Business Succession Planning For Dental Practice Owners

Jordan Uditsky • February 25, 2026

Why TODAY Is The Time To Prepare Your Practice – and Yourself - For an Uncertain Tomorrow

Whether you hung up your shingle a year ago or spent decades building a thriving and well-respected business serving generations of patients, your dental practice is deeply personal to you. The patients grateful for the care you provide, the associate dentists and staff who are happy to work for you, the reputation and goodwill you’ve cultivated – you made that happen. But what happens to all that if something happens to you?

 

Business succession planning is all about providing answers to that question. It’s not just a matter of preparing for and funding your retirement years or decades from now, though that is undoubtedly a big part of the rationale. It’s about protecting your practice, your employees, your patients, and your family if an unexpected event took you out of the picture tomorrow. That means today is the time to get your succession planning into gear.

 

Your Practice Isn’t Like Other Businesses, Because You Are The Business

 

Unlike a traditional corporation or partnership in any other industry, a dental practice is tethered to its owner in ways most businesses are not. Your name may be on the front door, and your reputation is why so many patients walk through it. Critically, in most states, including Illinois, a dental practice can only be legally owned by a licensed dentist. This means that, unlike other business owners who can hand off the reins to their spouse, children, partners, or employees, practice owners are much more limited in their succession options, and their unexpected departure or withdrawal from the practice becomes fraught with far greater peril and disruption.

 

This reality creates a specific and urgent set of legal, financial, and operational problems that don't resolve themselves on their own. Without a succession plan, the practice you worked a lifetime to build can unravel in a matter of weeks.

 

The Cascading Disaster That Happens Without a Succession Plan 

 

Consider the following common scenarios that illustrate the potentially disastrous consequences that flow from not having a comprehensive succession plan in place for a dental practice:  

 

  • A dentist and practice owner in her mid-50s suffers a stroke. She survives, but is unable to return to treating patients or running the practice for at least eighteen months, if ever. Without a plan designating an associate or partner to manage clinical operations and a legal structure allowing for that transition, the practice is rudderless and adrift, hemorrhaging patients and revenue. By the time the owner returns, half of her patient base has moved on.
  • A solo practitioner passes away unexpectedly with no buy-sell agreement, no identified successor, and no valuation in place. Her family is left trying to sell a practice under enormous time pressure, often at a fraction of its actual value, while simultaneously grieving and managing a probate process.
  • A retiring dentist decides to sell and discovers that key documents, such as shareholder agreements, lease assignments, and equipment ownership records, are disorganized or misplaced. The sale drags on for a year, the associate who was interested in buying walks away, and the dentist ends up negotiating from a position of weakness.

 

These undesirable outcomes and other fallout are 100% preventable with a well-crafted business succession plan, because your plan will cover every base and put in place structures that ensure continuity, stability, and clarity for your practice and your financial security, as discussed below.

 

What a Succession Plan Does

 

A comprehensive dental practice succession plan is not a single document. It is a coordinated set of legal, financial, and operational arrangements that seamlessly work together to protect the practice under a variety of circumstances. At minimum, your succession plan should address:

 

  • Ownership Transition Mechanisms. A buy-sell agreement is the cornerstone of any business succession plan. It establishes in advance who can purchase your interest in the practice, at what price, and under what triggering conditions, such as death, disability, retirement, or voluntary departure. Without this agreement, disputes over valuation and ownership can tie up a practice in litigation for years.
  • Practice Valuation. Dental practices should be formally valued regularly so that a relatively recent, accurate figure is in place in the event of an unexpected ownership event. A practice that was worth $500,000 five years ago may be worth $1.5 million today, and an outdated number can shortchange your estate or create conflict among your heirs.
  • Disability Planning. Disability is statistically far more likely than death during a dentist's working years. Your plan should designate who manages the practice if you are temporarily or permanently unable to practice, and your disability insurance coverage should be structured to align with that plan.
  • Integration With Estate Plan. Your succession plan must align with your broader estate plan. Ownership interests in the practice need to be properly titled, and your will, trust, and beneficiary designations should all be coordinated to avoid conflicts or unintended outcomes. Your estate planning and succession planning teams should work together to ensure that everything is in sync.

 

Why You Should Act Now To Put Your Succession Plan Together

 

As noted, there is a common misconception that succession planning is something you do when you're close to retirement. In reality, the best time to build a succession plan is when you have the luxury of not needing it yet; when you have time to be thoughtful, when your options are broadest, and when you're negotiating from a position of strength rather than urgency. The peace of mind you provide your colleagues, employees, patients, and yourself is well worth the effort, and your planning today will ensure the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build endures.

 

If you have questions or would like to discuss business succession planning for your dental practice, please call Grogan, Hesse & Uditsky at (630) 833-5533 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation.

 

At Grogan Hesse & Uditsky, P.C., we focus a substantial part of our practice on providing exceptional legal services for dentists and dental practices, as well as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons. We bring unique insights and deep commitment to protecting the interests of dental professionals and their practices and welcome the opportunity to work with you.

 

Jordan Uditsky, an accomplished businessman and seasoned attorney, combines his experience as a legal counselor and successful entrepreneur to advise dentists and other business owners in the Chicago area. Jordan grew up in a dental family, with his father, grandfather, and sister each owning their own dental practices. This blend of legal, business, and personal experience provides Jordan with unique insight into his clients’ needs, concerns, and goals.  

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These self-appointed ADA compliance "testers" have filed thousands of nuisance ADA suits that have cost American businesses millions of dollars. According to one analysis, ADA lawsuits have increased by 320% since 2013, with over 4,000 suits filed in 2024 alone. Many plaintiff's law firms file hundreds of cookie-cutter ADA lawsuits each year. One person can visit multiple businesses or websites in a single day solely to identify even the slightest accessibility transgressions in order to generate claims. While these suits can focus on any number of alleged ADA shortcomings, those relating to website accessibility (discussed in detail in this earlier post ) filed by a handful of law firms and serial plaintiffs have earned the scorn of small businesses and practices across the country. That's because these "testers" and the lawyers who represent them specifically target small businesses, as they typically have limited means to defend themselves, may not be able to discern between legitimate and bogus claims, and often see a quick payoff as the path of least resistance. Here’s how the shakedown typically goes down: A plaintiff or their attorney sends the practice a demand letter in which they claim that the practice’s website is inaccessible to people with disabilities (e.g., missing image alt text, inaccessible forms, incompatible with screen readers). They cite a violation of Title III of the ADA. They make a demand for a cash settlement, often ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, alongside a request for accessibility fixes. The business/practice cuts a check in exchange for a release of any ADA claims by that plaintiff related to the website. The business/practice may then receive more demand letters, often from the same firm, on behalf of other plaintiffs who make the same claim, and the extortion continues. Don’t Act Impulsively – Do This Instead All this is not to say that dental practice owners should consider all such claims and demands to be frivolous or ignore their ADA obligations relating to their website. To be sure, a meritorious ADA lawsuit can indeed expose a practice to significant financial and reputational damage. Before reflexively giving in to an ADA demand letter and settling a supposed claim, practice owners should take the following steps: · Don't Panic, But Don't Ignore It. As noted, a demand letter with legalese and ominous language doesn’t mean that you’ve done anything wrong or actually violated the law. While your immediate reaction may include fear, confusion, or anger, don’t act impulsively. By the same token, don’t assume it is a bogus threat; crumble up the letter and throw it in the recycling. Deadlines in these letters are real, and failing to respond appropriately to a viable claim could lead to litigation. · Contact Your Attorney Immediately. This is not a DIY situation. Before responding to the letter or contacting the sender, consult with an attorney experienced in ADA compliance and website accessibility issues. Your lawyer can evaluate the demand letter or complaint, the validity of the claim, and the law firm behind it before formulating an appropriate response. Testers send many cookie-cutter letters that may contain boilerplate allegations of deficiencies that do not actually exist. · Evaluate Your Actual Compliance. Work with your attorney and website accessibility experts to have your website assessed against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) , which courts often reference in ADA website cases. Understanding your site's actual accessibility helps inform whether settlement, remediation, or another approach makes sense and whether you need to take additional steps to avoid future claims. Keep in mind that this isn't just about legal compliance—it's good business. An accessible website serves all patients better and demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity. If you have questions about your business's ADA obligations and how to protect it from accessibility complaints, please call Grogan, Hesse & Uditsky at (630) 833-5533 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation. At Grogan Hesse & Uditsky, P.C., we focus a substantial part of our practice on providing exceptional legal services for dentists and dental practices, as well as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons. We bring unique insights and deep commitment to protecting the interests of dental professionals and their practices and welcome the opportunity to work with you. Jordan Uditsky, an accomplished businessman and seasoned attorney, combines his experience as a legal counselor and successful entrepreneur to advise dentists and other business owners in the Chicago area. Jordan grew up in a dental family, with his father, grandfather, and sister each owning their own dental practices. This blend of legal, business, and personal experience provides Jordan with unique insight into his clients’ needs, concerns, and goals.
Show More

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By Jordan Uditsky • April 2, 2026
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Why a Phase I Environmental Assessment Is Critical When Buying a Property for Your Dental Practice

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Bogus ADA Claims Regarding Dental Practice Websites Are Rampant

By Jordan Uditsky • February 4, 2026
Bogus ADA Claims Regarding Dental Practice Websites Are Rampant. Your Lawyer Can Help You Tell the Difference Between a Real Problem and a Real Shakedown. Over 25 years have passed since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) quite literally reshaped the landscape for people with disabilities. From building entrances to parking lots to restrooms to elevators, from hiring and employment opportunities to restaurants, stores, and websites, disabled Americans have far greater access to the same facilities, services, and opportunities as everyone else. Harassment at Best, Extortion at Worst For all the good it has accomplished, however, the ADA has also been abused by opportunistic individuals and attorneys who have used the law in bad faith to shake down small businesses, including dental practices, for alleged violations that have not actually caused any harm or infringed upon any rights afforded by the act. These self-appointed ADA compliance "testers" have filed thousands of nuisance ADA suits that have cost American businesses millions of dollars. According to one analysis, ADA lawsuits have increased by 320% since 2013, with over 4,000 suits filed in 2024 alone. Many plaintiff's law firms file hundreds of cookie-cutter ADA lawsuits each year. One person can visit multiple businesses or websites in a single day solely to identify even the slightest accessibility transgressions in order to generate claims. While these suits can focus on any number of alleged ADA shortcomings, those relating to website accessibility (discussed in detail in this earlier post ) filed by a handful of law firms and serial plaintiffs have earned the scorn of small businesses and practices across the country. That's because these "testers" and the lawyers who represent them specifically target small businesses, as they typically have limited means to defend themselves, may not be able to discern between legitimate and bogus claims, and often see a quick payoff as the path of least resistance. Here’s how the shakedown typically goes down: A plaintiff or their attorney sends the practice a demand letter in which they claim that the practice’s website is inaccessible to people with disabilities (e.g., missing image alt text, inaccessible forms, incompatible with screen readers). They cite a violation of Title III of the ADA. They make a demand for a cash settlement, often ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, alongside a request for accessibility fixes. The business/practice cuts a check in exchange for a release of any ADA claims by that plaintiff related to the website. The business/practice may then receive more demand letters, often from the same firm, on behalf of other plaintiffs who make the same claim, and the extortion continues. Don’t Act Impulsively – Do This Instead All this is not to say that dental practice owners should consider all such claims and demands to be frivolous or ignore their ADA obligations relating to their website. To be sure, a meritorious ADA lawsuit can indeed expose a practice to significant financial and reputational damage. Before reflexively giving in to an ADA demand letter and settling a supposed claim, practice owners should take the following steps: · Don't Panic, But Don't Ignore It. As noted, a demand letter with legalese and ominous language doesn’t mean that you’ve done anything wrong or actually violated the law. While your immediate reaction may include fear, confusion, or anger, don’t act impulsively. By the same token, don’t assume it is a bogus threat; crumble up the letter and throw it in the recycling. Deadlines in these letters are real, and failing to respond appropriately to a viable claim could lead to litigation. · Contact Your Attorney Immediately. This is not a DIY situation. Before responding to the letter or contacting the sender, consult with an attorney experienced in ADA compliance and website accessibility issues. Your lawyer can evaluate the demand letter or complaint, the validity of the claim, and the law firm behind it before formulating an appropriate response. Testers send many cookie-cutter letters that may contain boilerplate allegations of deficiencies that do not actually exist. · Evaluate Your Actual Compliance. Work with your attorney and website accessibility experts to have your website assessed against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) , which courts often reference in ADA website cases. Understanding your site's actual accessibility helps inform whether settlement, remediation, or another approach makes sense and whether you need to take additional steps to avoid future claims. Keep in mind that this isn't just about legal compliance—it's good business. An accessible website serves all patients better and demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity. If you have questions about your business's ADA obligations and how to protect it from accessibility complaints, please call Grogan, Hesse & Uditsky at (630) 833-5533 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation. At Grogan Hesse & Uditsky, P.C., we focus a substantial part of our practice on providing exceptional legal services for dentists and dental practices, as well as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral surgeons. We bring unique insights and deep commitment to protecting the interests of dental professionals and their practices and welcome the opportunity to work with you. Jordan Uditsky, an accomplished businessman and seasoned attorney, combines his experience as a legal counselor and successful entrepreneur to advise dentists and other business owners in the Chicago area. Jordan grew up in a dental family, with his father, grandfather, and sister each owning their own dental practices. This blend of legal, business, and personal experience provides Jordan with unique insight into his clients’ needs, concerns, and goals.
Show More