27 October 2026

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TUSK Practice Sales Releases Q4 2026 Dental Market Report

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New market report recaps Q3 and year-to-date trends and explains what each shift means for dentists weighing a transition.

TUSK Practice Sales, the premier sell-side healthcare M&A advisory firm, today released its Q4 2026 Dental Market Report. The report is written for dental practice owners in the United States seeking to learn about the latest dental service organization (DSO) and private equity activity, the macroeconomic and lending environment, specialty dentistry trends, and the ownership shifts that will shape exits over the next five to 10 years.

“DSOs are expanding, with the global DSO market projected to grow 17.4% a year through 2032, and they are going to continue to do so. In today’s difficult lending environment, many associates and recent dental school graduates are waiting longer to become owners. The 33.8% of dentists aged 55 and older will need to consider expanding their options to include a full or partial sale to a DSO,” said Kevin Cumbus, president and founder of TUSK Practice Sales.

Taken together, the findings describe a market where deals are still getting done and every dental practice owner has transition options, but the path to each one is shifting. Operating costs are rising faster than payer reimbursement, with reimbursement up 1.1% in the first half of 2026 compared with 1.8% inflation, and financing is costlier for the associates who have traditionally bought into practices. The report also includes an explainer on what an initial public offering (IPO) means for doctors who partner with a publicly traded dental company, as more platforms consider that pathway. TUSK Practice Sales advises dental practice owners who are five to 10 years from an exit to map out every option now.

“Owners five to 10 years from an exit have more paths available than ever, and more variables to weigh. DSO expansion is real, but so are tighter lending and a wave of groups preparing to go to market. We encourage all dentists to educate themselves on the value of their businesses and speak to their advisors as we enter a new era of dentistry,” concluded Ryan Mingus, managing director and partner at TUSK Practice Sales.

The Q4 2026 Dental Market Report is available to download here: Download the Report .

TUSK Practice Sales is a sell-side healthcare M&A advisory firm that represents practice owners in the sale of their businesses. TUSK has completed more than $1.5 billion in transactions across all specialties. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to hundreds of buyers nationwide, the company helps clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. With more than 125 years of combined experience in practice transactions, TUSK offers solutions that help clients achieve their strategic and financial objectives. Learn more at www.tuskpracticesales.com .

Source: https://tuskpracticesales.com/q4-2026-dental-market-report/