The US dental sector faces a ‘pivotal year’ as practice owners achieve optimal exits and private equity firms, including those in the UK, drive renewed growth.
Viper Partners, a US-based investment banking and M&A advisory firm specialising in dentistry, this week announced a significant nationwide capital commitment aimed at accelerating mergers, acquisitions, and recapitalisations across the dental industry.
A spokesman said: “Industry experts widely anticipate that 2026 will mark a robust rebound in dental M&A activity in the US, following a period of slowdown influenced by elevated interest rates.
“Major recapitalisations of private equity-backed Dental Service Organisations (DSOs) are expected to commence as early as the first quarter, driven by the inherent dynamics of private equity investment cycles.
“Private equity sponsors typically hold assets for limited periods before seeking exits to return capital to investors and reinvest in high-growth opportunities.
“Prolonged holds on mature DSO platforms are unsustainable, necessitating strategic turnover to reload funds and propel platforms back into aggressive expansion mode.”
Multiple favourable economic indicators are aligning to support this surge, including:
And recent market challenges, including an influx of unqualified brokers offering discounted fees and inconsistent advice, contributed to heightened uncertainty, eroded trust, and stalled negotiations for both buyers and sellers.
These disruptions have largely subsided, clearing the path for a more-stable and professional transaction environment.
Dave Branch, founder of Viper Partners, said: We are investing substantial resources nationwide to reignite and lead this resurgence.
“As the trusted advisor with the deepest experience in dental M&A, we are urging practice owners and DSO leaders to move off the sidelines and engage in meaningful conversations with qualified strategic partners now before competition intensifies and the strongest opportunities are captured.”