Private equity has become more common in the dental space, and Viper Equity Partners is calling oral surgery deals "the gold rush of dentistry."
Viper Equity Partners is an investment banking firm that represents dentists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists and ophthalmologists across the country.
Five things Viper's David Branch, partner, and Jonathan Guise, vice president of dental operations, had to say about the trend, according to a Feb 1. press release:
- The deals between an oral surgery group and a private equity firm can be lucrative with earnouts, incentive plans and bonus programs.
- After the deal closes, the oral surgeons are shareholders and owners rather than employees.
- Private equity firms provide administrative and expansion support, but the surgeons remain in charge of their offices.
- Oral surgeons are typically paid 35-45 percent of their personal production.
- After a deal, practice managers are given new contracts similar to their present ones.