First-time consumers, current homeowners and small follow teams have been behind 82% of dental follow gross sales in 2024 based on a brand new report.
Small teams alone acquired 29% of companies offered in 2024, representing probably the most lively purchaser group. This had elevated from 18% in 2023.
Conversely, company consumers have been liable for simply 18% of dental enterprise purchases final 12 months, down from 31% in 2023.
Christie & Co’s Enterprise Outlook 2025 report additionally discovered a normal uptick in acquisitions in 2024. Viewings elevated by 19%, presents by 17% and agreed offers by a couple of quarter (26%).
The information means that 18% extra practices have been dropped at the market in 2024. Nonetheless, the rise in obtainable companies didn’t decrease the variety of presents acquired. Sellers acquired a median of 4.8 presents per follow sale – up from 4.4 in 2023 and simply 2.2 in 2022.
Dental practices have been averagely offered for 108% of their asking value. Nonetheless, a 9.6% lower within the common sale costs was famous in comparison with 2023. Christie & Co mentioned costs had ‘now stabilised’ and have been ‘exhibiting indicators of renewed optimism on the horizon’.
How do dental professionals really feel in regards to the follow gross sales market?
Along with information on follow gross sales, the dealer additionally investigated the attitudes of dental professionals in direction of the market. When requested about their sentiment in 2025, 37% of dental professionals mentioned they felt constructive. The identical quantity (37%) felt impartial, whereas 26% felt damaging.
Joel Mannix, head of dental at Christie & Co, mentioned: ‘Regardless of some ongoing challenges, the general sentiment is optimistic and, when coupled with that wider exercise, we anticipate the market to proceed to adapt and thrive, pushed by agility, innovation and resilience.’
Greater than six in 10 (65%) mentioned they have been trying to purchase or promote a dental enterprise in 2025.
Will traits proceed in 2025?
‘As we transfer into 2025, the dental market is poised for continued development. With impartial consumers and smaller teams main the cost, we anticipate a dynamic 12 months forward. Stabilised borrowing prices and a broader vary of alternatives will possible gasoline additional acquisitions, whereas renewed urge for food from non-public equity-backed company consumers will add an additional thrilling dimension to the market.’
Joel Mannix
Head of dental, Christie & Co
The report additionally lays out predictions for the follow gross sales market in 2025. These are:
A continued urge for food from impartial teams and owner-operator first-time consumers for all follow varieties
Elevated numbers of sellers desirous to exit earlier than future modifications to enterprise asset disposal reduction (BADR)
Larger nationwide dwelling wage (NLW) charges affecting follow profitability together with employers’ nationwide insurance coverage contributions (NICs)
Non-public equity-backed company consumers returning to the market in gentle of stabilised rates of interest and profitable durations of integration and divestment
Continued points with recruitment, alleviated considerably by the streamlining of the Performers Record Validation by Expertise (PVLE) and Abroad Registration Examination (ORE) processes
Because of the monetary restrictions positioned on NHS-focused practices, such because the ineligibility for the elevated employment allowance, acquisitions centered on NHS-heavy portfolios might need much less attraction to consumers.
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