How do I explain an orthodontic practice’s patients mid-treatment to a buyer?

Begin by deciding how to present the open cases. A table by stage of treatment, with names held back until the buyer has signed a confidentiality agreement, shows the volume of work ahead. Add the expected remaining visits and any case that has run long or has special notes. Ask your lawyer what may be shared at each stage.

Next, explain the money side honestly. Buyers will want to know what patients have already paid, what is still due and who is responsible for finishing the treatment. This often becomes a negotiated point, and your accountant and lawyer can help you describe how the work and fees are to be handled between you and the buyer.

Finally, think about the patient. People in the middle of care want to know that their treatment will continue without interruption. Offer to plan a handover with the buyer, including a joint visit where practical, and make sure records are complete. A buyer who sees that you care about continuity is more likely to trust the rest of what you tell them. A short note for each open case, written in plain words, saves the buyer many questions and helps the receiving team keep the patient’s care consistent.

Key takeaways

• Summarize open cases by stage and flag unusual or long ones.
• Be clear about what patients have paid and what remains owing.
• Plan a joint handover so patients feel looked after.
• Write a short plain note for each open case for the buyer’s team.