsintel.com/glossary/adjusted-ebitda). ## How should a seller compare broker fees? Compare the whole contract, not the percentage. Read the commission basis, minimum fee, retainer, tail period and exclusivity, and whether real estate or equipment is included. McLerran & Associates notes that tiered structures can lower the rate on larger practices, and a low rate on an inflated valuation pitch is not a bargain. Model net proceeds with a CPA, including the tax effect of [goodwill allocation](https://ddsintel.com/deal-sourcing/dental-practice-goodwill-percentage). The full cost stack is on [what it costs to sell a dental practice](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/cost-to-sell-a-dental-practice). ## When might a seller not need a full broker process? A sale to a known associate, an internal succession plan or a single pre-negotiated partnership can need less than a full marketed process, and some sellers use an attorney and a CPA instead. A wide DSO exploration usually benefits from managed outreach, confidentiality controls and someone to run 2 or more bidders in parallel. Match the adviser to the path using [exit options](https://ddsintel.com/lifecycle/exit-options) and [selling to a DSO or a private buyer](https://ddsintel.com/dso/dso-or-private-buyer). Market price context is on [practice valuation multiples](https://ddsintel.com/data/practice-valuation-multiples), and timing context on [dental transition signals](https://ddsintel.com/signals). DDSIntel does not rank or recommend brokers. ## Frequently asked questions ### What do dental practice brokers charge? McLerran & Associates says most charge a success fee between 6% and 12% of the final sale price in 2026. ### Should I choose the broker with the lowest fee? Not on fee alone. Process quality, buyer reach and diligence support usually matter more than a one-point difference. ### How many brokers should I interview? At least two dental-experienced advisers, each with a written process proposal you can compare. ### Can I sell my dental practice without a broker? Yes, especially to a known associate, but a wide DSO process is harder to run alone. ### Which contract terms matter besides the percentage? Commission basis, tail period, retainer, exclusivity and carve-outs for buyers you found yourself. ### Does DDSIntel recommend brokers? No. DDSIntel publishes aggregate market information and does not rank or endorse brokers. ## Sources 1. McLerran & Associates (Dental Transitions). Dental practice broker commission rates explained (August 21, 2026). https://dentaltransitions.com/articles/dental-practice-broker-commission-rates/ 2. TUSK Practice Sales, via PR Newswire. TUSK Practice Sales assesses the state of the dental industry in its Q3 2026 dental market report (July 10, 2026). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tusk-practice-sales-assesses-the-state-of-the-dental-industry-in-its-q3-2026-dental-market-report-302823046.html --- DDSIntel is a dental transition intelligence platform that detects pre-market dental practice transition signals for brokers, DSOs, lenders and the firms that serve them.